Chapter 307
“I am aware of the Nais Clan’s situation,” Charlotte pondered as she spoke. “It has to do with the high-level decisions of their hierarchy, and in the coming period, they are likely to cease their infiltration of the Northern Land.”
A decision by the Nais leadership?
Sebastian’s heart stirred slightly.
Given the attack on the Earl’s Mansion and the Nais Clan’s usual modus operandi, he had a vague suspicion forming in his mind.
“Sebastian, what about that Bloodline from the Blood Demon Church you just mentioned?”
Charlotte asked again.
Sebastian’s expression became grave:
“Master, I was about to report this matter to you. After conducting further covert investigations in the nearby cities, we discovered that the nobles who have embraced the Bloodline have not only become collaborators with the Nais Clan, but some of them are backed by the Blood Demon Church!”
“The Blood Demon Church has also infiltrated the Northern Land, but I am not yet clear on the extent of their infiltration. Based on the traces left by the Nais Clan, they seem to have collaborated with the Blood Demon Church as well.”
“However, it appears that the Nais Clan has come into conflict with the Blood Demon Church. This may be related to the Nais Clan’s withdrawal; during our investigations, we found traces of their battles, including the breath of a giant dragon.”
“After discovering the dragon’s tracks, I decided to lead the team in a retreat. It was during this retreat that we were attacked by a Blood Demon Cultist and a Black Dragon, forcing us to hastily set up defenses within the ancient castle…”
Hmm? The Blood Demon Church had a hand in the Nais Clan’s infiltration of the Castel Domain?
Upon hearing Sebastian’s words, Charlotte frowned slightly, but at the same time, there was a sense of realization.
During the investigation of the Castel silver mine, she had found that the use of Undead Magic by a Bloodline named Gicod didn’t seem to match the style of the Nais Clan nor that of the Valadet Clan as recorded in the texts, but it did have the essence of the Blood Demon Church.
Combining Sebastian’s investigation, she finally understood what was going on—the Blood Demon Church was involved as well.
However, it remained unknown whether the Nais Clan turned to them in desperate sickness or for some other reason.
Through in-depth exchanges with Nisi and recent investigations into the directly administered nobility, Charlotte had almost figured out the Nais Clan’s purpose.
After the Lilac War, the Nais Clan’s survival in Falling Star Kingdom faced a severe challenge. They were possibly preparing for a counter-offensive against the current Falling Star Royal Family, which was supported by the Holy Royal Court, in hopes of reclaiming their influence in Falling Star Kingdom.
In other words, these Nais Bloodline members might be covertly preparing for a second Lilac War.
As for what role the Blood Demon Church played in this, Charlotte was uncertain.
But considering the typical objectives of that group of fanatics, it probably had something to do with summoning the Blood Demon Duke to the world or overthrowing the government of the New Moon Kingdom.
The Blood Demon Church… That was always the source of chaos, a dark power on the New Moon Peninsula, eager for disorder and the destruction of all order.
After contemplating, Charlotte asked again:
“The city where you conducted the investigation nearby, which one was it? And who is the lord there?”
Sebastian replied respectfully:
“Master, it is Nord City, and the Lord is Devant de Legris.”
“The Legris Family?”
Charlotte’s gaze shifted subtly.
“Yes.”
Sebastian nodded.
“Legris, huh…”
Charlotte lightly tapped the armrest of the Blood Throne, the figure of Lola, a female viscount from the Legris Family, surfacing in her mind.
“Master, have you thought of something?” Sebastian asked, perceiving Charlotte’s deep in thought.
Charlotte lightly shook her head:
“It’s nothing much, just pondering a question. The female viscount from the Legris Family mentioned during her audience with me that she had been framed by the Lien Castel family and suffered an attack by the Bloodline. At the time, I thought it might be a method used by the Nais Clan to balance the various Castel noble families. But now it seems… perhaps not.”
Sebastian’s heart skipped a beat:
“Do you suspect… the Blood Demon Church’s involvement?”
“It’s a possibility we cannot exclude,” Charlotte mused, saying.
“So… do we need to investigate the Legris Family?” Sebastian inquired.
“There’s no rush on that. Reviewing the entire Count Territory is the broader strategic direction, and Viscount Lien Castel has already begun the review. The Legris Family is a crucial link; it wouldn’t be wise to force their hand too early before the review of the other nobles concludes, especially since… we are not truly clear about that female viscount’s stance.”
“However, now that the Nais Clan has begun their withdrawal, it’s likely that Legris will react.”
“For the time being, let’s just observe their next move,” Charlotte said, shaking her head once more.
“The ’Three Royal Families’ represent the three largest powers in the Castel Domain.
Apart from the reputable but hollow Lien Castel family and the Roman Fuer that held poor relationships with most of the nobility and whose influence is mainly at sea, the Legris Family is undoubtedly the most militarily powerful family in the Castel Domain.
This family, Charlotte had planned to negotiate with last.
She surmised that if the territory’s nobility were genuinely to unite against her, raising the flag would and must be Legris, simply because other families lacked such prestige and strength.”