Gospel of Blood

Chapter 415: Kidnapping

A night quickly passed by.

The day of the Roman Sword’s Ancestral Recognition Ceremony finally arrived.

Early in the morning, the hotel where Charlotte was staying became bustling with activity. Attendants and maids were hurriedly preparing for the guests’ departure.

This was the best hotel in Roan City, and most of the residents were nobles participating in today’s ceremony.

Charlotte also got up early.

However, she did not wear the noble ceremonial dress she usually wore for such events. Instead, she changed into a maid’s outfit common in noble households, and even her appearance was altered by Nice’s magic to become more ordinary.

She was a guest of honor at today’s ceremony. According to Yurst, the guest of honor would not only have a special carriage to transport them but also a seat in the most prominent position on the viewing platform, close to the main seating area, making them the focal point of the event.

Moreover, it was said that the area around the guest of honor’s seat was protected by solidified magical barriers set up by Legendary mages. While these barriers might not withstand a true Legendary, anyone below that level wouldn’t stand a chance.

Although Charlotte didn’t think much of the so-called magical barriers with her blood divine power, the possibility of exposing her identity would increase.

Therefore, after a thorough discussion with Yurst, they decided not to ascend the guest platform but to switch identities directly from the hotel.

Looking at herself in the mirror and ensuring that even Sebastian would have difficulty recognizing her, Charlotte nodded in satisfaction.

Then she turned to look at the other “Charlotte.”

Today’s “Charlotte” was quite beautiful.

“She” was wearing an exquisite light blue dress, the color resembling the sky, adorned with elven-style star patterns, giving a sense of tranquility and fantasy. It highlighted the youthful figure of the girl while hinting at a hint of impending maturity.

However, “Charlotte’s” expression was not as natural.

Although trying to maintain elegance and composure, the slight awkwardness of her body indicated that “she” was quite uncomfortable wearing this outfit.

Especially when “she” glanced at the maid Sherry, who was picking up perfume and spraying it, “her” expression was quite stiff.

Naturally, “Charlotte” was the disguised Albrecht.

To be fair, his transformation magic was quite impressive.

Even Charlotte herself couldn’t tell if he was real or fake without using her blood divine power.

However, Albrecht’s expression was really too awkward, and his gaze at the dress was full of disdain.

Charlotte found it somewhat amusing, as if she saw her initial self right after the transmigration.

“Be more natural, Countess Castell. You are a Northern lord and a noble lady trained in proper etiquette.”

Charlotte laughed.

“Charlotte’s” expression became even stiffer.

“She” forced an unnatural smile and said somewhat dejectedly.

“La… Lady Charlotte, was it necessary to change into real clothes? And the perfume… I could just use magic to transform these things.”

“That won’t do. If you want to do it, do it properly. After all, there are Legendary-level magical barriers set up around the guest seats. Simply transforming the form is fine, but transforming the clothes as well carries the risk of being exposed.”

Charlotte tilted her head and smiled.

Albrecht: …

Humiliating…

Truly humiliating!

He, the Third Dark Apostle, a high-ranking member of the Blood Demon Cult, whose mere foot stomp could shake the Crescent Kingdom, had to wear women’s clothing!

“What? Are you dissatisfied?”

Charlotte glanced at him, smiling.

Albrecht’s movements stiffened.

He quickly suppressed his thoughts, forcing a somewhat difficult smile.

“How… how could that be? Even if it’s uncomfortable, since it’s your order, I will certainly do my best to complete it…”

“Mm, that’s the spirit. And… what did you just call me?”

“La… no, Miss maid.”

“Mm, that’s better.”

With a few words, Charlotte had trained Albrecht well. She glanced at the time.

“It’s about time. Let’s go downstairs.”

After packing up, they headed to the hotel’s reception room. Yurst was already waiting there.

Upon seeing Albrecht, his eyes lit up, showing a hint of admiration.

He approached “Charlotte”, bowed slightly, and smiled.

“Countess Castell, you look stunning today.”

Then, he looked around and whispered.

“But… where is the substitute you mentioned?”

Seeing Yurst approach, Albrecht frowned, a trace of impatience flashing in his eyes.

“Stay away from me, your rose-scented perfume is overwhelming.”

He said coldly, even using his original voice.

Yurst immediately froze, jumping two meters back.

“A… a man?!”

Seeing Yurst’s startled reaction, the maid-dressed Charlotte couldn’t help but laugh.

She cleared her throat slightly and spoke in her original voice.

“Sir Yurst, I’m here. That is my substitute.”

Yurst’s eyes widened.

He carefully examined Charlotte, then looked at Albrecht, rubbed his eyes, and scrutinized them for a while, even using his bloodborne sense to probe, but found no flaws.

“Impressive, Countess Castell. Where did you find such a professional substitute?”

He circled Albrecht, clicking his tongue in wonder.

Then, he frowned.

“But this voice… sounds familiar.”

Albrecht immediately fell silent, averting his gaze.

Charlotte laughed and reminded.

“When we get to the ceremony site, remember to use my voice as well.”

Albrecht paused and nodded.

Seeing the substitute reluctant to reveal his identity, Yurst didn’t mind.

With such advanced illusion magic, the person was likely a seasoned mage, probably quite powerful.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but glance at Charlotte.

To make a powerful mage disguised as a woman, this young countess indeed had profound resources.

However, considering that Castell was backed by that entity, Yurst suddenly found everything normal.

“Countess Castell, in a moment… we will split into two groups. Your substitute will ride the royal carriage to the ceremony site, while you will accompany me, posing as event staff to the square. Someone will meet you there and lead you directly to the underground chamber for the ceremony.”

Yurst said.

Charlotte nodded slightly.

“I understand. I will act with you, and my maid, Eudoxia, will accompany my substitute.”

“Eu… Eudoxia?”

Yurst was stunned.

He looked up and saw the black dragon maid hidden in the shadows, his eyes widening.

“Lady Eudoxia?!”

He was familiar with Eudoxia. After all, they had fought during the Lagrisse Viscountcy incident.

Recognizing Eudoxia’s identity, Yurst’s expression became even more astonished.

Especially after thinking about what Charlotte had just said…

Eudoxia… was Countess Castell’s maid!

By the True Ancestor!

Wasn’t that black dragon supposed to submit to the True Ancestor?

How did she become Countess Castell’s maid?

What was Countess Castell’s relationship with the True Ancestor?

At this moment, Yurst couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.

Since becoming a blood servant to Her Excellency the True Ancestor, he had been helping the True Ancestor within the Nez Clan by scouting for potential seeds, gathering intelligence, and running various errands. Yet, he had never received such treatment!

Though he knew Countess Castell was the agent of Her Excellency the True Ancestor, this level of favoritism was too much!

Yurst had to admit it. At this moment, he felt a bit of envy and jealousy in his heart.

Looking at Charlotte with a complicated gaze, Yurst sighed inwardly.

Compared to two thousand years ago, her Excellency the True Ancestor had not only become much gentler but also seemingly more generous.

Even a tamed dragon was gifted to a subordinate!

And it was a black dragon!

A real black dragon!

Not one of those subspecies with only dragon-blood lineage!

Who knows when Yurst would ever receive such treatment…

Seeing Yurst’s complicated expression, Charlotte had a slight sense that he might have misunderstood.

She smiled slightly and said.

“Sir Yurst, the eyes of the divine are always watching everything. Those who work diligently will not be treated unfairly.”

Hearing Charlotte’s words, Yurst stiffened slightly, his expression a bit awkward. He exchanged a glance with Charlotte, took a deep breath, and put on an elegant and appropriate smile again.

“I understand, Countess Castell. Thank you for your guidance.”

Just then, there was a light knock on the reception room door, and the voice of the hotel messenger came from outside.

“Count Yurst, Countess Castell, the royal reception carriage has arrived.”

Yurst’s heart skipped a beat, and he smiled.

“They’re here. Countess Castell, shall we go?”

The group left the reception hall and came to the hotel entrance, where two luxurious and beautiful carriages were parked. The sides of the carriages were inlaid with the Roman family’s lilac crest.

The first carriage was larger and more luxurious, even equipped with a complex and beautiful protective magic array.

The second carriage was slightly smaller but still exquisite and grand.

In front of the carriages, fully armed royal knights stood. Seeing Yurst and “Charlotte”, they quickly saluted.

“Count Yurst, Countess Castell.”

Yurst nodded slightly. He carefully observed the leading knight and frowned slightly.

“Huh? Isn’t Sir Sheldon leading the team today?”

Hearing Yurst’s words, the royal knight respectfully replied.

“My Lord, there are many commoners attending the ceremony at the square today. Sir Sheldon has been assigned to assist, so I am leading the team.”

“What is your name? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

Yurst asked with a frown.

The royal knight took out a badge from his pocket and presented it with both hands.

“My Lord, my name is Albert. I was recently transferred to the Royal Knights.”

Yurst took the badge, infused a bit of magic into it, and it glowed faintly, matching the knight’s magical aura.

He nodded and said.

“Alright, your identity checks out.”

Turning to “Charlotte”, he smiled.

“Countess, this is the Roman Royal Family’s VIP reception carriage. Its greatest feature is the arrangement of extraordinary soundproofing and magical arrays. It not only provides excellent privacy but is said to withstand an attack from a Legendary warrior. Only true VIPs are qualified to ride it.”

“For today’s ceremony, the only ones qualified to be received are you and Duke Conte.”

“Charlotte” glanced at the luxurious carriage and raised an eyebrow slightly.

“She” then looked at Charlotte, dressed as a maid, and used a magic sound transmission spell.

“Lady Charlotte, are you sure you want me to ride this carriage and attend the ceremony in your place?”

Charlotte gave him a look and also used a small sound transmission spell she had learned from Nice.

“Why, do you have a problem with it?”

“Charlotte” was stunned for a moment, then shook his head slightly.

“I have no problem, as long as you don’t have any issues.”

“Me? Of course, I have no issues. It’s just a ceremony. As long as you follow my instructions and don’t interfere with my plans, it’ll be fine.”

Charlotte transmitted back.

“Charlotte” seemed to understand, nodding.

“Then I have no issues.”

Yurst: …

“Are you two ready? If we delay any longer, the knights might get suspicious. The Roman Royal Family is very strict about impersonations.”

Yurst said in a low voice.

Charlotte ended her exchange with Albrecht, gave him a look, and Albrecht nodded slightly before elegantly stepping into the carriage, imitating Charlotte’s usual demeanor.

Eudoxia was about to follow when the royal knights stopped her.

“Sorry, miss, only invited nobles can ride the royal VIP carriage. Attendants must ride the one behind.”

Eudoxia glared at him coldly.

Under her gaze, the royal knight felt as if he was being stared down by a terrifying beast. His scalp tingled, and his hair stood on end.

He almost instinctively gripped his weapon and took a step back, causing the other knights to tense up and grip their weapons as well.

Yurst interrupted.

“Lady Eudoxia!”

Eudoxia looked at him, and Yurst sighed, explaining.

“Lady Eudoxia, this is an old rule of the Roman Royal Family. But don’t worry, the Roman Square is nearby. The carriage will reach the destination in three to five minutes.”

Then, he explained to the royal knights.

“Lady Eudoxia is Countess Castell’s personal maid and guard. She can be considered a knight.”

The royal knights exchanged glances, relaxed, and saluted Eudoxia.

“Knight Lady, please forgive us.”

Eudoxia snorted coldly and boarded the second carriage.

The royal knights breathed a sigh of relief, saluted Yurst to express their gratitude, and then escorted the two carriages away.

Seeing the two carriages turn a corner and head to the Roman Square for the ceremony, Yurst clicked his tongue.

“Today’s knights are quite strict.”

He then smiled at Charlotte.

“Alright, Countess Castell, your double has successfully infiltrated. Now it’s our turn.”

“Our carriage is ready, but for convenience, we need to use the back door.”

Charlotte nodded.

She withdrew her gaze from the royal carriages and then grabbed Nice, who was trying to sneak away.

“Meow! Nice just remembered something else to do! Nice doesn’t want to go!”

A certain fat black cat struggled and yelled frantically.

“Hmm? Is Sir Nicholas coming too?”

Yurst raised an eyebrow at the black cat Charlotte was holding by the scruff.

“His magic is quite good, maybe useful.”

Charlotte said succinctly.

With Yurst’s gleeful gaze, Charlotte forcibly took Nice onto Yurst’s carriage, which then headed to the Roman Square from another direction.

Meanwhile, the royal knight-escorted VIP carriage arrived near the viewing platform…

Inside the VIP carriage, however, there was more than just “Charlotte.”

“Heh heh, Countess, if you don’t want your pretty face scratched or your delicate throat accidentally slit in my nervousness, you’d better behave.”

Inside the carriage, a black-robed, masked man held a sharp dagger to “Charlotte’s” white neck, chuckling in a low, raspy voice.

“Charlotte” blinked.

“She” glanced at the other masked mage with a decent aura and then at the dagger-wielding man, both seemingly at the same level as the mage. She whistled softly and asked in Charlotte’s voice with a bit of curiosity and anticipation.

“Is this… a kidnapping?”