"How often do the Nes clan's remote meetings usually take place? Are there any rules?"
Charlotte ignored Agnes's shocked expression and continued to ask while playing with the communication crystal.
Agnes was silent for a moment and said:
"Remote meetings are only held on the 1st, 11th and 21st of every month. It seems that the crystal controlled by the Ness clan needs to be recharged."
"However, it is not necessarily held every ten days. Generally speaking, before the meeting, the crystal ball will release a signal three days in advance and its luster will turn red."
No. 1, No. 11 and No. 21...
Charlotte was thoughtful.
Today is July 22nd, which means that Agnes and the others probably communicated with the vampires behind the scenes yesterday, and the next communication should be on August 1st.
"Did you have a meeting yesterday?"
"Yes."
"Did the vampires of the Ness clan say anything at the meeting?"
"I asked about their respective progress, and also mentioned the workshop, saying that something happened in the workshop."
"A workshop..."
Charlotte nodded slightly.
This must be the Castells Mining Workshop.
It was obvious that Charlotte's actions had aroused the vigilance of the vampires behind the scenes, and even said that it might have affected their plans.
"Hey! I've told you everything I know, but you haven't told me who you are."
"Succeed as king or lose as bandit, I admit defeat, but at least...let me die in peace!"
Agnes gritted her teeth and said.
Charlotte glanced at her and chuckled:
"When did I say I was going to kill you?"
Agnes was stunned for a moment.
However, Charlotte did not explain any more, but stood up and left the interrogation room.
As for Agnes's surprise, she did not answer in the end, leaving the other party alone and suspicious.
At the same time, Sebastian also walked out of another interrogation room.
After seeing Charlotte, he naturally came to the girl and said respectfully:
"Master, Lahire's interrogation is over."
"Oh? How about it?"
"It went pretty well. He was reluctant to tell me at first, but after his subordinates used Agnes to threaten him, he told me everything he knew."
Sebastian smiled slightly and presented the middle-aged knight's confession with both hands.
While Charlotte took the confession, she glanced at Sebastian strangely, thinking that the master and servant were really master and servant, even the reasons for the confession were exactly the same.
Of course, she and Sebas were very different, and they chose the same method invariably.
After browsing through Rahel's confession, Charlotte and Agnès's answers were correct, but there was no difference.
Obviously, in order to keep her own knight, Agnes did not deceive her, and the same was true for Rahel on the other side.
"Master, we have asked everything we can ask, what should we do with them next?"
Sebastian asked respectfully.
Charlotte pondered for a moment and said:
"Keep it closed for now, maybe it will be useful."
To be honest, although Agnes and the two summoned the undead to attack her convoy, perhaps because they did not cause much damage, she did not hate them so much, so she did not have much desire to kill them all.
Now that I know from Agnes the reason why Castel hates him, I can no longer hate him even more.
Even if the other party obviously hates her tooth and nail.
After knowing that Agnes and the others had a way to participate in the remote meeting of the blood clan behind the scenes, Charlotte really planned to sneak in and take a look.
However, she does not plan to participate in person.
The reason is simple. Although she had just successfully activated the Ness clan's communication crystal, the communication crystal was not as peaceful as it looked on the surface. When Charlotte activated it, she could feel the trembling of the communication crystal.
This Ness clan's communication crystal... seems to react very strongly to her bloodline.
Agnes said that the communication crystal is activated based on bloodline.
It is obvious that the strength of Charlotte's bloodline, which possesses the Blood Sacred Scripture and has been deeply modified by the Sacred Scripture, has already exceeded that of ordinary vampires.
Charlotte didn't know whether her body's current bloodline strength was at the "true ancestor" level, but it was definitely much stronger than the third-generation bloodline Count Hall that Agnes was able to kill.
Under this situation, Charlotte was really not sure what would happen if she sneaked in personally.
Based on the description, she estimated that this kind of remote communication was probably an advanced application similar to the dream world. If this was really the case, then her status was indeed too high. It was very likely that the moment she entered the meeting, she brought the entire meeting together.
Transformed into a dark night castle.
That's a big deal, her current strength is too weak, the cheats are limited, and she has to be careful to hide her identity.
Charlotte thought that maybe these two people would be needed at that time.
If she enters the meeting place directly, she may cause strange phenomena, but if she sneaks into the meeting of the Ness clan through Lahire's spiritual world in a way similar to the possession of the favor of blood, it may be a good choice.
But this requires Rahel's cooperation.
He doesn't need to become Charlotte's blood dependent, he just needs to let go of the spiritual world, just like Charlotte sneaked into Lottie's spiritual world.
But there is no rush, there are still eight or nine days left.
Now Charlotte is more curious about the banquet at the Earl's Mansion the day after tomorrow, what the nobles in the territory and the vampires infiltrating behind the scenes will do.
Thinking of this, Charlotte glanced around her mansion again:
"Where's that Nice guy?"
"Should you go and seduce the maids in the house? I just saw it meowing and acting cute to some of the little maids in the house before I entered the interrogation room."
Sebastian smiled slightly, never forgetting to give Nice eye drops in front of Charlotte.
Charlotte:……
Her face turned dark and she said:
"Tell him to meet me in the study."
After a while, Nice came to Charlotte's study.
"Meow! Great Miss Charlotte, do you have something to do with me?"
Looking at the black cat who seemed to be fatter after arriving at the territory, and whose hair was shinier, Charlotte clicked her tongue:
"Nice, I feel like you are living a good life as a child. How is the maid in the house?"
After hearing Charlotte's words, Nice's eyes instantly lit up:
"Meow! Not bad! It's really good! As expected of the Castel Territory, which is rich in beauties, the quality of the maids in your house is much higher than that in the manor! Master Cat..."
Nice didn't finish what she said.
Because it quickly noticed that Charlotte's expression became playful.
"Say, why don't you say anything?"
Charlotte said with great interest.
Ness swallowed and shuddered coldly. He quickly stopped talking and changed the subject:
"Um... um... why did you call me here?"
Charlotte did not continue to care about the private life of this perverted cat, but straight to the point:
"What is the highest level of protection, sealing magic and divine spells that you can cast now?"
Nice thought for a while and said honestly:
"Um... As for magic, it can only be used at the second level at most. Divine magic is better, it can gather Mithras... ah no, it can borrow the power of the great God of Contract, so it can be used at the third level."
Charlotte:……
Did you just want to talk about shedding wool?
Are you talking about shearing wool?!
After being adopted as a slave, she had never seen this perverted cat praying to the gods once. Now it seems that he took advantage of some loophole to use divine magic, right?!
This guy... is definitely not a believer of Mithras, the god of contract from Laushizi!
Charlotte gave Nice a strange look, thought for a moment, and said:
"Nice, I want you to lay out all the high-level protective magic and sealing magic you can at the banquet in the Earl's Mansion. Can you do it?"
Nice's eyes lit up:
"Are you going to deal with those vampires who may sneak in? Meow! Don't worry! I'll take care of it! I guarantee that all those who don't have eyes will be sent to another dimension!"
Charlotte's eyes twitched:
"That's not necessary, I want to catch him alive."
But after thinking about it, she added:
"It's okay to have a backup player who can exile other dimensions."
"Meow! Don't worry while we do the work!"
Nice slapped his chest and said.
…
After ordering Nice to prepare magical spells, Charlotte finally had some free time and planned to take a look at the collection of books in the Earl's Mansion.
However, she was destined to not be able to take any time off soon after returning to Beigang from the mining workshop.
Before the sweet milk on the desk had cooled down, she received another request from the mayor of Northport, Madoc Oran.
"Madoc? Let him in."
She took a sip of milk and said to Shirley, the maid who reported.
Shirley respectfully resigned, and soon Madoc Oran, the mayor of Northport, hurried in.
"My Lord Earl, I heard that you caught the mercenaries who attacked you on Qianshui Street?"
The chubby old mayor asked quickly as soon as he entered the study.
Charlotte was a little surprised:
"The news spread so fast?"
Madoc Oran nodded:
"Yes, it has spread. After all, all the city guards were dispatched to Qianshui Street in the morning. I heard that even the Mercenary Association sent many mercenaries to participate. There was quite a stir."
As he spoke, he sighed again:
"This is also my dereliction of duty. I didn't expect these bold mercenaries to be hiding in Qianshui Street, nor did I expect that the poor people in Qianshui Street would dare to shelter criminals..."
"However, the problem on Qianshui Street is no longer a matter of one or two days. Please give me some more time. I promise to take care of the security of this place!"
"Please rest assured, I will definitely give you an explanation on this matter!"
Madoc Oran gritted his teeth and said.
Charlotte gave him a strange look:
"The mercenary who attacked me is not from Beigang. Why did you mention Qianshui Street again?"
Madoc Oran was stunned:
"Aren't you...very dissatisfied with Qianshui Street?"
Charlotte frowned:
"I?"
She looked slightly cold:
"Who said that?"
Madoc Oran hesitated for a moment and said honestly:
"The city guards told me. I heard from the guards that you were quite dissatisfied with the protection provided by Qianshui Street when you were searching for fugitives..."
Charlotte was stunned for a moment, and soon remembered that she did seem to show dissatisfaction when communicating with the guards.
However, she was not targeting Qian Shui Street, but the guards who responded to her question and described all residents living in the slum as unruly people who were disobedient and disrupted public order.
Now it seems that her expression at that time was misunderstood by the guards, and it even reached the mayor Maddock.
At this time, Charlotte understood to some extent why those in high positions in previous lives always carefully controlled their words and deeds.
Because your words and deeds may very well represent your attitude in the eyes of your subordinates.
And your attitude will directly affect the further work.
"I am not dissatisfied with the protection of Qianshui Street, but I am shocked that there is such a poor place in the wealthy Beigang. After all... no lord will be happy when he sees that his subjects are not living well.
"
After thinking for a while, Charlotte said.
After hearing Charlotte's words, Northport Mayor Maddock breathed a sigh of relief. He sighed slightly and said:
"Qianshui Street is also an old problem in Beigang. I have always wanted to solve it, but I am ashamed...there has never been a way to eradicate it."
Charlotte's heart moved:
"How long have ghettos like Qianshui Street... existed?"
Beigang Mayor Maddock said respectfully:
"It's been a long time. It should have been after all the land in Beigang was developed. As you know, Beigang is a city built on the water. At the beginning, it was a small island on a shallow beach. Later, successive counts continued to expand the area and it became
Today’s scale.”
"However, the areas where Beigang can be expanded have almost been developed. However, due to the development of the alchemy workshop industry in recent years, Beigang's population has been growing rapidly, and now it has almost reached its limit..."
"Qianshui Street emerged under such circumstances. Those who had no money to live in the city built houses along the water along the outer city wall, which eventually became today's Qianshui Street. No... to be honest, it can no longer be regarded as Qianshui Street.
Now Qian Shui Street has almost become a shallow water area."
Charlotte frowned:
"Since there is not enough land, has there been no plan to expand Beigang for so many years? I saw this morning that Qianshui Street is completely exposed outside the city wall. On weekdays, the weather is good, but if there is a storm,
I’m afraid there will be heavy losses every time, right?”
Madoc sighed:
"You are saying that after every storm, Shallow Water Street is in a mess, and dealing with post-storm relief has always been a headache for the city hall."
"As for the city expansion plan, there is one, but it has never been pushed forward. I have read the records of Beigang. The earliest plan was eighty years ago, but it was later stalled because of the Star-Moon War."
"The expansion of North Port requires money, a lot of money. All the money Castel received at that time was invested in the war, so the plan was postponed."
"It's just that no one expected that the Star-Moon War would last for more than eighty years, so the expansion of Beigang would be delayed until the end of the war..."
"But not long after the war ended, the previous Earl, your father, died, and the expansion plan of Beigang was stalled again... until today."
Charlotte's heart moved:
"How much does it cost to expand Beigang?"
Madoc thought for a while and said:
"This... you have to calculate it carefully. Considering that you need to recruit an archmage or even a legendary mage to take action, I'm afraid it will be a sky-high price..."
"As you know, we no longer have Master Blazing Sun."
Charlotte pondered for a moment and ordered:
"You should compile a list for me as soon as possible. I want to see the approximate cost of expanding Beigang, and... compile the information on Beigang and Qianshui Street and bring it to the Earl's Mansion."
Now that you have become a lord, you have to do something first.
Taking back power is one thing, and improving the situation of the territory is another.
Places like Shallow Water Street were never mentioned in the study materials of Castel Manor, and they could only be discovered after Charlotte came to the territory and inspected them on the spot.
People are afraid of comparison. Compared with the comfortable life in the city, it is normal for residents to feel resentful when living in such a place.
Charlotte felt that since she saw it, she couldn't ignore it.
While integrating the nobles and gathering power, she also needed to do something to win the approval of the people and lay the foundation for future missionary work.
"Okay, Lord Earl, do you plan to expand North Port?"
Madoc's eyes lit up and he asked expectantly.
Charlotte glanced at him and said:
"I just have a preliminary idea. Let me take a look at the information first, and... don't spread it to anyone else."
"I obey your orders!"
Madoc bowed respectfully and said.
…
Maddock's efficiency is still very high.
It can be seen that the mayor of North Port really wanted to leave a good impression on Charlotte. The next day after she issued the order, he used a carriage to pull the compiled information to the Earl's Mansion.
"My Lord Earl, this is all the information about Beigang and Qianshui Street. However... regarding the funds for the expansion you mentioned yesterday, it will take some time to calculate because it is too complicated."
"As you know, different expansion plans require different amounts of funds. We have made some plans before, but... it has been a long time. Now many things have to be demolished and rebuilt."
Madoc said respectfully.
"It's okay, don't rush this moment."
Charlotte ordered the maid to send the information to the study and said.
Charlotte did not check the information immediately.
Things have priorities, and the expansion of Beigang cannot be decided in a day or two. For now, we must hold a banquet first and meet with our vassal nobles.
Tomorrow is the Earl's Mansion banquet, and she still has to make some preparations today.
Of course, specifically, together with Nice, we set up a dragnet at the Earl's Mansion in advance, waiting for possible vampires to take the bait.
It would be fine if the Ness clan didn't take action.
If she really wanted to take action, she would leave everyone behind!
The day passes quickly.
In a blink of an eye, the day of the Earl's Mansion banquet finally arrived.