After finalizing the discussion with Count Stafford, the meeting that would determine the future of the Falling Star Kingdom came to an end.

Both parties were very pleased, especially Count Stafford, who came in haste and with worry but now seemed as if a weight had been lifted and clouds had given way to sunshine.

Lord Charlotte personally saw Count Stafford out of the Count Mansion, and before leaving the mansion, Count Stafford hesitated and then turned back, speaking in a deep voice,

"Your Majesty, we must act quickly on our trip to Falling Star, and we must remain concealed after landing. Therefore... we might need you to bring as few followers as possible, what do you think..."

Charlotte nodded,

"I understand, don't worry, I won't bring too many followers."

Count Stafford then sighed with relief,

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. Then... tomorrow morning, I will come to the Count Mansion to escort you again."

"Let's dispense with these formalities, just wait for me at the dock tomorrow."

Charlotte shook her head.

Count Stafford was slightly startled and then nodded respectfully.

After bowing to Charlotte again, he then left the Count Mansion.

As Count Stafford departed, the Black Cat Nisi, who had been eavesdropping outside the drawing room, suddenly sprang out, its round face brimming with excitement:

"Lord Charlotte! Lord Charlotte! Tomorrow, tomorrow I…"

Charlotte glanced at it and immediately knew what kind of nonsense was pent up inside it:

"Want to come along?"

"Meow, meow! These few months, when you were not around, Master Cat... ahem, I didn't dare to wander off, fearing I might get abducted again and interfere with your plans, I've almost suffocated from staying put so long!"

Nisi said.

No sooner had Nisi finished speaking than a streak of sword light flashed by, and the Roman Sword's crisp and immature voice also rang out:

"Me too! Me too! Oh great… erm… Master Charlotte, I've also been stifled for so long! I want to go to Falling Star too!"

Charlotte looked at both the cat and the sword, nodding,

"If you want to go, then go. Also, check if Yulster has left yet. If he's still in North Port, ask him if he wants to come along."

Since the destination was Falling Star, the Roman Sword was definitely coming, and Nisi... might as well bring it along.

After all, they were about to deal with the Nais Bloodline, and this creature, being worldly and widely informed, might be able to help.

As for Yulster, since it was the same destination, traveling together might make it easier for her to meet with the Nais Clan.

"Yulster? Right on! I'll send a Magic Transmission to inquire right away!"

Nisi quickly nodded.

It had long become accustomed to the fact that Charlotte, despite being a "God," did not often directly contact her Favored, preferring to have others run errands.

"Also, go and tell Sherry to prepare the items I'll need for the trip. Keep the specifications the same as they are when I make private visits in disguise."

Charlotte added.

"Eh? The same as when visiting in disguise? Lord Charlotte, you... really plan to go without any guards?"

Nisi expressed surprise.

Charlotte shook her head,

"We are going to deal with the Nais Bloodline, Castel's Transcendent Knights are still too weak. Beyond bolstering our presence, should real danger arise, they'd not only be of no help but might also need protection. It's better to leave them behind."

"As for the guards accompanying us, I've already had a good candidate in mind, and their strength should suffice..."

"A good candidate?"

Nisi paused, suddenly vigilant, and quickly looked around before asking cautiously,

"You... don't tell me you have other 'followers'?"

Before Charlotte could reply, a light chuckle sounded behind Nisi,

"Hehe, such a great being as Lord Charlotte surely has other followers more befitting her status."

It was Albrecht.

The black swarm of bats dispersed, and he appeared at her side, still dressed as a mercenary.

This silent appearance and voice startled Nisi, making it jump, its fur bristling.

It leapt and instinctively hid behind Charlotte, only sticking out its head.

"You? The third Dark Apostle of Shedite? When did you come to Castel again?"

The Roman Sword immediately recognized Albrecht's identity.

Albrecht offered a slight bow to the Roman Sword, laughing,

"Long time no see, Lord Roman. I have come to Castel at Lord Charlotte's summons, to accompany her."

The Roman Sword suddenly realized,

"So you're the follower Lord Charlotte was talking about!"

Finished, it floated next to Albrecht, patting his shoulder familiarly and said with an air of pretentious wisdom,

"Not bad, not bad! You're quite capable, and will make a decent guard!"

"Ah, if only those guys from the Nais Clan were as sensible as you. The era of the Duke and the Prince is over. Now that Master Charlotte has returned, it's right to wake up and submit early!"

"After all... to be a follower of Master Charlotte is the greatest honor! Unlike those Nais Bloodline who can't see the situation clearly, not knowing who their true master is. In the end, they anger Master Charlotte and are likely to become mere Blood Servants!"

The Roman Sword chattered away, momentarily forgetting that it was also 'contracted' rather forcefully.

However, it wasn't that it "degraded" into Charlotte's Divine Artifact and then shamelessly licked up to Charlotte, it truly did benefit from becoming Charlotte's Divine Artifact.

Although it was nearly driven insane by the prayers of Charlotte's followers when it was used as the core of the Faith Network for several months, it also reaped plenty of benefits as the core, sharing in the Divine Power fed back by the believers.

Not to mention, Charlotte didn't treat it harshly.

Upon hearing the words of the Roman Sword, Albrecht's expression stiffened, and he forced a smile,

"You... are right."

Looking at Albrecht, who had appeared, Nisi didn't say much, but a sense of vigilance surged in his heart.

The True Ancestor... Haven't the new Favored been increasing a bit too quickly?

Yulster is one thing, but then came a Black Dragon, and now even a Legendary Dark Apostle has bowed down before Their Elder... And now, Her Ladyship is about to become the Queen of Falling Star...

Hiss...

It feels like the space left for me is getting smaller and smaller!

Nisi suddenly woke up, a sense of urgency at being surpassed filling his heart.

No...

This can't go on any longer!

Even if I'm the only pet of the True Ancestor, even if I'm the only one qualified to disguise myself as Her Elder after She falls asleep, I have to stay vigilant and not be replaced!

There's limited space at the helm of this supreme vessel, and I, Nicholas, must not be edged out!

I have to work even harder and prove my worth!

Nisi's thoughts surged, and he quickly completed self-PUA, almost forgetting that he too had been forcibly bound by a contract into servitude.

Half an hour later, having received the message from Nisi through Magic Transmission, Yulster finally arrived.

This guy... actually hadn't left.

"Lo... Lord Castel, are you setting out for Falling Star tomorrow?"

Yulster asked with a surprised look.

Then, he saw Albrecht standing beside Charlotte.

Yulster's smile instantly froze.

Although Albrecht had changed his clothes, his appearance was not disguised and was the same as at Roman's banquet; he recognized him almost instantly.

"Yo, Count Yulster, we meet again."

Albrecht said with a skin-deep smile.

Yulster swallowed nervously and managed to pull out an awkward smile,

"Al... Albrecht, how... how do you do?"

...

The next morning, Charlotte set off on her journey to Falling Star.

She didn't bring too many people with her, only Albrecht disguised as a mercenary, Yulster acting as a Knight, the chatty Black Cat Nisi, the Roman Sword, and the maids Sherry and Rena to tend to her needs.

As for why she brought Rena... It was mostly a whim of Charlotte's.

She was very interested in the Divination Master mentioned by Count Stafford and... was also very curious about some rumors of the Nais Clan that she had learned from Yulster.

On this journey, she also wanted to confirm some things within the Nais Clan.

Count Stafford, who was waiting at the dock, was also stunned when he saw Charlotte's entourage.

He had said that he hoped Charlotte wouldn't bring too many people, but he hadn't meant for her to bring so few.

However, as he made out who Charlotte had brought with her, he quickly went numb.

Heavens, except for the two maids, he couldn't gauge the depths of the others!

Even that talking pet cat was beyond his scrutiny!

Especially the tall, thin mercenary, who did not reveal any aura, but gave him a strange pressure; even the Divine Artifact he carried for protection warmed slightly, as if to warn him.

Count Stafford immediately stopped underestimating them.

That... was definitely a mighty one hiding his strength!

"Your Majesty, all preparations are complete; we can board the ship now."

He bowed to Charlotte, his demeanor even more respectful.

Charlotte nodded slightly.

She cast a discreet glance in a certain direction, chuckled softly, withdrew her gaze, and then gracefully boarded the three-masted warship flying the flag of Falling Star Kingdom.

After everyone boarded, the warship hoisted its sails and set off, heading northwest.

Outside the dock, at the window of a two-story building,

A figure hidden in the shadows put down his telescope and watched as the warship flying the Falling Star flag sailed away.

He turned around, approached a table, and poured Magic Power into the Crystal Ball on it, speaking gravely,

"Elder, they have set sail."

"Hm, indeed, I saw her; Charlotte of Castel is on board."

...

Charlotte embarked on her journey to Falling Star.

And at the same time, far away in the Northern Territory Grand Duchy, Sebastian, also finally brought Castel's Envoy Group to the Northern Territory's Capital Mansion—Winter Castle.