A new kind of provocation

Mortis and Merlin made plans together with their wives, which they would later discuss with Shiva when the time was right. But before that, they wanted to contact the other barons of Little Franconia to inform them of the upcoming changes. The next day, Merlin and Opera would return to Bamberg to keep order and settle into their new roles.

Meanwhile, they indulged themselves in the castle and explored the surroundings, while Shiva seemed engrossed in conversation with some nobles. When Mortis entered the queen's room, silence fell for a moment, but after a brief pause for breath, Shiva beckoned him over and asked the nobles present to repeat what they had said earlier.

A small, chubby noble cleared his throat and raised his voice. "Lord Mortis, we have been delivered threatening letters stating that this war is not yet over. The writers claim they will free their comrades and take revenge on those they consider traitors and who are supposedly helping the false queen. You will see what we will get out of it. P.S. We are everywhere." The letters were signed by the "Count of Pure Blood."

Mortis listened to this and frowned at first, but then burst out laughing. "Count of pure blood? What a kindergarten!" he said, barely able to contain his laughter. "I can't take it anymore!" he added. "Okay, if they're everywhere, all the better. Then we won't have to look for them. Here, take these collars I found. It seems we didn't get everyone who belongs to this sect. Take your most trusted men and, if necessary, put them under a seal to trust them. Search everything for them. This 'blood count' I will already draw out of the reserve. If he shows himself, he will be nothing more than a joke."

But one thing Mortis knew, and that was that no matter how careful such a person was, he had a weakness, especially if he came this far to spread panic and fear. That weakness was his ego. Mortis was aware that once the Count of Pure Blood ventured so far from cover to spread panic and fear, he could exploit that weakness.

But even before that, he could make this self-proclaimed blood count make mistakes and feel uncomfortable. Mortis went to his sea of souls and invited 50 souls to show up who were funny and knew how to make fun of people. Souls emerged from all corners who felt up to the task. Mortis took these souls out of the sea of souls and gave them a solid form. Then he sent them out into the streets, both in Rome and in other cities, with the words: "Draw upon a so-called count of pure blood and make fun of Albert. Let there be laughter everywhere when someone hears only the word 'blood' and 'pure'."

The nobles were puzzled and asked Mortis what was the point of proceeding in this manner. Mortis, on the other hand, stared at the nobles as if he had idiots in front of him. "Isn't it obvious?" he began. "While my spirits are making fun of this clown and mesmerizing the masses, we will exterminate all of them. We will drive this rat out of her hole, and when she finally shows herself, she will feel our fury and wrath. But by then, no one will listen to her, because everyone will realize that she is nothing more than a joke to be laughed at briefly before it is quickly forgotten. In this way, I will take her head, along with everyone who thinks she is the great savior."

The nobles were still standing there pondering, but suddenly Shiva raised her voice. "What are you waiting for?" she exclaimed. "Do I have to write you a threatening letter too? Come on, the night hasn't started yet, it's time to show who is the hunter and who is the hunted here. Bring me my equipment too. Those I will show, the false queen I will not allow to spit on me and my ancestors!" Shiva left her room with proud steps and summoned the nearest servants to gather all the servants and clean her castle thoroughly first.

The nobles hurried off to get slave seals and examine everyone in her retinue, while loud laughter could already be heard in the streets. The spirits had joined with other minstrels and jugglers to tell about this mad count and expose him to ridicule.

Mortis said goodbye to his women and gave clear instructions. 'Arm yourselves. And Edna, Helga, stay close to Shiva. Even if she cannot trust anyone here, she must feel that she is always safe with us.' His clothes changed into a gloomy cloak that hid his face under a hood. With his scythe in hand, it seemed as if death itself was harvesting souls that night."