Gospel of Blood

Nice finally volunteered to take on Charlotte’s dilemma, vowing to find a way to bestow divine blessing before Charlotte fell into slumber.

There was no other way, he had to be proactive. Faced with Charlotte’s expectant smile, he feared this ancestor, known for her bold actions, might actually use him as a divine artifact.

Nice swore confidently, and Charlotte was happy to oblige.

Though this colorful cat usually lacked seriousness, he was a Legendary Mage who left a significant mark on human history, one of the few extraordinary beings who truly understood divine power. His abilities were undoubtedly impressive.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been hunted by various religious orders for offending the Gods.

Although Nice “volunteered” for the task, Charlotte wasn’t idle.

Nice’s efforts were just one part of the plan. Even if she trusted his abilities, Charlotte couldn’t place all her hopes on him alone.

Additionally, she began researching the Faceless Statue she got from Albrecht, intending to use it if Nice failed.

However, this meant she couldn’t fully integrate with the statue temporarily.

But that was not a big deal.

Charlotte’s extraordinary powers had already reached the peak of Silver Moon, and the talent tree of the Gospel of Blood had been illuminated to the third level with continuous meditation and supplementation of Gospel pages.

With more blood divine power to strengthen her bloodline, stepping into Blazing Sun would be almost inevitable.

Even without fully merging with the Faceless Statue, Charlotte could achieve this.

The main difference might be that the Faceless Statue involved some mysterious divine aspects.

If merged, Charlotte’s “divine flame” might undergo further changes, but without merge, it would have to wait until she awakened again.

Of course, personally, Charlotte preferred to merge with the statue while absorbing divine power.

As the Divinity Descent Day approached, the time for her to strengthen herself was running out. Every slumber was a luxury, she needed to seize every moment to narrow the gap between herself and other Gods.

The coming period was quite busy for Charlotte.

After the trip to the royal capital, Castell officially became a direct vassal of Crescent. The Northern region integrated smoothly into the kingdom’s direct fief system. After meeting with various nobles, numerous trade agreements poured in.

Castell Academy gained instant fame after Charlotte donated her family’s collection of books, attracting many adventurers eager to teach at the academy. Interviews were held almost daily.

The infrastructure construction in the North also reached a peak with Charlotte’s return.

With peace established and the royal family’s clear stance towards the North, and Charlotte’s declaration of celibacy, it was evident that an agreement had been reached with the Castell family.

The royal family was willing to protect the North, and the North had the power to rival ducal lords, ensuring a long period of peace.

Peace is hard-earned, and it always accompanies development.

As the most important trade and transportation hub in the Northern Crescent Peninsula, Castell had innate advantages.

With internal and external stability and Charlotte’s direct involvement and investment, the baronies under Castell witnessed rapid changes.

Centered around the capital, Northport, newly renovated roads extended outward, gradually connecting the entire territory. The number of active merchant caravans visibly increased.

The previously war-torn northern and southern Castell were swiftly rebuilt with Charlotte’s support.

Charlotte’s construction projects in some pilot baronies also proceeded smoothly, utilizing knowledge from her previous life.

Though the results were not yet visible, places like Belet Barony, connecting the Roman Duchy and Castell, showed significant new changes.

The construction of Castell’s extraordinary army also progressed smoothly with Charlotte’s support. Although it would take time to fully form, it had officially begun.

Charlotte personally selected many extraordinary soldiers from her own knights and guards who had distinguished themselves in the Lagrisse Rebellion and the Borde-Castell War, bestowing knighthood titles as future officer candidates.

The entire north showed a vibrant scene of prosperity.

Of course, this came at a cost: gold coins flowed out like water.

Fortunately, the North was wealthy, and the Castell family had deep pockets, able to sustain Charlotte’s endeavors.

Yet, relying solely on the family’s income couldn’t cover the entire development plan. If not for war compensations, reduced contractual taxes after becoming a direct fief, and numerous trade agreements, Charlotte estimated she might have faced a deficit.

Currently, Charlotte anticipated a considerable fiscal deficit but is still within the Castell family’s tolerable range.

Simultaneously, Charlotte’s religious mission activities began in secret, under the name of the Dark Night Order.

Led by Sebastian and the werewolf Luff, eager priests expanded from Castell’s mining district to surrounding areas.

Lagrisse Barony and the borders between Castell and the Northern Grand Duchy became key expansion areas.

To support her order, Charlotte used her authority as a lord and the influence of a “Wild Saintess” to “dismiss” the Holy Court’s churches in northern Castell, tricking the priests into working at Castell Academy in Northport.

Everything proceeded methodically.

Charlotte herself led a fulfilling daily life.

Early mornings were spent listening to reports from nobles and officials, approving documents, and issuing orders.

Afternoons were dedicated to training her extraordinary powers and bloodline talents. Evenings were for studying the faceless statue, reading books recorded in her mental library, and reviewing Albrecht’s remaining memories.

In her free time, she occasionally monitored her order’s progress, responding to devout prayers from selected believers.

Days passed quickly.

Unknowingly, the Ancestral Recognition Ceremony of the Roman Sword, informed by Count Yurst, approached…

“The Nez Clan is really ceremonial, even sending a special invitation for the ancestral ceremony.”

In the Count’s reception room, Charlotte looked at the gold-lettered parchment and remarked jokingly.

Opposite her, Count Yurst, visiting again, sighed.

“Strictly speaking, it’s an invitation from the Starfall Kingdom. I’m here today not only as a Nez Bloodborne but also as an envoy from Starfall.”

“Are you also a noble of Starfall?”

Charlotte was a bit surprised.

Yurst nodded.

“Many bloodbornes hold noble titles in Starfall. I do too, though I seldom use it or interact much with other nobles. After all, bloodbornes are immortal, and over time, people might notice.”

“I pulled some strings to get the envoy status.”

Charlotte nodded slightly.

She glanced at the invitation and asked curiously.

“Sir Yurst, since we plan to disrupt the recognition ceremony of the Roman Sword, shouldn’t I go incognito? Such a formal invitation risks exposure, doesn’t it?”

Yurst smiled wryly.

“Madam Castell, we wanted to act discreetly, but who knew the Starfall Royal Family, knowing your new status as a Crescent vassal, added you to the guest list.”

“This invitation wasn’t from us but from the Starfall Royal Family. It’s traditional to invite notable local nobles to ancestral ceremonies, and this time they included you.”

“We’ve tried to oppose it, suggesting you, as a Crescent noble, shouldn’t be invited, but it was overruled. The king seems very keen on your attendance, perhaps due to your lineage.”

“After all, you also have Roman blood.”

Hearing this, Charlotte frowned.

She initially planned to disguise and infiltrate the Roman Duchy, but this invitation turned it into an official visit.

She could decline the invitation and sneak in, but exposure would be awkward and suspicious.

After some thought, Charlotte asked.

“What do you suggest?”

Yurst said seriously.

“The clan suggests taking advantage of the invitation.”

“A formal invite isn’t bad. You can enter the ceremony openly, and we can adjust the details accordingly.”

Charlotte nodded.

“Then let’s go with your plan. After all… this is your main event, and I’m just there to assist.”

An official visit had its benefits, allowing Charlotte to visit the Roman Duchy’s capital openly, avoiding the need for a body double in Castell during her absence.

For other concerns, she left them to the Nez Clan.

She aimed to satisfy her curiosity about the ancestral ceremony, fulfill her agreement with the Nez Clan, and strengthen her body through the ritual.

With the decision made, Charlotte began organizing a formal delegation.

With Sebastian in the North aiding in the religious mission, she decided to take Nice along this time.

Her personal maid Sherry, and the royal bloodborne Reina, would also accompany her.

Additionally, the delegation included nobles like Viscount Roman-Four.

The delegation set off by sea.

Two days later, Charlotte boarded the flagship of the visiting fleet, heading towards the Roman Duchy’s capital, Roan.