Gospel of Blood

“Oh? So, she agreed to secretly participate in the Roman Ancestral Sword recognition ceremony?”

The shadowy figure at the round table in the extradimensional space summoned by the communication crystal asked.

On the other side, Blood Count Yurst, manipulating his vague consciousness projection, bowed to the shadow.

“Yes, Lord Yorok, Countess Castell has agreed to join our plan in a month to assist us in abolishing Prince Henry’s succession rights.”

“Besides the territory of the Roman Duchy, has she made any other demands?”

The shadow, more precisely Duke Yorok of the Nez Clan, asked again.

“She has not.”

Yurst shook his head.

“The Borde-Castell War has just ended. She hopes to take a period of rest and recuperation.”

“I heard from merchants in Starfall that recently there has been a lot of activity in Northern Crescent, with many villages and towns undergoing large-scale construction. Is this related?”

Yurst respectfully answered.

“Yes, the various territories of Countess Castell have been undergoing vigorous construction recently. Many baronies are building roads and bridges, especially after Countess Castell became a direct vassal of Crescent.”

“It is said that even the trade route through the Belet Barony, ceded to Castell by Violet after the Borde-Castell War, has been opened. Now one can directly travel through the Belet Barony to the Roman Duchy and the inner land of Crescent without taking the long detour through the Violet Forest. This all happened within less than half a year since the end of the war.”

“Belet Barony? The ancestral land of the Veillet family?”

Duke Yorok was somewhat surprised.

Yulst nodded.

“Yes, the ancestral land of the Veillet family, which used to rule the Violet Duchy.”

Duke Yorlock paused to consider.

“If I remember correctly, that territory should still be infested with many undead. Even some of our clan’s descendants stationed in Roman frequently go there to practice necromancy… The pollution there is no small matter, and it would take a Legendary intervention to completely eliminate the undead. Did the one behind Castell intervene?”

Yurst shook his head.

“It shouldn’t be. Countess Castell found descendants of the Veillet family. When I visited Northport, I noticed that everything was being managed by the descendants of the Veillet family and the lord of the Belet Barony.”

“Descendants of the Veillet family? They have the ability to purify the undead?”

Duke Yorok was slightly surprised.

Yurst explained.

“Yes, I attended a banquet of the Veillet family descendants and met them. They are also bloodborne with a very strong bloodline, suspected to be fourth-generation bloodborne, probably embraced by a third-generation bloodborne of the Shedite Clan, and they possess quite exquisite necromancy…”

“Recruited by the one behind Castell, I see…”

Duke Yorok murmured after hearing Yurst’s report.

He then looked again at Yurst’s consciousness projection across the round table.

“Any other news from the North?”

Yurst thought for a moment and said,

“If it’s about the one behind Castell… not much for now. However, rumors suggest a new cult has recently emerged in the northern territories, with most of the followers being miners. It’s unclear if it is related to the one behind Castell.”

“In Northport, the Countess’s office has recently issued many policies encouraging commerce and alchemy industries. Clearly, in the short term, Countess Castell does not wish to be embroiled in another war. Our plan aligns somewhat with her wishes.”

“Moreover, a new magic school named Castell Academy has been established. It’s said that Countess Castell donated her family’s entire collection of books, and Northport offered very favorable conditions to recruit academy mages. Many powerful mercenaries from Eastern Yunette have been tempted.”

“Northport is also preparing for the establishment of a permanent extraordinary force. Since returning from Lutecia,  Countess Castell seems to have established a channel for the extraordinary resource in the Crescent Kingdom and started recruiting for an extraordinary army shortly after her return.”

“As for the size of the legion, it is said to be modeled after a typical duchy’s army in the Crescent Kingdom, with about three thousand troops.”

Duke Yorok nodded slightly.

“Three thousand troops… that’s quite a number. With a God supporting them, they have the potential to become a very powerful army.”

“Although various strange cults have emerged across Myria in recent years, a resurrected God would not tolerate an unknown cult in their domain. If there is a mysterious cult secretly preaching in the North, it is very likely related to this God.”

“Recruiting other bloodborne, secretly developing a cult, building roads and bridges, forming an extraordinary army… It seems the one behind the North is also preparing for the Day.”

He then looked at Yurst’s consciousness projection.

“Yurst, you’ve done well. Continue to stay on the continent and maintain contact with Castell. Also… if you have the chance, investigate the cult and see which God they worship and whether their divine symbol is a thorny rose.”

Feeling relieved at Duke Yorok’s approval, Yurst respectfully bowed.

“Understood.”

Then he looked at Duke Yorok’s consciousness projection with some hesitation.

Noticing his gaze, Duke Yorok asked.

“Yurst, is there something else you wish to report?”

Yurst hesitated, shook his head, then nodded.

“It’s not exactly a report, more of a query.”

“A query? What kind of query?”

Yurst thought for a moment and cautiously said,

“Lord Yorok, after our investigation over the past six months, we are certain that the God behind the North holds no malice towards the Nez Clan. Given this, why can’t our relationship with them be further improved?”

“Lady Eugenia’s prophecy has brought the Divinity Descent Day closer, but Lord Casey remains unresponsive to us. Although the actions of Elder Maxim and others in siding with the Blood Demon Archduke are despicable, perhaps we too need to consider the worst-case scenario…”

He looked at Duke Yorok’s consciousness projection, swallowed, and tentatively asked.

“After all… not all sleeping Gods will successfully awaken…”

Duke Yorok frowned, and his projection’s pressure intensified.

“Enough. Keep this topic to yourself and never speak of it again.”

The Legendary’s will descended, causing Yurst’s projection to waver slightly and become more transparent.

He trembled, nearly collapsing under the pressure of the Legendary bloodborne.

Duke Yorok glanced at him, withdrew his oppressive aura, and said in a deep voice.

“You are right, perhaps the God behind Castell indeed has no ill will towards Nez, but Gods… after all, they are Gods, and we are too weak to face them.”

“There are too many myths from the era of the Bloodborne. Many myths even suggest that some, while being bloodborne, also held other divine titles. We still don’t know the details of that God, so we must act more cautiously.”

“With the Divinity Descent approaching, even though His Majesty Casey has not responded, our faith connection still remains, indicating that He has not fallen.”

“Be patient, His Majesty Casey will return.”

After hearing Duke Yorok’s words, Yurst couldn’t help but say,

“Duke Yorok, does this mean that even you no longer believe in Lady Eugenia’s prophecy?”

Duke Yorok remained silent.

After a long time, he sighed deeply.

“This is the will of the Great Elder and the Elder Council, and we must follow it. I believe in Eugenia, she indeed saw visions suggesting His Majesty Casey’s downfall, but the fact that our faith connection remains cannot be ignored…”

“Prophecies can be interpreted in many ways. Perhaps Lady Eugenia’s interpretation is flawed. The faith connection is fundamental. After all, we are followers of the Stargazer. With the Divinity Descent approaching, we must have more faith in our God at this time.”

“If we do not even believe in ourselves, then His Majesty Casey… may indeed be unable to return.”

After listening to Duke Yorok, Yurst opened his mouth, then sighed.

“I understand.”

Duke Yorok looked at him and continued.

“Yurst, keep these thoughts to yourself. As your superior, I can understand your thoughts and tolerate your mistakes, but the Elder Council will not, and neither will the Great Elder.”

“We must indeed make contributions in the Returning Star Plan to rescue Eugenia, but we must do so in a reasonable manner.”

“In the remaining month, continue preparing for the Returning Star Plan. Ensure the complete separation of the Roman Duchy and the Roman family.”

“I remember you were acquainted with Romanus a thousand years ago. It’s time to see that lord again. By now, the thousand-year agreement between that lord and the Roman family should be nearing its end. If possible, after the Ancestral Sword recognition ceremony, end the protection of Roman and return to Luna Island as per our agreement with the Nez Clan.”

“We don’t know when His Majesty Casey will return, but at least… the return of a divine artifact can somewhat strengthen us.”

Upon hearing Duke Yorok’s words, Yurst was moved.

“A complete separation of the Roman Duchy and the Roman family? Is the Elder Council planning to end Roman’s rule over Starfall?”

Duke Yorok nodded slightly.

“That is a matter for the future. If we want to control Starfall like Vadallat controls the Coria Kingdom, we must support our own royal family. For this, roman must become part of Starfall’s history.”

“Roman’s influence in Starfall is too great. Even with the family in decline, their reputation alone can rival our Nez, and this is despite several incompetent rulers emerging from Roman.”

“Supporting the Red Lilac family is only a transition. Our ultimate goal is to sever the connection between Roman and Starfall and completely control the Starfall Kingdom.”

“Giving the Roman Duchy to Castell is just the beginning. Although the Countess of Castell also has Roman blood, she bears the Castell name. While she can be recognized by the Roman Sword, she will never become the head of the Roman family.”

“The Roman Sword also rejects all foreign Gods except Lord Romanus and His Majesty Casey. Giving the Roman Duchy to her not only poses little threat to Starfall but also further weakens Roman, helping us support a new royal family in the future.”

“Duke Yorok, is this… the Elder Council’s decision?”

Yurst couldn’t help but ask.

Yorok looked at him and said,

“This is the Great Elder’s decision.”

Yurst nodded.

“I understand.”

“Then let’s end today’s routine remote meeting. We will meet again in Roan City during the Ancestral Recognition Ceremony.”

With that, Duke Yorok dissipated his will projection.

Yurst quickly bowed respectfully.

After the other’s consciousness disappeared, he also dispelled his projection and returned to the real world.

Feeling the reality returning to his body, Yurst opened his eyes, recalling the conversation with Duke Yorok, and sighed deeply.

“Even someone as enlightened as Duke Yorok is so cautious about the matter of Her Majesty True Ancestor, and this is without knowing Her Majesty True Ancestor’s true identity… It seems there is still a long way to go for the clan to gradually accept Her Majesty the True Ancestor.”

“And His Majesty Casey, what exactly is His status… If He returns, how will Her Majesty True Ancestor respond…”

“Alas, being a double agent is really tough.”

Being a double agent is indeed difficult.

As a high-ranking Bloodborne in charge of liaison between the Nez Clan and the Northern Lands, Yurst must regularly report the news about the Northern Lands and the God behind it to the Nez Elder Council. However, as a blood servant of the True Ancestor, he must also report the movements of the Nez Clan to the True Ancestor, cultivating support for the True Ancestor within the Nez Clan without revealing the True Ancestor’s secret.

Undoubtedly, he would have to attend many more meetings like today’s in the future.

However, after some thought, Yurst still silently recited the name of the True Ancestor and drew the symbol of the Thorny Rose in prayer, reporting the content of his conversation with Duke Yorok.

Soon, Charlotte, who had just finished negotiating with Yurst, also received the content of his prayer.

“So… there is such a secret behind the Returning Star Plan.”

Charlotte murmured in surprise as she fiddled with the Faceless Statue submitted by Albrecht.

“Ancestral Recognition Ceremony in a month, huh? It seems my plan to merge with the statue will have to be postponed again.”

Charlotte looked at the Faceless Statue in her hand, deep in thought.

By now, her strength had reached the pinnacle of the Silver Moon. Merging with another statue would surely elevate her to the level of the Blazing Sun.

Judging by the situation, Charlotte estimated she might also fall into a deep sleep again, possibly for several months. Therefore, she needed to choose an appropriate time.

Moreover, considering the previous commotion, she had to prepare for it this time to reduce the anomalies during the fusion, lest the Divine Warning Bell rings again.

If it rings again, it would be quite a problem, making it impossible to avoid the attention of the Holy Court.

“Perfect, I’ll use this month for preparations and set up plans for the territory during my potential slumber, as well as lay the foundation for the cult. According to the schedule, Sebastian should be almost at the mining area by now.”

“As for the Faceless Statue… I’ll consider the fusion after returning from the Roman Duchy.”

Charlotte mused.

After finalizing her plans, Charlotte put away the Faceless Statue. When she saw the map of the Northern Lands on her desk, particularly the upper left corner representing the Starfall Kingdom, she had a sudden thought.

“The Stargazer Casey, a Demigod Bloodborne of the Nez Clan…”

After contemplating for a while, Charlotte sank into her consciousness and connected to the Gospel of Blood.

A crimson glow erupted, and the vast crimson star sea representing the Bloodborne appeared again. Gazing at the five most prominent stars in the star sea, Charlotte pondered.

“Five Demigod Bloodbornes?”

She frowned slightly, sensing a discrepancy.

Soon, Charlotte realized what felt wrong.

“Wait… the Bloodborne… only has five Gods?”

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