Gospel of Blood

In the palace, two leaders wearing crowns sat facing each other.

Northern Archduke Stefan Sobieski smiled as he looked at the young woman on the other side, seemingly waiting for her response.

However, upon closer inspection, it was evident that Charlotte, seated on the other throne, did not appear entirely real.

Her body was surrounded by a glow of magical energy, making her appear somewhat ethereal.

Clearly, this was not her true form, but some kind of magical projection.

Seeing the Northern Archduke waiting for a response, Charlotte also smiled and said,

“Your Grace, thank you for your understanding.”

“I have carefully considered the Northern Grand Duchy’s proposal for cooperation. In fact, as the Queen Starfall and the Lord of Castell, I am also willing to have friendly relations with the Northern Grand Duchy.”

“However, all cooperation should be based on honesty. Since the Northern Grand Duchy hopes that I will support the Grand Duchy’s ‘religious reform’, recognize your faith as the ‘Saintess’, and establish friendly relations with the Starfall Kingdom, I believe I have the right to know what your true intentions are.”

Upon hearing Charlotte’s words, Archduke Stefan sighed slightly and said,

“Your Majesty Charlotte, at our level, we know more than ordinary people.”

“I think you should be aware of the prophecy of the Divinity Descent Day. As the ruler of the Northern Grand Duchy, I do not seek much, only to protect myself in the upcoming upheaval.”

“The faith in the Northern Grand Duchy is too fragmented. Some tribes still worship the Old Gods. When the Divinity Descent Day arrives, these will be hidden dangers causing the Northern Grand Duchy to fall apart.”

“Therefore, as the ruler of the Northern Grand Duchy, I am willing to pay any price to eliminate these hidden dangers!”

Charlotte looked deeply at Archduke Stefan.

“Oh? Any price? Does that include cooperation with the bloodborne?”

Archduke Stefan paused slightly.

He sighed and said,

“Is this information you obtained from the bloodborne of the Starfall Kingdom?”

“Your Majesty Charlotte, everyone has secrets. I have mine, and you have yours. Whether it is a mysterious cult or the Saintess of the Holy Court, I will not delve into your secrets. Likewise… I hope you will respect the secrets of the Grand Duchy.”

“I know you are not a true believer of the God-Lord, and I also know that there is likely another God behind you. But what the Northern Grand Duchy seeks does not conflict with your interests.”

“No… In a certain sense, we should be natural allies.”

“You say I cooperate with the bloodborne, but aren’t you also in contact with the bloodborne of the Starfall Kingdom? We are all ‘rebels’ and ‘challengers’ attempting to overthrow the order of the Holy Court. You are, I am, and even Louis V of the Crescent Kingdom is likely one too. We… are not enemies.”

‘Rebels’ and ‘challengers’ attempting to overthrow the order of the Holy Court…

Charlotte pondered.

She looked deeply at Archduke Stefan and said,

“So… what are your terms?”

“As you said, support our religious reform, recognize our existence as the Saintess, stand with the Northern Grand Duchy when the Holy Court tries to interfere, and strengthen cultural and magical technology exchanges. Officially, allow students from the Northern Grand Duchy to study at various academies in Starfall and Castell.”

Archduke Stefan said.

As he spoke, he looked at the magic crystal glowing with magical light next to Charlotte’s seat and sighed.

“I have always been fascinated by the magical technology of the Starfall Kingdom, like this magical projection crystal we are using for long-distance communication. If we in the Grand Duchy could make such a thing, imagine how much time we could save in various diplomatic activities.”

He continued.

“Of course, the Northern Grand Duchy will also support Starfall’s sovereignty over Roman and Castell. When the Crescent Kingdom attempts to incite war, we will stand with the Starfall Kingdom…”

“The Northern Grand Duchy will also lift restrictions on extraordinary trade, allowing merchants from the Starfall Kingdom to engage in trade related to extraordinary resources in the Northern Grand Duchy.”

“At the same time, when the Holy Court attempts to attack the Starfall Kingdom, the Northern Grand Duchy will also provide support to resist the possible Holy Legion.”

“Your Majesty Charlotte, do you accept these terms?”

Charlotte pondered for a moment and said,

“Not enough. I don’t care about the other beliefs in the Northern Grand Duchy, but the faith of the Free Tribe Alliance… must be preserved.”

“Oh? The faith of the Free Tribe Alliance? Your Majesty Charlotte, may I know the reason? If I remember correctly, your follower seems to be working for the Free Tribe Alliance. I heard someone in their tribe awakened the totem power recently. Could this also be related to the God behind you?”

Archduke Stefan raised an eyebrow and asked.

Charlotte smiled slightly.

“Your Grace, everyone has secrets. I hope we can respect each other’s.”

“Of course, if you are willing to introduce me to the extraordinary force behind you, that would be another matter.”

Archduke Stefan was slightly stunned, seemingly not expecting the question to come back to him.

He smiled slightly and said,

“Your Majesty Charlotte, you are joking. It’s just a tribe alliance. Since you care so much, I can agree to your terms, but I also have a condition.”

“Oh? What condition?”

“In your favor, they can keep their faith, but… they must leave the Northern Grand Duchy.”

The Northern Archduke said.

Charlotte looked deeply at Archduke Stefan and nodded.

“No problem.”

The magic crystal flickered slightly, and Charlotte’s form became even more ethereal.

“It seems… the projection time is almost up. Your Grace, I will leave the rest of the negotiations to my envoy. I wish us a pleasant cooperation.”

Charlotte said.

“Pleasant cooperation!”

Archduke Stefan raised his glass and smiled.

The magical glow dissipated, leaving only a dull crystal on the other throne. The crystal floated into the hand of Albrecht, who stood nearby, dressed in noble robes and wearing a mask.

Looking at the crystal in Albrecht’s hand, Archduke Stefan Sobieski sighed and smiled at him.

“I never expected that Her Majesty Charlotte’s envoy would be a Legendary. However… as far as I know, there is no one named Albrecht among the Legendaries of the Starfall Kingdom. I have never heard of your name, or perhaps… Albrecht is just an alias?”

With interest, he glanced at Albrecht and said,

“I sense a familiar aura from you. Could it be that you are a bloodborne?”

Albrecht was a bit surprised.

He did not answer the Archduke’s question but instead took out a draft contract from his pocket, prepared during Charlotte’s exchange with the Archduke, and smiled.

“Your Grace, this is the draft contract between our two nations. Please review it for any issues.”

Seeing Albrecht avoiding the topic, the Archduke silently thought it was boring but then ordered someone to take the contract.

After browsing the document and confirming there were no issues, he left his mental imprint on the document and handed it back.

“Sir Albrecht, please convey my greetings to Her Majesty Charlotte. Next time… I look forward to meeting her in person.”

Albrecht accepted the contract, bowed slightly, and then exited the palace.

Only after Albrecht’s presence completely disappeared did the smile on the Archduke’s face gradually fade, replaced by a slight solemnity.

“You shouldn’t have agreed to her terms. After all our cooperation, you should know that we won’t let any totem tribes leave the Northern Grand Duchy.”

A calm voice rang out, and a swirl of black smoke gathered in front of the Archduke, eventually forming into a woman hidden under a black cloak.

The Archduke glanced at her and said calmly.

“I merely agreed to the demands of the Divine Queen. As for what happens to the Free Tribe Alliance, whether they can successfully leave the Northern Grand Duchy, I don’t care.”

“Oh? You intend to let us oppose the Divine Queen by retaining the Free Tribe Alliance?”

The cloaked woman’s voice was emotionless.

The Archduke chuckled.

“No, that’s your interpretation, not mine. What I mean is, you can act in advance, take what you want from the Free Tribe Alliance before they leave.”

“I think… this shouldn’t be difficult for you, right? After all, even I know where the Free Tribe Alliance worships their statues. What you want is the power of their totems, isn’t it?”

After finishing, he looked at her curiously.

“Lady Sophia, although our interests align, I’m still very curious. Why are you so fixated on the totems of those tribes? Could it be… that the Old Gods can truly be resurrected?”

“If that’s the case, why haven’t you acted against them directly? Why must you rely on us? Or, for some reason, are you unable to act against them directly?”

The mysterious woman looked deeply at the Archduke and said,

“Your Grace, you don’t need to try to extract information from me. Rest assured, our cooperation remains valid. We will still assist you in taking that step. However, our Queen’s demands remain unchanged, and the totems of the tribes… we are determined to obtain them.”

“According to our intelligence, there is indeed a mysterious bloodborne myth behind the Divine Queen, and it is likely that they have already dominated the Nez Clan of Starfall Island.”

“Don’t be so surprised. There were far more Demigods among the bloodbornes at its peak than you know. Although most have either disappeared, been sealed, or unfortunately fallen, if one or two have indeed resurrected, even we would not be surprised.”

“The Nez Clan has long since declined, and the Stargazer Lord Casey has been missing for too long. It is only natural for a family without protection to submit to another Blood Prince.”

The Archduke paused and said,

“But it is said… she brought forth a divine miracle from the God-Lord and even judged a bishop.”

The woman named Sophia shook her head.

“That means little. If it is a prince from that era, it is not surprising to bring forth a divine miracle from the God-Lord. After all… even the God-Lord Himself awakened from among the bloodbornes.”

“I believe… the Blood Prince behind the Divine Queen might have been a prince of the Kirali Clan, possibly even possessing one or two artifacts with divine power. The only question is which prince of the Kirali Clan They are, and whether They are one of the traitors who abandoned Their bloodborne identity.”

“Of course, whether They are those traitors or the abandoned victims, the Holy Court’s response will soon make it clear.”

“As for the Free Tribe Alliance… they might be related to that one, which is why we value them so much.”

The Archduke pondered for a moment and said,

“Someone in the Free Tribe Alliance recently awakened the totem faith, and the Divine Queen intends to protect them. Could it be that the one you fear… has already awakened?”

“Could the God behind the God-blessed Queen… be the Progenitor of the Bloodborne you have always feared would return?”

The mysterious woman named Sophia shook her head.

“Of course not. If it were truly the returning Progenitor, her Majesty the Queen, who is the most sensitive to bloodlines among the princes, would have warned us long ago.”

“Don’t forget, unlike other slumbering Gods, our Queen Rowena… has never slept and has always maintained contact with us, her descendants.”

“Her Majesty the Queen was once the closest to the Progenitor. If the Progenitor returns, her Majesty the Queen will undoubtedly know.”