Gospel of Blood

Sigurd’s blood frenzy was merely an interlude.

Charlotte could easily sense that after “saving” this member of the Harcos Clan, the entire group’s attitude toward her had changed once again.

If previously they were cautious and wary, now… the bloodbornes looked at her with more sincerity, and when answering her questions, there was less hesitation and more respect.

This respect increased especially after Charlotte helped restore other members of the Harcos Clan who also showed signs of blood frenzy.

The Harcos bloodbornes looked at her with even greater reverence.

Charlotte herself was quite pleased.

While the change in the Harcos Clan’s attitude played a part, the main reason was that after purifying Sigurd’s bloodline, Charlotte was delighted to discover that the power of the Gospel of Blood had subtly increased.

Though the increase was slight and not as rapid as recovering the Cursed Pages, Charlotte was certain she wasn’t mistaken.

Moreover, helping other members of the Harcos Clan purify their bloodline had the same effect.

“The Cursed Pages are called such because their power causes bloodbornes to lose themselves, eventually turning into mindless monsters.”

“The ‘corruption’ of the Harcos Clan is similar in nature. Could it be… that the pollution causing their ‘corruption’ is the same power as the ‘curse’ within the Cursed Pages?”

Charlotte thought.

She also recalled her encounter with Alador, the God of Abomination and Deformity, during her second time travel.

The changes during the Harcos Clan’s “corruption” differed somewhat from the usual blood frenzy, indicating it wasn’t just the curse left by Charlotte after granting Lilith her vampiric bloodline. Instead, it had a “mutation” aspect beyond the original curse.

If Charlotte remembered correctly, the Gospel of Blood had also responded during her battle with Alador. However, before she could absorb Alador’s divine power, she had returned to the present era.

These clues led her to two bold hypotheses.

Could it be that the Harcos Clan had absorbed the power of Alador, the God of Abomination and Deformity?

Could the power of the Gospel of Blood, the Old Gods, and the force causing the Harcos Clan’s blood frenzy all originate from the same source?

This was very possible.

After all… Charlotte had long speculated about the origins of the Gospel of Blood.

Considering historical records, the Gospel of Blood was likely created by Lilith using the powers of other mythological beings she had defeated.

And these “other mythologies” included the Old Gods of the Myria continent.

This also piqued Charlotte’s interest in the Harcos Clan.

“In the memories I read from Sigurd, many ‘corrupted’ bloodbornes are sealed deep within the Harcos Clan’s ‘Sanctuary.’ If I can purify all these ‘corrupted’ bloodbornes…how much power would it restore to the Gospel of Blood?”

“Even if purifying one provides limited benefits, given the number of ‘corrupted’ bloodbornes over the years, the cumulative effect could be considerable!”

“Additionally, this might be an opportunity to build a good relationship with the Crimson Queen Rowena, negotiate, and even establish a partnership…”

Charlotte pondered.

The Crimson Queen was the only known Demigod still active on the Myria continent.

Facing such a Demigod, it was better to be allies than enemies.

Moreover, by establishing a good relationship, Charlotte might gain insights into ancient secrets from Rowena.

Perhaps she could also uncover what happened between Lilith and Harald.

As for subduing the Crimson Queen… considering the relationships between the major clans and the current state of her own power, Charlotte hadn’t dared to think that far.

Of course, if given the opportunity, she wouldn’t mind trying.

After all, she was the genuine “Bloodborne Progenitor.”

With these thoughts, Charlotte looked forward to the next actions.

The group continued northward.

Along the way, more members of the Harcos Clan showed signs of blood frenzy, but… Charlotte resolved each case one by one.

This increased the gratitude of nearly all the Harcos bloodbornes toward her.

As for why “nearly”…

Feeling a complicated gaze upon her, Charlotte looked up and met Sophia’s eyes.

Sophia quickly concealed her complex emotions, nodded slightly to Charlotte, and then turned away.

This reaction left Charlotte in contemplation.

Why did it feel like this captain of the Harcos Clan’s guard was even more wary of her?

Intrigued, Charlotte focused a bit of her mental energy on Sophia, pretending not to notice, and continued with the Harcos Clan’s main force.

The Northern Grand Duchy was cold.

Dense coniferous forests covered in perennial snow left deep footprints with every step, and after about half a day, a mist began to appear around them.

Seeing the mist, the Harcos bloodbornes visibly relaxed.

Sensing the faint magic in the air, Charlotte’s expression became subtle.

The flow of this magic was similar to the fog around the Nez stronghold, indicating that the mist was the magical barrier 『Fog Screen』 often set up around bloodborne castles.

The group entered the mist, and Sophia took out a magical lantern.

“Stay close to me and don’t get lost in the fog.”

She instructed the group.

The magical lantern illuminated the fog, dispersing it wherever the light reached.

The group continued, and after about fifteen minutes, a dilapidated temple appeared before them.

The temple was ancient, marked by the ravages of time. Fallen columns and tall statues hinted at its former grandeur.

Seeing the ancient elvish script on the columns, Charlotte realized this was likely once a temple of an Elven God.

“Your Majesty Charlotte, we’ve arrived. Please wait here with the others.”

Sophia said.

Charlotte nodded, then stopped with the rest of the Harcos Clan.

Sophia placed the magical lantern on the ground and entered the temple.

Curious, Charlotte extended a bit of her mental energy to monitor Sophia’s actions, but her energy was blocked by a familiar force.

“This is… the barrier enveloping the Northern Grand Duchy?”

Charlotte mused.

She discreetly activated her blood divine power and attempted to connect with her faith network, only to find her control significantly suppressed.

After some contemplation, she traced the suppressive force to the temple’s depths.

Charlotte understood immediately.

“It seems… the core of the barrier covering the Northern Grand Duchy is beneath this temple.”

“Beneath this temple likely lies an Ancient Temple.”

She concluded.

Charlotte decided against further probing with divine power.

This area was likely under the control of the Harcos Clan, and while they hadn’t yet reached the so-called “Sanctuary”, they were probably within the Crimson Queen Rowena’s perception range.

“Better to be cautious.”

Charlotte thought.

After about five minutes, a subtle energy wave emanated from the temple.

The ground trembled slightly, and a large circular array appeared in the temple’s air, runes intertwining and forming a crimson beam of light that descended to the ground.

In the crimson light, a massive “mirror” slowly appeared before the temple, shaped like an archway with a blank white light wall as its surface.

Seeing the “mirror”, the Harcos bloodbornes relaxed further, and Sophia emerged from the temple.

She bowed to Charlotte and said,

“Your Majesty Charlotte, the portal to the Sanctuary is open. The Prophet is awaiting your arrival. Please follow us inside.”

With that, she entered the “mirror.”

A portal to another dimension…

Charlotte pondered.

She exhaled softly and followed the other bloodbornes into the “mirror.”