Gospel of Blood

The Nez Clan has already surrendered?

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“Your Majesty, the True Ancestor…”

Black mist gathered as the Third Dark Apostle, Albrecht, slowly appeared. He bowed slightly, placing his right hand over his chest, and respectfully saluted Charlotte.

Charlotte, now dressed in a noble gown, sat in a reclining chair. She gracefully extended her hand to accept a crystal cup handed over by the fawning black cat Nice, who acted like a sycophant. She took a delicate sip of the specially brewed red tea with added sweet milk, and then nodded slightly.

“Rise, Albrecht. Have you identified the traitor among the Parliament’s top members?”

Albrecht instinctively glanced at Nice, the black cat. Seeing that Charlotte had no intention of dismissing it, he nodded, and with a flash of light, a luxurious parchment scroll appeared in his hand.

“I have identified them. The person’s identity is rather surprising, and I think you wouldn’t guess who leaked Count Stafford’s secret travel plans.”

As he spoke, he respectfully presented the parchment scroll.

Hearing Albrecht’s words, Charlotte raised an eyebrow, her mind immediately recalling the faces of the high-ranking members of the Starfall Parliament she had met. Without showing any emotion, she took the parchment and quickly browsed through it.

Her expression soon turned to surprise.

“Bishop Campbell? It’s him?”

Albrecht nodded.

“Yes. Last night, there were no abnormalities with Count Stafford, Marquis Howard, or Count Greenville-Roman. Only at the Holy Court division where Bishop Campbell is stationed, there was a carriage secretly visiting the headquarters of the Starfall Kingdom’s Knights after nightfall.”

“I did not alert them, but took the opportunity of Bishop Campbell’s absence to infiltrate his study and found some documents.”

With a flash of light in his hand, Albrecht produced a stack of compiled documents.

“These are the materials I copied with magic. Please review them.”

Charlotte gave him a surprised look and took the documents.

She had to admit that Albrecht’s efficiency was beyond her expectations. In less than a day, he had made such significant progress. Though it seemed like an overkill for someone of his legendary status to investigate these matters, Charlotte doubted she could have been more efficient herself.

Having managed to survive and become the Third Apostle of the Blood Demon Cult over a millennium, Albrecht did have some skills. He had been quite unlucky to get caught up in Charlotte’s schemes in Lutecia, otherwise, he might still be enjoying his time in some dark corner.

Charlotte opened the documents and continued to browse, her expression quickly shifting to surprise once again.

Seeing her reaction, Albrecht respectfully said,

“These documents indicate that Bishop Campbell—or more accurately, the Holy Court division in the Starfall Kingdom—has been collaborating with the Nez Clan for a very long time.”

“The plan for Count Stafford’s secret travel was leaked by Bishop Campbell.”

“However, the members of the Nez Clan collaborating with Bishop Campbell are only a part of the clan. Some of Campbell’s letters even detail plans to overthrow the current Nez Clan’s Elder Council.”

“The Nez Clan is not united. This may have been noticed and exploited by the Holy Court. However, due to time constraints, I could not gather more information to understand why Bishop Campbell would participate in the attack on you.”

“He is, after all, a Bishop of the Holy Court, and you… are officially recognized as the ‘Saintess’ by the Holy Court.”

“Even if he is collaborating with some members of the Nez bloodbornes to weaken the clan, theoretically, he should not have attacked you.”

“I considered the possibility that the Holy Court division in the Starfall Kingdom has deviated from the control of the Theocracy and abandoned the faith in the Holy Court, which is why Bishop Campbell participated in the attack on you.”

“But some documents show that the Holy Court division still maintains contact with the Theocracy, and even their cooperation with some members of the Nez Clan is reported in their communications with the Theocracy. They are still under the central command of the Holy Court.”

“So… I speculate that the Theocracy may also dislike your ‘Wild Saintess’ status and may have wanted to use the hands of the blood clan to ‘remove’ you.”

Charlotte was not surprised by Albrecht’s analysis. The Theocracy indeed did not favor her as the “Saintess.”

Given her understanding of the Holy Court, if the Theocracy truly valued her, they would have summoned her to the Theocracy long ago when her reputation spread.

This was normal. Regardless of whether her saintess status was genuine, according to the Holy Court’s system, acknowledging her would only increase the power of the Crescent Diocese. The Theocracy certainly did not want the semi-independent churches to continue growing in power.

Of course, Charlotte also had no intention of genuinely becoming a Saintess.

As for the blood clan members collaborating with the Theocracy…

Charlotte glanced at a certain name in the documents and raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Alec Ice Nez?”

“He is one of the Nez Clan’s Elder Council members, belonging to the Nez Clan’s Luna Island branch. I suspect… the Nez Clan members cooperating with the Theocracy are likely from the Luna Island branch.”

Albrecht said respectfully.

At this point, Albrecht revealed a devilish smile and continued.

“Your Majesty, the True Ancestor, it is rumored that the Luna Island branch of the Nez Clan is supported by the elves. The relationship between the elves and the Nez Clan on Starfall Island has always been delicate. Perhaps… we can use these documents to divide the forces within the Nez Clan.”

“Although the Nez Clan is not as fragmented as the cult, it is one of the more weakened major clans. If we can further divide them, provoke their internal conflict, and lure them into mutual destruction, your chances of taking control of Starfall Kingdom will greatly increase. You might even have a good chance to reintegrate the Nez Clan under your control!”

“Then, you can forcibly sign a blood thrall contract with the Nez Clan, turning them into your obedient slaves, and make Starfall Island your backyard!”

Charlotte: …

Alright. So, after all this roundabout talk, you want to drag the Nez Clan into being your fellow blood thralls.

Charlotte looked at Albrecht, who was enthusiastically scheming to trap the Nez Clan, with a strange expression.

Albrecht coughed lightly and said,

“Great True Ancestor, don’t you think this is a wonderful plan? Weakening the Nez Clan and turning them all into blood thralls would be a rightful punishment for their betrayal!”

“Just like you?”

Charlotte looked at him quietly.

“Yes, just like m… Ah, no, it’s an honor for me, for the Nez Clan, to become your blood thrall.”

Realizing his slip of the tongue halfway, Albrecht quickly corrected himself.

Charlotte said nothing. She continued to go through the documents Albrecht brought back. Seeing that she did not respond, Albrecht did not dare to say more and stood respectfully waiting.

A moment later, Charlotte looked up and handed the documents back.

“You are right. The Nez Clan should indeed know about these documents. Hand them over… to Yurst.”

Excited to receive her approval, Albrecht replied enthusiastically.

“I will perfect them and then hand them over to him as you wish!”

“No, there’s no need. Hand them over as they are.”

Charlotte shook her head.

Albrecht was slightly taken aback.

“As they are? Your Majesty, although these documents record the conspiracy between the elven bloodbornes from Luna Island and the Holy Court, it might not be enough to incite internal conflict within the Nez Clan.”

“There are indeed significant internal conflicts within the Nez Clan, but the greatest threat to them right now is you. Under such circumstances, even if they become aware of the conspiracy, they are likely to temporarily set aside their differences and unite against external threats.”

Charlotte chuckled lightly.

“Don’t worry, the Nez Clan… is no longer a threat.”

“The Nez Clan… is no longer a threat?”

Albrecht was puzzled.

“Hehehe, Sir Albrecht, you are unaware that our great master visited the Nez Clan just last night. Now… the Nez Clan has awakened and renewed their allegiance to our master.”

The black cat Nice, who already knew what had transpired, laughed wickedly beside Charlotte.

“What? The Nez Clan… has surrendered?!”

Albrecht was stunned. He couldn’t help but look at Charlotte, who nodded slightly, confirming Nice’s words.

Albrecht’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Looking at Albrecht’s expression, which seemed to scream, “How could the Nez Clan surrender so quickly? How can I cause trouble now?”, Charlotte’s gaze turned strange.

She coughed lightly and continued.

“Albrecht, after you deliver the documents to Yurst, I order you to continue investigating Luna Island, especially the secrets of those so-called elven bloodborne.”

“Investigate… them?”

Albrecht was slightly puzzled.

He felt a stir in his heart and asked.

“Your Excellency, is there something wrong with the Nez bloodbornes on Luna Island?”

Charlotte gave him a meaningful look.

“The Nez Clan is the Nez Clan, and Luna Island is Luna Island.”

“Those so-called elven bloodbornes are not bloodbornes at all.”

The elven ‘bloodborne’ on Luna Island are not bloodbornes?!

Albrecht was once again taken aback.

Seeing that Charlotte wasn’t joking, his expression turned serious.

“I understand.”

After the audience with Charlotte and receiving his new orders, Albrecht withdrew.

Following the coordinates given by Charlotte, it didn’t take long for him to find Yurst, who had returned with her.

“Lord… Lord Albrecht…”

Seeing the Blood Duke coming to find him, Yurst hurriedly bowed.

Albrecht nodded slightly. Despite being deferential and respectful before Charlotte, as a Legendary figure, he had his pride.

However, thinking of his status as a blood thrall and facing Yurst, who was a blood servant, this pride quickly turned into frustration.

Even Yurst’s handsome face seemed somewhat annoying to him.

He reluctantly nodded in response and handed the documents to Yurst.

“These are documents that Her Excellency ordered me to pass on, containing some information about the collaboration between the Luna Island bloodbornes and the Holy Court.”

“The Luna Island bloodbornes collaborating with the Holy Court?”

Yurst was taken aback.

He subconsciously took the documents, intending to read them. But Albrecht, who had been holding back all this time, couldn’t resist any longer.

“Yurst, tell me, has the Nez Clan… already surrendered to Her Majesty?”

Yurst instinctively nodded.

“Yes, the clan has accepted Her Majesty and renewed their loyalty to her.”

“Why so quickly? Did Her Majesty forcibly implement the blood servant contract?”

Albrecht couldn’t help but ask.

Yurst gave him a peculiar look and shook his head.

“No, Her Majesty visited the Nez stronghold, and after some friendly exchanges, the clan decided to pledge their allegiance to her, and she accepted their loyalty, becoming the protector of the Nez Clan once more.”

Albrecht: …

Friendly exchanges?

What do you mean by friendly exchanges?

So… am I the only one who became a blood thrall?

Seeing Albrecht’s face, which seemed to say, “Am I the only clown here?”, Yurst felt a little sorry for him.

He carefully chose his words to comfort him.

“Lord Albrecht, not everyone is fortunate enough to become Her Majesty’s blood thrall. In a way, being chosen as her blood thrall is a recognition by Her Majesty.”

Albrecht: …

“Take the documents and get out of here, you damned blood servant!”

…

After Albrecht left, Charlotte fell into contemplation.

“The so-called ‘elven bloodbornes’ on Luna Island are even in contact with the Holy Court. Could it be… that their involvement extends to the Holy Court?”

“It seems a thorough investigation is indeed necessary.”

At this moment, Sherry suddenly reported.

“Your Majesty, Marquis Howard has arrived.”

Charlotte’s heart stirred, and she nodded.

“Let him in.”

Shortly after, Marquis Howard, the Parliament’s Chief Steward, entered.

“Your Majesty…”

He bowed respectfully to Charlotte and then presented a document with both hands.

“This is the guest list for tonight’s banquet at the Red Palace. Please review it.”

Hearing the Marquis’ words, Charlotte remembered there was a banquet tonight, hosted by the nobles of Starfall to welcome her.

Of course, while it was a welcoming banquet, it also served as a diplomatic engagement. Besides the parliament nobles, even the Lilac faction nobles supporting Duke Aecia were invited.

However, the staunch Lilac faction nobles and Duke Aecia himself would certainly not attend.

Charlotte took the document and glanced through it casually.

But soon, she noticed a highlight.

“Hm? A special envoy from the Crescent Kingdom… is attending the banquet too?”