Gospel of Blood

Chapter 407: Old Acquaintance

The capital of the Roman Duchy, Roan.

As the second largest city in the Northern Crescent Peninsula, only behind Northport, this ancient Duchy capital boasts a prosperity comparable to that of the capital of Castell.

In fact, before the northern lands developed, this place was once the largest trade center in the Star-Moon Strait, dominating the entire strait’s trade.

However, as time passed, the northern lands continued to develop, and with the rise of the Eastern Yunette Blacklands Mercenary Alliance and the Northern Grand Duchy, the trade routes of the Star-Moon Strait gradually shifted northward.

Eventually, Roan’s status as the trade center was replaced by Northport.

But even so, today’s Roan remains a major port city on the Crescent Peninsula, with a population exceeding five hundred thousand.

When Charlotte stepped onto the dock, her attention was immediately drawn to a tall statue on the pier.

It was a statue of a half-elf warrior.

His face was indistinct, leaning on a majestic longsword, standing tall on the dock, his gaze fixed in the distance.

“Madam Castell, this is a hero in Roman history, the half-elf Romanus who led the Romans to successfully settle on the Crescent Peninsula. He is also the ancestor of the Roman Royal Family, and the longsword in his hand is the artifact known as the Roman Sword.”

Noticing Charlotte’s gaze, Yurst, who was accompanying her, introduced.

Charlotte nodded slightly.

She saw that the statue was surrounded by various wreaths offered by the people, indicating the significant influence this half-elf hero had in the Roman Duchy.

While she was curiously observing the port city, fully armed guards soon approached them.

The leading knight looked at the emblem on Yurst’s chest, then at Charlotte’s attire, and finally at the sailboat flying the Castell flag docked not far away. He quickly recognized their identities and respectfully saluted them.

“Countess Castell, Count Yurst, welcome to Roan.”

Although Yurst was a reclusive bloodborne, he still possessed basic noble social skills.

He nodded slightly and said,

“Take us to the Romanus Inn. Madam Castell is here in Roan to attend the Roman festival ceremony.”

The knight saluted again and soon arranged for soldiers to escort them. However, to Charlotte, it seemed more like surveillance than an escort.

After all, to the Starfall Kingdom, the lord of the Crescent Kingdom is, in a sense, an enemy lord.

The Roan City was festively decorated and bustling with activity.

The Ancestral Recognition Ceremony of the Roman Sword is not casually held, in fact, it can only take place during the annual Roman festival, which happens to be tomorrow. ??

Charlotte looked curiously at the streets around her, treating it as a sightseeing tour.

However, Nice probably wouldn’t see this for a while.

This guy got seasick and had been vomiting countless times during the day’s journey. It would likely take him some time to recover.

Under the guidance of the city guard, Charlotte and her entourage quickly settled into a high-end inn in Roan specifically for hosting nobles. This inn was adjacent to Romanus Square, which was also the venue for the ceremony the next day.

Charlotte noticed that the preliminary preparations in the square were almost complete. The viewing platform was set up, and the altar was in place. Soldiers of the Starfall Kingdom were busy making final arrangements.

“Madam Castell, the Ancestral Recognition Ceremony will officially begin tomorrow. Our people will lead you to the secret chamber beneath the ceremony before it starts. You don’t need to do much, just intervene according to the plan.”

Count Yurst explained.

Charlotte pondered.

“Won’t my absence be noticed?”

Yurst explained.

“Lord Yorok has prepared a substitute for you. The substitute will take your place at the ceremony during your absence.”

“A substitute? Won’t it be discovered?”

“You need not worry about that. Lord Yorok is an experienced Blood Duke with profound expertise in illusion magic, rivaling the elders of the Szellem Clan who master mental inheritance. No one can see through his illusion except the Roman Sword, which doesn’t concern itself with worldly conflicts. It only cares about its task of strengthening the Roman bloodline.”

Yurst said.

Hearing this, Charlotte nodded slightly.

The Nez Clan had an alliance with the Castell family, and they clearly feared the “God” behind the Castell family. So in matters like this, the Nez Clan wouldn’t deceive her.

Moreover, Yurst himself was, in a way, her man.

“Also, there is a banquet tonight hosted by the Roman Royal Family at the Roman Palace, inviting nobles to attend the ceremony. You are likely among the invitees.”

Yurst thought for a moment and added.

Charlotte’s heart stirred.

“Has Edward III come too?”

Yurst shook his head.

“His Majesty is gravely injured and bedridden. He can’t come to Roman, but he should appear via magic projection at tomorrow’s ceremony, as a show of support for Prince Henry.”

After saying this, Yurst glanced at the time and said,

“Madam Castell, it’s getting late. I have some clan matters to handle before tomorrow’s ceremony, so I’ll take my leave now.”

“If you need me, just ask the inn’s staff. This inn belongs to the Nez Clan, and all the staff are our people.”

Charlotte wasn’t surprised by Yurst’s words.

In fact, she had sensed several bloodbornes upon entering the inn.

Although they had tried their best to hide their identities, as the “True Ancestor” recognized by the Gospel of Blood, she could still identify their scent.

“I understand.”

Charlotte nodded.

After saying this, Yurst took his leave.

Charlotte looked at the dense crowd in Romanus Square outside the window, thought for a moment, and then sank into her consciousness again.

The Nez Clan placed great importance on tomorrow’s Roman Ancestral Recognition Ceremony.

She was curious about how many bloodbornes the Nez Clan had sent this time.

The brilliance of the Gospel of Blood shone as Charlotte entered the ancient Dark Night Castle again, summoning the Crimson Star Sea.

Countless crimson stars gathered around Charlotte within a five-kilometer radius, more than she had ever seen before.

Looking around, there were at least a thousand stars.

For this Ancestral Recognition Ceremony, the Nez Clan had secretly deployed a thousand bloodbornes!

In Charlotte’s perception, these bloodbornes were distributed in a particular pattern, with three main locations. One was the inn where she stayed, another was the Roman Palace opposite Romanus Square, and the third was the Holy Court Church in Roan.

Clearly, as the core territory of the Nez Clan, the Holy Court’s branch here had been thoroughly infiltrated by the Nez Clan.

Among all the bloodbornes, three stars were the largest.

The closest one to Charlotte was in the direction of the Roman Palace, with a familiar aura.

She quickly recognized it as the Legendary Bloodborne she had encountered in her mental world during the attack in Northport, probably Duke Yorok of the Nez Clan.

The second star was a bit farther, in the direction of the church, with an ethereal and deep aura, dimmer than normal bloodbornes, similar to Sebastian.

Charlotte guessed it was a Legendary being with a bloodborne bloodline.

However, what surprised Charlotte the most was the third star.

It was a star slowly moving within the city, seemingly wandering leisurely.

If the first star felt familiar to Charlotte, the third star’s aura was unmistakable.

She had encountered this aura just over a month ago.

It was none other than Albrecht, the Dark Apostle of the Blood Demon Cult who was forcibly contracted as a blood thrall by Charlotte.

“Albrecht? What’s he doing in the Roman Duchy?”

Charlotte wondered.

She was pondering whether to spy on him when she sensed a familiar presence approaching.

Charlotte raised an eyebrow.

After a brief thought, she ended her investigation and returned to reality.

Soon, there was a knock on the door, and Sherry’s voice came through.

“Lady Charlotte, an inn servant said someone downstairs wants to see you, claiming to be an old acquaintance.”

Charlotte nodded.

“Bring her up. She is indeed an old acquaintance.”

After a while, the door was gently pushed open, and Sherry led a small figure cloaked in a hooded coat into the room.

Charlotte signaled Sherry to close the door, then looked at the small figure in the hooded coat and smiled.

“Eudoxia, why are you in Roan too? What’s with the disguise?”

Hearing Charlotte’s words, the small figure lifted the hood, revealing herself to be Eudoxia, the black dragon maid on a quest to find the Ancient Temple.