Gospel of Blood

Chapter 163: The Last Bloodborne Royalty

Charlotte knew she was just a transmigrator who happened to be recognized by the Gospel of Blood and not the long-lost Bloodborne True Ancestor of the Myria world.

However, with the Gospel of Blood, she had bound herself to many characteristics of the Bloodborne True Ancestor, and the power she exhibited indeed resembled that of a resurrected Bloodborne True Ancestor.

In fact, it was quite possible that the Gospel of Blood was designed to cultivate a new Bloodborne True Ancestor.

From this perspective, Charlotte, for convenience, had in a sense tacitly acknowledged the guesses of her identity made by the black cat Nice and Sebastian.

But she never imagined that someone would see through her "disguise" upon their first meeting...

To recognize her as a bloodborne was already unprecedented, let alone addressing her as the True Ancestor right away!

This moment even made her doubt herself...

Could her disguise be so easily seen through by certain beings?

Charlotte couldn't help but glance at Sebastian from the corner of her eye and noticed that the elven butler had turned his head awkwardly after the old woman revealed her "identity," clearly feeling a bit guilty.

Goodness, could it be that Sebastian had leaked her disguised identity?

But Charlotte quickly dismissed this suspicion.

After a year of getting to know him, she understood this elven butler very well.

To become her closest follower, Sebastian would rather be the only one in the world to know her "true identity"; he couldn't possibly leak her secret.

Perhaps this guilt came from inadvertently revealing some information that led the old woman to guess her "identity"...

The Witch of Prophecy...

Similar to... a prophet?

Charlotte's thoughts were racing.

Though her mind was racing, Charlotte maintained her composure.

"Witch of Prophecy? What is your relationship with the Nez family?"

She asked, slightly tilting her body with interest.

The Nez, the Insight Clan, is one of the five existing bloodborne clans, specializing in divination and prophecy through the bloodline resonance.

Only humanoid females with strong magic can be called witches, whether human, bloodborne, elf, or other humanoid species.

For instance, the head of the well-known bloodborne clan, the Vadallat, who follow the Path of Wildness, is known as the White Witch.

And calling her True Ancestor indicated that the other party was also bloodborne.

However, Charlotte did not sense any bloodborne power from the old woman.

What Charlotte did notice was that the Book of the Dead at her side quivered slightly when the old woman and the maid entered the tent, as if sensing something.

"Great True Ancestor, as you can see, I was once a member of the Nez family, though... I left the family many years ago and have not been in contact with other bloodbornes for a long, long time."

The old woman answered respectfully.

Once?

Charlotte was intrigued.

Once?

Sebas couldn't help but look at the old woman, visibly surprised, clearly hearing this for the first time.

The old woman then turned to the girl beside her, showing a kind smile.

"Of course, that was in the past. Now, I am just a grandmother who wants to see her granddaughter safe and sound."

Saying this, she pulled the girl and bowed to Charlotte again.

"Great True Ancestor, please forgive Anna for her disrespect..."

"From the moment Sir Sebastian first visited me to inquire about the history of bloodbornes, I had already guessed your arrival, but it wasn't until today that I formally came to pay my respects..."

"Please forgive my negligence, forgive my arrogance, forgive my selfishness... I do not wish to deceive you, and I know I cannot deceive you..."

"It's just that you have long become a legend among bloodbornes. Gods are too far from mortals; mortals cannot fathom the thoughts of Gods. Without sufficient understanding of you, I truly did not know if I should bring Reina to meet you."

Charlotte's heart skipped a beat, understanding the implication.

This mysterious woman named Anna, in her uncertainty about Charlotte's temperament and due to some unknown concerns, was afraid to meet her.

And this attitude and mindset indicated one thing—

Like Sebastian once was, she was also a non-believer!

But why was she afraid to meet Charlotte?

Could it be that she thought Charlotte would harm her?

"Are you very afraid of me?"

She asked.

The old woman trembled and bowed lower.

"A God... must be feared by mortals, especially a great being like yourself."

"In Borde, you severely wounded the Flame Demon Valaroka with a single strike, taking half of its power. Your immense power left a deep impression on me and indeed deserves respect and fear."

Huh?

Even Sebastian hadn't clearly seen how she defeated the Flame Demon Valaroka, yet this woman did?

It seemed... her rank was much higher than Sebastian's.

Charlotte was thoughtful, yet she didn't sense any strong extraordinary aura from the woman.

This "bloodborne" named Anna must have encountered some problem with her body.

Meanwhile, Charlotte also perceived from this encounter some of the bloodbornes' attitudes towards their "True Ancestor"...

The old woman used the word "fear."

Charlotte believed this fear wasn't just from mortals but likely included the bloodbornes themselves.

This piqued her curiosity about the relationship between the True Ancestor and ordinary bloodbornes.

Anna clearly knew many bloodborne secrets, but it wasn't convenient for Charlotte to directly ask now.

Additionally, from Anna's words, Charlotte vaguely guessed the source of Anna's fear.

Bloodbornes crave blood, and Charlotte could strengthen herself by consuming the blood of extraordinary creatures.

The battle with the Flame Demon Valaroka had revealed a lot; in her True Ancestor state, she possessed a similar "bloodsucking" ability, or rather, it was more like "devouring."

As a bloodborne, if they discovered that their newly resurrected ancestor could "restore" their strength through "devouring," anyone, except the true fanatics, would feel a jolt of fear and suspicion, right?

After all, if the ancestor sought to restore their power through "devouring," what in this world would be more suitable than bloodbornes themselves?

That would be a kindred power.

Gods are lofty and detached, and in the eyes of gods, mortals are mere ants. If Gods could restore their power by consuming ants, what would they do?

Of course, Charlotte had never considered this path.

She was not a true god and was not that bloodthirsty. Unless someone was her enemy, she would not harm others without reason.

After some thought, she smiled gently and said.

"Madam Anna, let me reintroduce myself. I am Charlotte de Castell, the Lord of Castell County, Countess Castell, and noble of the Crescent."

Charlotte preferred a human perspective over that of a God.

Gods do not speak idly. If the other party truly saw her as a God, Charlotte believed she understood her intentions.

Moreover, constantly being regarded as a God worried Charlotte that she might slowly start to believe she was one, gradually losing herself in the power of the Gospel...

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Upon hearing Charlotte's words, the old woman visibly relaxed and respectfully replied.

"Of course, esteemed Lady Charlotte, you have been kind to the Rose Society, and over the past year, you have repeatedly helped families shattered by the Blood Demon disaster. You... are a true noble."

Charlotte smiled slightly.

She knew the other party understood.

"So, Madam Anna, please state your purpose."

Charlotte said.

The old woman took a deep breath, gently pushed the girl beside her forward, and respectfully said.

"Lady Charlotte, Anna wishes to ask you to shelter Reina and provide her a place of refuge..."

Reina...

Charlotte couldn't help but look at the girl beside the old woman.

This name was not unfamiliar to her.

If there was no other person with the same name, then the girl who helped those mercenaries fend off the undead yesterday must be her.

Charlotte could sense the extraordinary power within her, not weaker than her own, and a certain bloodline connection.

"I can feel her restless bloodline power... Can you tell me the reason?"

Charlotte asked.

The old woman respectfully replied.

"Esteemed Lady Charlotte, Reina's full name is Reina Palma Kirali..."

"She is the last descendant of the Kirali. Due to the other clans' fear of the Kirali, they have been hunted for millennia..."

"You are the source of all bloodborne... If possible, I hope you can protect her, the last of the Kirali..."

"After all, they are the only clan that steadfastly believed in your return during the millennia of the Holy War. It is precisely because of this unwavering belief that they have been ostracized by other clans."

Kirali?

The extinct royal bloodline?!

Charlotte's heart skipped a beat.

She couldn't help but look closely at the girl, her heart stirred, and she suddenly said.

"Lift your head."

The girl named Reina did not move.

It was only when the old woman nudged her that she timidly lifted her head, revealing a pair of crimson-golden eyes filled with unease and confusion.

"Lady Charlotte, please forgive Reina's rudeness. Ten years ago, she was pursued by the Shedite (the Dark Clan) and cursed by the Bloodborne Archduke, causing her mind to regress to that of an eight or nine-year-old..."

The old woman sighed deeply.

What?! A God's curse?

What did she do to deserve this?

Charlotte's heart skipped a beat.

It seemed that the old woman wanted her to take in the girl not only for protection but also in the hope that she could lift the curse.

But Charlotte knew her limits.

She was not a true God. Even with the power of the True Ancestor's Liberation, she was only at a Legendary level. Purifying a God's curse would not be easy.

A misstep could even attract the attention of a God.

However, she saw this as an opportunity.

First, Agnes, who had infiltrated the bloodborne society; now, Anna, who had left her clan for many years but knew many bloodborne secrets...

Setting aside the elusive Agnes for now, through this old woman, Charlotte felt she could further deepen her understanding of bloodbornes.

To enhance her power, she could not avoid dealing with bloodbornes.

As her power grew, she would inevitably step into bloodborne society.

Charlotte saw no reason to refuse the last royal bloodline seeking her protection.

If Myria's True Ancestor had truly fallen, Charlotte could use this as a starting point to cultivate her own bloodborne force.

And if the real True Ancestor returned in the future, gathering the loyal forces for THEM could help her maintain her disguised identity and perhaps even gain THEIR favor.

Of course, Charlotte was just thinking.

Given the various traits of the Gospel of Blood, she believed the real True Ancestor was likely truly fallen, and she might be the next True Ancestor chosen by the Gospel of Blood or the real True Ancestor.

With this in mind, Charlotte pondered for a moment and said.

"Since leaving Borde, many of my maids have stayed at the manor. Let her stay at Castell, and for now, she can work with Sebastian on some tasks."

"As for the curse on her... I will help lift it when the time is right."

Upon hearing Charlotte's words, the old woman brightened up.

"Thank you, esteemed Lady Charlotte!"

She quickly pulled the girl to bow to Charlotte.

"Reina, quickly bow to the great True Ancestor!"

Under the old woman's gentle push, Reina dazedly bowed to Charlotte.

"True Ancestor..."

"Just call me Countess or Lady Charlotte."

Charlotte said.

Then, she looked at the old woman.

"As for you... Madam Anna, stay by my side for a while and talk to me about the bloodbornes."

Keeping her close was both for questioning and monitoring; Charlotte did not completely trust her yet.

However, upon hearing Charlotte's words, the old woman fell into a brief silence.

She sighed deeply and respectfully but apprehensively said.

"Lady Charlotte, thank you for your kindness, but forgive Anna's rudeness... After entrusting Reina to you, I must leave."

Leave?

Charlotte was slightly taken aback.

Reina also trembled slightly, looking up at the old woman with eyes full of reluctance.

"Madam Anna, do you know what you are saying?"

Sebastian frowned on the other side.

The old woman sighed softly.

"I know..."

"I understand Lady Charlotte's intentions, and I believe Lady Charlotte can grant me more time, but... my heart cannot deceive itself."

"I don't think I will ever follow any god in my life. Forgive me, but I cannot stay by your side..."

"I know Lady Charlotte has just awakened and may not yet have all the divine memories. I have recorded everything I know about the bloodborne in a book, which I will present to you..."

"Entrusting Reina fulfills my last wish; I have no regrets."

The old woman said with satisfaction.

As she spoke, her body began to emit photons of light, indicating that she was starting to fade away.