Gospel of Blood

Charlotte really hadn’t expected to encounter something like this.

She was still waiting for the ownership of the Roman Duchy, but instead of that, a claim to the throne of the Starfall Kingdom just fell from the sky.

Is it a pleasant surprise?

It would be impossible to say no.

Sitting at home, the throne falls from the sky, without doing anything, someone wants her to recite a poem and don the imperial robe. It seems like a stroke of luck.

She finally understood why the servants in the Count’s residence had been treating her differently. As the designated successor by the previous king of the Starfall Kingdom, her claim to the throne was incredibly strong.

No, if speaking in legal terms, she was already the first in line to inherit the Starfall Kingdom’s throne.

To be honest, if it were only the king’s designation and everyone else opposed, she would at most have a strong claim to the throne. But if, as Nice said, both the Kingdom’s Parliament and the Roman family support her, then the situation is vastly different.

The fact that the throne has been vacant for two months indicates that the power of the Kingdom’s Parliament and the Roman family is not to be underestimated. Otherwise, the prepared Nez Clan would have already placed their candidate on the throne.

She wasn’t familiar with the Starfall Kingdom’s Parliament or the Roman family, so why would these forces support her?

Especially the Kingdom’s Parliament.

Yurst had mentioned before that the Nez Clan controlled half of the Kingdom’s parliamentary seats. Shouldn’t they be supporting the Nez Clan?

Charlotte was puzzled.

“Meow, this issue… I’ve discussed it with Sebastian. The Kingdom’s Parliament represents the nobility of the Starfall Kingdom. Although the Nez Clan controls the parliamentary seats, it’s just the seats, and their control is hidden, possibly without revealing their Nez Bloodborne identity…”

“From what I know, not all Starfall nobles are happy about the return of the Nez Clan. Especially with Edward III’s revelations on his deathbed, the nobles’ fear of the Nez Bloodborne was immediately awakened…”

“Many years ago, it was the Kingdom’s Parliament, in alliance with the Holy Court, that overthrew the Nez Clan’s hidden rule over the Starfall Kingdom.”

Nice said.

Charlotte was moved.

“So… Edward III’s deathbed revelations pushed the Nez Clan into opposition with the Kingdom’s Parliament?”

Nice nodded.

“You could say that. Upon learning that their secret benefactor was actually the Nez Clan, many members turned against them.”

“But the Kingdom’s Parliament strongly supporting you probably also has to do with your unique status.”

“You have Roman blood on one side and no roots in the Starfall Kingdom on the other, making you an ideal monarch for the Starfall nobility to support.”

Charlotte nodded in understanding after hearing Nice’s explanation.

“What about the Roman family? Is it for the same reason? Or does it have something to do with the Ancestral Recognition Ceremony I attended earlier?”

This time, Nice’s expression turned strange.

“Look out the window, and you should understand why the Roman family supports you.”

Charlotte was puzzled.

She walked to the window of the study, opened it, and looked outside. Then… she saw a circle of maids and knights sitting on the lawn nearby.

In the center of the group floated a beautifully glowing elven rapier, which was flying around and boasting proudly.

“Just as the Evil God was about to descend, I shouted at Romanus—”

“‘What are you waiting for! Attack!'”

“Then, with one slash, I cut the Evil God in half, even shattering its divine essence!”

“Since then, Romanus has always listened to me. Although mortals think I’m his sword, in reality… hehe! He’s just my mount!”

Charlotte: …

Alright.

She got it.

It seemed that the news of her obtaining the Roman Sword was already well-known, and it was likely public knowledge that the sword recognized her as its master.

She clearly remembered instructing the Roman Sword not to appear in front of people before her slumber, but apparently, it was all in vain!

Sighing, Charlotte withdrew her gaze.

If the Roman family knew the Roman Sword recognized her as its master, it made sense for them to support her. After all, for the increasingly marginalized Roman family, Starfall Kingdom moving towards “de-Romanization” left little room for them.

Even the two Lilac families seldom referred to themselves as the “Roman family” anymore. The Roman family could only maintain their voice by rallying around the “Roman Sword.”

“They support me as the Queen of the Starfall Kingdom, but surely they have conditions?”

Charlotte continued to ask.

This time, Nice shook his head.

“I don’t know, but they likely do. A week ago, we received a magical communication from the Speaker of the Kingdom’s Parliament. Their delegation is on its way and should arrive in two or three days.”

“At that time… they should present their conditions.”

“However, the Nez Clan has already sent an emissary, and it’s Yurst. He’s in the city right now.”

At this point, Nice’s expression turned strange.

“The Nez Clan wants to exchange the Roman Duchy and your ownership of the Roman Sword for your renunciation of the throne.”

“In other words, if you renounce the throne, they will immediately proceed with the transfer of the Roman Duchy and acknowledge your ownership of the Roman Sword…”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Charlotte: …

“Are they serious? Offering what was already agreed upon, plus a meaningless acknowledgment of ownership, in exchange for me giving up my claim to the throne?”

She couldn’t help but retort.

Nice chuckled.

“This condition was proposed by the opposition within the Nez Clan. They’ve always been against dealings with you, fearing the ‘God’ behind you.”

“I heard that because of the Roman Sword recognizing you as its master, Yurst and Duke Yorok were harshly criticized within the Nez Clan. Even the execution of the Returning Star Plan was taken back by the elders.”

“Yurst coming as an emissary is already because of his good relationship with you.”

“Heh… When you summon Yurst, you’ll see his sour face.”

As if thinking of something amusing, Nice looked gleeful, showing no sign of restraint.

Charlotte gave him a speechless glance.

This guy… always happier to see others in trouble than when he has good fortune. No one else had such a bad habit.

“What was your response to the Nez Clan’s proposal?”

She asked.

Nice shook his head.

“I haven’t responded yet! You’ve been unconscious.”

“I gave the Nez Clan three days, saying we’d give them an answer. Two days have passed, so there’s one day left.”

“Honestly… if you didn’t wake up tomorrow, I’d have to decide for you.”

“Oh? If it were you, what would you decide?”

Charlotte asked with interest.

“Me? I’d be ambiguous, drag it out as long as possible, hoping you’d wake up. But if you didn’t wake up, for safety’s sake, I’d accept the Nez Clan’s conditions…”

“After all, I’m not you. I wouldn’t dare put myself on the line, and it would endanger you while you slept.”

Nice said.

Then, Nice asked.

“Lady Charlotte, what are your thoughts? Are you interested in the Starfall Kingdom’s throne?”

Am I interested in the Starfall Kingdom’s throne?

Charlotte pondered.

The authority represented by a king was far beyond that of a count.

Not to mention, even if Charlotte wanted to secretly expand her Nightshade Cult’s power, the Starfall Kingdom was an excellent place for it.

Even the Castell County, far from the Theocracy, could defy the Holy Court. In comparison, the Starfall Kingdom was an isolated island nation, making it naturally defensible and one of the weakest areas for the Holy Court’s power, perfect for “heretics” to thrive.

For Charlotte, who wanted to quickly amass power before the Divinity Descent Day arrived, it was ideal.

Especially since Charlotte was now a Demigod.

If she truly ascended to the throne, being both a myth and a ruler, it would be a double boost, rapidly growing her influence.

She had to admit, Charlotte was tempted.

Of course, she knew the throne wouldn’t come easily.

The Starfall Kingdom’s throne… sounds nice, but in reality, it’s a hot potato.

The succession issue involves many factions.

Just off the top of her head, she could think of quite a few.

The new nobility of the Starfall Kingdom’s parliament, the increasingly marginalized Roman family, the Nez Clan wanting to reclaim the Starfall Kingdom, the Roman branch of the Lilac family supported by the Nez Clan, the old nobility supporting the Nez Clan, and the Holy Court wanting to maintain control over the Starfall Kingdom.

So many forces entangled together, it’s indeed daunting.

Oh, right.

There’s also the Crescent Kingdom.

Louis V certainly wouldn’t sit idly by if she inherited the Starfall Kingdom’s throne.

If she inherited the Starfall Kingdom’s throne, it would also include the Castell County.

For Louis V, who wanted to unify the Crescent Peninsula, this was intolerable.

In short… it’s very troublesome, just thinking about it gives her a headache.

If only she could use overwhelming power to suppress everything, it would be better.

But unfortunately… although Charlotte was a Demigod, in an era where mortals could kill Gods, being a myth didn’t make one invincible.

But then again, the greater the resistance, doesn’t it also mean the greater the opportunity?

Thinking this, Charlotte chuckled.

“Why wouldn’t I be interested? It’s a throne that’s been delivered to me. I’d be a fool not to take it.”

If the throne had fallen into her lap a year ago, when she had no foundation, she might have hesitated.

But now…

She already had the qualifications to be a “chess player” on the Myria continent.

There’s no reason to give up the throne when such a “good thing” presents itself.