Gospel of Blood

“Is this… truly my Lord’s divine symbol?”Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Astrid murmured instinctively, her heart trembling as she gazed at the thorny rose slowly emerging in her consciousness.

The thorny rose radiated a crimson brilliance, as vivid as enchanting blood.

Seeing the familiar yet unfamiliar symbol, Astrid felt as if her heart had stopped beating at that moment.

Until that ethereal and dazzling crimson… filled the entire world.

An indescribable intense emotion surged through the young girl’s heart.

Thump…

Thump…

She felt her heart resonate with that mysterious and beautiful symbol, forming a blood-bound connection.

Astrid instinctively reached out towards the ethereal thorny rose, unable to help but softly call out.

“Oh great Savior…”

“Is it… really you?”

Her trembling fingers slightly lifted.

Astrid saw herself “touch” that ethereal divine symbol.

In the next moment, the thorny rose entwined divine symbol shone brilliantly, the dazzling crimson light engulfing everything.

Astrid felt a mysterious pull descend upon her, the entire world rapidly receding.

She sensed a strong summons.

Within that summons, she felt herself rising higher and higher…

She saw the bewildered faces of the surrounding youths.

She saw the astonished expression of Marquis Vladimir.

She saw the smiling envoy of Castell, the elf envoy looking up and casting a gentle gaze towards her.

She saw Winterfort, the dense northern forests, the vast northern plains, and the endless Northern Grasslands…

She saw the stars filling the sky, those stars emitting a beautiful crimson light, engulfing the whole world.

The crimson mist spread, and Astrid seemed to see a majestic, solemn ancient castle.

She saw the mysterious, magnificent murals within the castle, the steps continuously ascending within.

She saw the ancient, dignified blood throne at the top of the steps, and on that throne… the mysterious figure enveloped in radiance.

That mysterious figure seemed to sense her arrival, slowly opening a pair of golden-red eyes and casting a gaze upon her.

And the moment Astrid met that gaze, the entire world fell into eternity.

She heard a long sigh, filled with complexity, emotion, and an indescribable sentiment.

“So… it really is you…”

“Yes… this world… is still a world blessed by the Gods. The decisions made back then… weren’t necessarily all right.”

That mysterious voice, carrying an incredible power, echoed in Astrid’s heart.

The moment she heard that voice, Astrid felt her blood instantly boiling.

She sensed her extraordinary power cheering, felt her extraordinary blood rejoicing.

She felt an indescribable warmth, as if she was once again in the embrace of her long-gone mother.

She saw the figure on the throne gently rise and come before her.

A Goddess of unparalleled beauty stood there.

Wearing a mysterious, beautiful black divine gown adorned with the Thorny Rose divine symbol, with a cascade of splendid silver hair and deep golden-red eyes like the starry sky. That silver-haired, golden-eyed figure perfectly matched the nearly lost records in the tribal alliance…

Astrid’s eyes widened, her voice filled with excitement.

“My Lord… Are you… truly my Lord?!”

The God smiled.

That captivating smile lit up the entire world.

Astrid saw the God reaching out a hand.

That ethereal divine hand rested upon her head, warm like a mother’s embrace.

“Descendant of the Free City-State…”

“Thank you for your unwavering faith.”

“As a reward, accept this power of faith.”

Crimson light spread.

Astrid saw spots of golden-red light rising, converging towards her from all directions.

In the next moment, she felt an unprecedented powerful force surge from the depths of her blood.

“Go, continue your battle.”

The God spoke softly.

The crimson mist spread rapidly, and Astrid felt the mysterious pull acting upon her once more.

The entire world quickly receded, and her consciousness rapidly descended…

On the streets of Winterfort, in the makeshift honor challenge arena.

Watching Astrid, surrounded by red light but motionless, the Northern youths looked at each other in confusion.

“What’s happening to her?”

“Could it be that she was so scared by Gunnar’s power that her extraordinary power went berserk?”

“No, no… She must have failed the secret technique and lost her mind, right?”

“Haha, that would be ridiculous!”

“I knew it, these Free Tribe Alliance losers are no match for Lord Gunnar!”

The Northern youths discussed among themselves, their gazes at the girl filled with oddity and mockery.

On the other side, the Free Tribe Alliance youths glared angrily at the sneering youths.

“Astrid…”

They looked at the girl in the challenge arena with worry. Gunnar squinted at the motionless Astrid and then sneered.

‘Hmph, Astrid, if you think you can make me go easy on you like this, you’re gravely mistaken.”

With that, his expression turned ferocious. With the grin of a victor, he charged towards the girl again.

“You lost! Become my slave!”

The pale blue light shone as Gunnar clenched his fists, enveloped in totem power, striking towards the girl’s shoulder.

However, just as he was about to hit, a delicate right hand suddenly lifted and caught his totem-powered fist in his astonished gaze.

Astrid slowly raised her head.

She opened her eyes, the light blue pupils completely turned to blood-red, carrying a soul-stirring power.

She spoke softly, with unprecedented calmness.

“No, Gunnar.”

“You’re the one who lost.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a powerful aura erupted from her body.

Crimson light quickly spread, blossoming from Astrid and forming a scarlet pillar of light that shot into the sky!

The surging magic power spread like a heatwave, causing the onlookers to stagger and fall.

Marquis Vladimir’s expression was astonished.

He braced against the violent elemental power, looking up at the crimson pillar piercing the clouds, filled with incredulity.

“This… This is… divine blessing?”

“She has become… a God’s favored one?”