Gospel of Blood

The childish voice, filled with ridicule, echoed in everyone’s hearts.

For a moment, the entire ceremony venue fell into an eerie silence.

The spectators whispered among themselves, while the nobles who had just been praising the event on stage exchanged bewildered glances.

“Lo… lowly creature?”

“Weak bloodline…?”

“Desecrating the Gods?”

“Is this… referring to His Highness the Prince?”

Low murmurs gradually rose from the crowd, and people’s gazes focused once more on Prince Henry.

The childish voice hadn’t been masked, everyone had heard it clearly.

Including the voice’s self-identification and its current mockery of Prince Henry.

Undoubtedly, the voice belonged to the summoned Roman Sword, and it seemed that Prince Henry, who had summoned the Roman Sword, hadn’t received its recognition.

What exactly had happened?

Wasn’t the light just now incredibly dazzling?

The crowd looked confused.

Feeling the puzzled gazes concentrated on him, Prince Henry broke out in a cold sweat.

Wait… something isn’t right here.

Wasn’t it said that the Roman Sword wouldn’t care about his bloodline issue?

Moreover, its voice…

Didn’t it sound much more intelligent than a ten-year-old?

Prince Henry, uncertain and apprehensive, felt that today’s ceremony had already slipped out of his control, and the Roman Sword’s reaction was entirely different from what the ancient texts described.

It was known that although the Roman Contract Book hadn’t been used for many years, there was a difference between many years without use and never being used at all.

The ancestors of the Roman family had used similar methods for summoning.

But the current situation was vastly different from what he faced.

He couldn’t help but look at Duke Conte on the high platform, casting a discreet glance for help.

However, when he looked over, he saw that Duke Conte was equally bewildered, seemingly not anticipating the current situation.

Prince Henry felt numb all over.

But he knew there was no turning back.

Taking a deep breath, Prince Henry mustered the courage to look up at the Roman Sword hovering in midair. He carefully chose his words and spoke respectfully.

“Lord Roman, I… did not deceive you. It was indeed I who initiated the ceremony and awakened you from your slumber!”

“Indeed, the bloodline of the Roman family is not as strong as it once was, and I must admit that our current strength is not as great as that of our illustrious ancestors…”

“However… this is precisely why we wish to summon you. We hope you can help us, according to the contract, to reclaim the glory of our ancestors!”

“I have never had any intention of blaspheming. I have always revered our great ancestors and have never harbored thoughts of desecrating the Gods!”

Hearing Prince Henry’s words, the spectators and nobles were taken aback, and then fell into contemplation.

“Indeed… the Roman family has declined. For years, the ceremonies only summoned the projection of the Roman Sword, but this is the first time in centuries that the actual Roman Sword has been summoned…”

“Could it be that Lord Roman is expressing dissatisfaction with the current decline of the Roman family?”

“So… if the bloodline is weak, the same goes for His Majesty the King. This shouldn’t be blamed on His Highness the Prince, right?”

“Perhaps… explaining it clearly will gain the forgiveness of the divine artifact.”

The crowd whispered among themselves.

Upon hearing Prince Henry’s words, the Roman Sword’s divine light paused slightly, seemingly not expecting such an answer.

Seeing the Roman Sword fall silent, Prince Henry felt relieved.

Clearly, while the Roman Sword’s intelligence seemed different from what was recorded, it didn’t seem extraordinarily high.

But just as he let out a sigh of relief, the childish voice spoke again, now filled with sneers and anger.

“Hmph! Cunning human, you nearly tricked me!”

“Indeed, the ceremony was initiated by you, but it was the Contract Book that successfully awakened me!”

“I have always turned a blind eye to the incomplete summons by your Roman descendants, in accordance with the ancient contract. But now, you dare to blaspheme the Gods before me, which is unforgivable!”

As it spoke, the Roman Sword’s light intensified, releasing a terrifying pressure that forced Prince Henry to the ground.

“Pathetic ant, shameless liar, brazen thief!”

“Do you really think the great Lord Roman wouldn’t know who truly activated the Contract Book?”

“Speak! Blasphemer! Whose blood did you steal to drip onto the Contract Book?!”

The Roman Sword’s voice was supremely dignified, filled with overwhelming fury, echoing in everyone’s ears.

Hearing the Roman Sword’s words, the nobles and the crowd were stunned.

“Stolen… blood?”

“Could it be that the blood used to activate the Contract Book wasn’t His Highness the Prince’s, and that’s why the divine artifact is so enraged?”

“Your… Your Highness… what’s going on? Did you really deceive the ceremony?”

The secret of the contract was exposed by the Roman Sword on the spot, and Prince Henry’s expression changed dramatically, his face turning deathly pale.

Seeing his expression, the spectators became even more convinced of the Roman Sword’s accusations.

In an instant, the nobles who had supported Prince Henry showed signs of disappointment, while those who had come to watch the spectacle looked at him with mockery and ridicule.

As for the surrounding citizens of the Roman Duchy, they were already filled with anger.

“Blasphemy! This is blasphemy! Lord Roman is right! This is a desecration of our ancestors!”

“He deceived the ceremony! He tarnished the glory of the Romans! He blasphemed the divine ancestors!”

“He is not worthy to be a successor of the Romans! He is not fit to be the heir to the throne!”

“Depose him! Depose him!”

The Demigod Romanus was a cultural symbol for the people of the Roman Duchy and a hero in their hearts.

The conspiracy of Prince Henry, once revealed, undoubtedly provoked public outrage.

In no time, the citizens waved their fists, cursing and condemning Prince Henry on the altar.

Watching the furious citizens and the indifferent nobles, Prince Henry felt as if he had fallen into an icy abyss.

It’s over.

He is done for.

He racked his brains but couldn’t understand why the carefully planned ceremony had turned into such a fiasco or why the usually gentle Roman Sword was now so furious. But he knew… he was finished.

Prince Henry lifted his head, hoping to seek help from Duke Conte on the viewing platform. However, Duke Conte avoided his gaze and instead wore a look of deep sorrow. Prince Henry’s eyes widened in shock.

“Hmph, shameless blasphemer, the great Roman Sword is always merciful! Tell me, whose blood did you steal? I might forgive your offense!”

The immature voice rang out again, carrying an undeniable authority.

Hearing the Roman Sword’s words, the nobles’ accusations and the people’s curses gradually subsided.

Their gazes fell once again on Prince Henry, now tinged with curiosity.

For the Roman Sword to be so enraged, it was clear that someone else was responsible for activating the contract book.

And to summon the Roman Sword directly, it must be someone with an even purer Roman family bloodline!

But everyone knew that the main branch of the Roman family had long been extinct. Both the Purple Lilac currently ruling the Starfall Kingdom and the Red Lilac that had intermarried with them were branch families.

And a mere branch couldn’t possibly activate the contract book. Someone like Prince Henry, who had strengthened his bloodline through marriage, might have had a chance.

But since Prince Henry was not the true activator, it suggested his bloodline was indeed problematic, as rumored. So, who was the real activator of the contract book?

Could the royal family still have a direct descendant of the Roman family in their control?

The nobles of Starfall, well-versed and quick-witted, quickly made the connection…

Clearly, Prince Henry was finished.

After today, his claim to the throne would no longer be recognized by the kingdom’s council.

According to the agreement between the two Lilac families, if the current king had no legitimate heir, a successor would be chosen from the Red Lilac family.

But… what if there was a Roman descendant with a stronger bloodline?

The nobles of Starfall fixed their eyes on Prince Henry, their expressions turning serious.

This was a question worth pondering.

After all, it was an open secret among the nobility that the Red Lilac family might have the support of the Bloodborne.

Not all nobles in the Starfall Kingdom were pleased to see the bloodborne faction regain power.

If there truly was a direct descendant of the Roman family still out there, it would be an excellent opportunity for the opposition.

If things were as they speculated, they could band together and attempt to support a new king!

Even if they failed, they could use this as leverage to gain more political power within the kingdom!

With thoughtful glances, the nobles stared at Prince Henry, waiting for his answer.

On the first floor of the square, in a small two-story building, Duke Yorok’s expression also changed slightly, and he stood up instinctively.

Clearly, he had thought of the same possibility.

His expression shifted unpredictably, and he eventually let out a bitter laugh, saying to Yurst beside him.

“Yurst, it seems that Castell has given us a tough problem.”

Hearing Duke Yorok’s words, Yurst opened his mouth, unsure of how to respond.

He looked at the divine sword descending onto the square, his expression a mix of oddity and hesitation.

By the True Ancestor…

Could it be…

Was this part of your foresight too?

In front of the altar.

Prince Henry’s face was ashen, and he looked despondent.

He knew it was hopeless and realized he couldn’t hide the truth from a fully awakened divine artifact.

This was a genuine divine artifact, on par with the Demigod Romanus. Even if it didn’t possess the full power of the same-level myth, it wasn’t something a mere mortal could deceive.

He opened his mouth, resigned, and sighed, dejectedly answering.

“It was Cast…”

Before he could finish speaking, as he was about to utter “Castell”, a mass of black and red flames suddenly engulfed him.

Prince Henry screamed in agony.

He didn’t have time to continue answering as he was quickly consumed by the eerie flames, turning to ashes in an instant…

The crowd was stunned.

The nobles were stunned.

Even the Roman Sword in the sky was stunned.

Duke Yorok, who had stood up, looked horrified, as if realizing something. His face turned pale.

After a brief pause, the crowd on the square erupted into terrified screams.

The Roman Sword let out an angry, childish roar.

“Nez! You bastards!”

With that, the divine sword flashed with silver light, radiating a brilliant glow, and slashed toward the nearby church.

The terrifying silver sword light tore through the sky, parting the clouds like a falling meteor, striking the church and shattering it.

At the same time, a black shadow flew out of the church, quickly fleeing into the distance.

“Stop!”

The Roman Sword roared in fury.

It transformed into a silver streak of light, soaring into the sky, chasing after the fleeing shadow.

All of this happened in an instant.

The nobles and people on the square didn’t even understand what had transpired.

Only Duke Yorok, in the two-story building, had a grim expression, almost gritting his teeth.

“It was that madman Alec!”

“To act at such a time, has he lost his mind! This is nonsense!”

With that, he tossed aside his goblet, conjured a black cloak, and leaped, transforming into a shadow, pursuing the direction of the Roman Sword.

On the viewing platform, “Count Corimo”, Albrecht’s disguise, looked surprised.

“Hmm?”

“That aura just now… Could it be Alec Ais-Nez from Luna Island, and Yorok Nez from the Starfall Kingdom?”

“Heh, interesting… very interesting! Are the two branches of the Nez Clan stirring up trouble again?”

Albrecht smacked his lips, eager to watch the drama unfold. At this moment, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.

“Albrecht, go and see what’s happening.”

It was Charlotte’s voice.

Albrecht’s heart skipped a beat.

He sensed a hint of weariness in the “True Ancestor’s” voice.

He didn’t dwell on it, respectfully responding to the command, and placed the half-eaten dessert from the VIP seat down. Then, amid the astonished gazes of the surrounding nobles, he leaped, transforming into a shadow, and flew in the direction Duke Yorok had pursued.

The square was left with bewildered and frightened people, still unaware of what had transpired.

“Did Prince Henry just say something? Why was he silenced?”

“It seemed like… Cast?”

“Cast…?”

They exchanged confused glances.