Gospel of Blood

Charlotte had no objections to the conditions proposed by Count Stafford.

She was aware of the elective succession law in the Starfall Kingdom, a system based on kinship and the support of noble lords. All major nobles with Roman blood had legal claims to the throne, with new monarchs elected by the Round Table Council.

While members of the Roman family were dwindling in the Starfall, many nobles still had some Roman blood.

Intermarriages among nobility meant everyone was somewhat related—your great-aunt could be my grandmother, my sister your cousin-in-law, and so on. This inheritance law essentially granted all major nobles in the Starfall Kingdom succession rights.

Comparing it to historical inheritance laws, Charlotte thought the Starfall’s elective system resembled a blend of Celtic and Polish-Lithuanian elective monarchies.

As for formally designating the Roman Sword as the Royal Sword of the Starfall Kingdom, that seemed to be a condition set by the Roman family. With the Roman family’s declineinevitable, binding themselves to the Starfall Kingdom was the best course of action.

Charlotte began to understand the reasoning behind these conditions.

Was she being supported as queen because of a prophecy?n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

That might be part of it, but there had to be more to convince the hesitant nobles.

Adding these conditions changed things. The conflict between nobility and royal power is a tradition in every feudal kingdom, and the Starfall is no exception.

Publicly, Charlotte had vowed never to marry, implying she would have no heirs. For the nobles, supporting such a queen was the most reasonable way to transition to the ancient elective succession system, further strengthening the power of the kingdom’s parliament.

Similarly, with no heirs, the Roman Sword would naturally be “returned to the state” upon her death.

If another noble had been asked to accept these conditions, they might have hesitated. But for Charlotte, it was no problem at all.

Reverting to an elective system and “returning” the Roman Sword?

Fine, after she dies, it’s no issue. She’s even made an agreement with Louis V to hand over Castell after her death. Sure, as long as they can wait until she dies.

“Sir Stafford, if these are the conditions, I can agree to accept the support and become the Queen of Starfall. However… I have one condition.”

Charlotte said.

Hearing her words, Count Stafford relaxed a bit, then became serious again, saying,

“Please, go ahead.”

“I won’t give up the Castell territory. Even as the Queen of Starfall, I will remain the Lord of Castell.”

Charlotte declared.

Count Stafford hesitated. For the Starfall nobles, the ownership of Castell wasn’t a big concern. It was just a distant territory.

However, it was a sensitive issue. He was sure that if the future queen returned to the Starfall with her territory, the Crescent Kingdom would be furious.

A misstep could lead to war again.

Frankly, the nobles didn’t want another war over a distant land.

After hesitating for a moment, Count Stafford said,

“It is your right. However, I must be honest: if Crescent and Starfall go to war over this, I cannot guarantee the nobles will side with you.”

Charlotte smiled.

“No problem. When the time comes, those willing to support me against Crescent would step forward.”

She didn’t care much about the parliament’s support. Having the title and territory was enough. It was a moral high ground to oppose Crescent Kingdom’s attempts to reclaim Castell as a Queen of Starfall.

How many nobles would respond was something for the future, but she had some plans for that.

Charlotte and Count Stafford quickly reached an agreement.

Seeing Charlotte willing to accept the support, Count Stafford finally breathed a sigh of relief. He kneeled once more and pledged allegiance.

“Queen Charlotte, as the Speaker of the Starfall Kingdom Parliament, I, John Stafford, swear my loyalty to you.”

This time, Charlotte did not avoid it.

After the ceremony, Count Stafford stood and said,

“Your Majesty, if convenient, we can leave for Starfall in a few days.”

“We have secretly negotiated with the Lilac faction nobles. If you promise to restore the elective succession system, they are willing to abandon Duke Aecia and swear allegiance to you.” (T/N: previously Aisia)

“Our only real opposition is the Nez Bloodborne and the puppet families under their control.”

“It will be a long battle, but once you ascend the throne, it will no longer be a struggle for the throne but a war between humans and bloodbornes.”

Charlotte was surprised by his words.

She hadn’t expected that the Nez Bloodborne could infiltrate the nobles while the parliament could still win back some of them.

Thanks to the late King Edward III, his condemnation of the Lilac family and the exposure of the bloodborne conspiracy were heavy blows, diminishing the Lilac family’s authority and elevating the throne’s succession to a noble cause against bloodbornes.

This probably allowed the parliament to win back the swayed nobles.

No wonder Count Stafford was eager for her to ascend the throne.

Such negotiations were uncertain until finalized.

But…

“Queen Charlotte, when can we depart? The Nez Clan is unaware of our plans. The sooner we reach Starfall, the sooner we can seize the initiative.”

“Neither side’s nobles want a full-blown civil war, so the succession has been delayed. If you ascend first, hesitant nobles will likely be swayed to your side.”

The Count urged.

Charlotte pondered.

Did the Nez Clan really know nothing of the parliament’s actions?

As a fellow bloodborne, she doubted it.

Though not adept in mental magic, bloodbornes were still naturally skilled in mental magic, and the Nez Clan was skilled in divination…

Perhaps the parliament could reclaim some nobles, but she doubted the Nez Clan was oblivious.

Maybe… they were waiting for her to reach Starfall?

Charlotte mused.

A conspiracy? Perhaps.

But…

“Let me prepare. We depart tomorrow.”

Charlotte said.

Knowing the former Great Elder of the Nez Clan was named Bardock, she was eager to meet him.

A conspiracy?

Bring it on.

Would she fear the Nez Clan now?

If it came to it, her bloodline’s power and saintly status would crush these bloodbornes like a grandmother spanking her grandchildren.

And if the Nez Clan had a trump card against myths… wasn’t Albrecht there?

She planned to use him as a shield if needed.

Of course, this was the worst-case scenario.

Given their prior cooperation and the Great Elder’s name, perhaps they could “negotiate.”

Hearing Charlotte’s reply, Count Stafford was delighted.

“At your command, Your Majesty!”