Gospel of Blood-Chapter 627 : Golem

Charlotte had often wondered just how powerful the two major Blood Clans controlling the Coria Kingdom truly were.

After all, they had managed to resist the advances of the Holy Court—an adversary of unparalleled strength. Such a feat implied a depth of power capable of enduring the encirclement of the continent’s foremost church for over a millennium.

However, when she finally witnessed the might of these two clans firsthand, she was still profoundly shaken.

Over thirty Legendary Dukes! More than five hundred Blood Counts at the Blazing Sun level! And among the remaining mid- and lower-ranked members, nearly two-thirds were Silver Moon Viscounts!

The number of high-ranking bloodbornes alone rivaled the elite forces of the core dioceses of the Holy Court.

Clearly, this strength was the result of the millennia-long accumulation by the Vadallat and Szellem clans.

Bloodbornes are like that—immortal. As long as they can survive, their power grows steadily over time.

Of course, in reality, various accidents often lead to the demise of bloodbornes. The Holy Court’s thousand-year campaign of extermination, for instance, had exacted a heavy toll on nearly every active Blood Clan.

But today, Charlotte discovered an exception.

The Vadallat and Szellem Clans, which controlled the Coria Kingdom and had fought the Holy Court more frequently and intensely than any other bloodbornes, actually possessed more elite forces than those clans in hiding!

This power… To be honest, forget merely defending the Coria Kingdom against the Holy Court.

In this era where the Gods no longer intervened, Charlotte believed they could wage war against the entire Holy Court and conquer half the continent!

Yet, the two major clans had refrained from doing so.

Was it due to the restrictions imposed by the Blood Princes behind them?

Or… was there some other reason?

“Your Majesty, the True Ancestor, we have long awaited this day—awaited your return to lead us. Are you satisfied with our army?”

Szellem Derado asked reverently.

His face betrayed his pride, though his tone was filled with anticipation. His fiery gaze fixed on Charlotte made the girl momentarily dazed.

It was different from the reverence of the Nez Clan, different from the fear of the Shedite Clan, and different from the cautious skepticism followed by gratitude and submission of the Harcos Clan…

On his face—and on the faces of the bloodbornes in the “Blood Legion” gathered below—there was only fervor.

That was an expression Charlotte found oddly nostalgic.

It was the same look her followers had worn in the past when she led the Blood Legions against the Old Gods’ Alliance.

If she didn’t know better, she might have thought the old Blood Legions had returned.

Oh, wait.

Strictly speaking, these bloodbornes were indeed descendants of the two original legions, evolving over time.

People’s hearts might change, but these bloodbornes—despite a thousand years having passed—seemed unwavering in their faith.

Yet Charlotte didn’t simply feel comforted. On the contrary, she felt a trace of doubt.

Because, according to various ancient records, the Vadallat and Szellem Clans were the very first to betray the True Ancestor of Blood. It was their actions that triggered the great schism within the bloodborne race.

Back then, upon hearing of Charlotte’s fate, they had even attempted to infiltrate Castell’s domain—though for some reason, the attempt was never followed through.

This was a contradiction.

If they had instigated the schism, why were they now so excited, as if they had been awaiting Charlotte’s return all along?

“Your Majesty, the True Ancestor?”

Derado, the elder of the Szellem clan, respectfully called out when he noticed Charlotte’s silence.

Charlotte shook off her thoughts and nodded slightly.

“Not bad.”

Upon receiving her approval, Derado and the other bloodbornes lit up with joy, like children praised by a parent.

Charlotte then turned to the nearby black dragon, Eudoxia.

“I see they’ve already adopted the Thorny Rose emblem. Was this your arrangement?”

“It was the unified decision of the two clans’ Elder Councils. Upon learning of your return, they resolved to re-adopt your divine symbol. After all… they are your most devout followers.”

Eudoxia replied.

A lie.

That was Charlotte’s first thought.

Though Eudoxia spoke with conviction, and though the respect and fervor of these bloodbornes were genuine—Charlotte was certain of this, as her divine status allowed her to perceive the thoughts of her “descendants” to some extent, even outside the Dark Castle.

Yet…

She couldn’t feel their faith.

They were not her believers.

Of course, it wouldn’t do to outright accuse Eudoxia of lying, as their contract made deception impossible.

Charlotte believed these bloodbornes’ faith lay with someone else.

They were fanatically loyal to the True Ancestor but didn’t actually worship her.

For a fleeting moment, the image of Lilith surfaced in Charlotte’s mind.

“Is their faith… still directed toward you?”

She murmured inwardly.

If so, that might explain it.

Maintaining such a vast Blood Legion was no small feat, especially during the era when the Gods of the Holy Court were at their peak. Fighting them was a monumental task.

But if there was a powerful entity supporting them in secret, it would be a different story.

If Vadallat and Szellem’s power indeed stemmed from Lilith, what was her purpose in sustaining such a powerful Blood Legion, only to present it to Charlotte?

And in this era where the Holy Court and bloodbornes were no longer enemies, who was this force meant to oppose?

Furthermore, aside from Charlotte—an otherworlder—no one else in Myria remembered Lilith’s name.

If even her name and existence had been forgotten, why did her faith persist?

Or perhaps their faith had been redirected—either intercepted by another entity or transferred to their prince?

At this thought, Charlotte grew even more eager to meet the princes of the two major clans.

She had a mythical intuition—meeting the dukes of the Vadallat and Szellem Clans might finally provide answers to her questions.

“Impressive. Even after a thousand years, you have maintained the honor of the Blood Legions. But… where are your dukes? Even if they are wounded, now should be the time for them to show themselves, shouldn’t it?”

Charlotte asked.

A Demigod, even if gravely injured, could create a magical avatar to meet someone. The only explanations for their absence were either an unwillingness or an inability to appear.

Hearing her words, the bloodbornes of the two clans exchanged uneasy glances.

Finally, Derado stepped forward and spoke hesitantly,

“Your Majesty, we have reported your arrival to the Archdukes, but… we have received no response. Perhaps they are still in slumber…”

They?

Charlotte raised an eyebrow slightly.

She extended her senses, but no trace of mythological energy could be felt. Strangely enough, the growing resonance from the two remaining “suns” in the Crimson Star Sea in her consciousness made her heart race—they felt so close, as if they were right here. Yet, even so, there was no reply.

“Where are they?”

Charlotte asked.

“Please follow me. They reside in a restricted area within the capital. No bloodborne is allowed to enter—not even myself. Only… you.”

Eudoxia replied.

With a reverent gesture, she motioned for Charlotte to follow.

Charlotte glanced at Eudoxia, then shook her head slightly.

“Eudoxia, ever since your memories returned, you’ve become so mysterious. Not as cute as you used to be.”

Eudoxia stiffened slightly but said nothing. She merely bowed and began to lead the way.

Amused yet curious, Charlotte followed.

Passing through the bloodbornes’ grand castle, Charlotte, surrounded by many high-ranking bloodbornes, soon arrived before a massive stone gate.

The gate was towering and majestic, adorned with intricate bloodborne crests and reliefs. Layers of magical barriers surrounded it, exuding an ancient and solemn aura.

Standing before the gate, Charlotte felt her divine flame suddenly blaze to life. Her bloodline resonated with a peculiar intensity.

Deep within her consciousness, the Crimson Star Sea flared, and one of the two remaining “suns” shone brighter than ever.

One of the two Archdukes was behind this gate!

Charlotte’s heart stirred.

Even so, no Blood Duke emerged, not even when Charlotte deliberately released her aura to make her presence known.

Derado, the elder of the Szellem Clan, looked awkward. After hesitating for a moment, he stepped forward as if to knock on the gate, but Charlotte raised her hand to stop him.

“No need. I’ll go in myself.”

With those words, Charlotte pointed lightly at the stone gate. Bathed in crimson light, the heavy door began to open slowly.

Charlotte stepped inside.

The scenery shifted. Magic flowed, and she experienced the familiar sensation of entering a dislocated space.

When her vision cleared, Charlotte froze momentarily.

She was in the Dark Night Castle.

Not the spiritual manifestation in her consciousness, but the actual “physical” Dark Night Castle in this alternate dimension.

The black stone walls were just as solemn and ancient as she remembered. The crimson Blood Throne sat atop layers of steps. Even the carvings on the walls were identical—depicting the legends of the True Ancestor and her triumphant return.

The “suns” in her consciousness went still, yet Charlotte’s expression grew somber.

The Blood Throne was empty, but beside it stood two towering statues.

These were cracked, colossal golems.

Each bore the crest of the Vadallat and Szellem Clans, respectively. The energy they emitted far surpassed that of a Legendary being, nearly reaching the level of a Demigod.

Their attire mirrored the uniforms worn by the Blood Dukes when serving as legion commanders in Lilith’s memories.

In an instant, Charlotte realized the truth.

These were the “archdukes” Derado and the others referred to.

Golems!

The supposed mythological figures of the Vadallat and Szellem Clans were not true Demigods but golems of demigod-like power!

A wave of shock swept through Charlotte. She immediately understood why the bloodbornes referred to them as “Archdukes” rather than addressing them as “Your Eminence.”

Because they were mere constructs, not true Demigods, they could not bear the title.

Exhaling softly, Charlotte ascended the steps.

The golems did not react.

No, they could not react. Through her senses, Charlotte could tell they had lost their animating spark. All that remained was their immense power.

These constructs were no longer sentient and could no longer move. Naturally, they could not respond to the bloodbornes’ calls.

Charlotte’s gaze naturally fell upon the Blood Throne.

At its center lay an envelope, adorned with the emblem of thorny roses.

With a flick of her fingers, Charlotte drew the envelope to her hand. When she saw the writing on its surface, her expression turned serious.

The envelope was crimson, the text golden, inscribed in strange characters:

“To Charlotte de Castell. For your eyes only.”

It was written in Chinese.