Gospel of Blood

In the hospital room.

Duchess Eleanor de Borde sat half-reclined by the window, staring absentmindedly at the branches outside.

The door was gently pushed open, and Charlotte and Lottie walked in.

Upon hearing the sound, Eleanor quickly turned around, her face filled with tension.

However, when she saw it was Charlotte and Lottie, her expression quickly returned to normal, and she gave a pure, innocent smile.

“Cha… Charlotte! Hello! Charlotte!”

Her innocent and romantic demeanor was more like that of a seven or eight-year-old child rather than a noblewoman in her late twenties.

Seeing her in this state, Charlotte’s gaze sharpened.

Taking a deep breath, Charlotte walked over and sat down beside her, then gently asked.

“Elea… Eleanor, I am Eleanor.”

Eleanor pointed to herself and giggled.

Priestess Lottie sighed.

“Countess, her mental issues are more complex than I imagined…”

“Tests show her intelligence has been permanently damaged, probably due to the corruption of dark magic and prolonged mental oppression… the root cause is likely in her soul.”

“Although she hasn’t become completely idiotic, her current mental age is that of a child…”

“I have tried various holy rituals, but none have had significant effects.”

“Her condition is beyond what our hospital can treat. The soul is the most mysterious domain, and even Legendary mages cannot fully understand its mysteries…”

“If there is truly someone in this world who can save her, it would likely be the Gods.”

Saying this, Lottie couldn’t help but glance at Charlotte and then bowed slightly, hinting respectfully.

“Countess, if even you cannot save her, then perhaps no one can.”

Hearing Lottie’s words, Charlotte fell silent.

Lottie knew her “identity”, which is why she spoke this way.

But Charlotte knew her own limitations. Her so-called “God” identity was entirely dependent on the Gospel of Blood. Although she could use the blood divine power to perform some miracles and even wield some divine authority, she knew little about the domain of the soul.

If she could cure Eleanor, she would have done so already. After all, she held no great grudge against her. In fact, they were relatives, and from the inherited memories, the original Charlotte had a decent relationship with Eleanor in her childhood.

Charlotte had considered turning Eleanor into a bloodborne, but bloodbornes were inherently prone to madness. With Eleanor’s mental state, if she were to be transformed recklessly, she might go mad before her regenerative abilities could help.

That would be far worse than being mentally impaired.

Such risky and potentially revealing actions were not something Charlotte would take impulsively.

Perhaps in the future, as her power grew and her understanding of the soul deepened, she might be able to help Eleanor, but certainly not now.

Eleanor’s condition reminded Charlotte of Reina in the Count’s mansion.

Reina also suffered from intellectual damage, but unlike Eleanor, it was due to the curse of the Blood Demon Archduke, whereas Eleanor’s problem was directly in her soul.

Comparatively, Eleanor’s problem might be lighter, but unfortunately, it was still beyond Charlotte’s current abilities.

“I understand. This matter requires long-term consideration. Let her rest well for now.”

Charlotte sighed.

…

After visiting Eleanor, Charlotte left the hospital room.

Seeing her come out, the waiting nobles quickly approached.

“Countess, how is Duchess Eleanor?”

Viscount Leon-Castell asked curiously.

Charlotte shook her head.

“Her intelligence is impaired and it’s difficult to cure…”

Hearing this, the nobles exchanged glances.

Noticing Charlotte’s slightly furrowed brow, the Old Viscount thought for a moment and said,

“Countess… actually, this is not necessarily a bad thing for us in Castell.”

“Not only that, if we look at it differently, Duchess Eleanor’s current state might actually be an opportunity for you!”

“Oh? An opportunity?”

Charlotte glanced at the old viscount.

Viscount Leon-Castell nodded and said,

“Yes.”

“Given Eleanor’s current state, she certainly can’t take over the governance of Borde. In other words, she can no longer fulfill the duties of ruling Borde.”

“In this situation, you can completely intervene in Borde’s affairs as a member of its branch family!”

He stepped forward and whispered.

“With the ruler unable to govern, the nobles will undoubtedly form a regency council. Since we have not formally signed a treaty with Borde, we are still nominally Borde’s vassals…”

“Tell me, is there any other noble house in all of Borde stronger than us in Castell, more capable of taking the regent’s position?”

“Once we gain the lead role in the regency council and the recognition of Borde’s nobles, you could effectively become the true master of Borde!”

“Moreover, when the time is right, you could even dethrone her and take her place, claiming the title of Duchess of Borde by lineage!”

Hearing the Old Viscount’s words, Charlotte couldn’t help but look at him.

“Are you suggesting I usurp the title of Duchess of Borde?”

“Why not? According to Borde’s inheritance laws, after Eleanor, you are among the top five in the line of succession due to your bloodline. You have the right to inherit.”

“Instead of seceding, directly becoming the Duchess of Borde would be a better option for you and Castell!”

Viscount Leon-Castell smiled.

Hearing his words, the other nobles’ eyes lit up, and they looked at Charlotte differently.

Needless to say, if Charlotte truly became the Duchess of Borde, they too would benefit!

The nobles looked expectantly, but Charlotte shook her head slightly.

“This is not appropriate.”

“Countess, what are you hesitating for? Borde’s elites are in our hands, other nobles are far away, and Duchess Eleanor is under our control!”

“Exactly! There’s no better time to intervene in Borde’s court!”

“Countess, Castell is originally a branch of Borde. You are a member of the Borde family! You are a legitimate contender for the title of Duchess of Borde!”

The nobles clamored.

Seeing this group of nobles eager to crown her, Charlotte twitched her lips.

She shook her head and said,

“Perhaps you have a point, but I cannot become the Duchess of Borde.”

Then, she looked at Viscount Leon-Castell.

“Viscount Leon-Castell, do you remember what gave the Third Prince the confidence to declare war on Castell?”

Hearing Charlotte’s words, the Old Viscount was slightly stunned, and then his expression changed.

His eyes flickered and he said with difficulty.

“It was… His Majesty the King.”

“Yes, his Majesty the King.”

Charlotte sighed.

She walked to the window in the corridor, looking at the budding branches outside, and said,

“His Majesty the King allowed the Third Prince to declare war on Castell because he wanted to strengthen central authority…”

“Do you think he would allow a noble ‘inclined towards the church’ to become the new Duchess of Borde?”

The nobles fell silent at her words.

The answer was clear: it was impossible.

Given his vigilance towards Castell, the King would never allow Charlotte to seize the Borde Duchy. For the royal family, reclaiming Borde’s title was the best option.

Doing so openly was not feasible; Eleanor had already inherited the title, and even the royal family couldn’t easily depose her. But they could prevent others from taking the title and aim for the succession after Eleanor’s eventual passing.

“However…”

Charlotte continued, her tone turning thoughtful.

“You are right about one thing: the leaderless Borde does indeed need a regent…”