Gospel of Blood

The encounter on the streets of Winterfort seemed like a minor interlude.

However, Sebastian keenly noticed that after witnessing Astrid’s display of power, Marquis Vladimir became noticeably distracted.

Sebastian observed the change in the Marquis’s expression, his smile undiminished.

Yet, within his mind, he had already formed some conclusions.

He had clearly heard Marquis Vladimir’s exclamation.

When Sebastian, through mental resonance, induced the girl Astrid’s faith and helped her establish a connection with the True Ancestor, only Vladimir had uttered the term “God’s favored.”

If it were a cleric recognizing Astrid’s state so quickly, Sebastian wouldn’t be surprised. But Marquis Vladimir wasn’t a cleric, he was merely a Blazing Sun mage.

Thus, there was only one possibility.

“He has seen other ‘God’s favored’ individuals. He knows what the demeanor and aura of a ‘God’s favored’ are like.”

Considering Vladimir’s identity, his relationship with Northern Archduke Stefan Sobieski, and all the observations and probes along the way, Sebastian quickly formed a further hypothesis.

“It seems… the Archduke’s ambition to unify faith isn’t just about consolidating the power within the North…”

“Sir Sebastian, we’ve arrived.”

Marquis Vladimir’s voice interrupted Sebastian’s thoughts. The group had finally reached the Archduke’s residence, the Winter Palace.

Suppressing his thoughts, Sebastian smiled and said,

“Thank you for escorting me, Marquis.”

Vladimir also smiled.

“It was my duty. My brother is waiting for you in the palace. Please follow me to meet him.”

Sebastian nodded and followed the Marquis into the castle.

Simultaneously, a certain suspicion in his heart grew stronger.

He had come with Lottie.

By right, as a cleric, Lottie should have been the main force in “spreading the faith.”

Yet… Marquis Vladimir only mentioned him, not Lottie.

Like the royal palaces of the Yunette countries, the Archduke’s Winter Palace was equally luxurious.

The castle palace evidently borrowed from the style of the Yunette countries, especially the Crescent Kingdom, with very similar decorations.

Upon entering the palace, Sebastian finally met the ruler of the North, Archduke Stefan Sobieski.

Stefan Sobieski appeared to be about thirty years old.

Although this young ruler had not yet reached Legendary status, his aura was already profoundly deep, far surpassing that of an ordinary Blazing Sun mage. Ṝα𝐍𝙤₿Ëꞩ

He sported a full beard, was powerfully built, and his gaze was incredibly sharp, like a drawn sword.

Upon seeing Sebastian, he laughed heartily, his voice booming.

“Hahaha! You must be the Crimson Blade, Sir Sebastian. Welcome to the North. I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival! How do you find the scenery of our North… isn’t it completely different from the South?”

Facing the warm and exuberant Archduke, Sebastian smiled and bowed.

“Indeed, it is different. Grasslands, forests, gorges, glaciers… the terrain of the North is more magnificent and more desolate than the Yunette countries in the South.”

“Hahaha, Sir Sebastian, you’re quite a talker. I’ve prepared a grand banquet for your delegation tonight. You must attend!”

The Archduke laughed heartily.

Sebastian also smiled.

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

The Archduke was a talkative man.

Using the Northern scenery and banquet invitations as an opening, he quickly initiated a conversation with Sebastian.

This Northern ruler seemed very curious about the culture of the Yunette countries and elven civilization, asking many questions about elven culture and the customs of the Yunette countries.

Though not human, Sebastian, as an elf who had traveled extensively in the Yunette countries, possessed a wealth of knowledge.

He could answer all the various questions posed by the Archduke.

The host and guest enjoyed a pleasant conversation, creating a very congenial atmosphere.

However, neither Archduke Stefan nor Sebastian ever mentioned the Holy Court.

They talked about many topics.

Until… the sun began to set.

Seeing the day drawing to a close, the Archduke reluctantly ended the conversation and smiled.

“Talking with you, Sir Sebastian, has been an eye-opener. It’s almost time for the banquet. Please join us for dinner at the Winter Palace!”

This time, Sebastian did not respond directly.

He glanced at the guards standing in the palace. Noticing his actions, the Archduke’s eyes flickered, and he ordered the guards.

“You all… step outside.”

The guards respectfully withdrew, standing outside the palace. The Archduke then smiled at Sebastian again.

“Sir Sebastian… is there something you wish to discuss privately?”

Sebastian didn’t deflect the topic any further.

His expression turned serious, his smile fading, and he spoke with a meaningful tone.

“Your Grace, your invitation for our Castell delegation to come to the North wasn’t truly about spreading the faith of the Holy Court, was it?”

Upon hearing Sebastian’s words, the Archduke did not look surprised.

He laughed, then quickly grew solemn, his expression becoming stern and dignified.

He looked at Sebastian meaningfully and said,

“Sir Sebastian…”

“You and the Castell family you serve… do not truly worship the Moon Goddess and the Holy Court, do you?”

…

“Astrid! You little brat, come back here!”

In the bustling streets, the northern warrior Balder chased his daughter, shouting.

However, the girl kept running, not looking back.

Balder was helpless.

He stamped his foot and had to quicken his pace to catch up.

He ended up chasing her for a full fifteen minutes.

To his astonishment, his daughter, who never excelled in stamina, seemed unstoppable today, running tirelessly.

Even Balder, an extraordinary being, was starting to get winded, but the girl seemed to have boundless energy, maintaining her speed.

Balder grew increasingly puzzled and curious as he chased her.

Finally, Astrid stopped in a secluded area outside the busy market of Winterfort.

“Astrid… you little brat… you finally stopped. When did you become such a fast runner?”

Balder panted heavily.

“Father!”

Astrid glanced warily behind Balder.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

“No one followed us, right?”

Balder was momentarily stunned.

He looked back and instinctively shook his head. Then, as if realizing something, his expression grew serious.

“What happened? Did you get into trouble? Are you avoiding Marquis Vladimir?”

“Father! I didn’t get into trouble!”

Astrid said.

She glanced behind her father again, bit her lip, and said,

“I am avoiding the Marquis, but… I’m also avoiding the Castell delegation!”

“The Castell delegation? Why are you avoiding them? What’s going on?”

Balder was bewildered.

“Oh, father! Didn’t you hear what I said earlier? Totem power! I used totem power!”

“Our Free Tribes Alliance hasn’t been abandoned by the Gods! I just received a divine revelation!”

“Those Castell envoys are under the Holy Court’s Saintess. They’ve come to the North to spread their faith! They want to destroy our beliefs! They are our enemies, of course, I’m avoiding them!”

Hearing this, Balder finally understood what his daughter was saying. He looked at her in surprise.

“Wait, are you serious? You really mean… you can use totem power?”

“Yes, father! It’s true! I genuinely received a divine revelation and can use totem power! I used it to defeat Gunnar!”

“If you don’t believe me… look!”

Astrid closed her eyes and tried to summon that mysterious power again, just as she had before.

However… this time, she failed.

“Huh? Where’s my totem power?”

Astrid looked confused.

“Astrid…”

Seeing his daughter’s firm belief, Balder was at a loss.

Noticing her father’s growing doubt, Astrid became anxious.

“Father! I’m not lying! It’s true! I was truly blessed by the Gods!”

“We were wrong! We didn’t get a response from the Gods because our divine symbol was incomplete!”

“If we pray to the true divine symbol, we will surely receive a response from the Gods!”

With that, Astrid picked up a branch from the ground, ready to draw the true divine symbol.

But just as she was about to draw it from memory, she suddenly froze.

Her mind went blank, her expression confused, her movements uncertain.

Her hands trembled, and her voice quivered slightly.

“Wait…”

“What was the true divine symbol of our Lord again?”