Gospel of Blood

Chapter 371: Return

The crimson mist gradually dissipated, revealing the surrounding scenery.

Albrecht found himself still in the cemetery outside Lutecia.

He shivered, quickly extending his senses, and realized that his spiritual perception was no longer restricted, but had returned to its normal Legendary range.

“It seems I’ve returned to reality.”

Albrecht sighed in relief.

“I didn’t expect God Nyx to be the True Ancestor, and I didn’t expect her to come to Lutecia! The faceless statue… Could it be that she came here for that?”

“Is that why she has her eyes on me as well?”

“What bad luck, I thought it was a way to advance, but I didn’t expect to attract her attention…”

“No, I should have been more cautious. When I first sensed the divine power close to the source of blood in that statue, I should have realized the risk of today.”

Albrecht sighed lightly, looking regretful.

But the deed was done, and he could no longer change the situation.

Sighing, Albrecht sank into his consciousness.

Deep within his soul, a crimson divine symbol was spinning continuously.

The symbol, made of thorny roses, emitted a hazy radiance, merging with the essence of his soul. Whenever his emotions changed, the symbol would flicker accordingly, as if constantly monitoring his every move.

It was the soul mark of a blood thrall.

Feeling the noble aura emanating from the mark, Albrecht’s expression changed repeatedly.

Finally, he resignedly sighed.

“A blood thrall is a blood thrall. At least… I wasn’t devoured, at least I’m still alive…”

“A myth in revival needs to replenish their power, but she didn’t devour me, which means I still have greater use to her.”

“In that case, I’ll temporarily obey and complete her tasks obediently. As long as I show enough value, at least… for now, I should be safe.”

“The Divinity Descent Day isn’t far away. By then, she should not have the energy and mind to focus on a minor Legendary like me…”

“I’ll complete the tasks and heal while waiting for an opportunity to regain my freedom.”

Albrecht quickly made up his mind.

The plan to find a place to sleep had to be abandoned. Although he was reluctant, he knew the best course of action now was to follow orders and complete the tasks assigned by her.

Of course, this did not mean he had completely given up on freedom and ambition.

Bloodbornes had plenty of time.

Although the True Ancestor of Blood was transcendent in status and power, she also had many enemies.

He believed that as long as he could endure, he would find an opportunity.

And once he got the chance, he would take back everything that was taken from him, with interest!

Thinking of this, a sharp glint flashed in Albrecht’s crimson pupils.

However, at this moment, the divine symbol in his mind suddenly lit up, and a current-like power surged through his soul and body.

He groaned, quickly stopping his disrespectful thoughts about the True Ancestor of Blood, burying his hostility deep within and replacing it with reverence.

As respect replaced discontent and enmity, the deep soul pain gradually subsided.

Albrecht concealed the gloom in his pupils, then sighed softly, stopping his investigation of the blood thrall mark.

He spread his demonic wings, ready to leave.

But just before leaving, he suddenly stopped, suspiciously looking in a certain direction.

It was the direction of the cemetery entrance, where a dead oak tree stood, covered with black crows.

Albrecht glanced at the crows, frowning slightly.

After a moment of contemplation, he cast a spell in that direction, watching as the crows fell from the branches, trembling on the ground.

“Was it just my imagination?”

Looking at the crows on the ground, Albrecht muttered to himself.

He withdrew his gaze, no longer paying attention, and concealed his aura, flying in a different direction.

After Albrecht’s figure completely disappeared, the void beside the dead oak tree suddenly distorted.

Black mist spread rapidly, quickly condensing into a blonde girl in a black gothic dress.

It was Charlotte.

She glanced in the direction Albrecht left, sighing slightly.

“As expected of a Legendary, his perception is sharp. He almost discovered me.”

A Legendary was indeed a Legendary. Even when severely injured, their strength was incomparable to a Blazing Sun.

Although there was a dual suppression of the 『Demon Contract』 and the bloodline of bloodbornes, it was best not to engage in combat so close to Lutecia.

Drawing the opponent into a mental world for higher-level suppression was the best approach.

As for his rebellious nature…

Charlotte was not too worried. As long as the blood thrall contract was maintained and he was monitored, it would be hard for Albrecht to cause trouble even if he jumped around.

The only caution was to prevent him from circumventing the contract’s constraints to set traps for her. For instance, deliberately underreporting or misguiding information.

Charlotte would have to personally discern that, as no contract was foolproof.

Exhaling lightly, Charlotte’s figure quickly disintegrated into numerous bats, flying into the distance.

……

Albrecht had successfully escaped, but Lutecia’s alarm was not lifted.

Instead, the entire city became more guarded, and the magical defense system covering the city was activated.

The six mage towers in various parts of the city, arranged in a hexagram, lit up, their blue light strikingly visible in the night.

Furthermore, the cathedral’s range of divine spells illuminated the sky, adding another layer of hazy radiance to the spell shield.

On the streets, patrols of guards were constant, and almost the entire army of Demon Hunters and Inquisitors were deployed.

Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.

When Charlotte returned to the estate, it had already been over ten minutes.

With the capital heavily guarded, she could not use conspicuous power, so she had to take extra time to avoid the patrolling guards and knights on the streets.

Bats flew to the mansion’s second-floor balcony, eventually reforming into the girl’s figure.

Not long after sensing Charlotte’s presence, Sebastian hurried over, looking anxious.

He breathed a sigh of relief seeing Charlotte unharmed.

“Master… you’re finally back. If you had delayed any longer, I would have gone out to search for you.”

Charlotte raised an eyebrow.

“Did something happen?”

Sebastian first shook his head but then hesitated and nodded, looking worried.

“Master, during your absence, I inquired about some news and confirmed that the recent battle in the sky was the church fighting the Dark Apostle of the Blood Demon Cult, and it seems to be the Third Apostle, Albrecht.”

“Moreover, the Church’s Grand Inquisitor and Hunter Cardinal, two Legendary clerics, did not go to the North but remained hidden in Lutecia. The Legendaries who just acted were also them!”

“In addition, the church plans to activate the artifact Eternal Sun for further inspection of the city…”

Seeing Sebastian’s worried expression, Charlotte realized she had not yet told him about her encounter with the church’s three Legendaries in the cathedral.

The elven butler was probably frightened by the church’s news, as the Grand Inquisitor was a Legendary figure with a record of slaying Gods, and in his knowledge, although Charlotte was a “God”, her power had not fully recovered.

Her sudden departure without explaining much and the major actions of the church had naturally made him more anxious.

“Don’t worry, the church won’t find us, and… I’ve already met the church’s Legendaries.”

Charlotte said.

Sebastian’s eyes widened.

“You… you’ve already fought them?”

Hmm…

Did the probing and counter-probing in the cathedral count as fighting?

Charlotte pondered.

After thinking for a moment, she nodded slightly.

“Sort of.”

Sebastian’s expression changed from surprise to joy and then to curiosity.

However, he quickly suppressed his curiosity, respectfully bowing and saying,

“Great Master, I should have known that you never act without preparation!”

Charlotte looked at him, guessing he was probably overthinking.

She didn’t pursue it further, instead contemplating.

“In the next few days, stay low-key. The church will likely intensify their search for the Blood Demon Cult to avoid collateral damage.”

Sebastian’s expression turned serious as he solemnly replied.

“Master, I will follow your orders.”

Hesitating for a moment, he added.

“Master, regarding the Blood Demon Cult, should we take this opportunity to…”

“No need, Albrecht is already mine. No need for unnecessary actions.”

Charlotte glanced at him.

Sebastian froze, his eyes widening again.