Gospel of Blood-Chapter 590 : The Truth of the Holy Court

Despite his current predicament, Nice had once been a Legendary mage who had seen many great waves.

When the projection of the Guardian Scepter appeared, he quickly recognized its identity.

“But… no, that’s not right. I’ve unearthed so many relics and seals, and I’ve heard of most of the divine artifacts in this world. I’m very familiar with the artifacts of the Holy Court, but I’ve never seen this artifact before.”

Staring at the Guardian Scepter, Nice was both astonished and curious.

“That’s because it was created by Harald specifically to guard the Genesis Arbiter within the Holy Court. It has never appeared outside of the divine realm.”

Charlotte explained.

The Guardian Scepter nodded slightly.

“Indeed, as the True Ancestor has said, my mission is to protect my Lord’s supreme artifact and the faith of the Holy Court. Thus, I have never appeared in the mortal world.”

“I see. No wonder it’s just a projection… Wait, so that explains it. Lady Charlotte, the holy power you wield must be channeled through this artifact via the Genesis Arbiter, right? Yes, it must be. Although your power shares the same source as holy power, they are fundamentally opposing forces under normal circumstances!”

Nice said excitedly.

Charlotte raised an eyebrow.

This guy, Nice, really knows his stuff about mythology.

Even Sebastian had only thought her grasp of holy power came from her special relationship with Harald. Yet, Nice had quickly seen the essence upon seeing the Guardian Scepter.

Not only that, but Nice’s understanding of blood divine power and holy power also exceeded her expectations.

The appearance of the Guardian Scepter saved Charlotte a lot of explanations. After a brief conversation, Sebastian and Nice understood the current situation.

“So… you were the one passing information to our master, and you hope our master will intervene in the Holy Court to help the slumbering God eliminate the forces infiltrating it? And in return, you will help our master establish her position as the Saintess of the Holy Court and fully support her in regaining her power?”

Sebastian asked.

“To be precise, it’s not support but following. My Lord has never viewed the True Ancestor as an enemy. The Holy Court my Lord built was initially for the True Ancestor. Although my Lord is in slumber, he has always been waiting for the True Ancestor’s return.”

The Guardian Scepter replied.

“Wait, that doesn’t add up. From what I know, the Holy Court has always regarded bloodbornes as enemies since its inception. The decline of the Bloodborne was your doing.”

Nice said.

The Guardian Scepter looked somewhat awkward.

It hesitated for a moment before sighing,

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“I… don’t know. I’ve never left the divine realm. My only task has always been to guard the Genesis Arbiter within the divine realm and await the True Ancestor’s return. This was the mission left to me by my Lord before he fell into slumber after creating the Holy Court.”

“I can’t directly influence the development of the church. I can only affect believers by appearing in dreams and exchanging blessings for them to act on my Lord’s behalf. I have been in slumber for a long time, and when I awoke, the Holy Court was no longer the Holy Court my Lord had described in his memories.”

Sebastian was taken aback.

“Wait… are you saying the Creator God fell into slumber right after creating the Holy Court?”

“Exactly.”

“But that’s not right. As far as I know, the Holy Court has been established for over a thousand years, yet the Creator God has issued divine decrees and even performed miracles as recently as a few decades ago. Are you saying those were not done by the Creator God?”

Sebastian asked in confusion.

The Guardian Scepter looked embarrassed.

“If you mean the divine decree and blessings given to the previous Saintess a few decades ago, then… that was me. And also ninety years ago, one hundred and fifty years ago, and two hundred and ten years ago… all were done by me.”

Sebastian: …

Nice: …

Charlotte: …

“So, for over a thousand years, all the ‘divine decrees’ from the Creator God were actually issued by you?”

Nice’s expression was complicated.

The Guardian Scepter nodded.

“Most of them, yes.”

“Most of them?”

“Yes, some were forged. It was then I confirmed that a certain force was infiltrating the Holy Court. I have been investigating this secretly for centuries and finally identified them.”

At this point, the Guardian Scepter glanced at Charlotte and continued.

“They are the secret religious organization mentioned in my Lord’s legacy memory, once rivals of the True Ancestor – the Sun Temple.”

“Due to having similar authority to my Lord, I could hardly detect their infiltration. Some individuals could even bypass me to wield my Lord’s holy power. Moreover, they are trying to erode my power through the faith network.”

“They don’t know of my existence but are aware that there is a ‘guardian’ within my Lord’s divine realm obstructing their infiltration. Now, under their relentless pressure, I can contact fewer and fewer holy believers.”

“So… knowing of the True Ancestor’s return, I sought Her help.”

So that’s how it is…

Sebastian and Nice finally understood.

“From what I know, the one who invited Lady Charlotte to the Theocracy was Pope Gregory XII. Could he be a member of the Sun Temple?”

Sebastian asked.

The Guardian Scepter nodded.

“Exactly. According to my investigation, Pope Gregory XII, Chief Judge Francesco, eleven of the twenty-eight Cardinal Priests under them, and about one-third of the Bishops of the Theocracy have been more or less corrupted and infiltrated. Some have even completely abandoned their faith in the Holy Court.”

Abandoned their faith…

Charlotte’s heart moved as she thought of Cardinal Priest Filiberto, who had “rebelled.”

“Abandoning faith is not the most frightening part. The most terrifying part is those who have already betrayed but can still use holy power.”

Charlotte said.

“You’re right. These individuals are my greatest concern. I don’t know how they manage it, but the high-ranking infiltrators of the Sun Temple can still wield holy power. Gregory XII is likely the leader of these infiltrators.”

The Guardian Scepter said.

“Their invitation to the True Ancestor is also a conspiracy. Their true intention is to use the Holy Court’s artifacts to kill you during the inauguration ceremony!”

Hearing this, Sebastian and Nice’s expressions turned serious.

Charlotte, however, remained calm and unsurprised.

She could even guess what the Guardian Scepter might not know about the follow-up.

Killing her might be just one part of the plan. If they couldn’t kill her, they would try to heavily injure or seal her, and after that, there would surely be further actions.

Behind the Sun Temple was Helios. If she were seriously injured, Helios would likely appear next to attack her directly.

Thanks to the low magic power of this era.

Helios had a higher status than her, but the current era could only accommodate powers close to Demigods. Unless the so-called “Divinity Descent Day” arrived, bringing a resurgence of magic and the awakening of Gods, Helios wouldn’t directly confront her without a sure victory.

If not for this limitation, Helios might have killed her when she was still in Starfall.

The Sun Temple went through such lengths to set up this conspiracy for the same reason.

However, now there was a change.

The Sun Temple’s plan should have been secret, but Charlotte had triggered a “miracle.”

She had also forced a corrupted Cardinal Priest and three Legendary knights to defect.

In this situation, the Sun Temple might change its plan.

“Guardian Scepter, with no external interference now, we can talk properly. Even knowing this ceremony is a trap set by the Sun Temple, you still seek my help. Do you have a countermeasure ready?”

Charlotte asked.

“Of course, True Ancestor. As I mentioned earlier, you are already the Saintess of the Holy Court. The Holy Court’s artifacts are always connected to my Lord’s faith network. Though the Sun Temple’s plan is well-crafted, as long as you establish contact with the artifacts before their actions, you can thwart their plan and even turn the tables on them!”

The Guardian Scepter said.

Nice frowned slightly.

“You can think of this, but won’t they think of it too? After all, Lady Charlotte has already demonstrated holy power.”

“They won’t think of it. To establish contact with the Holy Court’s artifacts, the ‘Saintess’ status alone isn’t enough. A ‘key’ is also required, and this ‘key’ has always been held by the Pope. So, the Sun Temple isn’t worried about losing control over the artifacts. However, they don’t know there is another ‘key’ capable of seizing control of the Holy Court’s artifacts. That key has always been with the True Ancestor.”

The Guardian Scepter said.

“With me?”

Charlotte was puzzled.

“This information comes from my Lord’s legacy memory. I don’t know what this ‘key’ is, but my Lord mentioned it is far more powerful than the ‘key’ held by the church. It’s the source of my Lord’s power. Once activated, it can directly control the Holy Court’s faith network. If told the ‘key’ is with you, you’ll surely realize what it is.”

The Guardian Scepter said respectfully.

The source of Harald’s power?

Charlotte’s heart stirred.

She… seemed to know what the Guardian Scepter meant by this “key.”