Gospel of Blood

Chapter 420: Light of the Contract

“Your Highness, please place the Contract Book on the altar.”

On one side of the altar, the elder of the Roman family presiding over the ceremony spoke in a solemn tone.

Prince Henry took a deep breath to calm his nerves. Then, he nodded slightly and placed the heavy book in his hand on the altar.

“Your Highness, next… please stand within the magic circle and begin calling upon the Roman Sword.”

The elder continued.

It’s time…

Prince Henry’s eyes sharpened.

He knew that the moment to change his destiny had arrived.

He did not act immediately but instead exchanged a glance with Duke Conte on the viewing platform.

Henry’s anxious mood steadied.

Although he knew his court advisor had ulterior motives, at least… they shared a common goal in helping him ascend to the throne.

“Your Highness?”

Seeing Henry fall silent, the family elder frowned and repeated his words.

Prince Henry finally looked at the elder.

Taking a deep breath, he suddenly smiled and said,

“Elder, haven’t you skipped a step?”

“Skipped a step?”

The family elder was taken aback.

Seeing Henry glance at the Contract Book on the altar, the elder understood and explained with a smile.

“Oh, Your Highness, are you referring to activating the Contract Book?”

“Perhaps you are unaware, but the true Contract Book of the family was lost long ago. The one you just placed on the altar is a replica, so there is no activation process.”

“However, calling upon the Roman Sword does not actually require the Contract Book. Placing it on the altar is merely following an ancient tradition.”

“So… you can proceed to the next step.”

The elder made a gesture for Henry to continue.

However, Prince Henry still did not move.

“Your Highness, are you going to proceed with the ceremony or not?”

The family elder’s tone finally showed some impatience. This time, Prince Henry finally took action.

But he did not follow the process to start the summoning.

Instead, he pointed to the book on the altar and smiled, saying,

“Elder, please take a closer look at the Contract Book I just placed on the altar. Is it genuine or not?”

The elder was stunned.

He stepped forward and carefully examined the Contract Book on the altar. His expression shifted from surprise to hesitation, and finally to disbelief.

“Hmm? This… this doesn’t seem to be the one we prepared in advance.”

“The material, the magic patterns… this… this… could it be…”

Seeing the elder’s widening eyes, Prince Henry knew it was time.

He exchanged another glance with Duke Conte on the viewing platform, and they both smiled.

Prince Henry then picked up the magical crystal used to project his voice across the square, took a deep breath, and announced loudly.

“Everyone, this is the true Contract Book. Our Roman Royal Family has recovered the genuine Contract Book!”

The crowd fell silent.

The commoners were merely there to watch the spectacle and did not know the details of the ceremony.

But the nobles on the viewing platform were abuzz with conversation.

“The genuine Contract Book? Did His Majesty recover the legendary book tied to the Roman Sword?”

“Is this real or fake?”

“Judging by the elder’s expression, it seems to be true. The royal family seems to have really recovered the Contract Book…”

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“Wait, does this mean that instead of directly calling upon the Roman Sword, the prince plans to activate the Contract Book first?”

“It appears so…”

“But… but isn’t it said that his lineage is…”

“Shh… hush! You know that’s just a rumor. If the prince dares to use the Contract Book openly, he must be confident.”

“Could it be that those rumors were indeed slander? Is his bloodline truly uncontested?”

“…”

The nobles debated endlessly.

At the altar, Prince Henry, hearing the nobles’ discussions, stood taller.

The existence of the Contract Book was no secret among the upper echelons of the Starfall Kingdom.

The Roman Contract Book was extremely selective about bloodlines. If he could activate it, even if the rest of the ceremony did not go smoothly, the controversy over his lineage would be dispelled!

“Prince Henry, I have confirmed that this is indeed the true Contract Book. However… are you certain you want to summon the Roman Sword this way?”

The elder presiding over the ceremony frowned.

He gave Henry a meaningful look and reminded him.

“Pardon me for speaking frankly, but using the traditional method to summon the Roman Sword would allow any bearer of the Roman bloodline to complete the ceremony. But the Contract Book… is different.”

“If the bloodline is not pure, the Contract Book… will not respond.”

Understanding the reminder and implication in the elder’s words, Henry felt a bit embarrassed.

He knew what the elder meant—he was hinting that Henry might not be able to activate the Contract Book due to his bloodline.

This was a fact.

He had already tried using his own blood before the ceremony, but the Contract Book did not respond.

He had no choice, his lineage was flawed.

But he had to do this.

Switching to the Contract Book in front of all the noble and common spectators was part of his and Duke Conte’s plan!

Even if his blood could not activate it, he now had the blood of Countess Castell.

With Countess Castell’s direct Roman lineage, activating the Contract Book would be no problem.

And once he used Castell’s blood to activate the Contract Book, he would have a chance to re-establish a contract with the Roman Sword!

As for whether the Roman Sword would recognize his bloodline and detect his deceit…

That was not an issue.

Because he also had Roman blood.

Even if impure, even if using Castell’s blood, the Roman Sword would not mind.

The reason was simple—the Contract Book was merely a key left by Romanus, not significantly related to the artifact.

Its role was only to awaken the Roman Sword. The crucial part of the inheritance was still in the ceremony and the magic circle.

The Roman Sword, although possessing intelligence, was limited by historical reasons. Its intelligence was said to be equivalent to that of a ten-year-old child and would not detect any issues with the bloodline used for activation.

At most, it would sense the extraordinary power level of the activator.

But that was no problem because Countess Castell’s strength was the same as his—Silver Moon, or even weaker. He could completely replace her.

And this… was another reason Duke Conte chose Countess Castell.

Of course, these secrets were not for outsiders to know.

They were royal family secrets!

“Prince Henry, since you insist, please proceed.”

Seeing Henry’s persistence, the elder went along with it.

All eyes were now on Prince Henry.

…

“Hmm? The royal family recovered the Contract Book? Could it be they found someone with a pure Roman bloodline to replace Prince Henry?”

On the second floor of a small building on one side of Roman Square, Duke Yorok watched as Prince Henry walked slowly to the altar under the gaze of the crowd, raising an eyebrow. He chuckled softly.

“A good idea, but unfortunately… we’ve already tampered with the altar’s magic circle. Even if they activate the Contract Book, it won’t work.”

Duke Yorok sipped his wine with a mocking expression.

Just then, the door behind him gently opened, and a tall figure entered.

It was Count Yurst, who had left the dark room where Charlotte was to inspect the ceremony’s magic circle.

Seeing Yurst, Duke Yorok smiled and said,

“Yurst, you arrived just in time. The Roman Royal Family managed to recover the Contract Book!”

“Too bad they don’t know that the ceremony has been compromised. Even if they activate the Contract Book, it won’t work.”

“Heh, I wonder where they found Roman blood. From what I know… even King Edward can’t activate the Contract Book.”

Hearing Duke Yorok’s words, Count Yurst’s expression turned peculiar.

He coughed lightly and said,

“Your Grace, actually… I came to see you about this matter.”

“The Royal Family’s substitute for Roman blood is… Countess Castell’s.”

Duke Yorok: …

“Hmm? Something happened to Countess Castell?!”

His expression changed slightly.

Yurst quickly shook his head.

“No, no… nothing happened… The Royal Family did indeed plan to kidnap the Countess, but they failed…”

Saying this, Yurst briefly recounted what had happened to Duke Yorok, only omitting Charlotte’s true identity and the presence of the Blazing Sun mercenaries.

After hearing Yurst’s account, Duke Yorok relaxed and smiled.

“So that’s how it is. Well… Countess Castell handled it well. We are already in an advantageous position, so it is indeed wise not to complicate matters further.”

“Actually, if it is Countess Castell’s, it could help us completely sever Henry’s claim to the throne.”

“Poor Roman Royal Family, of all people, they chose Countess Castell! Such bad luck!”

He pointed to the vast crowd in the square, chuckling.

“Yurst, take one last look at the Roman family’s recognition ceremony. After today, such ceremonies will be history. From now on, the Starfall Kingdom will return to Nez control, and the Roman Sword… once awakened, will become one of our trump cards.”

Seeing Duke Yorok’s confidence, Yurst felt a headache coming on.

Thinking of the young countess’ true identity, he hesitated but couldn’t help but speak.

“But… what if it doesn’t return?”

“Doesn’t return?”

Duke Yorok was taken aback.

He looked at Yurst curiously and said,

“Are you worried our plan will fail? Or that Countess Castell will replace Henry and gain the Roman Sword’s recognition?”

“Heh, don’t worry about that. Countess Castell’s bloodline may be sufficient, but the ceremony is in our hands. At the critical moment, we can interrupt it.”

“We only need to awaken the Roman Sword. The rest, under the ancient contract, is not a problem.”

Yurst: …

Not a problem?

It’s a huge problem!

Countess Castell isn’t just a mere Roman descendant, she’s our ancestor!

Interrupt the ceremony?

That depends on whether Her Majesty allows it!

In the face of divine power, rituals and contracts mean nothing!

Yurst complained inwardly.

But… he only dared to complain inwardly.

Seeing Yurst’s strange expression, Duke Yorok chuckled and said confidently.

“Heh, Yurst, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“At this point, I might as well tell you. Our Nez Clan is determined to obtain the Roman Sword. No… it should be said it has no choice but to return to Luna Island.”

“You might not know this, but although the Roman Sword is a true mythological artifact, it was damaged in that catastrophe.”

“It became Romanus’ sword to use his divine power for self-repair.”

“Romanus’ contract with it was witnessed by our Nez Clan. Now that Romanus is gone, and the Roman family is in decline, only we, who wield divine power, can help it.”

“Don’t forget, although His Excellency Casey is not yet awakened, we still possess our own artifacts and stored blood divine power!”

“As for Countess Castell… she may have divine backing, but that God’s influence can’t reach our territory.”

Yurst: …

His headache worsened, and he was at a loss for words.

…

Prince Henry was excited.

Ten years.

He had waited ten years for this day.

Ever since he learned ten years ago that he wasn’t born of the Queen’s bloodline, he had lived in constant worry about his bloodline and extreme inferiority.

Recently, his long-hidden origins were exposed by the nobles, causing him sleepless nights and constant anxiety.

Prince Henry knew the Starfall Kingdom valued bloodlines above all.

He also knew his Roman blood was impure.

Strictly speaking, he didn’t even meet the Red Lilac and Purple Lilac families’ conditions for succession.

His father chose his mother to obtain the true Roman Sword?

What a joke!

Despite Duke Conte’s flattery, he wasn’t a child anymore.

He knew the truth: his birth wasn’t planned for any grand purpose.

His late mother, though of elven blood, was merely a slave maid brought into the Queen’s family as part of the dowry.

His birth was a drunken accident by the king.

If it weren’t for the lack of other mature heirs and his father’s desire to keep the throne within the family, he wouldn’t have been hidden as a legitimate child.

Thinking of this, Prince Henry clenched his fists.

He could never forget his father’s scrutinizing gaze.

Roman blood…

It was all because his Roman blood was impure that no matter how well he performed, he could never satisfy his father.

It was all because his Roman blood was impure that, even though his father made him heir, he was always criticized.

He knew that if there were other options, if his father hadn’t been injured while hunting, his position as Crown Prince wouldn’t have been secure.

In private moments with his father, he never felt truly acknowledged.

But… after today, everything would be different.

Once he officially passed the Ancestral Recognition Ceremony, his Roman blood would be strengthened.

Once he officially passed the Ancestral Recognition Ceremony, even his critical father would have to acknowledge him.

Once he officially passed the Ancestral Recognition Ceremony, he would be the designated next head of the Roman family, and all rumors about his origins would be dispelled!

Thinking of the upcoming ceremony, Prince Henry’s expression grew more expectant.

“The Roman Sword…”

“If I successfully pass the ceremony, activate the contract book, and obtain the Roman Sword, I will be the true ruler of Starfall!”

“No… as Crown Prince of Starfall, the throne and the Roman Sword should rightfully be mine!”

Taking a deep breath, Prince Henry’s expression became resolute.

He cut his finger and let his blood drip onto the contract book.

At the same time, he secretly mixed in Countess Castell’s blood.

The blood fell on the contract book, emitting a faint silver glow.

Seeing the flickering light, the observing nobles widened their eyes.

“This… this… it’s actually reacting.”

It’s done!

Seeing the increasingly bright contract book, Prince Henry breathed a sigh of relief.

But soon, he felt uneasy.

The reason being, the contract book’s light grew brighter and brighter, until it became blinding…

In the small building on the second floor.

Seeing the altar’s light, as bright as the sun, enough to blind anyone, Duke Yorok was stunned.

“Hmm?”

“Countess Castell’s Roman blood… is it really this powerful?”