Chapter 348: The Church's Invitation

The radiant holy light was dazzling, and the rich holy power was almost tangible. The Gospel of Blood began to operate on its own, quietly resisting the omnipresent holy power.

Just standing in the prayer room, Charlotte felt a strong sense of danger. This sense of danger wasn't due to malice but merely because of the sheer presence of the other party.

When one's power is sufficiently strong, simply being near them represents a threat… This was the essence of a Legendary extraordinary being!

Charlotte felt a chill in her heart.

She wasn't unfamiliar with facing Legendary power. During the Borde conflict, she had confronted the Flame Demon Valaroka, the subordinate of the Blood Demon Archduke Abaddon. However, even then, Valaroka hadn't given her such a strong sense of crisis.

Charlotte understood that this sense of danger came not only from the person himself but also from the power he wielded. A Legendary is the eye of the Myth…

Facing a Legendary clergyman directly meant being under the gaze of the Gods!

Fortunately, as far as Charlotte knew, most Gods, including Harald, were actually in a state of slumber for some unknown reason.

Although a slumbering God could still respond to the outside world and even cast their gaze, as long as she was careful, she shouldn't attract God's attention.

Without matching power or means to counter, Charlotte had no intention of entering God Harald's gaze, even with her previous "time travel."

These thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant.

Despite her racing thoughts, Charlotte remained calm outwardly. She took a deep breath, drew a holy ring cross on her chest, and respectfully said,

"Charlotte de Castell… pays her respects to the Archbishop."

The old man slowly put down his book. He raised his head, revealing a pair of calm and gentle eyes.

Those eyes seemed to possess a profound power as if they could see through everything.

"No need to be nervous or formal. Sit."

He said with a slight smile.

Charlotte didn't hesitate. She bowed slightly and then naturally took a seat opposite the table.

The Archbishop looked her up and down, nodding in satisfaction, and said with a smile.

"Sir Bernard is very curious about you. It has been a long time since Myria saw a girl favored by the Lord. When the North had an incident, he went there immediately. Unexpectedly, it's this old man who met you first."

Sir Bernard…

Charlotte's mind stirred.

Bernard de Champagne.

She had done her homework and knew the Archbishop was referring to the Grand Inquisitor of the Crescent Diocese, who oversaw the Diocese's Inquisitors and was known as the fierce warrior who once killed a God as a mortal.

As for now… he should be in the Castell territory investigating the divine warning bell's alarm.

Although Charlotte had prepared for the church's investigation, she remained vigilant.

Showing a slightly embarrassed and cautious expression, she said,

"Archbishop, those are just rumors. I'm merely an ordinary holy follower, not someone who has received the Lord's favor…"

The Archbishop smiled and shook his head.

"No need for false modesty, my child."

"Your steadfast faith in our Lord has long been recognized. You have invoked the Lord's miracles more than once. After inheriting your territory, you judged evil, expelled heretical followers, and spread our Lord's faith… The church knows all these."

"Your devotion is commendable, your faith praiseworthy. You are a true holy follower!"

The Archbishop's warm and kind words were filled with praise and appreciation for Charlotte.

However, Charlotte's heart pounded.

She had indeed used the Holy Court's banner to do many things and had invoked many "miracles."

But she knew her own situation well.

The so-called judgment of evil, expulsion of heretics, and spreading of faith were just covers. What she was really doing was consolidating power and strengthening control over her territory.

As for the "miracles"…

To be honest, they were mostly the result of her counteracting the holy light's instinctive attempt to "purify" her, an "apostate", by rewriting the results with her magic.

The "miracles" were indeed quite impressive, and many church officials regarded her as a natural-born saintess for this reason. But as for the rest…

Charlotte didn't think the church was foolish. Investigating what she had done in the north was easy, even though the local church was indirectly under her control through Priest Lottie. The church wasn't blind.

Truly devout lords would vigorously promote the holy faith after their succession, either by donating to the church or by helping organize various missionary activities. But she hadn't done any of that.

She had only paid lip service and never implemented it. The actions that did take place were aimed at strengthening her own power.

With the Archbishop paying such close attention to her, Charlotte didn't believe he hadn't investigated her thoroughly.

His current praise only heightened Charlotte's wariness.

She didn't believe the Archbishop sought her out just to say these things.

Sure enough, the Archbishop smiled, recalling something, and his face showed even more approval.

"And your vow before the Lord…"

"Since Pope Pippin II, nearly seven hundred years have passed without a noble making such a devout vow. Your vow has spread within the church, and even the Pope has praised your selflessness and devotion…"

Charlotte: …

She knew the Archbishop wouldn't seek her out for no reason.

What goes around comes around. To fend off Borde's coveting of her territory and to get rid of those pesky suitors, she had used the church's banner, and now it was time to pay the price.

Charlotte had been trying to downplay her vow as much as possible, but now the Archbishop of the Crescent Diocese had brought it up.

The vow to donate land after death didn't worry her. It was an empty promise, whether she or the church would die first was uncertain.

The problem was that bringing it up now would further entangle her in the Crescent Kingdom's power struggles, pushing her against the king and nobility while giving the church an excuse to interfere in Castell affairs!

It was only now that Charlotte realized the Holy Court, seemingly detached and indifferent, might actually be very interested in Castell!

"My child…"

The Archbishop smiled gently and said warmly.

"Would you like to become a true Saintess?"