Gospel of Blood

The crimson radiance was dazzling.

Astrid stood at the center of the magical storm, her long hair flying wildly.

She felt as if there was an endless surge of power within her. The pain from her wounds was gone.

The excruciating agony from forcefully igniting her soul was gone.

At this moment, Astrid felt stronger than ever!

Sensing the girl’s rapidly swelling aura, Gunnar’s eyes widened in disbelief.

The pale blue totem power trembled slightly, as if in fear of something.

A strong sense of unease gradually spread in the boy’s heart.

“Hmph! Tricks!”

He cursed inwardly, suppressing his fear, then let out an angry shout, controlling the pale blue totem power as he charged at the girl…

Watching Gunnar rush toward her, Astrid gently raised her right hand.

Crimson light spread, converging in her palm.

The pale blue and crimson lights soon clashed, erupting with a thunderous roar. The dazzling brilliance forced the onlookers to instinctively close their eyes.

A more violent magical storm than before spread out, knocking nearby people over. The turbulent elemental power nearly reached the strength of Silver Moon.

Marquis Vladimir’s expression changed slightly.

He let out a low shout, drawing a staff from his bosom and quickly chanting. A silver-blue magical shield unfolded, containing the explosive elemental power within the challenge arena.

The magical storm lasted for several seconds.

When the chaotic elemental power gradually subsided, the challenge arena had collapsed into a pit about thirty centimeters deep and four to five meters wide. ṚαƝÒ𝐛Ёs̩

Astrid and Gunnar stood in the center, still in their combat stances.

But in the next moment, Gunnar’s short sword shattered with a bang.

The sound of something cracking echoed, and the light enveloping the boy showed countless fissures before shattering like his short sword.

“Gunnar, you lost.”

Astrid said calmly.

Gunnar opened his mouth.

“What… what kind of power did you use?”

The girl glanced at him, her crimson pupils gradually returning to pale blue.

“You have your totem power, I… have my faith’s power.”

“Is that so…”

Gunnar muttered to himself.

He wobbled slightly before his legs gave way, and he sat on the ground.

Silence.

Watching the fight that had reversed in just a few seconds, the surrounding crowd fell into silence.

The youths who followed Gunnar stared in disbelief, seemingly unable to accept that the boy, who could contend with seasoned Starry Sky extraordinary with his totem power, had lost so quickly.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the Free Tribe Alliance youths were stunned for a few moments before bursting into enthusiastic cheers.

“We won! Astrid won!”

“Praise the Savior! Long live!”

Watching the excited cheering youths, Marquis Vladimir’s expression was complex.

He looked deeply at Astrid and said solemnly.

“I declare… the victor is Astrid of the Free Tribe Alliance.”

Upon hearing Marquis Vladimir’s words, the cheering of the youths became even more fervent, while Gunnar’s followers looked dejected, like deflated sheep.

Gunnar’s face was ashen.

He bit his lip and then, in a resigned manner, said dejectedly.

“I… lost. I’ll keep my promise… What do you want me to do…it’s up to you…”

Astrid glanced at him, her expression changing slightly.

She shook her head and said,

“Forget it, I was just saying that casually. We in the Free Tribe Alliance don’t have a tradition of keeping slaves.”

“You just need to apologize to Granny Stella and compensate for all the losses to the shop, and this matter will be settled.”

Upon hearing the girl’s words, Gunnar couldn’t help but look up in astonishment.

“Re… really?”

The girl frowned at him and said coldly.

“What? As the heir of the Forest Tribe, do you really want to become my slave?”

Gunnar pursed his lips.

He looked at the girl with a complicated expression and then, with the help of other youths, stood up with difficulty.

Under the watchful eyes of the youths, he walked over to the old woman, bowed his head, and performed an ancient northern rite.

“So… sorry…”

He then signaled to the youth beside him, who took out a bag of gems and placed it in front of the bewildered old woman.

The old woman instinctively looked at Astrid, who nodded.

‘Granny Stella, take it. This is the compensation from the Forest Tribe. See if it’s enough for your losses.”n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“It’s… enough… more than enough!”

The old woman stammered.

Astrid nodded and then looked at Gunnar.

“Alright, you can go now.”

Gunnar’s expression was complex.

He let out a light breath and said,

“Astrid, I’ll remember this favor…”

With that, he looked at the other youths.

“Let’s go.”

Then, with the help of the youths, Gunnar bowed to Marquis Vladimir again before limping away.

“Astrid! Astrid!”

The youths around Astrid cheered again.

Watching the disappearing youth, Marquis Vladimir’s gaze once again fell on the girl.

Reflecting on the dazzling crimson radiance on the girl’s body, he hesitated for a moment before speaking in a deep voice.

“Miss Astrid, you…”

“Astrid! You little troublemaker! What have you stirred up in the city again!?”

An angry yet urgent and concerned voice interrupted Marquis Vladimir’s inquiry, followed by the appearance of a tall and imposing Northern warrior pushing through the crowd.

“F-Father?”

Seeing the Northern warrior, Astrid’s expression lit up with joy.

She almost instantly transformed back into a carefree girl, leaping toward the Northern warrior like a swallow.

The Northern warrior embraced his daughter, then quickly looked her over, noting her slightly tattered and bloodstained clothes, his expression turning to one of worry.

“You… you got into a fight!?”

Astrid’s expression became guilty.

She averted her gaze, her voice drifting.

“It was just a little sparring…”

“Nonsense! I saw the totem power from afar! Was it your doing?”

Seeing that his daughter was unharmed, the Northern warrior angrily exclaimed.

Hearing his words, the girl’s guilt deepened.

However, she soon became excited, exclaiming,

“Father! Totem power!”

Halfway through her sentence, as if realizing something, she quickly lowered her voice, trying hard to suppress her excitement, seemingly afraid of being overheard.

“Father! I just used totem power! Our Free Tribe Alliance’s own totem power!”

“Our Lord is real, not a fabrication! We merely lost our inheritance, we just lost our way!”

“We… have not been abandoned by the God!”

Clearly, the girl did not realize how dazzling the radiance was when she used “totem power” just now…

“Your totem power?”

Looking at the excited girl, the Northern warrior was utterly confused.

It wasn’t until a light cough was heard that he noticed the Isaac cavalries nearby and the finely dressed Marquis Vladimir.

Seeing Marquis Vladimir, the girl hurriedly covered her mouth.

The Northern warrior was slightly taken aback, quickly bowing to Marquis Vladimir, and awkwardly said,

“Lord… Lord Marquis…”

“I’m sorry, Astrid caused trouble again, didn’t she? I apologize… I came late.”

Marquis Vladimir smiled slightly, shaking his head at the Northern warrior.

“No, Sir Balder, your daughter is remarkable. She just won an honor challenge against Gunnar, the chieftain’s son of the Forest Tribe, proving herself a true Northern warrior.”

“She? She defeated Gunnar?”

The Northern warrior looked astonished.

“Yes.”

Marquis Vladimir nodded.

Then, he looked at the girl, who had hidden behind the Northern warrior with a wary expression, and said gently.

“Astrid, you did well just now.”

“But about the power you used…”

“Power? What power? I… I don’t know, I know nothing!”

The girl glanced warily at Marquis Vladimir, shaking her head while retreating, and then she swiftly disappeared into the crowd.

Marquis Vladimir: …

“Astrid!”

Seeing the girl quickly disappear, the Northern warrior called out anxiously.

“Apologies, Lord Marquis. My daughter is poorly educated and knows no manners. I will bring her to apologize to you later…”

He bowed apologetically to Marquis Vladimir, then hurriedly chased after his daughter.

Watching the father and daughter quickly disappear, Marquis Vladimir’s smile became somewhat stiff.

He frowned, about to pursue them, but was suddenly blocked by a tall figure.

“Ha ha, Marquis, it was indeed a splendid battle. The youths of the North are natural warriors, far superior to our children in Castell.”

Seeing Sebastian blocking his way, Marquis Vladimir hesitated for a moment before forcing a smile.

“You flatter them. They are just a bunch of unruly children, making a fool of themselves in front of you.”

“Ha ha, Marquis, you’re too modest. It’s getting late, and we’ve been delayed here for quite some time. Shall we proceed?”

Sebastian said with a smile.

Marquis Vladimir looked hesitant.

He glanced in the direction where Astrid had disappeared, and with a sigh, finally put on a friendly smile.

“As you wish.”

Sebastian’s smile grew even brighter.

Soon, the Castell convoy started moving again, heading towards the castle.

Sebastian mounted his horse.

He glanced in a certain direction, a slight smile on his lips. A promising seed.

Gifted… and sufficiently alert.

No wonder, with just a little push, she had received the True Ancestor’s favor.

But, she is still too young and impulsive.