Gospel of Blood

Bardock’s reaction surprised Charlotte.

Looking at the former legion commander of the city-state, who now appeared utterly bewildered, Charlotte couldn’t help but ask.

“Bardock, do you… not remember Lilith?”

Bardock shook his head.

“Lord Cain, a name like Lilith is not uncommon, but… I’ve thought about it and I don’t seem to know anyone by that name.”

Hearing Bardock’s words, Charlotte’s eyes narrowed slightly.

‘You… really can’t remember? Who led you to establish the Free City-State Alliance?”

She couldn’t help but press further.

Bardock looked even more confused.

“The person who led us to establish the Free City-State Alliance? Wasn’t it… you?”

Charlotte fell silent.

She sighed and tried a different approach.

“Then… do you remember Harald? Who is Harald’s sister?”

“Ha…”

Bardock was taken aback.

He hesitated, not daring to say the name, and instead cautiously glanced at the sky, asking nervously.

“You… you mean the one up there? Does He… have a sister?”

Charlotte felt a sinking feeling, her sense of foreboding growing stronger.

“Bardock, who led you from weakness to strength, ultimately conquering the continent… who were they?”

She looked at Bardock seriously and asked once more.

‘Wasn’t it… you? You saved us when we were in crisis, led us in rebellion against the elves, and granted us new life…”

Bardock said as if it were obvious.

“Just me?”

“Isn’t that right?”

Charlotte: …

Seeing the increasingly serious expression on the girl’s face, Bardock’s own expression became hesitant.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked.

“Lord Cain, could it be that… aside from my recent experiences, I have forgotten other things?”

Charlotte remained silent.

“You said you lost your memory, so… what exactly did you forget?”

Charlotte thought for a moment and then asked in a different way.

Bardock answered respectfully.

“It’s the memories after the Battle of Dawn. In that decisive battle with the elven army, I was severely injured and fell into a deep sleep. When I woke up, I was already in the tomb of the Nez Clan.”

“I communicated with the Nez Clan members, and they told me that I assisted the Stargazer Casey in establishing the Nez Clan, supported Casey in rebelling against the tyrannical True Ancestor of Blood, and led the Nez Clan to true freedom after the True Ancestor of Blood disappeared…”

“But I have no memory of these events. I even find it incredible that Casey could become a myth because… in my memory, he was just one of the new descendants you selected to expand the legion. His strength… was very weak at that time…”

Charlotte fell silent again.

She took a deep breath and said,

“Bardock, tell me everything in your memory, from the first time we met until you fell asleep, without leaving out any details.”

Bardock looked at Charlotte’s serious expression with concern, then nodded and began recounting his memories…

…

Bardock recounted a series of memories that were familiar yet entirely different from Charlotte’s.

The similarities lay in the rebellion against the elven rule, the establishment of the Free City-State, and the struggle against the Old Gods and the elves…

But the differences were that, in Charlotte’s memory, the roles of Harald and Lilith were entirely replaced by herself.

Bardock had no recollection of Lilith, nor did he remember anything about Harald. From beginning to end, the only leader he remembered was Charlotte.

The deeds attributed to Lilith and Harald in Charlotte’s memory were all replaced by her own actions, even to the point where Lilith’s death became an incident where Charlotte nearly died but awakened the power of the bloodborne and became the progenitor of the bloodborne.

Meanwhile, Bardock’s memory stopped at the end of the “Battle of Dawn.”

According to him, the Battle of Dawn was a decisive conflict between the Free City-State Alliance and the elven coalition, a key battle for supremacy over the western continent.

After that, Bardock, who was gravely injured, didn’t know what happened next.

Until he woke up again, confused, to find the Nez bloodborne saluting him and learned from them about his “heroic deeds.”

After hearing Bardock’s account, Charlotte fell into deep thought.

To be honest, she didn’t believe her own memories of the time travel were false. She had already verified through “I was here” that she had indeed traveled, and she did know “Lilith” and “Harald”, becoming their teacher.

She had indeed bestowed her power upon “Lilith” during her previous time travel, her memory should be real, at least concerning these aspects, and it should be accurate.

Therefore… things were quite clear.

The problem wasn’t with herself, but with Bardock.

Bardock’s memories concerning Lilith and Harald had been erased by some force or… had been altered.

However, Bardock still remembered the God of the Holy Court, Harald.

What he didn’t remember were the aspects of Harald as the founder of the Free City-State Alliance.

However, Lilith… her existence was almost completely “erased”, and all related memories were replaced with Charlotte.

What on earth is going on?

Why are Bardock’s memories different from hers?

As for the other bloodbornes… Charlotte had gone through many ancient texts but found no description of “Lilith.”

Whether it was Albrecht or Yurst, they had no impression of this name either.

Previously, Charlotte thought that Lilith might have hidden her true name for various reasons, but now it seemed that wasn’t the case at all.

Instead, her existence… had been “erased” from the bloodborne’s memory.

The only traces left seemed to be Charlotte’s own memories and the signature on the front page of the Gospel of Blood, which was clearly in Lilith’s handwriting.

The more Charlotte thought about it, the more confused she became, and the more she thought, the more alarmed she felt.

Clearly, in the true history, Lilith should have become a God.

So… what kind of power could erase the existence of a God?

And what about Harald…

Lilith aside, Harald’s existence was still known, so why were even the memories of him altered?

Who did this?

What conspiracy is behind this?

Does it also concern her?

No…

The memory of Lilith being replaced by her is definitely related to her!

Or perhaps, the confusion in memories is also related to her time travel?

Charlotte’s expression gradually became serious.

She felt as if there was an invisible hand manipulating everything behind the chaotic memories.

And this might be related to the “madness” of Lilith in true history.

“Lord Cain, I heard from the Nez Clan members about what happened after I fell asleep. That True Ancestor of Blood they described… is that really you?”

Bardock hesitated for a moment and then asked.

Charlotte glanced at him.

“What do you think?”

Bardock shook his head repeatedly.

“No, it can’t be. In their description, that True Ancestor of Blood was so tyrannical. I don’t think that was you.”

“To provide us with a homeland, you even sacrificed your own bloodline origin. Such a kind-hearted you… would never massacre the blood descendants for further advancement!”

So… is that why you spoke up for me among those Nez blood descendants?

Charlotte felt complicated.

Honestly, Bardock’s memories were mixed between her and Lilith.

The experiences of the True Ancestor turning the tide and willing to sacrifice her power for the future of the race in his memories were not Charlotte but should have been Lilith.

Of course, all signs indicated that the “tyrannical” True Ancestor of Blood was also likely Lilith.

“Lord Cain, I… must have forgotten some key things. Can you enlighten me?”

Bardock requested.

His expression was filled with worry, and he seemed quite uneasy.

Looking at this former Third Legion Commander, Charlotte was silent for a moment before saying,

“You have indeed forgotten some key things.”

“I did bestow the power of the bloodborne upon mortals, but… it wasn’t me who led you to establish the Free City-State Alliance and led the bloodborne to true rise.”

“At least… from the ‘recovered’ memories I have now, that wasn’t me.”

“Not you? How is that possible? Are you saying my memory was altered? All the bloodborne’s memories were altered?”

“That’s impossible. I have checked my memory. I have indeed forgotten some things, but my memory has not been altered by anyone! Even if it were a God, there would be traces left from modifying memory!”

“Then… what if the one modifying memories isn’t an ‘individual’?”

Charlotte retorted.

Bardock was slightly stunned, then his eyes widened instantly.

For a moment, both of them fell silent.

After a while, Charlotte sighed and said,

“Bardock, let’s not dwell on the memory issue for now. I will slowly uncover the truth. Of course, I will also need your help in this process.”

“Of course, you are our progenitor, the great True Ancestor of Blood. Following your orders is naturally my duty.”

Bardock answered as if it were obvious.

Charlotte paused slightly, her feelings becoming even more complex.

She sighed and said,

“In that case, help me consolidate the power of the Nez Clan first. Since they respect you so much, I think… you can help me make them lower their guard and swear allegiance to me.”

Bardock nodded.

“I will follow your instructions.”

“And… do not disclose our conversation today to anyone.”

Charlotte thought for a moment and then said with a serious expression.

Bardock’s expression also became serious.

“I understand.”