Gospel of Blood

Chapter 219: The Academy's Vision

The ethereal hymn was beautiful and dreamlike, the radiant holy light divine and majestic.

In the prayer room of Northport Church, Charlotte sat gracefully in a white dress before the statue of the God Harald, hands clasped and eyes closed in prayer.

Watching the young countess bathed in holy light, the priests of the Holy Court were visibly moved, drawing the ring cross on their chests and silently praising the divine.

A devout Lord often meant the strengthening of faith, which was especially important for the church in the increasingly declining North.

If anyone in Northport City was most hopeful and loyal to this young countess, it was undoubtedly these priests.

To them, the holy light surrounding the girl was dazzling and almost indistinguishable from the legendary saintess.

Moreover, given the recent rumors in the North and Charlotte's recent crackdown on the bloodborne forces, the priests saw her as a devout and steadfast missionary, a "saintess" destined to save the Northern Church...

After a long while, the radiance faded, and the hymn slowly ceased.

Charlotte gently opened her eyes, a flicker of light flashing in the depths of her pupils, her expression revealing a trace of satisfied joy.

To the watching priests, this overflowing joy confirmed her piety and fervor, and their gazes upon Charlotte grew even more fervent.

"Praise the divine!"

Charlotte extended her right hand and drew a standard ring cross on her chest, then gratefully nodded toward the statue.

"Praise the divine!"

The priests, visibly excited, followed Charlotte's lead, bowing in unison and with devout voices.

Only Lottie, the acting priest of Northport Church, averted her gaze unnaturally, looking at the other priests with a hint of sympathy in her eyes.

Daily prayers had become Charlotte's routine to replenish her blood divine power through the strength of the holy light.

Though each session provided only a small amount, it was a steady and long-term source of divine power.

Her gratitude to the great God Harald... It was entirely sincere.

After the prayer, Charlotte rose with the help of Sherry, while the priests gathered around her.

Looking at the priests, Charlotte smiled and said.

"Sirs, have you considered my previous proposal?"

The priests exchanged glances and respectfully replied.

"My lady, we believe you are right. The North is unlike other places, and we know spreading the faith of the God here is extremely difficult. It must be done gradually..."

"Indeed, the church has long lost its foundation in Castell. Furthermore, the North is full of non-believers and pagans hostile to the church. Using harsh methods to spread our Lord's Light might not be a good idea."

"We agree with your suggestion of a gentle approach. If we can truly let them experience the Church's light and goodwill, they will eventually be moved and converted..."

Seeing the unanimous agreement among the priests, Charlotte smiled radiantly and said warmly.

"Then I must rely on you all. Reopening the church school will be the first attempt. The Castell family will fund the church school."

"However, given the public's perception of the church, I suggest renaming the reopened church school to 'Northland Academy.' What do you think?"

"This..."

The priests looked at each other, but considering the church's current predicament in Castell, they eventually nodded in agreement.

"Everything... will be as you command."

Charlotte's smile grew even warmer.

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"Then I will need your continued support. No one is more suited to teaching general and etiquette courses than you, esteemed priests. Once the school reopens, you will all be very busy."

"Praise the divine, it is our duty! And being instructors will make it easier to guide young souls!"

The priests replied solemnly.

After a discussion, Charlotte assigned each remaining priest to teach at the soon-to-be-reopened "Northland Academy."

As the priests left, they were full of hope for the future.

Watching their departing figures, Charlotte smiled.

Turning to the silent priest Lottie, she asked leisurely.

"Lottie, what do you think of my handling of this?"

Lottie, with a peculiar expression, sighed.

"As expected of you... effortlessly diverting all the priests' attention and turning them into useful labor."

"General and etiquette courses are always the most boring and busiest subjects. Once they become teachers, they won't have the energy to preach..."

"Moreover, reopening the church school has been a wish of many northern priests. However... judging by your attitude, whether it will ultimately be a 'Church Academy' or 'Castell's Academy' is uncertain."

Listening to Lottie's response, Charlotte smiled without denying it.

After the crackdown began, she had been considering what else she could do. Believing in the principle that "education is the foundation of a century's plan," she thought it crucial to focus on education for long-term stability and faith propagation.

This was also part of her plan to consolidate her rule and spread faith in the future.

"You are correct. I do plan to extend this further. In the future, I want to bring all noble offspring in the territory to the academy for education."

Charlotte said.

Lottie hesitated.

"This... might be difficult. Nobles have their own traditions and private tutors. Except for those aspiring to be noble priests, few attend church schools."

Charlotte laughed.

"It's just a thought. The road ahead is long. For now, it's about giving the northern priests something to do."

"Whoever controls education controls the power of thought. If we want to make the North impregnable, this aspect must be strengthened."

Lottie's heart stirred.

"Lady Charlotte, are you planning to start preaching?"

Charlotte thought for a moment and said.

"Consider it a precaution."

After discussing the specifics of reopening the long-closed "Church Academy" with Lottie, Charlotte, having harvested today's divine power, returned to the count's mansion.

However, as she stepped down from the carriage, she saw the captain of the Northport City Guard hurriedly approaching with the mansion steward.

"My lady, the City Guard has urgent news to report!"

Saying this, the captain handed over a hastily written parchment scroll.

Maid Sherry took the scroll and handed it to Charlotte. As Charlotte read it, her expression changed to one of surprise.

"The Nez clan? A delegation?"

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