Blood Holy Scripture: True Ancestor Charlotte de Castel
Chapter 666: -116- Pledge allegiance to you
Count Stafford's proposal didn't meet any objection from Charlotte.
She knew the elective succession law of the Falling Star Kingdom, which was an ancient inheritance law based on kinship and the support of noble lords, allowing all those of the Roman bloodline among the Great Nobles of Falling Star to have legitimacy in succeeding the throne, with the new ruler needing to be elected by the Round Table Council.
The members of the Roman family in Falling Star were dwindling, but nobles with even a hint of Roman blood were plentiful; ancestral marriages among nobility meant everyone was somehow related—your cousin could be my grandmother, my sister could be your cousin-in-law, such connections were not uncommon.
Thus, this inheritance law essentially granted all the Great Nobles of Falling Star a right to succession.
In comparison to the historical inheritance laws of Blue Star, Charlotte thought that Falling Star's past electoral system was much like a hybrid between Celtic Inheritance Law and the Polish-Lithuanian Elective Monarchy.
As for formally designating the Roman Sword as the Royal Authority Sword of Falling Star Kingdom, this must have been a condition from the Roman Royal Family, as the decline of the Roman family was inevitable. For them, finding a way to bind themselves to the Kingdom of Falling Star was the best approach.
After Count Stafford proposed these conditions, Charlotte began to see some sense in them.
Supporting her as queen because of the Divination Master's prophecy?
That was certainly a reason, but had it been the only reason for choosing her, many nobles would still hesitate.
But with these conditions, it was different.
The conflict between nobility and royal authority had always been a historical tradition of every feudal kingdom, and Falling Star was no exception.
From the public's perspective, Charlotte had already vowed never to marry, naturally leaving no heirs, for the nobility of Falling Star, there was nothing safer than choosing to support a king who could smoothly transition back to the ancient elective succession, further strengthening the power of the Kingdom Council.
The same went for the Roman Sword.
Having no heirs, it was only reasonable that "it would return to the state" upon Charlotte's death.
Honestly, if these conditions had been put forward by another noble, it would be hard to say whether they'd be accepted, but for Charlotte, there were no issues at all.
Returning to the electoral system and handing over the Roman Sword to the "State"?
Sure, that would be no problem after she had passed.
She had even agreed with Louis V to hand the Castel Domain over to the New Moon Royal Family after her death.
Well, as long as they could wait until her death.
Just wait.
"Count, if these are the conditions, I can agree to accept the support and become the queen of Falling Star, but…I also have one condition,"
said Charlotte.
Hearing her words, Count Stafford's expression relaxed slightly, then became serious again, and he said,
"Please speak."
"I will not give up the Castel Domain, even if I become the queen of Falling Star, I remain the Lord of Castel,"
Charlotte said.
Hearing this request, Count Stafford's expression became hesitant.
Clearly, for the nobles of Falling Star, the ownership of the Castel Domain was not a concern to them.
It was not their territory; it was just an exclave.
Yet, this exclave was sensitive. Count Stafford was absolutely certain that if the future Queen brought the territory back to Falling Star, New Moon Kingdom would explode.
A small mistake… might very well start a war.
Honestly, plunging into war over an exclave was not something these Falling Star nobles wanted to see.
No, more accurately, what they really hoped to see was Charlotte giving up Castel Domain and going to Falling Star alone to ascend the throne.
After a moment's hesitation, Count Stafford said:
"It is your right, but forgive my frankness, if this causes a new conflict between New Moon and Falling Star, I cannot guarantee that the nobles will stand by your side."
Charlotte smiled:
"No problem, when the time comes… those Falling Star nobles who are willing to support me against New Moon will simply have to step forward."
She truly didn't care whether she would receive the support of the Falling Star Kingdom Council; it was enough to ascend in name with her Domain.
This was a moral duty, a principle she could uphold as the queen of Falling Star in facing any future attempts by the New Moon Kingdom to reclaim the Castel Domain and start a war.
As for how many Falling Star nobles would respond, that was something Charlotte would have to consider later; bonding to the battle chariot was often a matter of interests, and Charlotte already had some plans regarding this.
Charlotte and Count Stafford quickly reached an agreement.
Seeing Charlotte willing to accept the ascension, Count Stafford finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He straightened his demeanour, knelt on one knee again, and paid homage to Charlotte:
"Then, Queen Charlotte, Chairman of the Falling Star Kingdom Council, John Stafford… hereby pledges allegiance to you."
This time, Charlotte did not dodge.
After the courtesy, Count Stafford stood up again, and his expression turned solemn once more as he said,
"Queen, if it's convenient for you, we can set out for Falling Star Kingdom in the next few days."
"We have secretly come to an agreement with those nobles from the Lilac Party, and if you promise to revert to the elective inheritance system after accession, they are also willing to switch sides, abandoning their support for Duke Esiah and pledging loyalty to you instead."
"The only ones we need to confront are actually the Nais Bloodline, as well as those families completely infiltrated by the Nais Bloodline."
"This is still going to be a prolonged fight, however... once you ascend to the throne, it will no longer be a struggle for royal power but a war between humans and the Bloodline."
Hearing Count Stafford's words, Charlotte looked surprised.
This was something she had not anticipated; the Nais Clan being able to infiltrate the nobility of Falling Star, and the Kingdom Council of Falling Star, managing to bring back those swayed nobles.
It still required gratitude towards the late Edward III, the former king whose strong condemnation of the Lilac Family before his death and his exposure of the Bloodline's plots effectively delivered a heavy blow, not only severely damaging the authority of the two Lilac families but also elevating the succession issue of Falling Star Kingdom to a quest against the Bloodline.
Perhaps that was why the Kingdom Council was able to bring back those swayed nobles?
No wonder Count Stafford was so urgently pushing for her to quickly take the throne.
This kind of persuasion, before the dust settles, is certainly full of uncertainty.
However...
To confront the Nais Bloodline?
Charlotte's expression turned slightly odd.
In many ways, she now truly felt like the throne was being handed to her.
Just wondering, what would the expression of Falling Star's nobility be when they find out her true identity?
"Your Majesty... when can we set out? The Nais Bloodline is still unaware of our secret countermeasures; the sooner we can get to Falling Star, the faster we can gain control of the situation and seize the initiative!"
"Both sides' nobles are unwilling to trigger the ultimate civil war, thus the inheritance of the throne has dragged on until now. If you take the throne first, even if some nobles are still hesitating, under persuasion they will ultimately have to submit to you!"
Count Stafford said gravely.
Hearing his words, Charlotte fell into deep thought.
Does the Nais Clan really know nothing about the Kingdom Council's actions?
To be honest, as a member of the Bloodline herself, she didn't think so.
Although the Nais Clan does not possess the inheritance of the Spirit Path, the Bloodline is inherently proficient in spiritual types of Magic, not to mention the Nais Clan's expertise in Observation...
Perhaps the Kingdom Council can indeed bring back those swayed nobles, but to say the Nais Clan is oblivious to this, she had her doubts.
Maybe... the Nais Clan is also waiting for her to arrive at Falling Star Island?
Charlotte pondered thoughtfully.
Is there a conspiracy?
Perhaps there is.
However...
"Let me prepare a bit. We'll set out tomorrow."
Charlotte declared.
After learning that the previous Great Elder of the Nais Clan was named Badak, she couldn't wait to meet him.
A conspiracy?
Who cares.
Bring it on!
Would she now, of all people, still fear the Nais Clan?
If it were any other force, perhaps, but the Bloodline...
As the Blood Ancestor herself, merely relying on Bloodline Suppression and the Saint State, she could easily thrash these Bloodline descendants as easily as a grandmother scolding her grandson.
And if the Nais Clan really has some cards against the True God... isn't there still Albrecht?
Bringing this guy along, Charlotte simply expects him to act as a meat shield.
Of course, this is under the worst scenario where they can only resort to conflict.
Considering her prior cooperation with the Nais Clan and knowing the name of the previous Great Elder, if possible, Charlotte felt it might still be worthwhile to have a good "talk" with the Nais Clan.
Upon receiving Charlotte's reply, Count Stafford was overjoyed:
"By your will, Queen!"