Charlotte didn't explain much about the reason for her decline.
She just looked sentimental and ashamed when she mentioned "a year ago" and "my own heart".
The turmoil in Boulder was very big at first, and a high priest was punished. The person who signed the investigation order was probably the high priest in front of him.
This chief priest probably knows everything.
Charlotte didn't need to say anything, she only needed a hint to show that her trust in the church had collapsed due to the incident with the high priest.
In this way, there is a reason for declining the church, and there is no need to blame her.
As expected, after Charlotte mentioned "a year ago" apologetically, the New Moon Priest also looked emotional.
I saw him sigh slightly and said:
"I'm also very sorry for what happened in Boulder...I can understand your choice."
Charlotte lowered her head, looking a little ashamed:
"I'm very sorry, Master Priest. I came to the church this time to repent, because I found that I am not as pious as I thought..."
"I am not qualified to be a saint of the church, even a part-time saint."
The chief priest nodded and said gently:
"My child, there are no perfect people in the world, and there are no perfect believers. Even the most devout believers will inevitably make mistakes. You have done a good job."
"I already know your heart. Since you are unwilling to become a saint, the church will not force you."
After hearing what the chief priest said, Charlotte felt relieved.
She finally got through the invitation from the church...
After chatting with the chief priest for a while and discussing some theological knowledge, Charlotte said goodbye and left.
Before leaving, she personally presented two hundred thousand quintana as a donation from believers.
The chief priest also accepted it gently and praised her piety.
Two hundred thousand quintana is a lot of money.
Even the Duke of the Kingdom donated tens of thousands of quintana when he came to the church to pray.
Smashing two hundred thousand quintana down is enough to build a wave of goodwill.
Under the warm smiles of the church priests, Charlotte boarded the carriage and left Lutetia Cathedral.
After sitting in the carriage, Charlotte's pious expression calmed down and became a little more serious.
The summons and invitation of the chief priest were not only to strengthen the contact with Castel, but also to win over him.
Although she found reasons, she finally refused to win over her.
Even if the high priest is not angry because of this, the relationship with the church will definitely be affected.
There was nothing she could do about it, after all, she couldn't really bring the power of the church into her own territory.
Next, she will cooperate with the Ness clan to retake the Falling Star Kingdom and carve up the Roman Principality. Not to mention helping the church, she may even have to confront the church.
There are many constraints to becoming a saint, the church may even have reasons to deal with her, and even kings and nobles will become her potential enemies.
After all, neither the nobles nor the king wanted the church to become more powerful.
But it would be different if they were just holy believers.
Even if she says one thing and does another, as long as she doesn't get caught, the church can't do anything to her.
With [Divine Countermeasures] around, Charlotte has never thought about the possibility of joining the church and blasting it from within.
But the moment the [Belief Network] was activated, she knew that this choice was impossible.
If she wants to increase her power, she is destined to be on the opposite side of the church in the future. The only difference is when to break up.
But, now is not the time.
The church is powerful.
Even if she rejected the church, she still had to maintain the superficial relationship.
Thinking of this, Charlotte sighed softly.
To be honest, her feelings towards the Holy Royal Court are quite complicated.
Although there was the matter of high priests, there were many priests who were good to her within the church, such as priest Raoul and others, who were elders worthy of respect.
The teachings of the Holy Royal Court are not evil, and can even be called great and righteous.
And with the "second time travel", Charlotte was even a little unsure about the relationship between the Lord Harald and her...
In short, Charlotte does not hate the Holy Royal Court.
But don’t hate it, don’t hate it. It’s true that the Holy Royal Court clearly lists the vampires as evil creatures, and it’s also true that the True Ancestor of Blood is listed as the most terrifying evil god.
From this perspective, even if she doesn't hate him, he and she are natural enemies.
Thinking of this, Charlotte's expression became slightly solemn again.
There is a price to pay for rejecting the good intentions of the church.
Beidi's presence has been too strong recently, and she made a lot of noise when fusing the ancient statues. Coupled with this rejection, I'm afraid the church will also focus on that area in the future.
Not to mention, if the church's purpose is really to strengthen its influence on Castel, even if she rejects the other party, will the other party really give up?
I'm afraid... not.
At this thought, Charlotte had a headache again.
She wants to remain completely neutral.
But in reality, sometimes you have no choice but to do it yourself.
"It seems that I have to plan carefully to buy myself more development time..."
Thinking about her next plan, Charlotte sighed.
The tree wants to be still but the wind doesn't stop.
She inherited the Castle Territory and defeated the coalition forces of the two principalities. She has become a force that cannot be ignored in the Crescent Kingdom.
The Castells Territory is quite wealthy and has the ability to fight against the Duke-level lords.
After this independence, it will inevitably become the thirteenth force after the twelve duchies of the kingdom, breaking the delicate balance of nobility, church and royal power.
It’s not just the church that covets Castel.
She needs to think carefully about how to choose and how to balance the situation in order to maximize her own interests...
Under the secret gazes, Charlotte returned to the manor.
She curled her lips and ignored those guys who were spying on her secretly.
If her guess is correct, the reason why no nobles have come to visit her or invite her until now is probably due to their wait-and-see attitude towards the church.
After all, she was already marked by the church.
Let's make a bolder guess. Maybe the chief priest wants to invite her to become a part-time saint of the Holy Royal Court. Maybe there's already a rumor...
And her polite refusal this time may soon be known to all parties.
If you think so, maybe soon the manor you rent will no longer be deserted.
As if to verify Charlotte's guess, the manor welcomed a new guest the day after she declined the church's invitation.
To be more precise, it's an invitation.
"The banquet of the Duke of Gaston?"
Looking at the exquisite invitation respectfully presented by the noble envoy, Charlotte raised her eyebrows.