We give a new determinant expression for the characteristic polynomial of the bond scattering matrix of a quantum graph G. Also, we give a decomposition formula for the characteristic polynomial of the bond scattering matrix of a regular covering of G. Furthermore, we define an L-function of G, and give a determinant expression of it. As a corollary, we express the characteristic polynomial of the bond scattering matrix of a regular covering of G by means of its L-functions. As an application, we introduce three types of quantum graph walks, and treat their relation.