It’s not an exaggeration to say that over 99% of the people with citizenship in the Valtarian Empire worship the Earth Mother Gael.
From the time they come of age, they start attending the cathedral.
And as soon as they undergo the initiation rite, they receive baptism from a priest of the Holy Kingdom.
Freedom of religion?
No way that exists.
Regardless of status or rank, if you’re a citizen of the Valtarian Empire, you must believe in the Earth Mother. Therefore, no other religion can exist. Worshipping any god other than the Earth Mother immediately labels you a cultist, leading to severe punishment.
Given the strict restrictions of this closed society, it was only natural for a good-for-nothing who had yet to receive baptism to be eyed with suspicion.
“In the past, it was even stricter. In those extreme times, people who intentionally postponed or avoided baptism were shoved aside as heretics.”
“Guess it’s good I wasn’t born in that era.”
“Just be thankful you’re not being sent to the stake,” the girl with silver hair said with a big smile while making a chilling joke.
His lips twisted into a bitter smile.
“The priests from the Holy Kingdom will arrive tomorrow. The baptism ceremony for Edanant von Hohenberc will take place at the Sophia Cathedral near the villa. I hear Princess Ludmilla and Princess Elizaveta will also attend. You must be glad that you’re so popular with those lovely princesses.”
“……”
Zebeline turned her nose up and abruptly looked away.
What could possibly be bothering her?
He scratched his head at her overt expression of discontent.
‘By the way, Ludmilla and Elizaveta are attending the baptism? It’s just a brief event where holy water is poured and prayers are recited, so why are the princesses coming…?’
Receiving the baptism conducted by the priests dispatched from the Holy Kingdom itself was already uncomfortable, and now the imperial princesses would be present as well. It was a double whammy of bad news.
Was it really okay to go through with this baptism?
If a ‘Divine Collision’ happened during the ceremony…
If it’s revealed that he worshipped the Forgotten God as a Meiros, he would be immediately seized on-site. The Valtarian Empire and the Gael Holy Kingdom do not tolerate either Meiros or cultists, no matter the circumstances.
‘Since I’ve fully accepted the sanctity of the Holy Sword Aldebaran, maybe it will be okay to receive the Earth Mother’s baptism. I’m starting from a different point than other Meiros.’
The only reason he had been afraid of the baptism until now was the fear of a Divine Collision. If there had been no need to worry about that, he would have had the baptism long ago.
There was no escaping it anymore.
With a feeling of despair, he decided to accept the baptism forced upon him by the Holy Kingdom.
“It’ll be fine. The perfect and charming saintess is right next to you, right?”
“Um, I’m not so sure about that.”
“Denying the divine beauty of the saintess is an enormous sin. Do you want to be dragged off for blasphemy?”
“……”
He felt an overwhelming sense of humility at the saintess’s gracious charm, which completely robbed the bishops of their voice.
How could one reject such valid advice?
If she were the ruling queen, she would have surely become a tyrant by the end of her reign.
“Oh.”
The pouty face of Zebeline made something click. Memories long forgotten flashed through his mind like a panorama.
The reason he had been putting off baptism all this time.
Even though it was entirely possible to disguise receiving the baptism, he had left it untouched.
It was because of someone’s earnest request.
– I’ll give you the baptism once I become a proper priest. So please wait just a little longer. At least until the war is over.
With that bold voice, the image of the girl flickered in his mind.
He had completely forgotten the girl’s name,
And even where she came from.
But the confident smile and voice were clear as day.
Looking at Zebeline, who was tilting her head, he thought they looked so much alike.
“Why are you standing there dumbfounded?”
“It’s nothing. Just remembering something from the past for a moment.”
“Edanant sometimes seems to have an old soul. Even elderly cardinals tend to reminisce like he does.”
“Yes, that might be true.”
It must be a mistaken impression.
The girl did not have beautiful silver hair.
And the girl did not have dazzling blue eyes either.
Most importantly, the girl had suffered severely from smallpox in her childhood, and her slim face was full of scars.
There was no way the girl he had met on the battlefield could be the current saintess. He shook his head, concluding that.
*
The Holy Kingdom intended to thoroughly scrutinize the individual revealed as a Holy Sword wielder through this baptism ceremony.
Edanant von Hohenberc.
He was a hero of the bloodline of a brave warrior, chosen by the Holy Sword Aldebaran.
To doubt the true meaning of the Holy Sword was akin to doubting the sanctity of the Earth Mother. However, still, the cardinals dispatched not only bishops but even inquisitors, showing remarkable scrutiny.
It was clear they intended to thoroughly investigate what kind of person he was during this opportunity.
“I will personally administer the baptism for Edanant von Hohenberc.”
After meeting with the Emperor, the envoy from the Holy Kingdom immediately headed toward Zebeline. They sought to discuss the baptism ceremony happening tomorrow and inquire about the person named Edanant.
In response, Zebeline made a bombshell announcement.
She unilaterally declared that she would preside over the baptism ceremony.
“He is a hero who has defeated evil Meiros and cultists. Naturally, as the First Saintess, it is fitting for me to bestow blessings on behalf of the Holy Kingdom. Isn’t that right?”
“W-well, that’s not wrong, but…”
Zebeline, strong in her unilateral tendencies, had frequently perplexed the cardinals of the Holy Kingdom with her impulsive actions.
The bishops receiving this unilateral declaration showed signs of discontent.
It went against the cardinals’ decision.
However, how could they object when the gracious incarnate of the Earth Mother had proclaimed it?
In any case, as long as the baptism of the Holy Sword wielder was successfully concluded, it wouldn’t matter who presided over it.
Therefore, the bishops reluctantly accepted it while showing signs of distress.
“Never did I expect the saintess to volunteer.”
“Sometimes I can be whimsical.”
Since Zebeline had usually delegated responsibilities to her bishops and priests unless it was unavoidable, this notification was especially surprising.
Could it be that there’s a special reason,
Or was it truly just a simple whim as she said?
Only she would have the answer.
Zebeline turned away from the bishops showing their confusion and whispered while breaking into a gentle smile. Her beautiful face was filled with fiery anticipation.
“…Besides, I made a promise.”
A promise.
Right,
Because I promised.
That I would grant you the Earth Mother’s blessing.
Finally, the time had come to fulfill that promise from back then.
The girl with silver hair released an excited sigh as she placed both hands over her chest, for her heart was pounding so fiercely that it seemed about to leap out at any moment.
*
Two days later,
The baptism ceremony was held at the Sophia Cathedral located in the imperial city.
As it was the baptism of Edanant, who was revered as the hero of the empire, a multitude of nobles flocked in like a cloud to fill the seats. The nobles gazed at the venue of the baptism ceremony with eyes full of expectation as if witnessing an event of a lifetime.
“Did you hear? They say Saintess Zebeline will preside over it.”
“Look, Princess Ludmilla and Princess Elizaveta are up there in the front row. They’re too far to see well though.”
Soon enough, the girl with silver hair appeared.
The First Saintess,
Zebeline Albion Russell.
As she took each step dressed in pure white vestments, noble grace oozed from her. The radiant light from the shining stained glass elevated the saintess’s sanctity even further.
How could someone be so regal?
The countless members of the crowd in attendance couldn’t help but express their amazement.
No one denied that Zebeline was the incarnation of the Earth Mother. Among the crowd witnessing her holy presence, there were even believers shedding tears of joy, saying they felt they were welcoming a demigod.
“Today, the merciful Earth Mother bestows her blessings upon the hero chosen by the Holy Sword. I sincerely thank all who attended this sacred place.”
Zebeline solemnly expressed her gratitude to all the crowd present at the baptism ceremony.
Her usual mischievous demeanor was nowhere to be found.
It was as if she appeared as a true saintess from the pages of mythology.
Even Ludmilla, who had long been an adversary of Zebeline, was in awe of her divine sanctity. Princess Elizaveta and Rue, seated right next her, looked at Zebeline with eyes filled with admiration.
“Edanant von Hohenberc.”
She called out the name of the baptism’s main character.
At that, Edanant, who had been waiting behind, approached Zebeline.
Perhaps because of the solemn atmosphere, even though he wore the same clothes as usual, his mere appearance captured the gaze of countless members of the crowd.
Especially at Edanant’s entrance, Ludmilla and Elizaveta showed intense reactions. Thank goodness they were seated in the front row, or they would have nearly let their flushed faces be exposed to all the nobles present at the baptism ceremony.
“May the merciful divine presence always be with you, and may sacred blessings and luck follow you always.”
The saintess extended her snow-white hand.
Simultaneously, wings embroidered with white feathers appeared behind the saintess.
It was the blessing of the White Dragon.
It was undoubtedly the power of the guardian dragon representing the Holy Kingdom.
As the immense wings fluttered behind Zebeline, the feathers imbued with divine power rustled. Adding to the radiant light from the stained glass, the feathers of the white dragon transformed the venue into an even more sacred place.
“And may the blessing of the Earth Mother always be with you.”
“……”
Edanant raised his head.
At that moment, Zebeline smiled gently as she gazed at him.
The snow-white hand, glowing with divine radiance, stroked his head. It was the moment when the long-awaited promise from the girl came to fruition at last.
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