episode_0034

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It is no exaggeration to say that more than 99% of the citizens of the Valtaria Empire are believers who worship the Earthmother Gael.

I go to church from the time I reach adulthood.

And as soon as the coming of age ceremony takes place, you will be baptized by a priest of the Holy Imperial Kingdom.

Freedom of religion?

There’s no way something like that exists.

Regardless of status or status, citizens of the Valtaria Empire had to believe in the Earth Mother unconditionally. That is why other religions could not exist. If you worship a god other than the Earth Mother, you will be treated as a cultist and subject to severe punishment.

Since it was a closed society with strict restrictions, it was natural that people who had not yet been baptized were viewed with suspicion.

“In the past, inspections were conducted more strictly. It was an extreme era in which people who intentionally delayed or avoided baptism were recklessly accused of being heretics.”

“I’m glad I wasn’t born in that era.”

Just be thankful that you are not sent to the stake, the girl with flowing silver hair smiled broadly and told a creepy joke.

He smiled bitterly at that.

“The priests of the Holy Empire will arrive tomorrow. Prince Edanand’s christening will be held at the Sophia Cathedral, close to the villa. Princess Ludmilla and Princess Elisabeth are also said to be attending. It must be nice that you are popular with pretty princesses.”

“… … .”

Zeveline made a gloomy expression and turned her head.

What on earth are you dissatisfied with?

I scratched my head at the blatant display of dissatisfaction.

‘By the way, Ludmilla and Elisabeth are attending the baptism? It’s just a short event where you pour holy water on your head and recite prayers, so why on earth are the princesses coming? .’

Just receiving a baptism ceremony conducted by priests dispatched from the Holy Imperial Kingdom is uncomfortable, but the princesses of the empire are attending the event. To make matters worse, it was a series of bad news.

Is it really okay to be baptized?

If a ‘divine collision’ occurs during the baptism… .

If it is revealed that you are a demon worshiping a forgotten god, you will be arrested immediately on the spot. Because the Valtaria Empire and the Holy Empire of Gael will not tolerate demons and cultists under any circumstances.

‘Since I have fully accepted the divinity of the holy sword Aldebaran, would it be okay to be baptized by the Earthmother? ‘It was different from other demons from the start.’

The only reason people have been afraid of baptism until now is because of the conflict between divinity. If I didn’t have to worry about nova conflict, I would have gotten baptized sooner.

It was no longer possible to avoid it.

Out of desperation, he decided to accept the baptism forced upon him by the Holy Emperor.

“Nothing will happen. There is a saint next to you who boasts flawless charm, right?”

“Well, I don’t think so.”

“It is a tremendous sin to deny the divine beauty of a saint. Do you want to be dragged into lese majeste?”

“… … .”

I felt a pang of despair at the benevolent charm of the saint who mobilized the influence of the Holy Empire to take away the right to speak.

How can you reject a correct statement like this?

If she had been the king ruling the country, she would have definitely become a tyrant in her later years.

“Ah.”

Something occurred to me when I saw Zeveline raising her head with a stern expression. Like a panorama, fragments of forgotten memories quickly passed through my mind.

The reason why baptism was postponed one after another.

The reason why baptism was left unattended even though it could have been disguised.

It was because there was an earnest request from someone.

-When I officially become a priest, I will baptize you. So please wait a moment. At least until the war ends.

A girl’s image came into my mind, albeit vaguely, along with the confident voice.

The girl’s name,

I completely forgot the girl’s origins.

However, the bold smile and voice were clear.

As I looked at Jebeline tilting her head, I thought they looked very similar.

“Why are you doing that? Suddenly, I stood there… .”

“Nothing. I just remembered something from the past for a moment.”

“Prince Edanand sometimes looks like an old man. Even elderly cardinals, like Prince Edanand, are filled with regret as they recall the past.”

“Yes, maybe.”

It must be an illusion.

The girl did not have beautiful silver hair.

Also, the girl didn’t have dazzling blue eyes.

Above all, the girl suffered from smallpox severely as a child, so her slim face was full of scars.

There was no way that the girl I encountered on the battlefield back then was the saint of today. I shook my head as I came to that conclusion.

* * *

Through this baptism ceremony, the Holy Emperor tried to closely identify the person who was found to be a holy sword user.

Edanand von Hohenberg.

A warrior’s blood relative and a user chosen by the holy sword Aldebaran.

Doubting the true intention of the Holy Sword was no different from doubting the divinity of the Earth Mother. However, despite this, the cardinals showed thoroughness in dispatching heresy inquisitors, including bishops.

The intention was to use this opportunity to thoroughly investigate what kind of person he was.

“As the first saint, I will be in charge of Prince Edanand’s baptism.”

The envoys of the Holy Imperial Kingdom who entered the imperial capital met the emperor and immediately headed to Jebelin. The intention was to discuss the baptism ceremony to be held tomorrow and at the same time ask about a person named Edanant.

As if in response, Jebelin made a bombshell statement.

It was a unilateral notification that he would volunteer to host the baptism ceremony.

“He is a hero who defeated evil demons and cultists. Of course, as the first saint, it is right for me to bestow grace on behalf of the Holy Empire. Isn’t that right?”

“T, it’s not wrong, but… .”

Zebeline, who had a strong dogmatic tendency, often embarrassed the cardinals of the Holy Empire with his unexpected actions.

The bishops who received the one-sided notification expressed their disapproval.

This is a statement that runs counter to the decision of the cardinals.

But how can you protest when the sublime incarnation of the Earth Mother has informed you?

Regardless of who is in charge, all that needs to be done is as long as the Holy Sword user’s baptism ceremony is completed safely.

Therefore, the bishops reacted with embarrassment but reluctantly accepted it.

“I had no idea that the saint would volunteer.”

“Sometimes I can be capricious.”

The notification was even more embarrassing because it was Zebelin who had delegated his duties to bishops and priests under his command, except in cases where attendance was unavoidable.

Is there a special reason?

Or is it really just a whim like she said?

Only you know the answer.

Zeveline turned his head away from the bishops, who were showing their embarrassment, and muttered while softly bursting into laughter. Her beautiful face was filled with heat.

“… Besides, I made a promise.”

promise.

okay,

Because I promised.

I will grant you the grace of the Earth Mother.

The time has finally come to keep that promise.

The girl with flowing silver hair sighed excitedly and placed both hands on her chest. This was because my heart was beating so fast that it felt like it was going to jump out at any moment.

* * *

two days later,

The baptism ceremony was held at the Sophia Cathedral located in the imperial capital.

Because it was the christening of Edanant, revered as a hero of the empire, numerous nobles flocked in like a cloud to fill the place. Like people witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime event, the nobles looked at the scene of the baptism ceremony with eyes filled with anticipation.

“Did you hear the news? It is said that Saint Zeveline presides over it.”

“There are Princess Ludmilla and Princess Elizabeth in the front row. It’s too far away so I can’t see it.”

Soon, a girl with flowing silver hair appeared.

1st saint,

Zebelin Albion Russell.

Every time the saintess, dressed in pure white robes, took a step, she overflowed with noble elegance. The brilliant brilliance of the stained glass shone down, further enhancing the divinity of the saint.

How can you be so noble?

The numerous crowds attending the baptism ceremony expressed their admiration.

No one denied that Zevelyn was the incarnation of the Earth Mother. Among the crowd who witnessed the sacred appearance, there were quite a few believers who shed tears of joy, saying they had welcomed a demigod.

“It is the day when the merciful Earth Mother bestows her blessings on the hero chosen by the Holy Sword. We sincerely thank those who participated in the sacred place.”

In a solemn voice, Zebeline expressed her gratitude to all the crowd who attended the baptism ceremony.

His usual mischievous self was nowhere to be seen.

Would you say that she looks like a real saint from mythology?

Even Lydmilla, who had been Zebeline’s long-time enemy, was impressed by her divine divinity. Elisabetta and Lou, who were seated right next to each other, were looking at Jebeline with envious eyes.

“Edanand von Hohenberg.”

The main character of the baptism ceremony was called.

Then Edanant, who had been waiting behind him, approached Jeveline.

Is it because of the solemn atmosphere?

Even though he was wearing the same clothes as usual, he captured the attention of a large crowd just by appearing.

In particular, Ludmilla and Elisabetta reacted strongly to Edanant’s appearance. Because I was sitting in the front row, I almost exposed my red face to all the nobles attending the baptism.

“May the merciful divinity always be with you, may divine blessings and good fortune always continue.”

The saint stretched out her white hand.

At the same time, wings embroidered with white feathers appeared behind the saint.

It was the white dragon’s protection.

It was definitely the power of the guardian dragon representing the Holy Empire.

Huge wings fluttered behind Zeveline, and at the same time, feathers imbued with divine power fluttered. The white dragon’s feathers were added to the brilliant brilliance of the stained glass, transforming it into an even more sacred place.

“And may the Mother Earth’s protection always be with you.”

“… … .”

Edanant raised his head.

Then Zeveline smiled softly and stared.

A hand filled with pure white brilliance stroked my head. It was the moment when the promise that the girl had longed for for a long time finally came true.