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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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It was no exaggeration to say that over 99% of the citizens of the Valtarian Empire who held citizenship were believers who worshiped the Earth Mother Gael.
They attended church from a young age.
And as soon as they underwent the coming-of-age ceremony, they received baptism from a priest of the Holy Kingdom.
Freedom of religion?
There was no way such a thing existed.
Regardless of status and position, if one was a citizen of the Valtarian Empire, one had to believe in the Earth Mother unconditionally.
Therefore, no other religions could exist.
If one worshiped a god other than the Earth Mother, they would immediately be treated as a cult follower and sentenced to severe punishment.
In a closed society with strict restrictions, it was natural for suspicious eyes to be cast upon a noble who had not received baptism until now.
“In the past, they conducted even more rigorous inspections. It was an extreme era when people who intentionally delayed or avoided baptism were indiscriminately branded as heretics.”
“I’m glad I wasn’t born in such an era.”
The girl with silver hair flowing down smiled brightly and made a chilling joke about being grateful for not being sent to the stake.
I smiled bitterly in response.
“The priests from the Holy Kingdom will arrive tomorrow. Young Master Edanant’s baptism ceremony will be held at Sophia Cathedral, close to the villa. I heard Princess Ludmilla and Princess Elizaveta will also attend. You sure are popular with pretty princesses, humph.”
“……”
Zebeline made a coy expression and abruptly turned her head.
Now, what could she be dissatisfied about?
I scratched my head at her, overtly expressing displeasure.
‘By the way, Ludmilla and Elizaveta are attending the baptism ceremony? It’s just a brief event of pouring holy water on the head and reciting prayers, so why are the princesses coming…’
Receiving baptism presided over by priests dispatched from the Holy Kingdom was already uncomfortable.
Now, as an added headache, the empire’s princesses would also attend the ceremony.
It was like adding insult to injury with a series of misfortunes.
Should I really receive baptism?
If a “divine collision” were to occur during the baptism…
If it were revealed that I was a follower of a forgotten god like Meiros, I would be arrested on the spot.
The Valtarian Empire and the Gael Holy Kingdom never tolerated followers of forgotten gods and cult members under any circumstances.
‘Since I have fully accepted even the holiness of the holy sword Aldebaran, would it be alright to receive the Earth Mother’s baptism? Since the starting point was different from other followers of forgotten gods.’
I had feared baptism until now solely due to the possibility of divine collision.
If there was no need to worry about divine collision, I would have received baptism long ago.
It had become impossible to avoid any longer.
With a do-or-die mindset, I accepted the baptism the Holy Kingdom forced.
“Nothing will happen. The flawless and charming saintess is by your side, isn’t she?”
“Hmm, I don’t think that’s the case.”
“Denying the saintess’ sacred beauty is a tremendous mortal sin. Do you want to be dragged away for blasphemy?”
“……”
I felt immensely terrified at the benevolent charm of the saintess who deprived me of my right to speak by mobilizing the Holy Kingdom’s influence.
She rejected my honest words like this.
If she were a king ruling a nation, she would indeed become a tyrant in her later years.
“Ah.”
Something came to mind as Zebeline raised her head with a sullen expression.
Like a panorama, fragments of memories I had forgotten until now quickly flashed through my mind.
The reason I had repeatedly delayed baptism.
The reason I had neglected it even though I could have easily faked baptism.
It was because of someone’s earnest request.
“When I officially become a priest, I will baptize you. So please wait a little longer. At least until the war is over.”
The girl’s appearance came to mind, albeit vaguely, along with the confident voice.
I had completely forgotten the girl’s name and origin.
But her brazen smile and voice were vivid.
Looking at Zebeline’s tilted head, I thought they resembled each other very much.
“What’s wrong? Suddenly standing still…”
“It’s nothing. I just recalled something from the past for a moment.”
“Young Master Edanant sometimes seems like an old man. Even the elderly cardinals get lost in reminiscence of the past days like Young Master Edanant.”
“Yes, that might be the case.”
It must be a misunderstanding.
The girl didn’t have beautiful silver hair.
Also, the girl didn’t have dazzling blue eyes.
Above all, the girl had suffered severely from smallpox when she was young, so her delicate face was covered with scars.
There was no way the girl I had encountered on the battlefield back then could be the current saintess.
I shook my head, dismissing the seemingly impossible occurrence.
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The Holy Kingdom aimed to closely examine the person identified as a holy sword wielder through this baptism ceremony.
Edanant von Hohenberc.
The hero’s blood relative and the wielder chosen by the holy sword Aldebaran.
Doubting the intention of the holy sword was no different from doubting the holiness of the Earth Mother.
Nevertheless, the cardinals showed meticulousness by dispatching even inquisitors along with bishops.
They intended to thoroughly investigate what kind of person he was on this occasion.
“I will personally preside over Young Master Edanant’s baptism ceremony as the First Saintess.”
The Holy Kingdom’s envoy, who had entered the capital, paid their respects to the Emperor and immediately headed to Zebeline.
It was to discuss the baptism ceremony to be held tomorrow and to inquire about the person named Edanant.
In response, Zebeline made a bombshell announcement.
It was a unilateral notice that she would volunteer to preside over the baptism ceremony.
“He is a hero who subjugated the evil Meiros and the cult followers. Naturally, as the First Saintess, I should bestow grace on behalf of the Holy Kingdom. Don’t you agree?”
“It-It’s not wrong, but…”
Zebeline, who had a strong inclination for unilateral decisions, had frequently perplexed the Holy Kingdom’s cardinals with her several unexpected actions.
The bishops who received the unilateral notice expressed reluctance.
It went against the Cardinals’ decision.
But how could they object when the noble incarnation of the Earth Mother had announced it?
In the end, it didn’t matter who presided over it as long as the baptism ceremony of the holy sword wielder was completed without incident.
That’s why the bishops accepted it reluctantly while showing a perplexed reaction.
“I didn’t expect the saintess to volunteer.”
“Sometimes, I have whims too.”
It was even more perplexing because Zebeline had always delegated to her subordinate bishops and priests except when her attendance was unavoidable.
Was there a particular reason?
Or was it really just a whim, as she said?
Only she herself would know the answer.
Turning her head away from the perplexed bishops, Zebeline burst into a soft laugh and muttered.
Her beautiful face was filled with a hot fever.
“…Besides, I made a promise.”
Promise.
Yes, because I promised.
That I would bestow the Earth Mother’s grace upon you.
Finally, the time has come to keep that promise.
The girl with silver hair flowing down released an excited sigh and placed both hands on her chest.
Her rapidly beating heart was fierce as if it would jump out at any moment.
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Two days later,
The baptism ceremony was held at Sophia Cathedral, located in the capital.
Since it was the baptism ceremony of Edanant, revered as the empire’s hero, numerous nobles flocked like clouds to fill the seats.
The nobles watched the scene of the baptism ceremony with eyes filled with anticipation as if witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime event.
“Did you hear? I heard Saintess Zebeline will preside over it.”
“Princess Ludmilla and Princess Elizaveta are sitting in the front row. It’s too far, so I can’t see them.”
Soon, the girl with silver hair flowing down made her appearance.
The First Saintess,
Zebeline Albion Russell.
As the saintess dressed in pure white vestments took steps, noble elegance overflowed.
The radiance of the brilliantly shining stained glass windows shone down, further elevating the saintess’ holiness.
How could she be so noble?
The numerous crowds attending the baptism ceremony each expressed admiration.
No one denied that Zebeline was the incarnation of the Earth Mother.
Among the crowds who witnessed her sacred appearance, quite a few believers shed tears of joy, saying they had received a demigod.
“It is the day when the merciful Earth Mother bestows blessings upon the hero chosen by the holy sword. I sincerely thank all of you for attending this sacred place.”
Zebeline expressed gratitude to all the crowds attending the baptism ceremony in a solemn voice.
Her usual mischievous demeanor was nowhere to be seen.
Should I say she looked like a real saintess from mythology?
Even Ludmilla, who had been Zebeline’s long-time rival, admired her divine holiness.
Elizaveta and Rue, seated right next to her, were looking at Zebeline with eyes of admiration.
“Edanant von Hohenberc.”
She called the protagonist of the baptism ceremony.
Then Edanant, who had been waiting in the back, approached Zebeline.
Perhaps due to the solemn atmosphere,
Even though he was dressed the same as usual, his appearance alone captured the gazes of numerous crowds.
In particular, Ludmilla and Elizaveta showed intense reactions to Edanant’s appearance.
It was fortunate that they were sitting in the front row, or else they would have almost revealed their flushed faces to all the nobles attending the baptism ceremony.
“May the merciful holiness always be with you, may the sacred blessings and fortune always continue.”
The saintess extended her snow-white hand.
At the same time, wings adorned 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 enormous wings fluttered behind Zebeline, feathers imbued with holy power fluttered.
The radiance of the brilliantly shining stained glass windows combined with the White Dragon’s feathers transformed it into an even more sacred place.
“And may the Earth Mother’s blessing always be with you.”
“……”
Edanant raised his head.
Then Zebeline gazed at him with a gentle smile.
The hand grasping the snow-white radiance stroked his head.
It was the moment when their long-cherished promise was finally fulfilled.
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And then he died. The end.
For real now- it’s 50/50 chance that he will get arrested as a heretic only for later to be ok or nothing happens and the saint violates him on the spot
Welp. That’s my answer, i guess.
A disguise or perhaps the blessing of the White Dragon changed her entire appearance? Welp, back to the do or die situation…