Chapter 04
Although she had never met her in person, by the time Ashiel turned eight, the name Lithe Rahar was already deeply familiar to her.
She was said to be the most beautiful woman on the continent—so beautiful that people joked she must have received the blessing of the God of Beauty, if such a deity even existed. Rumor even claimed that when a renowned painter created a masterpiece depicting a saint from ancient mythology, Lithe Rahar herself had served as his muse.
Though she had never told anyone, the thing Ashiel had most looked forward to after finally entering the Academy was seeing the famous Lithe Rahar with her own eyes.
This… wasn’t what I expected.
Of all things, she had found Lithe Rahar collapsed after drinking poison.
With her eyes gently closed, Lithe’s face was so calm and peaceful that she resembled a fairy of sleep from an old legend.
Amid the frantic movement of people rushing about, Ashiel squeezed her eyes shut.
Closing them didn’t separate her from reality. If anything, the sounds became even clearer.
People crying.
Voices desperately calling Lithe’s name.
Others shouting that the culprit had to be caught immediately.
Against the darkness behind her eyelids, four faces flashed through her mind.
Gregory.
Gerald.
Instructor Cox.
And…
Big Brother Gale.
Could… one of them be the culprit?
Ashiel’s tiny body trembled uncontrollably.
I shouldn’t have come to the Academy.
I never should’ve come.
She hadn’t even received the gods’ blessing.
Why had she been so greedy?
Her head spun, and nausea churned in her stomach.
Unable to withstand the overwhelming stress, her body swayed violently.
Just as she was about to fall, someone caught her.
Please… turn back time.
I won’t ask for anything else.
Leaning against the warmth of someone whose face she couldn’t even see, Ashiel prayed to the gods.
She hadn’t prayed once since being denied the Blessing Ceremony at the age of five.
She wasn’t even sure her prayers could still reach them.
* * *
In the faith of Etuar, the number five held immense symbolic significance.
Tothe, God of Wisdom.
Morrigan, Goddess of Protection.
Bucanu, God of Creation.
Nar, God of Art.
Bald, God of Justice.
These five gods represented perfection itself, and the five-pointed star—the symbol of the church—was believed to protect the faithful from demons.
Commoners who possessed no divine power believed that by offering prayers five times each day, they would enter the cycle of reincarnation and be reborn as servants of the gods.
Likewise, it was believed that nobles and royalty blessed with divine power would rule the continent with wisdom, protect its people, bring prosperity, spread the joy of art, and govern with justice.
All beneath the gods’ divine protection.
For that reason, every child underwent the Blessing Ceremony upon turning five.
It was a sacred ritual, attended only by priests, the child, and a single guardian.
“My dear… are you all right?”
The Countess had been counting the days until today—the day Ashiel would receive her blessing.
In fact, she had been even more nervous than she had been when Gale, her first child, underwent the ceremony.
The Divine Gift, supposedly reserved for those of noble blood, would occasionally bloom even among commoners—whether by the gods’ whim or by their mercy toward the lowly, no one knew.
Most often, such miracles came from Bucanu, the God of Creation.
His blessing allowed one to create not only medicines but also weapons and farming tools.
In truth, perhaps it was a power commoners needed more than nobles.
Because of that…
Among the royal families especially, Bucanu was quietly regarded as an undesirable god.
Even Bucanu has turned his eyes away from her…?
Unable to bear looking at the Ashiel sleeping in her arms, the Countess stared blankly out the carriage window.
The Temple of Beltio slowly disappeared into the distance.
Before coming here today…
She had never imagined she would return home feeling like this.
* * *
The Temple of Beltio was the largest temple in the Kingdom of Wensley.
It could not compare to the Grand Temple of the Holy Kingdom, but the enormous marble columns supporting it possessed an overwhelming majesty of their own.
The glittering pillars, mixed with powdered blue gold, were carved with the images of the Five Gods and the saints of legend.
Even the lofty ceiling of the corridor leading to the sanctuary was covered with murals of the Five Gods.
It almost felt as though the gods gazed down kindly upon every worshiper who passed beneath them.
Or perhaps…
They were searching among them for their future servants.
“You’ve arrived, Countess.”
The priests recognized the Countess of Windsorberry and respectfully bowed.
The moment they noticed Ashiel in her arms, however, strange expressions crossed their faces.
They’re really giving the ceremony… to an adopted child?
They made no effort to hide the meaning in their eyes.
The Countess disliked it, but merely smiled.
Becoming angry here would only make her appear overly sensitive.
Perhaps Ashiel would spend her entire life receiving looks like these.
She wanted the girl to grow into someone who could stand proudly against people’s prejudice.
No one would be allowed to hurt this child.
That was why she refused to hide her away.
Instead…
She wanted to show the world just how precious Ashiel was.
“That uncle’s beard looks like a goat.”
“…What?”
“Pardon?”
“My, my. The sanctuary is this way, isn’t it?”
Quickly gathering Ashiel closer into her embrace, the Countess hurried onward.
As she walked, she whispered softly,
“It’s rude to say things like that, Ashiel.”
Though…
She secretly felt rather satisfied.
Pouting, Ashiel nodded before burying her head against the Countess’s shoulder as if bumping into her.
Whatever the case, she seemed frightened by the unfamiliar surroundings.
“I wanna go home and eat cake…”
Her little body curled into a tiny ball.
She was simply too adorable.
Watching the dejected little head, the Countess was glad she’d left her husband and sons behind.
If they had come, they would probably have forgotten all about the ceremony and insisted on going home for Ashiel’s birthday party instead.
“Allen already received his blessing. Don’t you want yours?”
“No! I want mine too!”
Only then did Ashiel’s eyes sparkle again.
Smiling, the Countess gently brushed aside the girl’s bangs and kissed her forehead.
It was fortunate that Allen’s birthday came only one month before Ashiel’s.
The two children, being the same age, turned even the smallest matters into competitions.
She’s so competitive… perhaps she’ll receive Morrigan’s blessing, just like Gale.
Throughout the continent of Padeo, children of noble and royal families underwent the Blessing Ceremony upon turning five.
If one of the Five Gods judged a child’s talent and character worthy, the child would receive divine power.
Gale had received the blessing of Morrigan, Goddess of Protection, and thus walked the path of the sword.
If Ashiel received the same blessing…
Gale would probably be so excited that he’d immediately give her one of his own swords.
“You’ve arrived.”
The High Priest Teano of Beltio Temple was famous throughout the kingdom for conducting Blessing Ceremonies.
Ever since the Countess had decided to raise Ashiel as her own daughter, she had reserved today’s ceremony.
Back then…
Even Teano, accustomed to countless requests, had thought the Countess unusually eager.
Just how precious could this child possibly be?
But the instant he saw Ashiel…
His stern face softened.
“She’s far more adorable than the rumors suggested.”
Having blessed countless children, even Teano couldn’t help but admire her.
Knowing he wasn’t the sort of man to offer empty compliments, the Countess smiled brightly.
“Very well.”
“Let us begin the Blessing Ceremony.”
Standing before the baptismal font, Teano faced Ashiel, who remained in the Countess’s arms.
Novice priests carried forward a golden basin.
The holy water inside shimmered as fragments of sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows.
“Ahem.”
After clearing his throat, High Priest Teano gently placed a hand upon Ashiel’s head.
The solemn atmosphere seemed unfamiliar to her.
She squirmed restlessly.
The Countess softly soothed her, and Ashiel burrowed even deeper into her embrace.
“O Five Gods of Etuar, who bestow unseen divine power…”
“Before you stands a child who has reached the promised age.”
A gentle blue light spread from Teano’s hand resting upon Ashiel’s head.
Everyone watching fell silent before the sacred sight.
Only Ashiel herself seemed uncomfortable, whining restlessly beneath the holy light.
“Grant that this fragile child may soar with an eternal soul…”
“Waaah!”
Before Teano could even finish the prayer, Ashiel burst into loud sobs.
The Countess hurriedly patted her back in comfort.
Ashiel had never cried this hard—not even when quarreling with her friends.
That only made her more worried.
What could possibly be making her so distressed?
“My apologies, High Priest.”
“Countess.”
The Countess came to her senses and hastily apologized.
Teano wore a stunned expression.
It was understandable.
Any priest would be caught off guard if the child undergoing the sacred ceremony suddenly erupted into tears.
The Countess herself felt close to crying.
“I shall arrange another date…”
“There will be no need.”
“You won’t have to return.”
