Published: September 6, 2025
Following Lord Hartmut's voice, Lady Rosemine began walking with a slow, elegant gait. As she made her way toward the altar, I had a clear view of her from the front.
Amidst the colorful cloaks of the territory lords, Lady Rosemine, dressed entirely in white, stood out remarkably. The word "serene" perfectly described the atmosphere she exuded as she slowly advanced between the kneeling crowd. Her gaze was fixed on the altar, seemingly oblivious to everything else.
What further accentuated the purity of her white attire was her hair, swaying gently in the color of the night sky. There, like a testament of love from her fiancé, a hair ornament made of iridescent mana stones shimmered like stars, swaying with each step. I had never seen such a magnificent hair ornament adorned with mana stones.
...I wish I could someday meet a gentleman who would give me such a wonderful mana stone gift.
My older sister often tells me to stop dreaming and face reality, and I understand that, ultimately, I will marry someone chosen by my parents. But since I can still indulge in dreams now, isn’t it okay to immerse myself in them a little longer?
...Though it seems I am the only one who shares such thoughts, aside from Lady Muliera.
While I indulged in the pleasant time of discussing love stories with her, Lady Rosemine reached the slightly cleared space at the center. Looking up at the altar behind me, she softly raised both hands toward the heavens as if offering prayers to the gods.
I had heard that raising both hands and lifting the left foot when praying to the gods was to draw closer to the supreme deity who governs the lofty sky, while placing hands on the ground when giving thanks was to honor the five great gods who oversee the vast earth. Although I had never fully understood this form of prayer, seeing Lady Rosemine perform it gave me a faint sense of clarity.
"Aerdegrahl."
Lady Rosemine summoned her stave in her raised right hand. With golden eyes fixed on the altar, she chanted in a youthful, high-pitched voice. The stave transformed into a large golden Holy Grail—the same kind that Gedrurihi held on the altar.
The large golden Holy Grail, seemingly too big for Lady Rosemine to carry, had a massive mana stone embedded in it. The stone was transparent, and the intricate carvings on the Grail were perfectly replicated, causing everyone to hold their breath.
“Gedrurihi’s Holy Grail...”
Because the room was filled with silence, a small whisper sounded unusually loud.
Since Lady Rosemine and I were in the same year and shared practical lessons, I had heard that, having grown up in the temple, she could craft no weapons or armor other than divine relics. However, I never expected she could create not only weapons but even a Holy Grail.
...A Holy Grail is neither a weapon nor armor, right? How could she possibly know the spell to transform her stave into it? Is such knowledge accessible within the temple?
I tilted my head in wonder, and I could tell my older sister, beside me, was holding her breath. Having seen Lady Rosemine summon a round shield and perform blessings while playing the Fischpiel during music practice, I might be somewhat accustomed to such feats.
...Though my sister always says my reports are “exaggerated,” I think she might finally realize they are not.
Lord Hartmut took the large Holy Grail from Lady Rosemine’s hands and gently placed it down.
Then both Lord Hartmut and Lady Rosemine knelt. Lady Rosemine’s figure disappeared from my line of sight, replaced by a melodic prayer beginning to resonate.
“I am one who offers prayers and gratitude to the gods who created this world.”
Recalling being instructed to repeat after Lady Rosemine, I hastily opened my mouth.
“I am one who offers prayers and gratitude to the gods who created this world.”
Because everyone started at different times and speeds, the collective voices were uneven and somewhat jarring. After all voices faded and silence returned, Lady Rosemine continued.