Chapter 9:

 The Grand Year-End Prayer Assembly (1)

Hundreds of lavish carriages rolled in one after another, forming a grand procession across the wide grounds behind the temple.

Because the war had prevented the gathering from being held for three years, even the lesser nobles from the provinces had come in droves.

“Lady ○○○! It’s been such a long time. How many years has it been? Is your father, Duke ○○, keeping well?”

“Oh, Duke ○○. Father is doing quite well. He’s spending some time recuperating in the southern region at the moment. I also heard you’ve started a perfume business recently. Is it going well?”

“It’s still too early to say since the war only just ended. But once things gain momentum, I don’t think the returns will be disappointing. If Your Ladyship is interested, I’d be delighted to let you sample the fragrance—”

The temple’s usual peaceful silence had completely disappeared.

Nobles and knights who had not seen one another for years laughed cheerfully, admired each other’s elegant attire, and exchanged lively conversation.

At exactly three o’clock in the afternoon, the bell announcing the start of the Prayer Assembly rang ten times.

The conversations immediately died down as everyone streamed into the Grand Hall.

I was seated on the raised platform reserved for the royal family.

Yes…

Right beside Aquila and Stella.

Today, Sierra had spent days searching for the perfect dress for me—a beautiful white gown adorned with countless sparkling jewels. My hair had been smoothed with scented oil and elegantly tied up with a white lace ribbon.

Anyone who saw me would have thought I was every bit the picture of a noble little princess.

Still…

After becoming accustomed to wearing loose-fitting priestly robes, this dress felt unbearably uncomfortable.

Well…

The real reason I felt so uncomfortable was probably because of the people sitting beside me.

Stella sat stiffly with her hands tightly clasped in her lap, her expression cold and her eyes lowered.

Aquila politely asked how life in the temple was and whether I had experienced any difficulties, but after the obligatory questions, he quickly fell silent.

Personally…

Watching the crowd was much easier than forcing awkward conversation with the enemies from my previous lives.

From my elevated seat, I had an excellent view of the hall.

At the very center burned an enormous blue Sacred Flame—the symbol of Lord Lux’s blessing—which would remain lit throughout the entire ceremony.

Rows upon rows of seats stretched out on either side.

The closer one’s seat was to the front…

The higher one’s rank.

The very first row was the greatest place of honor.

There sat the commanders of Santora’s knightly orders and the heads of the Royal Court Mages.

It wasn’t difficult to spot Phaeon.

He wore an elaborate ceremonial uniform of white cloth embroidered with gold, his chest covered with countless medals and decorations.

Judging from his expression…

He didn’t seem especially close to the person seated beside him either.

As always, he sat with his lips tightly pressed together, staring unwaveringly at the great statue of Lord Lux.

“We will now begin the opening ceremony.”

High Priest Bellus stepped onto the platform.

His voice echoed clearly throughout the hall.

He must have used sound amplification magic.

From the choir seated on the right side of the hall came an energetic hymn.

Everyone stood to sing Santora’s national anthem, followed by a hymn praising Lord Lux.

Only after the songs concluded did the opening ceremony officially end.

“Before proceeding with today’s main service…”

Bellus turned toward the section where Phaeon was seated.

“His Majesty wishes first to honor Santora’s shining heroes, whose extraordinary deeds brought victory in the recent war.”

“Commander Phaeon Parsiel of the Holy Veritas Order of Knights, please come forward as the representative of your order.”

Phaeon strode confidently onto the platform and offered a knight’s salute before the king.

“Sir Parsiel fought on the front lines throughout the past three years. He held the defensive line to protect the capital of Salus, and at the Battle of Nigel Plains, he shattered the enemy’s forces, securing victory for Santora.”

“In recognition of these achievements, we hereby present this commendation.”

King Ferdinand personally fastened a new medal to Phaeon’s chest.

Thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall.

Many noble ladies gazed at him dreamily.

It wasn’t difficult to understand why.

His graceful, almost divine features…

Combined with the perfectly tailored ceremonial uniform that emphasized his lean, powerful physique…

Were enough to captivate the hearts of countless women.

But…

Something else caught my attention.

A considerable number of nobles were glaring at him with undisguised hostility.

I blinked in surprise.

Before my regression…

I’d never paid enough attention to notice.

There had actually been nobles who openly hated him?

They’re practically trying to shoot mana from their eyes.

The members of Santora’s four marquis houses in particular…

Along with several counts…

Watched him with expressions of open contempt.

Naturally…

None of them applauded.

How did he earn so much resentment?

It wasn’t unheard of for nobles to clash with the temple…

But perhaps he’d been just as blunt and tactless toward powerful aristocrats as he was toward everyone else.

As I quietly entertained various theories…

The award ceremony came to an end.

“Next…”

“Let us observe a moment of silence for those who gave their lives for Santora.”

Soft, solemn music filled the hall.

Quiet sobbing could be heard from every direction.

Many noble families had lost sons, daughters, relatives, and friends who had served as knights or support mages during the war.

Their grief had not yet faded.

“We were granted victory through Lord Lux’s blessing…”

King Ferdinand began solemnly.

“But the cost was immense.”

“For the foreseeable future, both the royal family and the temple will devote themselves entirely to rebuilding our nation.”

“If everyone gathered here lends us their strength…”

“Then we, the Chosen People, shall achieve prosperity greater than ever before.”

His voice rang with unwavering resolve.

“The royal family lost Princess Beatrice during the war.”

Pain filled the king’s voice.

He had lost the child he cherished most.

“But before she departed this world…”

“She left behind a new life.”

“It is my great honor to introduce her daughter to all of you today.”

A wave of murmurs swept through the Grand Hall.

The mysterious princess, who until now had existed only as rumor…

Was finally being presented before the nobility.

Bellus approached to escort me.

I took his hand and walked with him toward the center of the platform.

“I present to you…”

“Princess Anastasia.”

My entire body stiffened.

My heart pounded so violently it felt ready to burst.

In my previous life…

Whenever I attended gatherings this large…

I could never escape the contemptuous stares.

No one ever approached me.

No one spoke to me.

I used to wonder bitterly why no one had ever invented a spell that could make a person invisible.

“We shall now perform the ceremony in which Lord Lux bestows upon Princess Anastasia her blessed name.”

Holding my hand, Bellus led me toward the Sacred Flame.

I could feel countless burning eyes upon me.

But I refused to look around.

I kept my back straight…

My gaze fixed firmly ahead.

I refused to let them see me falter.

When we reached the Sacred Flame…

Bellus lit a golden ceremonial torch and placed it carefully into my hands.

It was surprisingly heavy.

Holding it with both hands, I cautiously made my way back toward the platform.

At the center stood a large bronze brazier filled with ancient wooden name tablets inscribed in the language of antiquity.

Once I transferred the Sacred Flame to the brazier…

Bellus would sprinkle holy water over it.

Afterward…

The single clean tablet that remained unburned would reveal my middle name.

Originally…

My mother should have performed this ritual for me.

But…

She was no longer here.

So I would perform it myself.

Carefully…

I tilted the Sacred Torch toward the brazier.

Then—

Whoosh!

The blue flame…

Suddenly went out.

“…!”

Gasps echoed throughout the hall.

Whispers erupted from every direction.

Never before…

Not once in history…

Had the Sacred Flame gone out during the ceremonial procession.

…Magic.

I’d been so nervous that I hadn’t noticed it before.

But now…

I could sense a faint trace of mana lingering around the torch.

Aquila.

There was no doubt.

He had tampered with it.

“An ill omen!”

Someone shouted loudly from among the audience.

The voice was loud enough for even me to hear.

The hall instantly erupted into uncontrollable murmuring.

Bellus looked completely flustered.

There was only one option…

I would have to walk all the way back to the Sacred Flame…

Relight the torch…

And endure everyone’s whispers the entire way.

I have to choose.

I possessed the knowledge and experience of countless previous lives.

But…

Every time I acted differently from before…

The future changed in ways I couldn’t predict.

I’d planned to live quietly until I turned eight…

In my previous lives…

Aquila had only begun moving against me in earnest after my eighth birthday.

No matter how ruthless he was…

Openly persecuting a four-year-old child would attract too much public criticism.

Until then…

He had kept himself restrained.

Even now…

He feared the temple more than he feared me.

I’d intended to hide my abilities for as long as possible.

…But if you’re going to play this dirty…

Then I don’t have much choice.

Those few seconds felt like eternity.

I focused…

Guiding the mana within my body to the tips of my fingers.

Then I softly whispered the activation word.

“Igniárĭus.”

Whoosh!

Blue flames instantly burst back to life atop the Sacred Torch.

The whispers transformed into cries of amazement.

“The Sacred Flame lit itself again!”

“Is it a miracle?! A miracle from Lord Lux?!”

“No—it was magic! I clearly saw the princess recite a spell!”

“Impossible… Elemental magic at her age? A miracle would be easier to believe, Duke Drake!”

The atmosphere shifted instantly.

Fear gave way to astonishment.

King Ferdinand stared at me with his mouth hanging open.

Stella had already leapt to her feet.

Even Aquila’s composed expression had vanished.

His face had gone rigid.

His grip on the armrests had become so tight that his knuckles turned white.

“Everyone, please remain calm.”

“We shall continue the ceremony.”

Bellus raised his voice to restore order.

“…I had heard rumors that Your Highness could use magic.”

“But…”

“Even seeing it with my own eyes…”

“I can scarcely believe it.”

He whispered quietly.

I answered only with a faint smile.

Then I lowered the torch toward the brazier.

The fire spread rapidly across the wooden tablets.

After waiting a short while…

Bellus sprinkled holy water over the flames.

He carefully searched through the blackened remains…

Then withdrew a single untouched name tablet.

“…Her Highness’s blessed name is…”

Gulp.

Please… let it be a good one.

“Lumière.”

The moment Bellus read the inscription aloud…

The Grand Hall exploded into another uproar.

“Lumière?!”

“How excessive!”

“Why would anyone even place such a name among the sacred tablets? It’s practically blasphemous!”

Lumière was one of the ancient names used to refer to Lord Lux.

In ancient times…

The deity had been known by many different names.

…Even I wasn’t expecting something this excessive.

Whether this would prove to be a blessing…

Or a curse…

I couldn’t yet tell.

“From this day forward…”

“Her Highness shall bear the name…”

“Anastasia Lumière Entimos (Ἀναστασία Lumière ἔντιμος).”

“We shall now offer the prayer of blessing—”

“One moment.”

A voice suddenly interrupted Bellus.

Interrupting a sacred ceremony was an act of grave disrespect.

The entire audience turned toward the speaker in shock.

“…Forgive my discourtesy in this holy place.”

“But I…”

“Stein Orléans, Head of House Orléans and Prime Minister of Santora…”

“Cannot recognize this ceremony.”

The man who had interrupted rose from his seat.

An elderly noble with sharp silver hair…

Marquis Orléans.

One of the people I needed to be most wary of.

Because…

He belonged to Aquila’s faction.

“…May I ask your reason, Duke Orléans?”

Bellus asked cautiously.

“I have yet to hear an official declaration from the royal family regarding Her Highness’s father.”

His voice was cold and unwavering.

“According to the rumors circulating throughout the kingdom…”

“…Is it true that the princess’s father is a mercenary from Calyssa?”