Chapter 113: Engagement Ceremony

The next afternoon, the Viscount’s family appeared at the church. It was to conduct the engagement ceremony between Isamu and Anne Marie.

After discussions in the morning, it was decided that Isamu would formally join the Viscount’s family, and the announcement of the engagement would be kept within the Viscount’s family for now, to be publicly announced after the Grand Council.

So today’s event is more like administrative procedures to be conducted among family members only.

“Welcome, everyone. And congratulations on this occasion.”

As they entered the church, they were greeted by Benedict, the chief priest, dressed in ceremonial attire worn only during ceremonies.

Since they had sent someone to clear out the church in the morning, the interior was enveloped in silence.

“Thank you, Benedict. As you know, this is an engagement between the eldest child of a noble family, so it won’t end with just vows at the church… Since the Grand Council is imminent, it’s better to get this done quickly.”

Although his response was courteous, Selfers seemed a bit restless, his tone slightly hurried.

As Selfers mentioned, the engagement of the eldest child of a noble family requires the king’s approval. However, unless it’s someone entirely unsuitable, it’s unlikely to be rejected, serving as a final line of defense.

By the way, in the past hundred years, there have been only two rejections: one when trying to engage with a noble family from an enemy nation, and the other when trying to engage with a criminal who had killed family members to inherit titles.

Since Isamu is neither a criminal nor someone who would raise objections because of his status as a wanderer, and since the Viscount’s family is of lower nobility, it seems to be purely a formality.

“I understand. However, to conduct the engagement ceremony between Anne Marie-san, whom I have known since childhood, and Isamu-san, a wanderer, here… this is beyond my expectations.”

Saying so, Benedict also seemed pleased, but as a cunning chief priest, he was probably calculating something in his mind.

“Well then, please come this way, both of you.”

After a brief conversation, Isamu and Anne Marie were prompted by Benedict to ascend to the altar.

There were three statues enshrined on the altar. In the center was a particularly large statue of the goddess of creation, Meltina, with smaller statues of the forest goddess Diaresis and the god of smithing, Brigrite, on either side.

And…

“Nya~fu…”

Orihime, who jumped off Isamu shoulder, tilted her head while poking at something, which turned out to be Orihime’s divine figure sitting at Meltina’s feet, at the base of the statue of the creation goddess.

It was twice the size of the actual Orihime, perhaps to match Meltina’s scale. Also, it seemed to be made entirely of white fur to balance with the stone statues of the goddesses, although it was a stuffed animal.

“…So you’ve already enshrined her.”

Isamu chuckled as he saw it.

“Yes, indeed, indeed. It’s only natural for a hero who saved the territory. The faithful who come to pray also speak highly of her. Thanks to that, the distribution of household divine figures… I mean, the distribution is going very smoothly.”

Benedict answered with a smile.

Thanks to the production system established at the church, distribution of the divine figures, or rather stuffed animals, had begun some time ago.

Currently, distribution was limited to the capital, but production commissioned by the Viscount’s family at Count Bisseling’s residence, another allied family, had recently begun, so it would soon spread to the surrounding areas.

Additionally, production of household shrines, or rather dollhouses, was also starting in the Jansen Viscount territory, another allied family, so that would soon become a topic as well.

“I see. That’s impressive… Well then, if Orihime’s popularity is spreading, it’s not bad. Now, let’s get back to the engagement ceremony.”

Stopping himself from thinking too deeply about Orihime’s cuteness, Isamu returned to the conversation

“Now both of you, please place your hands here.”

On a pedestal set before the statues of the goddesses were what looked like crystal balls used during their previous appraisal session, and two thick parchment papers.

As instructed by Benedict, the two of them placed their hands on the crystal ball-like objects.

“Now, let us begin the engagement ceremony.”

With that declaration, Benedict stood beside the pedestal and bowed deeply to the goddess statues.

“To the goddess Meltina, who watches over the world, and to the goddess Diaresis and Brigrite, who watch over this land, I humbly offer my respects. In the presence of Isamu Matsumoto and Anne Marie Klaufeldt, who stand before us today, I, Benedict, a faithful servant of the gods, shall conduct the auspicious engagement ceremony.”

As Benedict spoke these words, the crystal balls under Isamu and Anne Marie’s hands began to emit a faint light. Holding their breath, they watched as the statues before them also began to glow softly.

After confirming this, Benedict turned to Isamu and Anne Marie.

“I ask Isamu Matsumoto: Can you swear before the gods that your engagement with Anne Marie Klaufeldt is sincere and eternal, as the days and months align in the heavens?”

“Yes, I swear.”

“I ask Anne Marie Klaufeldt: Can you swear before the gods that your engagement with Isamu Matsumoto is sincere and eternal, as the mountains and rivers meet on the earth?”

“Yes, I swear.”

“To confirm the sincerity of both parties’ oaths without falsehood, in the name of the faithful Benedict, and to request approval of their engagement in the name of the goddess’, I humbly ask.”

After receiving the oaths of Isamu and Anne Marie, Benedict continued his speech.

At this point, the surface of the parchment paper on the pedestal began to emit light, and Benedict offered Isamu a pen.

“Now, Matsumoto-san, Klaufeldt-san, please sign here.”

There were signature lines for both of them on the parchment paper, where they signed.

After they finished signing, the brightness of the parchment paper intensified even further. It was so dazzling that it was painful to keep their eyes open.

When the brightness subsided, three crests were embossed on the parchment paper. One was the same as the one at the entrance of the church, the crest of the goddess Meltina, while the other two were likely the crests of Diaresis and Brigrite.

“Oh, so here and now, the engagement of both of you is hastened ‘Apostle, there is no need to rush like that,’ isn’t it?”

Probably overlapping with Benedict, who seemed to be trying to say closing words, a voice resounded directly in their heads.

Even Benedict, caught off guard by the sudden occurrence, couldn’t keep up with the situation.

“I-Isamu-san, what’s with this way of hearing voices!?”

“…It’s the same as when we encountered Rusarsa-sama, so it’s probably no mistake. I think it’s one of the goddesses.”

Since the way the voice reached them was similar to when they encountered what they believed to be the goddess Rusarsa on the ship, the two of them quickly realized.

“The beloved child of the most youngest god is finally engaged, it would be uncouth not to include her name, you see? Now, hurry and engrave the name.”

“Nya-nyan!”

At the voice that reached them again, Orihime, who was at their feet, jumped onto the pedestal in a bound. She had somehow turned completely golden.

“Nya-fu.”

With a lackluster meow, Orihime touched the two sheets of parchment paper with her right forepaw as if pressing her seal. In response, the parchment paper emitted light once again.

When Isamu and Anne Marie cautiously peeked, they saw that beside the three embossed crests from earlier, a golden paw print had been added.

“Hehe, it’s good, it’s good. Proceed as you wish from now on.”

“Nya-fu~~”

In response to the voice of the goddess, Orihime rubbed her cheeks against Isamu and Anne Marie alternately.

They felt as if they heard the goddess’s joyful laughter once again, but after that, there were no more voices, and the light from the parchment paper and crystal subsided.

“Haha, Orihime also approved, huh. Thank you!”

While patting Orihime’s head, who was still rubbing her cheeks, Isamu said.

“Thank you for the lovely emblem, Orihime-chan!!”

Anne Marie also gently stroked Orihime’s throat.

“Well, with that, the engagement ceremony is over—wait, what was that just now!?”

“Ah, well, I guess that’s how it goes.”

Shrugging, Isamu explained the situation, including what happened on the ship.

“W-What!!? That was the voice of a goddess…? And Orihime-sama also recognized the engagement as a goddess and received a crest!?”

“That’s amazing!! Truly a stroke of luck!!! Today is a momentous day, the day a divine miracle was born!!!”

After hearing the story, Benedict was completely over the moon. Nicolette went to put a stop to it.

“Benedict, I know you understand, but today’s events must absolutely remain confidential.”

“Yes, yes, of course! I swear on my life that I will not do anything to cause trouble for Orihime-sama!”

“…Well, I think you have some sense despite your appearance. But really, it turned out to be quite a typical engagement ceremony for you. Thank you, Orihime-chan.”

After saying this with a hint of exasperation, Nicolette gently stroked Orihime’s head.

“Hahaha, who would have thought that a goddess would stamp the emblem right in front of us. As always, my son-in-law does something remarkable.”

Selfers laughed heartily, thoroughly enjoying himself.

“That’s amazing, Isamu-niisama!! It’s the first time I’ve heard the voice of a goddess!! As expected of my brother!!”

Julius looked up at Isamu with sparkling eyes, as if he were seeing a hero.

And so, with an unexpected appearance by the cat goddess, the engagement ceremony of Isamu and Anne Marie came to an end.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter