Holy Mo?ther (1)
Holy Mo?ther (1)
The canonization took place quickly, just as the archbishop had said.
The venue for the canonization was the Grand Cathedral at the center of the Erteria diocese, packed with high-ranking clergy gathered for the ceremony.
The plaza in front of the cathedral was just as crowded.
It was filled not only with laity but also ordinary civilians, making the space feel oppressive just to observe.
The canonization had begun mere days after the archbishop first broached the subject.
To be precise, it had been fewer than four days since the outbreak began and was suppressed.
"From the Order's standpoint, promoting this quickly is advantageous."
It seemed rushed, and indeed it was.
"Promoting it?"
"It's publicity. 'Something major happened, but look how fine we are~' That sort of thing. For a religious group that constantly needs new converts, external perception is especially critical."
A-rin smiled gently and stroked the ends of my hair.
"It matters internally too. If our image collapses, even existing followers might leave."
"Aha."
The archbishop had explained it in those terms. He wanted to show that the Order was intact as quickly as possible.
I nodded, and A-rin suddenly grinned.
"And thanks to a certain Thunder God, the frontlines and even civilian sectors are genuinely intact."
[Gyaaah...! Please don't say things like that...!]
"Ah, aah, okay. I'll stop teasing, so hold still! Your hair's getting mussed."
When I shook my freshly styled hair, A-rin hurriedly apologized and held my head with both hands.
She swallowed a relieved sigh and resumed smoothing my hair.
"The high-ranking clergy and followers who'd spread across the globe happened to be gathered, and the situation really is perfectly intact, so we can promote it confidently."
"Mmhm..."
In short, there were practical motives at play.
That didn't offend me. The archbishop had already explained it, and Lee Ha-sol herself had consented.
Above all, canonizing Lee Ha-sol while she was still alive had been under discussion for some time.
They knew her connection to me as a special admission cadet, and while a full canonization had been premature, various discussions had taken place.
After the joint announcement by the Association and Siyoram, and once I'd stopped the Towers of Bitter Cold and the Dead, the discussions had apparently centered firmly on a "living canonization."
"Mmmhm..."
[Patting feels nice]
[Happy]
[Floating]
My attention drifted from the explanation to the voice seeping into my ears and the touch stroking my hair.
The touch was no longer merely cool, and the voice dripped with such warm affection that the corners of my mouth rose helplessly.
I closed my eyes and hummed softly. A-rin's eyes curved gently.
Her touch grew more attentive, and the affection steeped in her voice deepened further.
"Anyway, that's the background. Of course, just because there's political intent doesn't mean those people's faith is fake."
The hand stroking my head fell away. I swallowed my regret and opened my eyes to find A-rin studying me carefully.
"Mm, whose child you are I can't say, but you're far too pretty."
"A-rin, you're really pretty too."
A-rin was in ceremonial attire.
A suit-like garment, black with a bluish sheen. I studied her in turn and smiled, which made her laugh die in her throat.
"...My, what am I to do with this bewitching mouth of yours."
"Mweh."
A-rin blinked, then cupped my cheeks and kneaded them gently.
"A-rin, don't tease him too much."
When the mauling continued for a while, Ellia gently intervened.
A-rin pulled back with a smile as if thoroughly satisfied, at which point Ellia reached out and gave my cheek a light squeeze.
"?"
"Yeah, it really is addictive."
Ellia laughed playfully at my expression and kneaded my cheek.
"What, you're tormenting the kid again?"
"It's about to start, so his hair—...should be touched only as long as it doesn't ruin the styling."
"Look how warm his cheeks are. Just like a rice cake."
Yeon-hwa, Master, and Professor Liana all took turns playing with my cheeks.
"Oh..."
Senior Daera, who had been staring blankly into the air, also squeezed my cheek.
Senior Daera had been in that state for the past few days. Seeing my properly manifested Heavenly Thunder seemed to have given her some stimulus.
Even Master, who normally would have scolded her for spacing out, chose not to interfere.
...Though why everyone felt compelled to knead my cheeks was beyond me.
At any rate, as I offered up my cheeks like that, ample chests swayed softly at my eye level.
Now and then they brushed my face or pressed against it. I did think about wanting to touch them too, but I firmly swallowed my regret and deferred it for later.
"Evewyone, schtaying hewe..."
[Wasn't everyone uncomfortable staying here?]
My pronunciation dissolved into mush while my cheeks were being kneaded, so I used the necklace to speak.
"The hospitality has been so excellent that discomfort was out of the question."
"If anything, it's been overly generous. Almost burdensome..."
Professor Liana laughed awkwardly. Master, too, wore a rare, slightly bemused expression as she fiddled with her collar.
"Outside is the same. Getting around without a perception-obstruction magic tool was a struggle."
"At least no one approaches and acts rudely, right?"
"Anyone who looked inclined to try was quietly escorted away."
Master shook her head in disbelief. Professor Liana covered her mouth with her hand, her shoulders trembling slightly.
"Siyoram affiliates are renowned for receiving excellent treatment from the Tower Faith."
"You know that's not the reason."
Master shot a sidelong glance at Professor Liana and then turned back toward me.
Her golden eyes, tinged with pride, maternal affection, and a hint of complexity, looked down at me.
"...So this is what it feels like to enjoy such luxury thanks to a disciple."
"I've been called a queen consort, and now even a god's spouse. Life really is unpredictable."
"Ehem..."
Professor Liana giggled as if she hadn't laughed awkwardly a moment ago. Embarrassed by the remark, I gave a small cough and turned my head toward Seo-yul.
Seo-yul had mostly stayed near Ellia these past few days.
[Seo-yul, nothing was uncomfortable for you either while you were here?]
"No, I was treated with special regard as your daughter too, so please don't worry."
Seo-yul answered with a bright smile. She, too, had shed her armor.
She wore ceremonial attire similar to a suit. Her five-colored wings, folded behind her back, drew a long stretch of attention from onlookers.
I nodded as I observed the long, voluptuous curves that were apparent even through the clothing.
[Whose child you are, I can't say, but you're definitely the prettiest!]
A renewed sentiment.
But the outfit was poor compared to the person wearing it. The clothes weren't bad, but Seo-yul was simply too outstanding.
I'd have to make her a mountain of separate outfits later.
- Rumble...
A low resonance flowed from the ceiling. The clergy inside the Grand Cathedral began to move at the same moment.
"It's starting."
I nodded at A-rin's words as she checked the time.
The archbishop presided over the canonization ceremony.
I didn't know much about canonization rites.
Among the books I had indiscriminately absorbed via observation, there was plenty of knowledge about religion, but this was my first time experiencing it firsthand.
'It's quiet.'
My first impression was that it was quiet. Solemn, to be more precise.
High-ranking clergy, led by the archbishop and cardinals, conducted the initial rites inside the Grand Cathedral.
After offering prayers and performing rituals before a model shaped like a Tower, they proceeded to the space prepared in the outside plaza.
The procedure differed from the norm, but since the very concept of canonization—bestowing the title of saint upon a deceased person—was itself atypical, this was only natural.
There was no sound of instruments blatantly blaring as in ordinary ceremonies.
Mindful of the commotion, I didn't go outside separately and instead watched via observation from within the cathedral.
'She's here.'
After several tens of minutes had passed, another door opened inside the cathedral and Lee Ha-sol walked out calmly.
A loose, billowing white robe that reached her ankles.
A light overgarment draped over her shoulders as if to vaguely conceal her ample curves, her pale-green hair braided and tied to one side and resting gently on her shoulder.
Neat and immaculate attire without any particular ornamentation.
But harmonized with Lee Ha-sol's presence, it gave an impression as soft and gentle as clouds.
As she walked out of the Grand Cathedral, Lee Ha-sol's eyes turned.
Her gaze naturally found me.
The faint smile on Lee Ha-sol's lips deepened. The corners of her mouth rose softly, and her eyes curved gently downward.
Lee Ha-sol, who had gazed at me with tender eyes, eventually resumed walking, given that she was in the middle of the canonization.
"Tch."
I heard someone click their tongue softly. I pretended not to hear and nodded.
Observing Lee Ha-sol, the canonization seemed as if it would proceed without incident.
'Still, just in case.'
I manifested the innate talent condensed inside me and gestured with my hand.
The innate talent of Heavenly Thunder surged high, dyeing the sky.
I took a moment to imitate Gale with Homogenization, pushing distant fog and cloud-like impediments far away to clear any obstructive weather. Done.
'Good.'
I lowered my hand with a beaming smile.
Bright sunlight streamed down from the clear, open sky, and a cool breeze descended generously upon the earth.
The weather was perfectly, perfectly lovely.
* * *
The canonization proceeded quite smoothly in reality.
Several procedures were altered or added due to the peculiarity of a living canonization, but the proceedings flowed without a hitch.
The archbishop recounted the life of Lee Ha-sol, who had looked after Lee Ha-yul since childhood, and on behalf of the faithful expressed sentiments of reverence and praise.
Then the archbishop formally declared the canonization, and with that, Lee Ha-sol was elevated as the Tower Faith's sole "living saint."
"Wow, to think I'd see the living Holy Mother in the flesh!"
"Uwaah... Really, please stop!"
A spacious reception room inside the Grand Cathedral.
At Ellia's teasing, Lee Ha-sol recoiled and shook her head. Her hair and veil rippled together in harmony.
Lee Ha-sol rubbed her forearm with an awkward expression.
"Oof, oof... Hearing it from someone else's mouth is really so strange!"
"Why, the title's wonderful. Holy Mother Lee Ha-sol..."
Hong Yeon-hwa shrugged. Lee Ha-sol stared at her for a moment, then nodded.
"That's true. It wouldn't be wrong to say I practically raised little Ha-yul myself, so I'm worthy of being called Ha-yul's mother."
Hong Yeon-hwa's lips twitched.
"...Old lady."
Lee Ha-sol's lips twitched.
"What do you mean, old lady? I've just barely entered my twenties."
"You're older than me."
"That's a very dangerous remark."
"Why are you picking a fight on a good day?"
Atra, her eyes ticking to the corner, glared at Hong Yeon-hwa.
"She's right. I'm all for joking around, but wouldn't it be better to offer congratulations today?"
When even Liana turned to the opposing side, Hong Yeon-hwa furrowed her brows.
Baek A-rin glanced back but maintained her observant stance a step behind. Ellia kept a beaming smile and stayed neutral.
[Ehem, hem hem hem]
Lee Ha-yul let out an ostentatious throat-clearing through the necklace, subtly drawing attention.
As Lee Ha-sol's gaze latched onto him as well, Lee Ha-yul placed both hands behind his back and trotted over to her.
"Ahem?"
With a smile hinting at hopeful expectation, Lee Ha-sol tilted her head.
Arriving before her, Lee Ha-yul smiled bashfully, then smoothly extended both hands forward.
In his hands was a length of fabric, neatly folded.
A subtle grass-green hue with a semi-transparent texture. The pure and dense mana openly coursing within it brightened the entire vicinity.
[Ta, tadaa...!]
"......"
Lee Ha-sol stared down at it.
Lee Ha-yul swallowed his tension with a gulp and smiled. The winged garment spread behind his back fluttered slightly, unnaturally.
At a glance, there wasn't a shred of ulterior motive.
He was purely offering a gift, his expression so endearingly nervous that she might dislike it.
I'd anticipated this, but still, how was I supposed to feel about it?
"Fufu..."
In truth, there was nothing to deliberate.
Lee Ha-sol let out a soft laugh and accepted the proffered winged garment. Lee Ha-yul, who had been gulping nervously, beamed.
The winged garment, its owner already designated, fluttered as if delighted and wrapped itself around Lee Ha-sol.
A sensory connection came with it. When she moved her mana while imagining movement, the winged garment twitched exactly as she intended.
It was a truly novel sensation.
For now, her intent and mana needed to be synchronized, but once she got used to it, she'd be able to move it with intent alone.
Shape and stiffness changes were also possible.
Since it was a gift for Lee Ha-sol, it could also compensate for and amplify Gale's accumulation and output. Each function was so astonishing it left the mouth agape.
"Ha-yul."
[Ehehe]
[Sense of Accomplishment]
[Happy...]
[Yes?]
Right now, the performance didn't particularly matter to Lee Ha-sol.
Lee Ha-yul, who had been grinning happily at Lee Ha-sol's joy, tilted his head.
- Tap
Lee Ha-sol smiled as gently as could be and softly caught his wrist.
"I'll show you the dormitory where I stayed."
[Yes?]
Now? Lee Ha-yul tilted his head quizzically and blinked.
The swaying pale-green winged garment entwined around his wrist.
Though it was clearly her first time using it, hot and sticky emotions seeped through.