Celestial Festival.
An annual public prayer gathering dedicated to Goddess Serena.
Truth be told, though officially it’s a prayer meeting, aside from a few events in the middle, it’s more of a festival that everyone enjoys.
The opening ceremony begins when Serena’s warrior, me, and her spokesperson, Mariel, make the announcement.
As the saying goes, beginnings are always important. Thus, it’s hardly surprising that Mariel, standing beside me right now, feels tense as we approach the start of the opening ceremony.
Although Mariel has been revered and respected as a Saint for a few years now, appearing in front of such a large audience is a first for her.
Even more, this Celestial Festival is the first since the era of the previous generation’s Hero where both a Hero and a Saint are attending together.
On the contrary, if seen from the perspective of an ordinary student, it might appear more unusual for someone like me to be standing so calmly instead.
“…Keep walking straight to stand in front of the goddess statue, then the next line is…”
Turning my head at the sound beside me, I see Mariel repeating softly to herself with her head down, as if running a simulation in her mind.
It’s hard to imagine this given her normal energetic, confident, and friendly personality.
Tension isn’t necessarily all bad, but there’s no real need to be nervous even in a situation like this.
So, what should I do to ease Mariel’s tension?
At times like this, what’s needed isn’t tranquilizers or magic that promises peace of mind.
Coo.
Simply letting her know that I’m beside her, and that she’s not alone, is enough.
When I firmly grab her ever-so-slightly trembling hand, Mariel startles and looks up at me.
Showing her our intertwined hands at eye-level, I catch her gaze.
Mariel’s eyes briefly shift to our hands, then back up to meet mine.
I give her a warm smile, and after blinking a couple of times, she returns with an even brighter smile.
The subtle trembling I felt through her hand gradually subsides.
That’s it. There’s no need for grand measures to relieve someone’s tension.
Just familiarity that dispels the unknown, warmth in one kind word that relaxes a rigid spirit, or the small comfort of knowing I’m with her — these are enough for anyone to overcome their tension.
At least, that’s what I’ve learned. There were times in the past when facing a commander of the Demon King’s Army that I was overly nervous; it was often through gestures like this that I’d receive help.
I throw a joke her way with a smirk.
“Instead of worrying so much, why not just try making a mistake? I think it might even increase the Saint’s popularity.”
While jokes and humor can indeed be effective in reducing tension, throwing a joke now at Mariel, who’s already long past being tense, isn’t really necessary.
There’s no other reason except that I simply want to have some playful banter.
Having found enough ease to join in on the banter, Mariel smirks slightly at me before speaking.
“Hmm? If the Hero says so… you should be prepared, then? To see just how astute our Hero is.”
I should’ve stopped when I saw the tension was gone, but stepping in just one more time triggered Mariel’s playful side.
Though slightly worrying, Mariel has no intention of ruining the opening ceremony, so it shouldn’t be an issue.
“Right now! Let’s go, both of you!”
Following the cue from the staff, Mariel and I start walking slowly, carrying a sense of reverence, while also enjoying this moment.
I carry the Holy Sword at my waist, while Mariel carries the sacred artifact of the temple, the Holy Scroll, in one hand, and we walk step by step.
Since it’s the pre-dawn morning, the surroundings are still quite dark.
Thus, magical lighting illuminates Mariel and me.
As we walk, the magical lighting gradually dims, while the rising sunlight increasingly brightens our path.
Taking one step at a time, and climbing a few steps, we finally arrive in front of the central statue of Goddess Serena.
While other goddess statues portray her in different ways, this one is uniquely shaped.
In one hand, the statue holds a sword in the same shape as the one hanging at my waist. In the other, it holds a Holy Scroll identical to the one Mariel carries.
As I draw the Holy Sword and channel its power, the sword emits a bright light, conspicuous even against the morning twilight.
When the glowing Holy Sword touches the sword held by the Goddess statue, the sword’s light transfers to the statue.
Subsequently, Mariel ignites the Holy Scroll in her hand and lights the scroll in the other hand of the statue.
The violent flames of the Holy Scroll soon stabilize into a gentle glow.
“Bless the Hero who drives away the darkness from the continent.”
“Bless the Saint who enlightens the continent with light.”
Mariel and I, each holding a sacred artifact, look at each other and exchange blessings.
Normally, we would move on to the next step from here, but unlike the rehearsal, Mariel pauses and slowly extends her hand, palm upward, contrary to what was planned.
I can sense the staff around us getting flustered by her unscheduled action.
Of course, the audience doesn’t know this gesture wasn’t pre-arranged.
However, if I hesitate even slightly here, everyone will soon catch on.
Mariel smirks at me in a way only I can see.
In response to her playful smile, I similarly smirk and kneel on one knee.
I gently take the hand she extends, lightly kiss her palm, and pray to bless the Saint.
After a brief moment, her hand lowers, then rises again to softly cup my cheek.
Leaning forward, she lightly kisses my forehead, mirroring what I did to her, bestowing the Saint’s blessing to the Hero.
As her lips leave my forehead, she whispers quietly so only I can hear.
“Good job, Hero.”
Well, lucky me for being so perceptible; otherwise, this might’ve become an event mishap.
The sun, which had been lingering at the horizon, now fully rises, spreading blue hues across a red canvas.
Standing up, Mariel and I turn towards the crowd and speak in loud voices.
Though the crowd at the back likely can’t hear us, the sound team’s mage will handle that part.
“The Sword of the Goddess shall never break; with it, all obstacles shall be severed.”
“The touch of the Goddess shall not be denied; with it, all suffering shall be embraced.”
This blessing soon transforms into a declaration meant not only for all participants but for everyone across the continent.
It’s a prayer to Goddess Serena and a proclamation to the Demon King and his demonic subjects who seek to cover the world in darkness.
So let all the lambs who hear this prayer take heart; the Goddess Serena is always by your side.
So let all the children of evil who hear this prayer tremble in fear; the Sword of Goddess Serena is ever pointed at your necks.
“Thus, let there be peace in the Beltlin Continent.”
The final declaration concludes, and the Celestial Festival officially begins.
Amidst the bustling crowd that’s maintained a silence so far, wild cheers erupt.
Despite starting this early in the day and no overt threat present, everyone must have been subconsciously worried about the Demon King’s revival.
This event must have alleviated much of that anxiety, thus allowing this brightness to shine once more.
“Shall we finish without any more slip-ups?”
Mariel extends the hand she previously kissed me with.
I take it, and we slowly retrace our steps.
“So, Hero, do you have other plans after the opening ceremony?”
Still looking my way while walking, Mariel speaks in a voice only I can hear.
“Hmm… Since a friend is busy with a competition starting tomorrow, we agreed to spend today together.”
Off in the distance, I see Anne waving enthusiastically while hopping up and down.
Despite being the shortest, she somehow grabs the most attention.
“Then what about tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow, I have plans with a different friend.”
Next to Anne, Yuli stands quietly, with calm manners unlike Anne, and waves with a smile.
“Then the next day?”
“Ah… I also have plans with another friend that day…”
Beside Yuli stands Celian.
I notice our eyes meet as I glance her way.
Yet, she appears somewhat dissatisfied and pouts slightly.
I thought I did a good job displaying the necessary qualities of a Hero during the opening ceremony, but perhaps from Celian’s perspective, who knows so much about being a Hero, I came off as somewhat lacking?
I’ll need to ask her when we spend the day together.
“Um… and next?”
“Yes.”
For the same question and answer multiple times, why do I feel guilty?
Still, they are all facts, so what can I do? Besides, I do have plans to spend the fourth day with our adorable Boss.
“Hero must feel so popular with all these friends, right?”
Mariel’s voice starts with acceptance but then carries a teasing undertone by the end, pricking my conscience.
I don’t know why my conscience is troubled, but let’s address the immediate issue.
“Bu, but the following day is free! Would you like to spend it together?”
Though it’s technically free, I was originally planning to spend it with my friends.
Still, one day might be okay, right? The interaction between the Hero and the Saint is important.
“Hero certainly has many sins to atone for.”
Having walked the entire way back, we finally return to the staff room, out of sight of the public.
As soon as our view from others is blocked, Mariel returns to her usual energetic self from the serene Saint image.
“What?! Being clueless is also part of Hero’s charm!”
Clueless? Who? Me? Wasn’t I the one who handled her earlier joke with finesse?
This is something I completely can’t agree with.
“Well, well. I saw your friends waiting just now, so go on ahead. I’ll happily wait for my turn.”
But before I can even begin to excuse myself, Mariel pushes me out with a pat on the back.
“Good luck, Hero. Have a wonderful Celestial Festival.”
“Thanks. You too, Saint. I’ll be sure to see you on our agreed-upon day.”
“Hmm… Suddenly I feel like a Princess waiting for Hero to come save me? Just don’t make me wait too long, alright?”
I wave at the now teasing Mariel and head towards where my friends are waiting.
