553 Twenty-two days of the green moon ① ~ Baptism ~

22nd of the Green Moon.

We were headed for Castle Town again.

To be baptized by Western God in a place called the Cathedral of Castle Town.

Three days will be devoted to the liturgy of baptism, and today was its last day. Since the day of the meeting was the eighteenth day of the green moon, only one day of preparation was to be decided immediately.

On the first day, thirteen families were to come to Baptism, with Luu and Sauti as their parent muscles.

The second day is the 11 clans, the blood of Zaza, Ravitz and Sung, and the last day is today the 13 clans except that. Breakdown included Fou, Baim, Gaz, Ratz, Die, and Fa blood families.

Of course, if that's all the clans get together, they'll be around 200 people, so they're in a step of splitting in half in the morning and afternoon. The house of Fa was the morning ministry, and it was the folks of the clan who took Fou and Die as their parent muscles to the castle town together.

The means of travel is a two-headed Totos car prepared in the castle town. It was a spectacular word to see all ten such tototoss cars coming to the forestside settlement.

"You're finally celebrating this day. I never imagined we'd set foot in the castle."

When Sarris Lang-Fou, in the same Totos car, said so in a faintly trembling voice, Ai-Fa replied, "It doesn't matter".

"At any rate, we're in a luggage truck until we get to a place like that cathedral. Every now and again, I've set foot in the castle town, but I've never walked the road on my own feet."

"Yeah, you are. My parents said the same thing... but I knew my chest was going to make a fuss."

"It doesn't matter," Ai-Fa repeated.

In its arms, Aim-Fou is held a bit. Aim-Fou, only two years old, never disturbed his mind in this every act, and with his usual innocence he was teasing his fingers at Ai-fa's hair.

"Yesterday and before that, we were able to successfully complete the ritual. The nobles of the king's capital can no longer do evil, so there is no need to guide them."

We have already heard an overview from the people of Luu and Din of what it is like to be baptized by Western gods. It seemed to be a terribly solemn ritual, but it seemed to take less time for one's head, and the story was that there was nothing to be afraid of.

"Besides, we have all these compatriots together. You don't need to be sick about anything?

"Yeah, right. If Ai-Fa were with me, I'd be comfortable too."

With that said, Sallis Run-Fou finally smiled as she grabbed Ai-Fa's hand softly.

In the meantime, Totos cars are in trouble for the Inn Town as soon as possible.

Three days had passed since the day of the meeting, but there had been no strange noise in Inn Town.

The day after the meeting, we were also informed about this ritual of baptism. After the auditors had seen it, they were told that tomorrow they would return to the king's capital with 200 soldiers, so that the people could finally breathe relief.

Also, at the request of Dreg and Ruid, one case of tall on has been roughly informed. It was the contents that one of the auditors was suspected of causing unnecessary disturbance to Genos by turning his royal life around.

I guess it was necessary to make the part widely known that the king of Selva did not allow such a rough imitation. Moreover, it was also to be emphasized that the soldiers had only obeyed the orders of their auditors and that they had no malice and had not touched Morga's contraindications.

(so I guess the Genos people could finally stroke their breasts down too)

Even if I look out the window, I can just find the peaceful sight of the usual. I guess I won't care if as many as ten Totos cars go in line or even on the third day.

Even after passing the lodging town and reaching the castle gate of the castle town, the door of the Totos car could never be opened. Keep crossing over the bounce bridge and continue deep into the castle town. The cathedral was located right next to Castel Genos.

They also have a so-called cathedral in Accommodation Town. But to perform the ritual of transferring God, it was necessary to take a trip to the cathedral of the castle town, which is controlled by the nobility. Furthermore, the result was that it was necessary to report to the Wang Capital according to official documents.

Thus, without being disturbed by anyone, the ten Totos cars marched solemnly - eventually stopping the movement perfectly.

The rear door slowly opens and the voice of the martial officer is delivered from there.

"We have arrived. Step down carefully at your feet."

After entrusting Aim-Fou to his mother's hand, Ai-fa stood up first. I guess we should get ahead of ourselves, familiar with Castle Town first.

When I got out of the car with Ai-Fa, it was still a world of stone.

In front of you stands a huge building worthy of the cathedral's name. This was a cobblestone front yard, surrounded by large numbers of soldiers.

The folks by the woods step out one car after another, watched by the soldiers. Waiting for Sallis Run-Fou and the others to come down before Ai-Fa headed towards one Totos car.

From there emerged Lyelpham-Sudra with the baby.

Plus afterwards, Li-Sudra comes down with the baby as well. As Malstein declared, babies less than a month old were also to be invited here.

"Lyelpham-Sudra, were the babies okay?

"Mm-hmm. I fell asleep while I was rocking on the carrier. I wonder if it's something you can get rituals for while you sleep."

It seemed to be his brother, Hodureil-Sudra, held in Lyelpham-Sudra's arms. Its little face, which increases in roundness every time it sees it, does expose its loving angelic sleeping face.

"You owe it to the bedding that was prepared for the car. I don't think even older people would have felt pain."

Li-Sudra, who held Asla-Sudra, also says so with a gentle smile. Soft feathered bedding was provided for tototoss cars with babies, old people and physically challenged people.

It should be noted that the first request for it was made by Gazran-Rutim. He would have considered his partner Ama Min-Rutim for his weight. I heard two days ago that I was able to get down to Castle Town without a problem.

"Hey, hey, I've been waiting for you, Lord Asta. Well, then, move on over here."

And, approaching from the building was Pole Earth. He, Malstein and Melfried are also present every day to see what this time is done.

We hardened ourselves to the cathedral.

It was originally a story that it was forbidden to bring in a knife, so the knife can be deposited on a table placed at the entrance. The martial officers seemed to wait on the spot and refrain from entering the hotel.

I step in with Ey-Fa and Sarris Lang-Fou and others, sounding my chest a lot louder.

What awaited there was a truly majestic look at the cathedral.

It is a giant building, assembled in white stone.

It's a blowout, and the ceiling is surprisingly high. And there were a number of windows cut off on the wall, soft light illuminating the space.

The size would have been as big as a little gymnasium. On the stone floor, a crimson carpet is laid straight from the entrance towards the back. Trying to scuff its way, the left and right spaces were lined with bench-like wooden chairs sloppily.

"Pack it from the front and sit down. The first words of the chief sacrificial officer will begin the ritual of baptism."

At the head of Pole Earth, we go down the carpet path.

At the request of Malstein, the ceremony was supposed to begin this day at Fa's house, so me and I-Fa decided to take the lead and walk. Of all the people by the woods, I am the only one who is exceptional, so they wanted me to specify the order so that there was no mistake.

Me and I-Fa, we sat down in the front seat.

In front of the eye, a bar about a meter high is installed. And there was an array of tables of offerings prepared, and there were already several priests and thinkers standing side by side.

Behind the altar are also stone statues painted in bright red.

I'm sure this is Selva, the Western god.

The hair is as inverse as a flame, with four pieces on the back that are neither flaming nor winged, spread wide. What was in his hands was a giant spear, and he looked as stern as a king of immortality.

(Right. Is Selva a god of fire? You look less hazy than I thought)

While I was thinking about it, it seemed that nearly a hundred of my countrymen also took their seats.

Next to me there is a line of birdu-fou, plus folks of fou. Naturally, people came together from the same clan and lined up with their parents.

"Now we will perform the rite of baptism, to live as the Son of Selva, the Western God"

The person standing in the middle of the altar said so in a rough tone.

He is a small, gentle-eyed old man. She had a scarlet shoulder strap woven on her long milky white coat, and a silver ornament was lowered at the neck.

"The people by the forest transferred God from Jagal to Selva more than eighty years ago. But the ritual was inadequate at that time, which meant that we were to celebrate the day. This is an unprecedented story, but in the name of the chief sacrificial chief Derzen, whom Selva, the Western god, gave this throne, I will partition the rite of baptism."

One of the clerics handed a strange offering to the chief sacrificial officer, Derzen.

It was also bound together with branches and leaves as bright as flames, shaped like a large fan.

And the people standing behind them start ringing the apparatus they had in their hands. The tiny bells, the triangles and the sober metal tones similar to the golden pipes rocked the air in the hall.

"Now, please go up on the stage one at a time"

Ai-Fa rose up, moaning the hunter's clothes, and went up on the stage without fear.

Step on the stone stairs and stand in front of the chief sacrificial officer. In return for its refreshing appearance, the chief of the sacrifice smiled.

"First, tell me your name in front of Selva"

"I am Ai-Fa, the head of the house of Fa, a people by the woods"

"I = fa. I bestow upon thee the blessing of Selva. On your knees, drool your head."

Ai-Fa silently followed the word.

The chief sacrificial officer causes the crimson fan to touch the right shoulder of Ey-Fa.

"O Ai-Fa, descendant of the people of Jagal, the Southern God. Do you wish to obey the will of your fathers and be the son of Selva, the Western God?

"I desire to obey the will of my ancestors and to be the son of Selva, the Western God"

"When this oath is broken, thy soul shall be crushed into four after death, and thou shalt leave the darkness of ignorance in perpetuity. Selva, Jagal, Sim, Mahdra, the Great Four Gods are always watching over your deeds"

A red fan is transferred from the right shoulder to the left shoulder.

And the other clerics, they moved.

One pinches up something like brown sand from a golden pot, scattering it on the right shoulder of Ai-Fa.

Next, like a black crow feather, the left shin of Ai-Fa was stroked.

And finally, a cleric with her hand in a pure white pot drips a droplet on Ai-Fa's right leg.

After seeing those movements, the chief sacrificial officer pulled up a crimson fan.

"Selva the god of fire, Jagal the god of earth, Sim the god of wind and Mahdra the god of ice have blessed you. Stand up and look at the statue of Selva."

Ai-Fa stood up and looked at the statue of Selva when he was king of immortality.

Its stone statue was about three metres in size, so it would glance slightly at its neck.

"It's an oath ritual. Place your left hand on your heart and spread your right hand straight to the side."

Ai-Fa is silent and obeys instructions.

It was identical to the sworn pose, once shown by Barsha and Camua-Josh, among others.

"In the name of Selva... do you swear to live as the son of Selva, the Western God, Ai-Fa?

"I vow to live as the son of Selva, the Western God"

The chief of the sacrifice shook off the sacrifice so as to connect the gaze of Ai-Fa and the stone statue.

"Selva, the western god, has allowed Ai-Fa to live as her own son. You live as a pious son of Selva for the rest of your soul."

Ai-Fa nodded and lowered his arm.

The chief of the sacrifice also lowers the sacrifice again and smiles with a grin.

"I bless thee, Ai-Fa. … then refrain from under the altar"

Ai-Fa thanked him again before turning his back on the chief of the sacrifice.

When the foot is finished descending the stone steps, I am called "the next one".

Ai-Fa has a solemn face and has turned a soft gaze on me.

I give you a nod back, and then I get up.

That's how when I turned my foot on the stage, I saw the Polearths along the way.

Apart from the people by the woods, seats were prepared by the walls. There were also appearances of Mulstein and Melfried, as well as the clerk, who even had a thick face.

On this occasion, Malstein conducted a household registration survey of the people by the woods.

How many families do you have in which family? This will make you confused. It was also, I guess, a necessary deed as a people of the kingdom.

(My name will also be listed as a forest folk, so thank goodness)

With that in mind, I went up the stone steps.

The chief of the sacrifice is waiting for me with a crimson fan in his hand. Nearby, this old man was smaller than me for about a head.

"Tell me your name in front of Selva"

"Yes, I am Asta, a family member of Fa's house, a forest dweller."

"Asta. I bestow upon thee the blessing of Selva. On your knees, drool your head."

Without hesitation, I followed that word.

Without knowing it, my heartbeat is getting faster, but I wanted to take the same path as everyone else in Ai-Fa and around the woods. If it was for that, I wouldn't have hated being a child of God in another world.

"It's Asta, a Gentile from outside the continent of Ameshorn. Do you wish to be the son of Selva, the Western god?

"Yes, I want to be the son of Selva, the Western god."

After that, the ritual proceeded in the same way as the Ai-Fa.

Sanded, stroked feet, dripping droplets. I guess this is the blessing of Jagal, Sims and Mahydra.

"Selva the god of fire, Jagal the god of earth, Sim the god of wind and Mahdra the god of ice have blessed you. Stand up and look at the statue of Selva."

I got up and looked at the crimson stone statue.

At that time - unexpected modulation captured me.

As soon as my vision was dyed by the crimson of the stone statue, something like current ran through my five bodies.

(This is... this feeling...)

The contents of my chest are getting hot.

It's as if the flaming fingertips made my heart twitch.

That's how I got caught up in a battle with a terrible pain all over my body.

This feeling - sometimes recreated in a nightmare - was terribly similar to that memory of death.

It is that miserable memory, in a building wrapped in fire, burned five bodies alive, and finally crushed by rubble, unscrupulous.

But I was never threatened by that terrible pain.

It's just that my heart beats my chest cancer and makes my breathing rough. Both the chief sacrificial voice and the examination of sober instruments were to faint beyond the severe tinnitus.

(Selva, the western god, is the god who commands fire... could I... have called me to this world...)

My vision is dyeing red.

No, my vision was dyed from the beginning by the crimson of the statue.

Two pairs of wings grew wide from its back, as if they had enveloped me from left to right.

Or is that look staining me crimson?

Whatever it was, the crimson colour of this statue aroused my memory of death.

(No... I jumped into the fire of my own free will. Someone didn't burn me to death)

With that in mind, I kept staring at Selva's statue.

And I thought of one fact.

It was such a horrible statue, but it felt so cool in its eyes.

It is a loving, tender look.

Flaming wings, giant spears, etc., but this alien god never burns the world down so quickly. I could have believed that.

(It's my fault I'm dead. impersonating someone else with that responsibility, or never)

I grabbed my fist and managed to calm my breath.

The statue looks down at me quietly.

(Suppose it was Selva, the Western god, who led that soul into this world after I died... I'd be happy to try to be your child)

Eventually, the low voice of the chief sacrificial began to contour.

"... what is it? Please take the oath ritual."

I breathed heavily, then placed my left hand on my left chest and let my right arm spread out to the side.

In a corner of his sight, the chief of the sacrifice is nodding.

"In the name of Selva... do you swear to live as the son of Selva, the Western god, Asta?

"Yes, I swear I will live as the son of Selva, the Western god"

The chief sacrificial officer shook off the sacrifice.

"Selva, the Western god, has allowed Asta to live as her own son. You live as a pious son of Selva for the rest of your soul."

I said yes, and then I put my arm down.

And one last time, I stare back into the eyes of the statue, and then I salute you.

"I bless you, Asta. … then refrain from under the altar"

I pulled myself off the spot with my feet about to flutter.

When I got back to my seat, I could tell, Ai-Fa brought my scary face closer.

"What's going on, it's Asta? I thought you were about to rush over."

"Sorry, I'll explain later."

I squeezed my temper and let Ai-Fa smile at me.

Ey-Fa is gripping her lips uncomfortably.

Seeing that loving look, my body instantly filled with strength.

I decided to live with Ai-Fa.

That has nothing to do with my determination as to what principles led me into this world. I shouldn't have had to be frightened of anything now.

I = fa stuck my lips together and plucked my forehead with the hand plush I took out of my cape's inner pocket.

In the meantime, Birdu-Fow is up on the stage. The folks at the Fou family watched their parents be baptized by holding their breath.

There, unexpected guests visited when the baptisms of the Fou family ended and the parents of the Lan family headed to the stage.

"I beg your pardon during the ritual, Master Ai-Fa. Outside the cathedral, the auditor is waiting for you."

It was Sheila, the maid of the Earl of Dalaim.

Ai-Fa stares back at the face.

"What the hell is this fold? Though in the first place that Mitsuhito is supposed to be a part of seeing through our baptism?

"Sa... Anything, I want to fulfill the promise I made with Master Ai-Fa..."

That must be one of the lion dogs. He will also leave Genos tomorrow, so only today was left with a chance to live up to his promise.

Ai-Fa frowned and looked back at Birdu-Faw in my body.

"I guess it doesn't matter, because I-Fa has already finished the ritual. Otherwise, Pol Earth and the others would have stopped it."

"Um, well. Okay, let me take my seat off for a while. Let's go, Asta."

Naturally, or whatever, I was to leave my seat with Ai-Fa, too.

Sneak off to the exit so as not to disturb the ritual on the stage. When Ai-Fa retrieved his own sword when he left the door, two martial officers approached him this time.

"The auditor will wait in the car over there. We'll show you around."

Saying goodbye to Shayla and moving on, a luxurious car parked next to the Totos car we came in. With the silver lion's crest on it, I'm sure it's the Totos car the auditors came in from King's Capital.

And in front of that Totos car, a ruid in armor and two soldiers were waiting.

"I'm sorry during the ritual, but he wants to live up to his word within the present. I want you to keep the knife with the Genos warlord."

It was Genos' martial arts officer who led us. Ai-Fa handed you the knife without making it.

The door to the Totos car can be quickly opened without being able to thank you for accompanying me.

In the spacious space, only Dreg and the lion dog waited.

After waiting for the door to close, Dreg starts laughing.

"It's a long time late, but I'll let you live up to your promise that day, I'm Ey-Fa from Fa's house"

"That's a thankful story... don't we have to see the rituals of the others?

"Yesterday and all yesterday, we were going to pack it in the cathedral from morning until the sun tilted. Anyway, I have to go back to your work after this, so I don't want to be scolded for getting a little rest."

Dreg, seated in a splendid seat, pointed to the lion dog at his feet while stating so.

"Come on, it's the lion dog you want. How the hell are you gonna settle with this guy?

Ai-Fa remained silent and proceeded to the middle of the carriage.

That's how I kneel down and call on a huge chunk of hair nodding at my husband's feet.

"The other day, I did something I'm sorry about. I'm not supposed to be hostile to your husband anymore, so I'd like you to reconcile me."

The lion dog was looking back at Ai-Fa with a faint eye.

He originally looks like a chow chow, so doing so makes him look like just an adult shitty dog. but it's still just out of standard for size.

"You just can't seem to exchange words with the beast. If you need me, I'll send you a lion dog."

"Then I'd like to ask you"

Dreg slapped the lion dog on the back twice, feeling cheerful.

The lion dog gets up looking very uncomfortable and comes closer to a snack and an eye-fa.

Ai-Fa welcomed the lion dog with the same gaze, with his knee broken.

"I hear you were trained to protect your husband. Then regain your strength and do your part. I will no longer be your master's enemy."

Snuffing like that, Ai-Fa slowly put his hands up over the lion dog.

Its fingertips plug from left to right into the lion dog's tenderness. My Brave likes to be stroked around the back of his ear the most, so I guess he's practicing that.

Nature, Ai-Fa and the lion dog will face each other from close range.

If Dreg had given a strange order or something here, it would have led to a tremendous swordswallowing situation.

But Dreg was just curious to see how the Ey-Fa's were doing with a slight laugh.

I go around to the side and watch the Ey-fa's from there.

Ai-Fa had a very calm eye, peering into the black eyes of a lion dog.

That hand almost goes down to my wrist and I don't even know what movement it's showing. However, the lion dog's tenderness was fluffy as something raw in itself.

Eventually the movement moves back.

Ey-Fa's fingertips were transferred from the back of his ear to his shoulder. Brave was also very fond of being stroked around his neck and shoulders.

"You look quite impressive, too. Sounds a lot different to Brave in my house... but I guess he's my countryman. The brilliance of its eyes is very similar to Brave"

The distance between Ai-Fa and the lion dog had shrunk so that he moved his arms behind him. It is a position where the tip of the nose is almost ready.

Then - a purple tongue rose from the big mouth of the lion dog, smearing Ai-Fa's cheek.

"... forgive me for threatening you?

Ai-Fa laughed gently in front of her eyes and stroked the neck of the squeamish and lion dog.

As linked to the movement, the lion dog is peppering Ai-Fa's cheek.

I = fa had done so tickling, but seemed happier than that.

Eventually, the lion dog begins to lean from himself to Ai-Fa.

The lion dog, which by weight would be worse than the ai-fa, has come a long way.

Ordinary humans would have had buttcakes on them, but Ai-Fa took that giant directly from the front and almost all of his body was supposed to be in black fur.

"Uhm, that's a great power. If you're a human being, you'll never be. Keep doing your job with pride and pride."

Ai-Fa stroked its back as she cheeked on the lion dog's face.

Dreg, who sees it, speaks up, "Oh, boy."

"I didn't know you'd really miss a lion dog. That's as unlikely a story as it is to frighten a lion dog."

"That's because he's smart. He believed I had no hostility."

"Hmm. I hear it is the people of Sim who are the best at putting their minds together with the beast. Maybe the people by the woods are Sims' blood muscles after all."

That said, Dreg combined his fingertips over his belly.

"Ey-fa in Fa's house, did you like that lion dog?

"Hmm? If you are so loving, it would be natural to prefer"

"Right. If you want, you don't have to give him up."

Ai-Fa raised her face as she looked up to heaven.

"What are you talking about, auditor? Is this your precious escort dog?

"But I was just treating him like a protective tool. Like you guys, I wasn't treating you with love. … to be honest, I thought I'd dispose of him if he was useless as an escort dog."

Eye-Fa's eyes glinted.

Occasionally the lion dog looked frightened, so he strokes his head to reassure it.

"What does disposition mean? No way, you're not going to kill me, are you?

"Unfortunately, you're right. With you, I'll throw away the broken knife, right? To me, escort dogs are the same thing."

…………

"Of course, if that guy could regain his power as an escort dog, he was going to let me keep treasuring him. That guy is traded for a higher value than a hound, so it's natural to use it as long as it helps.... but I wonder if he would be happier to be treated as a family than as a tool"

Ey-fa cuddled the lion dog's neck, while he threw a dreg on his head.

"... what kind of thoughts do you have and make such an offer? If you were treating him as a tool, there's no reason to think about his happiness."

"Yeah, but you've been playing with him a lot happier. Fortunately, I had just come up with a little bit of sin by offering it."

That said, Dreg laughed again.

"As Ruid said, I had been moved like Lord Talon. If I did badly, I don't even know what kind of eyes I would have been exposed to for the sin of turning my royal life around. I thought I should thank the people of the woods for making me realize that."

"... is that what this lion dog is?

"Oh. It would be a difference to give silver coins or something, but that guy deserves an unbeatable silver coin. I also wondered if the people of the woods would be happier to have a family or an existence than to have a silver coin in their hands... is this imagination a hit?

Ai-Fa had her eyes narrowed to explore the truth about Dreg.

Dreg strokes his forehead with a bitter smile.

"One last thing or so, I thought I wanted to do something that would please the people by the woods. If my thoughts were off target, leave him alone. I guess I could get my powers back as a escort dog, so I'll have them work as they always have."

…………

"Besides, he's a big eater. I would eat about twice as many coarse hounds. If you're saying you're sorry you can push something so annoying..."

"I will never starve him at dawn when he is my family"

Ey-Fa glared back at the dreg as she cuddled the lion dog's neck.

"... does this guy have a name?

"Oh. My name is Zilbe. It won't help hunting, but it will be able to work as a watchdog to protect the house"

"Then I can get Zilbe's figure.... Asta, are there any differences?

"No, I'll obey my parents' decisions."

"Right," Dreg grinned satisfactorily.

"When it comes to the treatment of watchdogs, learn from the Genos. If we put it back on properly, there shouldn't be any danger to other humans."

…………

"You seem a lot disturbed that I was treating my escort dog as a tool. But if you're a nobleman in the king's capital, you usually feel the same way."

With that said, Dreg was also deep in his seat.

Its face feels a mixture of a facial expression that tears something up and a facial expression that takes something into account.

"Your acceptance of all the people of the West as compatriots is not much of a story. I probably won't be treading on the land of Genos anymore as an auditor... but with the people who come next, we'll do everything we can to make sense."