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Still admiring my new outfit, Nora motioned for me to sit. “Let me adjust your hachimaki. It’s almost time for us to take our places.”

I sat in a nearby chair, one of many I hadn’t tried out yet. “Already?”

“Church service before feeding frenzy,” she explained, untying the knot in my headband. “The nobles have already started to arrive, and we don’t want to keep them waiting for too long.”

I took the opportunity to run my fingers through my hair once or twice before she repositioned the band. “There aren’t too many of them, right? This was all put together rather last minute…”

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that. As I understand, most of them are relatively local gossipmongers, and they were already in town for the festivities.” She started to snort in amusement. “Relias and I heard that one baron insisted on taking his carriage just a quarter mile to the gates so he wouldn’t arrive on foot. Even the horses probably rolled their eyes at him.”

It sounds like they were up to more than just digging out flower bulbs…

“Does Relias have any special instructions for me?” I asked, trying to keep my tone as neutral as possible.

“Not that I know of,” she replied, smoothing out the band before tying the knot carefully behind my right ear. “I’m supposed to take you to him, though.”

“Alright then,” I said as I stood up. “Let’s go see what he wants me to do.”

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“All I require of you is to stand beside me, offering your presence as support during the service,” Relias explained almost absently as he meticulously lit the candles by hand in the sanctuary. The atmosphere within had shifted, with the candles now fewer in number and spaced out, casting a softer glow across the wooden altar. Each also rested on a tiny glass plate that served as a catchment for wax drippings.

The tall, narrow windows, I silently noted, had also been recently cleaned of soot, revealing a slight, multicolor tint. “There’s enough natural light now in here for the moment, but I’m not sure it’ll for much longer…”

Nora grinned. “Leave the indoor lighting to me.”

I glanced at her dubiously, noting she had the green side of her traveler’s cloak facing outward. “Are you going to change your outfit too? Of course, there’s nothing wrong with it, but this is your debut as part of the Order, isn’t it?”

“Not really,” she shook her head as she started arranging several small clay pots filled with dirt around the altar. “Relias and I agreed to keep mum about my membership for a little longer. Just think of me as a secret weapon.”

I watched the two of them silently for a few minutes as they set up the sanctuary to their liking. I had tried at one point to help with the placement of pots, but Nora waved me off. “You don’t want to get your uniform dirty. Don’t worry, we’ve got this.”

Watching them work quietly in sync while I stood there, taking up space, was awkward. Eventually, I took a seat in the first pew, sighing to myself.

I’m a third wheel that doesn’t even turn!

“Well?” Nora eventually asked Relias after dusting her hands off.

With a confident nod, he assured, “I do not doubt that the sanctuary is well-prepared to welcome our esteemed guests.” A grateful expression crossed his face. “Your assistance has been invaluable, and I am truly grateful for your contribution.”

“Don’t mention it,” she said with a shrug. “I’ll get the rest of the party and tell Reginald we’re ready.”

“I believe it would be prudent for you to stand here,” Relias suggested after Nora left, indicating a spot on the left-hand side of the altar with a decisive gesture. “It is sufficiently distanced from the congregation, ensuring minimal direct interaction, yet prominent enough for all who enter to observe your presence.”

“Alright…” I replied as I took my position, feeling a little like I was for display purposes only. “Um… you two… work well together,” I remarked, trying to make small but serious talk.

“Yes, indeed... Lady Nora appears to possess a multitude of talents,” he concurred with admiration as he lifted a vibrant blue and gold outer robe from one of the nearby pews. Shrugging it over his shoulders, he adjusted the collar with a practiced ease. “I find her quite reliable and skilled.”

“Yes,” I agreed slowly but surely. “She’ll never let you down, you know. Ever.” It was my way of acknowledging that he had made a great choice.

Just… don’t take her away from me, okay?

“Your words bring comfort... though I earnestly hope that someday, you will think of me in a similar regard,” Relias responded softly.

“Huh?” I responded reflexively. “You’ve never…” I stopped, pursing my lips.

Was he suffering from imposter syndrome, too? That’s my schtick!

“Holy Sage Relias!” I snapped, and he straightened with a flinch. “You… you got this! You know what you’re doing, and we’re all here to help!”

“The captain is right,” Aleph agreed loudly as he stepped inside. “Old friend, it’s time you forgave yourself for events outside your control.”

“Everyone else already has,” Tetora grunted as he closely followed behind him. “Time to move on to more important things, like fighting back!” He emphasized his point with several shadowboxing moves.

Aleph turned. “Must you display your violent tendencies inside every church you set foot in?”

“It’s what I do best! I’m just showing off for the Goddess,” he replied, grinning openly.

“I am certain she is duly impressed with your prowess,” Aleph muttered, somehow managing not to roll his eyes.

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Relias contemplated Tetora for a moment before redirecting his soulful gaze toward me. “Rae... Could I impose upon you for a favor?”

“Certainly! What is it?”

Relias furrowed his brow. “If anyone tonight shows the slightest discourtesy to any of our Order…”

Oh. Here it comes. I should probably just let it slide, right? Be the better woman? Just keep my mouth shut and not make things worse. “I’ll be sure to keep my cool and—” I began to respond.

“No,” Relias interrupted, shaking his head. “Please, speak to them from your heart.”

“You’ll get a bonus from me if you can make them cry!” Vernie chimed in merrily as she walked through the door, followed by Nora.

“No way…” I objected, a little stunned that I would be allowed to speak freely. “I’ll take the job for free. Though I’m guessing swearing is off the table… at least, in here.”

“A simple absolution is always freely available to you, Dear One,” Relias said with a tight smile before continuing in a more serious tone. “Moving forward, we all shall have zero tolerance for any bigotry or slander, no matter who commits it. Our Order is to be recognized and held in high regard so that our actions are easily aligned with our intentions by all we serve.”

We murmured our assent as Relias headed toward the rest of the group at the entrance. “I believe it will be soon time to greet our guests?” he asked Nora.

Nora nodded. “Reginald’s having a hard time confining them to the main hall. I’ll stand by the doors as an attendant. The rest of you should sit in the back and take notes!”

From my vantage point near the altar, I could only see a few feet into the castle hallway. King Saulus, after exchanging a few undiscernible words with Relias in a casual tone, slowly made his way into the sanctuary by using a three-wheeled wicker sedan chair pushed from behind by Prince Mito. The king steered the contraption by turning a long handle connected to the front metal tire while muttering under his breath to his son. “Faster! I don’t want anyone saying I’m taking too long!”

Prince Mito’s eyes seemed to glaze over as his father spoke. He avoided direct eye contact with us and instead focused on pushing the chair. “Yes, Father,” Prince Mito replied noncommittally. "Whatever you say.”

“Captain,” King Saulus greeted me with an incline of his head as the prince parked the chair nearby. “Your presence in uniform graces us once more.”

“Thanks be to you, Your Majesty,” I bowed in response before turning to Prince Mito. “Good evening, Your Highness.”

Prince Mito blinked several times, then bowed rather profoundly in response. “Chosen One,” he intoned in an oddly formal voice as he took his place at his father’s right-hand side.

In the following seconds, the sanctuary was consumed by a symphony of discordant gasps and shouts from the invited nobles. The sound echoed in from the hallway in shock and disbelief as many recognized Relias outright. Their shouts temporarily continued as their gazes took in my companions, but they fell immediately silent once they locked eyes with me.

But only for a few seconds.

As I stood motionless in front of them, I was bombarded with angry screams and loud cries from about three dozen nobles of varying ranks. Some openly wept, and a few even threw themselves to the floor in fervent prayer. The phrase ‘Chosen One’ was just as popular as ‘imposter’ and ‘trickster.’ I had hoped that some would at least pause and consider before forming a final judgment, but it seemed I possessed a hidden talent for provoking intense gut reactions from those around me.

“Please find your seats in the Goddess’s house,” I shouted over the unruly crowd of humans only. “All will be made clear in due time, as it is Her Will I am before you today.”

Because it certainly wasn’t mine.

Undeterred by my statement, the crowd continued to yell. I inhaled sharply, but King Saulus beat me to it, clearing his throat loudly. “Silence! Let not a single soul in this hallowed hall disgrace themselves with disrespect towards Captain Lightbringer or His Holiness,” he threatened with a gnarled fist. “Titles can be revoked at any time for such sinful discourtesy!”

And with that, everyone silenced themselves and found their place in a pew. Their faces, however, continued to betray their dark inner thoughts even as Relias slowly walked up the aisle to take his place before them.

“For where those gather to renew their Faith and carry out her Will, shall they find joy and peace in all things,” Relias addressed them formally, his hands held high overhead in silent blessing. He lowered his hands slowly, took a more casual pose, and bowed slightly. “However, in this uncertain world fraught with chaos, such a struggle to renew Faith has never been more challenging. Even I, in my darkest hour, lost sight of my Purpose, bereaved of that which held immeasurable worth in my heart.

I fought the urge to squirm, feeling a sudden surge of embarrassment at his overly dramatic words.

“Noble citizens of Amantia,” Relias continued in an authoritative tone. “Never before had our collective Faith been so truly tested. However, I stand before you as a man with Faith now restored. Euphridia has not abandoned us. She has ever been with us, guiding our steps even as she sought to return her Chosen One to us so that we may continue to prosper under her Everlasting Covenant.”

As he gestured toward me, the setting sun’s rays flooded through the closest window, bathing me in a fiery orange light. I straightened in surprise, catching Nora’s mischievous grin from across the room as her eyes sparkled with self-congratulation.

Had she timed this whole thing down to the second?!

Murmured disbelief rose from the congregation as the nobles jostled each other, looking for validation from their neighbors.

Silence eventually fell upon the crowd as Relias began to speak once more. “As faithful followers, we are vessels for our Holy Goddess’s Will,” he stated proudly. “Our King, Saulus I, embodies this principle through his actions and words. It is he who has kindly invited you to share in the joyous news of the Chosen One’s return. As Holy Sage and humble servant, I extend a further invitation to all of you. Spread this blessed news to your fellow citizens, shining the light of Euphridia’s grace across our beloved land. Let us unite to renew our Faith and continue rebuilding what was lost in the darkness.”

“Your Holiness,” a familiar voice called from the center of the congregation. Duke Chadwick stood up resolutely, tipping his head forward. “I wish to confess that I, too, had lost my Faith, going so far as to arrest Captain Lightbringer, believing her an imposter and guilty of a crime never committed.”

“I invite you to approach the altar, Your Grace,” Relias replied, stepping aside for him. “Blessed is the man who, in humility, would lay bare his faults to save others.”

Guilt began to crawl up my arms. This was all just as staged as the play had been, perhaps even more so. The lines must have been rehearsed, the timing set, and we hadn’t even gotten to the king’s blessing yet. I clasped my hands before me, willing the upsetting sensation to disappear as I watched Duke Chadwick quietly pray on his knees for forgiveness in front of everyone.

“Duke Chadwick,” Relias called to him as he held out his hand. “Stand with me so that I may bless you.”

As the duke stood, Relias clasped both of his hands. “May Euphridia’s light forever shine before you, illuminating your path through this life into your next.”

“May it be for you, as well, Your Holiness,” Duke Chadwick replied before again taking his seat.

Relias turned to King Saulus. “Your Majesty, I would also like to invite you forward in humble appreciation for your continued—”

“I, too, harbored doubts,” he interjected loudly as he tried to stand. Annoyed that his legs weren’t cooperating, he swore under his breath and turned to his son. “Don’t just stand there! Wheel me over!”

“Your Majesty,” Relias said, slightly flustered. “There’s no need for you to—”

The king ignored his protests and continued to speak loudly. “Initially, my judgment was swayed by her outward appearance, deeming it her sole merit. However, upon reflection, her aura revealed itself to me, a sea of shining gold in the dark abyss! Moreover, my chamberlain later informed me of how she aptly admonished my son for his discourtesy, employing her formidable aura for all to be perceived. A corrective measure long overdue, indeed,” he declared, his laughter echoing.

“Father!” Prince Mito whispered sharply. “This is neither the time nor place—”

“Once more, I beseech you,” King Saulus commanded with the entirety of his royal authority. “Reveal to us the essence of your aura. Let there remain no doubt amongst those gathered here today!”

I could feel every pair of eyes in the sanctuary shift to focus on me, causing a sudden wave of cold sweat to break out all over my body.

What happened to just standing by?!