Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 117: The Choice of Faith

As the moon hung high in the sky, the night air was cool and refreshing. In the city of Benetto, where the Midsummer Flame Festival had just concluded, most residents had long since succumbed to slumber. After a week of continuous festivities, people sought to recuperate their drained energies in the following days. Thus, the capital of Bylins was notably quieter than usual during these nights.

Of course, some individuals remained awake, such as the soldiers patrolling the city walls and streets, the royal guards stationed at the palace, the servants and maids keeping vigil in noble households, and others who, for various reasons, could not find rest.

Among the many sleepless souls, sitting alone in the small courtyard of Count Michel's estate was Jesseta, a rather unique figure. At the tender age of nineteen, this female priest of the Church of Light leaned silently against a small tree, her gaze fixed dreamily upon the bright moon above, her expression a mixture of hesitation and sorrow.

Aeloria, for the sake of her fiancé, for that young man, actually intends to help me become a saintess-one who must forsake love, distance herself from worldly emotions, and dedicate everything to the supreme god Helios. What a cunning little girl she is!

"This could be described as killing three birds with one stone, dear Jesseta!"

"First, you can rid yourself of Darn's entanglement, freeing yourself from the burdensome worries. Second, the Michel couple will restore the glory of the Anvor family through a saintess daughter, allowing your brother Kristine to shed his role as a mere assistant. Third, you will gain power to assist your beloved Mr. Hyman, granting him freedom and a promising future."

Reflecting on the logical analysis she had heard during the day, Jesseta offered a wry smile, her eyes flashing with a hint of irony.

But it was not merely that! Aeloria, who appeared gentle and demure, yet possessed a deeply cunning and frightening intellect, could completely secure her beloved, no longer fearing that I might steal that young man away, nor that Darn would continue to harbor feelings for me...

Yet? None of these reasons could compel Jesseta to resolve herself to compete for a role that was deemed supremely noble and sacred in the eyes of the world, adorned with an aura of unparalleled honor. For a girl who had already tasted the sweetness of love, genuine emotions held far greater significance than ephemeral honors, even if those honors were intricately tied to her beliefs.

My faith in the supreme god is sincere, but? I believe that the divine would not demand its followers to sacrifice their happiness. Helios brings light and warmth, life and comfort, not the opposite!

But? But? But Aeloria, in addition to enticing me with the prospects of her family and Hyman's future, has also issued threats using the same individuals...

"My fiancé Darn, whose grandfather is the war god and marshal of the Kingdom of Bylins-consider the prestige of Duke Johan, the standing of the Spencer family in the kingdom. Do you think that if you ultimately reject my fiancé and choose Hyman, or anyone else for that matter, your family and your beloved will face no consequences?"

"I have heard that many nobles in the kingdom harbor deep-seated grudges, and would not hesitate to pursue vengeance. Duke Johan would certainly not kill indiscriminately for my fiancé, but the old duke and Darn would undoubtedly not look kindly upon the Anvor family or Mr. Hyman, would they?"

"Then, can we not imagine the fate of a fallen noble who has offended the grandson of Duke Johan, a high-ranking official of the kingdom, and the governor of an important border province? And what of a noble vassal warrior whose status is even lower than that of a fallen noble?"