On the morning of January 1, 9760 of the Radiant Calendar, inside the Church of Life's cathedral in Clement City.
Today, Merezzakli would be crowned before the statue of the Goddess of Life, formally ascending to the position of Grand Duke of the Merezzakli Duchy and demonstrating the sincerity of his faith in the Goddess of Life.
No one whispered among themselves in the great hall. Everyone remained silent, lest they offend the majesty of the divine.
A seven-hundred-year-old bishop of the Church of Life knelt devoutly beneath the statue, silently reciting the Scriptures of Life.
A Soul Intent Mid-Tier Transcendent had a maximum lifespan of only eight hundred years.
This Bishop Rafim had already entered his twilight years. In a few more decades, he would depart for the divine kingdom of the Goddess of Life.
As time passed, important figures entered one after another, taking their places along both sides of the hall according to their strength, noble rank, and status.
At this moment, Queen Elsa's envoy stood among the crowd. Feeling the sidelong glances of others, he showed not the slightest embarrassment or timidity.
At noon, Bishop Rafim stopped praying, opened his clouded eyes, rose from the ground, and turned to look at Priest Lavia. He gave her a nod.
Receiving the signal, Lavia came to the entrance of the church and declared loudly, "The ceremony begins."
Six hundred Silver Warriors from the Ice Sword Camp wore the standard armor of the Church of Life. They raised their banners at a forty-five-degree angle, allowing their tips to touch.
Near the entrance to the cathedral hall, fourteen Gold rank Temple Knights stared straight ahead.
Amid the solemn and dignified atmosphere, Merezzakli, dressed in formal attire, walked step by step along the path formed by the banners toward the church.