Radiant Calendar, January 1, 9764.
Outside the Life Church, Velin stood in formal attire beside five others, behind his father.
Seventy-two Gold-grade Temple Knights stood in two rows in silver-white armor, leaning on their swords. Their gazes were resolute and sharp as they stared straight ahead, their tabards embroidered with the church emblem fluttering in the wind.
The nine o'clock sunlight gradually intensified, falling upon every corner of the church like shafts of golden arrows.
The melodious tolling of bells rang out from the church, spreading in every direction and piercing the heart.
"The ceremony begins!"
"Earl Eagle Angus Exes, please enter to receive your investiture!"
A resonant voice rang out, echoing in everyone's ears.
Watching his father's back, Velin offered him his blessings.
After eight hundred years, the Ex Family had finally reached this point. Having crossed the threshold of Count, it would now become a Marquis family.
With a solemn expression, Angus passed through the formation of seventy-two Gold-grade Temple Knights and twelve Soul Intent-grade Temple Knights before entering the majestic, solemn temple.
Beneath the statue of the Goddess of Life, Belgrav Silvis, King of the Ilia Kingdom, turned sideways and stepped back.
"Devout worship!"
As a Soul Intent-ranked life priest chanted, Angus dropped to both knees and paid homage to the statue.
In an instant, divine light appeared and shot into Angus's body.
Everyone turned their eyes toward Angus, awaiting the Goddess's judgment.
Whether a Viscount was being promoted to Count or a Count to Marquis, the first step was for the deity to conduct an Alignment Check.
Mortal methods of determining alignment could be deceived.
But when a deity used its laws to judge the alignment of a believer, nothing could conceal it.
If one was judged to belong to the Evil Alignment, they would be