The totem on Mulan's body blazed with light. The Radiant Knight stood behind him, spreading its wings. Beneath the knight's spectral form, Mulan seemed to stand at the center of a shadowless lamp, free of all shadows, a symbol of light and justice.
With the oath complete, not a trace of rain remained on Mulan. The scorching aura had evaporated it all.
Perhaps it was because of that searing radiance, but a faint blush colored Nisheriel's face. She held the sword horizontally and returned it to Mulan, who accepted Fang with both hands before slowly rising.
The sacred music in the hall reached its climax at that moment. The pipe organ's majestic melody echoed not only within the Great Cathedral but beyond it as well, lending even the autumn rain a touch of sanctity.
The investiture was undeniably grand. Aside from the Holy Temple's clergy, nearly a hundred nobles were present, including Queen Nisheriel herself.
Although Mulan was the last to arrive, long before his arrival, ceremonial guards and a band had already cleared the route from the Royal Palace to the Great Cathedral and begun playing music, while the queen, along the way-
The Radiant Knight's appearance had stunned everyone present. Now, after Mulan accepted the sword, Nisheriel's close attendants led the applause. The other spectators recovered from their shock and joined in, congratulating the newly invested knight and taking pride in having witnessed a Radiant Knight in this way.
An archbishop of the Holy Temple approached with a priest holding a silver basin. Within it shimmered activated Holy Water. They were about to bestow blessings on Mulan and everyone attending the ceremony.
With a solemn, dignified expression, Mulan approached the archbishop of his own accord. His vision was rather unusual at that moment. The Holy Water that seemed