The area toward the rear of the Babylon Temple's center, three gateways away from the city's central hall, was the "High God's Inner Court," where Sephiroth, his God Consorts, and his Holy Priestesses lived.
From the outermost gateway inward, the three areas housed the Inner Court Knights, combat nuns, and attendant nuns respectively.
Each had a hundred-strong company assigned to it, rotating every three months.
Originally, Sephiroth had only wanted a few maids, but the Birka faction, led by Isabella, had coaxed and persuaded him into expanding the arrangement to this extent.
To avoid wasting space, the three departments' offices had also been placed in these areas. Their administrative staff were therefore stationed there on a semi-permanent basis.
"High God-"
As Sephiroth passed through the three gateways, the knights on guard and on patrol saluted him with their hands over their hearts.
"High God-"
The nuns he passed usually bowed or curtsied.
After more than five years as a "God," he had grown accustomed to this much.
If Sephiroth had not simplified the etiquette, the Birka faction would have insisted on kneeling and reciting long, awkward passages of praise.
...He was not being precious.
Of course he enjoyed being respected.
But as someone with "memories of a modern person," he found that excessive reverence embarrassing.
Once in a while, on a grand occasion, was fine. Who could stand it every single day?
"You're back, Lord Sephi."
Melise's clear eyes curved into smiling crescents as she adorably greeted him at the entrance to the Inner Court.
She wore a blue-and-white dress with layers of lace along the hem. As she ran over, her little black leather shoes went tap, tap, tap.
"Yes, I'm back. Melise..."
Sephiroth picked her straight up and spun her around twice.
Her glossy, silky, shimmering honey-colored hair,