He had once been reprimanded by a god for being young and rash, chasing quick results, and failing to value his own life.
The god's stern rebuke had brought him to his senses. From then on, he worked diligently and trained in earnest.
Deeply ashamed, he had sworn to become a believer worthy of the god's gaze.
With that unwavering conviction, he advanced steadily, one step at a time. Over the course of a year, he had done many good deeds for the people of Watatsumi Island and its visitors, earning widespread praise.
And so he had become a squad captain.
Compared with Lord Sky-Clearing's deeds, which shone like the blazing sun, his modest achievements were no more than the faint glow of a firefly.
But as Lord Sky-Clearing had once said, as long as everyone fulfilled their duties and did their work well, everyone was a hero.
His light fell far short of even one ten-thousandth of Lord Sky-Clearing's, but as a mortal, he still did his best to shine and give warmth. That was enough.
"Ah..."
On the battlefield, as he lay dying, he let out a long sigh.
He gazed up at the distant sky. "Lord Sky-Clearing, surely I'm worthy of your gaze now. I count as a proper believer, don't I?"
The massive loss of blood left him dizzy.
Yet in his haze, he seemed to feel a gaze descending from Celestia high above, watching him.
He thought he heard Lord Sky-Clearing's voice.
"I have felt your will and your wish."
"I am glad to see how far you've grown and progressed, Teppei."
"Your wish, your will, the radiance you've shown-I acknowledge them all."
"Your will and your wish are like water. Though gentle, they press forward without wavering."
"So accept this."
High in the sky,