Book 4: Volume 9 Chapter 4, Master and Disciple

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

The only temple in Amamiya Tower stands in the city on the fifth Floor.

 

The temple is unusually small for a city of this size, yet no one complains. The God worshipped here, the living god, exists in this world as flesh and blood, unlike the other Gods. Since he himself manages the Tower where the temple was located, there was no need for grand architecture or elaborate displays of devotion.

 

His tangible presence shapes the nature of faith itself.

 

Most residents worship other Gods as well, and those who wish to offer prayers to distant Gods can use the teleportation gate to reach the city of Miksen. For these reasons, the temple on the fifth Floor was deliberately built without pretension.

 

Furthermore, since Kousuke built the temple before becoming the living god, no one questions its simplicity.

 

Normally, the temple is a quiet space where a relaxed atmosphere prevails. Only those who come to pray or maintain the grounds disturb its peace. But today, the temple bustled with unusual energy.

 

People had gathered in the main hall, the prayer room, to witness a particular miko perform a ritual.

 

The living god, being newly born, has very few miko or priests dedicated to him. Rituals at this temple are rare occurrences. The few ceremonies that have taken place were all performed by Sylvia, with only Lirica or Rin assisting her. The scarcity speaks for itself.

 

Kousuke bears some responsibility for this. He simply did not allow for other priests or priestesses to serve in the temple, leaving no environment for such vocations to develop. This was also a consequence of him not actively seeking followers.

 

Whether they would be needed in the future remains uncertain.

 

Setting aside the situation regarding followers, the one currently performing the prayer ritual is Kokoro, Sylvia’s Daughter.

 

Nominally, it was a prayer ritual dedicated to the living god, but this particular ceremony serves another purpose, which was to announce that Kokoro will assume the role her Mother previously held.

 

Such behind-the-scenes details are irrelevant to the observers, of course.

 

Rituals performed by priests and priestesses were generally conducted among the clergy themselves. Public ceremonies exist to strengthen the faith of ordinary followers, but this gathering serves a different function entirely.

 

The observers watch Kokoro’s ritual with quiet admiration.

 

Whether they were moved by the rare sight of a ritual to this particular God, or simply by the beauty of Kokoro’s movements, was unclear. If asked, they would likely answer: ‘Both.’

 

Lirica, watching from the side, recognizes this truth.

 

“…It’s magnificent.”

 

“Yes. We managed to make it in time.”

 

To Lirica’s observation, Sylvia responds with something slightly mute. For Sylvia, the concern weighing on her mind was whether Kokoro would perform the ritual exactly as taught. She probably did not even notice the gazes of those around her.

 

“You don’t have to worry so much. Kokoro will be fine.”

 

“…Worried? No, if anything, I’m concerned that Kokoro might make a mistake in front of the living god.”

 

Lirica allows herself a small smile at Sylvia’s words.

 

“…What is it?”

 

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

 

Even Lirica knows that Kousuke would not be upset by a mistake during the ritual. And Sylvia, who knows him far better, could not possibly be unaware of that fact. The complexity of Sylvia’s feelings, pretending to worry about appearances while actually anxious about Kokoro herself, manifests in her careful phrasing.

 

Lirica understands this without needing to say it aloud.

 

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The ritual Kokoro performs marks a shrine maiden’s independence from the one who taught her. If she could complete it alone, she would officially be recognized as independent. Therefore, Sylvia and Lirica, who watch from their positions, cannot interfere or offer guidance.

 

Other shrine maidens and priests sit among the spectators, but understanding the ritual’s significance, none attempted to help. They themselves became independent through such similar ceremonies. This was a phase, a natural phase that they all must cross alone.

 

Unaware of these nuances, the general spectators watch Kokoro’s actions with earnest attention.

 

The ritual consists of a dance offered to the God and the chanting of prayers. Some observers sigh softly at each graceful transition.

 

“After this ritual is over, it’s the handover, right?”

 

“Yes. After that, I’ll leave it to you.”

 

Sylvia replies to Lirica’s murmur with quiet certainty. After Kokoro became independent, Sylvia was scheduled to withdraw from her duties. Originally, she was supposed to retire alongside Floria, but they waited for Kokoro to mature enough to fully assume the role.

 

“Of course.”

 

Seeing Lirica nod with such confidence, Sylvia’s eyes widen slightly.

 

“Oh? You seem quite confident.”

 

“After witnessing Kokoro-sama’s ceremony today, how could I not be?”

 

Lirica keeps her gaze fixed on Kokoro as she speaks.

 

“Is that so?… If you say so, then it must be true.”

 

Sylvia nods, and Lirica tilts her head thoughtfully.

 

“On the contrary, I’m surprised that Sylvia-sama harbors such doubts.”

 

The ceremony Kokoro performs, as evident from the reactions surrounding them, was remarkably executed. It was far beyond what one would expect from a novice priestess. From Lirica’s perspective, Sylvia’s concern seems almost paradoxical.

 

“…Perhaps that’s true. It seems a parent cannot look at their child objectively.”

 

Sylvia’s expression as she watches Kokoro was entirely maternal. Ideally, she should analyze the situation with a priestess’s detachment, but she cannot help viewing things through the eyes of a Mother.

 

“It seems I still have much to learn.”

 

Lirica’s eyes widened at this self-assessment.

 

“If Sylvia-sama were to grow any more as a priestess, the rest of us wouldn’t stand a chance.”

 

“I appreciate you saying that, but I truly feel there’s still so far to go.”

 

“Ah… It seems the path of training stretches endlessly ahead.”

 

Lirica murmurs this with a small sigh.

 

In the end, Kokoro’s ceremony concludes without incident. The performance leaves a profound impression on the general spectators, successfully conveying that she was more than capable of succeeding Sylvia. Though the transition was not announced with particular fanfare, it was already accepted by the people by the time the ceremony ended, and no complications arose.