The carriage screeched to a halt, iron brakes grinding against the wheels. Aquilla felt his body jolt slightly before hearing Zenorius's voice.
"Wake up. We've arrived."
Aquilla slowly opened his eyes, heavy from having slept the entire journey. "Uh... we're... already here?"
"Yes. Welcome to Esperalza."
The moment he stepped out of the carriage alongside Zenorius, Aquilla's breath caught in his throat. The morning air was fresh, but what truly stole his voice was the sight before him.
Towering structures gleamed with white stone walls that shimmered under the sunlight. Graceful temple spires crowned every corner of the city. The main boulevard beneath their feet bustled with people, orderly and serene in their movements.
Zenorius walked forward without hesitation. "We're heading to Risvela's temple. You'll be registered there as a knight who has received her blessing."
Aquilla stiffened. "T-the Temple of Risvela...? Th-that ritual... am I... truly ready...?"
Zenorius glanced at him briefly, a faint smile curving his lips. "Nervous?"
Aquilla lowered his gaze. "Yes..."
"Good. That means you understand how serious this is. Just follow the flow. Risvela has already chosen you. The ritual is merely a formality."
Aquilla drew in a deep breath. A formality... yes... Yet why does it feel like my heart is about to leap from my chest...?
As they walked down the main road, Aquilla's eyes darted left and right, sparkling with awe at the lively city.
"Amazing..." he whispered.
Zenorius raised an eyebrow. "What's so amazing?"
"The people... They all look so peaceful. No screams, no monster attacks... Everyone is busy with their work, but everything feels so orderly."
Zenorius gave a firm nod. "Esperalza is the Holy Kingdom. All here live under divine order. That's what keeps this city standing strong."
Aquilla's gaze shifted to a procession of white-robed priests carrying scrolls of scripture. "Those priests...?"
"Servants of the temple. They oversee prayers, rituals, and sacred knowledge. You'll be dealing with them often."
Not far away, a line of knights stood guard before a smaller shrine. Their armor gleamed brilliantly, unlike the rugged gear Aquilla was used to wearing in Domeralith.
"Their armor..." Aquilla murmured in awe. "It's beautiful..."
"Sacred steel. Blessed directly by the High Priest. You won't find that in a border city."
Aquilla let out a small laugh. "Of course... Compared to Domeralith, this feels like... another world."
Zenorius stopped briefly and turned to him. "And how do you feel now, young knight? Still see yourself as nothing more than a border garrison?"
Aquilla fell silent. It was true. Once, he had only stood atop the fortress walls, waiting for monsters to crawl out of Abythralis. But now... he was walking through the heart of the Holy Kingdom, alongside the great commander of Mortarii Bellum.
He looked at Zenorius with renewed resolve. "I... feel this is an opportunity I must not waste."
Zenorius gave a faint smile. "That's a good answer."
They continued onward.
Along the streets, Aquilla saw shops selling sacred goods—holy books, rosaries, white robes, and blades inscribed with divine sigils. Children ran past carrying flowers, likely to be offered at one of the temples.
"I never thought... a place like this could really exist," Aquilla murmured.
Zenorius scoffed. "This is Esperalza—the greatest kingdom in Eryndor. Its military is blessed by the gods, and its knights are born from temples, not from battlefields like those at the border."
Aquilla fell quiet. If that's true... am I truly worthy of being here? I'm just a knight who happened to be chosen by a goddess...
Zenorius turned to him, as if reading his very thoughts. "You're doubting yourself again?"
Aquilla flinched. "N-no... it's just..."
"Stop thinking that way," Zenorius cut him off. "Remember—Risvela chose you. That alone means you're worthy of being here."
Aquilla nodded, though his chest still felt tight.
Before long, a towering structure loomed ahead—the Temple of Risvela. Its roof was crowned with a carved crescent moon that glowed with a faint bluish light, and its walls were built of dazzling white stone.
Aquilla halted, eyes wide. "That's... the temple..."
Zenorius walked ahead without pause. "Yes. You'll enter soon. From here on, your path as a knight of divine blessing begins."
Aquilla gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. Goddess Risvela... I don't know why you chose me... but I won't disappoint you.
Zenorius glanced back at his tense face. "Relax. This ritual isn't a test. It's simply the temple's recognition. After this... the real trials begin."
Aquilla forced a stiff smile. "That's... not very comforting, Commander."
Zenorius chuckled softly. "Good. You're starting to learn that reality is never comforting."
They passed through the temple gates. White-armored guards crossed their spears, then lowered them respectfully as Zenorius approached.
"Welcome, Commander Zenorius. We were informed of your arrival."
Zenorius nodded. "I've brought a knight blessed by Risvela. We wish to register him."
The guards looked at Aquilla in astonishment before stepping aside to let them through.
Aquilla exhaled deeply. This is real... I'm truly about to step into the sacred temple of Risvela...
Zenorius placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Step forward, young knight. This is the beginning."
Aquilla's gaze fixed on the temple's open doors, where a soft blue light spilled outward. With trembling heart, he took his first step inside.
Aquilla swallowed hard, his footsteps echoing across the white stone floor of Risvela's temple. Zenorius stopped before the great doors and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"This is as far as I can take you," Zenorius said.
"Eh… What do you mean, Commander?" Aquilla turned quickly, his voice trembling.
"This ritual is a matter between you and the goddess. From here, you'll have to face it alone."
"A-alone…?" Aquilla's throat tightened.
Zenorius chuckled softly. "Don't worry. Just follow the instructions of the priests here. You'll be fine."
Aquilla wanted to argue, but a serene-faced priest suddenly stepped forward, greeting him with a gentle smile.
"Welcome, young knight. Please allow me to guide you inside."
Zenorius crossed his arms, suppressing a laugh. "See? You're already being welcomed. There's nothing to fear."
Aquilla lowered his head, his face tense. "Understood, Commander."
Turning away, Zenorius began to walk off. "I must return to headquarters to report about that tower. Do it properly."
Aquilla watched his back disappear into the distance, then took a long breath. Alone, huh… I can do this. I have to.
The priest at his side spoke softly, "It's rare for a knight to step inside the temple of Risvela."
Aquilla snapped his head toward him. "Rare? Why is that?"
The priest gave a faint smile. "Lady Risvela, the Virgin of Stars, is the goddess of night. Her blessings often come through the dreams of priestesses. It is exceedingly rare for a knight to receive her grace."
Aquilla furrowed his brow. "Then why don't knights swear their oaths to her?"
The priest let out a quiet laugh. "Because they think dreams and prophecies are useless in battle. Most prefer gods of war or gods of protection. But for us, Risvela's visions are vital. The very future of Esperalza rests upon them."
Aquilla's eyes widened. "I… had no idea."
"Now you do." The priest guided him down a long corridor until they arrived at the final chamber.
Sacred ornaments hung from the walls. Moonlight shimmered across a small pool at the center, reflecting with a glow far too pure for the morning hour.
Aquilla froze. Morning... and yet there's moonlight here...?
At the edge of the pool, a silver-haired girl knelt in prayer, her figure bathed in soft radiance.
Aquilla opened his mouth, but the priest raised a hand, silently urging him to remain quiet. Aquilla quickly shut his lips, swallowing the words he almost spoke.
For a while, silence lingered. Then the girl slowly rose to her feet and turned. Her silver hair caught the moonlight, shining as though it glowed from within.
The priest bowed deeply. "May the blessing of Lady Risvela be upon us."
"And upon you as well," the girl replied, her voice like a gentle breeze.
Aquilla stood frozen, heart pounding wildly. She's… beautiful. Who is she?
The priest spoke again, "My duty ends here. The rest—"
The silver-haired girl finished for him with a smile. "—will be handled by me."
The priest nodded once, then quietly left the chamber.
Aquilla couldn't move. His eyes were locked onto her face. It was like… like gazing directly at the moon.
"—Aquilla."
He jumped. "Huh?! Eh—?!"
The girl smiled, calmly calling his name.
She… she knows my name?! Aquilla's eyes widened in panic. "H-how do you know who I am?"
The girl pressed her lips together briefly, stifling a small laugh. "Lady Risvela told me."
Aquilla's breath caught. Then… that means… the goddess is truly watching over me right now?
"My name is Oriana Vernius," she said at last. "I am a seeress of Lady Risvela's temple."
Aquilla was still dazed, but managed to speak, his voice hoarse. "O… Oriana…"
Oriana's gentle smile deepened, her eyes gleaming with the reflection of the pool. "It seems we were both chosen by Lady Risvela."
Aquilla felt warmth spread through his chest. Chosen… both of us? Then… I'm not alone after all.
His face flushed crimson as he bowed his head. "I… I don't know what to say."
"There's no need," Oriana said softly, her gaze unwavering. "Lady Risvela has already written your fate among the stars."
Aquilla clenched his scabbard tightly. My fate… already written?
He lifted his head, meeting Oriana's eyes with newfound resolve. "If that's true… then guide me. I won't waste this blessing."
Oriana's smile was graceful, radiant. "Very well, Knight Aquilla. Let us begin the ritual."