Side Story: The Glowing Goddess Statue (2) (Alexis's Perspective)

After waiting a while longer, it seemed the arrangements were finally complete, and we had made our way to Central Church. A great many commoners were gathered outside, but the area up to the prayer room had apparently been completely cleared, leaving it quiet.

When we entered the prayer room, the goddess statue was not glowing. I had only been here once before, but it looked no different from then.

"It doesn't seem to be glowing at present. When did it last glow?"

"About thirty minutes ago."

"Is there a set interval at which it glows?"

"There doesn't seem to be any pattern at present. Sometimes it glows after only a few minutes, while other times an hour passes before it does."

"I see."

Then there was no telling how long we would have to wait. Nothing seemed particularly unusual as I watched it, but... Would it really glow? I couldn't believe it without seeing it for myself.

It was then that the goddess statue suddenly began to emit a sacred light, which grew stronger and stronger.

Amazing... It was such a sacred light that I felt as if it were cleansing my heart. Though intense, it did not feel blinding.

There was something gentle about it, too. Captivated by the light, I continued gazing at it for some time.

"Richard, this is incredible."

"Yes... To be honest, I never imagined it would be this magnificent."

"Neither did I."

I naturally dropped to one knee, clasped my hands, and assumed a posture of prayer. Seeing this light made me want to pray. It was a light with some kind of mysterious power...

Some people seemed surprised when I knelt, but since I was about to declare my support for Goddess-sama and Apostle-sama, it seemed appropriate.

It seemed everyone else followed my example and assumed a posture of prayer as well.

...Goddess-sama. Please watch over this country.

We continued praying like that for a while, then stood when the light subsided. It only lasted a few minutes, but had it shone for longer, I might have continued praying the entire time.

It was that sacred a light.

"Richard, let's return."

"As you wish."

After finishing our inspection of the goddess statue, we returned to the office and resumed our discussion, just the two of us.

"Richard, that was an incredible light."

"Yes... I found myself completely captivated. It was such a powerful yet gentle light. There can be no doubt that it was the work of Goddess-sama."

"Yes, no light created by humans could have been like that. It must have been Goddess-sama's power. For now, let's issue a notice instructing the nobles to visit Central Church. Some may change their minds after seeing that light."

"I believe you are right. Let us issue the notice. Once we know the interval at which the goddess statue glows, we will include that as well."

"I'll leave it to you."

Seeing that light may lead some to change their minds and resolve to follow the teachings of Goddess-sama and Apostle-sama.

"As for the notice to the commoners, would it be all right to have the knights go to the soldiers' barracks and relay it there by word of mouth?"

"Aren't you going to summon the soldiers' commander to the knights' headquarters?"

"That was my first thought, but if we summoned only the commander and that person conveyed incorrect information, everyone in the district would hear it. To prevent that, it would be better to have every soldier hear it. Afterward, the soldiers could go from house to house and pass it on."

"Indeed, you are right. If we are going to convey it that way, what should the message say? Since it will be passed on by word of mouth, I believe we should avoid making it too long."

If the message is too long, it may be conveyed incorrectly or have parts omitted. For now, it should be enough to explain what happened and convey that, according to the teachings of Goddess-sama and Apostle-sama, commoners and nobles should help one another.

"The goddess statue at Central Church shone with a sacred light. The teachings of Goddess-sama and Apostle-sama say that nobles and commoners should help one another. Those two points should be enough. I would also like to add that if a noble is acting unreasonably toward them, they should report it to the soldiers' barracks or a church official."

If the commoners were to rebel under the pretext of the teachings of Goddess-sama and Apostle-sama, it would be disastrous. The territories that had imposed particularly harsh rule would likely be at risk. I thought adding those words would help prevent that, but might they instead provoke the nobles too much?

"I thought we should add those words to prevent a commoner rebellion, but do you think they would provoke the nobles too much?"

"I believe the nobles will be unable to make any rash moves in the current situation, so this should be fine. With a notice that mild, I don't think they will take any overt action for now. However, I humbly suggest that nobles against whom complaints are made not be punished, but merely warned at first."

"That is certainly true. Then we will proceed with that policy."

"As you wish."

As for the notice to the nobles, it would probably be best not to say too much. Nobles are apt to seize on individual phrases and interpret them broadly, so the best approach is to convey it in as few words as possible.

"Would it be enough to tell the nobles simply that they must firmly uphold the teachings of Goddess-sama and Apostle-sama?"

"That alone will convey everything to the nobles. Since we should keep the wording as brief as possible, it will be more than sufficient."

"Then, please handle both the notice to the nobles and the notice to the commoners."

"Understood. I will make the arrangements immediately."

It seemed things were about to get busy again... First, I had to tell Elisabeth, Stefan, and Martine about this.

I would have dinner served earlier today, then make time afterward. Stefan and Martine might have a difficult time at the Royal Academy, after all.

Being born into the royal family meant this could not be helped, but I still couldn't help wishing that my children could spend their lives as peacefully and happily as possible. I would do everything I could for them.

"Then let's bring things to a close for today. Please inform Leon-sama. And Lucien, of course."

"I will be sure to inform them. Then I will finish making the various arrangements before returning home."

"Yes, please do. Anything that can wait until tomorrow may be left until then."

"Understood. Thank you."

After parting with Richard, I returned to the North Palace.

I had a feeling something was about to happen. My goal had been to live in peace until I handed the throne over to Stefan, but...

At this point, I would have to resolve every problem before handing the throne over to Stefan.

I steeled my resolve once more and stepped through the doors of the North Palace.