Chapter 899: Chapter 900: My Child What was the Holy Child? To put it simply, there was no such thing. The High Templar had made it up on the spot. To put it simply, it was just a title given to Damon because he had seemed holy and embodied the goddess’ divine power in the eyes of the High Templar. Of course, Damon understood there must be some politics to all this, but at the same time the Temple couldn’t just let him go. One, Damon was a talent of this era, a prodigy in his own right, maybe even crazier than Seras Blade with how fast he sped through the ranks. Second, Damon was famous. Though it was closer to infamy, but famous nonetheless. He was the grandson of the Grand Duke, so he was very well connected. But the most important reason was the fact he had actually managed to absorb divine energy into his heart and not die. The High Templar had to call the Nine Elders of Conflict, and by the time Damon came to, they had made a decision. Damon should have been taken outside, but instead he was taken to a part of the Temple. When he entered inside, they offered him a golden seat, and someone came forward with a black box with countless magic seals overlapping each other. He tried to stay calm, but he was almost bubbling with excitement. This type of seal, no matter what treasure was inside it, would be an overpowered holy relic. That would be great, because he wanted something to preserve his very life. One of the veiled Nine Elders took it and created a magic seal with his palm, then opened it. Something flashed through, and Damon found it was— A white fabric. He blinked. This was a holy relic? He paused for a moment, then decided to appraise it with his appraisal skill. [Holy Shroud] [Type: Holy] [Description] He had knelt for many years, paying for his sins and begging atonement. It never came. The statue of the goddess remained silent until the day Lazarak walked free from Eidolon. Convinced it was his divine task to stop the escaped god, he set out after him, with a heart shrouded by conviction, driven by confusion. [Effect] This shroud gives a holy aura to those who wear it. The stronger their divine energy, the holier they seem. Damon didn’t even know what to say. It was just a goddamn fabric looking holy. Why would he need that? ’It’s a damn useless holy relic.’ It must have come from that wretch who was guarding the first floor of Eidolon. So that was what happened to him in the real world. Damon took it with two hands with a solemn expression, while cursing in his heart. The High Templar muttered a few prayers. "You are chosen by the goddess. Take this Holy Shroud. Take it." Damon nodded slowly and took the shroud. ...... The Grand Duke stood in the Temple main plaza along with many honored guests invited by the Temple, as well as high clergy. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂 The number was even more than he expected. He saw quite a few familiar faces, even ones he didn’t invite, like Seras Blade, who was here as well. For some reason, he figured she was invited by the Temple. That said, what made him anxious was the fact that the Nine Star Elders, who were elusive, had all showed up, and Damon had been in there longer than a whole day. The old man knew his grandson’s personality. He was not the type of person to give people face. He took a deep breath. If the Temple wanted to make things difficult for his grandson, then he would have to deal with them. Regardless of the consequences. He nodded slightly at an unassuming noble who seemed to be trying to curry favor with his family, but the truth was that was just one of the many forms Jarvis could take. Just as he was about to step forward and question them— A long line of women in white veils came out, singing hymns. What followed was a young man with dark hair and a crown, wearing a white shroud. He wore a white blindfold, as if he wanted to avoid looking at this sinful world. His aura was pure and serene, but still fierce enough to represent war and doom. It was as if this man was chosen by the goddess herself. Everyone went silent as this solemn holy person stepped down the long steps of the Temple. At the top, the High Templar raised his hand. "I announce, for the first time since the Temple was founded, we have found the Holy Child we have been searching for, the herald of the new era." Damon kept his expression calm. This old man was truly shameless. Didn’t they come up with the whole thing like half an hour ago? "The Temple has searched high and low for the Child of War, the true Child of War, blessed of the goddess of doom and hero of the goddess races." "Ladies and gentlemen, the Holy Child shall now give his blessings." Damon didn’t know how to react, but he had planned how to take advantage of this situation. He walked up to the crowd. The first person his eyes locked onto was Xander Ravenscroft. He was here because his family was incredibly tied to the Brightwaters. Stopped in front of him, even blindfolded, he could see. In fact, the blindfold was all him. No one asked him to wear it. He just thought he’d look better with it. He slowly reached out his hand, with a low voice that seemed as if he was high on drugs. Xander lifted his eyebrows. What did he want him to do? His eyes moved to his fingers, where Damon was wearing a ring on each finger. "My child... kiss the ring and get my divine blessings." Hearing his voice—low and steady, pitched like a drunk eunuch— Xander wanted to sneer, but the crowd were taken by Damon’s overwhelmingly holy aura. "Kiss the ring. Kiss the ring." Xander gritted his teeth just to avoid trouble. This was the Holy Empire. He had to act in accordance to religion. He just didn’t imagine a goddess-hating, religion-criticizing person like Damon would suddenly become a holy man. He moved his hand and kissed Damon’s ring. Damon placed his hand behind Xander’s head, holding him down with a thinly veiled smile. "You are blessed, my son." Next, he moved to Emilia Highgon, who was next to Xander. She sighed and just did it. "You are blessed, my child. I see an ominous future with this one... be careful." Xander winced but forced a smile as Damon moved on, blessing people. The crowd of nobles were busy getting blessed by a seventeen-year-old with a history of theft, smuggling, and of course, mass murder. But who cares? He had divine energy. Damon reached Evangeline, who was standing next to their grandfather. He nodded at his grandfather, who didn’t even know what to say to his grandson. He really hoped Damon wouldn’t try to make him kiss the ring and call him his son. After a few moments of exchanging looks, Damon cleared his throat and glanced at Evangeline and Luna. He offered them his hand without even looking at them. Evangeline held back the urge to hit him right there, but kissed his ring. He placed a hand on her head. "This... I see a very violent spirit within you, my child. Try anger management. You are blessed." Luna didn’t move. She didn’t think he’d make her do it. "Ahem. Ahem." He reached his hand out. She knew she had to. This person was her brother. When did he become so shameless? She kissed the ring. He paused for a moment. "The Holy One demands you must kiss the cheek as well." He leaned down. Iris, who was next to her, glared at him. That was not part of a religious ritual. Luna just wanted this to be over with, so she jumped slightly and kissed her brother’s cheek. "Ahem, ahem... you are blessed. Good child." He glanced at Iris. She grumbled under her breath and kissed the ring. "You are a lazy child. Work harder. I heard your teacher is a supreme talent. Learn from his greatness. You are blessed." She gritted her teeth. He was her teacher. He had just shamelessly praised himself. Next, he spotted Lilith Astranova, who was trying to hide behind her father so he wouldn’t make her kiss the ring. Damon walked there, flanked by veiled women singing low hymns. He reached out his hand to her. His eyes calmed at her chest slightly, and he took a moment to appreciate how good she looked. Damon gave her his hand, rings glittering. His smug expression was all she needed to know she had to. "Tsk." She clicked her tongue and kissed the ring. Damon cleared his throat and glanced at her chest. Lilith was a young woman with long red hair and a long green gown. "Keep being bountiful... and may the one deserving continue to appreciate the fruits of your labor." Her eyes twitched. This bastard was just outright talking about sleeping with her. Damon turned to Abellona, and after making things difficult for her, he finally turned his sight to members of the Temple. He stopped at Father Dantalion and reached out his hand. "Danny, my son... take my blessings." Father Dantalion gritted his teeth. He was an old monster. Now some brat was calling him his son.