"Thank you for managing the temple as the acting priest for a week," Lucan said. "Thanks to you, we were able to enjoy our trip without worry."
Maris, standing beside him with her usual grace and poise, nodded in agreent. "Thank you, Priest Taro. We're grateful for your dedication."
Taro's chest puffed out with pride, his eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of a job well done. "It's my pleasure! I'm glad I could help with the Saint's temple!" His voice carried a robust energy that matched his newfound sense of purpose.
As the two continued to express their gratitude, Taro's deanor beca almost exuberant. "I'm honored to have been entrusted with the Saint's temple, even if just temporarily! If you ever need again, just let know!"
Lucan smiled. "Thank you. I'll be sure to rely on you if that happens."
Just as the conversation seed to be winding down, Taro's expression shifted, becoming slightly more serious. "Oh, by the way," he said, reaching into his robe. "A letter arrived from the Grand Temple in the royal capital during your absence."
He handed Lucan a finely sealed envelope, the wax emblem of the Grand Temple unmistakable. Lucan's eyes narrowed slightly as he took it.
"This is…" Lucan murmured, recognizing the na on the envelope. "It's from Archpriest Kerum."
The na carried a certain gravitas. Archpriest Kerum was a figure of imnse power and influence within the ecclesiastical hierarchy, second only to the God's Avatar and, in many ways, more directly involved in the day-to-day governance of the temple's affairs.
Moreover, he was also strong, strong enough to kill Maris if he ever got serious about it.
As Lucan carefully broke the seal and unfolded the letter, his eyes scanned the elegant script, absorbing the words with growing intrigue.
"The content is… inviting to the royal capital? To grant the title of Holy Priest?"
The letter elaborated on the invitation, stating that the Grand Temple wished to officially recognize Lucan as a "Holy Priest" and was inviting him to the capital for the ceremony.
The title of Holy Priest was a prestigious honor, bestowed upon priests who had made significant contributions to the faith and the temple's mission.
"That's amazing, Lucan-sama!" Maris exclaid, her voice filled with genuine happiness for him. Her light blue eyes sparkled with admiration, the soft pink of her hair catching the fading sunlight.
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Taro echoed, his excitent palpable as he clapped Lucan on the back with a hearty thump.
Maris's heart swelled with joy, her thoughts swirling with the possibilities this new developnt presented. She had always believed in Lucan's potential, knowing that he was destined for greatness. The thought of him being recognized and honored by the Grand Temple filled her with pride. She was genuinely happy, not just for Lucan's achievent, but for what it ant for their future together.
As she looked at Lucan, her mind drifted to the many monts they had shared, the conversations, the laughter, and the unspoken bond that had grown between them. Maris had always admired Lucan's, but now, seeing him standing on the brink of such an important milestone, her admiration deepened into sothing more profound.
She couldn't help but imagine their future—Lucan rising through the ranks, his na revered by all, while she stood by his side, supporting him every step of the way. The thought ward her heart, filling her with a sense of fulfillnt she hadn't known she was missing. In future, once Lucan was top position of Temple, no one would say anything if she got together with Lucan.
While Maris and Taro were caught up in the excitent of the news, Lucan was also happy about it. This was the first step to reaching a higher status in his life, and one day he would stand at the top. As for what contributions he had made to receive this title, the most significant was guiding Maris, nurturing her innate gifts, and helping her grow into her role as the Saint.
He glanced at Maris, who was beaming with pride. Lucan felt a deep sense of satisfaction. This title he had received was tied to her, to everything they had achieved together.
However, he had one concern: the Water Source he had been thinking about before the trip. It was sothing that could make him strong enough to not lose against any Kingdom-Class strong people. But if he went to the capital now, he wouldn't have ti for the Water Source.
Well, forget it… Lucan thought, resigning himself. I'm already a Kingdom-Class strong person. The Water Source can wait.
He nodded to himself, resolving to accept the honor. The Grand Temple's recognition was a significant step, and while he was there, he should also et his siblings and mother.
"Well then," he said, breaking the silence that had settled around them, "I'll accept the invitation and head to the royal capital."
As he was about to fold the letter back into its envelope, sothing caught his eye. There was another piece of paper tucked inside, neatly folded and bearing a different seal.
"Huh, there's another letter inside?" he muttered, carefully pulling it out and unfolding it.
The paper was slightly thicker, with the emblem of the Royal Academy embossed at the top. As Lucan's eyes scanned the text, his brow furrowed in confusion and then slowly lifted in surprise.
"'Appointnt certificate. You are appointed as a temporary lecturer at the Royal Academy in the royal capital'…?" he read aloud, the words hanging in the air between them.
Maris, who had been quietly observing Lucan's reaction, tilted her head slightly, her expression curious. "The Royal Academy..." Then a blooming smile appeared on her face. "Doesn't that an we can be together?"
Lucan nodded.
"Yeaahhhh," Maris smiled as she hugged Lucan, "We can be together. I don't have to miss you."
Lucan hugged her back as he considered the reason behind this.
The suddenness of the appointnt, combined with the invitation to be recognized as a Holy Priest, made Lucan wonder if there was more at play.
Taro, who had been silent, spoke up as Maris finished displaying her happiness.
"The Royal Academy… That's an incredible opportunity, Lucan-sama. To be invited as a lecturer… You must accept!"
Maris nodded in agreent. "Yes, please accept it. We can be together."
"Yes," he said, a smile spreading across his face. "I will accept both invitations."
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