As soon as Eli uttered the prayer, an inexplicable warmth showered Emperor Valentin and Queen Tehila.
They also saw that from Eli's palms, a pale golden light emerged and passed through their arms and settled in their hearts and minds.
"It really is a divine blessing!" Emperor Valentin couldn't believe what he saw.
Eli could really trigger the priest's blessing. He could feel the divine power enveloping his whole body.
Queen Tehila and Leon were also speechless. As a member of the Imperial Family, they have experienced going to the temple, asking for the Priest's blessings.
But they would never obtain one if they have not subjected themselves to the altar cleansing ceremony, which required them to spend an hour in the altar praying.
But their experience with Eli was entirely different. They received such a precious blessing just by her uttering prayers, without any ceremonial activities involved!
Eli also was as surprised as them. Although she hoped that she would trigger the phenomenon, she still felt unreal now that she actually did it.
Still under a deep daze, the Emperor subconsciously recited the oracle for them to hear;
--
"Rejoice! Oh, Empire whose name is victorious,
For The One Who Sees listened to the one who prayed.
Hold the hand of the one who was named industrious,
No longer will he who suffered be ever afraid."
--
Upon listening to the contents of the oracle, a flash of enlightenment appeared to the two, while Leon and Eli remained humble and calm.
"Could it mean that you are the subject of the oracle, young Eli?" Queen Tehila asked with worry.
"This… It's better not to assume, Your Majesty, Your Highness. For it may just be a coincidence." Eli replied softly and a hint of anxiousness appeared on her face.
"Besides, I couldn't take the burden and consequences if I really was the subject." She continued.
Upon hearing this, the old couple choked in realization. Despite Eli's denial, they had their own answers in their heart.
However, what Eli said made them realize that right now, it wasn't good for her to be branded as that. Her identity was already complicated initially, now another layer would be added to this complication.
The worst was that it may involve a lot of party, not only the temple and the Imperial family, but also the enemies.
"Mother, Father.. I implore you about these things, please keep it a secret to others." Leon pleaded on behalf of Eli.
Although he knew that his parents understood the graveness of this matter, he couldn't be rest assured until he said it with his own mouth. This was to rectify his position in the matter.
The two immediately understood.
Queen Tehila held Eli's hand sincerely and replied, "Thank you for your prayers. Please be at ease. We will protect you at all costs."
"Thank you… Your Majesty, Your Highness." Upon hearing their genuine commitment, Eli was deeply touched. Her eyes started to redden in intense emotions.
"Right, about the mission.." Emperor Valentin recalled another important topic and looked at Leon.
"We are rather in an awkward position. We are already at the point where we couldn't delay nor stop the operations…" Emperor Valentin voiced his concerns.
Although Eli was able to trigger the blessings, it was a different thing when it comes to a larger number of people.
Besides, for the people marching for battle, one blessing would not be enough to ensure victory and safety. It also includes proper planning, preparation and manpower.
"I will ask Teacher to help me, maybe it will help us avoid the worst case." Leon replied with determination.
He would also not let his subordinates march on a suicide mission.
He will do his best to increase their chances of survival. Of course, his parents didn't know of his other abilities yet, so he could only mention asking General Farauld's help in this matter.
"Hmm, that makes sense. Then I'll also mandate him to complement your force as well…" Emperor Valentin replied, then paused suddenly with a heavy sigh.
"Hah… If you only had a bigger force, you would not have to worry much for this one." He said with a tone partly helpless and partly blaming.
Leon didn't justify himself in front of his father.
He just calmly replied, "The members of the Crimson Blade were all volunteers. Rest assured, I won't stop looking for opportunities to take a few more knights."
He didn't tell his father that only a few applied to join the Crimson Blades every annual knighthood ceremony.
Those few would always be ostracized by their colleagues, in the end they would withdraw their applications and join other troops.
The Crimson Blades really didn't mind.
A knight who wavered just because of the fear of being ridiculed for their differences will not survive in the Crimson Blades. It's better for them to recruit no one, than recruit a knight who didn't have enough guts and loyalty to their vision as a troop.
As for Leon, among the Crimson Blade Knights, only his vice captains, Blade and Oliver, knew of his multiple abilities.
That was also the main reason why he kept the two close.
One was a talented summoner, the other was a capable caster. They helped him mask his abilities during battles. He also created paper spells to mask his aptitude on casting and summoning magic.
All along, his crew and even the observers thought that the traces of caster or summoner fight came from their vice captains. They also thought that the Prince had greatly compensated for his lacking abilities by buying so many paper spells.
This was how up until now, Leon managed to limit the people who knew of his true abilities in less than ten people.
After discussing for a while, Eli and Leon bade goodbye as they still had to let the old couple prepare for the temple visitation.
Being reminded of this manner, the old couple suddenly lost their desire to visit the temple and pouted. Why?
Because the answers to their questions were already in front of them.
Also, because they could have spent more time with Eli and Little Han if they stayed!
However, this was their duty so they had to aggrievedly part with Eli and Little Han goodbye. Leon had to accompany Eli back as he wanted to ensure that they come back safe.
However, just before they completely step in the teleportation array, Leon had a sudden thought. He turned and walked towards the old couple.
pαndα,noνɐ1,сoМ "What's the matter son?" Queen Tehila softly asked.
Leon took his space pouch, got several pieces of supreme mana stones and carefully placed it on his mother's hands.
…
The old couple was shocked.
Why did this young couple like to make their eyes wide open and their mouths agape?!
In just a span of more than an hour, they have made their hearts leap with so much surprise, anxiety and sense of loss!
There were a lot of mana stones in the Empire's treasure, however, they could just be counted as very few.
Leon just casually took out a several pieces and gave it to the two of them without even showing a trace of pain!
Seeing that they were at a daze and confused, Leon just gave a short explanation,
"You can use it to visit the cottage, I have modified the array to be directly linked in this chamber, and only these types of mana stones could be used to go there. I think one stone could transport you back and forth for two months, should you visit daily."
The old couple were still left speechless.
With the handful of supreme mana stones on their hands, they could even say that they could sleep in the cottage every night until Little Han turns two years old!
However, Leon, and even Eli, remained unfazed by the value of the stones they have just given away.
Since his parents were still not reacting further, he just nodded and carefully bade them goodbye to head to the cottage.
It was only when the couple couldn't see their figures that they snapped out of their senses.
How extravagant could the young couple be!
But thinking through the intention of the two, Emperor Valentin and Queen Tehila couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
The young ones thought of them even after they entered parenthood. Such filial son and daughter in law, what more could they ask for?
--
Eli and Leon safely teleported back to their cottage. They noticed that the bunch were just having their breakfast so Eli opted to stay in the living room for a while.
Seeing that Eli and Little Han were all settled, Leon prepared to go back to his castle.
"I have to go. Take care and call me when something's up." Leon bade Eli goodbye.
"Uhnn…" Having half of her troubles solved, Eli started to look back to the things that happened and realized what Leon had done for her a while ago.
Looking at his cold yet dependable back, Eli took a big gulp and called him out with courage, "Leon!"
"Yes?" Leon casually paused and looked at her with an inquisitive look on his alluring pair of blue eyes.
"Thank you for everything earlier.. What do you like for dinner?"
Blushing Eli shyly asked, like a little wife in love.
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