The trembling of soft string instruments, the heavy resonance of woodwinds, and the dizzying sound of metal clashing against metal were pleasant to hear. It was as excellent as the song of the Pishas he’d heard in the Goddess’s embrace, so Rou smiled contentedly. Whether they were musicians summoned by Brukisel, their skills were truly excellent.
Like Rou’s assessment, the musicians’ performance was objectively excellent. The musicians who had regained their positions after decades were performing hymns with all their might. Some from the South were already getting teary-eyed even though the ceremony hadn’t properly begun yet.
Everything in the ceremony was already decided—the composition and arrangement of the musicians, the sacred relics used, and even the sacred texts read by the presiding High Priest. Unlike Brukisel, the previous Emperor had very high faith in Goddess Kaine for a Northerner, so all the new Emperor had done was probably just recall the people who had lost their jobs.
Even so, Het was relieved that the Emperor had kept his promise.
Rou walked gliding along the golden carpet. The cup made of pure gold placed at its end was 1 cubit (about 45cm) wide and 1 cubit long. Inside the cup that sparkled golden as it received the pouring light, the first harvested new grain was mixed with spices in exact proportions.
The scent that seemed like it would arise from the Goddess’s paradise deeply stimulated Rou’s nostalgia. When Rou touched the wheat grain with his fingertips, fine spice particles flew hazily like dust and slowly spread through the air. At such times, Rou thought of the sweet honey in the daisies and clover that never diminished no matter how much he ate.
Rou turned his body to face the people and stood. Perhaps because of old memories, he couldn’t hide his smile. Solemn music was flowing and people were looking down with grave expressions, yet only Rou stood facing forward with an endlessly benevolent smile.
Though it must be his first time conducting the ceremony, no sign of confusion could be found in the young High Priest. Rather, he looked at the tense people in the hall with warm eyes. And with gentle hand gestures as if to say it was okay, he spread the fragrance.
When the profound scent of spices filled the great hall, people came to accept as extraordinary the boy who blushed and smiled like one trapped in a famous painting.
Brukisel came forward before Rou. Separate from disliking the Goddess, he seemed to know well how the ceremony proceeded. He came before Rou and held out both hands, and Rou blessed him on behalf of Goddess Kaine.
“This grain is not given by me but bestowed upon you by the Goddess. Those who chew this grain shall never hunger.”
Rou grabbed a handful of grain and gently placed it on Brukisel’s palm. Wheat and barley fell onto Brukisel’s palm. The phrases the priest spoke during the Eucharist ceremony were all predetermined. But Rou sincerely hoped Brukisel would never hunger.
Though he was wrapped in red carpet and wore a uniform and a splendid crown, Rou couldn’t forget that childhood Brukisel. That he would eat his fill in a warm place and be truly happy. Rou prayed this until Brukisel poured the grain into his mouth and his hand disappeared beneath his gloves.
Following Brukisel’s gait came the sound of chewing uncooked dry grain. At the brutal sound, people stepped back to try not to offend his mood. Something like the sound of grinding teeth seemed to be heard.
Some among the crowd gathered in the banquet hall began to worry about the High Priest. They worried whether that frail-looking High Priest could possibly overcome the intimidation the Emperor gave off. Would the Emperor perhaps threaten the High Priest? People watched the Emperor and High Priest closely.
But the High Priest didn’t lose that loving smile as if nothing was wrong. He was actually moved by Brukisel’s excellent physique.
‘His teeth are really strong. They’ll be good enough to use for a hundred years.’
Rou smiled contentedly. The Emperor, as if he found that sight unpleasant, immediately turned his back and withdrew.
‘I was able to meet Brukisel’s eyes after so long.’
If he’d known it would be like this, he would have given the grain more slowly. No, he should have dragged out the time by giving it grain by grain. Rou felt regretful, but it didn’t last long. Believers waiting for his small blessing were already lined up.
After that, Rou distributed grain one by one. The moved believers would often prostrate themselves at Rou’s feet and kiss the hem of his garment. When that happened, Rou would respond with an even brighter smile.
After giving words of blessing to everyone, Rou washed his hands in the Goddess’s Dew he had brought. Soon the spices on his hands from personally distributing the grain dissolved into the water, and a harmonious fragrance emanated from the Goddess’s Dew.
The scent mixed with lemon tree leaves, cloves, and olive tree resin flowed in through the breath and reached deep into memory. Thus, whether it was their first time or they had already participated in the ceremony, they would long for this moment forever.
Brukisel knelt on one knee before Rou. This time Rou scooped up water a bit more slowly, carefully with both hands. A small amount of water pooled in Rou’s small, white palm. Rou carried it carefully, but a few drops slipped and fell, creating thin streams on Brukisel’s cheeks.
Rou flinched for a moment. Because the water droplets that fell on Brukisel’s cheeks looked exactly like teardrops. Perhaps because of that, or perhaps it was just his imagination, Rou thought Brukisel’s red eyes seemed somehow more sunken than usual.
The deep-colored eyes weren’t originally such a lively color, but today they were especially dark and murky. He truly hated this moment. So it seemed he would never forgive himself for creating this situation.
‘Why?’
Rou wanted to make Brukisel happy. For that alone, Rou had come to the human world, leaving behind the Goddess’s opposition and sad face. The cold season and weak human body were inconvenient, but still, he was glad to be by Brukisel’s side.
Rou resolved to give Brukisel the best thing. The best thing he could give was none other than Goddess Kaine’s Blessing.
In Rou’s thinking, there was nothing more precious than that. The blessing received from the High Priest after the Eucharist ceremony was very different from the everyday things done in the temple. Because the blessing received at this time continued even after the flame of life was extinguished and that soul reached the Goddess’s paradise.
Those who received the blessing could sit in more fragrant seats in paradise, were respected by others, and the Pishas would make garlands and sing songs for them.
Human lifespans were short. So being able to enjoy such blessings after death—and in the paradise prepared by the Goddess at that—made humans enthusiastic. No, most humans Rou had seen were like that.
But Brukisel just had sunken eyes like fallen leaves before winter comes, like a death row prisoner waiting for his turn, like a person just waiting for this moment to end quickly. Just quietly.
Rou’s thinking couldn’t understand it.
“Why…”
Rou unconsciously moved his lips. There was no way that sound wouldn’t reach Brukisel kneeling right in front of him. He looked at Rou with a gaze cooler than usual. Rou, afraid of that resentment-like gaze reaching him, fled from Brukisel’s gaze for the first time.
Rou slowly poured the fragrant water over Brukisel’s hair. The scent resembling the Goddess’s paradise flowed down along his forehead, sharp nose bridge, and lips. Even while giving off such a soft and gentle fragrance, Brukisel still had frost-like eyes.
Rou hesitated. The water droplets falling drop by drop from his chin looked like flowing tears. He wanted to wipe his face, but Rou’s hands were already wet. Rou suddenly looked at his own wet hands. The wet water marks seemed to reproach the person who made Brukisel cry. Rou wiped his hands on the red cloth, and then a dark mark like Brukisel’s eyes remained on the fabric.
Brukisel rose abruptly. After carelessly wiping away the holy water that wet his forehead, he climbed close to the throne. When he sat on the throne, the voices of enthusiastic people could be heard. They blessed Brukisel in unison. The musicians announced the start of the banquet with festive songs.
People from various places were excited about the Eucharist ceremony for the first time in decades. People were excited, saying spring had finally come to this northern edge. The reddened faces looked exactly like they’d been tanned by summer sun.
Despite the festive music and the footsteps of excited people, Rou’s mood sank endlessly. The greatest gift he had prepared had instead made Brukisel sad and angry. Though he didn’t know what had made him like that, he hated Goddess Kaine.
‘And probably just as much. Me too.’
Rou stood there like an ice statue and followed Brukisel with his eyes. He disappeared into the curtains behind the throne. Rou looked at the red carpet, but as if no one existed there, the carpet was just quiet.
Rou felt suddenly afraid that he might disappear. So when Brukisel came back out with neat ceremonial robes and his hair slicked back, he secretly let out a sigh of relief.
