CHAPTER 495: 494. HOLY GROVE (3)

The interior of the Temple nearly blew the minds of the visitors away. Ocean saw the statues of the Dragons midflight being carved right from the thick marble pillars. The craftsmanship was so impeccable that one might think they were just standing there frozen in time, just slight bit of stimulus and they would come alive.

The grand total of six Dragons were the six pillars that were holding up the ornate ceiling that was painted with the story depicting how the Water Dragon had saved Denril four years ago.

There weren’t any pews in the entire sprawling white hall but just the altar close to the statue at the pedestal.

Ocean and others watched with unconcealed expressions of awe.

Ocean then looked forth at the largest statue that stood at the pedestal. The beautiful Saintess whose eyes were closed and hands clasped at her chest in a quiet prayer, her beautiful robes flowed down like the layers of clouds while a young boy stood beside her with the same expression as hers. The air of piety and devotion embraced them along with the Water Dragon who encirled them.

The Dragon was finely sculpted but looked rather grander than the others, usually it would be the Golden Dragon and Saintess Miella who would be at the pedestal for accepting worship but here the Water Dragon and Saintess Mirielle took that place.

The Sestian citizens who weren’t familiar with this concept stared at the grand statue for a long moment until Cesio cleared his throat.

"This is our savior, Supreme Aqua Dragon, Saintess Mirielle and our young Saint." Cesio gestured towards the statue.

"This place worships a different Dragon and different Saintess?" Marquis Fairisles questioned and Cesio smiled.

"The ceiling of this Temple demonstrates the great blessing of Aqua Dragon bestowed upon Denril just four years ago. The legacy of worshipping the Dragons has been going on for decades but it was only for the first time that a Dragon had appeared to deliver us from our plight. This place was bit ruins years ago but after the Aqua Dragon finally blessed us, we decided to dedicate this Temple to worship the Great Aqua Dragon and Saintess Mirielle and our dear Saint who invoked him."

"Who’s that Saint?" Duke Aurelius asked.

Cesio’s face crumpled before he put on a forced smile, "He is Aqua Dragon’s child who had suffered on this land because of some greedy people. But the benevolent Dragon didn’t exact any revenge on us and just took his child and Saintess along when he left after he defeated the demon who had been wreaking havoc on our land."

Marquis Fairisles, Duke Aurelius, and Davian turned to look at Ocean simultaneously and Ocean chuckled.

"That’s quite a story,*

Cesio turned to him with a knowing smile, "Lord Dragon would still be humble enough to not acknowledge it but we are blessed with just his little bit of kindness."

High Priest Jasper watched the Sestian citizens before he cleared his throat, "Your Holiness, we must take them to the Holy Lake where the others await."

Cesio’s lips parted with a light gasp before he smiled sheepishly, "Apologies, in my eagerness to tell you about our Lord, I forgot. Please come this way."

Cesio gestured towards the large double doors that stood a little bit away from the statue.

Ocean grasped Cesio’s arm again before they started walking towards the double doors. The others followed.

The doors opened and Ocean expected to see the crater which he had left four years ago but instead there was the lake. The bright blue surface glistening under the winter sun, rippling ever so slightly.

Ocean’s eyebrows twitched.

"Wasn’t this lake dried up?" He murmured and Cesio smiled before he explained.

"The rain filled it up and somehow it still has retained the divinity, My Lord. Since you cleansed this place four years ago, your essence still remains here."

Ocean almost laughed, he had been going around blessing people and places without his notice.

The rest of the ones who were going to be present for the ceremony were already there. King Augustine, Crown Prince Arian, Eric and Rune along with a few priests.

The four looked surprised as they saw Ocean and party.

"Mas-Marquis Ocean, Your Excellency and Your Grace... How come you all..." Eric was the first to question as he approached Ocean but Cesio answered instead.

"These people hold distinguishing presences that have the blessing of the Dragon. I reckoned it would be for the best if they too should visit the Holy Lake."

Arian glanced once at Ocean who was holding Cesio’s hand but said nothing.

Augustine was puzzled but then he smiled, "Well as long as you are not asking them to take a dip in the freezing lake."

Cesio chuckled softly before he explained, "There is no need to do that, rather, the ones who are going to be blessed shall have to attend least enter the lake till the waters reach their ankles and pray."

With the snow gathered around the banks of the lake it was obvious that anyone who would enter the lake would at least be expecting a frostbite. But the ones who were going to enter the lake didn’t seem even a bit fazed.

Well, the three royal family members of both Denril and Sestia had the fire element so, the freezing lake wouldn’t do them much, Rune was the Frost mage so even he was free of the temperature problem. Ocean’s gaze flickered over to Davian who had neither and also seemed like he didn’t care about it as he was messing with Sol whom he was carrying in his arms.

The ceremony started with Arian going first. Ocean stood in the back carrying Sol as Davian and others were not standing in a line at the embankment.

Augustine watched as his son walked forth towards the lake. Arian removed his boots and folded up the edges of his trousers, well, he had to do it himself since there was no maid or servant here to do it for him.

He placed his bare feet on the icy ground without flinching or even letting the effect of the cold show. His eyes blazed with the strength of the future ruler as he took a step ahead placing his bare foot into the water.

Ocean expected at least slight jerk or flinch from him but Arian simply took another step and then another till the water was up till his calves. He stood there staring at the horizon for a moment before his eyes drifted back to the crowd, lingering on Ocean for a moment before he faced forth.

Arian closed his eyes and clasped his fingers at his chest, praying.

Ocean stood still until a voice rang out in his head.

"... Help me become stronger and the kind of ruler that would make my father proud."

It was Arian’s prayer that reverberated into Ocean’s head.

Ocean released a voiceless sigh as the prayer from anyone directed to him would be recieved at his end and he would have a choice on whether to accept the prayer and bless the devotee or just ignore. Up till now, he hadn’t ever ignored any of his devotees who had earnestly prayed to him.

"Aren’t you going to bless him?" Sol asked in a low voice.

Ocean glanced at him sideways, "How do you know he’s praying to me?"

Sol narrowed his eyes, "Who else could he be praying so earnestly to after looking at you?"

Ocean inhaled deeply before he looked at Arian and then closed his eyes. To give a proper blessing he would have to announce it with his real name and that was out of question in this place.

"Let’s do this," Ocean murmured before he used his mana.

The water in the lake started swirling and a small, kitten-sized water Dragon floated above to everyone’s surprise.

Ocean let the water Dragon fly over and circle over Arian’s head sprinkling some water which made him look up before Ocean let the water Dragon dissolve.

Arian looked in stunned silence while the Priests rejoiced in the back watching the adorable blessing.

"That wasn’t a blessing," Sol whispered and Ocean shrugged.

"It was a sign that I heard him." Ocean responded.

After Arian, Eric stepped up. Ocean watched with an expression of a satisfied parent as Eric stepped into the icy water without flinching. He took walked deeper into the lake until the water splashed over his calves before he closed his eyes and clasped his hands.

"... Master... I hope I become the kind of ruler you want me to be and never disappoint you by my shortcomings."

A small smile appeared on Ocean’s lips before he repeated the process that he had done with Arian and the kitten-sized cute Dragon flew over Eric’s head sprinkling the droplets of water before dissolving.

"Prince of Sestia was also blessed!" The Priests cheered.

According to the hierarchy Davian was next, but Davian looked at Rune and smiled.

"Prince Rune, why don’t you head out first? I’ll go after you." Davian said much for everyone’s surprise.

Ocean tilted his head watching as Davian stepped back and Rune, though confused stepped ahead as no one else seemed to have any problem.

Marquis Fairisles and Duke Aurelius watched with glinting eyes as Rune stepped into the water and even Ocean’s chest swelled with pride.

Rune stood in the water and closed his eyes clasping his hands at his chest.

Ocean didn’t hear the prayer this time and simply tilted his head curiously wondering what her brother prayer for or to whom.

"Do it," Sol spoke making Ocean look at him.

"Hm?" Ocean looked at him and Sol gestured at Rune.

"Do the Dragon thing you were doing."

Ocean frowned a bit but he did repeat the process, the little water Dragon flew over Rune’s head and Ocean smiled before he lowered the little water Dragon’s head over Rune’s as if resting a light peck over his head before the water Dragon disappeared.

Rune touched his wet hair before he turned to look at Ocean who smiled.

Rune stepped out and now it was Davian’s turn.

Ocean watched as Davian had already removed his boots and folded his trousers up. He smiled at Rune as he passed by.

"Seems like the Dragon here likes Young Duke the most."

Rune didn’t say anything for a moment as he stopped before he smirked, "Of course."

Davian didn’t show any offense before he walked towards the lake.

Ocean watched as Davian stepped into the icy waters, Ocean wondered if he was all right as he didn’t show any sign of discomfort as he stepped deeper into the water till the water splashed past his calves. He closed his eyes and clasped his hands.

"Master, it’s you who’s hearing our prayers, right? Then you must know what I want the most, please... let Miss Reina fall in love with me and for us to have a happy life together. I promise I’ll keep her happy and well and you’ll even have more kids to play with soon enough."

Ocean’s face almost turned red hearing his prayer before he inhaled and exhaled deeply. Sol who noticed simply smirked and Ocean despite feeling embarrassed repeated the process of the water Dragon’s blessing on Davian.

After the blessing was done, Davian turned his head looking at Ocean with a grin that effectively stabbed his conscience deeper and made his cheeks go red.

Handling this matter would probably be even messier than making Eric the King. Ocean could only hope that he would somehow find a safe way out of this.