Samuel looked at the sea of people expecting an answer. The child King being held in the inquisitor's arms had just done the impossible and the script that he had created previously had gone wrong. Despite this, whilst his heir was looking between Alfred and him, Samuel quickly fixed his appearance and fell to his knees.
The sudden act silenced the crowd. Samuel's old voice, reinvigorated with a newfound power boomed throughout the Cathedral, "The lord has answered. The boy... no His Highness, King Alfred II of the Ammary Kingdom has proved himself. Since the end of the Lost Era, we are now witnessing the first confirmed 'Blessed by Sol'. People, rejoice, for your Kingdom will now be under the divine protection of a Champion of Sol. And I beg forgiveness from the lord for ever doubting his will."
Samuel slammed his head to the ground before trying to stand, beckoning Constance to help him. "As Head of the Church of Sol, I, Pope Samuel V, hereby bestow the title 'Blessed One' to King Alfred. With this newfound title, his miracles shall now be added to the scriptures and be mandatory for all clergy to learn. Everybody, please clasp your hands together for we pray."
The crowd quickly followed the orders with the inquisitors who flanked the side of the Cathedral falling to one knee, clutching the symbol of Sol around their necks. Samuel looked to the sky, a happy smile on his face.
"Our Lord Sol. We thank you for your eternal warmth and guidance. We thank you for your beloved daughter's caring embrace and we thank you for the life you gave us. Despite the sins we commit, your love for us is overpowering and we hope that it remains, for we as humans, are imperfect. We thank you lord and hope that for eternity to come we may join you in your perfect home, finally to be truly reunited with you."
The crowd slowly opened their eyes, some with tears after hearing the Pope personally pray with them. Samuel finally opened his eyes and looked at Alfred's unconscious body. "Carefully take him back to his chambers, and keep guard. When he awakens, notify me immediately."
The inquisitor slammed his fist on his heavy chest plate before leaving the Cathedral. The people watched as he walked down the middle aisle with hope in their eyes, that the future would be bright.
Three days passed. Alfred's eyes opened. His head hurt and his stomach rumbled, yet he didn't get the chance to properly awaken before he was assaulted by the sound of heavy footsteps and doors slamming. Soon the door reopened and an old grandfatherly voice entered his ear.
"It is good to see you awake boy." Alfred looked at Samuel's kind smile and tender eyes. A small smile rose on his lips seeing the gamble had paid off, as he silently thanked the little him in his mind.
"I'm hungry." The pain in his stomach made the moment of happiness short as he blurted the words out.
"Of course. You have been asleep for three days." Samuel snapped his bony fingers and ordered a servant before giving his full attention to Alfred again. "You must forgive me for doubting you before. I... I was sceptical. I should have known that resurrection was only possible for our lord yet I doubted. I have begged for his forgiveness and will continue to until I die, but I must ask you for it."
Alfred sat himself up. His face had a bitter smile on it. On one hand, the man in front of him set him up to die. But on the other hand, it wasn't out of spite or a power play, but out of a religious fervour. Could he fault a man who believed he was doing the right thing?
Looking into the old man's eyes he innocently smiled. "You did what you did to protect the faith and people. If I couldn't forgive you for that then I would be underserving of his Lord's blessing."
"Thank you, your Highness, "Samuel spoke with respect giving a small bow. Alfred was stunned but said nothing. "With that said your Highness, you must understand what you have done. You making the crystal gold isn't a small issue, but the first confirmed case since the Lost Era. You have become a Champion of Sol. Your resurrection is to be added to scripture. Whilst the title adds no tangible authority, you now wield something that no other does. You must not abuse this, however. For as quickly as Sol gives his blessing it can be revoked."
Alfred nodded silently. He understood. His resurrection was one thing, but to have it confirmed by the Pope himself was another. He knew that the Church was going to be more lenient with him now, but he also knew that others around him would use this chance. His mind thought East. Snowid seemed like the type to conquer the Kingdom to prove he was better than a 'Blessed One'.
The servant walked into the room carrying a bowl of food. "I'll leave you to eat your Highness. Within a couple of days, I will take my leave, for the final pilgrimage cannot wait for anyone, not even you." With a nod in response, Samuel left Alfred alone in his room.
Two months passed and word travelled to the neighbouring Kingdoms. The Sultan sat on his throne reading parchment detailing the event of the Pope's visit to the Kingdom. His face filled with disgust and annoyance.
"To think I sent my daughter into his hands. She may be a freak but it is still my blood. And this boy. He spills blood like its water and yet is proclaimed blessed by Sol." Finishing his words, he spat on the floor as if swallowing something gross. "If this does not prove Khors struggle against tyranny then I do not know what does."
The Sultan threw the parchment back onto the silver tray, the servant backing away. Looking around the council room, he knew that a viper's grip was closing in on his Sultanate. Despite this, his face remained stern. Standing up he looked at his advisors.
"We must make the Sultanate stronger if we wish to survive the coming storm. The puppets of Sol slowly close in to strangle us but we do not waver. We Followers of Khors know adversity and thrive in it. We shall slay every one of them, freeing them from the corrupting hand of the tyrant." His two palms fell on the table as he looked the one who sat closest to his seat in the eye. "Send a message to the barbarian in the West. I wish to speak terms."
"At once." The man bowed. The Sultan took his seat again as he began to move on to different affairs.
In the East, Snowid's booming laugh resounded throughout the throne room. In front of him, Samuel stood. "You tell me that boy is Blessed by Sol. If the lord is willing to bless the insane then no wonder the Safrid's could carve a kingdom in a foreign land."
"You will talk with respect when talking about the Lord, Snowid. You forget yourself." Samuel's voice had a hint of bloodlust in it as the two men stared at one another. Snowid's grin grew larger, but eventually, he put his hands up giving a slight bow.
"Forgive me. It was wrong to insult the Lord. But I must say Your Holiness, you may call him what you want but to the people of the Commonwealth, that boy will always be known as the 'Blood Child'. His very existence spills blood and whether it is the blood of sinners of his fellow faithful only time will tell." His voice was harsh. Lazily putting his hand on his chin, his eyes looked into the distance, not focusing on the guests in front of him, viewing something that seemed distanced.