[Third Person's PoV]
"Now then, Sherry, if you would kindly step forward…" Cid beckoned with a kind smile.
Hearing her name, Sherry jumped like a startled rabbit. She began to march toward Cid in a stiff, robotic manner, her eyes darting nervously as she became acutely aware of all the gazes now fixed on her.
Fidgeting with her hands, she stopped before him and bowed deeply. "Cid—ah—Sir, Mister Shadow Lord!" she blurted out loudly, her voice trembling.
"Phttt," Cid snickered, quickly covering his mouth to stifle his laughter, not wanting to embarrass her further.
Unfortunately, Sherry still heard it. Her face turned an even deeper shade of red, and if Cid didn't know better, he might have thought steam was about to burst from her head.
In her panic, she remembered how others had knelt instead of bowing and assumed she had made a mistake. Hoping to correct it, she dropped to the ground and performed a full kowtow.
Her palms pressed flat against the floor, her forehead resting on top of them. "Sorry!" she squeaked.
"A bow would have been more than sufficient, Sherry," Cid said gently.
Hearing the kindness in his voice, Sherry took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She slowly rose to one knee and looked up at him hesitantly.
"Sherry," Cid began, his tone warm, "humility is a rare trait that not many possess. You often underestimate your own greatness while overestimating the greatness of others. That is admirable—but perhaps you take it a bit too far. Because of your humility, you can see the good in others, even when others might not. That is why it is considered a virtue."
He unsheathed his sword and gently tapped it on each of her shoulders, knighting her. "And for this reason, I now proclaim you the Virtue of Humility."
Sherry's eyes widened as another Godrune appeared on the back of her hand.
"As the Virtue of Humility," Cid continued, "you now possess the Power of Reflection—the ability to redirect attacks or abilities aimed at you back to their source, but with even greater power."
Sherry looked at him, her surprise evident. "Isn't this… too much? I mean, I know I haven't been with Shadow Garden as long as others. Surely there's someone more worthy than me."
Cid extended a hand toward her. Sherry hesitated before placing her trembling palm in his. He helped her to her feet and gently cupped her face with both hands.
"Trust me," he said softly, his eyes locking with hers, "there is no one more worthy than you."
Before she could respond, he leaned forward and placed a light kiss on her forehead.
Sherry's face turned as pink as her hair. She nodded slowly, unable to meet his gaze, and covered her forehead with both hands as she shyly retreated to where she had been standing.
"Elisabeth…" Cid called, motioning her forward.
Elisabeth looked confused but stepped forward gracefully, holding up the edge of her elaborate red dress as she gave a polite bow.
Elisabeth looked toward Cid, confusion evident in her expression. "I only recently joined this group because I had nowhere else to go. Is it really alright for me to possess such a high position so quickly?"
Cid offered her a reassuring smile. "You don't need to worry. You were chosen not just because of your contributions, but because of your character. Out of all the Seven Virtues, you embody yours more than anyone else."
"Seriously?" Elisabeth asked, raising an eyebrow.
Cid nodded. "Yes, especially considering your past. Tell me, do you know the meaning of the Virtue of Temperance?"
Elisabeth shook her head. "Not really."
"The Virtue of Temperance represents self-control—the ability to restrain oneself from indulgence," Cid explained slowly.
Elisabeth's eyes widened as the meaning sank in.
"That's right. I'm aware of your history. As a vampire, you tried to build a peaceful relationship with humans. You were strong enough to resist your thirst for blood, holding back your hunger to the point of endangering yourself for decades. That isn't an easy feat for a vampire."
He paused, his tone softening. "Even when you lost control, it wasn't your fault. It was the result of your subordinates' actions, not a weakness of your will. You didn't give in out of desire but because you were forced to. Your ability to exercise such remarkable self-control, especially as a member of your race, is why you are the ideal embodiment of Temperance."
With that, Cid moved his sword gracefully over her shoulders. "Which is why I now proclaim you as the Virtue of Temperance."
Elisabeth glanced at the back of her hand, where a golden symbol appeared, glowing faintly. She smiled softly, a sense of validation washing over her as someone finally acknowledged her struggles and rewarded her for them.
"As the Virtue of Temperance," Cid continued, "you are granted the power of Balance. This ability allows you to stabilize chaos, nullify excessive power, and enforce equilibrium. Additionally, you can regulate the energy and emotions of yourself and others."
"Much obliged," Elisabeth said with a gracious bow, one hand holding her dress and the other pressed to her chest.
Cid nodded in acknowledgment as Elisabeth stepped back with quiet dignity.
"Now for Yukime… front and center, if you will," Cid announced, his lips curving into a faint smile.
Yukime approached with a graceful sway, her fan held coyly over her mouth. She bowed low, accentuating her ample cleavage. "Your lordship," she teased, her voice sultry.
Cid chuckled. "Believe it or not, we've known each other far longer than Shadow Garden has existed."
"Fufufu, I believe you're right~" Yukime giggled softly, hiding her smile behind her fan.
"As such, I'm well aware of your journey—how you conquered Lawless Town and used your brilliance to acquire immense wealth. But your virtue isn't in your genius or your success; it lies in your generosity.
"You care deeply for those who serve under you. The women you manage speak highly of you, and I know how far you go to support them when they're in need. Despite how society might judge their occupations or treat them as less than human, you see them for who they truly are and treat them with dignity."
With practiced precision, Cid knighted Yukime as he had the others. "Because of your generosity, I now bestow upon you the title of the Virtue of Charity."
A soft glow emanated from her hand as the rune appeared.
"As the Virtue of Charity," Cid explained, "you possess the ability to redistribute power, energy, or essence. You can absorb someone's strength, abilities, or health and transfer it to someone else in need."
"I'm honored that you hold me in such high regard… Master~" Yukime replied, her voice dripping with allure.
She turned, her hips swaying provocatively as her nine tails flicked gracefully behind her.
'What a vixen,' Cid thought with an inward sigh, shaking his head slightly.
"Now then, for the final member to be summoned—Aurora," Cid called, his voice carrying authority.
Aurora stepped forward gracefully, her head held high. By her side was Celeste, who clung to her hip, looking up at Cid with a mix of excitement and awe.
'This is amazing! Woohoo! That's my daddy right there!' Celeste thought proudly, her chest puffed up as she watched her father knighting everyone with such nobility and majesty. 'Proclaim me as Celeste, the Virtue of Cuteness! With the power to heal anyone who looks at me!' she thought, utterly self-assured.
Cid noticed Celeste chuckling mischievously and, curious, glanced into her thoughts. His face twitched as he suppressed a laugh.
Clearing his throat, he turned his attention to Aurora. "The irony in bestowing you this Virtue is that you are the mother of my daughter," Cid said teasingly.
Aurora, already familiar with the concept of the Virtues, chuckled softly. "I know what you mean… It is quite ironic, isn't it?"
"To you, Aurora, I bestow the Virtue of Chastity," Cid began with a smile. "Understand that the Virtue of Chastity has little to do with virginity or purity. Like the Virtue of Temperance, it's about self-control—specifically, mastery over one's desires, whether they be for pleasure, power, or otherwise.
"I know there must have been times when you felt tempted to give in to your bloodlust or hunger for power. But because of our daughter—" he said, gently rubbing Celeste's cheek, making her giggle, "—you've come to understand the importance of setting an example. An example of self-control and restraint."
Cid moved his sword across Aurora's shoulders with practiced grace. "As such, I hereby grant you the title and power of the Virtue of Chastity."
Celeste, watching with fascination, noticed her mother's hand glowing with a bright golden rune. She reached out with her tiny fingers, tracing the symbol curiously.
Cid continued, "As the Virtue of Chastity, you are now immune to corruption and possess the power to purify. This ability allows you to cleanse toxins, negative emotions, or curses, restoring individuals to their natural state."
Aurora smiled warmly at Cid. "This is because of my past, isn't it?"
Cid returned her smile but remained silent, his expression speaking volumes. Aurora rolled her eyes fondly at his quietness and returned to her place. Celeste, however, remained engrossed, gently prodding the glowing rune on her mother's hand.
Cid turned to the crowd, raising his voice confidently. "Now, I present to you the official members of the Seven Heavenly Virtues! Let's give them a round of applause!"
The area erupted with cheers and claps. The sound of celebration filled the air, echoing around them.
Even Celeste joined in, rapidly clapping her hands with pride as she beamed at Aurora. Her enthusiasm brought a soft smile to Aurora's face as she reached down to caress her cheek.