The entire battlefield was deathly silent.
The wind stopped, and the wailing of the lost souls vanished.
Everyone's gaze was focused on that figure kneeling on one knee, a figure so perfect it did not seem to belong to the mortal realm.
Sanguinia.
She lowered her noble head deeply, and in a posture bordering on worship, she piously and repeatedly kissed the back of Terrania's small hand, which was even stained with a bit of dust.
"My... Majesty..."
Her voice, like a holy hymn played in heaven, echoed in the depths of everyone's soul.
"Your Archangel..."
"Sanguinia..."
"...Has returned to your side."
This scene completely shattered the understanding of the other two Primarch Sisters present.
In Angronia's amber pupils, which burned with Battle Intent, there appeared for the first time a pure, incomprehensible confusion.
She furrowed her brows tightly.
In her mind, which was as direct as a gladiator's, logic was as simple as a battle-axe.
It was Sister Leticia who saved you from ten thousand years of hellish pain.
It was Sister Leticia who bestowed upon you a brand-new life and form.
Your loyalty, your faith, your everything, should rightfully be offered to Sister Leticia.
But why did you kneel before Terrania?
Fogremia's reaction was entirely different.
Her deep purple eyes were locked onto Sanguinia's figure, like a most fastidious artist scrutinizing a miracle that had suddenly appeared, one capable of overturning the entire history of art.
Jealousy?
For a brief moment, there indeed was.
Because the other's "perfection" seemed to be the pinnacle of another form, a "perfection" completely different from hers, filled with holiness and mercy.
But this jealousy was quickly replaced by an even stronger admiration and fanaticism originating from the depths of her soul.
[So beautiful...]
[This is no longer a 'work'...]
[This is the incarnation of the 'Dao'!]
Fogremia's heart was trembling.
The look she gave Leticia was filled with unprecedented adoration.
How could one even measure the greatness of a creator capable of producing such a miracle?
Just then, Sanguinia slowly stood up.
Every detail of her movements was filled with unspeakable elegance.
She did not look at anyone.
It was as if in this world, there were no other living beings besides herself and Terrania.
Quite naturally, she stepped behind Terrania.
The pair of snow-white wings behind her, large enough to blot out the sun, opened slightly like the gentlest of barriers, completely shielding Terrania's small body within her shadow.
An absolute, holy domain of protection that allowed no mortal intrusion was thus formed.
Her pure sky-blue eyes slowly swept across everyone present.
When her gaze fell upon Fogremia and Angronia, it held an egalitarian indifference belonging to a deity.
But when her gaze fell upon Leticia...
That indifference turned into a clear, undisguised... vigilance.
As if warning the creator before her not to get too close to her Majesty.
Angronia's brow furrowed even deeper, and the knuckles of her hand gripping the battle-axe began to turn white.
Leticia, however, smiled.
It was a smile of gratification and understanding belonging to a creator.
She didn't mind Sanguinia's small, protective warning at all.
She took a step forward, walking up to Terrania, her voice as soft as a spring breeze.
"Terrania, it seems you've gained a most loyal guardian."
She did not forcibly intervene.
Instead, she handed the final right to define this newborn, burning loyalty to its true master.
Terrania was a bit at a loss.
She tilted her small face up, looking at Sister Leticia smiling in front of her, then looked back at the beautiful angel behind her whose eyes were filled with pure affection.
She could feel it.
Sanguinia's soul was like a warm, golden flame, opening up to her without reservation, filled with attachment and love.
This feeling was so pure it made her feel incredibly at ease.
She hesitated for a moment, then reached out her small hand and tugged at the hem of Sanguinia's battle-skirt woven from light.
"Um..."
Her voice was very small, with a hint of timidness.
"You must also listen to Sister Leticia."
"She is... our God."
Boom—!
Terrania's simplest sentence, like a divine oracle from the beginning of creation, smashed heavily into the deepest part of Sanguinia's soul!
Sanguinia's massive, divine body jolted violently!
The trace of vigilance in her eyes toward Leticia vanished instantly.
It was replaced by the clarity of sudden enlightenment and an even deeper reverence.
The next second.
She made a move that no one expected.
She turned toward Leticia again.
This time, it wasn't just one knee.
But both knees!
This was a more solemn, more humble posture representing total submission!
Her knees, composed of metal and light, slammed heavily into the bone fragments and dirt, producing a dull thud.
"I obey my Majesty's decree, Supreme creator."
Sanguinia's voice no longer just sounded through the soul, but became physical, echoing clearly in the air, every syllable filled with holy rhythm.
"Sanguinia shall also offer you eternal loyalty."
The words fell.
Everyone present understood.
A new power structure had been born.
Terrania was their supreme "Majesty," the core of their faith, and the ultimate object of everyone's affection and adoration.
And Leticia was the "creator" who bestowed all of this, the source of power, the God walking the earth.
One was the sun in the sky.
The other was the God who wielded the sun.
There was a distinction in closeness, yet they were of one heart and mind.
Angronia and Fogremia glanced at each other, both seeing complete understanding in the other's eyes.
A satisfied smile finally appeared on Leticia's face.
The third Primarch Sister had successfully taken her place.
Furthermore, she was a perfect guardian angel with absolute loyalty to Terrania.
This was even better than she had anticipated.
However.
Just as she was about to speak and announce the end of this expedition.
Terrania suddenly moved.
This little girl, who had always been somewhat timid, now seemed to have made a certain decision.
She took Sanguinia's hand and helped the Archangel, who had just sworn her fealty, up from the ground.
Then.
Leading Sanguinia, she walked step by step to stand before Leticia.
She tilted her head up.
Her pure golden eyes stared fixedly at Leticia, her expression more serious than ever before.
That was no longer the gaze of a child seeking protection.
It was more like a monarch who, after careful consideration, was about to announce an important decision... one capable of changing the fate of an entire kingdom.
------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the fanfiction has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 or more chapters in advance over on my patreon: patreon.com/FTLGenBen
Also every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone, Thanks.