Epilogue: Former Townsman A Attends New Year's Eve Services

Bong... bong... bong...

The church bells echoed through the town of Wiechen as the veil of night descended.

Today was December 31st, the final day of the year.

Snow was fluttering down over the town—a rare sight for Wiechen—and the biting wind that occasionally pierced my skin only served to thicken the white haze in my vision.

Dressed in formal attire, we traveled slowly through the streets in a carriage, heading toward the Great Cathedral to attend the service that would ring in the new year.

“To think it would snow tonight. It’s getting quite cold,” I said to Ana, who sat beside me.

“It is,” she replied. “However, I’m fond of the snow. Because it snows, we have meltwater in the spring, and that water allows the crops to grow and the people to live without hunger.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Besides, snow—or rather, ice—has always been a constant in your life, hasn't it?”

“Yes. Since I was a small child, ice has always been with me.”

“I didn’t realize it before, but ice and snow are actually quite warm, aren't they?”

“Yes.”

As she spoke, Ana rested her head on my shoulder.

For context, when I say "warm," I’m talking about her Holy Ice Magic. It usually depends on her mood, of course, but whenever I’m stiff from too much paperwork, having her cast it on my shoulders or back feels incredibly soothing.

My father-in-law probably appreciates it even more than I do, though. He has Ana treat him every other day. It’s essentially the same vibe as a father in my previous life getting his daughter to massage his shoulders. I mean, the fact that this "massage" happens to be the divine magic of the Saint is a little absurd, but it would be boorish to meddle in the affairs of a blood-related family.

Bong... bong...

The bells rang out once more.

They were being rung from the Great Cathedral we were currently approaching. Apparently, they intended to ring them 108 times. When I lived in the Royal Capital, I never paid much attention to the count, but I hadn't expected them to actually have "New Year's Eve Bells" here.

I often catch myself forgetting, but this really is a world that served as the setting for an Otome Game. I found it a bit strange for a church to be ringing the joya no kane, but since the custom was so firmly rooted here, there was no point in overthinking it.

As the tradition goes, the Royal Family and the nobility attend the services at their patron churches first, and then the common citizens arrive to offer their prayers afterward. Basically, it was the equivalent of hatsumode—the first shrine visit of the year—from my old life. Since this, too, was a long-established custom, worrying about the logic behind it was a fool's errand.

Bong... bong...

The bells chimed again as the carriage came to a smooth stop. It seemed we had arrived.

The door was opened for us, and I escorted Ana down to the ground. The snow had picked up speed; despite the path having been cleared, the fresh powder crunched under my boots as I stepped onto it.

It really was freezing out here.

I took Ana’s hand and hurried into the warmth of the Great Cathedral. Most of the nobles residing in Wiechen had already gathered inside. All that remained was to wait for my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law to arrive.

My own mother didn’t attend, as this was an official function. Even though she’s my mother, she occupies the awkward social position of being a commoner who is the mother-in-law of a Duchess’s consort. My father-in-law arranged things this way out of consideration for her comfort.

We exchanged polite greetings with the gathered guests as we made our way to the front row. After we took our seats, we waited. The interior of the cathedral was massive, and though fires were burning in the hearths, it remained chilly. Just as I felt the sensation beginning to leave my fingers and toes, the rest of the family arrived.

“Ah, you beat us here,” Lord Ramslett noted.

“Yes, though we only just arrived ourselves.”

“I see. Well, don’t look so tense. The timing is a bit unusual, but it’s no different from a standard service.”

“Understood.”

My father-in-law offered those kind words to put me at ease for my first participation, then took his seat in the front row on the opposite side of the aisle.

Apparently, the seating was strictly divided by household. The chairs Ana and I occupied were designated for the New Ramslett Ducal House that Ana was set to establish, while the seats across from us were for the Royal Family. It felt a little lonely to be separated from our new family like that, but I supposed that was just the way of the nobility.

Bong... bong...

The bells rang again, signaling the start of the New Year's Eve service. The priest—the same one who had officiated our wedding—delivered a greeting and a prayer, followed by a sermon on the importance of family based on a passage of scripture.

Normally, the service would have ended with a final prayer, but for the new year, the priest shared one more passage. It was a lesson on humility: If you wish to stand above others, you must first lower yourself.

Bong, bong, bong, bong!

As we listened to the sermon, the bells began to ring with newfound intensity. The date had officially changed.

“Now, let us offer a prayer to God to mark the beginning of this new year.”

I closed my eyes and offered my prayer alongside the priest’s invocation.

That was when it happened. Suddenly, my vision washed out into pure white. I felt a strange, buoyant sensation, as if I were floating in midair.

What? What is this?

Sensing something was wrong, I forced my eyes open. I was surrounded by a void of pure white. There was no one else in sight.

“What’s going on?”

“I’m the one who called you here. It’s been a while, hasn't it?”

An incredibly handsome man with green hair and golden eyes appeared out of nowhere in the white space.

“God of Wind... it’s an honor to see you again.”

I dropped to one knee before my great benefactor—well, my Great Benefactor Deity.

“Hahaha, stand up. You can relax. You’ve done a brilliant job of changing the future.”

“It was only possible because of you, Lord. If I hadn't received your Divine Protection back then, I wouldn't be here today. Truly, thank you.”

“Yes, well, I’m glad it didn't end up like the conclusion you were expecting. Even that useless lizard is acting like a proper father now.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“So, here’s the thing. There’s something I want you—or rather, both of you—to do. Since you were already offering a prayer, I figured I’d pull you in.”

“Something you want us to do?”

“Yeah. Oh, looks like they’re finished talking on the other side. Let’s bring her in.”

The God of Wind waved a hand, and suddenly Ana appeared alongside a mysterious, beautiful woman.

“Ana!”

“Allen!”

I rushed to her side, and she did the same, grabbing my hands.

“Yes, yes. It’s wonderful to see a husband and wife so well-matched,” the God said. “Now, as for my request... I want you to build a temple for us.”

“Lord, and... um, is the lady with you a Goddess?”

“Allen, this is the Goddess of Ice,” Ana whispered urgently. “It seems she and the God of Wind share a... very close relationship.”

“Oh, I see. My apologies, Goddess.”

I offered a respectful bow, and the Goddess gave me a soft, knowing smile.

“Listen closely,” the God continued. “I want you to build a temple to enshrine us in a place where the wind never stops and the ice never melts. And within it, I want you to house the Staff of Guidance—the relic that triggered the Witch’s appearance.”

“You want us to take the staff?”

“Yes. After watching this recent mess, I’ve decided that staff is too much for humans to handle. I’m taking it back. I never imagined someone with the potential to be a Saint would harbor such a powerful, purely selfish desire.”

That name brought back memories of Amy for the first time in a while. It was true that the staff was the catalyst for that whole disaster. Without it, things never would have spiraled so far out of control. The Sentlaren Kingdom wouldn't have lost Bruseni, the Est Empire wouldn't have trampled the eastern territories, and so many lives wouldn't have been cut short.

Then again, it was impossible to know if things would have turned out this well otherwise. The world might still be trapped in a quagmire of war. When I realized that any other outcome might have meant I couldn't be here with Ana, I felt a pang of complicated emotion.

“Hahaha. You really do love your wife, don't you?”

The God’s teasing remark made Ana squeeze my hand a little tighter.

“However,” the God added, “that staff shouldn't normally be so easily swayed unless the wish is as pure as the one your beloved wife holds.”

Hearing that, Ana let go of my hand and looked down, her face flushing red. I immediately reached back out and took her hand again to show her how I felt.

The God of Wind didn't seem to mind our display and kept talking. “Wishes made for one's own sake rarely remain pure. Human desire is a fickle thing, prone to shifting with the wind.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

I wondered... in Amy’s case, was it because she had such a singular, unwavering focus on reaching the Reverse Harem Route ending of the game?

“Perhaps it’s exactly as you think, or perhaps it’s something else entirely. Either way, I want to retrieve it and investigate. I’m counting on you.”

“Yes. Of course.”

The God nodded with satisfaction and draped an arm over the Goddess’s shoulder. Without another word of farewell, they vanished.

The next thing I knew, the white void was gone. My vision returned to my own feet and the familiar marble floor of the cathedral.

I was back.

When I looked up, I saw my father-in-law and the others standing over us, looking concerned.

“Ah, Father-in-law... where is Ana?”

“Allen...”

Ana’s voice came from right beside me, sounding just as bewildered as I felt. It looked like we were sitting exactly where we had been before the world turned white.

“Are you two quite finished with your prayers?” Lord Ramslett asked. “It’s nearly time. If we stay out here much longer, the people waiting in the snow will freeze.”

“Right. Yes. Sorry to have kept you waiting. Come on, Ana.”

“Yes, let's go.”

With that, we boarded our carriage and left the Great Cathedral behind to begin our new year.