Following Herasu, Kieran and Lilith walked side by side into the core of Hunter Temple: a hill where the statue of the Hunter was enshrined.
The hill wasn't big or tall, but it was filled with plants.
However, the most attractive thing was the hounds that swarmed the area.
Truth be told, Kieran had never seen so many hounds in his life.
Black, white, yellow, and flowery.
Big ones, small ones.
Long ones, short ones.
A single glance over, the whole hill looked like it was surrounded by hounds of different colors and breeds.
Fortunately, the hounds were well-trained and had high intellect. Without their master's order, they wouldn't do anything dangerous, all they did was stare at Kieran and Lilith.
Especially the Frost Wolf pup in Kieran's arms, it attracted the hounds' interest.
The pup didn't show any weakness either.
Even though it was alone, its ears perked up and it bared its white teeth.
"What a nice animal companion!"
"Of course, Lilith, you picked a nice one too. An Angrena breed cat, very suitable for a lady."
Herasu, who was leading the way, smiled and dismissed the hounds with a wave of his hand.
"Thank you.
I wanted to get a hound at first but Archpriest Fanny suggested a cat. Lady Nelliusu likes ladies who love cats. "
Lilith was holding a small white, black, and yellow cat with long fur, playing with the cat's chin as she said.
"It's a well-known fact!"
Herasu nodded with a smile.
It wasn't a secret that the God of Love loved cats.
Therefore, in Naveya, many young ladies were willing to raise a cat, hoping that the God of Love would bless them with the beauty of love.
The three of them continued forward.
Soon enough, they saw the person standing under the Hunter Temple statue.
The tall, buff archpriest of Hunter Temple, Krecko, was wearing a full set of leather armor. He looked more like a blacksmith than a clergy, and in his hand was a skinning dagger, skinning a wild boar.
"High Priest Ryan, High Priest Lilith, welcome!"
"I was just trying to guess who the special guest of the 'Festival of Partners' would be."
Kirk quickly walked to the stream at the side and began to wash his hands and face. After getting rid of all the bloodstains on his body, the high priest walked back and greeted them formally.
"It's my honor to meet you, High Priest Ryan."
The man bowed in a priestly manner.
"It's my honor as well."
Kieran returned a Knight salute.
Lilith, on the other hand, took a step back and returned the priestess' greeting.
This was the difference in status.
Even though she was the successor of the next archpriest of Love Temple, before she became the real archpriest, she still had to abide by the rules.
Horace was the same.
After a formulaic greeting, they entered the main point of the conversation, which was to let pets become animal companions.
"High Priest Ryan, Lilith, please bring the animal companions you've chosen here."
"No, no, you don't have to come with us. You are not believers of the Hunter, so you can't accept the Hunter's blessing! We don't want to start a war with Thorn Temple and Love Temple! You know Lady Vanessa and Lady Nilliusu are very scary when they get angry! "
Hunter Temple's archpriest joked.
The rest of the process went smoothly. When the Frost Wolf pup and the Angrena cat pup were placed in front of the Hunter statue, the ritual of becoming animal companions began.
A beam of light shone on the two different animals.
Two seconds later, the light faded away.
Kieran sharply noticed that the Frost Wolf pup was different. Its presence was slightly stronger, but more importantly, its eyes looked more like a human.
Then, under Kieran's gaze, the Frost Wolf pup ran back to Kieran and spun around his feet, tearing his pants from time to time.
When Kieran bent down and reached his hand out, the Frost Wolf pup eagerly jumped into Kieran's hands, allowing Kieran to pick it up smoothly.
At the same time, the details of the Frost Wolf pup appeared before Kieran's eyes for the first time.
[Name: Frost Wolf (Hybrid)]
[Type: Magical Beast]
[Rank: Low Average]
[Attack: Weak]
[Defense: Weak]
[Attribute: 1. Tear Bite; 2. Frost Breath]
[Effect: Intellect]
[Prerequisite: Acknowledged person]
[Remark: This is a newborn Frost Wolf pup that has been blessed. It is much stronger and smarter than a common Frost Wolf pup but it still needs to be fed meticulously to become your reliable assistant.]
…
[Tear Bite: When attacking with claws or teeth, Strength + 1]
[Frost Breath: Spit out a Weak Frost Breath to attack a single target within a 2-meter radius. Once per day]
…
[Intellect: Increases a certain level of Intellect.]
…
"Not bad."
Kieran commented.
The comment was a comment on the Hunter's Blessing and also the Frost Wolf pup itself.
A newborn Frost Wolf pup already had a Low Average rating, plus its decent intellect, if it was properly raised, when it reached its prime and matured stage, it would become a good assistant.
However, Kieran wouldn't thank Anxico for that.
Although until now, Kieran still couldn't figure out Anxico's real goal, he was certain that Anxico was up to no good.
As for what Anxico wanted?
Kieran believed Anxico wouldn't just sit around and do nothing, he would make his move soon.
Kieran would wait and see when the time came.
Now?
"Thank you for everything you have done."
Kieran thanked the archpriest of Hunter Temple.
On the side, Lilith also bowed in respect.
"This isn't my credit, it's the respectable Hunter!
You two are the ones who are favored by the Hunter, it's only natural that you will receive the blessings you deserve!
Archpriest Ryan, Lilith, are you two willing to stay and watch the ceremony? "
Archpriest Krecko asked.
"Of course!"
Kieran didn't reject.
Firstly, he had told Horace that he would participate in the Festival of Partners of the Hunter Divine Temple.
Secondly, the companions of the animals that were blessed by the Hunter had the duty to witness the birth of a new Hunter.
Kieran and Lilith stood side by side, looking at a group of 10 Hunters. Some looked mature, some looked young.
It was different from the simple ceremony.
The ceremony that the Hunters had to go through was complicated.
Not only did each of them have to drink a green juice made from crushed plants, but they also had to feed their companions mouth-to-mouth and complete their vows in front of the Hunter Statue.
Most of the companions were hounds, but there were some that were different.
Falcons were the most common, excluding hounds.
However, there were also bears, wolves, and … boars.
When Lilith saw the Hunter and the boar pup mouth-to-mouth, she couldn't help but turn around. The scene was too unexpected, she couldn't accept it.
Kieran, on the other hand, watched the whole process without changing his expression.
"I swear, I will be brothers or sisters with the creature before me!"
"I promise, my life will be linked with the life of the creature before me!"
"I promise, I will love it more than I love myself!"
…
The solemn vows echoed across the hill. The light from the Hunter Statue made everything look sacred.
Each new Hunter would bring their companion animals to receive the blessings from the Gods they believed in.
After that, they would receive blessings from their elders, family, and friends.
It was only natural for them to have a feast.
However, a piece of grievous news brought everything to an abrupt end.
"Pudd was murdered?!"
Lilith covered her mouth and widened her eyes when she heard the news.
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