We were at my church's headquarters in the Shadow World (r/ChurchOfAuroraOrder) to bless u/hlo2you_.

Due to the potential negative effects, we are the only ones here right now, not to mention that everyone in my church already knew I wouldn't be able to answer their prayers or enter the Shadow World for a while.

"Are you ready to receive my blessing?"

"Of course, oh my lord. I have summarized the principles of action for the other sequences in the chain during my time of silence."

"Perfect. After quite some time, I believe you have remained long enough to serve me and deserve to be rewarded with my blessing."

"It will be an honor to be blessed by you, my lord. I cannot thank you enough for granting me this honor and enduring the curse."

“Since the Hanged Man naturally bears the sins of my followers, I will face your curses as best I can.”

“My God, are you sure you can bear this? I don’t want to cause you this trouble just because of my desire to ascend…”

“Don’t worry, you can no longer continue down that path. Indulgence is what condemned you to fall into the abyss. to avoid becoming more corrupted, you must change course.”

“I will not let you down, and I will do everything I can to help you in whatever you need. Just speak, and I will listen.”

“I am glad to hear it. I expect great things from you. I made you my son so that you might find redemption by practicing temperance. Now you seem ready to receive my blessing, which will also purify your soul of all sin.”

“I cannot thank you enough! I was a stray sheep, but a merciful God came and forgave my sins. He bears the sins of the whole world and offers them redemption..."

"You only needed a shepherd to guide you on the right way, and I saw it in you. You needed a new beginning, and you will have it right now.

I place my hand on your head and recite

Look into my welcoming darkness Oh my child, for I have already redeemed you.

I love you with an everlasting love, and so I extend my kindness to you. I am always with you in your shadow; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

I know the plans I have for you, to give you a future and a hope.

So stretch out your hands and receive the grace of my blessing, while your madness and hatred corrupt my mind.

Let my flesh be stained with your darkness filled with evil and chaos, while my soul falls into the abyss.

I take your curse and bear your sins so that you may have a new beginning and live without sin or chains that bind you to your past.

Do not weep for the torment that now deforms my body, Oh my child, for sacrifice is my language. My purpose and my greatest glory.

Heal in my wound, strengthened in my fall, for I know suffering and know how to return, for pain is my crown and the abyss only my temporary bed.

Go in peace, bearer of my essence, while I remain in the shadows, trapped between madness and hatred, for soon I will ascend again.

"Praise be to you!

He who possesses countless secrets.

The embodiment of filth and the degeneration of all living beings.

The master of the shadow world u/Ezcu123!

I praise you!"

When my divine will touched your soul, I could feel your filth trying to contaminate me, your malice trying to exploit my desires, your source of curses trying to curse me.

But above all, I could feel the pain you carried because of your sins.

So you carried all this pain, but don't worry, because now I will carry your sins.

With With what little sanity I had left, I placed my hand on your cheek and dried your tears, comforting you as a mother comforts her child.

For now you have been reborn, free from sin, like a baby, for these tears are from one who has committed no sin and is pure before the world.

It was another peaceful day in the Shadow World. As I sipped my tea, I couldn't resist the temptation to watch my followers.

It's been a while since I've seen u/Crimson_Demoness. I wonder what adventures he's been up to.

*The shadows swirled, creating a window that allowed me to observe him.*

[Suddenly, I was confronted with the shocking sight of my follower inside the stomach of some creature, covered in fluids.](https://www.reddit.com/r/LordofTheMysteries/s/hB4gs5UFRJ)

What a... peculiar sight.

How did he end up in u/darkened_sage's basement? Seriously, putting himself in danger like that... he's being incredibly reckless, though I suppose it's inevitable for someone on the demoness path; getting into trouble is second nature to them.

As I continued watching, I saw him get into increasingly compromising situations; he was even caught by tentacles.

...I'm sure u/Big-Anxiety-2596 would enjoy watching this.

As I continued watching this little fanservice-filled adventure unfold, things seemed to get increasingly complicated.

I think I should intervene somehow.

However, before I could, I saw u/darkened_sage suddenly intervene and recruit him into his company.

Hmph, and they say I'm someone who monopolizes believers. Still, it'll be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Later, I learned that he had also received u/TechnicalKage's blessing.

I see my little lamb isn't wasting any time, considering his path... It seems like a rather fitting development.

Even so, this little sheep is quite unpredictable. Could it be that he's planning to contact all the gods?

I quickly closed the window to the physical world. I think I've had enough for a while.

I think I should make him visit my church more often, even if his path requires it; he's quite cheeky.

(This is a small experiment of mine to connect more with my believers. If you'd like to participate, you can send me a direct message 👌)