524 Strong Faith
Once Vaan received the young mother's heartfelt vow, a strand of pure faith energy immediately washed over his soul.
In that instant, his mind felt rejuvenated with better clarity. The burden of knowledge was lightened, and his sense of self improved, albeit slightly. Even so, it was still a change for the better.
Overall, the single strand of pure faith energy was far more potent than the collective faith received from the worship of ten thousand ordinary believers.
'Only beliefs backed by strong emotions grant greater faith energy,' Vaan's eyes flickered.
Just like the young mother had previously said, if he could save her child, she would become his most devoted follower.
The power of faith he received from her was solid proof of that promise.
Only people like her, who were in the most desperate of situations, would grant him the most faith energy once granted salvation.
…
Without waiting for Vaan's request, Astoria cast her light-attribute healing magic on the mother-son duo.
The old scars and recent wounds on the young mother slowly disappeared altogether. Even her bodily changes brought by her childbirth reverted, restoring her former beauty.
However, the extent of Astoria's healing magic only restored the young mother's beauty to a level that matched ordinary women of her age. It couldn't make her any younger than that.
She was not a witch and had also missed the best age to cultivate herself into a top-tier beauty like everyone else.
That said, Vaan had no doubt the young mother couldn't care less about such a matter – her only concern was her son's well-being. She was a selfless woman who only wanted the best for her son, who had been brought into the world without a choice and unjustly abandoned by his father.
"Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty," the young mother expressed her sincere appreciation with a bow when she suddenly staggered from a loss of strength.
Astoria's healing magic used up the mother-son duo's remaining energy to recover and caused them to become incredibly weak and hungry.
The rumblings in their stomachs were the most obvious proof of that.
The young mother didn't even have the strength to hold her son. But thanks to her sheer will, she was able to hold on and not drop him until Vaan nonchalantly supported her with a single hand.
"Who can offer this young mother and her son some food to satiate their hunger?" Vaan coolly glanced at the crowd and asked.
"Me! I have some bread here, Your Divinity! Please take them all!"
"I have some egg sandwiches and fresh milk here, Your Divinity! I wish to offer them to these two as an apology for my previously unsightly behavior!"
Several people within the crowd quickly enthusiastically stepped forward with food to offer and express their guilt. Some people might think they were shameless after everything that had happened, but they didn't mind.
Once people realized the Sun God was reasonable and merciful and not just a divine being that killed indiscriminately, they became more welcoming and at ease with his presence.
Nevertheless, it was that such people didn't accept Vaan as the Sun God because they genuinely believed he was one. They just feared his power and wrath.
If Vaan wanted to harvest a great amount of faith energy from the people of the Holy Knight Empire, he would have to make everyone fully believe in him from the bottom of their hearts.
"I don't take things for nothing. Take it as recompense for the food,” Vaan casually waved his hand, and several low-rank mana stones flew out, reaching their destinations without failure.
The food suppliers were ecstatic once they recognized the value of the low-rank mana stones. It was far more valuable than ordinary silver and gold.
"Thank you, Your Divinity!"
"Long live the Sun God!"
…
Meanwhile, several baskets were placed at the feet of the young mother. She couldn't carry it all, so she only picked a single bread from one of the baskets and left the rest on the ground.
She handfed her three-year-old son with bite-size pieces she had broken off from a long bread stick, ignoring her own hunger. She didn't care if the food came from people who almost stoned her and her son to death. She accepted whatever she received as long as she could feed her son.
Nevertheless, all the food baskets suddenly disappeared into Vaan's Heaven-Swallowing Space, prompting the young mother to look up with surprise and doubt.
"Let's go," Vaan casually said.
He went ahead without waiting for anyone and left the young woman in confusion. She did not understand his intention.
However, Astoria did.
"Did you intend to return to living on the streets after this? Do you think the Sun God would let you continue such suffering after he decided to help you? Follow back to the palace with us. We will give you work and a place to stay," Astoria said, supporting the young mother on the way.
The young mother couldn't keep her tears from overflowing. She was overwhelmed with emotions once more.
She didn't expect much when she threw herself in front of Vaan and Astoria, but she was glad she did. She received far more help than she dared to imagine.
Even if such kindness were only an illusion, she would still engrave it in her heart. It was the greatest kindness anyone had shown her in her entire life.
"Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty! Thank you, Your Divinity! Thank you...!" the young mother repeatedly thanked the two while choking on her tears and happiness.
On the way to the palace, many more people came forward, seeking Vaan's divine help.
However, only a few truly needed it due to their terrible circumstances. They also happened to be Darkans – like the young mother.
While the rest of the people who sought help were also Darkans, they were also opportunists. They lied about their situation in order to secure a better life with Vaan's divine intervention.
Unfortunately, Vaan wasn't an easy person to fool.
He treated the Darkans who genuinely required help and punished those who lied to his face. He didn't need dishonest people in his future divine kingdom.
Nevertheless, once everyone else saw how harshly the opportunists were punished, they refrained from doing the same thing.
They didn't want to get beaten half to death for nothing.
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