When they heard the deity himself promise that the two sisters could also join the Familia together.
Kanae's long-anxious heart finally settled completely, followed by an indescribable great joy.
Originally, in her initial plan, the future was full of difficult choices.
She had planned that after thoroughly eliminating the threat known as demons in this world and restoring the peace and tranquility that this world should have.
At that time, Shinobu and Kanao would be able to shed the heavy identity of Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen and return to ordinary life.
Enjoying the ordinary and stable happiness that they should have had.
As for herself, she would choose to follow Lord Phaethon.
Return to the labyrinth city called Orario, and dedicate her entire body and mind to this God of Light who had given her new life and power.
Wholeheartedly managing and strengthening the deity's Familia.
Although her heart was filled with endless reluctance about separating from her sisters, Kanae knew deeply that it was Lord Phaethon who had rescued her from the brink of death.
And gave her power far beyond what she had before, even giving her the possibility to change fate.
This kindness was heavier than Mount Tai, and she, Kanae, was never someone who would forget gratitude and not know how to repay it.
Moreover, from the very beginning, when she first felt that warm, pure, and vast light like the sun emanating from Lord Phaethon.
Deep in her heart, she had already made a decision—to dedicate the rest of her life, without reservation, to this great deity.
However, the trajectory of fate is always full of unexpected twists.
Now the deity had actually taken the initiative to propose accepting Shinobu and Kanao as members of the Familia!
What did this mean?
It meant that after the crisis in this world was resolved, the three sisters would not have to suffer the pain of separation!
They could be together forever, and return to the world of Orario together!
And after joining the Familia and receiving the deity's blessing.
Shinobu and Kanao would also, like herself, embark on the path of becoming stronger, possessing power far beyond ordinary people.
Kanae knew too well the dangers of this world; even if demons were eliminated, ordinary life was not absolutely safe, with accidents and dangers always lurking in unexpected moments.
Compared to placing hope in the vague notion of ordinary life, firmly grasping the power to protect oneself in one's own hands was undoubtedly a more secure and reliable choice.
Thinking of this, Kanae's gaze toward her two sisters was full of excitement and anticipation.
"My Lord, I am willing!"
Almost the instant Phaethon finished speaking, Shinobu nodded without hesitation.
Her eyes were bright and determined, full of curiosity and yearning for the kind of miraculous power her sister had described.
The change in her sister was something she had witnessed with her own eyes, that kind of transformation into something so powerful was not something that could be achieved simply by relying on the breathing techniques.
And the little Kanao standing in Kanae's arms, although silent and reserved due to past experiences, also nodded her little head forcefully at this moment.
She looked up, those beautiful big eyes gazing at Phaethon.
Although she didn't speak, the trust and dependence flowing in her eyes clearly expressed her thoughts.
She trusted her sisters' choices and was also willing to follow this deity who radiated warm light.
"Very good."
Seeing this, Phaethon revealed a gentle smile on his face.
He could sense the pure light and great potential hidden in the hearts of these two girls; they were indeed worthy of receiving the recognition of the Primordial Light.
Without much delay, he smiled and beckoned.
"Then come with me, we need to go to a quiet room to perform the blessing ceremony."
He led the Butterfly sisters to a clean and tidy guest room in the Butterfly Estate.
This room was rarely used on ordinary days, and it now served as a temporary ceremonial place.
Phaethon pointed to the bed in the room and said to Shinobu and Kanao.
"Next, you need to lie face down on the bed, and then expose your backs."
"Eh?"
Even Shinobu, with her relatively calm personality, couldn't help but have her fair cheeks tinted with a light blush upon hearing this request.
Although her sister had briefly mentioned the process of the ceremony before, when it was actually her turn, she still felt inexplicable shyness and nervousness.
Especially in front of this deity of noble status.
Little Kanao was even more nervous, her little face turning red, unconsciously clutching Kanae's clothes tightly, too timid to move.
But a moment later, Shinobu took a deep breath, suppressed the bashfulness in her heart.
She took the lead in walking to the bedside, lying down as instructed, then somewhat stiffly removed the upper part of her corps uniform, revealing her smooth and slender back.
Seeing this, Kanao also gathered her courage, following Shinobu's example, carefully lying down beside her.
Similarly exposing her small, slightly thin back.
Phaethon, looking at this scene before him, somewhat green but full of trust.
Couldn't help but sigh in his heart, fortunately, he was not a lolicon.
Otherwise, faced with such a scene, it would really test one's composure.
This wasn't some strange anime plot, just a blessing bestowal ceremony.
He collected his thoughts, mobilizing the unique divine power within him that originated from the Primordial Light.
As he had anticipated earlier, his blessing system, due to the Primordial Light, was essentially different from those of other deities in Orario.
It seemed unbound by the rules of the world; even in this different world with laws vastly different from Orario's, it could operate normally, bestowing power upon chosen members of the Familia.
Phaethon extended his finger, condensing two drops of brilliant divine blood at his fingertips, like molten gold.
With gentle and precise movements, he dropped the divine blood onto the center of Shinobu's and Kanao's backs respectively.
"Hum——!"
The moment the divine blood made contact with their skin, a warm and sacred power spread like a tide.
Seeping into their bodies, resonating with their souls.
Complex and profound golden sacred text, like living beings, quickly interwove and spread on their smooth backs.
Forming two identical yet unique [Phaethon Familia] marks.
The blessing system successfully activated!
Shinobu and Kanao officially became the third and fourth members of Phaethon's Familia at this moment.
The entire process was peaceful and quick, without causing any pain or discomfort.
Shinobu and Kanao only felt an indescribable warm current spreading throughout their bodies.
As if every cell in their bodies had been awakened, filled with unprecedented vitality and power.
"Alright, the ceremony is complete."
Phaethon withdrew his finger and calmly said: "You can put your clothes back on now."
Hearing this, the two sisters finally sat up as if waking from a dream, somewhat dazed yet excited as they put their clothes back on.
They curiously moved their bodies, feeling that tangible sense of power, their faces full of amazement.
Afterwards, Phaethon took out two sheets of paper he had prepared in advance, written in the language of this world, and handed them to the sisters.
"These are your blessing panels, recording your current status and awakened abilities."
Shinobu and Kanao eagerly took the papers and looked down at them.
First was Shinobu's blessing panel:
[Name] Shinobu
[Level] LV1
[Abilities]
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Dexterity: I0
Agility: I0
Magic: I0
[Magic] None
[Skills] Compounding: Enhances the ability to create potions and items.
Insect Breathing: A branch style of Water Breathing, combining high-speed thrusting techniques with poison! Users excel at using poison to compensate for lack of strength, defeating enemies with strange and swift attacks.
Then came Kanao's panel:
[Name] Kanao Tsuyuri
[Level] LV1
[Abilities]
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Dexterity: I0
Agility: I0
Magic: I0
[Magic] None
[Skills] Pure Heart: Immersed in one's own world, can rapidly improve learning ability and mimicry skill, unaffected by outside interference.
Flower Breathing: A branch style of Water Breathing, the user's sun-forged blade is peach-pink in color. The techniques are extremely elegant, each slash's trajectory is as graceful and gentle as flower petals, combining both speed and power.
Looking at these two freshly created panels, Phaethon nodded with satisfaction.
As he had predicted, the blessing system had bestowed upon them the most suitable initial skills based on their current state and future potential.
Shinobu, as the physician of the Butterfly Estate, expert in pharmacology, awakening the [Compounding] skill was only natural.
This would allow her to take on the important role of pharmacist and logistical support in the Familia in the future.
And [Insect Breathing] was the key to her future as the Insect Pillar; this blessing solidified it and might further strengthen it, allowing her to play a unique role in battle as well.
As for Kanao, her introverted personality caused by childhood experiences gave her the special skill [Pure Heart].
It could greatly enhance her learning and mimicry abilities, which was an extremely valuable talent for adventurers who needed to grow quickly.
And [Flower Breathing] was her sword technique lineage inherited alongside Kanae's, given time as she grew older.
She would surely become a powerful main combat force in the Familia, just as she demonstrated in the later stages of the original story.
In just an instant, Phaethon had already clearly planned out in his mind the future development direction and positioning of these sisters in the Familia.
One responsible for logistics and support, one developing into combat power.
If there were subsequent job changes, they would be planned accordingly.
Adding the leader Kanae, who had already changed jobs to become a Sword Wielder, and Miko who possessed special abilities.
Phaethon's pseudo-Familia had already expanded unknowingly.
And at this moment, Shinobu and Kanao were also silently feeling that surging and warm power within them.
"Is... is this the divine blessing that sister mentioned?"
Shinobu gently clenched her fist, feeling that sense of power far beyond before and the lightness of her body.
She finally understood the source of her sister's ability to slay Upper Moon Two!
So this was the power bestowed by the deity, a completely different, more powerful system than the breathing techniques!
Although Kanao didn't speak, those eyes that were usually downcast were now sparkling with a strange brilliance.
She could feel that her body seemed to be injected with endless vitality.
Her originally somewhat frail body was becoming stronger at an astonishing speed.
She unconsciously imitated her sister's sword-swinging motion; although without a sword in hand, she felt that her body's coordination and reaction speed had improved by more than one level.
Kanae walked in, looking at the undisguised surprise and amazement on her two sisters' faces, revealing a gratified and gentle smile.
How wonderful that they too had obtained this power.
In the future, the three sisters would surely fight side by side.
Protecting each other and protecting everything they cherished.