Doma City.
Beneath the sacred tree, a dense crowd gathered. Countless devout faces turned toward its golden canopy as the people offered prayers in a silent language understood only among themselves.
The immense psychic energy formed a vast net.
Although they had never truly communicated face-to-face with the Tree of Insoff, the psychic power that united tens of thousands of people was likewise an existence comparable to a god.
They sensed Him.
And they were becoming Him.
Dora, who had been leading the others in prayer, suddenly opened her eyes and slowly rose from the tangled roots.
Saqui, who had succeeded as chieftain, had appointed her the new high priestess. She had not refused, but she had made an agreement with him.
She would lead the believers of the forest in prayer for a time, until the fourteenth sunset.
"...The spirits of light have already built their nests in the canopy. As long as your prayers remain devout, the gold entwined around the crown will not fade."
The so-called spirits of light were the "fireflies" of the forest.
Although the Doma tribe had yet to understand the principles behind it, when those little spirits gathered together, they truly brought visible prosperity to the sacred tree.
Seeing Dora rise, Saqui, leaning on his cane, made his way over to her with trembling steps.
From priest to chieftain, he had experienced too much over these past few months. The wrinkles on his face had grown ever more weathered.
"Is it time?" The old man looked into the girl's eyes, his voice carrying a trace of reluctance.
She was the most talented temple maiden among Doma's younger generation, and the one he believed most capable of inheriting his legacy.
He had even considered passing the position of chieftain to her when his life