Corsaro looked at Tusur's devout face and nodded in satisfaction. "The High Priest has made a wise choice."
Tusur said solemnly, "To contribute what little strength I have to the Glorious Lord is the pursuit of my entire life, and an unsurpassed glory."
"Then I'll leave everything to you, High Priest."
As soon as Corsaro finished speaking, his figure transformed into a streak of golden light and vanished. Tusur gazed into the distance at the Chieftain's Hall on the platform one level below the temple. Only when he saw Corsaro's figure appear there and enter the hall did he finally let out a breath.
Tusur realized that his back had somehow become drenched in sweat.
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
A wise choice... Did I even have a choice? Corsaro's final words had sounded light and casual, but Tusur had heard the immense danger hidden within them.
Tusur even had a premonition that if he refused Corsaro and declined to acknowledge that the Lord of Radiance was the Blazing Sun, then he absolutely would not live to see tomorrow's sun.
"My Lord..."
The High Priest of the temple gazed toward the eastern horizon, where the sun rose, and softly chanted.
Only after a long while did he turn and leave the top of the temple.
What Tusur did not know was that, a thousand meters above his head, inside and outside the temple, and throughout Sarta City, pairs of eyes hidden in the darkness were watching his every move. Ears were listening to every word he spoke, even seeing through the changes in his emotions.
And all of this was gathered before Corsaro, as clearly as lines on his palm.
Inside the Chieftain's Hall, Corsaro sat alone in a meditation room, expressionless, and withdrew his attention from Tusur.