Two months later, July of New Calendar 2546.
Sarta.
The upper level of the city had been expanded to three times its former size. The temple, now renamed the Temple of Radiance, stood in the center of the square. Atop the temple, a huge cross-shaped holy emblem shone brilliantly beneath the sun. Golden blood flowed along the cross, radiating a sacred light.
This was the holy emblem of the Lord of Radiance!
Bang! Bang! Bang...
In the square before the temple, two High Tier Paladins beat enormous war drums.
They stood on either side with wooden mallets in hand, striking one at a time in turn. The thunderous drumbeats spread throughout the city and echoed through the skies.
Corsaro stood at the temple entrance, with High Priest Tusur and Zanjin standing at his sides. Both trolls were flushed with excitement.
The day had finally come!
Today was the day the Radiant Tribe officially set out to wage war against the Loa deities beyond Inhenero.
Amid the drumbeats, Paladins riding Horned Dragons gathered from every part of the city. They entered the square, reined in their mounts, and formed neat ranks. Powerful auras radiated from every Paladin. Their armor was more refined, and their weapons more powerful. All of this was the chieftain's achievement.
A moment later, a full thirty thousand Paladins had assembled in the temple square.
And that still wasn't the end.
Corsaro waved his hand. Powerful fluctuations of energy came from the side halls on both sides of the temple, and the Paladins turned their gazes toward them.
The side halls had also been newly built and were extremely spacious. They had no walls, only stone pillars supporting the domed roofs, allowing everyone to see the scenes inside.
Profound runes lit up across the floors of the halls.