The dense procession crawled slowly along the narrow, slick mountain path. Red-robed lamas with shaved heads, ascetics in orange-red and dark-green robes, and villagers from the foot of the mountain all moved through the night, chasing the light steadily climbing the snow-capped peak. After the last glow of sunset faded from the snow and black rock, countless torches and supernatural radiance dyed the mountain orange-red once more. Sharp gravel covered the entire path. Mules and horses burdened with heavy gifts wore rough blankets, wheezing as their worn hooves trudged after the equally exhausted pilgrims, whose breath steamed white and whose skin had been rubbed bloody beneath coarse cloth.
As the center of this ceremony, the Emperor did not pay much attention to the procession halfway up the mountain. The ritual and the banquet afterward were not especially grand. Kamar-Taj's only Sanctum had always been known for its simplicity, and the Sisterhood stationed here could coordinate every detail better than anyone else. They had even purchased the expensive ceramic, glass, gold, and silver tableware the Emperor used at his estate, airlifting vast quantities of ingredients along with several unfortunate Michelin chefs bound by confidentiality agreements. Mortals did not require much concern from the Sacred Guard. The Emperor simply did not want anyone to die over this foolish, entirely unnecessary ceremony.
He had already sent the Praetorian Guard, originally responsible for guarding the dungeons, to serve as envoys and protect the mortals. Now, all he had to do was wait for the ritual to end in this magnificent Sanctum atop the mountain and sign several ancient contracts to become the true Lord of Kamar-Taj. Nearly every Arcanist with influence in Kamar-Taj had gathered at his side, including Master Hamir, Master Wu Guiyue, Master Daniel, the guardians of the three Sanctums, and the