The moment the Golden Sacred Tree rose, everyone in the Sunset Lands felt a sacred power descend from above and envelop the entire territory. Its gentle golden light was radiant and mysterious, yet its holiness did not feel impossibly distant. Instead, it was like a stern father watching his children with a gaze that was strict but full of love.
The Grand Temple of Selûne also witnessed the appearance of the Golden Sacred Tree.
What was that?
The Lady of Silver... the Holy Father of Gold?
While everyone in the territory was discussing it, Alusair's royal summons arrived in the Sunset Lands at just the right moment.
War!
Another war!
The Ninth Shepherd Legion was beside itself with excitement at the news. Its ranks included men like Ramsay, whose ambitions had been frustrated in Suzail, the "Blades of Lingering Guilt" who had participated in the Fire of Suzail uprising, and young people who had only recently come to the Sunset Lands to join the legion, eager to distinguish themselves.
Over the past few years, the Ninth Shepherd Legion had trained relentlessly and occasionally taken part in small-scale peacekeeping operations. But those minor conflicts offered little merit to earn and few opportunities for promotion, leaving the Shepherd Legion's soldiers desperate for a real war!
Their excitement only grew when Aaron announced that he would reward anyone who earned military merit in the battle for Tifanton generously. Land, titles, wealth-there was nothing he was unwilling to give, only achievements they might fail to attain!
Land!
At that word, many eyes instantly burned with desire.
Land!
Nothing appealed to the soldiers more than land. If they could obtain a plot of their own, they would have something to depend on for the rest of their lives. At the very least, they would no