"As I struggled to think through this problem, an idea came to me!" High Priest Alonsus Faol said slowly. "What if a brave warrior fought alongside the Holy Light, becoming a warrior who wielded it..."
"Was this the plan you came up with after returning to Stratholme?" Lothar asked quietly.
"Yes!" Faol nodded. "I call them 'Paladins.' They will form a new branch of the Church."
"I have already selected the first candidates... Before this, they were knights or priests. I chose them for their devout faith and their excellent combat skills. They will not merely be trained to fight, but will also receive training in prayer and healing... They will possess both military and inspirational abilities, particularly the ability to use the power of the Holy Light to bless themselves and others."
As he spoke, the old priest turned and clapped his hands.
The four men standing behind him stepped forward together.
All four were exceptionally tall. Turalyon was the shortest among them, yet he was about as tall as Lothar.
They all wore gleaming armor with holy relics pinned to it... They held weapons, and judging by their grips, they were in no way inferior to the most elite warriors under Lothar's command!
However, their weapons and armor were all brand-new and had yet to weather the trials of war...
"Allow me to introduce them!" The High Priest wore a broad smile. "This is Uther. You should be quite familiar with him!"
Uther was King Terenas's most trusted knight-captain. The king had entrusted the defense of the entire Royal Palace of Lordaeron to him, and Lothar knew him well.
"Saidan Dathrohan!"
Karin looked over this future "unfortunate soul." He was an exceptionally tall warrior, a full head taller than Karin and nearly two meters tall... He was also