Chapter 353.1
No, the term ‘altered’ wasn’t entirely correct. In fact, the procedures Isaac knew were more likely ‘altered,’ whereas the ritual Sadraza intended to perform was closer to the ‘original.’
Regardless of the ritual, there were always three minimum essential elements required to proceed: a temple, a priest, and a sacred artifact.
The term ‘temple’ referred to any historically significant or divinely charged place. Even if small and humble, a site would serve as a worthy temple as long as divinity had once resided there.
For the priest, it was best if they were respected and had achieved accomplishments worthy of divine attention. As for tools, their rank depended on the history and meaning imbued in them.
If at least two of these were of exceptional quality, any shortcomings in the remaining element could be overlooked. This was why priests often fixated on acquiring excellent sacred artifacts or an ideal temple.
This was also why Isaac could accomplish so many rituals using only the Rite of Division.
However, to perform a miracle of the magnitude needed to break the Salt Desert, even the strictest fulfillment of these three conditions could hardly guarantee success.
Isaac had to use every trick he knew to align with these conditions.
‘In that sense, this place is… optimal.’