Chapter 63: Mortal Might
In a broad, open clearing, three hundred mortals, well fed and well rested after several days, were chanting hymns in loud voices as they praised the Lord of Dawn.
As they reached the line, "willing to give my all for the purification of evil," a faint holy radiance seeped from their bodies, then gathered into many humanoid figures formed entirely of light.
Some of these figures shone brilliantly, vivid and lifelike; others were dim and indistinct.
Without exception, all of them had grasped the power of holy light, and they had done so in only three days.
The price, however, soon became apparent. As the light condensed, many of the commoners' hair began to turn white, and fine wrinkles appeared on their faces.
Watching the scene unfold, Starfall nodded in satisfaction.
This was the true purpose of those three hundred commoners: to trade away their lifespan in exchange for summoning Celestial Guardians, transforming from frail, powerless commoners into formidable warriors.
Ordinary people could never become competent fighters in just a few days unless they paid an enormous price.
Starfall possessed a certain magical artifact, the Crown of Faith, on loan from the Lyon Empire. An imitation of the Crown of Dawn, it was capable of condensing faith to open a conduit to the Celestial Realm and draw upon the power of holy light.