325

Fireplace Valley

Brunnock and Ander summoned their Holy Spirit Warhorses, while Forseti strode along in a magically floating cloak. The trio dispersed across the Antarctic continent, each searching independently.

Antarctica, vast as it is, required them to explore only a much smaller area near the South Pole.

Even in the 21st century, when Earth boasted various research stations, no permanent settlements existed near the pole. According to Forseti's recollection, there was only one research station in the vicinity.

Still, scouting around the South Pole would take considerable time.

Exhausted from their recent battle with Gohe, the trio rested after several hours of fruitless searching.

Leaning against a rock, Forseti opened his left hand, the holy deed's mark shimmering. Within his grasp, pages of Holy Light scriptures unfolded, visible only to him.

As a high-level dragon, Gohe had committed numerous atrocities, likely enough to warrant the holy deed's judgment as a threat to world order—indeed, it had.

Thus, for slaying Gohe, the holy deed bestowed significant spell rewards, excluding those of the Seraph, any fifth-tier spells could be chosen.

Without hesitation, Forseti selected Lay on Hands.

**Lay on Hands**: The most potent healing spell, consuming half of the holy mana reserves. It heals all wounds suffered by the caster, offering an identical healing effect to others.

Lay on Hands' function essentially mirrored that of World of Warcraft. Put simply, so long as the individual wasn't deceased, any injury could be remedied—an equivalent of gaining an extra life.

In Azeroth, during battles alongside Paladins, they were frequently observed to fight while seemingly at full health—attributable, of course, to the effects of Lay on Hands.

For the Paladin profession, alongside Divine Shield, Lay on Hands stood as a quintessential spell.

The drawback, however, lay in its mana consumption, exceedingly high; it could only be employed once per battle in severe cases.

Even with the aid of Holy Light Affinity, the situation remained unchanged; without this physique, casting Lay on Hands would prove unfeasible. It was no wonder the holy deed mandated such a requirement for mastering fifth-tier spells.

As the most potent healing spell, the contents of Lay on Hands spanned hundreds of pages.

While hundreds of pages might not sound substantial in comparison to most books, the holy deed, a royal artifact spreading Holy Light, demanded an unparalleled degree of textual detail, leaving no word unturned.

Explained at the standard of ordinary texts, the explanation of Lay on Hands might span thousands of densely packed pages, complete with in-depth illustrations.

For ordinary Earth inhabitants, mastering such a complex spell like Lay on Hands was an impossibility.

Fortunately, Forseti hailed not from Earth.

Having reviewed the contents of Lay on Hands, Forseti rested before resuming his exploration of Antarctica the following day.

Around the South Pole, the trio spent several days searching until they discovered a suitable site amidst the ice and snow.

Surveying the surroundings, Forseti nodded approvingly.

Enclosed by mountains on three sides, a multitude of large and small, snow-white peaks stretched endlessly, encircling a remarkably flat open space at its center.

The peaks encircling the open expanse were exceedingly steep, accessible only via a narrow mountain path.

Forseti reckoned that even during the era of the US imperialist's establishment of a scientific research station at the South Pole, the Paladins stationed here would remain unnoticed by the outside world.

"What do you think?"

Ander nodded, "No better place exists than this."

Brunnock inquired, "Should we christen this place?"

"This valley will do. As for the future Silver Hand headquarters to be built here, it shall be named the Temple of Holy Light... No, the Holy Light Sanctuary." Forseti proposed.

Originally considering naming it "Chapel of Holy Light's Hope," Forseti reconsidered, sensing the religious undertones might be too strong.

Though Azeroth's Paladins frequently discussed their beliefs, maintaining some religious affiliations, they remained distinct from conventional religions.

At least, Forseti never viewed Paladins as religious figures, nor did he perceive Holy Light as a deity, not in any personalized form, at least.

To him, any real deity in this world would represent a different aspect of natural law rather than a powerful personality—similar, in essence, to the Asgardians.

"Hearth Valley, Holy Light Sanctuary... Hearth Valley, Mystery of Holy Light..." Brunnock repeated these names multiple times, nodding approvingly. "I must say, High Lord, your naming skills are exceptional. Where do you get these ideas?"

"Just a stroke of inspiration." Forseti replied casually.

With the location decided, there was little cause for immediate concern. After all, there was no urgency to construct the Holy Light Sanctuary, and the recruitment of the second wave of Paladins, such as Skurge, remained incomplete.

Thus, the trio marked Hearthglen and lingered on Earth for several days before requesting Heimdall to transport them back to Asgard.

Once in Asgard, Forseti resumed his quest for the second wave of Paladins.

The selection process proved swift, drawing primarily from familiar faces. Alongside the already identified Skurge, Forseti swiftly enlisted Tialfi and Diops into the ranks of the Silver Hand.

In an Asgardian residence one early morning,

Amora languidly slipped out of bed, stretching like a cat. Sunlight filtered through the window, lending her skin a translucent sheen.

"Amora, you're surely the most beautiful in all Asgard." The man beside her gazed at her adoringly.

Unmoved by his flattery, Amora replied with a hint of disdain.

She rose, dressing herself as she spoke, "Leave. Now."

The man seemed startled, "Amora, you know I—"

Unmoved, Amora interrupted, "Disappear from my sight before I finish dressing."

"...Understood." The man cast her a final glance before hurriedly gathering his clothes and exiting the room.

Amora was accustomed to such scenes, treating others like discarded toys or even dispensable entities.

After a short while, she emerged in an elegant gown, ready to depart.

To her surprise, upon opening the door, she encountered another figure.

The woman shared Amora's blond hair and blue eyes, bearing a striking resemblance, albeit slightly younger.

"Lorelei?" Amora frowned.

Lorelei smiled faintly, "Long time no see, sister."

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