Logan strode into the temple with a sense of resolve. He didn't mind the rituals of the Beastmen, as long as they didn't disrupt the sacred space. After all, his lack of belief in the divine didn't diminish the faith that many Beastmen held dear.
He understood the importance of the priests, particularly Luke and his followers, who often collaborated with the tribe's pharmacists. Their commitment to treating the injured during past conflicts had earned them his respect, and it was one of the reasons he chose to overlook their religious practices.
Yet deep down, Logan harbored a fear of theocracy. He recognized how some tribes had grown powerful, wielding divine authority to challenge their chiefs. Such power dynamics were unacceptable to him, and he was determined to prevent that from happening in his tribe.
As they entered the temple, a collective gasp of awe escaped the group. They were particularly expressive. "Look at this place! It's incredible!" one of them exclaimed, eyes wide as they took in the grandeur.
The interior was nothing short of magnificent, with soaring wooden pillars intricately carved with Beast totems and ancient runes. The atmosphere was steeped in reverence, an echo of the Beastish traditions that had thrived for generations.
Logan moved purposefully to the center of the temple, where a series of teeth hung from the ceiling. The Beast tradition dictated that a piece of a deceased loved one's tooth would be preserved as a commemoration, a symbol of beauty and blessing passed down through generations. In his own way, Logan honored this custom. Before cremating fallen warriors, he kept two teeth, one for the family and another to hang in the temple, each inscribed with the warrior's name and date of death.
As he looked up at the swaying teeth, each one represented a warrior who had bravely fought for the Silver Mane Tribe. The sight stirred something profound within him, a mix of pride and sorrow.
Begon and the others, initially captivated by the temple's beauty, now felt a shift in the air. The novelty transformed into a somber respect. Beastmen believed that teeth held the essence of the deceased, and Logan knew this well.
He knelt before the collection of teeth, bowing his head in deep reverence. This act was not just ceremonial; it marked the first time he had offered such a tribute since arriving in this world. These warriors had sacrificed their lives for his ambitions, and he felt it was only right to honor their memory by kneeling before them.
Begon and the others watched Logan closely, moved by his gesture. One by one, they followed suit, kneeling in solidarity and bowing their heads in tribute to the fallen.
Outside, the priests led by Luke exchanged surprised glances. To see their chief and the tribal leaders kneeling before the remains of the dead was unexpected, bordering on unconventional in their etiquette. Yet Luke understood that Logan was a chief of unique perspectives, someone who blended tradition with his own beliefs in ways that were sometimes difficult to comprehend.
As the silence enveloped them, the weight of their shared loss hung heavy in the air, binding them together in their resolve to honor those who had fought and fallen for their tribe.
As an Beast chief, Logan understood the importance of honoring the gods by building temples dedicated to them, seeking their protection for his tribe. However, his focus had shifted; rather than erecting grand structures for the deities, he prioritized creating a temple to commemorate the warriors who had bravely fallen in battle. His approach to the divine seemed lackluster at best, a mere formality in his eyes.
Priest Ruko, aware of the situation, recognized the dilemma. He understood that the Silver Mane Tribe lacked native priests and that Logan was reluctant to build a temple for the gods, particularly since they hailed from other tribes. They dared not bring up the topic of a divine temple, knowing too well the implications of upsetting the chief. After all, as priests, they were astutely aware that divine authority could pose a threat to Logan's leadership.
With a deep breath, Ruko stepped forward, his voice soft yet firm. "We kneel too!" he declared, moving behind the tribal leaders. He sank to his knees and bowed his head in homage to the fallen warriors.
The other priests exchanged puzzled glances. They were trained to kneel only before the gods; the idea of honoring mere warriors seemed beneath them. Yet, seeing their leader, Ruko, take such a significant step, they hesitated but ultimately followed suit. They knew the importance of unity, especially in such an awkward moment.
"Very well," one of the younger priests murmured, slowly lowering himself to the ground alongside the others. "We honor them, too."
Special Buildings:
Temple of Warriors (Enter)
His gaze landed on the "Temple of Warriors," a special building he hadn't expected to see. "A temple dedicated to the warriors... can the system manage this?" He was intrigued, realizing the potential of having such a structure at his disposal.
Without hesitating, he clicked the "Enter" option.
In an instant, the world around him shifted. The air felt charged with energy, and suddenly, he had a panoramic view of the entire Silver Mane Tribe. Everything appeared translucent, almost as if he were seeing through the fabric of reality. He could even spot Beastmen bustling about in the dock town along the distant Danube River, their movements ghostly and ethereal.
"What is this? The spiritual world?" he wondered aloud, his heart racing. "No, wait..."
His attention was drawn to a collection of floating cyan lights within the virtual temple. He instinctively reached out for one, and to his surprise, it zipped toward him as if responding to his thoughts.
Logan grasped the glowing orb and felt a jolt of energy surge through him. A system prompt chimed in his mind:
"It is a power from your ancestors. It possesses magical properties and can either bestow or devour."
"Power from ancestors?" He furrowed his brow, contemplating the implications. "Could this be a form of faith? What kind of magical powers are we talking about here?"
Feeling a surge of determination, he decided, "Swallow!"
The system responded immediately, "Ding! Host, please choose: enhance warrior profession or ice magician?"
"Warrior!" Logan exclaimed, excitement coursing through him at the thought of selective enhancement.
As soon as he made his choice, the cyan light in his hand vanished, and a rush of energy flooded his being. He felt the fighting spirit within him swell dramatically, invigorating his core.
Eagerly, he opened his attribute panel again, breathless with anticipation.
Name: Logan
Age: 10
Occupation: Ninth-level Warrior (Experience: 7/1000) (Reputation: 946/50,000) (Practice: 6/10)
"Wow!" he breathed, marveling at the progress. The enhancement was real, tangible. "This is incredible! Just imagine what I can do with this newfound strength!" His mind raced with possibilities as he contemplated how he could use this power to lead his tribe to greater heights and honor the memory of those who had fallen.