Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 166: 63. If believing in Naaru will make one a madman, will believing in the Holy Lance make one a pervert?

Light forging comes from the strengthening of the individual's foundation by the Holy Light Force.

Just as the Burning Legion would perform magic forging on their minions, in Highmaul, Diakum had personally witnessed the shadow forging of the evil ogre Cho'gall by the Void Force, as well as the "Abyss Forging" of the Death Force, the "Spell Forging" of the Order Force, and the "Dream Forging" of the Life Force.

But Dick knew that the fundamental strengthening from the Force was not effective in all situations, and they were each subject to their own rules.

Some Force powers are more selective with people.

For example, the most demanding arcane magic. Throughout the official history of nearly 30,000 years, there have been few mortals who have been directly blessed by the arcane force.

Some Force powers choose to flood the field.

For example, as long as you embrace the Legion, you can get Fel Magic Forging, but if you don't choose individuals, the quality of the Magic Forging will be uneven.

The Lightforging from the Holy Light is somewhere in between the two. This ritual is not as demanding as the Arcane Blessing, but not everyone can complete it either. This ritual requires a "stress test" on the person taking the oath both physically and psychologically.

If one fails to pass this process called the "Trial of Virtue", the body and soul of the sworn one will be burned simultaneously by a huge amount of holy light.

"Lightforged warriors are very powerful. The blessing from the Holy Light will grant them an even more exaggerated affinity with the Holy Light and energy control from their individual foundations, and even change their life forms. However, such enhancement comes at a price.

Diak'um himself demonstrated that 'price' to me at the Seat of the Triumvirate in Mac'Aree."

After the Lightforging Ceremony began, outside the healing room, Velen, who was maintaining the Holy Word Barrier, said to Lelan, who was holding the Heart of Argus and praying constantly, his son Eredas, Yrel, and Nobundo:
"The sacred power of the Lightforge ritual comes directly from the gift of the Naaru, so the spirit of the Lightforged will be permanently connected to the Naaru who presided over the Lightforge during the ritual. But how can a mortal's will remain clear for long in the face of the divinity of the Naaru?
Even the most resolute warrior will inevitably be "assimilated" when facing the holy divinity.

The Army of the Light shared the secret of Lightforging with us long ago. Our three guardian naaru forbade us to do so. If the situation in the Draenor war was not critical, we would not have performed mass Lightforging on the veterans of the Hand of Argus.

This brief explanation made the recruits nod their heads repeatedly, but soon Nobundo discovered the key point. He frowned and said softly:
"Great Prophet, with all due respect, during our long exile, I've noticed that the Draenei clans and the Army of the Light seem to be drifting further and further apart. I couldn't understand this before, but after listening to your explanation, I guess it's because you've noticed something ominous, and so you're deliberately trying to prevent the Draenei clans from being too deeply influenced by the Army of the Light, right?"

"Alas, that is true, Nobundo. You are as perceptive as ever."

Old Velen, who presided over the Holy Word, sighed helplessly. He did not explicitly state the problem with the Holy Light Legion, but explained to the new recruits in a very cryptic way:

"Hatton and I both understand that the warriors at the forefront of the fight against the Burning Legion desperately need the support of light. They are in the eternal war and need that light to help them strengthen their determination to resist.

But if you only see that light, then many virtues of goodness will be ignored.

Children, although the Army of Light rarely mentions the specific process in its battle reports to the various clans, we have heard of more than one tragedy of "Light Burial" in conversations between the three guardian naaru and other naaru.

"Light burial?"

Yrel savored the subtle meaning of the word. She stroked the Heart of Argus in her hand and whispered:

"You mean, they burned certain worlds with holy light?"

"More than once! After confirming that a world cannot be saved from the demons and assessing the risks of continuing the battle, the Lightforged Fleet will launch an extinction attack on the target world. When the halo of the Holy Light Judge shines across the starry sea, the demons and life on those worlds will be granted eternal peace under the scorching light like a star.

Initially, this was simply to give those worlds a last vestige of dignity, but unfortunately, over the past few thousand years, their style of warfare has become increasingly 'radical.'"

The old prophet obviously disagreed with this method of warfare, but the new recruit Yrel thought it was not so bad. If a world had truly been poisoned by demons to the point of being beyond salvation, igniting it with holy light was not a bad idea.

But Velen's last words made Eredas shudder. He drew the holy emblem on his chest and whispered:

"Father, are you saying that they have made this 'light burial extinction' universal?"

Wei Lun nodded with a heavy expression and said:
"They call it 'necessary sacrifice'. The warriors of the Army of Light remain holy, and they will still do their utmost to rescue every world worth saving. However, in some cases, the obsession with victory or defeat will outweigh the sacrifice of rescue.

Especially when the benefits of the two are not proportional, tragedy often occurs.

For example, the situation in Draenor.

The orcs, the dominant race in this world, have suffered such widespread depravity that if the War Horde truly began a bloodbath and attempted to turn the world into a filthy wasteland, the Lightforged Fleet would not hesitate to fire its main guns after completing the necessary rescue operations.

Velen sighed and said:
"For some of the fierce Eredar clans, this Legion of the Light better meets their desire for revenge. Carrying the ancient hatred of Argus, they hope to see their enemies wail in the light of punishment. However, the Holy Light teaches us more than just punishment; protection and redemption are equally important.

Therefore, not only the Draenei clan, but also some rational Eredar clans have maintained a subtle distance from the Army of Light in the past 20,000 years.

Our three guardian naaru are all rational, and that is why they rejected the proposal of large-scale use of the Lightforge.

Firstly, as sentinels to attract the attention of the Burning Legion, the Draenei need to hide themselves more than fighting most of the time.

Secondly, the three Naaru were also worried about the changes in the Draenei clan. They themselves had no confidence in the unknown consequences of mortal warriors establishing mental links with them on a large scale.

The Naaru also knew that this was risky.

Furthermore, the three Naaru protected us in exile for over 20,000 years, and they were already exhausted and unable to complete the Light Forging Ritual, which required a large amount of holy power. Therefore, this knowledge was shelved."

"But the Saint of Diakum is not a Naaru, at least not a complete Naaru."

Yrel touched her wrist and said:

"Connecting with him mentally shouldn't lead to an extreme situation like the Army of Light, right?"

"No one can be sure. The Sentinels' demon-slaying will is no less powerful than those fanatical Purifiers. I've also heard from Archbishop Nari about some of Diak'um's own 'hidden dangers.' Our saints are also facing a conflict between humanity and the divinity of the Naaru.

So, this one and only time!"

The prophet watched Maraad's Lightforging Ritual progress further. He said to the others in an unquestionable tone:

"I cannot allow the Draenei to lose an outstanding leader like Diak'um, so all necessary Lightforging rituals will be completed by Her Majesty Kara. I will not allow the Sentinels to Lightforge more warriors by stripping away their own minds.

He certainly has such a willingness to make sacrifices, but we cannot accept such a noble sacrifice with peace of mind.

What's more, this is totally not worth it!"

Dick could hear the conversation between old Velen and the new recruits. He felt the Prophet's protection for him and recognized Velen's vigilance. But he could not respond at this time, because Maraad's battle in the mental space had entered its final stage.

Those were of course weakened bosses, otherwise no matter how powerful my uncle was, it would be impossible for him to single-handedly defeat Argus the Destroyer. But Dick has always been strict in combat, and it was not so easy for my uncle to pass. He almost used up all his means and exhausted all his holy power before he could barely fight against the illusion of the Destroyer.

At the moment Maraad won, a reminder composed of pulsating golden runes appeared before Diakum's eyes:

[The Lightforging Ceremony/Trial of the Chosen One has ended!
You have chosen a heroic soul to use you as a medium to complete the connection with the Holy Light Force. After the ceremony is completed, your Holy Will will be bound to your chosen one. He will become an extension of your Holy Will, your spokesperson in the world, your connection point with the material world, and the "Hand of the Vigilant" who changes the world.

hint!

This ritual is a unique ability of the mythical creature Naaru. Your mythical creature transformation is not yet complete, so the strengthening effect of the Lightforge Ritual will be weakened.

hint!

This ritual involves the distribution of powers granted to demigod creatures by the Force. Your life form has not yet entered the demigod stage, so you cannot activate the series of powers related to the "Chosen Ones" that devolve and extract power.

When you enter the demigod rank, your 'Holy Light Morality·Hand of Fate' can delegate weakening power to your voters, and your voters' Holy Light Morality can also be extracted to temporarily enhance your combat effectiveness.

When you enter the demigod rank, your voters can choose to inherit some of your legendary/mythic talents based on their life rank.

When you enter the demigod rank, your legendary/mythic profession will be open to your voters in the form of the 'Path of the Vigilant'.

hint!

After you have the 'Chosen Ones', your unique understanding of the Way of Holy Light will be summarized into a new 'faith faction' in the form of 'Holy Words'.

Your thoughts will be understood by other Light Walkers in the Force realm through meditation and inspiration. Your chosen ones will provide you with a certain amount of 'Faith Feedback' through their words and actions. This is a unique combat resource, unlocked through the powers bestowed upon Force demigods by the Holy Light.

hint!

By presiding over the Lightforging Ceremony, you gain a deeper understanding of the mythical creature, the Naaru, and your transformation into a mythical race is accelerated!

By presiding over the Lightforging Ceremony, you gained some insights into the [Mythic Class Loa].

By presiding over the Lightforging Ceremony, you gained some insights into [Mythic Occupation·Glorious Holy Spirit/Holy Oath Lord].

Because the Holy Light has enlightened you to the mysteries of the Force, and the Void has bestowed upon you the truth, you have gained some insights into the [Mythic Profession: Void Herald/Devourer of Worlds].

caveat!

Because you presided over the Lightforging Ceremony, your level of sanctification has deepened, and the divinity of the Naaru will further assimilate your mind. Please improve your personal life level as soon as possible.

caveat!

You will be able to sense the thoughts and spiritual fluctuations of your chosen ones. Due to the special spiritual connection between the two parties, the thoughts of the chosen ones will affect yours to a certain extent. This can reduce your mental detachment in the sanctified state, but it will also deepen your mental alienation when you fall into mental fragility.

Special Tips!

Please improve your understanding of the path of 'light and darkness', which will enable you to resist divine assimilation to a certain extent.

hint!

因你并非半神生命，目前可以拥有的警戒者派系·光铸选民的数量为【2/2】，具体分布为【鲁拉（1/1）、克乌雷（1/1）。

When you enter the demigod rank, the number of Lightforged Chosen in the Vigilante faction will gradually increase according to the degree of power granted by the Holy Light, but the basic membership will not be less than 10.

This series of prompts made Diakum, who was in a "cold and rational" state during the sanctification state, frown.

As expected, this Light Forging Ceremony is not just a reward from the Holy Light to the Force Walkers. It actually involves factional disputes at the level of Holy Light doctrine. It seems that the factional confrontation between the Naaru is also quite fierce.

This is understandable.

Countless years ago, those violent Naaru brothers who crossed the boundaries of the Force, sang hymns as they marched into the Kingdom of Death and beat the death dogs until they cried for their parents, are definitely not the same group as the rational Naaru of today.

Compared with the violent Naaru who turned one-third of a dead kingdom into a land of light burial, the charlatan Zera, the Mother of Light, can be considered a "moderate".

It can only be said that mortals' understanding of the unique creature Naaru is still somewhat one-sided.

However, completing the career change routes for five mythical professions at once was a pleasant surprise, although in Diakum's opinion, there were only two options left for him.

These are just minor obstacles!
At least it wasn't a problem he needed to deal with right now. Dick was also curious. Maraad being Lightforged by him was understandable, but who was his other chosen one? How could there be Lightforged in Draenor that he hadn't discovered?

So mysterious?

So, little Yrel, who cannot become the "Tyrant of Holy Light", when are you going to tell your mentor and commander about the "little secret" that you have always kept in your heart?

------

The Sentinel completed the Lightforging Ritual, but Maraad was still asleep and would take some time to wake up. Seeing that the saint was very weak after exiting the ritual, Yrel walked forward, wagging his tail, and helped him to the next room to rest.

"Saint, the Lightforger. Is it very powerful?"

After handing the sentinel a glass of water with an oddly attentive attitude, she said curiously:
"Maraad seems to have been reborn. Although he hasn't awakened yet, I can sense that his power has surpassed the limits of a legend. The Draenei clan has gained another legendary vindicator."

"Maraad has great talent, and the Holy Light favors him. It's not because of my intervention."

Dick rubbed his forehead, feeling the unique experience of connecting with the voters' minds in his mind. He explained:

"The Lightforged's power is truly comprehensive. It directly enhances your basic attributes and raises your talent ceiling. This is also the reason why the Army of the Light was able to defend the Holy Light Star Region in the face of the brutal Burning Crusade. In a sense, the Lightforged are no longer ordinary people.

They draw their power directly from the Light, the Force, much like demons constantly connected to the Twisting Nether."

"Uh, Saint, I've been hiding something from you guys."

Yrel touched his arm uneasily.

Then, under Diakum's "as expected" gaze, she took off her arm armor, allowing Dick to see the strange patterns that appeared on the girl's arm.

"Is this a holy pattern?"

The Sentinel carefully examined the lines on Yrel's arm and said:
"When did it appear?"

"It was just a few days after I became the 'Hand of K'ure'."

Yrel whispered uneasily:
"It's not just my arms. These holy patterns have appeared on my chest, waist, legs, and back. I didn't notice them at first, thinking they were battle scars. It was only when Samara was bandaging me that she saw them.

I thought it was just some kind of blessing from His Majesty K'ure before his demise, but after witnessing Maraad's Lightforging Ceremony, I realized that those Hand of Argus veterans might not be the first Lightforged of the Draenei clans.

I'm the!
His Majesty K'ure left me more than just power. He used his last bit of holy power to forge me. This also explains why my power has grown faster than I could have imagined in recent times.

There are even some signs of losing control.

I can always see the sacred geometric brilliance that only the Naaru have in my dreams. Most importantly, I don’t seem to have experienced any spiritual trials of virtue.

Is this normal?

"The Trial of Virtue was born from the Naaru's own teachings of Holy Light. His Majesty K'ure has fallen. It's normal that you didn't receive the Trial of Virtue, but if you don't experience the spiritual trials of Holy Light, you won't be able to truly complete the Lightforging."

Dick deliberately put on a stern face to scare Yirel, then put down the water cup and said:
"But the good news is, I have inherited His Majesty K'ure's core. So, now is the day. Are you ready? Like Maraad, you will undergo the Trial of Virtue, which I preside over, and become my true chosen one."

"Of course I'd be happy to do that, Saint!"

Irel was carefree and not worried at all.

She put on her arm armor and patted her chest while getting ready.
"You've always been my idol, and now our relationship has become even closer, which is a great thing!"

"Alas, you young people simply don't understand the source of my worries. My stubbornness and radicalism in purifying evil may very well affect you.

'Fanatical' is a stubborn disease that the Light Walkers have always been unable to eradicate."

Dick glared at Yrel and said:

"You might even end up on the path of a tyrant, which is your destiny."

"What? Me? Tyrant! No way! I'm such a kind Draenei and I'm such a weakling, how could I be so powerful? You must be trying to scare me again. Is this some kind of protective threat from the old men?"

"Shut up! Find a place to lie down, relax, and prepare to begin your Trial of Virtue. I know from looking at how full of energy you are, I'll have to arrange some strong enough opponents for you to help you calm down.

So, brave Yrel, would you like to try to challenge the 'Burning Legion Trial Gift Pack' of 'Mannos the Destroyer', 'Kil'jaeden the Deceiver' and 'Archimonde the Polluter'?

You're welcome.

I can arrange that, and I’d be happy to do so.”

(End of this chapter)