Inside the divine statue, Owen's gaze swept over the massive crowd kneeling in worship in the square outside the temple. A faint sense of pride stirred in his heart.
After all, when he had first arrived in Annasi, the place had only about a thousand people. It was impoverished, underdeveloped, and had barely any awakeners—only two or three, in fact.
But now, Annasi had transformed into Annasi Town, a flourishing settlement that had absorbed nearby populations and countless refugees.
Looking out now, the crowd of over ten thousand stretched far into the distance, seemingly endless. The spice points rising from them shimmered like radiant multicolored clouds, captivating his gaze.
This transformation—this complete rebirth—brought a bright, satisfied smile to Owen's face. Then, he turned his attention toward the ceremonial table in front of Thomas.
Upon that table lay the offerings for this ritual. The people of Annasi Town had truly brought out some remarkable items this time!
