Toka paced back and forth, deep in thought.
To fulfill Zukora's request and for the glory of the Dragon God, he had to return to Ital'ruk as soon as possible.
However, the Pioneer Territory had just been established, with a myriad of tasks awaiting attention, and Frost Fang's impulsive nature made him truly unfit to shoulder heavy responsibilities. If he were to leave now, the risk would be too great.
Stay? Return? He was in a dilemma.
As dusk fell, the wind completely died down.
Apart from the sporadic footsteps of patrols and the low breathing of the Proto-Dragons, the camp had fallen into silence.
Unconsciously, Toka found himself walking alone to the temporary shrine.
The daily sermon had just concluded, and the air still carried the scent of incense and fire.
He took a deep breath, tidied his wind-blown appearance and leather armor, ensuring his demeanor was sufficiently solemn and formal.
Then, Toka walked to the black giant rock inscribed with the divine emblem and slowly knelt down.
He knelt on one knee, deliberately slowing his movements, ensuring every detail conformed to regulations, without the slightest error.
After all, this was his first time seeking a divine oracle from the Lord alone.
As one of the earliest believers, he had witnessed the magnificent miracles when the Lord descended, and had participated in collective prayers multiple times, receiving responses. But those were responses to "us" as a group, not specifically to "Toka" as an individual.
And now, what he needed was an answer that belonged only to him, guiding his next course of action.
Toka took another deep breath; the cold air filled his lungs, his chest rose and fell slightly, and his Adam's apple subtly bobbed.
He tried to clear his mind of miscellaneous thoughts, and as he slowly exhaled, he clearly and respectfully uttered the words he had repeatedly considered in his heart:
"My Lord, your humble servant Toka is here."
"Zukora's messenger has arrived, bringing Lukare's tribe's desire for a confederation."
"I need to return to Ital'ruk immediately to discuss a response strategy."
"However, the Pioneer Territory has just been established, with countless things awaiting revival. If I leave at this moment, I truly cannot rest assured."
"Should I remain here? Or should I return immediately? I humbly request my Lord to bestow a divine oracle and show me the way."
After speaking, he remained motionless on his knees, only the white mist of his suppressed breath slowly drifting and merging into the cold air.
Above the shrine, the Dragon God did not respond immediately.
The faint embers in the brazier flickered slowly in the wind, their light wavering.
Time passed minute by minute. Toka's fingertips were already numb with cold, and his knees were icy cold and numb, but he endured the discomfort, remaining motionless, just pressing his lips together, waiting for the divine oracle.
Suddenly, the rhythm of the faint, regularly flickering flame in the brazier changed without warning!
It wasn't the wind.
It was a nearly silent yet immensely grand will descending, enveloping the entire divine area.
Instantly, the flame transformed from crimson to pale gold.
Toka sharply looked up.
He knew the Dragon God's oracle had arrived.
"— Your request, I have heard."
"Two days hence, new guards shall arrive at the Divine Tree. At that time, you may return with peace of mind—"
His oracle, as always, was concise, solemn, and unquestionable, clearly imprinted deep within Toka's soul.
—Divider—
Two days later, in the early morning.
The frost had not yet completely receded from the treetops, and a pale golden light of dawn had already appeared in the southeastern sky, casting a faint warmth over the primeval forest of Grizzly Hills.
The Pioneer Territory was still asleep, with only the earliest patrol sentinels, treading on the thin, crackling snow that had fallen last night, conducting their routine shift change.
Suddenly, a troll sentinel about to leave his post abruptly stopped, looking up in surprise and gazing at the eastern sky.
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