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Tirion Fordring

Forseti was startled, quickly stepping forward to look.

He saw Emperor Shia lying motionless off the altar, his fate unclear—whether he wandered deliriously or chose suicide.

He frowned, lost in thought.

An interstellar pirate legion attacked the Shia Empire's city. While he'd heard of this, he hadn't known Thanos led them.

But upon reflection, knowing Thanos later allied with the other, it made sense. Something had changed hands, leading to Thanos's rise and the empire's fall.

The galaxy faced a dire threat with Thanos's ascent.

Back in Asgard, he must convince Odin to rally with Hela, mobilize Asgard's forces preemptively, and attempt to eliminate Thanos. That was Forseti's plan.

Suddenly, his attention shifted to a massive battleship nearby.

The few who escaped Vormir had used a smaller ship, leaving the giant vessel behind.

Seeing the abandoned ship, Forseti smiled knowingly.

The Shiar Empire was one of the universe's most advanced civilizations. Its emperor's ship surely held valuables. Now ownerless, it was ripe for claiming.

If lucky, donating the emperor's treasure might earn enough piety to leave before the third Vormir cycle.

With resolve, Forseti flew towards the giant ship, thoroughly searching it.

The haul surpassed his expectations—rare elements, advanced energy sources, and sophisticated technology.

Sanctuary welcomed valuable donations, excluding only one thing—the sacred tome. Its sanctity precluded enhanced quality or piety from donations.

Days of searching paid off. Forseti estimated he could amass 60 Holy Shield spell fragments, securing an early departure from Vormir.

Exciting as this was, reality's bounty often outshone future expectations. Aside from donations, the ship yielded ordinary but precious commodities—a welcome change in Vormir's desolate realm.

Years after Emperor Shia's demise, another group of Zehouberi arrived.

They'd likely learned of the Soul Stone from earlier escapees but were ignorant of its conditions.

Realizing they didn't truly love each other, they departed peacefully.

Forseti confirmed from the Zehouberi that Thanos indeed led the legion that razed the Shiar Empire.

Under Thanos's leadership, the legion surged, conquering countless civilizations and posing a galaxy-wide threat.

After the Zehouberi's departure, Vormir remained undisturbed. Forseti awaited Womir Helan's second growth phase.

Finally, the herbs matured, initiating a new harvest.

Donating a portion, Forseti exchanged for Fate's gift—accumulating Holy Shield spell fragments, nearing 60.

**Book of Experience: Tirion Fordring**

Opening a book of experience, Forseti halted his exchanges, astonished.

It was Tirion Fordring!

Apart from the infamous Alsace, reformed as a death knight, Tirion Fordring was revered among Paladins—an exemplary leader in the Silver Hand's annals.

Forseti scrutinized the entry:

**Experience Type:** Hero

**Experience Level:** Level 8

**Introduction:** Tirion Fordring, one of the original Paladins of the Silver Hand, bearer of the Ashbringer, and leader of the Silver Crusade. Mentor and exemplar to many, embodying the Light that all Paladins aspire to…

Forseti had avoided challenging level 7 or higher training targets. Fights with such powerful foes risked undue strain, alerting the Soul Stone.

Yet now, holding Tirion Fordring's experience, Forseti decided to enter his experience realm.

In an instant, he stood on the vast proving grounds—the Argent Crusade's testing field.

A formidable figure awaited—Tirion Fordring, armored and wielding the Ashbringer.

"Young warrior, welcome to our proving grounds. Here, you challenge me for our common goal—the Northern Expedition," Tirion Fordring announced, raising the Ashbringer, its holy light casting a radiant aura.

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