In the time that followed, the warriors of the "Children of Echoes" all experienced the enthusiastic reception one after another, with cheers resounding endlessly.
After the reception ended, they all expressed that the defense tower was truly too powerful; with the defense tower present, eliminating Abyss monsters would be no issue at all.
At the same time, they also resolved in their hearts that from now on, they absolutely, absolutely could not provoke Lord Pyro Archon.
Otherwise, they would definitely have to experience Natlan's fiery passion just like today.
"This was only with increased power, without raising the speed." Rios said, "When it enters the true [Combat Mode], the fireballs' firing speed will be several times faster."
The warriors of the "Children of Echoes" all drew in a sharp breath in unison upon hearing this.
Even at the slowed speed, a large number of warriors couldn't pass.
Then at normal speed, probably very few people in the entire Natlan could dodge the fireball assaults.
"With the defense tower here, even if Abyss monsters suddenly invade, we won't have to be afraid anymore."
Abyss monsters would launch assaults on the major tribes from time to time, so every tribe was equipped with sentries on watch, staying vigilant at all times for the appearance of Abyss monsters.
But even so, when Abyss monsters launched sudden invasions, casualties would still occur due to how sudden it was.
However, with the defense tower helping in battle, the tribe's casualties would decrease greatly, and it might even result in zero casualties.
"Has everyone here experienced it?" Rios scanned the gathered warriors.
To be fair, he was quite satisfied with the warriors' performances.
Aside from Tlaco, who lost particularly quickly every time, the other warriors had all held out for a considerable time under the fireball onslaught—this achievement was worth affirming.
As long as defense towers were deployed in each tribe, and the warriors trained daily, Natlan's overall combat strength would surely rise to a higher level.
Just as Rios thought everyone had gone through the defense tower's enthusiastic reception once, a childish girl's voice came over.
"I..."
"I haven't tried it yet!"
Rios looked toward the voice and saw a girl with light gray hair, wearing gloves, raising her hand.
"Kachina?"
Kachina was naturally also a warrior of the "Children of Echoes."
She hadn't been here earlier; she must have passed by and seen the situation here, so she wanted to give it a try.
However...
Rios noticed that Kachina's mood at this moment seemed to contain some timid emotions.
He and Kachina were old acquaintances; the latter's strength was very strong, not inferior to Mualani's at all.
But because Kachina always lacked confidence in herself, she couldn't bring out her original strength, and during the Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame, she always couldn't achieve good rankings.
"Kachina, you really do need to come over and practice."
Someone who had previously teamed up with Kachina during the Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame blurted out: "If you could be a bit stronger, next time in the Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame... ah, no, when fighting Abyss monsters, you could perform even better."
That person had originally meant to say participating in the Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame.
But remembering that Rios was right here, he stiffly changed to another phrasing.
Recently, Natlan people had been secretly discussing in private about resuming the Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame, so people from the major tribes were all rubbing their fists and preparing to participate in the competition.
If Lord Pyro Archon found out about this now, all their preparations would be for nothing.
Of course, Rios had long since known about it, but he just felt that resuming the Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame under this mindset for the Natlan people would be beneficial for increasing emotion value, so he didn't bother with it.
"Mm..."
"I will practice properly."
Hearing her teammate's words, Kachina nodded obediently, then trotted over to Rios's front.
"Lord Pyro Archon, please apply the shield to me."
After the shield was applied, the test would begin.
However, Rios didn't do so immediately.
"Kachina, you're afraid." Rios crossed his arms, staring straight into the girl's eyes.
The girl was stunned: "I'm... afraid?"
"Lord Pyro Archon, Kachina saw us getting hit so badly by the fireballs from the defense tower, so of course she'd be afraid." A female warrior said with a smile.
Then, that female warrior lowered her head and said softly to Kachina: "But little Kachina, you still have to fight Abyss monsters in the future; getting used to battling frightening things now will also be good for you winning honors in the future."
"So, muster your courage and don't be afraid anymore."
"Mm..."
Hearing the female warrior's encouragement, Kachina nodded lightly.
But her furrowed brows still showed that her mindset hadn't changed.
"I didn't say Kachina is afraid of challenging the defense tower." Rios said, "What she's afraid of is not being able to bring out the strength she should have, not being able to meet everyone's expectations."
At these words.
The warriors of the "Children of Echoes" felt surprised.
Even Kachina herself felt particularly astonished.
Because Rios's words had hit right to her heart!
"Kachina, the time I've known you isn't short either."
Rios looked at the girl: "Your strength is also among the more outstanding batch of warriors in Natlan; what's lacking is just the belief that you can do it and the courage."
Hearing Rios believe in her so much, Kachina was somewhat flattered and hurriedly waved her hands in panic: "Lord Pyro Archon, you're overpraising me; I'm not that great."
What a joke.
In the original work, you even stabbed Mualani unconscious with a spear—how are you not great?
"Even if you don't believe in yourself, don't you believe in the Pyro Archon's judgment?" Rios brought out the identity of a god.
"This..." Kachina was immediately at a loss for words, completely stumped by Rios's forceful logic.
The Wayob bestowed her with an Ancient Name, and Lord Pyro Archon acknowledged her strength.
According to what Rios said, if she didn't have strength, it would be impossible for her to receive acknowledgment from the Wayob and Lord Pyro Archon.
"Kachina."
Rios finally said one more thing: "The hymn of humanity is the hymn of courage."
"You don't lack the courage to face Abyss monsters, so what could extinguish the flame that rises in your heart?"
Rise... flame...
Hearing Rios's words, Kachina's pupils trembled slightly, and her gloved little hands unconsciously clenched tight.
Finally, a glint of determination flashed in her eyes.
"Lord Pyro Archon, although I still haven't fully understood your meaning, I want to take the test right now." Kachina's gaze became firm, and the smile on her face became confident as well.
"I wish you success." Rios applied the shield to the girl, watching as she walked toward the defense tower.
"Lord Pyro Archon, is this really okay like this?" Xilonen asked worriedly.
"Don't worry." Rios smiled with full confidence, "With Kachina's skills, she can definitely dodge all the fireballs beautifully."
As someone who had known Kachina for a long time and had instructed her a few times.
Rios could say with certainty.
No one—
understood Kachina better than he did.