The Shrine of Light was a remarkable architectural work.
The enormous chamber that was located in the very center of the Astral Octagon obtained its light from all sorts of external sources, most notably the trinary stars that supplied the Yernstall Central Star Node with a lot of light and energy.
The Dyson swarms that intercepted a significant fraction of the outgoing electromagnetic radiation still let out enough illumination to light up much of the Astral Octagon's interior.
It took precise calculations and a lot of artistic imagination to shape light into art.
This was especially the case when the Shrine of Light had to look good at every hour of the day!
Throw in the orbital mechanics of the Astral Octagon, La Reine and the motion of other large light-reflecting objects, the calculations quickly turned dizzyingly complex!
Ves knew a thing or two about light, crystals and optics, but he felt as if he was a small child compared to the architects and designers who masterminded the creation of the Shrine of Light!
This was because the crystals did not only shape light.
They also shaped the passage of E energy.
Ves did not know what hyper materials had been used to produce this subtle effect, but Ves could clearly feel that the crystals had significantly reduced the passage of negative E energy radiation, while also increasing the concentrating positive E energy radiation towards the center of the Astral Octagon.
This caused everyone to feel lighter, more optimistic and more hopeful.
The people that kept entering the Shrine of Light from different directions all felt as if their burdens had lifted and that that red humanity was no longer doomed.
It was… heavenly.
He strongly suspected that a Star Designer like the Plasma Shaper or the Dimensional Architect was responsible for conceiving this magnificent space.
As a mech designer with a strong appreciation for both science and art, he continued to remain dazzled by the unique and dynamic interplay between white and colored light rays.
Nothing looked artificial. The massive chamber that was large enough to house starships offered a huge amount of space to showcase momentary objects painted by specific combinations of light rays.
From pyramids to peacocks, the lightshow constantly created new illusions that looked so ethereal that Ves felt as if he had stepped into a heavenly theater.
He could tell that he was far from the only person who became impressed by the sight. The Shrine of Light quickly earned its way to the list of heritage sites due to brilliant architectural design!
Soon enough, the councilors split in half.
Those in darker red robes ascended one flight of stairs and sat on their designated crystal seats.
Those in brighter red robes ascended two flights of stairs. They soon stepped foot on an enormous rectangular crystal platform where their crystal seats, no, thrones awaited their arrival.
Naturally, Ves received instructions to claim the crystal throne that was placed in the center of the front row. This was a silent confirmation that he was most likely able to claim the highest position in the Upper Throne.
Ves exchanged a brief look with Councilor Jackarie.
The senator from the Pantheon of Modern Gods did not possess a high status within the Upper Council, so he had to sit much further behind.
The two nodded before they went their separate ways.
None of the councilors were accompanied by bodyguards or assistants at this time. Their followers could only wait around in a waiting room or take their places at the general seating places.
Hundreds of thousands of guests had arrived to witness the founding ceremony in person.
Many of them were leaders in their respective states, but the Red Collective also made sure that enough 'ordinary people' obtained a chance to attend this historic event.
None of the guests made any noise at this time. The chamber deliberately dampened sound waves generated from human speech, thereby causing the Shrine of Light to make an even stronger otherworldly impression.
The unusual changes in the composition of E energy radiation gently suppressed any unrest or uncertainty. All of the people that entered the Shrine of Light found that their patience and forbearance had magically increased.
They could sit in this magnificent chamber and observe the endless interplay of light rays taking place above their heads for hours without growing bored!
Even Lucky grew fascinated as he jumped onto Ves' lap and settled into place.
The seats began to fill up quickly. The process had been planned months in advance by the most competent planners in the Red Ocean. Nothing at all went wrong during this crucial day.
Once all of the guests had arrived and taken their places, the enormous double doors slowly slammed shut.
The Shrine of Light had become an enclosed chamber, at least for the time being.
Absolute silence stretched for two more minutes. People could only hear their own breathing, but nothing else.
No pompous music began to echo across the walls.
No colorful banners emerged to announce the establishment of the Red Collective.
No flower petals fell from above.
Only light and silence dominated the Shrine of Light.
Just as everyone expected for this silent moment to persist for a few more minutes, the largest set of double doors located at the far end of the chamber slowly slid open.
A large number of metal-on-crystal collisions sounded in the chamber. It sounded as if a troop of mechs was about to enter the Shrine of Light.
As the large mech-like shapes stepped forward until they finally began to pass through the entrance, it soon became clear that they were not what everyone thought!
The giant forms initially looked like humanoid mechs, but it became clear that they only shared a resemblance to the classic machines.
Underneath all of the thick layers of armor were giant human forms that had been magnified to the scale of mechs!
Ves along with many other people reacted in complete surprise at the sight!
Those were actual humans moving underneath their well-designed raiments!
Ves could tell that they were humans because no biomechs possessed that distinctive human look. It was extremely unlikely for the Red Collective to attempt to fool the masses by commissioning biomechs that just happened to look extremely human-like.
The obvious conclusion was that the Red Collective had finally decided to showcase its initial unit of human phase lords in public!
Many councilors including Ves had not been deeply involved in the planning of the founding ceremony. At most, they made suggestions or made contributions to specific sections, but none of them were aware of the full program.