Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Looking at the empty ceremony venue before him, Bona visioned the spectacular scene when the dayâs ceremony began.
And now, everything was gone. Nearly 30,000 members of the ritual group had died in this ritual.
âI didnât expect to encounter such a situation.â
The disappearance of an entire group was a significant loss to the church.
âWhat is the purpose of the ritual this time? Who is the target? For them to get wiped out like this.â
In Bonaâs memories, it had been a long time since the complete annihilation of the ritual team was seen.
However, it was not a big deal. The rituals of the ritual group were not simple each time, and they were always accompanied by death.
Bona was already used to this.
The only thing that left him somewhat afraid was that no matter how many people were gone, the missing portion could always fill up in a short time.
âI wonder how long it will take for the higher-ups to complete the restructuring of the ritual group?â
âItâs already done.â
Robocco replied calmly as he petted his precious magical pet.
âReally?â
Bona looked at his companion in shock.
At this moment, Robocco turned to look at Bona. His gaze was strange, as if he was looking at prey or a dead person.
Bona did not sense anything wrong with his companion.
He asked the question in his mind, âWhy havenât I heard of it before?â
Roboccoâs gaze swept across the lethal spots on Bonaâs body. He thought for a moment and finally chose to tell him what he knew.
âThe higher-ups have long expected the outcome of this ritual. After all, the target is none other than our faith, the Goddess!â
Robocco said with a tinge of fanaticism.
The same expression appeared on Bonaâs face.
âIt was such an important ritual?â
âYes, indeed.â
Now that he knew the truth about the ritual, Bona looked at the three beastfolks on the back of the dragon-shaped creature with a remorseful expression.
âThen arenât we sinners?â
Upon seeing this, Roboccoâs expression eased up, and his gaze softened.
He walked forward and patted Bona on the shoulder to comfort him.
âNo, you canât say that. According to the instructions I received, these three are supposed to be the medium for the Goddessâ Arrival.â
âWhatâs going on?â Bona looked up in confusion. He finally realized that something was wrong.
He seemed to be kept in the dark throughout the entire mission. What was happening?
Robocco patiently explained Bonaâs doubts.
âAfter the Goddess is summoned and the ceremony begins, we will be the first to send these three beastfolks to the Goddess.â
âThen, who was the sacrifice in the original ritual?â
If what he thought was the sacrifice was not the sacrifice. Then, who was the real sacrifice?
At the thought of this, Bona looked at the empty square. An idea popped up in his mind. He looked at Robocco in disbelief and exclaimed,
âCould it beâ¦â
âThatâs right. The members of the ritual group were the sacrifices this time. In the previous rituals, big and small, there was a secondary purposeâto increase their Ti.â
Robocco nodded slowly while saying a word that was unfamiliar to Bona.
âTi?â
The pronunciation of this word was very strange. When Bona repeated it for the first time, he could only imitate 80% of it.
âThatâs right. Every time a ritual is performed, oneâs Ti will increase. The more Ti a person has, the greater the value of him being a sacrifice.
âIn that case, why would the members of the ritual group be so nosy as to attack Rockevas?â
Facing this question, Robocco went silent for a moment after talking frankly a moment ago. Then, he shook his head and said, âI donât know.â
Robocco looked helpless as he met Bonaâs puzzled gaze.
He guessed, âPerhaps thereâs something about Rockevas that attracted them. After all, the person in charge of the merchant ritual group is a genuine lunatic.â
At this point, Roboccoâs tone had a little anger that was difficult to detect.
âApart from the overlord, nobody listens to anyone else. Who can guess the thoughts of a lunatic who is obsessed with rituals?
Indeed, who could guess the thoughts of a madman?
Bona nodded, believing that Robocco had a point.
Just as he was about to say something, Liveras, who had been placated and calmed down, suddenly growled.
Roar!
âWhatâs wrong?â
At the sound of Liverasâs voice, Bona and Robocco hurriedly looked over.
Unlike the last time, they seemed to sense something the moment Liverpool cried out.
âRoar!â It was another roar, this time more urgent than the last.
Liveras turned to look at its master and cried again.
Roar!
Robocco seemed to understand what Liveras meant and hurriedly said,
âItâs getting restless. Something is coming. We canât stay here any longer. Letâs get out of here.â
At this moment, Robocco did not care why there was no reaction from Bonaâs barrier.
He quickly jumped onto Liverasâs back himself.
âSqueak squeak!â An ear-piercing ratâs cry suddenly reverberated through the entire ceremony venue.
As a result of this huge cave, the sound echoed in the cave, causing a considerable tremor.
âDown there!â Sensing the direction of the tremor, Bona looked in the direction of the source of the sound from the edge of the ritual platform.
Patches of red eyes with no difference between the pupil and the white reflected Bonaâs appearance.
âWhy isnât my barrier reacting?â Bona was filled with doubts as he looked at the terrifying squirming shadow.
âIgnore it and run!â
Robocco was exasperated with Bona.
It is too late to think about anything else. Just run already. Why donât you make sure youâre safe before thinking about those problems?
Upon hearing Roboccoâs urging, Bona came to his senses. He glanced at the black shadow and hurriedly ran towards Robocco.
âSqueak!â A sharp sound echoed in the cave, wave after wave, like a sonic attack.
The beastfolks on Liverasâs back were hugging their heads at the moment, seeming in great pain.
âHurry up!â
âComing!â
Bona waved his bone staff as his body became lighter. He stomped his legs and flew towards Liveras..