938  The Ritual ( 1 )

    Vale continued his observations without harming any ordinary people. He wanted to see how the ritual would proceed after all.

    Of course, Vale didn''t have to stay for long in one village. After he completely understood their situation, he moved to other villages.

    The second and third villages were both eerily similar to the first. The villagers were also concerned with various things happening as the ritual was getting closer. There were cases like livestock disappearing, nightmares that seemed to warn them about their near death, and a heavy, oppressive feeling that lingered in the village.

    Though they were still busy with the preparations for the ritual, they didn''t seem happy at all.

    ''This ritual... It''s negatively affecting everyone in the surrounding village.'' Vale thought to himself as he started to understand how dangerous it was. It seemed as if the higher-ups of his place didn''t care about the common folk.

    In the third village, Vale discovered a small shrine dedicated to the Sanctuary of the Mind. Its presence confirmed the psychic resonance mentioned in the Arcane Bureau''s report. He inspected the shrine discreetly and detected faint traces of psychic energy.

    A Grandmaster-Level Arcanist had just left the place...

    Vale frowned at this since there was no report that a Grandmaster-Level Mind Manipulator assisted them when they fought against the Demons of the Abyss Realm.

    He recalled that low-level Arcanists assisted with their defense even at the cost of their life. However, it seemed that the people here just hid from the disaster caused by the Abyss Realm''s invasion.

    They might have a reason not to leave this place but Vale was no doubt disappointed. He recalled that even the representative they sent to his castle to pay respect to an Immortal like him was only an Adept Arcanist.

    ''Whatever... Let''s see what they''re up to...'' Vale muttered to himself.

    ***

    Vale didn''t hurry and by the third day, his understanding of the region deepened. The fourth village showed signs of recent distress—there were burnt fields and abandoned homes already. The villagers here were less forthcoming. They weren''t that welcoming to him, unlike the other villages. Although he had introduced himself from another village, they just didn''t like visitors at all.

    Vale wandered among the villagers, cloaked in his guise.

    "They''re here..." Vale muttered as he noticed individuals dressed in ceremonial robes.

    ''I wonder what kind of Ancient Devil they''re about to summon with all these preparations.'' Vale mused.

    The Sanguine Crystal, a massive, blood-red gem, was displayed prominently within the grand hall that seemed to be newly built.

    That night, Vale found a secluded spot overlooking the open hall.

    From his vantage point, he observed the final preparations that were happening all over the village. Somehow, he felt quite excited seeing something new about to happen...

    However, Vale shook his head as he had to take this seriously since there were already many people who had suffered because of this event.

    The Sanctuary of the Mind was being exploited as a focal point for the ritual.

    As the day of the ritual approached, he soon recognized the Essence of a Thousand Minds, a crystalline object exuding powerful psychic energy, brought into the hall under the heavy guard of several Mind Manipulators...

    "Are they actually aware of the Timeless King''s restrictions? Are they aiming to pierce the barrier, with that essence?" Vale mused.

    "If they succeed, the consequences should affect this whole continent." Vale muttered.

    Whether the ritual succeeded or not, Vale was prepared to confront this matter later on...

    Soon, the ritual began as the Crimson Robed Arcanists finally arrived.