At least, that's what most people in the underground city think.

Of course, there are a few, like the innkeeper, who harbor doubts. According to the Old Gods' followers, his faith in the Old Gods is not pure enough. If he could truly believe that the souls sacrificed will return to the Old Gods' throne and journey to a better world, he wouldn't ask such foolish questions.

Ethan also asked many questions, some of which were quite dangerous topics. If overheard by some extreme followers of the Old Gods, it could likely cause him trouble.

In this free underground city, there is only one iron law—no breaking the rules set by the Old Gods. Any voice that defames Them is seen as an enemy of the abyss.

When Lindong returns, the last candidate will appear, with only three days left until the festival begins.

The underground city will witness an unprecedented spectacle.

Ethan heard about the process. The sacrifice of 13 souls will serve as the prologue to the festival. These 13 pure ones will kneel in a pre-arranged circular array, and once the followers finish chanting their spells, the emissaries of the Old Gods will come to receive them.

Each Old God's emissary appears differently.

Sometimes it's countless writhing tentacles, other times it's blazing black flames.

More horrifying, an unseen pressure will crush and grind the body of the sacrifice until it completely disappears at the center of the array.

The innkeeper's doubts about the propaganda came from once arriving too early and standing too close.

He heard the terrified cries of the sacrifices and their painful screams. He also saw their bodies consumed by black flames, turning to ashes, a process that was quite long.

He had nightmares for a long time afterward, always dreaming of himself in the array, his body engulfed in flames.

That scene didn't seem like the reaction one should have when journeying to a better world as proclaimed by the Old Gods' followers.

Several escape attempts by the sacrifices have also occurred, with some empathetic underground city residents helping them. The consequences of this...

The innkeeper is unwilling to describe in detail.

Once regarded as an enemy by the Old Gods' followers, they will reveal their most vicious and evil sides.

Perhaps that is their true nature.

Yet even so, this place is much better than the world outside.

Until recent rumors shook the residents' faith. Some say that the Empire has changed, and maybe now it's the better place to dwell.

However, those who spread such words were soon punished, sacrificed to the Old Gods.

"Don't go against them."

This sentence was an expression of true feelings, the innkeeper's eyes slightly nervous.

Ethan helped him quite a bit, allowing him to see hope for this candle-in-the-wind-like inn, so he doesn't want Ethan to follow in those people's footsteps.

He advised, "Stay here a little longer, and you'll get used to it. Sometimes, if you pretend you didn't see anything, things will pass quickly."

This was his heartfelt advice as someone who has been through it.

"Being able to live peacefully here already makes this life worthwhile, and that person earlier probably thought the same."

"I'm not a belligerent, how could I go against them?"

Ethan said, "I advocate for peace above all else."

"That's good, that's good!"

The innkeeper sighed in relief, his eyes a bit more reassured.

He didn't expect that such a young Ethan could see things so clearly. It took him several years to gradually calm his mindset.

He was just about to continue discussing recipes with Ethan when footsteps at the door made his heart leap to his throat.

Those people stopped at the doorway, and a black shadow slid into the room.

Leading them was a woman with vivid makeup, her face donned a smile.

"Mr. Ethan, you came from so far and didn't even greet me."

Rattle!

Why is this woman here?

The innkeeper's heart leapt to his throat, unable to utter a word in front of this venomous woman.

A senior member of the Lofic Consortium, she used to be Flor's follower. But after the Ophira incident subsided, she instigated a series of internal disturbances among Sincaro's followers.

"Oh, it's you."

Ethan responded with a smile, "You're still alive."

...

Seeing Ethan's smile, the innkeeper was breathless.

He could hardly believe his ears.

What do you mean, "You're still alive"?

How could he say that?

Who was the one advocating for peace just now!?

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