Seven chiefs from the seven demi human tribe living in the village stepped forward. Among them was Zerina and father of Eldrin, the Elven chief Elmond.
There was also that rude dwarf with wide build and a thick beard who Reinhardt met back near the gates more than a week ago. It turns out that he was the chief of the dwarves living in the Toto village.
Other than the three, there were chiefs from the other tribes of the village. Once the seven chiefs stepped forward, the entire village square became silent, and the flames on the bonfire started burning fiercely, almost magically.
"Let's start!" Elmond took out an eerie looking cup from who knows where and started going around the seven chiefs, taking their blood.
Once the cup was full from all the chiefs blood, he, the rude dwarf, and another chief from the winged race started drawing some kind of complex runes around the bonfire.
"Since the beginning of the Toto village, we have been offering prayers to the old god of fire and divinity in return for his blessings and aid in the battles against the demons this way. To outsiders, it might look weird, but it is an ancient tradition from the elven land" The guard from the panther race explained.
"Having lost our land and kingdom, the Toto village accepted us. We found a place where we can live with our family, a place that we can call home. Naturally, we were ready to protect it with our lives"...
"However, the fight with the demonic forces was far too fierce; we lost many of our friends and family in the successive battles. In the end, we could only turn towards the old god of fire and divinity for aid".
While the panther tribe's male was speaking, the drawing on the village square was completed. Looking at that drawing, or rather at the magic circle, Bob couldn't help but arch his brows and comment in a voice that only Reinhardt and Karina could hear.
"Commander, that is…"
"Yeah, it's some kind of summoning circle. What are they trying to do using the demon's technique?"
As knights who have fought with demons their entire lives, they have extensive knowledge of the demons and the mysterious magic they used.
The magic circle around the bonfire looked ordinary at first glance. However, to these knights, it was crystal clear that it was an ominous technique from the demons.
The trio did not have to think hard as the answer presented itself before long. Once the magic circle made out of the blood of all the seven chiefs was completed, the fire in the bonfire suddenly turned green and started dancing wildly.
Like a macabre dance, the fire cast ominous shadows around the village square.
Whoosh… the next moment, the green fire spread, encasing the magic circle within it.
Seconds ticked by as all eyes were strained towards the spinning green fire in the middle of the village. Then, with a burst, a huge rusty gate with eerie spiral patterns appeared in the place where the bonfire was.
"What is going on?"…
Bob and Karina were immediately alarmed. Common sense dictated that no one other than a demon should be able to cast such a technique. Yet in front of him, the chiefs of the Toto village did just that.
"I know what you are thinking. But for now, calm down."
Reinhardt stopped the two from making any rash moves. He was by far the most rational one right now out of the three. Since he had already suspected demons involvement in Toto village, the event right now although surprising, was still within his expectations.
Not noticing the unusual atmosphere around the three, the panther tribe male continued to explain.
"That is the sacred altar leading to the temple of the old god of fire and divinity. Watch closely, the ritual will now begin".
Sacred Altar?! Temple of the Old god of fire and divinity?! My ass. Reinhardt wanted to retort badly. That thing there that these demi humans believe was the sacred altar to the temple of the old god of fire and divinity was, in reality, a gate to the dungeon.
An extremely dangerous place where the influence of the demon was the strongest. No wonder he felt a demonic energy seeping all around the village the moment he arrived. It was because there was a dungeon hidden in the Toto village.
As per the Panther tribe male's words, the ritual had begun. Seven people, donned in white clothing that barely covered their skin, walked out. All of them had weird markings painted all around their body and carried a gloomy expression like that of a dead fish.
Reinhardt suddenly arched his brows; all seven of these people came from the seven tribes of the Toto village. However, that wasn't the reason why he was surprised.
Among the people, he noticed a familiar figure suddenly striding forward. It was Eldrin, his eyes were moist, and he was tightly holding onto one of the women who was amongst the seven.
What was going on? What was this ritual of the Toto village?
"Eldrin!! What is this shameful act? To behave like this in front of the sacred altar of the god of fire and divinity. Have you lost your mind?"
In the village square, Elmond snapped at his son. His face was furious as he glared down at the couple menacingly.
"It is an incredible honor to be chosen to serve the god of fire. You dare to make a scene like that in the middle of such an auspicious ceremony?"…
"B-But father… s-she is my wife and everyone who is chosen to serve the god of fire, never return back. How can I just let her go? "...
"Enough!!"
Eldrin tried to protest but his voice was immediately squelched by Elmond, who was not having any nonsense.
"It has already been decided that Elina would serve the god of fire and divinity, and nobody can break that rule, not even me. Angering the divine, you don't want to know what the repercussion would be, do you?"