Banquet and Sacrifice

"Leah, we're back! Thanks to the goddess' arrival, Mr. William decided to treat everyone to a feast!"

Leah's parents' cheerful voices sounded from outside.

A plainly dressed middle-aged couple entered, with hints of joy in their smiles. But beneath there was also weariness and heavy hearts.

They were Leah's parents.

However, when their gazes fell upon David in the room, their faces first flickered with bewilderment and alarm before forcing out polite smiles.

Leah's mother even unconsciously took half a step back, as if instinctively wanting to flee this place. Her hand gripped the doorframe tightly, knuckles white.

"Ah, Goddess, what brings you here...haha!" The woman struggled to conceal her panic, barely managing a trembling greeting to David.

"I came early to meet our holy maiden, pardon the intrusion," David responded calmly, unaware of their odd behavior.

Leah's father opened his mouth as if to say something but quickly closed it. The corners of his mouth downturned and his brows furrowed, forehead creased with fine wrinkles.

His gaze wavered, looking upon the goddess with a mournful, anxious expression, as if pleading for something.

"Of c-course, the ritual is in a few days after all." The father finally squeezed out this line, a hint of despair in his tone.

Then he took a deep breath and turned around, hands gently on Leah's shoulders, gaze solemn:

"Leah, you must perform your best, don't disappoint the goddess!"

"I know that! My soul will become eternal, serving the True King on his throne, just like Big Sis Goddess!" Oblivious to the subtext, Leah still responded cheerfully with childlike naivete, face full of innocent smiles.

"That's good, that's good." Her father's hands trembled slightly, eyes brimming with unshed tears.

He looked away, unable to face Leah's pure gaze.

"What's with you two? You've been acting really weird!" Leah noticed something off and asked puzzledly.

"N-nothing, just happy, is all." Her father brushed it off stiffly, voice catching. He blinked rapidly to hold back the tears.

Seeing the situation go south, Emma had long been signaling David. Seizing the chance, they hastily made their exit.

"See you at the banquet." David politely bid farewell and left with Emma.

Outside, David finally couldn't help but ask Emma, "What was that about?"

"Who knows, they're both idiots who raised an idiot," Emma brushed it off flippantly as usual, mouth twitching.

But soon she fell silent, tone subdued as she added: "After all...their daughter is leaving soon." Her voice trembled softly, eyes drifting into the distance.

David nodded in understanding of Leah's parents' reactions. A question also surfaced in his mind:

"Lynn, can the holy maidens return to the village after the sacrifice?"

"No," Lynn answered tersely.

"Why not?" David pressed.

"Because they'd be dead," Lynn stated bluntly in a matter-of-fact tone.

"The Sky Beast follows my covenant to collect the tributes every 7th of July, delivering them before the Three Guardians' statues."

"The statues then tear apart the offered lives, absorbing their vitality to maintain their slumber."

"So the result of the sacrifice is death. The notions of eternal souls and reincarnation are just wishful thinking by the villagers."

David finally realized the holy maidens didn't get reborn after sacrifice, but died outright.

Otherwise he really thought their souls would awaken from the Immortal Throne after the ritual.

After all that's how he awoke.

He now understood Leah's parents' reactions - knowing their daughter's life would soon be taken, they naturally felt agony and despair.

"So Emma, Leah, and the last girl Clara will die at next week's ritual?" David confirmed again.

"Yes," Lynn answered succinctly.

"I see..." David murmured, gaze gradually dimming.

...

That night, the banquet was held at William's home.

It was a sizable wooden house, candles inside illuminating the animal pelts and weapons hanging on the walls.

Seated inside were brawny warriors wearing thick leather armor, wolf-fur hats on their heads, drinking horns in hand, talking and laughing loudly.

There were also some gaunt, white-haired elders in robes, faces solemn, slowly sipping wine.

They were the village's esteemed elders and mighty warriors, the influential figures here.

Common villagers brought their own crude wooden tables and stools, gathering in the outdoor yard around a bonfire.

Bare-chested, rowdy men sat together, raising earthenware cups, guffawing heartily.

At the head of the long table inside sat Goddess David. She wore a pristine white robe, a golden flower crown on her head, looking dignified and poised.

Nearby sat the three maidens chosen as holy sacrifices this time - Emma, Leah, and the silent black-haired Clara. They all wore white ritual gowns, varying expressions on their faces.

"Goddess, let me introduce Mr. William here. Nine years ago he improved the raising methods for forest sheep, allowing the whole village to finally eat meat!" Chief Bernie said excitedly, overflowing with emotion.

At the mention of eating meat, the villagers immediately cheered, banging cups on tables, the atmosphere reaching a fever pitch.

The host William stood up.

He was a tall, sturdy middle-aged man, bearded, holding an ornate silver horn cup encrusted with gems. He wore an ostentatious fur coat with antler decorations, exuding an imposing aura.

He waved his hand and the clamor immediately died down, all eyes on him again.

"No, it wasn't just me. You all worked hard, and more importantly, the warriors vigilantly protecting the pens, or else the goblins would've stolen all the sheep!" His voice boomed powerfully through the room.

"Tonight, we feast on meat! Drinks are on me!"

At his rallying cry, servers streamed in carrying plates, setting roasted lamb legs before each table. The aroma was mouthwatering.

"To the warriors!"

"To the goddess!"

"To everyone!"

The villagers raised their cups in lively toasts. Amidst the clinking some fine wine was spilled, but no one minded.