The morning of the festival arrived quicker than one would expect.

In contrast to the heavy atmosphere the night before, the atmosphere was joyous.

Bright sunlight streamed into Alex’s room, and lively music filled the air. Laughter echoed through the village square as children ran around, clutching colorful ribbons and handmade trinkets.

The vendors called out, their stalls laden with fragrant food, glittering beads, and intricate carvings. The villagers were dressed in their finest, their faces alight with joy and anticipation.

Alex stood at the window, arms crossed, as he observed the festivities below. It looked like a scene from a dream—or perhaps a distraction.

[When did they even do all this?] Sophie questioned in surprise. [There was nothing—not even a simple ribbon—last night.]

Alex’s lips pressed into a thin line. ‘We’ll know today.’

Just like Sophie said, last night, there was no decoration or anything. It didn’t even seem like they were preparing for a festival, but today? It looked like they were having the biggest celebration of their lives.

Knock-Knock

A knock on his door broke his thoughts. He turned to find Elyra leaning casually against the doorframe, her smirk as sharp as ever. She was dressed more formally than usual, her leather armor swapped for a deep green tunic and a long cloak embroidered with silver vines.

“Morning, hero,” she said. “You’re missing all the fun.”

“I’ll pass,” Alex replied, strapping his sword to his waist. “Something about this feels off.”

“It’s a festival, Alex. It’s supposed to feel off—too much smiling, too much food, and way too much dancing.” She grinned. “Come on, you’ll blend right in. Everyone’s been talking about you.”

“Talking about me?” Alex raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, you know,” she said with a wave of her hand, “how you’re the village’s savior, their great protector, their shining hope, yadda yadda.” She laughed, but her eyes betrayed her unease. “They even made a banner. It’s got your name on it.”

Just like Alex, she had noticed the anomaly as well. She had lived here since childhood, but this place felt foreign to her now. It was as if everything she knew about this village was just her imagination.

Alex groaned at her words. “Fantastic.”

They were soon walking toward the square, and the villagers cheered when they saw him. Children waved, adults clapped, and young women threw flower petals in his path.

‘What the hell?’ That was all Alex could think as someone handed him a garland of bright red blossoms, and another villager shoved a plate of steaming dumplings into his hands.

It wasn’t that Alex wasn’t used to being the center of attention, nor was he flustered receiving the villagers’ gratitude. The problem was that they weren’t acting. They genuinely seemed to be thanking him.

“See?” Elyra said, nudging him with her elbow. “You’re a celebrity.”

Alex gave her a look but managed a polite nod to the crowd. He didn’t know what was happening or what he would face, so he just strengthened his guard.

At the center of the square, a raised stage had been constructed, draped in vibrant banners and garlands. The three elders stood atop it, their serene smiles as unwavering as ever.

As Alex and Elyra approached, the crowd parted, and a wave of cheers followed them to the stage.

By now, even Elyra’s smirk was faltering, her lips twitching. She was feeling uneasy for some reason.

The middle elder raised his hands, and the noise subsided into an expectant hush. “Welcome, friends, to the Festival of Renewal!” He proclaimed, his voice warm and commanding. “Today, we celebrate not only our unity but the dawn of a new era for our village!”

The crowd roared its approval, chanting and clapping. Alex scanned their faces, searching for any trace of doubt or fear, but found none.

The middle elder, after scanning the crowd, continued, “And today, we are especially blessed to have a true hero—a protector chosen by the gods—among us.” His gaze turned to Alex, his smile deepening. “Alex, step forward.”

The cheers grew louder, and Alex frowned, hesitating for a second before stepping onto the stage. Elyra gave him an encouraging nod, her smirk softening into something almost genuine, but only she knew how apprehensive she felt.

The middle elder gestured to the altar at the square’s edge, its runes glowing faintly even in the daylight. “This is the heart of our village, the source of the barrier that has shielded us for generations. But now, it is time for the barrier to evolve—and for our hero to guide us into the future.”

The crowd erupted into cheers again, chanting Alex’s name. He, however, had his frown deeper; he raised his hand in an attempt to stop the cheers.

“What do you mean by ‘guide you into the future’?” Alex asked the elders, his voice carrying over the din.

The middle elder’s smile remained fixed. “The Rite of Renewal requires a catalyst,” he explained, his tone reverent. “A soul strong enough to anchor the barrier’s transformation. You, Alex, are that catalyst.”

The cheering didn’t falter. If anything, it grew louder, the villagers shouting their approval, as if the elder had announced a great honor. Alex’s eyes turned cold.

[Is this not a trail…?] Sophie’s uncertain voice echoed in his head, causing his eyes to sharpen.

‘Let’s wait and see. It could be one of those types where they would see how I would react to a certain situation,’ Alex replied, his gaze turning to Elyra, whose grin had vanished.

She stepped forward, her voice cutting through the cheers. “Wait a minute. You’re saying he’s supposed to sacrifice himself for this ‘transformation’?”

What kind of absurd demand was that? Why would he have to sacrifice himself? No—more importantly—who in their right mind would agree to this condition?

The middle elder stared at Elyra for a second before his expression softened as if addressing a child. “It is not a sacrifice, but an ascension. Alex will become one with the barrier—a guardian for all eternity. A role befitting a true hero.”

The crowd clapped and cheered, their eyes shining with admiration for Alex. Not one of them looked horrified or even concerned. They believed every word.

Those genuine expressions, however, now looked darker than anything Elyra had ever seen. She couldn’t believe she had been living in this village all along.

“Wait, don’t tell me—!” Elyra suddenly recalled something; her eyes widened as her voice trembled. “Were Misty, Kartik, Riyal, and Marina…”

Those were some of the other travelers that had accidentally stumbled upon this village—the ones she got to know only for them to suddenly disappear one day.

She had always believed that they just left the village without telling her since that’s what the elders had told her, but…

“Yes. They had willingly sacrificed their souls to strengthen the barrier,” the middle elder replied, his expression worshiping. “They were such great heroes.” His gaze turned back to Alex as he added, “But none as good as you, Alex.”

Elyra’s frame trembled as the truth sank in. No one would willingly sacrifice themselves for a bunch of villagers they didn’t even know. They were all killed by the elders.

Her breath hitched momentarily, her mind racing through memories of Misty’s laugh, Kartik’s kindness, and Marina’s shy smile. They were gone. Sacrificed. She gritted her teeth, rage and grief swirling in her chest like a storm.

Alex could see her expression, and his jaw tightened. [Is that the penalty for failing the trial?] Sophie asked grimly. [It doesn’t seem like we are the first to come here.]

‘I don’t want to take this trial anymore,’ Alex thought resolutely. “And if I refuse?” he asked, his voice sharp.

He now wanted to see what they would do and judge them accordingly. If things worsened, he would make this village vanish from the desolate.

The middle elder’s smile faltered, just slightly. “Refusal is not an option. The Rite must be completed, or the barrier will collapse, and the village will fall to darkness.”

Elyra’s eyes blazed with fury. “You can’t be serious! You’re asking him to throw his life away for some mystical mumbo jumbo?”

She was already raging about how they had killed every single person she had thought of as a friend, and now they wanted to take Alex away as well?!

Alex was the first person she grew this close to in such a short period. To Elyra, Alex was an extremely enigmatic being, but also a person she felt nice to be around.

Alex felt dependable in this world where she didn’t have anyone she could depend on.

But the elders didn’t seem to care about her at all.

“It is not a request,” the left elder said, his tone cold and final. “It is destiny.”

The crowd began chanting Alex’s name again, their voices rising in unison. Their faces were alight with hope and devotion, entirely oblivious to the weight of what was being asked.

Alex’s hand moved to the hilt of his sword. “Destiny’s going to have to wait,” he said, his voice icy. “Because I’m not giving up my life for a lie.”

The middle elder’s serene expression darkened, and the glowing runes on the altar flared brighter. Shadows began to converge around the villagers, their forms twisting and shifting.

Elyra drew her dagger—or more like a knife, as that was all she could get in this village—stepping beside Alex. “Knew this festival was too good to be true.”

The elders, uncaring of the villagers, raised their staves, and the air grew heavy with malevolence. “You will fulfill your role, hero,” the middle elder chanted, his voice echoing unnaturally. “One way or another.”

Alex’s sword gleamed as he drew it, his mana flaring. The crowd’s cheers finally turned to gasps of horror as the shadows surged toward him and Elyra.

“Guess we’re done with the celebration,” Elyra muttered, her smirk returning.

Alex nodded, his eyes cold and focused. “Let’s finish this.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep