Chapter 82: Preparations for the Ritual

Chapter 82: Preparations for the Ritual

Blue Mountain Island, within a primeval forest.

Verdu Abraham, who had already completed his preparations, was worried that performing the ritual outside the city would draw the attention of official Beyonders. He therefore used a Sealed Artifact to Teleport away from Bayam and arrive at this rarely visited place.

Touching the ribs that had begun to ache again, Verdu removed his classical robe and placed it to one side.

He then arranged the altar, lit the candles, and burned the proper essential oils, hydrosols, herbal powders, and other materials.

Once the preliminaries were complete, Verdu stepped back twice, lowered his voice, and chanted in ancient Hermes:

“Great God of War;

“Symbol of iron and blood;

“Sovereign of turmoil and strife…”

A howling wind rose at once, echoing ceaselessly through the dim forest.

Amid the faint rustling of branches and leaves, two of the candles upon the altar suddenly crackled.

The flames corresponding to them surged in an instant, leaping from “saplings” into “towering trees.”

At the same time, their color shifted from orange-yellow to blazing white.

The wind sweeping through the forest grew fiercer. The two pillars of blazing white flame intertwined and twisted into a vague yet enormous figure.

At that instant, Verdu Abraham felt an indescribable gaze descend from high above and fall upon him.

He hastily lowered his head and said, “Great God of War, this humble believer wishes to request Your aid.”

As he spoke, Verdu kept adjusting his state of mind, striving to remain calm.

—From a certain family text, he had learned that the most important thing to do when praying to the God of War was to tell himself, Do not get angry.

The huge figure formed from blazing white flames constantly spewed streams of fire to either side. In a language Verdu could understand, yet could not identify, it said, “Lowly mortal, gods do not exist to fulfill your wishes.

“Speak. State your request. Whether I grant you aid will be decided by me.”

Verdu had long since drafted his words. After a brief recollection, he said, “Great God of War, how may I allow my ancestor, Mr. Door, Bethel Abraham, to return to the real world?”

“A ritual. A ritual sacrificing a Bizarro Sorcerer, a Secrets Sorcerer, and a Parasite. You should already be aware of this,” the flame giant said in a low, majestic voice.

The same answer as the one given by Dorian’s student… Verdu sighed inwardly and said, “Great God of War, if I wish to ask You to complete this ritual for me, what price must I pay?”

The flame giant looked down at the Astrologer.

“The corresponding price is not something you can pay. Your pale and insignificant soul does not even have the qualifications to become embers.”

Just as Verdu was overcome by disappointment and dejection, the flame giant continued, “But Mr. Door can.

“And besides, I am in a good mood today.

“Offer a portion of your blood to me as the mark of the contract. As for the corresponding price, I will claim it from Mr. Door.”

It can work like that? Verdu instinctively felt some suspicion, but after his thoughts turned, he felt there was nothing wrong with it.

Indeed, only the ancestor Bethel Abraham possessed the qualifications to transact with such a hidden existence as the God of War!

As for whether Mr. Door himself was willing to enter this bargain, Verdu never considered it. In his view, anyone who was exiled and sealed away would undoubtedly long to escape, even if doing so required paying a considerable price.

“Yes, Great God of War.” After a moment’s thought, Verdu’s head grew hot, and he agreed.

He immediately altered the ritual, adding the portions for sacrifice and bestowment. Then, with an iron dagger, he cut open his arm and released some dark-red blood.

When his blood transformed into red “pearls” and passed through the Door of Sacrifice and Bestowment, the space beyond became extremely dark, as though countless monsters were…