The Orc Leader was standing in front of the defeated Ogre leader who was on his knees. They were standing directly in front of the sacrificial altar not too far from Har Jahar.
The other tribe leaders who had survived the festival were surrounding the altar in a circle. Everyone was watching the final moments of the Ogre Lord with keen interest.
The Orc Leader had an atypical look for his kind because his skin was not as green-colored as the rest of the orcs. Yet, nobody would dare to question his race because his orc bloodline felt purer than the rest of them. Almost as if the worshiper had performed some kind of ritual to radiate such an unadulterated presence of his kind.
This Orc Leader had a relaxed posture and expressionless face as he looked at the Ogre Lord he had not defeated not too long ago. He was supposed to decapitate the final worshiper and offer his head to the azure flame that was flickering over the sacrificial altar.
The Ogre Lord too seemed different from his kind. He almost looked human with his light brown skin and human-like face. He had shaved his head from the sides, leaving only hair for the ponytail. Except for his ears, the rest of his face resembled that of a human or elf. Yet, he was a pure-blooded Ogre.
He was as tall as the Orc Leader. He was carrying a large broadsword attached to the back of his waist by his belt. The Ogre Lord liked his sword it seemed. He wanted to spend his final moments staying attached to the weapon he had been carrying all this time.
The Ogre Lord was wearing beastly leather pants, a shoulder guard on his right shoulder as well as an armed guard on his left arm's wrist.
The Ogre Lord looked tired. He had downcast expressions on his face. But he wasn't scared. It was as if they had already predicted his fate. His father, on the other hand, was a different case.
"My King, please, I beg you."
A shaky Ogre voice resounded in the surroundings as another Ogre begged for something from his knees. This was an Ogre Overlord. And the final sacrifice's father.
"Please spare my son. I have served you with all my heart and soul. I only ask one thing in return. Sacrifice me in place of my son."
This Ogre Overlord was none other than Ror– Har Jahar's right hand that had served him even before their arrival on the continent of Anfang. He was speaking to his king in a shaky voice, his eyes full of tears, his expressions distorted. As a father, he was more upset by the turn of events than by the final sacrifice himself.
Har Jahar looked at Ror with an expressionless face and his signature dead eyes. Rory's outburst was preventing him from concluding the festival. He looked at his most trusted servant before responding.
"You know very well we can't do that, Ror. Your son Kaalmaahen has accumulated sacrificial energy. Only he or this Orc is capable of being sacrificed at the end of the event. And I won't allow anyone to kill the Orc, which could collude with the sacrificial energy we have accumulated."
Har Jahar said in a heavy voice that was devoid of any emotional fluctuations. Ror clenched his fist and looked up with a sense of determination written on his face. He was about to address the Oni Kind when his young son's voice came from behind him.
"Father. Enough!"
While maintaining his position on his knees, Kaalmaahen spoke. His voice was low and unspirited. But there was determination mixed in it somewhere.
"Just like you told me, we are children of Echidna. And if sacrificing me is for the greater good of the Echidna, so be it. Don't say anything more. Don't do anything more."
Kaalmaahen said and looked at his father before flashing a genuine smile.
"I'll just like to tell you one thing before I go. You have been a great father. Thank you for the life you have given me so far."
Kaalmaahen said, his voice breaking for the first time. Nevertheless, he controlled his emotions and glanced at Har Jahar before adding up.
"My king, please forgive my father's outburst and proceed with the ritual. I have nothing more to say."
The Ogre Lord said and bowed his head. He then closed his eyes and controlled his heartbeat, which had become erratic for some reason. When the darkness engulfed his vision, it brought some relief to his restless psyche. He had so many things to achieve in his life. Yet, at this point, they didn't matter anymore.
The darkness that he was seeing with his closed eyes was going to become his new reality. He wondered if the relief that he was feeling right now would last forever when the darkness completely claimed him.
The Ogre Overlord was about to throw some vicious words at his king. But his son's voice stopped him. The Orc Leader who was looking at this scene had a shine in his eyes as if he was reminded of something similar. As if something like this had already happened to him.
Feeling powerless against someone stronger than oneself. Being helpless in the face of circumstances.
Har Jahar was tolerating Ror's behavior for quite some time at this point. However, he decided to display his powers when he saw the disrespect flashed in his subordinate's eyes.
Ohm.
A sickening and dreadful feeling spread in the entire sacred hall as Har Jahar released his mana sense coated in his aura. In the next moment, the entire crowd who had been whispering all around stopped their mumblings and fell to their knees.
Even Kirin was no exception. Everyone quieted down when they saw Har Jahar's vicious smile. Before saying anything, he looked at Ror.
"Don't get cocky with me just because you are about to enter your next evolution, Ror. I have tolerated your insubordination enough.
The children of Echidna need to abide by the rules. I fear your clarity is working against you if you think you can just anger our god just because you are in a different continent."
Har Jahar spoke authoritatively. He then looked around him and challenged the audience to question him on his stance if they had the guts. Nobody came forward.
Har Jahar raised his eyebrows when he saw the Orc Leader standing on his feet still even after feeling his aura up close. However, the Oni King ignored it for a moment before concluding what he wanted to say.
"Let me put it clearly for you. Nothing can change Kaalmaahen's fate as the final sacrifice to our god.
Another god would have to appear here in person and stop the process themselves if they want to change his destiny."
