For the first time in his life, Levi thought the numerous villagers gathering were like herded sheep in some sort of farm ranch. The steel knights raised their fire torches and as they moved and made their horses surround them in a parading manner, shining brightly in the dark of the night.
Around these steel knights, Levi could see teenagers and middle-aged men dressing in their Shrine robes.
The more he looked the more he realized, how extravagant the attire they sported were. And to sum it up, all of them must be amazing people.
"Cough cough… cough cough…" The eerie atmosphere, as well as the arrival of the shrine officials and knights, made Levi's heart pace increase from extreme frighten, even though he had no reason why.
"EYES OF THE GODS, all the villagers have been brought together. This is the village head."
A steel knight without a helmet rode his horse forward, on his Stern expression was an aloofness. After he arrived, he tossed an old man who couldn't stop trembling, before the EYES OF THE GODS.
"Lord EYES OF THE GODS, our Olori Village has always been piously worshipping and paying taxes, and never dared go against it. So I don't know what we must have done wrong."
From Levi's perspective, this village head who was usually very calm was now like a baby here, weeping and sniffing in front of the EYES OF THE GODS.
"The gods of our land have taught us to treat every follower with love and kindness."
The EYES OF THE GODS said as he slowly approach the village head before he kindly helped him to his feet and even bent to his knees to help brush off the soil, which immediately gave rise to loud cheers and feelings of gratitude from both the chief and everyone.
"Sigh, the reason I'm here is that I was instructed by the gods of our land to cleanse this area of a foreign artifact."
The EYES OF THE GODS, slowly scanned everyone within his range as he stare at each and everyone straight in the eyes, before inferring his reasoning and purpose of his sudden appearance.
While Levi barely knew the head or tail of what was happening, his line of thought was slowly making guesses. At that moment, was when Levi realized for some reason, his Papa's body was quivering, almost to the point of falling to the ground.
Even his siblings were now out of the blue sobbing quietly, and the surrounding villagers looked as if the world was ending or something.
It was barely a few moments later, Levi knew that the shrine and the gods were very brutal when it came to dealing with what they assumed to be a threat.
Everyone stood quietly by the side of their families or friends, for some unknown reason they all had their hearts on their mouths, no one knew if they were affected or what terrible, and miserable conclusions that would soon befall their lives.
Even though Levi was considered a mere child now, he wasn't an exception for any punishment.
He barely knew what they were conversing, when he noticed the moment EYES OF THE GODS who seemed very influential and mythical was done talking. The villagers, including the village head himself, all suddenly went limp and fell to the ground, even to the point they were unable to plead or utter a word.
"Mighty gods of our lands, your humble servants have all come together to plead for your presence. Please open your godly gate of the sky and help us all differentiate the foreign artifact and its evil power in our midst!"
Within a remote corner in the village, was a small hut built like a chimney, this was the place regarded as a sacred ground of the Shrine.
After a few minutes of walking, everyone was tasked to stand orderly in a straight line in front of the village altar.
Each villager had his or her turn to devoutly pray. Slowly above the heads of everyone present, the sky seemed to be going through a transformation, as a white flash of thunderbolt struck continuously soon change into a crimson blazing fire that was lit up from the altar toward the sky, spreading an apocalyptic luster to the entire the world.
"Listen, everyone, come here one by one so we can separate you. The gods will not misidentify anyone, or harm you in any way."
The EYES OF THE GODS smiled as he announced to everyone. Immediately he finished saying those words, the steel knights began to grab hold of each person, pressing them down under the altar and forcing them to kneel and pray.
The villagers were forced to go through with this ceremony under the altar one after another, and the unusual blue blazing fire on the altar floated calmly.
"Next!"
The EYES OF THE GODS stood by the side calmly, as he observe each and everyone that had prayed or was praying intently.
His warm voice eases the hesitation and bits of fear, from the shivering villagers. The steel knights worked and moved were like some sort of machine, only knowing to complete their tasks robotically.
Finally, it was Levi's family's turn.
First, his father was called out, followed by his older brother and sister, and finally Levi's turn.
Levi slowly walked forward before he knelt on the cold ground, feeling very uncomfortable and shaky.
"Quick, pray quickly!" A cold voice could be felt on his back, and he had no choice but to bend down quickly.
"Mighty gods of our land, you are merciful in all your doings, the one who adores us more than ourselves. I confess to you…"
[Author Note: Thanks everyone for reading TTS' and for supporting the novel. Also don't forget to vote and support the novel.]