"How far from us is the great beast currently situated at?" Past the crowd, a middle-aged man wearing a long and grandiose black robe asked one of the soldiers. His worried face was evident as he walked back and forth, fidgeting with his fingers that were filled with jewelries.
"Lord Yaksu, according to the sorcerers, the beast is currently 300 miles away from us. It seems that it still isn't finished rampaging in the lands of San-ul. They said they would alert us once the beast enters the Great Sidian Forest." The soldier replied.
"Good, good. They should alert us." Lord Yaksu muttered whilst nodding absentmindedly. He then turned to the crowd and shouted, "Everyone! Soon, we will begin the Ceremonial Sacrifice to save our citizens! These scums would now prove to be useful to us!"
In response, the crowd cheered with delight.
Inside the cages, the children didn't even have the energy to cry. One of them, though, was muttering softly. No one from the crowd heard of it or even paid attention to it, but to Noah, it was as loud as the cries of a whale.
"Almighty God, please have mercy on us and welcometh thy sons and daughters into thy embrace once we become spirits. Save us from the jaws of the beast."
Hearing that made Noah unable to control of himself. Without even finishing planning, Noah struck his staff on the ground.
A strong light descended upon the people. With a shout, Noah appeared and declared, "No one, sinful or pure, shall ever layeth their hands to cause harm upon the people of my God!"
"A sorcerer wants to saveth the sacrificial lambs? Apprehend that madman!" Lord Yaksu, upon hearing his remark, scoffed and sent his men to stop him.
But what can these mortals do to a man who has reached the power equal to that of the divinities?
Boom!
As soon as the soldiers tried to touch Noah, every single one of them plopped down lifelessly to the ground.
Seeing the mysterious sorcerer's ability to kill with ease, everyone became complacent. As for Yaksu, his rage has boiled over. "Thou art not the only sorcerer in this field!"
With a wave of his hand, the Townmaster Yaksu shrieked, "Pulverize him! Doth not let him even see for another second!"
Behind the Lord, seven blue-robed men stepped forward and began to cast their spells. The crowd was amazed at their show of power. As commoners, such power was rarely encountered. Of course, it was the other case for Noah. As someone who had faced the ferocious Leviathan, these spells in front of him wouldn't even reach the level of child's play.
"The divine authority bestowed to me by my God isn't even needed to bringeth God's judgement upon thee." Noah sneered before raising his hand and doing a choking gesture.
Agh!
As soon as he did so, every single one of the sorcerers backing the Townmaster grasped their necks and gasped for air, but to no avail. Soon, all of them dropped unconscious, or dead.
"Apprehend that man, quick!" Now in a state of panic, Lord Yaksu yelled at the remaining soldiers before running. Not long after he sent the order, everyone met the same fates as those who came trying first. The people of Gehenna also started to feel uneasy as the mysterious sorcerer oftentimes glanced at them with either indifference or an unrelenting wrath.
"D-Don't go near me!" as Noah approached him step-by-step, the Townmaster Yaksu shouted at him shakingly. Noah responded by taking a step forward and continuing.
"I'll make sure the Great God Satian will punish you as long as you even touch a strand of my hair!" Yaksu threatened him even more. Of course, the man didn't even bat an eye and continued.
Soon, Noah stood in front of him. Instead of threatening, Yaksu was already kneeling on the ground, begging for mercy, "P-Please, don't kill me! I have family!" He bawled.
"I'll change, I would! Tell me how to do so! Doth thou want me to offereth my children to thy God? I-I'll gladly do so!" Yaksu cried with desperation.
Hearing him, Noah shook his head and said to him coldly, "Thy soul's beyond saving." As he said that, his arm shot forward as his palm gripped the sinner's forehead. The agonizing screams of the ever so powerful Townmaster enveloped the entire foot of the Sarjena Mountain. Hearing his cries made everyone feel a chill run down their spines.
Later, as the Townmaster's body fell down to the ground with a loud thud— his eyes rolled back and his mouth bubbling— Noah, with his coldest gaze, said unto the people of Gehenna, "Ye people, ever so cruel, ever so evil, shalt be judged by The Almighty God himself. My God is wise." After saying that, Noah went to the cages and opened them.
As he held them, Noah felt warmth in his heart as the coldness within his eyes melted, "Children, saved art ye from the claws of the beast. Rejoice, for our God will save us!" He said unto them with a smile plastered on his face.
"Is what thou said true, mister? Did our Almighty God truly sent thee to save us?" One of the children, specifically the one who prayed earlier, asked. The others also had a curious look on their faces, waiting for his answer.
He nodded and replied, "Indeed, children. I have been sent by our Almighty God to retrieveth His people throughout the world for our salvation."
Noah looked at the child who asked and questioned, "What is thy name, Child?"
"The name given to me by my parents is Dawid." The child answered. Noah then caressed his head and praised him, "You are brave and faithful, Dawid. Continue believing and you shall be together with God's embrace."
"How can we be sure that thou aren't like the others, or a slave trader? What if thou just selleth us?" Another child warily asked.
Seeing as how cautious they are, Noah's heart broke. To think as such at such young ages, it could only mean that they had faced a lot of hardships and obstacles. They should have, at the very least, be given an ample amount of time to enjoy being kids. Still, it seems that fate had other plans for them.
"Fret not, for I am saying the truth and only the truth. If I mean otherwise, may I be stricken by His wrath." Noah promised to the children.