In the heart of the castle, Jacob directed his servants, the ghouls, to finalize the preparations for the sacrificial ritual.
Within the vast chamber, moonlight dripped through the open ceiling, bathing the cold stone floor in a pale, eerie glow.
One hundred and seven stone slabs were arranged in a perfect circle. Upon each of them lay an unconscious maiden. Every one of them was either a Mana Core Magus or a Cavalier Paladin.
The chamber was deathly silent, save for the slow, shuffling movements of the ghouls as they carried out their master's orders. Their figures moved between the stone slabs, making the entire scene seem like some twisted ceremony performed in a forgotten temple of an evil god.
Above them, the crimson moon stared down through the chamber. He said nothing. His cold, crimson eyes swept across the ritual site, watching his servants complete the preparations with calmness.
