I Reborn as a God Within a Statue, And You Ask Me to Enslave All Gods?
Chapter 188 -188–Tier-6 Sacrificial Offering

Chapter 188: Chapter188–Tier-6 Sacrificial Offering

"Annasi Town... so it truly has become a full-fledged city. The Caesar Empire has collapsed, and yet they’ve managed this? How?"

"This city is fascinating. I’m becoming increasingly intrigued by the deity said to reside here."

At that moment, a group of five travelers, dressed in resplendent robes that shimmered under the sunlight, arrived before the gates of Annasi. Their eyes widened as they took in the colossal walls, towering like a range of mountains, enclosing the bustling city.

Each member of the group bore an expression of astonishment. They were all veterans of the once-mighty Caesar Empire, well aware of how extraordinary it was for a town to ascend into cityhood in this turbulent era. The emergence of a new city, so soon after the Empire’s dissolution, was unheard of.

"This... could it be? Is there truly a deity here?"

The five elderly figures exchanged solemn glances, a deep seriousness in their eyes.

They had come with one primary mission—to verify the truth of the rumors that had been spreading over the past few months.

When whispers of a deity’s manifestation had first reached them, they dismissed them as nothing more than local folklore, the desperate fantasies of the downtrodden. They assumed someone had concocted the myth to draw attention, or worse, to lure curious souls into a spellbeast-infested death trap.

But the existence of this city had shaken their conviction.

Perhaps... a true deity had indeed descended upon the land.

Not long ago, places like Lonehawk Ridge, Howling Cavern, Five Eyes, and the Fallen Lands had all mysteriously fallen silent. They had believed it to be the result of internal spellbeast skirmishes, some great shift in beastial hierarchy.

But now... they suspected it had been divine intervention all along.

If that were the case, it proved that not only did this supposed deity possess overwhelming power, but also that it harbored goodwill toward humanity. And that—more than anything—kindled a flicker of hope in their weary hearts.

Humanity might not be doomed after all.

And that realization placed a heavy burden upon their shoulders.

The organizations to which they belonged were still reeling from spellbeast oppression. Although they had gone underground, their influence waned with each passing day. If the tide didn’t turn soon, these once-great powers would be swallowed whole.

This rumored god might be the only straw they could grasp.

Still, caution prevailed. If there was something deceitful about this "deity," they would simply retreat and observe. No contact would be made unless necessary.

They had come prepared for both possibilities.

If the deity proved benevolent and strong enough, they would immediately present the gift they had brought—a token of goodwill prepared well in advance.

If not... they would vanish without a trace.

But the moment they set eyes upon the city’s thriving streets, their hesitation wavered.

This place was undeniably alive.

Its people moved with purpose. The clothes they wore were not the ragged linen of survivors, but well-stitched garments dyed in bright colors—robes, tunics, fitted trousers, and leather boots. They were healthy, upright, strong.

More importantly, they smiled.

Not the forced, empty smiles of those clinging to survival, but true, unfeigned joy. There was light in their eyes, gratitude in their expressions. Their gaze toward the city was filled with reverence and hope, as though they saw in it the promise of salvation.

Such emotion... could not be faked.

"Though the city has only recently been promoted, the quality of life here rivals that of ancient strongholds. Whoever this deity is, their strength and methods must be extraordinary."

The five looked to one another again. No words were needed—they all began walking toward the heart of the city.

"Come," said the leader, Enke, as he moved purposefully toward the side temple adjoining the great sanctum. "Let us meet this so-called missionary."

They all shared the same thought: though the mysterious Deus Initium was becoming a name spoken with reverence far and wide, little was truly known about this divine figure. Most of the devotees’ daily affairs were managed by a man named Thomas, a missionary said to be the deity’s foremost servant.

Engaging with him would be their best chance to understand this god.

As the five strolled through the gates, the city guards took no special notice.

Their auras were completely suppressed, untraceable even to the most sensitive eye.

They wore ragged cloaks and frayed garments, posing as refugees. With Annasi’s name now spreading far and wide, refugees poured in daily—no shortage of haggard families seeking safety from the spellbeast scourge.

Thomas had long since instructed his guards to welcome them all. He made sure they had roofs over their heads and tasks to earn their keep. Slowly, they were guided into the fold, their hearts opened to the light of Deus Initium.

...

"This sacrificial offering... I used up so many resources, yet this is all I could find? Will Deus Initium be disappointed...?"

In the side temple, Thomas stood before a small altar, gazing at the obsidian stone cradled in both hands. The surface was jet-black, faintly shimmering with residual energy.

Though powerful in its own right, the stone failed to meet his hopes.

Every time he prepared an offering, Thomas sought to present only the finest treasures to the great Deus Initium.

But this time... their surroundings had already been purged. Most promising spellbeast dens had already been raided. Despite his best efforts, all he could find within the city’s limits was this single fragment of obsidian laced with dormant power.

In his estimation, it was perhaps a tier-5 Sacred Vestige.

Respectable. But not exceptional.

Not worthy of a god.

Especially not a god who had given them so much—whose blessings had uplifted their people, protected their borders, and awakened strength in countless devotees.

It had been months since their last grand offering, and this... this felt meager by comparison.

"With the strength we now possess, with the growing influence of the city... we ought to be able to present a tier-6 offering at the very least," he muttered bitterly.

"Deus Initium has always accepted our sacrifices with grace. Yet we, His servants, have failed to keep pace with His generosity..."

A deep sigh escaped his lips. He felt the weight of his inadequacy pressing down upon him.

Next time—he swore to himself—he would venture beyond the surrounding lands. He would brave the distant and more perilous regions, seek out artifacts of true power, and offer them up to the one who watched over them all.

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. A city guard entered, bowing respectfully.

"Missionary Thomas, five elders have arrived. They claim to be wanderers... and wish to see you."

Thomas’s expression turned serious.

He had anticipated this day. As Deus Initium’s influence spread, emissaries from distant lands were bound to appear. And they would be crucial—vital conduits for spreading the faith to the world beyond.

He gave a curt nod and stepped out to greet them.

Outside, the five elders stood in silent reverence. As Thomas approached, they all bowed low.

"Member of the Demonbaners Association, Enke, greets Missionary Thomas."

The others followed suit with identical bows, though none spoke.

They had agreed beforehand: unless the deity’s nature was confirmed, they would operate only under the banner of the Demonbaners Association.

"Demonbaners Association?" Thomas narrowed his eyes slightly.

He knew the name.

He had studied all the factions in the nearby regions, particularly those whose actions could affect their plans. The Demonbaners were a prominent force in Fioria City, the largest metropolis near Annasi.

A city that had long since fallen under spellbeast control.

Eight dominant spellbeast clans ruled Fioria, treating the human population like livestock. Amidst this darkness, five hidden human resistance groups operated from the shadows, constantly waging secret wars.

The Demonbaners were the only faction that operated in the open, publicly opposing the spellbeasts, despite the risks.

"You mean the very same Demonbaners the spellbeasts of Fioria have been hunting?"

Enke nodded. "Indeed. Our leader has sent us here with a mission—to seek an audience with Deus Initium."

He stepped forward, producing a glowing sphere from within his robes—a pearl the size of a clenched fist, radiating a deep, ghostly blue light.

"This is our offering, a token of sincerity. We humbly ask that it be presented to the great Deus Initium."

Thomas reached out and took the pearl.

The moment his fingers brushed its surface, his pupils dilated.

"A tier-6 Sacred Vestige...?"

He had just been lamenting the lack of a worthy offering—and now, one had practically fallen into his lap.

These people... were indeed from Fioria. Such generosity confirmed it.

His lips curled into a faint, appreciative smile.

With a gracious gesture, he turned toward the inner sanctum. "Come. Let us speak in detail."

"When the sacrificial ceremony begins, you may observe by my side. As for whether you will be granted an audience..."

"That decision," he said, "rests solely with the great Deus Initium."