I Ascend to the Divine Throne through Arcane Means

However, it seemed that his parents didn't want him to know, so they whispered about it while he was asleep.

At the time, he was in a drowsy state, only vaguely remembering part of it.

However, his parents' tone at that time didn't seem too good.

This was something Belial couldn't quite understand either.

His father was the village's strongest Hunter because he had visited Zeke City when he was young.

At that time, he also participated in the temple's selection, almost succeeding in entering the temple and becoming a powerful temple warrior.

But even so, after returning to Brown Village, his father Aio immediately became the village's strongest Hunter.

The villagers had a great deal of respect for his father.

Belial couldn't figure out what would make his father so cautious.

His father seemed to be in a bad mood these days, and Belial didn't dare to ask much.

Yet deep inside, he was still quite eager for a chance to visit Zeke City.

Hearing Belial's description, the children were somewhat excited.

They fantasized about going to Zeke City and becoming part of the temple through the Great Hunting Ceremony.

Occasionally, people from Zeke City passed by Brown Village on their way to distant mountains.

Although they rarely entered the village, their imposing presence left a deep impression on the children.

If only they had the chance to become such people...

Immediately, the children excitedly started discussing.

They speculated about what the Great Hunting Ceremony would involve, who might qualify to go to Zeke City, and who would bring back delicious food for others...

Just chatting like this, the sky soon darkened.

The children then noticed it was late and estimated they would be spanked by adults when they got home.

As the children hurriedly headed down the mountain, Belial faintly heard some noises.

He looked up into the distance.

At that moment, a cloud of dust rose on the path leading to Zeke City.

...

Nightfall descended, and Brown Village gradually sank into darkness.

Only a few weak lights flickered in the wind, bringing a touch of warmth to the silent night.

At this time, villagers gathered around the bonfire at the village center in silence.

They anxiously looked at each other, their hearts filled with anxiety and Panic about the future.

Just then, an elderly, short-statured man with graying hair slowly approached the crowd.

The whispers among the villagers ceased immediately as they looked at the elderly man.

This elder was Tajik, the village chief of Brown Village.

Looking at those gathered in front of him, the ones present were all adults from various families, leaving the children at home.

Tajik spoke in a low voice:

"I've already mentioned this to everyone privately, and everyone should have considered it thoroughly over the past few days."

"Now, what thoughts do you all have about the temple's command?"

Tajik looked at the surrounding villagers without saying much more.

The villagers glanced at each other, clearly wanting to say something, but the significance of the word "temple" was too overwhelming for them.

No one could defy the command of the Hunting Temple!

The authority was established by the temple's generations of rule.

Anyone from the Hunting Temple was someone small Brown Village could not oppose.

"Village chief!"

Just as the villagers remained silent, a voice suddenly broke the silence.

"It's Aio, speak your mind freely."

Tajik looked at the man who stepped forward and nodded with a smile.

As the captain of the village's Hunting Team, Aio held great authority in the village.

Tajik trusted Aio greatly, even planning for Aio to succeed him as village chief after he passed.

He valued Aio's opinion naturally.

"The additional war tax demanded by the temple, although unwilling, leaves us with no room for refusal."

Aio said each word seriously.

"But our food is already insufficient. If we hand over more, there will be starvation!"

A villager couldn't help but interject after hearing Aio's words.

Villagers around them began to argue excitedly.

Brown Village was already quite poor, and the barren surrounding land forced them to rely on Hunting for food.

Most of the game acquired from Hunting required tribute to both Zeke City and the Hunting Temple.

The whole of Brown Village was only barely surviving as it was, and offering more game would mean the entire village wouldn't have enough to eat.

Starvation was too common in the small villages around Zeke City.

"I understand, but listen to me."

Aio glanced around the villagers and said in a deep voice:

"But this is a command from the temple!"

"No one can resist the war tax imposed by the temple."

"Or, rather, those who did attempt to resist have all perished."

Having attended the Hunting Temple rituals and almost joined the temple, Aio knew very well its might.

Despite years of training and learning some skills from the ceremonies, which made him the village's strongest Hunter,

He had no confidence in resisting the temple, not even a sliver of a chance!

Even if everyone abandoned the village to hide in the mountains, the temple's powerful Hunters would find them all.

"If we don't pay the war tax, Brown Village will certainly be destroyed by the temple, without question."

"Think about Peter Village; we don't know what they did wrong, but not a single person survived."

"Regarding the food issue, the Hunting Team and I will venture out to hunt more in the mountains, and if everyone tightens their belts, we can get through this."

Aio looked at the villagers around him and said softly:

"I am angry too, but I don't want to die."

With Aio's words, the surrounding villagers' arguments gradually subsided.

In the end, everyone felt rather dejected.

They knew Aio was right, and besides accepting the temple's command, they had no other choice.

"Then that's settled."

Tajik looked at everyone before continuing:

"The second thing is, the temple will soon hold the Lune Hunting Ceremony, and all children under the age of fifteen must participate."

"Although this is not a mandatory command, you must decide whether to let your children participate in this ceremony, everyone!"

Just then, the sounds of horses galloping echoed from outside the village.

...

At that moment, a team of well-equipped Cavalry entered from outside the village.

Riding majestically on their fine steeds, they charged directly into the village.

"If we don't pay the war tax, Brown Village will certainly be destroyed by the temple, without question."

"Think about Peter Village; we don't know what they did wrong, but not a single person survived."

"Regarding the food issue, the Hunting Team and I will venture out to hunt more in the mountains, and if everyone tightens their belts, we can get through this."

Aio looked at the villagers around him and said softly:

"I am angry too, but I don't want to die."

With Aio's words, the surrounding villagers' arguments gradually subsided.

In the end, everyone felt rather dejected.