What has happened to the King of Giant Beasts?

Watching Aurel leave in a panic, Ronald and Costate exchanged a glance and quickly followed.

For such a powerful creature to lose composure, there must be something special happening.

With swift speed, the three of them continued eastward from their landing spot until Aurel’s figure paused in the middle of a mountain peak, beginning to travel on foot into the mountain.

Seeing this, the two behind remained in pursuit.

During this time, Ronald considered speaking.

However, seeing the panicked demeanor of the King of Giant Beasts, he figured that communication at this point wouldn’t yield any good results, better to wait and see how things unfold.

Following a path that had been neglected for many years, now barely discernible, the three journeyed forward, eventually reaching a wide-open area within the mountain.

"An altar...?"

Ronald instantly recognized it as a place with a high attribute of mystery.

Though abandoned for a long time and unguarded, a closer look would reveal that everything in this space was arranged strictly according to the requirements of mysterious rituals.

Especially the stone altar in the center, constructed of piled stones.

Even though time had reduced it to ruin, the remnant of magic that once descended upon it could still be felt, conveying the former glory and importance of this altar.

"..."

While observing the place, Ronald also whispered in conversation with Costate.

Unfortunately, even though the maid possessed relatively ancient knowledge, she only understood, like Ronald, that this place was a creation of the mysterious side.

As for more information.....

Among the three present, perhaps only the King of Giant Beasts from that ancient era, Aurel, was familiar with all things here.

Their gazes naturally fell on the King of Giant Beasts.

Unlike Ronald and the others, who could only observe or guess, Aurel was very familiar with this place.

After entering the site, he first walked to the left side of the entire altar, opened a worn-out old urn, and looked at the liquid inside; then he moved to the right side to a long table, brushed off the dust on top, examining some kind of pattern there.

After his inspection of both sides.

With a serious expression, Aurel turned toward the center and ascended the damaged stone altar.

This ancient church’s Saint extended his right hand, using the fingertips of his left to make a cut in his palm, immediately causing a wound to open up on the otherwise invulnerable steel body, blood flowing freely.

He neither chose a location nor chanted any incantations.

He simply pressed his bloodied palm directly onto the stones that made up the altar.

"..."

The surrounding air was silent, but the magic started to resonate.

The power of the King of Giant Beasts and the altar underwent some kind of special transformation.

Though no phenomena were caused between heaven and earth, in the eyes of a caster like Ronald, it was clear he could feel Aurel’s magic exchanging with the ancient power within the altar.

At this very moment, if one were to watch the face of the King of Giant Beasts.

They would notice he lightly closed his eyes, seemingly pondering something of great importance.

"..."

Ronald and Costate didn’t intervene in this process.

Just silently waiting for over a minute, the King of Giant Beasts moved his hand away from the stone altar. There was no trace of blood left on the altar, and Aurel couldn’t help but sigh deeply:

"Alas—"

Ronald stepped forward, directly asking:

"Aurel, is it the Nine Commandments gathering that did something here?"

"Yes." The King of Giant Beasts nodded, his embarrassed expression tinged with unabashed worry. "They were here before. I just didn’t foresee that they indeed had a way to get inside!"

"Inside?" Ronald noted the key point in Aurel’s words, "What did they get into?"

Aurel appeared reluctant to address this question.

But ultimately, he did not hesitate much longer and explained to Ronald:

"Within the world of the Singing Forest, there’s likely only one thing worth pursuing..."

At this point, Aurel didn’t need to elaborate further.

Ronald immediately asked:

"They went to the Sacred City, right?"

"..."

The King of Giant Beasts said nothing but nodded to affirm Ronald’s guess was correct.

Ronald frowned; he didn’t want to continue delaying time, so he pushed the topic further:

"Judging by your expression, it’s clear you don’t wish for anyone to enter that city. Shouldn’t we go in now to pursue them?"

Aurel displayed a bitter smile:

"It’s not that simple."

"If I weren’t fully confident in sealing this place, how could I possibly let those external intruders move freely here?"

Aurel’s statement contrasted with reality, and Ronald naturally retorted sharply:

"So what you’re saying is—the Sacred City cannot be entered?"

Aurel shook his head again:

"Not exactly. Based on the information I have, one must conduct a ritual lasting seven days to open the passage into it. Those who came before you were merely a day ahead; how could they have breached it so quickly?"

At this moment, Costate took the initiative to present her idea:

"How is the process of this ritual conducted? Is there a possibility of using primitive spells to shorten it or even eliminate key steps?"

"..."

Aurel didn’t outright deny this time.

His eyes froze, realizing he made a major oversight in vigilance.

The passage of hundreds and thousands of years allowed him to become familiar with the environment of the Singing Forest, with memories of the outside world staying lodged in the distant past.

This familiarity bred complacency.

He couldn’t promise, nor could anyone assure.

During the years when the Sacred City was sealed within the Singing Forest, the world did not see a single primitive spell-caster capable of ignoring the requirements to enter the seal or a way to shorten this process.

After all, the seal of the Singing Forest was established on the strongest seal of that era.

The current era is markedly different.

"..."

During the conversation between Costate and Aurel.

Ronald remained silent, using the Sin of Greed to lock onto the ancient Sacred City.

However, the result was disappointing.

Even being within the world of the Singing Forest, information about the Sacred City remained undiscoverable.

Resignedly, Ronald shifted his gaze to Aurel, interrupting their dialogue:

"Given the current situation—either you and I will wait idly in the outside world, letting the Nine Commandments group freely act within the Sacred City, or you’ll take real action, help us enter the Sacred City, and prevent what they are doing."

The King of Giant Beasts showed a deeply conflicted expression.

On one hand, he knew Ronald spoke truthfully; yet, such actions contradicted his duty, naturally causing internal conflict and hesitation.

However, Aurel was hardly one to be indecisive.

Even amidst deep internal struggle, knowing the situation, it didn’t take long for him to respond:

"Follow me back; I’ll conduct this ritual for you!"