"You are Ashe Heath, and nothing more."

Why does that name suddenly feel like an insult? Seriously, how is that even possible? Is everything about me supposed to revolve around this name? Does the universe really think it's funny to turn my identity into some kind of joke?

Ashe lay bound on the ground, filthy and bruised from head to toe. Pain surged across his back in relentless waves, forcing helpless whimpers from his throat. He lacked the strength to argue with Everlasting Doom.

Harvey spoke with sympathy, "So when you said you were wronged before, it was all true. I thought you were joking. Back then, I even thought the leader of the Four Pillars Cult was pretty witty."

Iger added coldly, "I think you're simply stupid. Even now, you fail to recognize the situation you're in. Why bargain when your life is in their hands? That's like claiming the woodcutter is scared of trees just because axes have wooden handles.

"You should be groveling and begging to survive, yet you act like a cockroach flipping onto its back. You should have even considered yourself lucky that they didn't crush you on the spot. They don't need you. They can do without one more outsider laborer. Even children in the orphanage know to bow their heads at a time like this. You're the only person I've ever seen that still asks about salary, benefits, or a labor contract..."

Harvey wanted to defend Ashe, but seeing him only stare at Iger with mournful eyes while muttering curses under his breath, Harvey wisely kept silent. Ashe was in pain from his injuries and needed a distraction, and Iger's harsh words stirred his emotions enough to make him forget the pain.

Still, Harvey found the scolding strange. If Ashe had obeyed Everlasting Doom's instructions, then he and Iger would be the ones screaming in agony right now. Iger, however, sounded less angry than exasperated. It was almost ironic. Is that what he really wants? For Ashe to survive by stepping over our dead bodies?

"Wah... wahhh..."

"Let me go, Daddy! Mommy—"

"Waaah! I want Mommy! Mommy!"

The piercing cries of children filled the hall. Harvey and Iger exchanged looks of disgust. It wasn't outrage at the Four Pillars Cult targeting children. They simply couldn't stand the noise. The Blood Moon people had little tolerance for childish screaming.

After a moment, Iger whispered, "Why are they shouting daddy and mommy? Are those some kind of heroes here?"

Hearing such naive questions, Ashe felt a flicker of amusement. Since his transmigration, it was his first time hearing children call for their parents. The fear in their voices was instinctive and universal. No matter the country, children cried the same way when they were afraid.

He responded, "Yes. Say those words, and fathers and mothers will give their lives for you."

Harvey asked earnestly, "We're not from this country. Will they protect us too?"

Ashe had wanted to tease them further, but suddenly felt a loss of interest and didn't answer.

The crying children were dragged closer, bound in chains forged through Miracles. Their sobs filled the air. Some whimpered softly, while others wailed without restraint. Each was small and fragile, roughly the size of Everlasting Doom, not even as tall as a cartwheel.

"Do children have value as sacrifices?" Iger asked.

Ashe recalled Heath's criminal record. His expression darkened. "In the Four Pillars Cult, children represent purity. Only those untouched by society can bear pure evil, pure good, pure hatred, and pure joy like flawless gems.

"They are not the best sacrifices... but they are the easiest to obtain."

"Hey, look at that girl," Harvey said suddenly.

Ashe turned and saw a delicate little girl with white hair. He thought wryly, Finally, my man's acting a bit normal for once. Of course, he is still a pervert, but at least this time his attention is on someone alive.

Ashe quickly understood what Harvey meant. The girl's calmness was unsettling. She wasn't crying, nor frozen in fear. Instead, she quietly observed her surroundings. When the three villains' gazes fell on her, she blinked, then instantly adopted an adorably pitiful expression. It was the kind of look that triggered a protective instinct, as if she silently hoped a hero would appear to save her from danger.

"Drama queen," Iger dismissed sharply.

Harvey and Ashe exchanged disappointed glances. They had hoped the girl's composure hinted at a hidden trick, a trump card of some kind. Instead, it was nothing more than a carefully crafted display of cuteness. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Meanwhile, the robed cultists cleared a large space around the group. The suspended platform above suddenly erupted with an explosive roar, sending down four rivers of fire. They spiraled around the gathered sacrifices, forming four concentric rings that cut the sacrifices off from the outside world.

Ancient, strange chants echoed through the underground hall.

"Infinite Light, Infinite Incarnations, Infinite Possibilities...

"Messengers of Wind, Rain, and Snow, robed in purest blue, subdue the abominations...

"Eternal Flame, Eternal Life, Endless Wandering...

"Dreams and Freedom...

"With utmost sincerity we pray, and humbly seek the mercy and watchful gaze of the Four Pillars Deities!"

When the prayers ended, Everlasting Doom's soft, childlike voice rang out once more.

"The sacrifices decreed by the divine have been gathered. In the name of Serena Bright, offer the sacrifices within the rings of fire to the Four Pillars Deities, the three outlanders, and the sixteen pure ones."

Iger let out a bitter sigh. It is over.

He hadn't expected to die during the prison break, nor in the pursuit by the Heresy Court. Of all the places, he would never have imagined dying at a sacrificial ceremony of the Four Pillars Cult. To put it bluntly, it was basically dying at Ashe's hands.

A faint smile touched Iger's lips, quelling the stirrings of regret in his heart. If I hadn't approached that prison newbie... if I hadn't treated him as prey...

Compared to rotting away in Shattered Lake Prison, he would rather perform in the grand Blood Moon Tribunal, stage a spectacular prison escape, and then die. He owed Ashe Heath a sort of thanks. After all, Ashe was the one who had dragged him from the monotony of prison life and onto this brilliant, deadly stage.

Legend says that when villains die, their souls must pass through six layers of hell, where they'd suffer endlessly before finally finding rest in the Virtual World. All those vengeful souls they've wronged would be there waiting, just waiting, for the perfect chance to repay them tenfold... or a hundredfold.

Dear cult leader, with your glorious achievements, I'm sure many in hell are ready to play games with you. But no matter... I am a villain too, and I will face them alongside you.

Iger turned to look at Ashe, only to see the cult leader's face devoid of fear. Ashe seemed to have more tricks up his sleeve. Despite trembling slightly, he straightened his back and proudly lifted his head. He shouted toward the sky, "In the name of Ashe Heath, offer the sacrifices outside the rings of fire to the Four Pillars Cult! All the cultists in the underground hall!"