The ritual.
At that word, Li Wei immediately perked up. After all, this was the crux of everything, and the reason this place had turned into such a hellhole.
"Y-your Majesty!"
Just then, an old man in robes stepped forward and looked at him pleadingly.
"Are you truly going to do this? Whatever else may be true, the Stone Heart is a blessing bestowed upon us by the Goddess of Earth!"
"Those are nothing but myths and legends! Only the Holy Lord is this world's one true god. All the others are merely false gods!"
"Aaaaah-how could you? Your Majesty, how could you utter such blasphemy? Without the goddess's protection, we-"
"Shut up! Drag him out of here!"
At the king's furious command, two Holy Knights quickly approached, seized the white-robed elder, and dragged him out of the great hall. Everyone else fell silent, too afraid to speak. The king raised his head and looked out at them.
"Listen carefully! Everything in this world is the will of the Holy Lord! The Goddess of Earth does not exist! A true god would never stand by and watch us remain trapped in a cage like this! I promise you that once the ritual ends, we will leave this place for good and live in a brand-new world!"
"His Majesty is right!"
"For a new future!"
Soon, many of those present began cheering loudly. The king smiled as well, then strode toward the terrace. Beyond it, crowds had gathered in the square and streets. Though it was difficult to see clearly from here, they certainly formed a sea of people.
"My people!"
The king took a deep breath and spoke loudly.
"Today is a day worth celebrating. I believe you have all seen that beyond our world lies a far vaster one.