All along the way to the village head's house, the natives were seen halting their work for a moment and went on their knees as they saw Azzy and Leah, who were accompanied by the villager named Soma.
It wasn't until they met the village head's second daughter, who coincidentally happened to be the only person in the village that knows the sign language, did neither of them understood why the villagers were revering them with great respect.
The pale white skin and the mark below the eye signify the royal blood in this world.
Now, they had no idea why these two individuals suspected to be a prince and a princess of some kingdom came to their village on foot and why they were talking in sign language, but it became obvious to both of them that the natives here extremely fear the royal family.
Azzy could sense fear in everyone he met on the way. Since he cannot even properly communicate with them while Leah can't convince the others that they are peaceful and kind through her sign language, he starts feeling uncomfortable about staying on the planet.
Because of their appearance resembling royal family members, they abandoned their plan to move elsewhere and decided to stay in the village for the night and leave in the morning.
With the village head accommodating them in his house, they secured a place to sleep too.
For the next few hours, Leah was on a mission to acquire as much information about this world as she could.
Their supposedly royal bloodline also helped her evade the doubts of the village head's family by using a simple excuse of memory loss and voice due to an attack from Aeni in the wilderness. According to the customs here, the commoners aren't qualified to question her. Hence, whatever Leah told them, they had to take it as the truth.
Meanwhile, Azzy, who couldn't play any part in a conversation, left Leah with the rest of them and went to his room using an excuse to take a rest.
Summoning the cosmic jewels, Azzy went on practicing his Aura sensing ability to improve their bonding as well as increasing his range by adding his natural energy manipulation, the Sage core.
As time passed, his range was steadily increasing. More and more auras of life were added but he was perfectly fine without experiencing any headache, unlike when he just learned the skill.
Soon, the night arrived and lanterns lit up all over the village, followed by the traditional dance music.
Wearing the villager's traditional wear, i.e. plain loose-fitting tunics and trousers made from magical plant fibers, practical headscarves made from the same magical fibers, and basic sandals from woven plant fibers, Azzy and Leah joined the rest of the villagers as they were celebrating the evening with wine, music, and dance.
This wine is different from traditional wine available on Gaia. Of course, Azzy didn't know how that wine would taste either way and since he is still not considered a legal adult, he couldn't touch the alcohol and just enjoyed it with other soft drinks.
However, the main issue is the significant presence of ethanol and heavy water in the water composition of this planet.
The regular water drunk by the natives of this planet is like a strong alcoholic drink for Azzy and Leah.
With his cosmic jewels resting in the mindscape and his Sage core sleeping, the water mixed in those soft drinks intoxicated Azzy a little bit.
As he drank more and more while enjoying the liveliness of the villagers, who eased up a little bit after seeing the supposed royals in common attires, Azzy felt more and more dizzy.
But, this dizziness is out of pleasure. He doesn't know the ingredients in the soft drink he was served but he liked it very much.
A surge of natural energy gushed through his body, destroying all the toxic substances that entered his stomach and making him sober.
Once his head became clear, Azzy went on practicing his Aura sensing while staying there to guard his vulnerable friend.
However, the calmness on his face didn't last long and was replaced by a frown, "this... damn our luck. How could this happen on the same day we arrived here..."
***
Meanwhile, far away from the world;
On the planet of Xula;
At the castle town of Rogan, located deep beneath the ground, about six humans in traditional mage outfits gathered in what seemed like a dim-lit cave.
The fire torches on the wall burned brighter as they sat down in their respective positions on the ground, where something like a circle with mystical images was drawn.
All of them started spouting the words of an incantation.
Zaroth k'hulthra Beelzebub, darkened lumthra Zythoros,
(In the shadows of Beelzebub, where darkness reigns)
R'lygorn k'vathrak, n'ghaoroth shalthrak,
(Awaken the ancient power, let it course through my veins)
Vor'kalthor Beelzebub, lord of the abyssal moros,
(Beelzebub, ruler of the abyss, I call your name)
Thulgron malchathor, Beelzebub, come forth!
(By the forces of the underworld, to this realm, you I claim)
The incantation kept on echoing throughout the cave until the empty circle in the middle glowed brightly, followed by the appearance of a humanoid figure with obsidian skin color that is adorned with mystical markings, and massive wings that resembled a raven's.
As the rest of the five mages kowtowed to the demon prince they summoned, the leader of them spoke, "Revered Abyssal Sovereign, help us change the tides of the war and claim the cosmic jewel of darkness as your prize."
"Did you just say the cosmic jewel?" A grin escaped from the demon, followed by his laughter filling the cave.