Chapter 328: Chapter 328

Estev felt he had become a discarded chess piece. He didn't understand where Bigas got his confidence. To him, abandoning the mountain's gate was an extremely dangerous move. It was precisely this danger that had prompted Estev to ascend the mountain early, believing they must guard this gateway to the mountain range at all costs. However, Bigas had given up without a second thought, decisively and unhesitatingly. It even seemed Bigas didn't consider Willem of the Black Crow a serious threat.

"Willem is a madman, capable of anything! We can't just abandon this place so carelessly," Estev persisted, unwilling to give up persuading them. Even though he inwardly considered Bigas a scoundrel, as a fellow Soul Guardian, he still hoped his comrades would not shy away from necessary risks.

"You don't need to worry about it. Likewise, whether or not we abandon this gate isn't your decision, Estev!" Bigas responded coldly, his voice full of disdain.

Estev was confused. How could they give up on this crucial gateway to the mountain so easily? The entire mountain would be exposed without its protection. This didn't even take into account the seals hidden within. Without precautions, the mountain could easily be left vulnerable to those insatiable looters.

Estev shook his head, unable to comprehend or make sense of it. It was bad enough that Bigas was determined to act on his own, but it was astonishing that Scholar Manjia had also decided to heedlessly abandon the mountain's gateway.

There were three Soul Guardians assigned to the mountain. If two of them agreed on a decision, the third had no choice but to comply. Scholar Manjia was the crucial third person, and his decision meant Estev was now isolated.

Estev found it unbelievable. Just a short while ago, when they were drinking at Manjia's tavern, Scholar Manjia had been full of conviction about their duty. How could he change his stance so quickly? Something significant must have happened; Scholar Manjia's attitude wouldn't have shifted otherwise. Scholar Manjia had spoken at length in the tavern about the bitter and complicated history between Soul Guardians and Gravediggers. In Estev's eyes, Scholar Manjia, the hunchbacked tavern owner, would never join the Gravediggers. Yet, Bigas had somehow gained Scholar Manjia's support. It seemed many things had transpired at the foot of the mountain while he was away.

Regardless, the guardianship was not yet over. As a Soul Guardian, although reluctant, he had to comply with the team's collective decision. As the Witch Spirit had said, abandoning Dawn Peak was merely giving up one gateway. Guru Mountain had many other checkpoints. Once this gate was opened, the Gravediggers would only discover those other checkpoints. The true secrets of the mountain, however, remained under their protection.

"What a pity, truly a pity. That severed arm of yours will never return," the Witch Spirit jeered. From its behavior, one could infer it was newly born and didn't yet fully comprehend the world. For now, it acknowledged only its master, seemingly believing everyone else existed merely as a backdrop to its owner.

Estev glanced at his severed arm. The spell's effects had worn off, and the severed limb, its purpose fulfilled, now lay motionless.

"Please, would you burn it for me?" Estev turned to Stan Sol, requesting that he use his Battle Pet's flames to incinerate the severed arm.

The Battle Pet's Flame Tongue swiftly licked the severed arm, and it instantly burst into flames.

"These are humble conditions, I regret, and not a worthy resting place. May these flames grant you the best send-off," Estev whispered, his eyes slightly closed, as if bidding a poignant farewell to an old friend.

Originally, he had wanted to bury his arm honorably at the base of the mountain. However, the decision by Bigas and the others left him too unsettled, forcing him to dispose of it hastily. He didn't want his arm to be exploited by Dark Wizards or become part of a Soul Puppet. Therefore, he decided to cremate it and scatter the ashes to every corner of the mountain. In this way, he hoped his arm could continue to guard the mountain range at all times.

"It's a real shame," the Witch Spirit murmured, seemingly offering Estev advice. "If my master had used Ice Seal on this arm, taken it down to the Sanctuary, and had an Alliance Wizard use special herbs and Spirit Power to reattach it, perhaps this arm could have been saved." Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on NoveIＦire.net

"There's no need for that. It's just an arm. I have my reasons for this sacrifice," Estev replied to the earnest Witch Spirit.

"Sacrifice and gain... all in an instant," Stan Sol mused while his Battle Pet incinerated Estev's arm. He completely understood Estev's actions.

Giving up something is a difficult decision. Estev's unhesitating choice to sacrifice his arm was undoubtedly brave, and his spirit had earned him the respect of many.

At the time, Estev had no other choice; he had to sacrifice his arm for what he guarded. In doing so, he won the respect of others and helped defeat the three leaders of the Black Crow.

Although he lost his arm, what he gained was by no means insignificant.

With the three Black Crow leaders bound, the mountain's secrets were kept from their grasp. Estev's sacrifice also ignited the others' fighting spirit, and together, they defeated the final Soul Puppet.

Defeating the three Black Crow leaders wasn't much to be proud of, but defeating the Soul Puppet—that was an accomplishment worth mentioning.

Estev thought back. The master of this Soul Puppet had never shown himself. He had placed the Soul Puppet on the mountaintop, forcing them into a prolonged battle, only to trigger its Self-Explosion in the end. Wasn't such an act a complete abandonment of the Soul Puppet?

Estev suddenly broke out in a cold sweat...

This wasn't abandonment; it was deliberate... What did this mean? It meant the other party, that Dark Wizard, had also sacrificed his Soul Puppet! This deliberate sacrifice must hide a significant secret. There's gain in loss. What on earth was this Dark Wizard plotting?

Estev recalled the moment after the Soul Puppet split. He felt as if he had noticed something then.

That vast cloud of deathly energy had darted into the crevice in the large rock like a cat pouncing on a mouse. That was a deliberate action...

Estev suddenly opened his eyes. He had thought of something; he had realized something incredible.

Willem was truly Willem, always finding a different path, always unearthing some hidden method even in the face of impossibility.

Estev sighed at the thought of his former partner. It was precisely because they had been partners that Estev had some understanding of this man, Willem.

"So that's how it is. It looks like you're truly determined, you bastard," Estev said with a faint smile, as if he had partially seen through Willem's plan.

Willem was elusive; he would never reveal all his true intentions to his subordinates.

Estev chuckled. It seemed his sacrificed arm had not been lost in vain. A fierce battle was surely to come...

At the same time, he finally understood Scholar Manjia's choice.