Chapter 353: Betrayed
"Yeah, no mistake—it’s definitely Sacred Withered Earthwood... but that area’s already brushing up against the outer perimeter. Given the current situation, it’s not exactly the best time for us to start mining there."
"Oh, and one more thing, Master," Cicero added. "I checked out the dungeon entrance in the eastern sector. It’s completely abandoned now. Looks like it was a one-time-use kind of thing—once it’s discarded, it’s done for."
"Well, that’s good news for us," Cicero nodded thoughtfully. "But even so, the situation’s still pretty damn tight."
"In that case..." Ethan’s eyes flashed with resolve as he turned to Cicero and Seraphina. "Cicero, Seraphina—come with me. We’re heading to the heart of Sylvanwood."
"Right now?" Cicero blinked, caught off guard. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Should we bring someone else along? Maybe even a few more people?"
Even though he’d already undergone his second awakening—and was technically stronger than Seraphina now—if they were talking about going up against someone like Thandor, who was even more powerful than the Shadow Dragon Vorundar...
Well, whether it was just him or even with Seraphina backing him up, he honestly didn’t feel confident at all.
He wasn’t worried about himself—if he died in battle, so be it. That just meant he wasn’t strong enough. But Ethan? Ethan was different. In Cicero’s heart, he’d rather be torn to pieces than let Ethan suffer even the slightest harm.
"No need for that," Ethan said, shaking his head without hesitation. "Don’t forget who I am here. If I don’t go, or if I show up with a whole army making a big scene, the only ones who’ll look weak are us—Emerald Castle. And you guys."
"Besides, if he really wants to come after us, even bringing the whole army won’t change a damn thing. We’d still be dead. Let’s face it—King-tier powerhouses from the major factions? We’re not in a position to take them on. Not yet."
"So let’s just go with the flow."