Chapter 684: Beyond the Eighth Tier
Misha laughed at the centipede’s antiques before she winked at Adam and gestured toward the trembling William meaningfully. Then, she giggled as she moved toward the exit with the beast, chatting him up in a lighthearted tone.
Adam nodded. Though unsure of what she wanted, a plan of his own had already formed in his mind. After all, the old archmage had braved his fears for a noble reason he respected yet hated.
’The fool wanted to sacrifice his life like a hero.’
Rolling his eyes, he placed his palms on William’s shoulders. A subtle wave of mana infiltrated his archmage’s circuits, expelling the excess poison.
William’s face softened, not his trembling hands on the scepter he used as support. He understood why and decided to address that first.
"Don’t stretch your brain over Misha’s and my capabilities. We don’t quite fit in any box, but you can see us as pioneers trying to tread a new path. In any case, that’s not what matters right now. Do you know what does?"
William seemed to grapple with his words, but he noticed the hint of fear that crossed his emerald eyes.
"Do you believe I’ll silence you because of what you witnessed? I’m sorry to disappoint you, then." He clapped his hands, a broad grin curving his lips. "The order has no use for an old man anymore, even less now that I have ensured it monopolises the poisonous mana source. Join us with the centipede instead of rotting in this place."
William closed his eyes, the soft pulses of the new formation casting dancing shadows on his conflicted face. This was the home of his ancestors—his home. Could he leave it?