One-Eyed Monster

Bunan’s madness on the mountaintop caused a slight wavering among the Alchemists of the Alchemy Workshop. They had been braced for battle, hoping their formation could help them resist the Soul Puppets and the two unidentified Adventurers with Class.

Now, however, the appearance of this runaway youth posed a dilemma for these Golden Seat Alchemists of the Alchemy Workshop.

They were unsure whether to go all out or to fight while retreating. Logically, they should engage in a major battle with these two unidentified Adventurers with Class, as their Chief had sent them here to open that particular door.

Yet, this runaway youth was also their target. Wasn’t part of the reason Milo had ascended the mountain again to assist the local County Administrative Office in finding that fugitive youth?

Now that the youth was right before their eyes, how could they not be tempted?

This was a prime opportunity for the Alchemy Workshop to solidify its influence with local political powers. Consider this: Gaga County is under the jurisdiction of Luona, and Governor Rostov of Luona is a favorite of His Majesty the King. Persistent rumors claimed that Rostov and the Alchemy Workshop were like fire and water. Wasn’t this the perfect chance to prove those rumors false? Furthermore, while the Alchemy Workshop bore no deep-seated animosity towards Rostov, establishing contact with the King’s favorite was highly advisable. And wasn’t this the perfect opportunity to approach Governor Rostov?

Regardless, as long as they helped Gaga County resolve its problem and assisted Liuli City in capturing the suspect, the Alchemy Workshop would have an opportunity to converse with Governor Rostov.

Otherwise, this favorite of His Majesty the King was not someone one could meet simply by wishing it; he was renowned for his eccentric temperament.

The Alchemists from the Alchemy Workshop were currently lost in thought, a consequence of the rosemary’s effect. This was all part of Wizard Reed’s plan.

The function of order can only manifest in chaos. Without chaos, order is merely a collection of simple Symbols, devoid of meaning.

The rosemary’s effect was already apparent. Through a special spell, the Soul Puppets were relaying the general conditions on the mountain to Wizard Reed’s Obsidian Staff. Thus, even while Wizard Reed trod an opposing path, he could still keep abreast of the situation on the summit.

Wizard Reed awaited a signal.

When the Soul Puppets transmitted this signal to Wizard Reed, he would, in turn, send another signal back to them.

At that moment, the entire mountain peak would face its most formidable hour, a moment eagerly anticipated by the entire Black Crow organization.

Then, everyone would be scared out of their wits. The secrets concealed within this mountain peak were far from righteous. When people finally witnessed the utter hideousness of what had been hidden for so long, would the entire Soul Guardian Team disintegrate?

These people can never withstand the baptism of truth, Wizard Reed thought. Although he was currently moving further and further from the summit of Dawn Peak, he could still sense the agitation prevailing there.

These two Soul Puppets were his masterpieces, naturally embodying much of his painstaking effort. Similar to Mugen’s flesh-fed Wire Puppets, Wizard Reed’s two Soul Puppets had also absorbed a significant amount of his Spirit Power. In a way, these Soul Puppets shared a sympathetic link with Wizard Reed. Although this link wasn’t strong enough to turn the Soul Puppets into his avatars, it was sufficient for him to transmit signals and cast Spellcraft.

These two Soul Puppets had now slowed their attack speed, seemingly concocting some new Spellcraft.

At this juncture, Estev finally found an opening to speak. He had been holding back for a long time, and the rosemary’s effect made him feel even more stifled and anxious.

”I’ve never been so wretchedly cornered, to be entangled by two Soul Puppets!” Frustration naturally breeds negativity; this is perfectly normal. Once such negative emotions take control, you are defeated without the opponent even needing to make another move.

Estev’s negativity seemed to have gained the upper hand, yet his true inner state remained unknown; after all, he was a Hunter, skilled at concealing himself.

Stan Sol, however, showed no trace of negativity. Although he too experienced frustration and unease, he simply wasn’t one to succumb to pessimism. In his experience, agitation and anxiety were the norm. Having grown up amidst chaos, he naturally possessed such a composed and resilient demeanor.

The Soul Puppets seemed to have received Wizard Reed’s signal; they abruptly halted their assault and began to sway backward, as if intending to retreat.

”Only a Wizard can break these Soul Puppets,” Estev declared, then glanced at the Great Witch, who still appeared stupefied. For a moment, he couldn’t fathom what tricks she was up to.

Their hopes had always rested on the Great Witch, but unfortunately, she too had been ”preparing” for a very long time.

Perhaps breaking the Soul Puppets requires exceptionally powerful Spellcraft, Estev and the others tried to reassure themselves.

In truth, the rosemary’s effects had already manifested; deep within, a part of them harbored resentment and blame toward Great Witch Biggs...

But none of that mattered anymore. Wizard Reed had no need for them to turn on each other. What he wanted was simple: to throw everyone’s minds into disarray and then seize an opportunity amidst the ensuing chaos.

Wizard Reed knew that not everything could proceed according to plan. For one who believed in chaos, achieving a goal was not about meticulous planning, but about the strategic movement of each chess piece.

He had already sent out his signal...

This signal had consumed a great deal of his energy, even requiring him to sacrifice his two Soul Puppets.

His Spellcraft had long been laid out in every corner. On every Mail Bird carrying messages, and in every territory he had traversed, he had left traces of his magic.

Even the three leaders currently on the mountain peak had been subjected to his Dark Arts.

As long as his Soul Puppets released those signals, even the comatose Black Crow would abruptly awaken at this precise moment and then proceed methodically according to his intentions.

His goal was simple: to obfuscate, to sow utter chaos, and then find his opportunity.

The key to this Spellcraft still lay in vegetation from the Natural Force—previously rosemary, this time Oblivion Herb.

This vegetation could plunge Living Entities into a brief state of self-forgetfulness, compelling them to endlessly repeat a single thought and be manipulated like Puppets.

This herb could make Living Entities forget everything, severing their own thoughts and notions, leaving them utterly compliant.

However, this herb also had a weakness: its effects were short-lived, and it wasn’t easy to gain complete control over a Living Entity with it...

With this herb as a prime ingredient, Wizard Reed could, of course, create even more innovative Spellcraft...

The creativity of Dark Wizards indeed surpassed that of ordinary Wizards. Dark Wizards had no scruples and could create without restraint, while ordinary Wizards often hesitated, wary of repercussions, fretting over this and that, thereby losing the original authenticity of their Spellcraft.

Often, people are shackled by various conventions and restrictions.

Although Wizard Reed himself had not been affected by the rosemary, he was still filled with a multitude of reflections.

He had transmitted the signal. Now, whether that door could be opened or not depended entirely on that contingent from the Alchemy Workshop.

Wizard Reed glanced at his Obsidian Staff, a faint, intriguing smile playing on his lips. If this group of Alchemists cannot even open that door, then they truly have no need to face their Great Mentor anymore...