Chapter 442 440-A Sudden Turn of Events
In the face of Sherry's barrage of questions, Ethan found himself deeply conflicted.
He remembered how, during their previous journeys, Sherry had been a significant source of support.
Yet, Ethan remained convinced that the Shadow clan's methods towards the Shadow Elves were profoundly misguided.
He wished for the Shadow clan to seek the Power of Shadow through means other than the exploitation of these elves.
"You're right," Ethan conceded.
"You did provide invaluable assistance throughout our past travels. However, I need you to understand that gaining the Power of Shadow in this manner isn't a boon for the Shadow clan. It's quite the contrary."
"The Shadow Elves, though plunged into madness, can inversely affect the God of Shadow. If the God of Shadow were to fall completely into insanity, do you think the Shadow clan would remain unaffected?" he continued, his voice laced with concern.
"This approach you're taking is simply a means to quickly enhance your own power, forsaking long-term safety. I implore you to help your clan find a more sustainable method to augment your Power of Shadow."
Ethan's words left Sherry with little room for rebuttal.
She was acutely aware that the Shadow clan's approach was indeed shortsighted.
The previous High Priests had not opted for more reasonable methods to enhance the clan members' Power of Shadow because of the multitude of threats the Shadow clan faced.
They were in a race against time, and any delay could leave the clan in a perilous state of weakness.
Even now, as Sherry had ascended to the esteemed position of High Priest, even as Dart's rebellion had been quelled, and even with Ethan's offer of assistance, the Shadow clan remained in a precarious state of weakness.
For Sherry, now the High Priest, the continued frailty of her people was intolerable.
It was imperative that she swiftly bolster the strength of the Shadow clan; only then could their safety be assured.
"Ethan," she began, her voice resolute, "no matter how logical your arguments may sound, I cannot simply abandon the principles that guide the Shadow clan.
Extracting the Power of Shadow from the Shadow Elves is the fastest way." Her eyes conveyed an unwavering determination.
"Even if we find alternative means to acquire the Power of Shadow, it would waste precious time for our people. Our clan must devote every moment to strengthening ourselves."
Sherry paused, a flicker of past hardships crossing her face.
"I have told you before, our people have faced numerous disasters. We are surrounded by enemies on all sides."
The weight of her responsibility as a leader was evident in her tone.
"Even if you manage to drive away those enemies, they will return once you leave our territory. What then? What are we supposed to do when they come back?"
Her gaze was piercing, as if seeking to imprint her words upon Ethan's consciousness.
"Have you not considered the threat they pose upon their return? You can only assure temporary safety for our clan!"
Her words tumbled out in a passionate torrent, underscoring the gravity of their situation.
Sherry hoped that Ethan would understand the dire straits they were in.
She needed him to act according to her plan.
Without Ethan's aid, the Shadow clan alone would struggle to fend off the surrounding enemies, even temporarily.
Ethan observed Sherry in silence, sensing a stranger in the place of the woman he once knew.
He couldn't fathom why her ascent to High Priest had wrought such a drastic change in her personality.
Was it that assuming the mantle of High Priest burdened Sherry with more considerations than before?
Or had the position altered her willingness to align with Ethan's perspective?
Lost in thought, Ethan stood motionless, which only seemed to ignite Sherry's anger.
A dramatic transformation overtook her expression.
If previously her face bore a mix of sadness and irritation, now it was contorted with rage and menace.
"Ethan, I ask you one last time!" Sherry's voice was a mix of fury and desperation.
"Are you willing to stand with me, to stand with the Shadow clan?" Her words snapped Ethan back to the present, highlighting the chasm that had grown between them.
To Ethan, the woman before him felt like a stranger, almost unrecognizable as the Sherry he knew.
"It seems you won't stand with our Shadow clan!" Sherry's voice rose, laced with a cold, threatening edge.
"Don't make the mistake of thinking I haven't prepared other plans!" Her face now wore only a mask of ferocity.
In her eyes, Ethan's reluctance to follow her plan had transformed him from an ally into an adversary, a potential enemy in her path.
With a sharp snap of her fingers, Sherry summoned six masters of the Shadow clan around her.
Each of these formidable figures radiated the immense power of the Shadow clan's Hero Spirit.
Ethan, despite the gravity of the situation, remained calm, though a sense of perplexity was evident in his demeanor.
In his view, such drastic actions were uncharacteristic of Sherry.
Even amidst disagreements, she had always preferred quiet discussions over confrontations.
"I just can't understand," Ethan voiced his confusion, "why such a drastic change? Has becoming the High Priest somehow linked your soul with the others? Have their influences swayed you?"
He didn't see the Shadow clan's Hero Spirits before him as a significant threat, not with the Primordial Light he wielded still at his disposal.
This light was a shield, rendering the Hero Spirits' power ineffective against him.
His main concern, however, lay with Sherry's odd behavior, which seemed increasingly perplexing.
Ethan's words, however, appeared to have no effect on Sherry.
Unwavering, she did not divert from her path or alter her plan.
She raised her staff high, and as she did, Ethan felt a surge of the powerful Shadow energy.
But behind this formidable force, he sensed an ominous presence, something watching him closely, intently.
Sensing the malevolent gaze lurking behind the Power of Shadow, Ethan instinctively reacted, channeling the Primordial Light once again into his hands.
As the radiant light manifested, Sherry, who was closest to Ethan, contorted in agony, her face twisted with an apparent fear of the Primordial Light.
"Ethan! Remove this thing at once!" she cried out in distress.
"The Primordial Light poses a grave threat to us, the Shadow clan. Do you really intend to doom me? Have you truly forgotten all our past memories?"
These words only deepened Ethan's conviction that the Sherry before him was not the Sherry he once knew.
His biggest question now was, where had the real Sherry gone?
As the power of the Primordial Light intensified, the figure of Sherry in front of him grew increasingly menacing, her expressions warping with malice.
Ethan could feel the Power of Shadow within her rapidly diminishing.
The Hero Spirits of the Shadow clan around them had already fled, knowing all too well that they stood no chance against the might of the Primordial Light.
With the growing strength of the Primordial Light, the Shadow power in Sherry weakened further, eventually vanishing altogether.
As it dissipated, Sherry collapsed, unconscious.
Ethan swiftly caught her, preventing her from crashing to the ground.
He examined her closely once more, noticing significant differences from the Sherry he remembered.
Afterward, Ethan tried numerous methods to awaken her, but to no avail.
Ethan was engulfed in confusion, feeling the mysteries surrounding the Shadow clan multiplying.
He knew he needed to find someone to thoroughly interrogate for answers.
In his mind, the only one capable of providing sufficient insight was a Shadow Elf.
Thus, without hesitation, he made his way to the Shadow Moon Lake.
The Shadow Elf was still by the lake, seemingly anticipating Ethan's return.
"You must be aware of the trouble I'm facing. If you have any information, please share it with me directly. And if you can help me resolve this issue, I assure you, there will be a suitable reward."
Ethan was forthright, stating his intentions without any reservations.
He was well aware that the Shadow Elf, waiting there, must have much to discuss with him.
Eager for assistance, Ethan strongly suspected a significant connection between Sherry's abnormal behavior and the enigmatic God of Shadow lurking behind the Power of Shadow.
It appeared that the God of Shadow's influence extended beyond the Shadow Elves and clan members, significantly affecting the High Priest of the Shadow clan.
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