Chapter 446 Chapter444-Dart’s Secret Return
On the southern banks of Shadow Moon Lake, Dart, dressed in a flowing black garb, stood absorbed in the lake's serene waters.
Behind him were three companions, fellow escapees from the Shadow clan, who had been waiting there for some time.
"How much longer must we wait? Didn't he promise to meet us here by this evening? Could it be that he has betrayed us? We need to be on our guard. After all, he wasn't a part of our initial rebellion," one of Dart's companions spoke, his voice tinged with impatience.
He began urging Dart to be cautious, emphasizing their vulnerability due to their small numbers and the potential danger of encountering Ethan or other formidable members of the Shadow clan.
Despite these words of caution, Dart remained motionless, seemingly unfazed.
But after a while, a subtle rustling sound emerged from a nearby cluster of trees.
Suddenly, a figure from the Shadow clan burst forth from the foliage, approaching them swiftly.
It was then that Dart finally turned around, fixing a deep, penetrating gaze on the newcomer.
"Eck, we've been waiting for you for quite some time. You're late again. Don't you realize the grave danger we're in? Do you truly believe that Ethan is oblivious to your actions?"
Dart's words held a tone of both accusation and concern.
The arrival was none other than Eck, a clan member who had consistently opposed Ethan.
As the youngest elder of the Shadow clan, Eck had initially intended to collaborate with Dart.
He had even planned to assist Dart in his rebellion to seize control of the Shadow clan.
However, his actions were too slow, resulting in Dart being defeated by Ethan before Eck could even make a move.
Normally, Eck's slow response would be seen as a disadvantage.
However, given Ethan's overwhelming strength, this slowness inadvertently became an asset.
Those who had acted swiftly in joining Dart's rebellion were all eliminated by Ethan.
Now, only Eck remained, covertly nestled within the Shadow clan's domain, coordinating with Dart.
Confronted with Dart's grievances, Eck was also troubled.
"I'm well aware of the danger of our current situation. But you must also consider the predicaments I'm facing."
"High Priest Sherry, for some reason, has suddenly fallen into a deep slumber. The entire Shadow clan is in a state of high alert, making it extremely difficult for me to find an opportunity to meet with you."
Upon the mention of High Priest Sherry, Dart's expression turned to one of intense anger.
In his view, he was the rightful High Priest of the Shadow clan.
"You're mistaken," Dart retorted sharply, "Sherry has never been the true High Priest. How could she, as the puppet of Ethan , be fit to hold such a position in the Shadow clan?"
Dart's pointed retort, laced with anger, signaled to Eck that he had misspoken.
Acknowledging his error, Eck quickly nodded in agreement, "You are indeed right. You are the one who should rightfully be the High Priest. "
"However, as of now, the Shadow clan still remains under the control of Sherry and Ethan. If you wish to reclaim the position of High Priest, it is imperative that you align with my plan."
"We need to make all the elders aware that Ethan poses a greater threat to our clan."
Eck's words somewhat soothed Dart's fury.
After all, Eck had been a consistent source of support for Dart.
For Dart to reclaim his position as High Priest, he would undoubtedly need Eck's assistance.
"Tell me your plan now," Dart demanded.
"You previously mentioned that you wouldn't disclose it to ensure its success. Now that Sherry has fallen into a slumber, it's time you revealed your strategy."
They had been waiting here for so long, mainly to uncover the foolproof plan Eck had hinted at.
If Eck's plan seemed flawless and held a high chance of success in Dart's eyes, he was more than willing to follow through.
His primary goal was to secure the position of High Priest; the rest mattered less to him.
"My plan is indeed infallible," Eck began confidently.
"You are well aware that Sherry became the temporary High Priest because she possesses a formidable Power of Shadow. If you wish to take back the High Priest position, you need to possess an even greater Power of Shadow."
"You once accompanied Ethan to our clan's Valhalla. Didn't you acquire any Power of Shadow there?"
Dart silently shook his head, perplexed and frustrated by his own experiences.
As a member of the Shadow clan with extraordinary talent, he couldn't fathom why he hadn't acquired any Power of Shadow in Valhalla.
Contrarily, it was Sherry, a seemingly fragile woman, who had obtained the Power of Shadow from the Hero Spirits of Valhalla.
This fact ignited a mix of intense irritation and envy in Dart.
Seeing Dart's reaction, Eck suggested, "Then you must venture to Valhalla once again. This time, you are bound to gain a significant Power of Shadow there."
This statement, however, only served to infuriate Dart further.
To him, it sounded as if Eck was mocking his previous failure.
"Are you mocking me now?" Dart challenged, his voice laced with anger.
"You know very well that I didn't receive the blessing of the Hero Spirits in Valhalla! And yet, you suggest I return there?"
Eck was notably disappointed with Dart's reaction.
He considered the possibility of acting alone, given Dart's apparent inability to control his emotions effectively.
Although Eck felt a twinge of regret, he knew he had to explain himself.
If Dart turned hostile towards him, it could jeopardize the entire plan.
"All of us in the Shadow clan are well aware that the Power of Shadow held by the Hero Spirits in Valhalla belongs to the Shadow Elves," Eck finally revealed the crucial information.
"Your inability to gain the Power of Shadow previously was because the Shadow Elves did not recognize you. They believed Sherry was their savior.
"Yet, even after becoming the High Priest, Sherry continued to extract the Power of Shadow from the Shadow Elves, just as it had always been done by our clan.
"If you return to Valhalla and promise all the Shadow Elves that you will cease extracting their power, they will bestow their strength upon you."
Dart was skeptical upon hearing this, even suspecting it to be false information at first.
In his view, Sherry would have surely ceased such actions.
"Are you not deceiving me? Why didn't Sherry release all the Shadow Elves in Valhalla?" Dart asked, his disbelief evident.
However, as Eck laid out the entire scenario, Dart began to understand the situation.
After pondering for a moment, he suddenly burst into laughter.
"Ethan is far too naive.
He probably doesn't even realize why Sherry suddenly fell into a slumber.
Her slumber must be due to a curse from the God of Curses.
The grand scheme of the God of Curses surpasses our mortal comprehension.
It not only aided me but also eliminated my greatest threat.
My power is now much greater than before.
Without the assistance of Sherry , Ethan might not be able to defeat me head-on."
Dart had become convinced that Sherry's sudden descent into slumber was the work of the God of Curses, viewing it as a sign of divine assistance in his favor.
After expressing this thought, Dart turned his gaze towards Eck.
Initially, he had planned to reject Eck's plan, but after some contemplation, he realized that it could be integrated with his own.
"Your plan seems implausible to me.
However, I will still go to the Shadow clan's Valhalla, for I intend to use it as a battleground.
There, I will transform the power of the Shadow clan's Hero Spirits entirely into my own.
But not by seeking their blessings – I plan to acquire their strength through the aid of the God of Curses.
All you need to do is ensure that Ethan also goes to Valhalla.
There, I will utterly annihilate him.
As for what you desire, I will willingly give it to you.
The equipment Ethan possesses holds little significance to me, so consider it your reward," Dart articulated, laying out his vision.
Dart and Eck eventually crafted what they perceived to be a flawless plan.
However, the success of this plan was contingent not only on their actions but also on how Ethan would respond.
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