Chapter 294: A Path of Regret (2/2)

”Truly,” The Knight smiled. ”A marvelous way to repay hard work. I hope we have the time to chat, Honorable Seika.” She walked past Arthur and patted him on the shoulder.

As she did, Arthur felt the familiar icy mana enter his body. He was sure of her identity now. She was the swordsman who saved him from the Skywalkers.

The group of nobles left after that and Arthur returned to his room. He opened his legacy and bought a high-grade mana crystal for one Legacy point, reducing his stash of points to seven.

After that, Arthur placed it in his subspace directly. He still had a few hours until night so he tried to rest on his bed, pondering the situation.

Things have changed. He now had one less day to implant his plan. He planned on doing it tomorrow, but there was no time left. If he did in the ceremony, he will be obstructed by the nobles from every part of the Alva kingdom.

He needed to do it today. However, the barrier wasn't ready and his progress with Dia's core insufficient. The aura of creation was nothing compared to the actual power. He needed the power of creation to use the Bestial Order technique.

[Proceed with Soul Restructure?]

[Yes | No]

Arthur gritted his teeth. With a single choice, he would reclaim his powers and control Dia after she awakens. However, he will lose his arm forever. There won't be any generation or reattachment, his soul will forever be detached from his arm.

He grabbed the empty sleeve as thoughts raced in his mind. The right choice was there, but which one is it?

'Maybe I can handle the nobles using only Dia to escape. If I choose Soul Restructure, everything I worked for until now will be meaningless. But if I don't, I'll die after I help Dia awaken. It's all because of this.' Arthur grabbed the gem on his arm. 'I can't escape because of this.'

He had read about these gems in the library. He had thoughts about taking it out, but the book convinced him otherwise. Without the mana of the master, the gem would inflict the slave with a curse that would kill them if they tried to remove it.

'I have no choice.' Arthur covered his face with his right hand. 'Proceed with the Soul Restructure.'

[Please confirm. This action is irreversible. Your arm will be lost forever.]

His legacy sent another message, shaking Arthur's resolve. He gritted his teeth until his mouth bled. He grabbed onto his shoulder tightly as he confirmed.

”Confirm!”

[Soul Restructure shall begin now. Please find an isolated place away from people. The process shall commence in 59 seconds.]

Arthur stood up and hurried to the bathroom. He lied in the tub as he grabbed his arm, watching the countdown with agony. This time, he wouldn't lose his arm because of the circumstances, but because of a choice he made. Whatever that shall follow after would be a path of regret. He will always wonder how things would have been different.

[10 seconds.]

[9 seconds.]

[8 seconds.]

[7 seconds.]

[6 seconds.]

As the countdown reached five, Arthur snapped his eyes wide open. Mana exploded from within his body and left it. The mana gathered to materialize the Knight of Courage in front of him.

[3 seconds.]

Arthur stared at the Knight of Courage who had appeared in front of him.

[2 seconds.]

'Stop the restructure!' Arthur commanded and the countdown stopped. He stared at the panel in front of him as sweat rolled down his face.

[1 second.]

The countdown stopped and the panel was red, the same color as Arthur's bloodshot eyes. He turned toward the Knight of Courage who was looking at him with a smile.

”You look like a mess, One-Armed Seika.”