Chapter 409: 427 Individual Choices_1
Moreover, Blackhand knew that he could not possibly escape under his current circumstances.
However, he at least hoped that his students could protect themselves and leave this completely different place with his knowledge and heritage.
So, Blackhand, in the eyes of the hidden spellcasters nearby, obediently remained motionless.
But his fingers quietly formed a series of complex gestures.
Like Catherine, for those who had reached the realm of legendary mage, this kind of thing was rather simple for them.
Although Otto and Frostfire didn’t notice Blackhand’s subtle movements, the students who were hiding nearby and often stayed with Blackhand saw these covert actions and knew exactly what their instructor was saying.
Leave him alone and get out of here!
This was the only message Blackhand wanted to convey.
In Stania, the Grand Mage’s words in each Mage’s Spire were absolute to their students.
But for the absolute stability of Stania, it would be somewhat affected by the Magic Guard’s agreement.
Stania was now in danger, and if there was no way to break the Magic Guard’s agreement, nearly half of Blackhand’s students would have to stay with Stania to live or die together.
Fortunately, Blackhand had prepared for this long ago, having arranged a backup plan at an abandoned exit in the Old City District.
However, to utilize this method required some complicated operations.
Now, Blackhand continued to secretly gesture with both hands, trying to quickly convey this method to his students.
Suddenly, a hideous black dragon head appeared in front of Blackhand, frightening him so much that his hands swiftly gesturing stiffened for a moment.
He initially thought that Otto had discovered something, but the latter was indeed squinting his eyes and slightly shaking his head while looking at him.
In the end, Otto said to Blackhand indifferently, “You are very lucky. As this Floating City is about to be destroyed, you have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
First, tell me your name…”
“You may call me Blackhand, honored Black Dragon.”‘
Blackhand answered Otto’s question with a slight tremble in his body.
Then, Otto nodded and sneered, “Very well, Blackhand. As I said before, you are very lucky. Now, in addition to destruction and death, you have another option to save your own life!”
“So, what’s the price?”
Blackhand looked at Otto with a serious face. He had no so-called self-righteousness, in a way, he and Moray were a kindred spirit.
If he could continue his magical research, he didn’t mind whom he ended up serving.
The pair of scarlet dragon eyes suddenly widened, staring intently at Blackhand, and then said word by word, “Your everything!”
Upon hearing this, even with his mental preparation, Blackhand couldn’t help but tremble.
His palms started to tremble slightly, and under Otto’s gaze, he didn’t think he could continue to gesture to his students.
“I won’t give you too much time to consider…”
While Blackhand was still hesitating, Otto’s impatient voice came over.
Then, Blackhand looked at Otto and carefully asked, “I have a small request regarding this…”
“Are you challenging my patience or trying to negotiate with me?”
Hearing Otto’s impatient voice, Blackhand clenched his teeth and immediately abandoned his pride as a legendary mage, crawling down at Otto’s feet.
Blackhand pressed his forehead firmly against the dirty ground, respectfully saying, “I hope you won’t misunderstand, this is a sincere request from your humble servant.”
“Interesting…”
Otto squinted his eyes and looked at Blackhand, indicating for him to continue.
After receiving permission, Blackhand didn’t raise his head but continued to maintain his respectful attitude and posture, saying, “I hope that I and my students can offer everything to you together…”
His intention was very clear. At this critical moment, he not only wanted to save his own life but also wanted to provide his students with a way to survive.
“Ah, noble indeed!”
Otto sneered, “I agree, not only that, I will give you an even more tempting offer!
Blackhand, if your students don’t want to stay with you, I can mercifully allow them to leave Stania on their own!”
Just as Otto said, for Blackhand and his students, this outcome was indeed extremely generous.
With almost no hesitation, Blackhand knocked his forehead heavily on the broken ground, grateful for Otto’s mercy.
In order to show his loyalty, Blackhand immediately recited a pledge of loyalty to Otto, securing time and opportunity for his students to be properly settled.
What he needed to do first was to help his students who had joined the Magic Guard remove their oaths to be responsible for Stania.
For the well-prepared Blackhand, this would not take long.
When Blackhand had finished handling everything near the exit of the Old City District, he told his students everything that had happened earlier.
As a result, there was doubt, shock, and anger among his students, but many also expressed understanding towards Blackhand.
Eventually, nearly half of Blackhand’s students chose to leave Stania on their own.
Once freed from their oaths to Stania, they regained their freedom.
Although they were high in the sky, this was not a problem for these skilled spellcasters.
Watching the spellcasters slowly flying away from Stania, Frostfire’s face showed a hint of unwillingness.
For a creature whose thoughts weren’t limited to traditional evil dragons, he didn’t quite understand why Otto was willing to let go of those small insects that were merely a tasty bite.
Although more than half of Blackhand’s students had left, Otto was quite satisfied with the outcome.
Those young spellcasters who successfully escaped Stania would surely spread the news about everything that had happened here.
Soon, the terror of the Purgatory Demon Dragon could spread throughout the entire continent through them.
At the same time, Blackhand’s decision worked in a similar way. He and his students who chose to stay behind would lose all chances to retreat.