Some time later, ten people arrived above the gathered group of people. Leading them was Overlord Sandpike, a tall man with brown hair who carried a spear.
Behind him were three Senior Protectors and six Protectors.
When Overlord Sandpike saw the corpses on the ground, he took a deep breath.
Four Demon corpses and eight human corpses, one of them being Overlord Stygian.
"Overlord Cloudhorn's message was accurate," Overlord Sandpike transmitted to every other Overlord.
None of the other Overlords sent an answer.
"Overlord Cloudhorn," Overlord Sandpike announced, "do you confess to collaborating with the enemy?"
"Yes," Cloudhorn answered with a calm and accepting voice.
"Are you willing to share information about the incident and your collaboration?" Overlord Sandpike asked evenly.
"No," Cloudhorn answered.
"I suggest answering our questions," Overlord Sandpike said with narrowed eyes. "Execution is only for uncooperative traitors. You may survive on the frontlines as a dishonored Protector. You have already confessed. There's nothing to be gained by keeping further secrets."
"There is only one piece of information that I am willing to share," Cloudhorn said.
"We're doing this for the good of Ayuvar and Humanity."
Overlord Sandpike waited for two seconds, but Cloudhorn didn't say anything else.
"Is that all?" Overlord Sandpike asked.
"Yes," Cloudhorn answered.
Overlord Sandpike took a deep breath. He seemed like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he decided against it.
"I've made my judgment," Overlord Sandpike said. "Crisis order: execute Overlord Cloudhorn immediately."
The Senior Protectors and Protectors narrowed their eyes as they pulled out their weapons.
Kyle's heart rate shot through the roof. He didn't want Cloudhorn to die after what he had done for them, but he also knew that he couldn't change it.
He was just a Sage.
"Is there anything we can do?" Kyle asked Manny via voice transmission.
"Yes, but..."
"The other sacrifices would become meaningless."
"Cloudhorn is doing this so that we may succeed. It is the best way, and he agreed to it."
Kyle watched as the three Ascendants charged at Cloudhorn, who didn't pull out his weapons.
The others watched.
Kyle wanted to step forward and show his strength. If he could show his power, he might be able to convince the newcomers.
Yet, as the other sacrifices shot through his mind, he stopped.
One more sacrifice.
Just one more sacrifice, and everything would end.
"I hate this," he thought. "I know why so many people have to sacrifice themselves, but I still hate it. I know it's necessary... I just wish it weren't!"
The three Senior Protectors reached Cloudhorn and readied their weapons.
In Kyle's perception, the world seemed to freeze for just a moment.
And then...
A spear broke through Cloudhorn's Center as a sword decapitated him.

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