The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

Kaden and his team clearly weren’t prepared for what Maneli asked of them.

First of all, they never expected a bona fide Primordial who could probably open a void gate from where he stood to Dunsil City to ask to travel with them. In fact, he could get there in the blink of an eye.

Kaden hadn’t met many Primordials in this life or in the past, but from the few he had met, he had gleaned enough details to realize they play in a different league of their own.

Their power didn’t make sense, and so he wouldn’t, not even for a second, underestimate them.

This was why he never expected Maneli to ask them for something that ridiculous. But then again, he seemed serious, so Kaden also became serious.

”Forgive me if I sound offensive, but aren’t you a Primordial? What do you need from bugs like us on the road to your destination? I mean, when it comes to battles, you can handle them in your sleep, so what exactly do you want from us?”

Maneli didn’t have time to respond because Pickle Berry stepped forward and asked a more personal question:

”If I am not mistaken, your kind and the elementals living in Dunsil City don’t see eye to eye, so why should we lead you there when we don’t know your intentions?”

Maneli looked between Kaden and Pickle Berry for a few moments, then he laughed, his voice spreading through the borders of the Bleeding Kingdom and the Ant Desert.

He seemed amused, which, to Kaden, wasn’t a good thing. One could never really predict a Primordial.

However, in this situation, Maneli proved to be simple...

”First of all, I want to travel with you because I intend to learn a little more about you and where you come from. Second, aren’t you curious about this place and perhaps want to know more?

”Third, and this is a good one, if you little ones are not aware, the place you are headed to has monsters that are even more dangerous than those you encountered here. Even I wouldn’t act arrogant in front of that monster and his family.”

Kaden knitted his brow, realization dawning on him. He pieced some things together, then he asked, ”When you say the monster and his family, you are talking about the Lord of Dunsil City, right?”

”Who else? That bastard is far more dreadful than even me, and let me tell you, there are seven Ant Ancestors. So if he is more dangerous than me, then what kind of monster is he?” Maneli smirked as if recalling an unpleasant memory.

”Especially his wife. That woman is very secretive, but I wouldn’t joke around with her, especially not when she seems to always be sad.”

”Mo-” Pickle Berry nearly blurted out the word mother, but she caught herself and said, ”If what you said is true, then won’t traveling with us put us in danger? For all we know, you want to use us to sneak into the city.”

”Actually, that is what I want to do. However, I have no intention of putting you all in danger. Trust me, I learned my lesson a very long time ago.”

Kaden tapped Pickle Berry on the shoulder. ”Let’s trust him for now. But rest assured, if he tries anything funny, I will send him packing the next second.”

”Okay, big brother.” Pickle Berry hugged Kaden’s arm, feeling very safe around him.

Kaden brushed her hair and turned to Maneli. ”You can travel with us, but as payment, you must tell us all you know about the Elemental Garden and, if possible, tell us the various power ranks here.”

”But of course,” Maneli laughed, and soon, they were gone, heading out of the two borders a day later and starting their final journey to Dunsil City.

Thankfully, Maneli was very talkative, so the journey was very enticing in all regards.

---

[Gaukin City]

Meanwhile, on the eastern side of the Ant Desert, General Nura and her team had finally made it back to Gaukin City and immediately sought an audience with Lord Arshan, the ruler of Gaukin City and one of the Primordials in the Elemental Garden.

He was once the Elemental Emperor, but after his own wife betrayed him, he ended up here. Luckily for him, he knew how to lead, so after saving a few thousand, they established Gaukin City, and since then, they have been taking in people banished to this zone.

Most were scum, whom they killed, but the innocents, like the warriors who rallied behind King Xzeth to overthrow the Elemental Empress, were welcomed.

He was someone who craved power, but he also knew his limits and would not bite off more than he could chew.

Soon, General Nura and her team stood before King Arshan, who, even after several eras had passed, still looked as radiant as he had back during the Blood Era.

He was in his late 40s based on appearance, but he looked fit, and considering the shoulder-length golden hair sprawling behind him and his deep golden-blue eyes, one could say even Elementals could rival angels.

Arshan was one of the rare Elementals.

He was a Phoenix Elemental who specialized in using the Lightning, Flame, Ice, and Metal elements. His understanding of all four was on another level, so one could say his combat power was out of this world.

He was undoubtedly handsome and very charismatic.

”General Nura, glad to see you have returned rather early. I do hope there is good news for me,” King Arshan asked, smiling at the general and her team.

”I indeed have some good news, my lord. But I also have some bad news. So the question is, which one do you want to hear first?” General Nura had no plans to hide anything. So she left the choice in King Arshan’s hands.

Seeing her serious expression, King Arshan stopped smiling and focused on the conversation about to happen.

”I want the good news first.” He made his choice, knowing whatever General Nura had to say, it couldn’t be that bad... right?