Prime Originator

After returning to the Elder Tree's crown, Leon communicated with the Guardian Spirit to resume its journey.

With the current situation outside, even if the flaming rat walls collapse, it would still be a sea of fire that the rat tide would not cross to reach the elves.

Nevertheless, Leon made the Guardian Spirit take a different path.

"You want to use the Elder Tree to mow down the rat tide?"

Duna quickly guessed Leon's intention before he nodded.

"That's right. Might as well utilize this big girl to the fullest," Leon said while patting one of its big branches.

"Oh? The Elder Tree is a girl?" Duna asked with surprise before adding, "I didn't know trees even had genders."

"Oh, but they do. Trees are divided into four genders, in fact. Some trees can even change their genders as well, going from males to females," Leon explained with his wealth of knowledge on plants and herbs.

Duna was merely curious and not all that interested.

After listening to Leon's explanation, she casually changed the topic with a question, "How about you? Have you considered becoming a woman?"

Leon was caught off guard by the question and nearly staggered before his lips twitched profusely. What kind of question was this?

"Of course not. I was born as a man, and I will die as a man."

"Uhm, sure," Duna responded with a light laugh.

Leon shook his head helplessly.

Sometime later, the Elder Tree moved, taking a short turn to the right before proceeding forward with rumbling steps that shattered the earth.

The sea of fire posed no threat to the Elder Tree as it continued onward without fear and quickly reached the rat tide. It was not fazed by weak flames.

Squeak! Squeak!

The rats were immediately thrown into frenzied disarray at the Elder Tree's heavy steps quaking the earth while hundreds of their brethren were crushed underneath its footsteps made of tree roots.

Many High Elves, Elders, royal guards had left the treetop to make themselves useful previously under Princess Thessalia's order, and only a few remained behind.

At that moment, Princess Thessalia could be seen flying in the sky with other royal guards and High Elves as they slew the rats.

As expected, Princess Thessalia was a fast learner and already took off to kill rats once she mastered the flight skill—or so Leon thought at first.

However, he quickly noticed that her flight was shaky from time to time.

"This elven princess… sure is reckless," Leon mumbled with a bit of speechlessness. She was definitely one of those muscle for brains type, he thought.

Shortly after, Leon took off with Duna to slay some rats and refine more exploding pills with their blood.

Whether he liked it or not, he chose an area not too far from Princess Thessalia to watch over her. In any case, she was Faelyn's elder sister.

He could not let anything happen to her.

…

Grassland Region, World Tree.

At that moment, large numbers of troops were busying themselves about in preparation for departure within the military encampment near the foot of the World Tree.

Lilith exited her tent after hearing the busy footsteps.

"What's going on here? Why are there so many movements at this time of the night? What are you all doing?" Lilith pulled over one of the soldiers for questioning.

"Miss Lilith, I'm not too sure exactly. I've only just received orders from my superiors to prepare for departure. I heard the others talking that we might be mobilizing to the Western Frontier." The soldier said.

Lilith was surprised before she furrowed her brows.

"The World Tree is now the focal point of the Crawford Empire, and the king's intention to construct the new capital here is no close secret… For the army to be mobilized away from here, something big must have happened in the Western Frontier…" Lilith analyzed.

"Yes, I also believe something big has happened at the Western Frontier, Miss Lilith." The soldier agreed with her analysis.

Lilith gazed at the soldier with a pondering look before asking, "Do your superiors know more detail about what is going on in the Western Frontier?"

"I would like to believe so." The soldier did not give a definite answer.

Nevertheless, Lilith nodded and requested, "Please take me someone in high command. I would like to inquire them about what is going on."

Anything happening in the Western Frontier would most likely be related to the Wildlands. As such, she could not ignore what might be happening over there.

"I'll be my honor, Miss Lilith. Right this way, please." The soldier patted his chest with a big smile and gestured for Lilith to follow him.

The soldier quickly met with his superior to receive permission for his temporary leave before he went to carry out Lilith's wishes.

Sometime later, they reached a big tent.

"Reporting to the commander, Miss Lilith would like to see you, sir!" The soldier spoke audibly with a disciplined salute outside the big tent.

Some movements were heard within the big tent before a middle-aged soldier with a strong presence exited the big tent in surprise.

"Is there something you need from me, Miss Lilith?" The commander asked courteously, showing Lilith preferential treatment.

"I was hoping you can tell what is going on in the Western Frontier, Commander. Why is the king mobilizing the army there?" Lilith asked politely.

"This…" The commander hesitated for a moment before Lilith urged, "Please, Commander."

"Well, alright. However, you cannot divulge what I tell you carelessly, Miss Lilith. It will cause unnecessary panic among the scholars and citizens." The commander stated.

Lilith nodded, "I can agree to this."

"That's good." The commander nodded back before turning to the soldier, "You did well to escort Miss Lilith here. You may return to your post and prepare for the departure."

"Yes, sir!"

Shortly after the soldier, the commander gestured towards his tent, "Let us talk in private, Miss Lilith."

"Alright." Lilith nodded.

Shortly after she entered the big tent, the commander followed closely after her. However, moments later, Lilith stormed back out of the tent in a hurry.

"Miss Lilith, please wait! You mustn't follow us. The situation in the Western Frontier is unclear, but it definitely won't be safe."

"Don't stop me, Commander. If the Cataclysm is impending and the Wildlands is in turmoil due to the rat tide like you said, then I am coming along, whether you like it or not. I must return to my clan!" Lilith said resolutely.