Prime Originator

Meanwhile, inside the core district of the future megacity, Leon and the various tribe leaders were gathered around a building blueprint-filled stone table in the open square for a meeting.

"With so many people contributing to the construction effort in these past few days, the new city is starting to take shape very nicely. In fact, there has been so much progress that it's almost startling to see firsthand," Chief Ironshield mentioned sentimentally.

"Right? It's amazing to see what we humans can do once we work together," Chief Sur-Khan sighed emotionally, adding, "If it were in the past, I wouldn't have believed a decent city could be built so quickly."

"Although there is still much to be done, I can already feel the potent vigor of this city growing with each passing day. I cannot help but look forward to seeing its completed form."

"Simply seeing its progress each morning certainly raises my spirit and motivation to its peak," Chief Sur-Khan said in a good mood.

"I, too, feel the same way, Chief Sur-Khan," Chief Valencia agreed with Chief Sur-Khan, seriously adding, "However, that's all the more reason why we can't half-assed this job. No, we must give it our all!"

"We have to make this city the grandest and most awe-inspiring city the Infertile Plains has ever seen!" Chief Valencia excitedly stated with a clenched fist.

"Only the Infertile Plains? Hehe, that's the wrong thing to say, Chief Valencia," Chief Blackbear softly chuckled before saying, "Why must it be limited to the Infertile Plains? This city is only the first chapter of a glorious future for the people of the Infertile Plains."

"Its magnificent should be spread far across the four directions and awe those even beyond the Infertile Plains! Everyone in the Dark Abyss Continent will know of this city, but it cannot do without a name."

"Hegemon Leonhardt, please bestow this glorious city in the making a name," Chief Blackbear requested.

"Right, how can a city be without a name? Although it is still far from completion, it is very much alive and breathing. Now is a good time to give it a name, Hegemon Leonhardt," Chief Ironshield said agreeingly.

"Is that so? I'm afraid I'm not good with names. I might disappoint you all," Leon softly chuckled.

"Whether that is true or not, it's not for us to decide, just as it is not right for anyone else but you to name this city. You are the only one qualified to name it because it is your city. You are the reason it exists," Chief Ironshield honestly stated.

"Please give the city a name, Hegemon Leonhardt!" the various tribe leaders implored.

"In that case, let us call it Hegemon City," Leon casually said.

"Hegemon City…"

Everyone immediately felt their blood boil with excitement once they heard the name.

It was certainly plain and simple. However, they couldn't think of a more fitting name for the city that would shake the continent in the future.

"Great name!"

"Wonderful!"

"Fantastic!"

"Marvelous!"

Leon was suddenly showered with countless praises for the name—so much so that he couldn't tell whether they were their genuine thoughts or the tribe leaders were simply buttering him up.

Suddenly, a messenger arrived bearing news from the northern sentry.

"Milords, pardon my interruption; I bring urgent news! Chief Silvertooth and Paragon Cindertail have returned with the Northern Region's people!" the messenger quickly announced.

"The Northern Region's people actually came back with Chief Silvertooth and Paragon Cindertail? Hasn't it only been three days since they left?" Chief Siwu-Tahk uttered with surprise before pulling the messenger over, asking, "How many people from the Northern Region came?"

"A-All of them—I think, my Lord…!" the messenger answered nervously, stunning many leaders around the stone table.

"All of them?" Chief Siwu-Tahk uttered with surprise before seeking confirmation, "Are you sure?"

"Around fifty thousand to sixty thousand people are coming; I believe that should be all of them, my Lord!" the messenger answered in a more resolute tone, as if he were also trying to convince himself.

Nevertheless, Leon and the tribe leaders around the stone table acknowledged his words.

"It only took three days for the entire Northern Region to submit to us, huh? That's impressive," Leon thought out loud before urging everyone, "Come, let us welcome them warmly."

"Yes, Hegemon Leonhardt!" everyone answered.

"It must not be an easy choice to bring the entire Northern Region here without any proof of what we offered. They should be feeling doubtful and insecure over such a long trip," Leon guessed before instructing, "Chief Valencia, please send someone to notify the cooks to prepare a warm feast for sixty thousand people."

"As you wish, Hegemon Leonhardt," Chief Valencia nodded before breaking away from the group to complete the task.

…

Sometime later, Leon and the tribe leaders reached the temporary northern wall of Hegemon City and spotted Chief Silvertooth and Cindertail leading the Northern Region's people in the distance.

"They're already here. Let us greet them," Leon informed the group as he led the group out of the city.

…

Meanwhile, when Alliance Leader Hasaar-li and the rest of his people came within a few hundred meters of the city, the last hint of doubt hidden in his heart quickly vanished without a trace.

Although the city was still far from completion, he could already feel the vibrant life force and energy exuding from the people within it.

It was impossible for a city of people worrying about water or the future to possess such an overwhelming life. In fact, the atmosphere should feel heavy and gloomy instead of light and lively.

As such, many people were shocked to see the incomplete town more lively than a complete and operational one.

They had yet to enter the city but were already infected by its mood. Their spirits were lifted, and the dark clouds over their brows disappeared.

Everything Chief Silvertooth told had to be true.

It wasn't long before Alliance Leader Hasaar-li and his Northern Region people spotted Leon and his entourage coming out to meet them.

The unimaginably powerful auras surrounding Leon, Nightingale, Rainshine, and Goldenstride, in particular, shocked them to the high heavens.

"Hm? That aura… H-Heavens! Is that a Divine Beast among them?!" Chief Haal-Giri exclaimed with alarm, shock, and disbelief.

As Leon's group approached with friendly smiles, the Northern Region people became increasingly certain of the Divine Beast Aura.

"Welcome to—"

Plop!

Before Leon could finish his greeting, Alliance Leader Hasaar-li and a few thousand people at the front suddenly dropped to their knees and prostrated on the ground, not daring to look up.

'Wow! These people are so humble!' Rainshine thought with surprise from Leon's left shoulder.