Chapter 498: What’s Primordial Shard?
The group was led back to the edge of the forest.
All the students gathered around the vehicles.
A few of the Demon Knights who had arrived at the scene remained behind to investigate the two dead demons.
The rest returned together with the students.
Amon and the others needed to answer several questions from the Demon Knights and other higher authorities.
People dying was a normal occurrence in this world. Many lost their lives every single day.
However, since this incident involved humans and other races inside the Demon Kingdom, it had to be investigated thoroughly.
So, after everyone received treatment and their injuries were healed, they went through questioning.
Amon and the others simply recounted everything that had happened.
None of them were in any trouble.
The one who was questioned the most was none other than Lark.
---
"Primordial Shard? What’s that?"
The one who asked was the captain of the Demon Knight patrol responsible for guarding this side of the jungle and the city’s outer wall.
He was a tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man clad in heavy armor. His dirt-brown hair was neatly combed back, and two black horns rose from his head.
Lark shook his head helplessly.
"I have no idea. I told them so many times, yet they never believed me. Somehow, I managed to escape from them. I thought only reaching the capital city could protect me."
Captain Brett gave a slow nod.
"Okay. What did you say your village’s name was?"
"It’s Giethoorn."
"Hmm..."
Brett’s eyes lit up in recognition.
"Oh, I know that village. It’s not that far from the city. Around half a day’s walk, I guess."
"Yes." Lark nodded.
Brett let out a sigh.
"I have no idea what this Primordial Shard is. This is my first time hearing about it. But anyway, are you planning to live in the city?"
"Yes... I don’t know what might happen to me if I return to my village."
"It’s true that the city might be safer for you... but that doesn’t mean you’re out of danger."
"I understand."
"Alright. If you don’t have any money, you can stay at a temple. They provide free meals and even a place to sleep for homeless people. Though... it’s usually crowded."
Lark bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, sir."
Brett shook his head.
"No need to thank me. Those youngsters from the other nations saved your life. If you want to thank anyone, thank them."
His gaze shifted toward the students.
Then back to Lark.
At first, even Brett hadn’t been particularly friendly toward the students and professors.
No matter what, they came from nations that had been enemies of the Demon Kingdom for years.
But now after witnessing them risk their lives to save a demon.
His opinion of them had changed considerably.
---
Amon and his group were still standing outside the vehicle.
The three professors stood beside them. Meanwhile, the other students had already settled inside their respective vehicles.
Amon looked toward Adelia.
"Professor, let’s give Lark a ride and drop him off wherever he wants to go in the city."
"Sure." Professor Adelia nodded.
She looked at Amon with a hint of amusement.
Out of everyone in his group. He looked the most normal.
As though he hadn’t just gone through an intense battle only a short while ago.
He had already returned to his usual self. Meanwhile, the others still looked visibly exhausted.
Asher crossed his arms.
"Primordial Shard... do any of you know anything about it?" he asked the other professors.
Jolene slowly shook her head.
"Well... this is my first time hearing about it. Though... the word ’Primordial’ itself carries a great deal of weight. Still, I’ve never heard of something called a Primordial Shard."
Amon thought for a moment before speaking.
"Maybe it’s related to some Primordial being or creature? Like... a part of its body or something?"
The three professors looked at him.
Adelia pondered for a moment.
"A Primordial being or creature... well, I’ve never heard of anything like that either. The closest things would be mythical beings or creatures... like dragons..."
Asher simply shook his head.
"Well, it’s not our problem. Let’s put that topic aside for now."
"You’re right." Adelia nodded in agreement.
"Our students are safe. That’s what matters."
Once Lark’s questioning was over, he walked toward the group.
He first gave them a respectful bow. "Thank you all so much. Because of you... I survived."
Straightening himself, he looked at each of them.
Seraphina, Marcus, Aisha, Eliana.
And finally, Amon.
Amon smiled. "Hey, you don’t need to thank us. We simply did what was right."
Seraphina gave a small nod.
"Yes."
Eliana clenched her fist confidently.
"Don’t worry. They were bad people. We simply gave them what they deserved."
Aisha crossed her arms.
"It was nice fighting such strong opponents."
Marcus nodded in agreement.
"Yes. I agree."
Amon smiled before speaking again.
"Now, come with us. We’re heading back into the city. We’ll drop you wherever you want to go."
Lark’s eyes brightened.
"Oh? Really? Thank you so much."
"Alright then, everyone get inside the vehicles."
Adelia looked toward the sky.
"It’s already getting late. I think that’s enough for today."
Everyone nodded.
Asher and Jolene returned to their respective vehicles.
Meanwhile, Adelia climbed into the one carrying Amon’s group.
Amon, as always, took the seat beside the window.
There were still a few bandages wrapped around different parts of his body.
Beside him sat Seraphina.
She looked exhausted. She no longer had any visible wounds, but the strain on her body remained tremendous.
Across from them sat Marcus and Lark.
Aisha and Eliana occupied the seats on the opposite side.
All six of them wore tattered clothes from the fierce battle.
Amon looked at Lark curiously. "So... what are you planning to do next?"
Lark leaned back slightly. "Well... I’ll be staying at a temple for a few days."
"Okay... what about your family?"
A faint sadness crossed Lark’s face.
"I don’t have one... I’m an orphan. I lived alone in my village, Giethoorn."
Amon smiled bitterly.
"Sorry to hear that. I’m an orphan too."
For a brief moment...
An unspoken sense of comradeship passed between them.
Marcus suddenly asked,
"By the way... are you absolutely sure you don’t have that Shard?"
Lark immediately shook his head.
"No... I really don’t."
Amon nodded before asking again,
"So... was there anything passed down in your family? Maybe something your mother gave you... some old family heirloom?"
Lark shook his head again.
"No... I don’t have anyth—"
He suddenly frowned.
His hand slowly reached inside the collar of his shirt.
A moment later. He pulled out a golden chain. Attached to it was a large golden pendant.
It wasn’t the kind that could be opened to store a picture. It was shaped like an egg, though slightly smaller.
Ancient words were engraved upon its surface.
’To My Son.’
Comments