Just an hour before sunset, Cleo's carriage finally arrived at the Atlas Stronghold.
Lux, who was paying close attention to his Soul Book, sighed internally.
'She's still following us,' Lux thought. 'What a persistent Calamity.'
The Wicked Queen Slime, Lilian, still hadn't given up on Eiko and was stalking them from a distance. This had caused much stress not only to the Half-Elf, but also to the Saintess. Both of them felt very wary of Lilian's strength and tenacity.
However, they temporarily cast this problem aside when they reached their destination, the last hurdle they had to pass through before reaching the Pantheon of Exile.
The moment Lux and Gaap disembarked from the carriage, they were briefed about where the Pantheon of Exile was located.
"Do you see that red pillar of light on the horizon?" Cleo pointed in the distance. "That is where the Pantheon of Exile is located."
Lux and Gaap could see it clearly even with the fading light of the sun. It was like a beacon, shining in the distance as if making sure that everyone was aware of its existence.
The only thing that was blocking their way was a vast, bubbling, purple sea, which Cleo insisted had claimed countless lives in the past.
"So, how do we cross it?" Lux asked as he looked to where the pillar of light was shining.
"We can't," Cleo replied.
"Excuse me?" Lux glanced at the Saintess with a confused look on his face. "What do you mean we can't?"
"Just like I said, we can't," Cleo stated. "No one except a Supreme can fly over this sea because there is an enchantment placed on it preventing anyone aside from a Supreme from flying over it.
"Anyone who tries will find themselves falling face first in that highly acidic water that can melt metals like ice in boiling water. This is the Pantheon of Exile we are talking about. Once you enter it, you will never be able to leave it. Also, those who try to reach it never came back alive."
A frown then appeared on Lux's face. He had just used the Elysium Compendium to gain information about the Purple Sea of Death, and it was just as Cleo had said.
According to the Compendium, unless someone is completely immune to acid, they would not be able to swim through the waters, let alone reach the Pantheon of Exile.
"It's getting late, and that Wicked Queen Slime is still out there," Cleo said softly. "Why don't we stay in the Stronghold first and rest for the night? You can leave this place tomorrow and return to the Capital if you like."
"Return?" Lux asked. "Why should we return?"
"Because no matter what you do, you will not be able to cross that sea," Cleo answered. "Also, there are Sea Monsters who are immune to acid that live there. All of them are Deimos-Ranked and above. Aside from them, there are also Wraiths patrolling the sky above the sea. Many believe that these were the spirits of those who have died in their attempt to cross these waters."
The frown on Lux's face deepened as he listened to Cleo's words.
"So, you brought us here to feel helpless, is that it?" Gaap asked with a smile. "You want Lux to see this sea and hope that he will give up on seeing Aurora, right?"
"I would be lying if I said no." Cleo nodded. "I want Lux to see that his goal to reach the Pantheon of Exile was impossible from the start. Unless you are a Supreme, you can't fly over those waters. That place is where the most dangerous creatures and individuals, who can threaten the stability of Agartha, are kept.
"Even if they manage to escape the Pantheon of Exile, they will not be able to cross this sea alive, leaving them with no other option but to stay on that island forever."
Lux pondered for a bit and was about to experiment when he felt someone tug on his robes.
"Let's rest for the night," Gaap said. "I know that you are feeling impatient, but we have had a long journey. We need to get some proper rest before you attempt to cross that sea. Not to mention, Lilian is still out there somewhere. She might even attack us while you are conducting experiments, so it is best to recuperate a bit in order to regain our spirits."
Lux sighed as he glanced at the pillar of light rising from the horizon. He had been feeling on edge as of late because of Lilian's stalking. He was certain that now that their negotiations had ended, the Wicked Queen Slime might resort to violence in order to capture Eiko.
Although he wasn't too worried since his Master was there, he still felt that it was his responsibility to protect the Baby Slime from harm.
Because of this, he reluctantly nodded his head and agreed to rest for the time being and conduct his experiments to cross the sea when morning came.
A few minutes later, they entered the Gates of the Stronghold, and they were welcomed by the Commander, who was tasked to ensure that if and when something could cross the Purple Sea of Death, they would warn the Capital City at once and inform their King of such an event.
Commander Garen, who was the top dog of the Stronghold of Atlas, welcomed Cleo politely.
Similar to the Saintess, the commander was also a Saint. He was stationed in the Stronghold to act as its Guardian, just in case something powerful was to emerge from the sea and invade Agartha.
"This is His Majesty's Decree," Cleo stated as he handed the scroll to the Commander. "Please read it. This is the reason for our visit."
Commander Garen nodded and opened the scroll. A moment later, a scowl appeared on his face before he glanced at Lux and Gaap, who were standing behind the Saintess.
"Madness." Commander Garen scoffed. "They want to see THAT girl and even set her free? By the Gods, are all of you Highlanders insane? Our King also agreed to this farce?"
"Watch your words, Commander." Cleo frowned. "Our King has given his decree. We only came here to let you know why we are here."
Commander Garen rolled up the scroll and returned it to the Saintess. However, his next words made the frown on Cleo's face deepen.
"I don't mind providing food and shelter to you, Cleo," Commander Garen said. "But my Stronghold doesn't have a place for these Highlanders who are courting death. If they really want to, they can camp outside our walls. There is plenty of space there."
"Commander…" Cleo was about to say something, but Garen raised his hand to stop her.
"I am the Commanding Officer of this stronghold," Garen declared. "I have read the King's Decree, and I will tolerate their presence here. But that doesn't mean I am obligated to shelter them. They can stay if they want, but only outside the walls of this Fortress. As to how they will cross the Purple Sea of Death, I'd like to see them try."
Commander Garen sneered at the two Highlanders, who looked back at him as if they were looking at someone dumb.
However, in order to prevent any more possible conflicts, Lux and Gaap left the stronghold and decided to camp outside.
Eiko looked at the Commander and stuck out her tongue in his direction. Clearly, she didn't like people who looked down on her Papa.
Cleo gritted her teeth and followed the Half-Elf and Halfling, but not before glaring at Commander Garren.
The Commander of the Stronghold of Atlas only shrugged as if he couldn't be bothered by childish tantrums.
No one could cross the Purple Sea of Death unless they were a Supreme. Only death would follow those who were stupid enough to ignore their warnings.
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