The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 1420: Rory’s Answer

The third leg of the tournament commenced at the break of dawn.

Originally featuring 128 criminals, the tournament had whittled down to a mere 32 combatants. These participants were arranged into 16 matches, with two duels unfolding concurrently within the vast arena.

Klaus found his opponent to be Kael Ignivar—a development that failed to elicit any surprise.

Icon had already transmitted the intelligence she gathered while surveilling Lord Varkos. In previous times, monitoring someone of that stature would have been a Herculean task for Klaus.

Yet, with his brilliant Icon, even shadowing a Celestial became feasible. Naturally, he stopped short of such extremes; Klaus recognized that despite the rapid evolution of technology, even Icon remained vulnerable.

As he scaled the heights of power, so too did Icon’s capabilities. Consequently, for the time being, she focused exclusively on lower-tier entities like Lord Varkos, who had thoroughly ruined his own prospects by aligning with treacherous factions.

Prepared for any eventuality, Klaus awaited his match. Unfortunately, he suspected their clash would serve as the grand finale, likely orchestrated by the hidden machinations of that Immortal Emperor.

He opted to stay in his quarters, observing the ongoing matches with a placid demeanor.

---

Meanwhile, across the vast distance in Stella City, Klaus’s primary form acted per his earlier instructions. He accepted a challenge from one of the warriors and dismantled him so convincingly that the onlooking crowd could only heave deep, mournful sighs.

With Klaus already ranked among the top ten rising stars in the human universe, his effortless defeat of a True Immortal was deemed entirely expected.

Fortunately, as this battle coincided with the Blood Sword’s second round, those tracking the conspiracy of Supreme Elder Juo finally exerted themselves to clear Klaus’s reputation.

The Blood Sword had been engaged in his own bout millions of light-years away at that very moment.

Even considering his status as a clone, the sheer fact that the Blood Sword utilized one during the second round solidified the spectators' conclusions.

A clone is physically incapable of straying more than 10,000 light-years from its original body. More importantly, it is fundamentally impossible for a clone to manifest further clones of its own.

With Klaus now vindicated, even his former detractors stepped forward to issue apologies. This development served only to embarrass Supreme Elder Juo further, goading the Elder into intensifying his efforts to assassinate the Blood Sword.

With those distant complications left for his other self, Klaus found his current schedule blissfully empty.

Seeking to soothe his nerves, he decided to take a plunge. Upon arriving at the pool, he was caught off guard by the sight of Rory swimming in an alluring swimsuit.

"To think our paths would cross here."

At the sound of Klaus’s voice, she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, obscuring those assets that had remained remarkably firm despite her 12,000 years of life.

One peculiar boon of the apocalypse was an evolutionary trait that granted breasts a permanent, ageless perkiness. Thanks to these genetic adaptations, women no longer feared for their silhouettes, regardless of how many children they bore.

They now possessed the ability to refine their forms in ways that long-forgotten plastic surgeons could only dream of achieving.

"Ease up, I’ve no intention of devouring you... unless, of course, that is your desire," Klaus jested, shedding his robes to reveal tight swimwear that left little to the imagination regarding his paragon rod.

Rory averted her gaze, though Klaus, intent on teasing her, swam directly to her side after splashing into the water.

"Do behave like an adult, Rory. You have lived for millennia; don’t pretend you haven’t seen a man before."

Even if she had been sheltered, she had brothers; she was surely no stranger to masculine anatomy. As anticipated, she blinked rapidly before regaining her composure to face him.

Though the lighting made it difficult to discern, a faint flush stained her cheeks.

"This is my personal swimming area, you know."

Klaus chuckled, retorting, "I am well aware, yet here I am, am I not?"

She glared at him with visible lingering resentment before swimming off to gain distance. Klaus simply laughed, focusing on the water while mentally communicating with his wives via the Paragon Mark.

They kept him updated on their experiences on Planet Caelmir. Having commenced their Cultivation, they were already witnessing progress, thanks to the strategic preparations arranged by Queen Leah.

Anna, currently the most formidable among them due to the rigorous training she received from Klaus’s Uncle Monk in the Ice World, had entered seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to the Real Immortal level.

As for Klaus’s grandmother, she had found peace and was beginning to relish her time on Planet Caelmir. When the girls weren't occupied with training, they were constantly at her side.

More importantly, she finally accepted the reality of meeting her grandson soon, so she set her sights on presenting herself as elegantly as possible for the reunion.

They also mentioned a brief visit from Pickle Berry and Jane. Once Jane attained the Early Immortal stage, she unlocked the capacity for interstellar travel, and she and Pickle Berry had been wandering the cosmos ever since.

The bond between them had deepened so significantly that one could hardly doubt they had become a couple.

They clearly cherished their newfound freedom and continued their travels. Pickle Berry had matured into a stunning 18-year-old; with the two protecting one another, they ventured out to map the universe.

Lastly, Klaus learned that Queen Leah was curating a private banquet to celebrate his arrival. The women even teased him, suggesting he bless her with his star essence, as she appeared quite smitten with him.

After an hour of conversation, he turned his focus back to Rory, who had been covertly observing him all the while.

"So, have you concluded your deliberations? Are you prepared to sever your tether to the heavens?"

Rory, having pondered the matter extensively, exhaled deeply and gave a nod. Her father had instructed her to place her trust in Klaus, and she intended to honor that.

"I do have conditions," she stated, narrowing her eyes.

"I am all ears."

"You claimed that by consuming your blood, you gain the authority to rule me like a slave, correct?"

"'Slave' is such a brutal term, but yes, you have the gist of it."

"Never command me in that manner, even if my life hinges on it. I wish to remain the master of my own destiny, so I forbid you from ever invoking that bond."

Klaus inclined his head, perfectly sympathetic. He, too, would loathe being forced to act against his own will, and he promised—silently and internally—to respect that boundary.

"You have my word. However, I also have a small request."

She nodded, her eyes still narrowed in suspicion.

Klaus shrugged off her distrust. "I am partially a vampire; as payment for my assistance, grant me permission to sample your blood once a week until I rejoin my wives." "Wait, you possess wives?"

"Indeed. Thirty to be exact."

"R-really?" Her voice wavered, which, to Klaus, suggested only one interpretation.

"What is this, pray tell? Are you experiencing a touch of jealousy?"

"W-why would I possibly be j-jealous?" She put on a false smile, which only served to widen Klaus’s grin. In a single motion, he closed the distance and pulled her waist firmly toward him."