Legacy of Hatred

Due to a twist of fate, Liam had ended up on the opposite side of the Kingdom from where Grace was, and the predicament couldn’t be worse.

While the sudden departure might help Liam, he didn’t care about himself. Grace was running away from the Church, with barely any distance from her pursuers, and Liam wasn’t there to protect her.

Because of that, Liam couldn’t leave his communication at that short message, promptly adding another. ’I destroyed the teleport on this side. I can fly in a straight line to you, or I can just attack Churches until I find another teleport.’

Liam wasn’t saying any of that to appease his lover. He was genuinely worried. He wanted to return to Grace’s side as soon as possible. That priority was so high on his list he honestly couldn’t think of anything more important.

Still, the logistics were genuinely impossible. Liam realized as much, and the mental message that reached him listed them better than he ever could.

’Dear, even if nothing stops you, you’d be looking at a journey of at least half a year while flying close to the Inner Circles,’ Grace said, her tone quite calm.

Grace knew how dangerous the Inner Circles were for Liam, but the safe route would take far longer. Instead of cutting through the Kingdom, Liam could circle it, avoiding the Enforcement Guild’s barriers as well. The issue was that he would be looking at years of travel.

Such a long period would defeat the purpose of Liam’s intentions, and Grace was quick to reject his other idea, too.

’Even if you find another teleport, you won’t know its destination. Since the Dragon King is aware of the Church’s doings, you are more likely to teleport in front of him than at my side,’ Grace explained.

That was only one of many worst-case scenarios. Liam would be done for even if he appeared before a random leafing expert from the Church. He also didn’t know formations, making everything more dangerous.

It was truly vexing, but that distance wasn’t a problem Liam could fix, not immediately.

’I don’t want to leave you alone,’ Liam conveyed, a complaint being the only thing within his power.

Grace took longer to reply this time, but her tone sounded happy when she did. ’I’m not alone anymore. My handsome Master took me and gave me a new life between his arms. He is just away, but he’ll return to me even if he has to kill everyone on his path, won’t he?’

Liam knew that Grace couldn’t possibly like that development, but her voice was sweet nonetheless. It seemed their time together had finally eased the burden of her trauma, giving her more confidence in their relationship.

’Of course, but what about the Church?’ Liam asked, unable to stop worrying about that issue.

’Your prized possession isn’t some helpless damsel, and she’ll cling to life even harder now that she knows how desperately her Master wants to reunite with her.’ Grace reassured.

Teases aside, Grace was right. She was extremely capable. She was the reason why Liam had gotten that far so quickly, but she still followed up with a more serious reassurance.

’Liam, everyone here is strong, capable, and experienced. We are all in the same predicament, too. Few would admit it, but they are all grateful for your warning. Your prowess has also inspired them, and I’m not saying this just because I’m hopelessly in love,’ Grace stated.

Liam wasn’t sure about being inspiring, but Grace had indeed quite the strong group. Rooting experts aside, her companions included two powerful warriors, another merchant, an alchemist, and a master at gathering information.

Even individual Guild’s branches couldn’t match that makeshift force, and Liam had at least confirmed that its branching experts were trustworthy. Some might split up along the way, but Liam believed Black Hound and Master Vermillion wouldn’t.

Actually, for some reason, Red Boar felt like the most trustworthy in that regard.

’Where should we reunite?’ Liam asked. It was still too early, but having a general meeting point in mind would keep his journey on track.

Honestly, the question was superfluous. Liam knew there was only one possible destination.

’Once we reach the border and reorganize, only the western region can follow,’ Grace said.

’It’s next, then,’ Liam sighed internally, having expected that answer.

The couple already had that conversation, and Grace had rejected the idea, but the Church had ruined their plans, forcing that destination to come far sooner.

The western region had Grace’s Clan, which she claimed she and Liam weren’t ready to face yet. Actually, her exact words had involved a plan of sorts, but Liam’s approach to life was far simpler.

’If I were stronger,’ Liam concluded, ’Grace wouldn’t need plans at all.’

Strength was the foundation of everything. As someone who was also on the path of vengeance, Liam would respect Grace’s wishes in how to deal with her Clan, but the best way to support her could only come in the form of power.

Which was why Liam had to make the following request, no matter how annoying and unfair he found it. ’Grace, can I ask you to wait for me again?’

Liam didn’t add details, but Grace didn’t need them to understand him.

’Will you stay safe?’ Grace asked, her timid tone leaking into the communication.

The original plan had been to grow stronger in the northern region before facing greater dangers. That obviously wasn’t possible anymore, and the same went for a quick reunion. Grace had reassured Liam, so there was only one thing to do.

It was the same strategy Liam had settled for since leaving the Pale Moon Sect. He would indeed move west, but he wouldn’t just focus on traveling. That wouldn’t change his powerlessness. Instead, exploiting what the southern region had to offer might.

Of course, Grace would benefit the most from a far stronger Liam, but the strategy also implied a longer journey, delaying the reunion even further, hence the unfair request.

’I’ll always come back to you,’ Liam promised. It wouldn’t be safe, so he didn’t utter that lie, but he could swear that much.

The situation was different from Melissa and Horace Rauret. Liam hadn’t lost anything. That was just a temporary separation. His happiness still existed. She was still with him, just countless miles away.

If Liam had to prolong that separation to ensure that it would never happen again, he would.

’But update me often and tell me if anything happens. That’s an order,’ Liam made sure to add, even leveraging the fact that Grace had sold herself to him. If something truly risked happening, he would throw caution to the wind and rush to her side.

’Master Liam, I hope you didn’t expect me to stop contacting you. I may be unable to continue training you physically, but I’ll make full use of my voice,’ Grace declared.

The tone Grace had used created an exact picture of her expression in Liam’s mind, and he smiled at it. Things were truly different this time. While not good, they had at least improved, confirming his growth.

’I’ll work on this expert I captured now. I’ll hear from you soon,’ Liam conveyed, ready to get back to business.

However, Grace’s response turned Liam’s smile into a smirk. ’Is this expert a woman?’

Grace’s greed also implied jealousy, and Liam had benefited from it quite a lot. He was almost about to tease her but opted for reassurance due to the situation.

’You know I love you,’ Liam exclaimed.

Nevertheless, Liam’s smirk froze entirely when he heard Grace’s reply. ’I stole you from another, haven’t I?’