Published at 28th of October 2026 8:07 am

Chapter 2147: Inner Conflict

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Out of caution and to prevent being ambushed by nefarious parties on their return journey, Adam and Luca traveled by ship.

They cruised south along the West Coast and reached the Free City of Davos within four months.

This should have been a straightforward journey, but due to how long the prison made them wait to vet their background information, it took them one and a half years.

Night had already fallen by the time the city came into view. Adam stood on the main deck, leaning against the railing as he gazed at the moons of Myrrandor.

He couldn’t help but think that the journey had been a waste. He had expected to find answers from Morgan, but instead he only got a name. Now, he had to look for the man named Havel Norwood.

Worse still, he had a bad feeling that others would be upon him simply because of his association with Leto Morgan.

He had expected this, of course. But still, it left a bad taste in his mouth.

"What’re you thinking?" Luca arrived to stand beside him and slapped his shoulder.

"Nothing," Adam replied absentmindedly. "The last time I was on a ship, I had been a slave, you know?"

Luca quirked a brow. "Is that so? Your luck sure is rotten, Constantine."

Adam couldn’t help but laugh. "That it is."

"What happened after?"

"I was almost sold to the slavers down in Dark Port," Adam replied. "But I managed to trick the pirates who caught me. Got them arrested by the Watch instead. It was... thrilling."

Luca rolled his eyes. "Of course, it was."

He glanced at the city’s silhouette gradually expanding on the horizon. "So what plans now? Are you going to continue to investigate, you know, the things you told me about?"

"Yes." Adam’s eyes narrowed. "But I’ll be inconspicuous about it. Don’t want the Night Guild sending assassins in the night after me."

Luca snorted. "’Tis what happens when you lie in bed with thieves."

"What are your plans?" Adam asked him, smoothly changing the subject. "Don’t you have to return to Invicta to see your family or whatever?"

"Why would I go there?" Luca asked. "I spent all my life there. Now is the time to adventure, gain experience, and work toward the Transcendent Rank. After that, things will get serious."

Adam knew he was referring to the war.

As someone from one of the Great Noble Houses, it was Luca’s duty to participate in the Imperium’s wars. To set an example.

"I have some things planned," Luca added with a cryptic smile. "If I find some clues, I’ll inform you."

Adam probed for more, but Luca simply laughed.

The ship soon anchored, and after the dock officers checked their identification and other documents, Adam and Luca went their separate ways.

***

Adam first dropped by the Rabbit Hole to speak to his teacher.

"How was your journey?" Hannibal, as usual, stood behind the bar counter and smiled when Adam arrived.

"Boring," Adam answered honestly. "Very boring."

"And how is Leto?"

Adam remained silent for a while before replying, "As well as a prisoner at Fortune’s End is supposed to be, I guess."

He looked his teacher in the eye as he leaned forward. "Did you make arrangements for him?"

"Don’t worry about that," Hannibal assured him.

Adam heaved a sigh of relief.

"Why did you send me that letter, Adam?" Hannibal asked. "I’m assuming you wanted to keep your meeting with Leto a secret from me."

Adam smiled sheepishly, like a child who had been caught stealing candy from a pantry way past bedtime.

"Well, he is your friend, isn’t he?"

Hannibal smiled. "That he is."

With nothing else to discuss, Adam suddenly asked, "So... does training resume tomorrow?"

Hannibal returned to his work. "Same time as usual."

"Alright!" Adam grinned.

He caught hold of Ira, who was socializing with a few adventurers, and had a brief chat with her before leaving the tavern.

Watching Adam leave, Hannibal felt a pang of guilt.

His responsibilities as an Unknown Lord and his role as Adam’s teacher had come into conflict.

As an Unknown Lord, he could not divulge the truth about what had happened almost a decade ago. His duties demanded that he keep the matter a secret, no matter how much he regretted it.

But as Adam’s teacher, he found himself in a difficult position.

For the sake of his duty, he would not reveal what had happened that night. But neither would he prevent Adam from uncovering the truth himself. He owed his student at least that much.

Perhaps one day, Adam would discover everything. He would learn of Hannibal’s involvement and realize that his teacher had known the truth all along.

And when that day came, Hannibal could only hope that Adam would understand.

Perhaps he would even ask his student for forgiveness.

Whether Adam would grant it was another matter entirely.

***

Oblivious to his teacher’s inner conflict, Adam made his way to 30 Faber Street.

It was a thirty-minute walk from the Rabbit Hole. He finally arrived at his manor in Blue Borough. As he unlocked the door, he casually spread his senses throughout the house.

Then he froze.

A moment later, he burst through the door, rushed up the stairs, and arrived on the third floor, silent as a ghost. The entire floor served as his bedroom, study, and library all in one.

The door to the balcony was open, and the cool breeze from the ocean danced its way in.

Adam’s heart skipped a beat when he saw a woman in a white nightgown sitting on a wooden recliner on the balcony. Her long, auburn hair flowed freely as she rested her legs on the coffa table and read a book.

Sensing something, Genevieve turned her head ever so slightly. Her cerulean eyes lit up and her lips curled into a beautiful smile as she saw Adam standing there like a statue.

"Hello, my love."

She quickly got to her feet and rushed to her lover’s embrace. Oh, how much she had missed him. His scent. His warmth. His everything. It felt so good to feel him again.

Adam was still in a daze. "When did you get here? Why didn’t you tell me?"

Genevieve cupped Adam’s bearded face before kissing him deeply.

"I wanted to surprise you."

"Color me surprised." Adam scooped her into his arms and walked toward the bed.

Genevieve giggled as she put her arms around Adam’s neck. Her laughter was like the sound of music to his ears.

He gently laid her on the bed. Then he cradled her face and softly stroked her hair, careful not to cause her discomfort with his calloused hand.

"I missed you," Genevieve whispered, looking into his eyes.

"And I missed you," Adam said with the most sincere smile. "This feels nice, you know?"

"What does?"

"Having someone wait for you at home." Adam smiled. "This is new for me. It feels... good."

"Oh, Adam." Genevieve’s heart melted at his words, and she pulled him closer for another kiss.

"You’ll always have someone to come home to. And that someone will always be me. I am your love. I am your home."

"I love you," Adam said gently.

He recalled how, all those years ago, he had been so afraid to say those words. Afraid they would sound hollow. Afraid that Genevieve would not say the words back.

But it had been Genevieve who had said them first. She had meant it back then, as she meant it right now.

"And I love you," she replied, speaking from the bottom of her heart.

Adam smiled. He found himself losing in her eyes. "Tell me all about your trip back home."

"I will. I will." Genevieve wrinkled her nose a little. "But first, go take a shower while I prepare you some dinner."

The corner of Adam’s lips twitched. He took a sniff from underneath his shirt. He really did stink of sweat and the sea. "Oh."

"You’re so adorable." Genevieve burst into laughter as she gently pulled his cheek. "Go now. There’s so much I want to talk to you about. And I also brought gifts for you."

"Really?" In Genevieve’s company, Adam felt the wonder and excitement of a child again.

"Really." Genevieve leaned forward and brushed her nose against his. Then she pecked him on the lips and got out of bed. "Hurry along now."

Adam watched her leave, feeling boundless love and gratitude in his heart.

Then he sniffed his tunic again and grimaced.

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