Chapter 268: Lars Teuling.

"Revenge itself is a thrilling moment that brings relief, but the process is incredibly treacherous. While my enemies died in the end, I hurt myself more, and that’s ignoring hundreds of casualties caused by my crusade." Lee said, "I can’t tell you to not step on that path, but what I can suggest is to make sure you pick the correct target.""What do you mean?" Lieve asked.

"Do you know for sure who tried to kill you?" Lee asked, "Currently we know that your friend betrayed you, but that is it!"

"What do you suggest?" She asked.

***

While Lee lectured Lieve on revenge in Driftpost, another conversation was taken place in Stonegate. Lars Teuling, Sanne’s father had arrived to meet Giel Van Graaf, the supervisor of Hollowreach. The true ruler of this world was, of course, Overlord Theron, but for centuries his will had been represented by Van Graaf family.

"What brings you here?" Giel Van Graaf asked Lars Teuling, opening a bottle of wine that arrived with the latest shipment.

Contrary to the commoners, local lords enjoyed the privilege of having high quality alcohol. Even if the two were elemental lords, they still enjoyed occasional drink that warmed their hearts and minds – living in freezing temperatures under ground wasn’t really anyone’s dream.

"Giel, we’ve known each other for many years now." Lars Teuling said, sampling the wine the host just poured. As expected, the rich flavor was a delight to the taste buds, but the warming sensation it brought was even more pleasant.

"You didn’t spend half a month in a steamrunner to tell me that, I hope." Giel said with a laugh, and emptied the glass in one go. He was a bit tired after holding the rift gate open earlier, and the wine had the necessary invigorating effect.

"I’d rather take a steamrunner than go through a rift in Hollowreach." Lars said with a shake of his head, "Even you or I can’t be certain we can open a stable one without using the only rift gate of our world."

"Spatial distortions are treacherous." Giel agreed, "That’s why the overlord provided this world with much safer transportation system. Too bad we can’t implement more advanced technology. There are worlds with flying cargo ships, you know?"

"Mhm." Lars nodded, "But I haven’t traveled as much as you. Kind of strange for a spatial elemental lord, isn’t it?"

"Everyone has their own aspirations." Giel said, "And father ignited mine. To allow his son to learn in other worlds was the greatest thing the old man could’ve done."

"He was a good lord, but even a greater friend." Lars said, taking another sip and sighing, "Too bad he was so reckless. To carelessly run through rifts in Hollowreach is basically a suicide ... I’m sorry you had to return because of that."

"It’s fate. I’m the only son – it was my obligation to continue from where my father left of." Giel said, lost in thoughts.

"And you did great!" Lars added, "Many didn’t believe you would return, much less come back already married."

Seeing Giel’s expression change, Lars said, "Sorry for bringing it up, my friend! But it’s been more than three months since she ran away – you can’t go on punishing yourself like this!"

"You don’t know she ran away!" Giel said in a dry voice, and emptied his glass. Then filled it and emptied again.

"Everyone knows that!" Lars said, "She came to Stonegate more than two months ago accompanied by her new lover – they probably long left Hollowreach through the rift gate you opened yourself. I just hate to see you suffer because of some ..."

"Don’t!" Giel interrupted him.

Lars shook his head, and said, "Your father was my best friend, and I consider you to be one too. You might not realize, but you’re hurting yourself living like this. Why don’t you meet someone for a change? Even if it’s nothing serious? Or maybe ... I have a better idea! Why don’t you organize an event and invite all the nobles of Hollowreach? Surely there’s a girl that’ll catch your eye."

"Sigh ... I’m not in the mood for that ..." Giel said.

"Alright! Why don’t you let me do it?" Lars said, "Trust me, you’ll thank me later!"

"Why are you doing this?" Giel asked with a helpless expression, "Sanne ..."

"Sanne has nothing to do with this." Lars interrupted, "I’m thinking of sending her to another world to gain experience. She’ll become an elemental lord in a decade or less. And with her looks, I don’t need to be worried. What concerns me is you, my boy. I’m pained to see you suffer."

"Whatever!" Giel said, "Do what you want!"

"As you wish, Lord Van Graaf!" Lars said with a laugh, raising his glass, "A party it is!"

***

"What’s going on?" Lieve was shocked after stepping out of steamrunner in Stonegate.

After hiding for months, they finally managed to leave Driftpost, but the central hub was unrecognizable. There were twice as many lighting formations all over the place, and while it wasn’t as bright as daytime on the surface, the streets were no longer covered in constant dusk.

Colorful banners and lantern clusters hung above, completely transforming the once gloomy hub into a carnival of lights and shadows. If the streets weren’t filled with the same people dressed in their usual pelt clothing, the two might have thought they ended up in another world.

Lieve’s question was rhetorical, but Lee directly stopped a passerby to ask the same.

"You probably just arrived." The man said, "For the past half month the lord is organizing an event to look for a new wife. Everyone knows that."

Sensing Lieve tense up, Lee asked, "Did the lord announce it or it’s just a rumor?"

"Uhmm ... there was no announcement ... but everyone knows that. And we’ll be getting free drinks the day after tomorrow!" The man happily said, "You came to Stonegate at the right time, buddy! The nobles might have their party, but we’ll get drunk all together and have much more fun! Since you’re new here, come to Wormhole tavern and meet my friends! We’ll ..."

The man was happy to blab more, but Lee thanked him and pulled Lieve away.

"Change of plans!" He said, "Let me investigate first!"

"What’s there to investigate?" Lieve said, and her tone was as bitter as it gets, "This is what he wanted all along!"

"And you base that on words of a random drunkard?" Lee asked, "Let’s not jump to conclusions."

"You’ve been saying that for months!" Lieve said.

"In that case a couple of days won’t change anything." Lee said, "Two more days. The party or the festival ... whatever it is will take place the day after tomorrow. Let’s keep low until then and afterwards you can do whatever you want."

Lee took her silence as agreement, but he knew this was likely the last time he could ask her to wait. For months he had kept her from making reckless moves, but the young woman was getting increasingly restless. He had no clue what a broken-hearted soul like her was capable of, but didn’t want to be around when the hell broke loose after she snapped.

Lee much more preferred a cold-headed approach with detailed investigation and preparation. He had wasted enough time in Hollowreach, and decided this will be his last attempt to help her. They had to play safe in case things went awry, and leave to another world if she really was in danger. That is – she was the one who had to leave. Lee still needed to get his hands on a spatial spark and he was set on doing it the old fashioned way if his new plan didn’t work.

The problem was – no matter how he looked at it, the pan wasn’t safe at all. But it was fun.