Chapter 2135 Long Journey Ahead

"You want to go where?"

Luca blinked, thinking he must have heard wrong.

Before leaving, Adam had arrived at Luca's place in Lords' Borough.

By now, he knew that his friend was a descendant of House Claudius. So it wasn't surprising that he could afford such a villa in such an affluent and well-protected neighborhood.

In fact, the villa may be affluent and posh to Adam, but to Luca, it was perhaps just another house in one of the many worlds of the Imperium.

"You heard me," Adam said as he nodded at the steward who brought him a cup of coffa. "You want to come with me or nah?"

Luca glanced at Adam suspiciously. For the past three months, he had gone missing. When Luca saw him again, there was a stench of blood around him. And now, out of the blue, he was asking him to accompany him to Fortune's End.

Meanwhile, the moment Adam tasted the coffa, his eyes lit up. "Nine hells, where did you get this?"

"Don't know," Luca replied absentmindedly. "I think it's from Mat'Ka."

Adam whistled in surprise.

Mat'Ka was Myrrandor's neighbor. It was the fourth world in the stellar system. It was terraformed sometime in the Fourth Epoch. The vast population of that planet consists of humans.

"Why do you wish to go there?" Luca asked.

Adam drank the entire coffa in one gulp, savoring the bitter taste as it jolted him to focus. He wove a simple hand seal and tapped on the table between him and Luca. A transparent sound barrier formed around them.

"I want to visit Leto Morgan," he said. "There's something I wish to know."

Luca frowned. "Leto Morgan? The thief?"

"Well, technically, he's not a thief." Adam's lips twitched. "But yes. Him. I want to speak with him."

"Why?"

"He was arrested the same night Valerian was kidnapped," Adam replied truthfully. "That night, all of us were celebrating at the Rabbit Hole, you remember, yes? I believe there's a connection. And it's my mind that has been itching constantly, thinking of it. So I want to visit Morgan and get to the bottom of this."

There was no point in lying to Luca. But there was also no need to reveal every little detail to him.

The young Paladin grew solemn. "You think the two are related?"

"Yes."

"Instinct or…"

"Both," Adam replied. "I've done some investigation. My gut also tells me there's something fishy. So, you coming?"

He thought of something and added, "You don't have anything to do, do you?"

"No." Luca stroked his chin.

"Not really. I've been meeting some of my House's vassals in the city. It's stupid and boring. Though, I guess it's part of my responsibility. I do represent House Claudius. It would not do to not meet them while I'm in the city."

Adam was intrigued. "You have vassals in Davos?"

"We have vassals in most major worlds in the Imperium," Luca said casually. He wasn't trying to show off. It was just the truth. "The Great Noble Houses have been around since the last epoch. So you can imagine how many families have sworn allegiance to us over the millennia.

"These families handle local affairs, manage our interests, and report to the House. In return, they receive our protection and patronage. But of course, because of the God Emperor's decree, the local institutions and factions govern Myrrandor. The Houses still have vested interests in this world."

"Huh." Adam was a little surprised. "Didn't think you'd be into all this socializing and noble nonsense."

Luca snorted. "Neither did I. But it comes with the territory. House Claudius has obligations to the families under our banner, and sometimes that means sitting through a few tedious dinners."

He leaned back in his chair and sighed. "It's not exactly exciting, but it's part of the position. Besides, some of them have served our House for many generations. It would be rude to ignore them entirely."

"Oh, well." Adam slapped his knees and rose to his feet. "You do you, my good man. I suppose you won't be joining me then."

Luca considered for a moment, then asked, "Can you wait for a week? Or is this thing very urgent?"

"Urgent? No. Not really, I guess." Adam shrugged.

Then he grinned. "See you in a week, then?"

Luca agreed. They decided to meet here one week from now. Then they would depart for Winterdale.

For the next seven days, Adam spent most of his time training with Hannibal. The rest of the time was spent working at the Rabbit Hole. Every night before going to sleep, he practiced mindfulness for an hour.

He did not tell his teacher where he was going. Hannibal and Morgan were friends, after all.

If Hannibal learned that his student was going to interrogate his friend, Adam had no idea what he would think.

So it was better not to disclose the particulars of his journey. Hannibal was just glad that Adam was going out on adventures and not remaining cooped up in the city like a lovesick swan.

Seven days later, Adam and Luca finally departed from Davos and began their journey north.

"Did you bring warm clothes?" Luca asked that night as the two made camp. "The north is surprisingly cold. Reminds me of home."

Adam nodded as he sat by the fire. Flames danced in his dark eyes as he was lost in thought.

To reach Fortune's End, they would first have to travel to Winterdale. That journey alone would take them six to eight months, depending on how much time they wasted en route fighting bandits and beasts and orcs.

From Winterdale, it would take another couple of months to traverse the Frozen Sea and arrive at their destination.

All in all, it would take them about a year, give or take, to reach Fortune's End.

It was a long journey ahead.

He sighed, murmuring into the wind, "Hope it's worth it."

Luca let out a hearty laugh. "Who cares if it's worth it? It's the journey that matters. And this is going to be one grand adventure."

Adam smiled at his friend's words.

He thought of Valerian and how he would have loved to be a part of this adventure.

But Adam was making this journey for his little brother. He had to get to the root of everything. He had to uncover the truth and find out who the mastermind behind it all was.

He silently prayed in his heart:

Val. Where you are, I hope you are well. I hope you are happy.

And I hope you know that I'm always thinking of you.

I miss you.

I miss you so much…