Legacy of Hatred

Chapter 363: Arm

Smoking came from Horace Rauret, so Liam didn’t want to drop the habit. However, he had also acknowledged the resource issues long ago.

Liam’s requirements were too high. He was in the Heavens’ world, but his talent stood beyond them. Nothing that existed had been created with him in mind.

In theory, smoking was already an affordable approach. It wasn’t debilitating, hence not requiring seclusions. It lasted longer comparatively, and Liam could save a lot through his familiarity with the recipe.

Nevertheless, there was another option, one that Liam had already considered. Certain environments could be suitable cultivation grounds. The issue was finding them.

But Liam could avoid that requirement entirely now. He could mold the world to his needs. He had done so in the Cathedral.

The Master’s Pride could create ever-expanding bogs that released poison. Its recipe involved Liam’s venom, which couldn’t nourish his cultivation, but altering it could solve that issue.

It would be expensive, but it would also save money long-term. Creating an ever-expanding swamp would provide Liam with nutrients continuously. He would be stuck in it. It would be a proper seclusion, but Liam might finally have the opportunity to stand still for a while if he moved to the next region.

After all, it seemed the world didn’t know much about the real Liam. Changing region had to be enough of a safe distance from what could expose him.

"List me what you need," Grace nodded. "But you’ll have to be there when purchasing the ingredients. Actually, I’ll need you to inspect all the potential new suppliers."

"Of course," Liam immediately replied. The issue had already presented itself after all. His ability to spot faulty ingredients was what had started that whole partnership.

Grace seemed to forget about the world as her mind delved deeper into business. However, Liam didn’t. He just couldn’t.

After getting closer a few times and turning, Grace was literally there. Liam only had to lower his head to reach her face. He only had to raise his arms to envelop her in his embrace.

Worse of all, Liam wanted to do that and more.

"Can you turn?" Liam requested, looking away. "And scoot a bit further?"

The request snapped Grace from her business calculations. She looked at Liam’s turned face before realizing where she was, as well as noticing the tent that had been poking at her for a while.

"Master Liam," Grace cleared her throat, turning and adjusting her position. "Are you aware of me?"

"Yes," Liam responded honestly, managing to continue looking away until Grace brushed her hair behind her ear, the elegance of that gesture drawing his gaze.

"Good," Grace coldly said, not adding anything else.

Liam refocused on Grace’s back, but squeezed his eyes shut. He thought he had finally understood that part of life, or at least achieved a decent amount of clarity, but the unforeseen development had taken him completely by surprise.

’Why am I feeling like this?’ Liam cursed internally. ’I have a lover. I have a lover.’

Liam repeated that line a few times before prying one eye open, but catching the shape of Grace’s figure intensified what his other senses had continued to capture.

’Why do I want someone who isn’t Melissa?’ Liam wondered, shutting his eyes close again. ’Am I a bad lover?’

Truth be told, Liam had it easy until now. Being faithful wasn’t challenging when his brain didn’t react to beauty at all. That trait only ever had meaning when Melissa was involved.

Liam didn’t even know it was possible to be attracted to multiple women simultaneously. He didn’t understand that, nor was it his life experience, but that was exactly his pickle now.

’Brother Lancelot, help me,’ Liam instinctively thought before realizing his mistake. He knew what Lancelot would say. And, to Liam’s dismay, part of him would agree with his sworn Brother.

People couldn’t choose what they desired, and Liam was incredibly greedy. He wanted it all, that declaration being far more than empty words. It was a stance on life he couldn’t take back, now leading to unforeseen consequences.

’I have a lover,’ Liam repeated in his mind as he carefully restarted the brushing session. ’I have a lover. I have a lover. I ...’

"I had actually discovered something about the Church during one of the Sect’s missions," Liam announced, hoping resuming the tale would help him remain faithful. "It’s one of the reasons I wanted to visit Archbishop Ignatius’ inheritance."

Liam and Grace had been together after his departure from the Pale Moon Sect, so he could jump to the last events directly.

"The Archbishop’s spirit gave me the answers I sought because he recognized my lineage," Liam continued. "The Church is trying to create an eighth ancestral bloodline by harnessing the others. Well, stealing them from everyone but the Dragons."

Despite the Clan’s records, that piece of information was new to Grace, as well as mind-blowing. She also didn’t need additional explanations to draw the necessary connections. She understood that the Dragon King was involved and that both she and Liam were potential targets.

It turned out that becoming the Church’s enemy had always been just a matter of time.

"The Archbishop was against that," Liam explained. "It’s why his spirit helped in the inheritance. However, we found Elder Dominic waiting for us outside. Escaping was hard, so we decided to kill him."

"We?" Grace asked. "I heard that Lancelot took the inheritance and defeated Elder Dominic."

"That’s a lie Brother Lancelot chose to say to protect me," Liam revealed, summoning something from his black ring. "The spirit told him about my lineage, and he decided to help. He truly is a Brother."

Liam couldn’t put into words how grateful he felt toward Lancelot. He honestly still had no idea how to respond to such kindness and the acceptance he had received despite the immense issues his existence carried.

Truth was, the same went for Grace. She and Lancelot had accepted Liam despite knowing everything, so he would vow his life to them in return.

The item wrapped in cloth that Liam had offered Grace distracted her from that multilayered revelation. She took it, unwrapping it, only to frown at the severed, mangled limb that filled her vision.

"That’s Dominic’s arm," Liam declared, a low hiss following his human words. "The one he hit you with."