Chapter 230: Return Back to Haunfen City

Several days had passed since the sudden awakening of one of the Seven Leviathans.

The news had already spread throughout the surrounding regions, causing quite a stir and leaving many people uneasy after they learned that one of the twelve heads of Prabur’kbal, an ancient ruler of the sea that had remained dormant beneath the sea for countless years, had awakened.

Had it been left unchecked, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Fortunately, the Great Island Lord, Blauer Eismond, had arrived in time and sealed the prematurely awakened head once again, preventing it from having enough time to recover its strength or break the seal that contained its other eleven heads.

Under her command, the Alliance forces had remained in the region for the following days, working together to completely seal the awakened Leviathan once again and ensure that it would not break free.

The battle itself had lasted only a day, but the aftermath was far from simple.

The entire sea surrounding the sealed area had become unbearably hot, to the point that no ordinary ship could safely sail through it.

Only specially reinforced ships could withstand the extreme heat and cross the area safely.

Yet at the very center of the affected area was a vast expanse of frozen sea.

The contrast between the scorching waters surrounding it and the frozen ocean at its center was an extremely strange sight for everyone who had witnessed it.

It was a clear reminder of just how terrifying the battle between the Leviathan and the Great Island Lord had been.

The frozen sea left behind by Blauer’s attack had become a massive landmark, stretching across the ocean like a gigantic frozen plain.

And Alliance forces had established temporary bases throughout the surrounding area, while a dedicated force had been assigned to continuously monitor the Leviathan’s movements and condition.

After all, no one was willing to take any chances with an ancient beast of that level.

It was fortunate that they had managed to take action in time, but there was no way they could allow the seal to be compromised a second time.

Meanwhile, Jake and the others had finally returned to Haunfen City after escaping the ruins.

After everything they had experienced, Jake was completely exhausted.

They had barely escaped the ruins alive, only to become caught up in a world-shaking battle between an ancient Leviathan and the Great Island Lord herself.

Even now, Jake still felt like his mind hadn’t fully caught up with everything that had happened.

As soon as they returned to the city, Vivian told him to get some rest.

"We’ll talk later," she said. "I have quite a few things to deal with right now, especially with everything happening here. I also need to assist Lord Blauer with her arrangements."

Jake nodded.

He wasn’t about to argue.

He was exhausted enough that the moment someone told him to rest, he was more than willing to listen.

Vivian had also helped arrange a suitable place for Samu’dra to stay temporary.

Since Samu’dra had only recently joined them and was still unfamiliar with the city, Vivian wanted to make sure she had somewhere comfortable and secure to stay while they remained in Haunfen City.

Jake was honestly surprised by how quickly Vivian had managed to arrange everything despite how busy she was.

But before Jake could say anything, Aria suddenly spoke.

"Jake, wait for me. I’ll be gone for a while."

"Hm?"

"I need to discuss something with Madam Vivian and deal with some matters."

"Oh? Alright."

Aria glanced toward Vivian before walking over to her.

Then Jake watched the two of them leave together.

And just like that...

He was left behind with Grace once again.

Jake slowly turned his head toward her.

Grace was already looking at him as their eyes met.

For a brief moment, neither of them said anything.

Then Grace smiled.

"...So, it’s just the two of us again."

Jake smiled and nodded.

"Yes..."

Then Grace slowly reached out and intertwined her fingers with his.

Jake glanced down at their joined hands before looking back at her.

Grace didn’t say anything.

She simply held his hand a little tighter, her thumb gently brushing against the back of his hand.

After everything that had happened over the past few days, the simple warmth of her touch felt strangely comforting.

Jake let out a quiet breath as he could feel the tension in his body slowly beginning to fade.

Grace stepped a little closer as her shoulder touch his arm.

Jake could feel the warmth coming from her body, and when he looked at her again, he noticed that she was already watching him.

Neither of them looked away.

And there was something different in her eyes this time.

...Something softer.

And yet there was also a faint desire hidden beneath it.

Seeing this, Jake’s heartbeat slowly quickened.

Grace’s fingers tightened around his.

"...I missed you so much," she whispered. "I was so worried that it felt like my world had become lifeless all over again..."

Jake smiled wryly at her words.

He already knew how much Grace loved him.

To her, he wasn’t just a companion or a crewmate.

He had become someone incredibly important in her life, someone she couldn’t bear to lose.

And honestly... the same went for him.

If their positions had been reversed, Jake knew he probably would have already gone berserk trying to find her.

The thought of Grace disappearing without a trace, not knowing whether she was alive or hurt... he didn’t think he could have simply sat around and waited.

He would have searched everywhere and he would have kept searching until he found her, no matter how dangerous it became.

Just imagining it made his chest tighten.

And after everything that had happened, he could understand why she had been so worried.

"Sorry..." Jake murmured, knowing that was all he could really say.

Grace shook her head.

"Don’t apologize."

She moved a little closer, her fingers still intertwined with his.

"I know it isn’t your fault... Just... try not to make me worry like that again."

Jake’s smile softened.

"I’ll... promise."

The words came out a little awkwardly, but Grace could hear the sincerity behind them.

She smiled gently.

"That’s enough for me."

But then, Grace’s smile deepened.

She leaned slightly closer and gestured for him to lower his head.

Jake blinked in confusion but leaned down anyway.

Grace moved closer, her lips near his ear as her voice dropped to a quiet whisper.

"...Jake."

"Hm?"

She hesitated for a moment before shyly glancing up at him.

"...Why don’t we go somewhere a little more private?"

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, but the playful smile on her lips made her meaning clear.

"It’s been a while... I’ve missed you."

"...!"

Jake turn to look and saw the flush spreading across Grace’s cheeks.

But what caught his attention most were her golden eyes.

There was a familiar spark in them, one that Jake had come to recognize all too well.

’Oh...’

It seemed that switch hadn’t been turned off at all during the entire journey back.

If anything, all those days apart had only made it stronger.