Spending five days at sea is indeed a bit long and boring. In the evening, back in his room, Laine noticed Teresa was reading a book, so the man walked over and sat beside the woman. "What are you reading?"
"I'm reading about some things left behind by the Wizard Empire." Teresa saw Laine come over, so she intentionally leaned towards him. Laine neither actively rejected nor accepted her, leaving her feeling very happy. The female sorcerer then leaned her whole body into his embrace. "Interested in knowing more? There's a reward!"
"What reward?" Laine asked curiously.
"...Go clean yourself up, and then I'll tell you." Teresa indicated that the man should go shower in the compartment.
On the ocean, fresh water and hot water are precious resources, but for Laine and Teresa, obtaining fresh water wasn't difficult. After Laine cleaned himself up, he found Teresa sitting on his bed. The woman had opened the window of the cabin, and when she saw Laine coming out, there was a flicker of light in her eyes, and she motioned for Laine to sit next to her. "Come sit down."
The woman's purple high heels were placed under the bed, and the man sat on the bed. "Where's the reward?" Get full chapters from NoveI★Fire.net
"Don't rush..." Teresa burrowed into the man's arms, sitting on his lap. "Do you like it? That's the reward."
"I suppose I can't say I don't like it." Laine gently embraced her, and the two of them leaned against the window, watching the rolling waves in the dark night.
After a while, Teresa finally said softly, "Exploring the ruins is very important to me. It involves my father's matter."
"Yes, my father." The scent of lavender wafted through as Teresa sighed. "My father... disappeared in the ruins."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Laine expressed his sorrow.
"It has nothing to do with you... Although it has been many years, my mother and I still hope that my father is alive. We both believe that, as powerful as he was, he wouldn't die easily." The female sorcerer snuggled into the man's embrace, as if to draw warmth. "So the exploration of Polis must continue."
Polis, located in the Tazier Desert, was once the capital of the Human Wizard Empire. Now, the former glory is completely buried beneath the ruins, and whether it's the Jialan Council, the Imperial Royal Wizard Academy, or the other major caster organization on the Continent—the Wizard Alliance—they all attempt to excavate the secrets and wealth left behind, but the ruins are extremely dangerous, with numerous terrifying evil creations and alchemical corruption permeating its horrific remnants, and severe magical imbalance. In that magical place, sometimes a gust of the Wind of Chaos can wipe out an entire army instantly, while at other times it can completely restore all the strength and magic power of a hopeless traveler in an instant.
"Your father... how long has he been missing in the ruins?" Laine deliberated for a moment before speaking up.
"Twenty years." Teresa sighed deeply; this time was indeed far too long.
"Then I must speak frankly. Unless your father lost his memory or deliberately ran away and didn't return home, even if he is still alive, he is no longer your father... he has become something else." Laine said without hesitation.
By rights, he should comfort the female sorcerer, perhaps saying "I'm sure your father is fine" or "You will definitely meet again," but he felt it unnecessary as the female sorcerer wasn't a fool.
"I know, but whether alive or dead, I must see him. Even if he's become something else, my mother and I will personally end his suffering."
"As long as you understand."
"Alright, rest, Laine. I won't be leaving tonight, but you can't do anything else." Teresa took out a pillow.
"You're making it more difficult for me, Teresa."
"Hmm... alright, you can touch what you like... but no more than that..." Her voice grew smaller and smaller until it became almost inaudible.
"That's more like it..."
Then came the sound of the blanket covering the two of them, and the faint breathing masked by the sound of the waves.
The next morning, Laine was on the deck, enjoying the sea breeze. Many familiar faces arrived, including the Half-Elf Ranger Estelle, Alfred, Lops, and others he knew well.
The Half-Elf was apparently not very suited to being on a ship. Seeing his poor complexion, Laine took the initiative to talk to him. "Ace, aren't you going to continue as Mr. Mats' guard?"
"That was just a transaction, my friend. The forest tells us not to stay in one place for too long. Nord is too cold, and if Mr. Mats hadn't offered a high price, I certainly wouldn't have chosen to take that dangerous journey with you." The Half-Elf covered himself with a hood; it was winter, and the weather was very cold.
Due to the divine power of Sea God Manannan, the ocean does not freeze until December. It's currently early November, so maritime transportation is still operational. After it freezes in December, it won't thaw until February of the next year along the Nord coastline.
"It was indeed a very dangerous journey. We almost died in those battles, and later I even encountered a Four-armed Bull Demon alone. Only when the journey ended did we encounter this dreadful skirmish." Laine spread his hands. This series of battles tested him greatly, but also brought Laine great gains.