"Anyway, Richard, how have you been?" Gray shifted the topic.

"As you can see, I'm doing well… Although I advanced to the World Realm a bit late, I think those who were weaker than me ten years ago are still weaker than me even now," Richard replied.

Gray rolled his eyes at that.

But he couldn't refute it—based on his own judgment, Richard was indeed still stronger than him.

"Richard, you can be proud, but that doesn't mean there are no other World Realm Magi who once slaughtered Grimoire Realm Magi as if they were cabbages like you did. It actually happened around eight years ago, and the one who did it has advanced to the Grimoire Realm since then," Gray said.

"Who?" Richard couldn't help asking.

He had never heard of such a person—or more accurately, no one had ever told him.

"A genius from the Central Region, Young Master of the Thundervale Clan, Sean Thundervale. He's extremely fierce, unstoppable when he uses his lightning armor. You know, even Charles was beaten by him. His ambition is to become a Grand Sovereign," Gray replied.

"He's only that strong because he fused with various types of lightning his clan collected. Otherwise, he wouldn't be that powerful," Grace cut in, clearly belittling the man.

"You're right, miss. But the fact that he could fuse with so many types of lightning—pure brute-force power—proves his talent. From what I know, he has fused with seven kinds of lightning, all different and powerful," Gray said.

"The Magus World doesn't lack people like that. They simply don't have the opportunity to fuse external powers into their bodies," Grace still dismissed him.

Richard, on the other hand, wondered what talent someone must have to fuse with so many types of lightning.

A lightning affinity of at least 90% was certain, but he doubted that would be enough.

Gray didn't want to argue with Grace anymore—he was afraid Richard would be upset at him, since he knew they were lovers.

"Gray, where's Laura?" Richard changed the topic, seeing no point in discussing a man named Sean before meeting him personally.

To Richard, Gray's personal life wasn't important. But he remembered seeing Laura accompany Gray through his lowest point.

A woman like that deserved respect. If Gray abandoned her after becoming stronger, then he deserved a beating.

Gray clearly didn't expect Richard to bring up Laura.

"She's in the Order of the Peak World. Why do you ask?" Gray replied.

If she was there, then chances were they were still together.

"I just wanted to know how an old acquaintance is doing. You seem quite skilled at cheating now," Richard said sarcastically.

Even though he did the same, his judgment of others wasn't always the same—especially Gray, whom he once saw as a romantic fool for Laura.

"Ehm…" Gray cleared his throat.

"You know, men sometimes have hearts that are too big," he said.

"Is it big enough to endure if I stab it with my sword?" Grace chimed in.

Even Richard rolled his eyes this time.

Her comment sounded like she disapproved of having more than one woman.

Would she protest if she learned his relationship with Lilith was actually serious?

No. She couldn't protest—she was the second woman.

Naturally, Gray didn't respond.

He pretended to ponder deeply.

Whoosh!

Grace suddenly dragged a nearby table to replace their shattered one.

Then she took out some wine, poured it into a cup, and began drinking.

(Richard, your woman is a bit hard to handle…) Gray suddenly sent a message.

(You don't need to worry about me.) Richard replied.

(What about your relationship with Princess Lilith—no, I mean Queen Lilith? Aren't you two engaged? Unless… you're not interested in her?)

When he mentioned Lilith, Richard couldn't help glancing at him.

Did Gray also think their relationship was just political for reputation?

(You'll see soon enough…)

"Want a drink?" Grace offered him some wine.

Richard shook his head, not wanting to get drunk yet.

Even the smell almost made him feel intoxicated.

It was far too strong.

His gaze occasionally drifted toward the temple, waiting for John Goldwood and his wife to return.

But two hours wasn't a short wait.

As the day grew brighter, more and more people entered the temple.

Some seemed to be attempting to register as members.

Richard kept waiting patiently. He had no other choice, and he didn't want to do anything else anyway.

Fortunately, after two hours, John and his wife finally appeared again from inside the temple.

The wife looked quiet, while John seemed extremely cold.

Both of them walked straight into the restaurant and approached Richard and Grace, but they didn't sit down.

John then placed another ring on the table.

"There are 126 Boundless Gems inside, so it totals 150," John said.

Grace snatched the ring very quickly and stored it right away.

She gave a faint smile.

"Release our son," his wife said.

"No," Grace replied instantly, making the couple's eyes widen.

"What do you mean?" John asked.

"Don't act innocent," Grace said. "If we return your son now, you might make a move against us. Wait until we're finished with our business in this city. Naturally, we will return your son afterward."

John, "…"

"You're deceiving us?"

"This is the only choice we're giving you—unless you want your son to die," Grace answered, still using a threatening tone.

Even though she initially seemed like she wouldn't be much help in extorting them, Grace was now the one taking the lead.

John — and even his wife — began clenching their fists, their anger clearly visible, yet in the end they still tried to hold themselves back.

"Let's go!" Grace suddenly stood up and then walked away.

Richard naturally followed her, knowing she had decided to leave because she didn't want anything else to happen.

Gray looked hesitant about following them, but in the end, he still chose to go along.

Grace led the way toward the temple across the street.

At the very least, inside that temple, even the members wouldn't be able to cause a commotion so easily.

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