"Don't ask me," Grace replied. "Let's go back. Nella is preparing lunch for us."

After saying that, she stepped back toward her castle.

It seemed she truly didn't know her own origins.

Since Richard hadn't eaten yet, he naturally welcomed the invitation for lunch.

In the past, he would have felt uncomfortable eating with a little girl. Now, that little girl had grown up into a stunning woman—no normal man would feel uneasy being near her.

When they returned to the castle, he indeed found many dishes already prepared on the dining table. The table wasn't large—clearly designed for only two people with two chairs facing each other.

All the food looked luxurious, dominated by seafood dishes accompanied by sautéed vegetables.

Grace sat first and gestured for Richard to sit.

"Do you have a particular plan?" she asked once Richard sat down.

Perhaps she sensed he intended to do something risky.

Richard nodded. "I'm going to save the Red Star Empress."

Grace's expression didn't change when she heard that. She calmly replied, "Now is indeed a good opportunity. I'll go with you, if you don't mind."

Hearing that she wanted to join him, Richard couldn't help showing a strange expression.

Grace had no real connection to the Red Star Empress. There was no way she would voluntarily save her. So the only explanation was that she simply wanted to help him.

"Are you sure you want to come along?" Richard asked.

"Didn't I just ask? Why are you still questioning it?" Grace replied, making Richard roll his eyes.

It wasn't proper for him to ask again, but it was no more than simple courtesy.

"Alright, if you want to," Richard said.

After that, he began eating the dishes prepared for them.

As he ate, the drunkenness he felt earlier gradually faded.

However, while he ate, Grace drank more wine.

If she had been an ordinary human, Richard would have scolded her. But since she was a strong Magus, even though the wine was potent, it posed no danger to her body.

Even its intoxicating effects on her were minimal.

"Do you want to leave after this?" Grace asked.

"Yes. The sooner the better," Richard answered.

He even quickened his pace eating.

Still, he didn't finish quickly because he ate quite a lot.

His palate simply wanted more—every dish tasted incredible.

By the end, he finished everything on the table, even what was supposed to be for Grace.

But Grace had only eaten a little. She drank more than she ate.

"Let's go," Richard said, standing up.

Grace nodded and signaled her maid to clean the table.

After that, she followed Richard.

They left the castle. In the courtyard, Richard summoned his flying vessel.

Both he and Grace boarded, and the vessel immediately soared, rushing toward the Holy Light Kingdom at high speed.

This wouldn't be a short journey—if they moved slowly, it would take too long. Richard wanted to arrive before nightfall.

On the vessel, he placed two chairs and a small table at the very front so he could sit and enjoy the scenery.

This was his first journey outside the Holy Star Kingdom. He didn't want to miss the sights.

Naturally, he didn't take the route near the true border of the Ancient Ice Region.

He preferred traveling through the central path of the Holy Star Kingdom, which was safer.

So many mountains and vast rivers, along with prosperous cities.

This world was so large, and the two kingdoms were only tiny parts of the Land of Human.

Grace seemed to spend more time silently gazing at the scenery, as if her mind was elsewhere, thinking about something Richard couldn't guess.

Reaching the true border between the two kingdoms didn't take too long.

The border was divided by colossal volcanic mountains that constantly poured lava in all directions.

The heat there was intense—so intense that even the sky felt scorching.

Entering the Holy Light Kingdom, Richard didn't see much difference compared to the Holy Star Kingdom.

The cities and buildings looked similar in construction, and the people were no different.

However, compared to the Holy Star Kingdom, the Holy Light Kingdom had far more large cities. Many seemed newly built.

In terms of population creation, they were clearly superior.

"By the way, Grace, does the Holy Light Kingdom have something like the Star Wheel?" Richard asked.

He naturally wanted to replenish his Aether. Using an artifact that had already accumulated Aether was the easiest method.

If the Holy Light Kingdom had something like the Star Wheel, he planned to use it.

He figured he could force whoever controlled the artifact to help him replenish it.

Of course, he wasn't thinking of stealing it. If it had been created by a Grand Sovereign, stealing it would likely be impossible with his current strength.

But Grace shook her head.

"They don't. Their Grand Sovereigns never created anything like that."

"Or is there something even better?" Richard asked.

But his words only made Grace roll her eyes.

"How could there be something better? They don't even have the standard version of it. Not every Grand Sovereign wastes their time creating things like that."

"Seems like the Holy Light Grand Sovereigns aren't interested in helping the weak grow," Richard said with a wry smile.

"Among Grand Sovereigns, only a few do that. Most only leave behind their legacies," Grace replied.

"But Richard, do you want to increase your Aether quickly?" Grace suddenly asked.

"Yes. I need 2,000 Aether. With that, I'll reach the limit of the World Realm," Richard said, glancing at Grace curiously, sensing she intended to help him.

But how Grace could help him with this was something Richard couldn't guess.

"Give me your hand," Grace suddenly said while extending her hand toward him as if she wanted to shake his.

Richard couldn't be more confused when he heard that, unsure of what this woman intended to do.

However, since she asked, he responded by directly taking her hand.

It was warm and so soft that Richard felt as if he were touching the softest silk.

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