On the journey from Khogend to Seldvale, the Fuller couple remained unusuallypliant. They neither struggled nor attempted to escape.


    They bothnew deep down that neither of them would abandon the other. If they couldn’t <b>escape </b>together, there was no point in running at all.


    Ka sessfullypleted her task.


    Upon returning to the Carrell residence in Seldvale, she didn’t concern herself with where the Fuller couple would be taken. Instead, her first question to the maid at the door was “Has Pete returned?”


    “Pete returned not long ago. He’s in the main hall.”


    Perfect! novelbin


    Upon hearing this, Ka eagerly ran toward the main hall.


    Inside the hall, Pete sat leisurely in a foldable chair made of rosewood, sipping tea <b>with </b>an air of refinement and nobility.


    Steam curled upward, partially obscuring his features. His hands, holding the teacup, were strikingly pale, yet pronounced veins crisscrossing beneath the skin. He gave off a unique impression of masculinity.


    Ka instinctively softened her footsteps and voice<b>, </b>calling out sweetly, “Pete.“”


    Pete looked up with <b>his </b>dark eyes. His sharp nose, faintly smiling lips, and kind gaze exuded warmth. In a gentle tone, he <b>replied</b><b>, </b>“Ka.”


    She blushed. After that, she bravely approached him and wrapped her arm around his. In a coquettish and yful manner, she said, “Pete, I’ve brought the Fuller couple to you. How do you n to reward me?”


    Pete smiled at her and asked, “<b>What </b>kind of reward does my little cousin want,


    hm?


    “…“Ka bit her lip, gathering her courage. “Pete, has the map been deciphered? Are you nning to go there yourself? I want to go with you!”


    “Sure,” Pete agreed warmly as he gazed deeply at her.


    That was it?


    Ka was overjoyed. She had expected Pete to refuse but was surprised by his willingness to indulge her,


    “Thank you,


    Pete!”


    Her face grew even redder, and her heart bloomed with happiness. She was so ted that she <b>didn’t </b>notice Pete subtly withdrawing his arm as he raised his teacup to take a sip.


    Behind the cover of the teacup, the smile in his eyes vanished entirely.


    That same day<b>, </b>Pete departed Seldvale with Ka and the Fuller couple, heading to the location deciphered from the map.


    Based on the coordinates, the destination was a remote canyon a <b>thousand </b><b>miles </b>away, surrounded by uncharted mountains. Further out, connected to an unnamed river and waterfall.


    the area was


    On the first day of the journey, everything went smoothly. <b>On </b>the second day, their itinerary was leaked. Rumors spread that the real map had fallen into the hands of the Carrell family.


    As a result, various factions–both in the open and in the shadows–turned their attention to the Carrell <b>family</b>. Under such circumstances, it didn’t take long for people to discover where Pete had gone.


    Pete, seemingly anticipating this, used the Fuller couple as scapegoats, iming they had seen the map and would act as guides.


    After that, he ceased hiding his movements. He even weed other parties to follow his team or journey together in their search for the location Indicated on the map


    No one could figure out why he did so.