What matters most for Invictus is his strong desire for vengeance. No one in this world will be able to stop him from slowly destroying the kingdom all by himself. He does not need anyone's help.
And Rahel realized that passively convincing Invictus of his utmost desire for revenge would not be possible. Rahel saw the determination in his eyes, filled with dark emotions.
"I'm done packing my things."
Everything valuable for Rahel fitted inside one luggage. The innkeeper does not keep her money with her.
Across the kingdom and even from the neighboring nations, Rahel was investing her money, saving it up in banks and real estate. If it was not for her husband Rahel would not be brimming with money. She has enough for a lifetime and can even support Aeriel's expenses in achieving her goals.
When her husband died, Rahel continued their strategic plan to expand her wealth and gain more real estate. Although some of her lands had been sold in the past years, she still has about two or three of them.
One of her lands can be found in Doloria. Yes, the neighboring kingdom of Estaria. Before they leave the provincial town, Rahel wants to see what will be left of the mountain once the fireworks display begins.
"Strange... I'm somehow looking forward to your little scheme."
Rahel is a kindhearted woman, but even someone like her tends to have people hating on her for no particular reason. People who are envious of what she possessed. Actually, Rahel had been threatened in the past, receiving notice from the same people that despised her.
However, they did not succeed in stealing her wealth and her life. That's why Rahel's still alive up to this date.
"It's because it's a must-see event. Consider this as a parting gift from me, innkeeper Rahel."
All three of them took the shortest route there was before the heavy rain commenced to pour down. A lot of events will happen in the town in just a short amount of time.
On their way to the bottom, the three of them, carefully walking down the steep slope where one wrong step can end badly, a group of guards and miners with jars of Ruddy Fireflies with them came across them.
"Isn't he the guy that bought a whole minecart of raw magic crystals?"
The group was the same people Invictus had a conversation with before back in the mining cave. It seems that they were a bit tipsy, staggering, and barely maintaining their balance.
"Yes, yes! It's him! Oh, he is with his wife and mother!"
"This man knows how to choose his girl. Good evening, ladies. Are you on your way to surprise the little princess?"
Invictus only told Aeriel about the plan and what will happen tonight. He didn't give a detailed explanation of how he managed to get everything set.
So, Aeriel and Rahel were clueless about what the group was saying. And so Invictus had to step in.
"Correct. I'm sure you're aware of who this is, yeah?"
The group of guards and miners had a clear look on Rahel's face, and their expression instantly turned sour. Their spiteful eyes say it all. They were some of the people that are envious of Rahel's wealth.
And seeing their expression put Invictus' heart at ease.
"This is my mother, and this one right here is my wife."
Even if Aeriel knew that Invictus said that because the group thought she was his wife, it somewhat made her heart skip a beat. Hearing Invictus pretentiously admit that she's his partner kind of made her happy.
"I told myself that I'll stop loving you... for now, but I guess it's impossible. I'll just use this feeling as my motivation and inspiration to achieve my goals and dreams. Of course, that includes you, Lord Invictus."
She thought to herself, finding strength in loving Invictus unconditionally.
"Good evening to everyone. I'm Aeriel—"
A bolt of sparkling lightning whizzed through the clouds, leaving a thunderous uproar in the sky.
"Ah, it's about to rain. We must hurry back home. Mister and the ladies should also made haste, or the rain will get to you."
One last parting gaze was accompanied by disgust and utter hate directed to Rahel's location and one sweet good night to Aeriel as they began to trot up back to their homes.
"Farewell, everyone. Make sure to watch the fireworks display I've prepared for my daughter, okay?"
"We will!" They all answered without knowing that the display would occur in their own hometown.
When everyone was out of earshot, Invictus spoke:
"What a relief. I thought they were kind people. It turns out they despise innkeeper Rahel, which makes them irredeemable. Now, all of my worries are finally gone."
The three continued walking down to the bottom, taking the shortest route Invictus memorized and made after roaming around the forest for
hours.
"I'm guessing we can't be seen going away, or people that will survive tonight might suspect us and begin a hunt on us if ever."
Finally, they reached the exit where Invictus first left in the morning to reach the mining cave in no time. The hole on the wooden logs, acting as a tall wall or fence built by the townspeople, was enough for one person at a time to cross.
"Exactly," Invictus added, leading the two ladies to the spot he reserved for them. "A perfect event needs a perfect spot to watch it from below."
One question always sprang to Invictus' mind every time he is about to see a fireworks display. Whether to watch it from below or from the side to see if the fireworks really are flat or exploding in circles. But in this case, they should be watching the event from a very comfortable area near the mountain.
That is in the waterfalls where the splashing of water was louder at night, and the current was heavy compared to when it's morning.