My Talent's Name Is Generator Chapter 737: Lana And Zerathul

Once more, I focused my senses, sifting through the clamor while leaving it open. The hall thrummed with energy all around us, bursts of laughter crashing like tides, warmth pulsing and receding alongside the melodies, yet the vision Primus had revealed to me on Armus flooded back into my thoughts.

That's when I spotted her.

Positioned across the vast hall, she lingered partly hidden behind a bunch of demons and a towering Naga. Lana avoided staring straight at us on purpose. Her gaze darted sideways, quick and wary, following Primus from the corner of her eye.

She had caught sight of us right as we stepped in. Just like everyone else.

Her fingers intertwined smoothly with those of a nearby demon, laced together with familiar grace. He loomed half a head above the crowd, stance loose, aura restrained yet heavy. A smile played on his lips while he chatted with those surrounding him.

I assessed him quickly, finding his power level close to Saleos's. An Upper Transcendent.

I breathed out steadily.

"Oh," I murmured softly. "They're here."

North traced my line of sight without shifting her head. "Where?"

I tilted my gaze subtly, pointing it toward the hall's outer edge. "By that Naga. Spot the cluster beyond the obsidian pillar."

She followed the direction, then tensed faintly. "Is that her?"

"Yes."

"And the demon beside her?"

"I'd bet it's Zerathul."

North stayed silent briefly. "Should we inform Primus?"

I paused. "Up to you."

She eyed me. "We ought to. But no drama, please."

"Same here," I replied. "Not the right spot for that."

She dipped her head once. "Even so, he needs to know. Let him choose."

I weighed it, then nodded lightly. "Fine."

Silently, I extended my thoughts, relaying the info straight to Primus.

"Lana's here. On the other side of the hall. With a companion."

A brief delay followed.

Then Primus's aura stirred, ever so slightly.

We strolled back to his circle at a leisurely stride, blending into the party's rhythm. I paused to chat briefly with a Feran drifting by. North took a drink she had no plans to drain.

Steve noticed us approaching first. "What have you two been doing?" he inquired, midway through whatever trailed faint smoke from his grip.

"Checking on the ex-wife," I answered.

Primus turned to me.

"Where?" he questioned, tone even.

I nodded in the same direction I'd indicated to North before. "Out by the perimeter. Beyond the pillar. She's keeping it low-key."

Primus traced the path with his eyes, then froze.

"Of course she is," he grumbled.

Steve blinked. "Hold on. Who?"

"Lana," Primus stated bluntly.

Steve cursed quietly.

Primus let out a breath, then stood taller. "Fine. Let's go chat with her."

I furrowed my brow a bit. "You certain? First visit here. Stirring trouble won't do us favors."

He met my look, face composed. "I won't stir trouble."

North glanced from one to the other. "We'll play it cool."

I observed him briefly, then agreed with a nod. "Okay. I believe in you."

We avoided heading directly their way.

Rather, we meandered. Halted. Shared greetings. Allowed the hall's current to sweep us in a broad curve. By the time we drew near, it seemed accidental, just another random meeting in the throng.

When we arrived, their gathering had expanded.

Zerathul held the middle ground, Lana close by his side. A pair of additional demons stood guard on either flank, faces courteous. The Naga woman hovered adjacent, arms folded casually.

Zerathul picked up on us initially.

His eyes shifted to me, then honed in with familiarity. He advanced fluidly and offered his hand.

"Mr. Billion Ironhart," he stated, tone steady and deliberate. "A true pleasure to meet you at last. I've gone over the accounts. Your actions at the rift... Dragos is in your debt."

I clasped his hand.

"No issue," I responded. "I followed my instincts on what was proper."

His grin broadened subtly.

Then Primus chimed in.

"Hello, Lana," he said. "How have you been?"

The shift hit instantly.

Zerathul pivoted, a flash of shock crossing his features before he concealed it. He glanced between the pair. "You two acquainted?"

"Oh," Primus replied casually. "Yes. I'm her former husband."

The grin faded from Zerathul's expression. It didn't waver or twist. It just vanished.

A single beat elapsed. Then he grinned once more. "Ah, so you're Primus Bloodreaver."

Primus affirmed with a nod. They exchanged grips. The interaction stayed short, polite, brimming with hidden layers.

"If it's alright," Primus added smoothly, "I'd appreciate a quick word with Lana."

Zerathul looked her way.

Lana swallowed, then bobbed her head fast. "Sure. That's okay. We do need to speak."

Together, they moved off, heading to a calmer nook by the hall's boundary.

Zerathul faced me again. "Well," he said, poise regained. "What do you make of Dragos so far?"

I replied on reflex, dividing my focus. "Vibrant."

While we conversed, I directed my awareness toward Primus and Lana.

"You're returning with me," Primus declared without delay.

Lana released a quick gasp. "What? Why would I return with you?"

"Lara's on her own," he countered. "She requires her mother."

Silence hung.

Followed by tense chuckles. "Have you lost it? I'm not going back with you, Primus."

"Naturally not," he answered serenely. "Why bother? You've thrived on your own."

Her tone sharpened. "Stop it."

"You clearly have," he pressed on steadily, "flitting about, siphoning wealth from demons. Observe them. Influential. Mighty. This very hall could sustain you for years."

That caught my attention.

Siphoning wealth.

Lana's gaze jerked upward, eyes blazing. "Really?" she snapped, a biting note entering her words. "Is that a warning? Planning to reveal me, Primus? Is this your game?"

Primus showed no response. No trace of annoyance. No sign of shock.

"No," he stated. "I'm informing you that you're coming back."

Her mouth twisted. "You can't dictate that any longer."

"I've already decided," he returned calmly.

She laughed, though it rang empty. "You believe you can barge in and haul me off? After all that's passed? Do you grasp what I sacrificed to reach this point?"

"You sacrificed Lara," Primus noted. His voice remained level. "You didn't depart from her. You deserted her."

Lana went rigid. "Don't utter her name."

"You plotted my death," he went on, ignoring the cut-in. "You schemed it meticulously. Thoroughly. All for this life."

She edged nearer, stare fierce. "I craved power. Freedom. An end to feeling insignificant."

"So you pilfered," Primus said. "You twisted fate. You scraped off prosperity. You clung to demons with means. You're nothing but a vile parasite."

Her grin grew keen. Arrogant. "And it succeeded."

"It has," he conceded. "But now it's finished."

She shook her head deliberately. "You truly believe you can compel me? Here, of all places?"

"Yes," Primus affirmed instantly. "Willing or not."

Tension lingered in the air between them.

"I'll watch how you pull that off," she murmured, then returned with a grin.

Her face had regained its calm, facade locked firmly in position, though strain lingered in her posture. She slid back to Zerathul wordlessly, linking her arm with his as though undisturbed. Zerathul refrained from questioning. He didn't require answers. His glance darted once to Primus, keen and appraising, before shifting elsewhere.

Soon after, Primus rejoined our group.

Steve parted his lips, reconsidered, and resumed debating spice blends with a Feran. North held back from inquiring. So did I.

The evening pressed forward.

Time flowed in jagged intervals, paced by talks instead of clocks. We discussed border clashes with Ferans. A Naga diplomat queried my background courteously, then dominated the exchange far beyond listening.

Wherever we ventured, that subtle ripple trailed. Acknowledgment. Scheming. Curiosity.

This had ceased being mere revelry.

It was maneuvering.

Eventually, Saleos materialized beside me.

"Come walk with me; the General wishes to cover a matter," he whispered. "Only you."

I agreed with a nod, no delay.

North regarded me. I shook my head faintly. "Remain here."

I trailed after him as he veered from the din, the swelter, the onlookers, abandoning the festivities for the neighboring chamber.