CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 616: Fifteen Again

Asher gazed at the bowing Lyra briefly before releasing a gentle sigh, giving his head a faint shake. He pivoted and pressed on with unchanged tranquility, mind drifting freely while his face stayed serene and enigmatic.

‘This should at least propel her into Dust Wavestar Life Rank far quicker, thanks to the relentless strain from endless, diverse combats,’ Asher pondered during his walk, thoughts leaping multiple strides forward.

Though he hadn’t assigned Lyra a specific mission tier, she ought to grasp that tackling level-appropriate quests was key for progress; yet acting clever and idle, she might opt for trivial easy tasks, fulfilling Asher’s monthly directives without true advancement.

Should she follow that path, Asher would merely exhale in dismay, conceding he might not understand Lyra quite as deeply as believed.

Yet Asher had no intention of thrusting her into the wilderness unprotected. In Crymora’s perilous realm, a single mission could claim Lyra’s life—existence proved that capricious and merciless. He wasn’t foolish enough to fancy himself a reborn hero shielded by cosmic laws or destiny for him and his dear ones... no illusions there.

Later that day, he intended to visit Yveric and instruct him to dispatch a guardian of at least Radiant Voidstar Life Rank to shadow and safeguard Lyra on her task. Ideally a Crownstar Life Ranker, but Asher wouldn’t presume to command one, even under Wargrave service. Moreover, within the Knight Round Order, Yveric remained the sole Crownstar Life Ranker he’d encountered.

He also aimed to ensure this Knight trailed Lyra covertly, intervening solely when mortal peril threatened inescapably. Who could predict if overt escort might embolden her to tempt fate recklessly?

With thousands of Knights at the Wargraves’ command, Asher felt confident any would eagerly shadow Lyra discreetly for a breath of fresh air laced with combat and thrill. They’d languished here eternally, confined to drills unless summoned to accompany the Duke on outings—which he never took every Knight along for anyway.

Lost in contemplation as Asher was, Lyra drowned in her own musings. Though ambivalent toward fights, she couldn’t deny excitement for the upcoming quest. Real combat had evaded her for ages; she’d merely sparred with fellow servants to keep their edges somewhat honed.

Her awakened power lay dormant too long; anticipation bubbled to unleash it once more. Right then, Lyra felt like a fresh-awakened teen from her ceremony, itching to clash with beasts and monsters... abruptly fifteen once again.

A playful grin lit her lovely features amid the eagerness. Instantly, Asher’s words yanked her from reverie.

"Should you require documents like permit slips to flash at Knights or others, inform me—I’ll endorse them prior to heading back to Star Academy," Asher declared mid-stride, voice even and assured.

Uncertain of Lyra’s exact needs, he figured she’d likely want some. Returning to Star Academy without authorizing potential parchments would render his commands worthless as ash.

Naturally, Wargraves ran their private mission networks; no need for Lyra to hit an Adventurer’s Guild for registration nonsense. Unacquainted with the Wargrave mission hall, Asher knew it lurked somewhere in their sprawling domain.

"Yes, Young Master, I’ll prepare them without delay," Lyra responded briskly, tone resolute.

"One final matter," Asher added, halting before the First Training Ground of his months-long grinds—and post his debut Star Academy mission return. Head shaking lightly, he pressed on, "This afternoon, we’ll tour several villages, those behind the quest I claimed. Ready supplies you deem useful: garments, provisions, grains, simple arms and barriers, footwear, seedlings, wheat, remedies, water, and the like."

His hand flicked, summoning a thousand platinum coins afloat via Astra energy mastery. "Roughly ten villages total. Even if purchases feel excessive, acquire them; surplus sustenance is wise. Convert portions of platinum to gold for even distribution," he commanded clearly, intent unambiguous.

Asher meant to lavish the villages with plentiful goods. Fair shares across all would prevent resource-fueled clashes. No mighty artifacts either—just amplified everyday village fare.

Handing out relics or similars would doom them to butchery like swine.

"Furthermore, does anyone in the Wargrave household or our lands possess soil-enriching talents or akin? Recruit them if found," Asher concluded firmly, eyeing enduring gains.

Villagers tended personal plots; boosting their earth’s bounty would solidify their loyalty and ease.

Lyra’s gaze flashed as she cataloged Asher’s directives mentally, organizing flawlessly, "As you command, Young Master," she affirmed.

"Should the funds fall short, tap your own—I’ll reimburse post-task," Asher noted while advancing, "Anything more?" he queried, sparing her a sidelong look.

Lyra pondered momentarily before answering, "Nothing for now, Young Master," voice soft and deferential.

"Then hustle preparations—we depart in five hours," Asher directed. Morning lingered; no cause for postponement. "Alert the kitchen to ready a meal for me; hunger gnaws. Serve upon my return via another. Your focus stays on village provisions," he insisted unyieldingly.

"Yes, Young Master," Lyra acknowledged at once.

"I’ll return shortly," Asher said. He faced Lyra, offered a nod, then blinked away via teleport to his chamber where Malrik awaited. Virelass, noting Asher’s departure sans her, trilled a farewell hum at Lyra before vanishing to join him.