CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 679: Plans

With an impassive expression, Asher proceeded towards his chambers, having concluded his business concerning the apprehended villagers. He had long ago discerned the reason behind the students' evasiveness when he approached, rendering him unsurprised by such conduct and deeming it unworthy of notice given his current stature. It had become an expected occurrence.

Upon reaching his room, Asher entered, the door sealing shut behind him. He remained still for a moment, taking in his surroundings. Despite a ten-day absence, the period felt significantly longer, as if time itself had warped under the weight of his experiences. After a brief pause, he made his way to the bed and fell face-first onto it with an exhausted sigh, his body sinking into the mattress as if shedding accumulated weariness.

He then rolled onto his back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling, devoid of thought, vacant and distant. After a few moments, he stood and moved towards the lobby, sliding the door open. Asher entered the lobby and settled beneath the morning sun, its warmth enveloping him with a quiet, almost soothing embrace.

He deliberated privately, thinking, 'Now that I've returned, I should take things easy for a few days. I'll chat with Finch and William, perhaps undertake a minor mission with them, and then resume my usual schedule.' The preceding days had been unusually demanding, far exceeding his preferences and any semblance of normalcy.

The journey involved traveling to a County, posing as a visiting resident from a Baron's territory, enduring a week with a relentless conversationalist, witnessing a profoundly disturbing event that haunted his thoughts, meticulously mapping the area with calculated precision, eliminating outer sentries, eradicating all within with cold efficiency, and finally, engaging in a strenuous battle with Debro that taxed him immensely.

It was all… an overwhelming sequence of events, immense even for someone of his resilience.

Asher was not inclined towards constant exertion; there was a time for work and a time for rest. He had no intention of allowing himself to be completely consumed by relentless action without respite.

Wondering if another student had claimed the mission involving an foreign Empire's incursion as bandits, Asher mused to himself. This was the task he had intended to pursue after a period of rest, already considering its potential challenges.

Even if it had been taken, he wouldn’t be bothered; ten days was ample time for the mission board to refresh and for a new, captivating opportunity to arise, just as easily.

Shifting his thoughts, Asher pondered the purpose of the meeting convened by the Empire's Nobles within their territory, an assembly undoubtedly laden with significant consequences.

'I sincerely hope no conflict erupts,' Asher mused. 'Otherwise, Father might annihilate every Noble present, irrespective of their social standing. After all, based on accounts from residents of the Wargrave territory, Father cherishes them too deeply to permit such a massacre within his domain.' He sighed, acknowledging the distinct possibility of such an extreme outcome.

He settled deeper into his seat, gazing skyward with crossed legs, his posture relaxed yet contemplative. Truthfully, Asher felt the urge to immediately head to the Training Facility Building and commence his regimen without further delay. However, he recognized that doing so would limit his time within the facility due to his point balance, which restricted prolonged access.

'It would be best to accumulate hundreds of thousands of points, if feasible, and then sequester myself within for years,' he mused, the notion seeming quite plausible given his current state of mind.

Raising his hand, his Star Energy pulsed with a faint resonance. 'I must delve deeper into Star Energy. If I can unlock a new affinity, does that imply the possibility of awakening more in the future upon reaching certain thresholds? Furthermore, I've utilized it solely for augmenting attacks and my own capabilities. While I've devised basic skills like Star Energy Sense, I need to create abilities beneficial on the battlefield,' Asher contemplated, observing the subtle undulations of the Star Energy.

'For the upcoming months, I will dedicate my focus to this, alongside the refinement and enhancement of my Rapier Technique,' Asher's thoughts outlined his agenda. Despite proclaiming his intention to rest, his mind autonomously generated a structured plan of action.

The thought crossed Asher's mind: 'Has Lyra commenced her mission, or will she bide her time for a few days?' He couldn't voice his concern, yet he worried for her. After all, he had dispatched her on missions to hone her strength, and facing Crymora's Hell Mode difficulty, Asher feared she might perish, much like he had been targeted in past assignments.

He reassured himself with a nod, thinking, 'I shouldn't fret excessively. Commander Yveric has dispatched a Knight to shadow her discreetly.' Prior to his departure, he had indeed met with Yveric as arranged, briefing him on Lyra's mission.

While Asher was neither the Primarch nor the designated successor, his status as a Sun granted him a degree of authority over the Wargrave Knight Order.

Initially, Asher had contemplated adopting the persona of an arrogant Young Master, testing his luck by requesting a Crownstar Life Ranker, even if a mere Dust sub-Life Rank, to safeguard Lyra.

However, Yveric had outright refused. He cited that Crownstar Life Rankers were not easily commanded and that ongoing tensions necessitated their deployment elsewhere. Following some negotiation, Yveric agreed to assign a Knight of the Spark Soulstar Life Rank to protect Lyra from the shadows, intervening only if she faced imminent danger.

'All I can do is wish her fortune from afar,' Asher mused with a smile. 'Though, one day, I should spar with her to gauge her combat prowess.' He paused, then continued, 'Also, she mentioned using a Katana, but why does it seem so many within this Empire favor them?' A flicker of curiosity crossed his features.

Personally, upon learning about the Wargrave's soul-bound weapon, he had also desired a Katana. Yet, he received a Rapier, a weapon he cherished for its elegance, precision, and the unique cultivation style it enabled.