CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 756: Zarik Household

~4 minute read · 1,115 words
Previously on CLEAVER OF SIN...
Emperor Zolthemir and Emperor Aetherion engage in a heated verbal exchange, trading insults about fertility and past defeats. Their argument is momentarily paused by Overlord Cynthia, leading Zolthemir to change subjects and discuss their children's potential in the upcoming competition. Empress Nymeria then introduces a new prodigy from the Velkarin Empire, sparking curiosity about this unknown talent.
Far from the Awakener Association skyscraper, within the secluded Zero Rings, a sprawling estate stretched across vast lands. Its numerous buildings and the general aura of power unmistakably marked it as the domain of a significant figure within the Zero State – specifically, a Noble Household. This grand estate belonged to the Zarik Noble Household. Within its perimeters, diligent maids and attentive butlers moved about, attending to their respective duties. Alert guards patrolled the grounds with vigilance, and a line-up of opulent vehicles further underscored the household's immense wealth and prestige. Inside the primary residence, Duke Adam Zarik, the father of Maximus Zarik, was engrossed in a chamber. His gaze was fixed upon a tablet, his attention consumed by emails detailing the family's business affairs. As Duke Adam Zarik navigated through his correspondence, a sudden knock resonated through the chamber. He paused, his eyes shifting towards the entryway before granting permission. "Come in." The door swung open, revealing a butler, his demeanor composed as he entered the room. "You know I prefer not to be interrupted when I am handling family business and important matters," Duke Adam stated, his orange irises locking with the butler's dark ones. "I apologize for the intrusion, Your Grace, but a significant development has occurred," the butler responded with unwavering calm and respect. "Regarding what?" Duke Adam Zarik inquired, his brow furrowing slightly. "The Second Young Master, sir," the butler replied evenly. "What is it this time?" the Duke asked, his eyes narrowing. He had fathered three children: two sons and a daughter, Elizabeth, the youngest. His eldest, Hilton Zarik, was a prodigy whose talent was undeniable. Now in his third year at the Heavenly Academy, Hilton stood as the pride of the Ducal Zarik family and the heir apparent to the Ducal title. His youngest, Elizabeth, was also a budding genius, poised to enter the Heavenly Academy soon. His second son, Maximus, however, had always been a source of vexation for the Duke. Lacking the exceptional aptitude of his elder brother and younger sister, Maximus had amounted to little of practical use to the family. Despite this, the Duke continued to provide him with guards and tacitly tolerated his wayward behavior, operating under the principle that absence made the heart grow fonder, or in this case, less bothered. The butler approached his master and, after double-tapping the screen of the Duke's tablet, presented it to him. Accepting the device, the Duke began to read. A moment later, his expression contorted into a severe frown. The article detailed the recent confrontation between Asher and Maximus at a shopping skyscraper. It described how Asher had effortlessly incapacitated the guards with single strikes and, astonishingly, had slapped Maximus multiple times before the young master lost consciousness. "Did someone publish this?" the Duke demanded, the frown beginning to recede. "No one would dare, Duke Adam," the butler assured him. "However, I received this information through my own channels." "A foreigner dared to lay hands on my son and his guards?" Duke Adam Zarik’s voice turned frigid, devoid of its earlier warmth. While he harbored disdain for his son’s lack of talent and the embarrassment it brought to the Zarik name, he would never permit a stranger to assault him. To allow such an affront would imply that the Zarik family could be challenged and humiliated at will, that their prestige was negligible. Furthermore, no Noble Household within the Thalvorn Empire had ever resorted to physical violence against his son, Maximus. The most they had ever done was publicly mock and deride him. "Shall I make him disappear?" the butler inquired, the implication of eliminating Asher and disposing of the evidence hanging in the air. The Duke, poised to give his assent, suddenly hesitated. He paused, then asked, "What is the boy’s name?" "Asher Wargrave," the butler responded, his tone unchanging. Upon hearing the name, Duke Adam froze. His eyes widened, astonishment replacing annoyance. For a fleeting moment, he considered summoning Maximus simply to berate him severely. Of all the people to antagonize, his son had managed to offend the Wargraves. Yet, as this thought surfaced, another arose in its place. Wasn't Asher supposed to be the reviled Wargrave, the one who only awakened his abilities on the third try, epitomizing the family's decline? How could that same individual so easily overcome three guards of the Swiftstar Life Rank? "Are you certain the Asher kid handled the guards alone?" Duke Adam questioned the butler, his skepticism evident. "Yes, Your Grace. There is even video evidence," the butler confirmed, quickly navigating to the footage and presenting the tablet to the Duke once more. Watching the video, Duke Adam's frown deepened, his mind racing with implications.’Was the information about the Tenth Sun being worthless untrue?’ he pondered internally. ’I should have been more suspicious of the report from the start. After all, how could a true Wargrave possibly be trash?’ he mused once more. "Cease this investigation and do not speak of it again," Duke Adam commanded with a sigh, his mind involuntarily flashing to the terrifying prospect of Malrik appearing in the dead of night for a very 'pleasant' discussion. The butler, bewildered, couldn't comprehend why His Grace was so abruptly abandoning the subject. Sensing the butler's confusion, the Duke explained, "You are new to your duties, so it is understandable that you know little of the Wargraves. Seek out the former butler and ask him to apprise you of all pertinent information regarding the Wargraves." "As the Duke commands," the butler responded. He turned to depart, but as he reached the door, the Duke spoke again. "Also, instruct Hilton to drop this matter entirely. By now, he must be aware of it, and I am certain he would wish to take action to safeguard the Zarik name. Inform him this is a direct order from me," Duke Adam stated with unyielding rigidity. "As the Duke commands," the butler replied, finally leaving the chamber. Duke Adam released a deep sigh of relief. He had almost inadvertently ordered his butler to make a move against a Wargrave. Though he had dealt with many individuals and made them vanish over the years, this particular situation demanded a different approach. After all, the formidable reputations of the Wargraves, particularly Azaron and Malrik, extended far beyond any single Empire. This father-son duo were simply too legendary to be unknown across the globe. Their very names exerted a pressure that could crush countless people, and even the remote contemplation of opposing them was enough to make even the most powerful individuals tread with extreme caution. _____