Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 357: Milk And Honey

”Well, it’s best that you told us on time, instead of waiting until the third mission was over just to spring the news on us,” William said. His tone was normal, extremely normal, so calm and emotionless that it almost sounded as though he did not care at all.

Asher noticed this immediately. ”You aren’t angry?” he asked. His question was genuine, not rhetorical.

”Pffft... hahahaha. Why would I be?” William burst into a small laugh as he replied. ”It’s not like being angry at you will change anything... or will it?” he added with a teasing smile.

At that question, Asher simply shook his head. He wasn’t going to change his decision even if they did get angry. This matter concerned his future, his strength, and the things he needed to achieve. He could not afford to bend simply because of emotion.

”You see...” William continued, leaning back slightly, ”although I may not be as strong as you, I’m still confident in my own abilities. After all, I didn’t place fourth in the entrance exam because of sheer luck.” A small, proud grin crept onto his face. He was truly confident in his strength, deeply aware of his own talents, even while acknowledging the monstrous existence known as Asher.

He had survived until now. He wasn’t suddenly going to collapse like a princess locked in a tower waiting for a knight in shining armor. He would continue training, continue improving, becoming better and stronger than he was the day before. It was simple, straightforward, and exactly how he lived his life.

A faint smile appeared on Asher’s lips as he saw how well William was taking everything. His gaze then shifted to Finch, who sat quietly, a faintly sad expression forming on Finch’s face. Finch had clearly been calculating various plans, especially how their team could ride on the Tenth Sun’s Wargrave name to earn bonus points. But with Asher leaving, those plans were dissolving before his eyes. Perhaps they might benefit from it once or twice more, but nothing long term.

”What about you, Finch? Are you angry?” Asher asked.

”Why would I be?” Finch replied with a small smile. ”How many people can say they were friends with the Tenth Sun, a Wargrave, no less, and were even on the same team as him?” His smile widened slightly, though the sadness still lingered beneath it. ”Although I’m a bit sad... it seems I won’t get to enjoy all the bonus points I already mapped out plans for... sigh.”

Asher shook his head at Finch’s words. He was neither angry nor disappointed that Finch had planned to use his name for extra points. A true friend would shamelessly take advantage of such an opportunity, and Asher himself would have done the same if he were in Finch’s place. There was no betrayal in such logic, only practicality of being friends.

”Besides,” Finch continued, his voice growing firmer, ”this is a wake up call. I’m already being left behind for being weak. Although this is the first time, I’m going to make sure it never happens again.”

Just days ago, during the survival challenge, within the observation zone, Finch had vowed to train diligently and never be left behind. Yet here he was, being left behind far earlier than expected. The irony nearly made him laugh. But he merely shook his head instead.

He was being left behind by Asher, the Tenth Sun, a Wargrave, a prodigy of absurd proportions. It was understandable. Anyone would be left behind by someone like Asher.

Asher’s smile remained. Although he could not truly read emotions, his Omni Perception allowed him to sense the truth behind their words and thoughts. They were not faking anything, they were genuinely fine. Honest. Unbothered.

’It seems I’ve made some good friends,’ Asher mused internally.

”So,” Finch said suddenly, looking toward William, ”who’s replacing the monster?” He was clearly referring to Asher as the monster in this particular scenario.

”Hmmm... I don’t exactly know,” William replied thoughtfully. ”We could try asking either rank eight or rank ten from the class rankings.”

”Sigh... it seems I’m destined to be the weakest in this team,” Finch said dramatically.

”You can beg the principal to admit a 201st student,” William teased.

Asher simply stared at the two of them. They were already discussing his replacement without even a moment’s hesitation. He had expected them to at least wait until after the third mission to begin deliberating, but it seemed they wanted to explore their options now.

”Hm... I’ll try meeting up with both of them later today,” William said. ”Even though I’ve never spoken to either of them, I’m sure they’ll be willing to grant me audience.”

Finch nodded in agreement. Approaching them early was the best course of action.

And just like that, the matter was settled. Asher’s replacement was found within seconds, as though it were the simplest decision in the world.

’It’s good that they’re staying together,’ Asher mused quietly. He had already suspected that William would never leave Finch behind. Whether that choice affected William positively or negatively was not Asher’s concern. William was free to make his own decisions.

William’s gaze shifted from Finch back to Asher, who was still staring ahead, lost in thought. ”Since we’re already on the subject of missions,” William said, ”let’s take the second mission immediately.”

”Hmmm... I agree,” Finch added. Although they had previously pushed the matter aside, they had now decided to tackle a mission sooner rather than later.

Asher’s lips twitched slightly. They couldn’t come to an agreement before, but now, after he announced he would be leaving, they suddenly could. ’Why does it feel like they’re trying to get rid of me? ’ he mused to himself.

”Trying to get rid of me so quickly?” Asher asked with a soft chuckle.

William shook his head lightly. ”The faster we complete the mission, the shorter the amount of time we spend holding you back.” A smile formed on his lips, playful yet sincere.

Asher didn’t believe a single word William had just said. Finch, meanwhile, burst into a small laugh.

Even though Asher had made the decision to leave the team, none of them harbored anger, resentment, or disappointment. They were all logical, intelligent individuals with a firm grasp of reality. No one felt betrayed or offended. Instead, they simply accepted the situation, smiled, and continued talking as though nothing significant had happened.

The sadness Asher expected from them never came. William and Finch simply continued walking their path, without hesitation or delay. Time waited for no one in the Zarethorne Empire, and certainly not in the world of Crymora, where death flowed daily like milk and honey, touching everything and everyone without discrimination.