Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 368: Popular

Asher walked forward with a calm expression on his face, yet with his Omni Perception quietly spread across the surroundings, he had already seen and heard everything that had occurred at the gate. He had witnessed the guard decapitate a commoner for insulting Finch’s body, and although the man’s death was brutal, Asher did not bother reacting or intervening.

He had never known the man, never spoken to him, and thus felt no obligation to trouble himself over a stranger’s fate. His mind was focused elsewhere, fixed calmly on the path ahead.

The Whale Barony reminded Asher faintly of the Rivelle Barony; the general state of the territory was more or less the same, simple architecture, quiet marketplaces, small patches of cultivated land, and that familiar air of provincial life. Asher made no comment about anything he saw. He simply continued walking while Finch enthusiastically showed him around like an excited tour guide. William, however, appeared unfazed; he had visited the Whale Barony far too many times in the past since he and Finch had been childhood friends.

”It’s Young Master Whale!” a commoner shouted suddenly with a tone of delighted shock. Without hesitation, the man rushed forward carrying a small fruit basket in both hands. Halting directly before Finch, he bowed slightly and continued warmly, ”Young Master, welcome back!” He offered the fruit basket with a bright and eager smile.

The moment others noticed this, the reaction spread like a ripple on water. More commoners hurried forward. This was the Whale Barony, after all, who living within its borders would fail to recognize their own Young Lord, the one destined to inherit the Barony?

Ordinarily, commoners held a deep resentment toward nobles due to their arrogance and pompous behavior. Yet Finch was an exception. Everyone loved him. To the residents of the Barony, he was a rare kind of noble, a gentle, down to earth young man who never placed himself above them. He often came down from his massive family castle simply to talk, laugh, share food, or relax with the people every now and then. They saw him as one of their own.

Indeed, this had been Finch’s life before he was accepted into the Star Academy: to communicate with and grow closer to the people of the Barony he would one day lead; to live a gentle, stress-free life filled with warmth and familiarity. That had been his dream... but such a dream belonged to the past now.

Everyone was surprised to see him return so suddenly. They remembered vividly the day the Baron, Finch’s father, had proudly announced that his son had been accepted into the renowned Star Academy. The entire Barony had erupted with celebration, cheering for him with unrestrained joy. They had missed him dearly ever since, so now, seeing him appear before them in the flesh, they rushed forward with whatever gifts they could muster.

Finch smiled gently as warmth spread through his chest. It was clear he was deeply loved in his territory, and he had earned that love by treating all people, noble and commoner alike, without discrimination. He accepted every gift handed to him, knowing it would be pointless to decline. One by one, he stored everything into his space ring... which was now on the verge of being filled to capacity.

”I didn’t know he was this popular,” Asher commented from the side as he and William were practically pushed away by the enthusiastic citizens of the Whale Barony.

William, hearing Asher’s words, merely shook his head and replied, ”Finch is one of those rare nobles whom commoners genuinely adore. Everyone knows him because he’s set to become the next Baron, but also because he actually cares... he accepts all of them.”

Asher remained silent. His thoughts drifted back to the time he had explored the Wargrave territory for the first time about a year ago, and then again a few days ago with William and Finch. Not a single person had recognized him. But Asher understood why. The Wargrave Ducal family had strict rules forbidding any Sun or Moon from leaving the estate before awakening, and thus hardly anyone outside had ever seen him in person.

”If we go to the Canestane Barony,” Asher asked, ”will you receive the same attention Finch is receiving?”

William shook his head immediately and answered, ”Although I’m known because I’m next in line to become the Baron, I’m not loved or cherished the way Finch is.”

Asher nodded thoughtfully, his purple eyes fixing on Finch as he added with a faint hint of humor, ”His space ring is going to run out of space soon.”

William simply smiled and nodded. As heirs to their respective Baronies, both he and Finch could not afford to purchase a ring with the absurd storage capacity of Asher’s own.

Soon, a large crowd began to form. Finch tried to maintain order, but it was already too late, the people were overflowing with excitement, and the scene quickly spiraled out of control. Asher sighed lightly. He placed a hand on William’s shoulder. William was about to ask why Asher had suddenly touched him, but before he could utter a word, he felt space twist and bend around them. In an instant, both of them vanished from their spot.

They reappeared mid-air above Finch, who was now completely surrounded by people.

Asher lowered his hand, resting it briefly atop Finch’s head. In the blink of an eye, Asher, Finch, and William vanished together.

The citizens froze in confusion as they failed to comprehend how Finch had disappeared so abruptly. They were commoners, many were unawakened, and even those who had awakened possessed slow perception and limited abilities. There was simply no way for them to follow Asher’s speed.

In rapid succession, Asher teleported five times, each teleport covering exactly one hundred meters. Using his Omni Perception as a precise guide, he transported the three of them a full five hundred meters away from the crowded street.

The trio stood on the rooftop of a tall building. Asher exhaled softly and said, ”Sorry to spoil your fun, Finch, but remember we have a mission to accomplish. We can’t do that with your fans blocking the way.”

Finch sighed and then nodded with understanding. If the guards or Knights had been accompanying him, none of this chaos would have occurred; they would have released just a fraction of their presence to keep the crowd at a respectful distance while still allowing everyone to greet him.

”My bad,” he said with another sigh.

”There is nothing to apologize for,” Asher replied calmly. ”You’re being loved by your people. That’s a good thing.”

”But it seems I’m not loved like Duke Azeron,” Finch added in a playful tone as a smile tugged at his lips. ”After all, the citizens of the Wargrave territory made a statue for him. Nobody has ever created a statue for me.”

William and Asher both shook their heads. They knew Finch was joking, but comparing his popularity to Duke Azeron’s was like comparing the brightness of the sun to a candle that had not even been lit.