Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 661 Father And Son Talk-2

Asher started from the very beginning, from the moment of the Star Academy exams; he did not hide anything, there was simply nothing to hide, nothing worth concealing or altering, and just as he had done with Malrik, he used his Light Manipulation to create an illusion for Azaron to see, allowing the man to witness everything as though he had personally been there, standing within each scene as events unfolded.

Azaron asked questions at each interval as though invested in the story, his interest evident in both his tone and expression, and indeed, every once in a while a grin would appear on his face... well, only during Asherʼs battles, as he could not help but marvel at how utterly ridiculous Asher was, the sheer disparity between expectation and reality almost amusing to him.

They talked about the apocalypse which Malrik had wrought with his own hands, the scale of destruction leaving even Azaron momentarily contemplative, then Asher talked about the mission. Asher showed Azaron every mission, explaining every detail with a light smile on his face as he seemed to forget for a moment that he was talking to Azaron, his words flowing more freely, more casually, as though speaking to someone familiar rather than the Patriarch himself.

Azaron could not understand how Asher had survived against the assassin named Blue, the very notion seemed illogical even to someone of his caliber, but as he asked, Asher simply dodged the question; after all, he knew the battle against Blue had been won through his Absolute Physique, and without it, he would be a dead man now. After all, to even summon Malrik, he needed Astra energy to be infused into the talisman, something that had been impossible at the time of the event.

After a while, they got to Asherʼs latest mission, which left Azaron in stunned silence; the man did not speak for a moment as he watched the battle in the illusion Asher had created without uttering a single

word, his eyes fixed, absorbing every movement, every decision, every exchange. As the illusion ended, Azaron stayed silent for a moment longer, then suddenly burst out laughing.

”HAHAHAHAHA!!!” His laughter echoed through the room, seemingly shaking the very air itself as he spoke, ”This is utter madness,” he laughed without restraint, his voice filled with raw amusement and disbelief.

Asher sat stunned as he watched Azaron laugh; although the man had been smiling and grinning through all his battle scenes, Asher had gotten used to that, but this was different, far more intense, far more unrestrained.

”You know, I used to think Malrik was the most ridiculous Wargrave to date, but it seems Iʼve been wrong from the beginning; it seems the youngest has broken the eldestʼs record,” Azaron stated with clear glee as whatever anger he held against himself vanished immediately, replaced entirely by pride and excitement.

Although he had watched it, it still felt surreal to him that Asher had won against a Radiant Wavestar Life Ranker, the feat itself bordering on impossibility.

”If Debro had not underestimated me from the beginning, I would not have won,” Asher replied with a slight shake of his head, speaking plainly.

”True, but people still lose even when Radiant Wavestar Life Rankers underestimate them,” Azaron replied with a wide grin, almost regretting why he had not been there to witness such a battle firsthand, such a spectacle.

”And to think you have already created your own Rapier Techniques, it seems everyone has truly underestimated you, and to think you failed your awakening twice at that,” Azaron shook his head as he continued to speak, as though he could not help but feel immensely proud.

Asher did not know what to say, so he simply remained silent, smiling

faintly without a word, allowing Azaron to continue speaking without interruption.

”You know, for a while, Iʼve stood unchallenged; many enemies simply crumble under the weight of a single attack from me, so I hold back a lot all the time,” Azaron began to speak as his eyes shone with a certain intensity while gazing at Asher.

”So, Iʼve always waited for Malrik to reach my level to give me a proper fight, a fight that will make me bleed, lose a couple of limbs, break a few bones, but it will take some years for him to reach my level of power,” a smile appeared on his face, one filled with anticipation. ”But now, I no longer have to wait for only Malrik; now, I also have you. When your strength is sufficient, you can challenge me, or I will challenge you, the challenger does not matter, what matters is the thrill of it, the enjoyment of battle itself. Hell, even you and your brother can fight against me at the same time to make it

more fun,”

Asher blinked in confusion, wondering how their discussion had taken such a turn; he did not know what to say. Fathers would normally be proud of their childrenʼs progress, but it seemed his own father was instead looking forward to a genuine challenge.

ʼTruly a crazy family,ʼ Asher thought to himself, but at the same time, something flickered within him, as though the side effects of the Wargrave Bloodline were subtly resurfacing again like in the past. He could not help but imagine such a scenario, he versus Azaron, their battle would be legendary, a clash worthy of remembrance. A wide smile appeared on his face as he spoke, ”I look forward to it,”

As Asher accepted, his senses picked up a spike in air pressure which immediately vanished, as Azaron was simply too excited; one who was not in Azaronʼs position would not understand the intensity of that anticipation.

”Two decades should suffice with your immense talent,” Azaron stated, his mind trailing as though he could already envision that

future encounter.

ʼTwo decades?ʼ Asher thought to himself; to him, that felt like such a long time, yet, despite knowing Asherʼs ridiculous talent, Azaron still estimated a timeframe of two decades. But one had to understand that in two decades, Azaron himself would have grown stronger as well, so could this absurdly talented Asher ever catch up with his ridiculously overpowered father, Azaron?

ʼIt seems the rumours that elder brother is stronger than Father are false, Asher thought to himself. ʼOr elder brother is hiding his power simply because he cannot be bothered to fight with Father,ʼ Asher mused as his thoughts shifted to the battlefield Malrik had shown him and Malrikʼs infectious confidence.

”I have something to ask,” Azaron stated, his mind breaking free from his fantasies of battling his monstrous first and last sons. ”What is it, Father?” Asher asked as he stared at Azaron. He would not

lie, he was enjoying the moment; he had never talked like this before with Azaron, not even the former Asher had, but now he was. Asher could not help but feel a certain unfamiliar emotion stirring within

him. ”Why didnʼt you tell me?” Azaron asked calmly.

”Tell you what?” Asher asked, confusion evident in his voice and

expression.

”That the Emperor tried to manipulate you through his mind manipulation ability,” Azaron asked as he met Asherʼs gaze with a certain expression, one not carried by a Patriarch, but rather one carried by a father.