Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 1090: Adopted Brother

Asher stared at Arianna’s messages; there were five in total, each from a different timestamp. He wondered if he was chatting with another person, as this girl seemed so lively, as though another person was texting with her phone or something. But he knew it was definitely her. It seemed as though she had opened up even more after their battle and synergy against the Dust Voidstar Life Ranker.

Although he was tempted to go since he had never been to the Velkarin Empire, he knew he didn’t have the time. He had to train and head to the Frontier... although he could just spare one or two days there, then return like nothing ever happened. What was the harm in that?

But the moment Asher had the thought, he shook his head as an amusing thought echoed in his head.

’Is this why those Xianxia protagonists always say that love or women will affect the speed at which they draw their swords?’ he mused in silence as he was just about to abandon training for two days and head over there just because a woman texted him.

He let out a soft laugh for a moment as he read the text again, his eyes stopping on the fourth one about her using him to lift the attention off her.

His finger moved to the message as he swiped right on it to reply to that message particularly.

{You: How much are you willing to pay? If the payment is convincing, I will be there in a heartbeat. *Money Emoji*}

He swiped right again, but on the fifth text this time, as his fingers danced around the screen.

{You: Well... I’m actually at home chilling. My Family isn’t really into being paraded around or the gala and Noble social events and things like that. Although it would be done for other students, like Finch and Teo Swig, if it hasn’t already been done}

{You: Also, since your Father is so strong and you don’t want to go, just tell him. I’m sure he can convince the Empress, and they can’t exactly force you to do what you don’t want to}

Although he wanted to say that his family had beaten up the Imperial Family, so they weren’t exactly on friendly terms for them to be involved in any sort of parade, he decided not to say anything about it.

Besides, when he met Azazel for the first time, he could tell the man loved his daughter very much. If Arianna told her Father she didn’t want to go, he was sure the man would immediately nod in acceptance.

But, at the same time, he knew he didn’t understand Arianna’s circumstances. She might be doing it for her people, not because she couldn’t say no or anything of the sort.

And true to what Arianna had said, she didn’t reply immediately, even when Asher sat in silence for almost ten minutes waiting for a reply from her. He sighed and tossed his phone into his system inventory. It wasn’t dark yet, as it was still noon.

’Since I have nothing to do, I might as well confront Father about faking their faked deaths,’ Asher thought to himself as he rose to his feet.

Stepping to the door, Lyra, who heard his footsteps, opened it. Asher stepped out as he turned towards the direction of his Father’s study room. Although he didn’t know if Azaron would be there, he just had to check. If the man was there, they would talk a bit, then he would return to his room to resume his cultivation until tomorrow.

Arriving at the study chamber, Zarek could be seen standing there as usual. Lyra stopped a couple of feet away as she simply waited.

”Good afternoon, Young Master,” Zarek greeted with a light bow.

Asher nodded as he spoke, ”Is Father in his study? I need to discuss something with him.”

Zarek nodded as he stepped forward and pushed open the door. Although he knew that Azaron might be busy, he knew the man wasn’t the type to tell his children to wait or turn them around because of paperwork.

Asher stepped inside with a calm stride, his purple eyes falling on Azaron, who sat behind his table with a file in hand, his eyes going through a string of numbers as he kept tabs on the Wargrave business books. Although he wasn’t one who knew much about business, he definitely knew much about profit and loss, and he wasn’t a fan of losses.

Hearing Asher’s footsteps, his golden eyes left the document in his hand as he spoke, ”I wonder what the latest graduate wants with this old man of his.” His tone was a bit playful.

Asher moved and sat before one of the two chairs opposite Azaron. As he sat with his legs crossed, he replied with an arched eyebrow.

”I didn’t know you knew I graduated today.” His tone was calm. ”Were you listening to me and Malrik?” He asked.

Azaron dropped the document on the table as he replied, ”I’m not one to spy on my children, lthough my perception can cover the entire Wargrave Territory.” He shook his head as he spoke. ”The Star Academy always informs parents when their children are on breaks and such. So earlier today, Cindralis contacted me about your early graduation and you coming home,” he answered.

”I see...” Asher replied as he sort of understood why Cindralis would do stuff like that.

Azaron leaned back into his seat as he spoke, ”So, what did you come to see this old man for? After all, you seem to be picking up your adopted brother’s bad habits of only visiting when he needs something.” His golden eyes fixed on Asher’s purple ones.

Asher tilted his head to the side in confusion as he asked, ”Adopted brother?”

”I’m referring to Malrik,” Azaron followed with a smile. ”I plan to tell him he is adopted before he leaves for his Frontier later today.” His tone was playful.

Asher simply shook his head with a small smile as he decided not to bother asking or getting in between these two, as they seemed to have their own inside joke going on. With that aside, he began to speak.

”I simply wanted to know why you would fake everyone’s death and allow me to witness such a scene.” His tone was straightforward as he didn’t bother beating around the bush. ”I’m sure you would have your reasons, and I’ve guessed the most likely ones, which is probably to temper my Will and mindset. But, despite guessing this, I still don’t understand how a Father could do this to a son.” His purple eyes met Azaron’s golden ones as he didn’t break eye contact for a single moment, his tone brisk, not dropping to the level of someone crying or sobbing.

At those words, the smile on Azaron’s face vanished the next moment as he simply sat in silence for a moment, as he hadn’t expected Asher to bring it up. He could sense the slight tone of disappointment behind his son’s voice, but he didn’t know what to say or even how to reply.

Although he didn’t speak, Asher’s Emotion Perception flickered as Azaron’s happiness changed into one of... deep guilt.