Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 1098: Zarek’s Words [GT Ranking Bonus Chapter]

Asher rose from his bow as he sensed the Matriarch’s presence vanish from the chamber. He walked forward and stared at the altar for a moment, then touched it, yet the altar didn’t react as it seemed to go dormant as though it was some randomly created altar.

Asher’s mind couldn’t help but wonder how many Wargrave’s souls were in there, and how many this altar could summon in total.

’Besides, why is Father even hiding such a thing until one graduates from the Star Academy?’ Asher thought to himself, as Zarek had told him that it was only after graduation that his siblings used this training facility.

If everyone used it right from when they were little, then surely, their progress would be fast and immense. But as he thought about it, he shook his head as he understood that there must be a reason why such a restriction was set, and maybe the true restriction was an age restriction.

As he thought about it, he shook his head and decided not to think too much about it. But he couldn’t help but wonder if this place counted as a secret that one of the Wargraves had, after all, he and Zarek had discussed a couple minutes ago that the Wargrave family didn’t possess some immense deep secrets.

Asher turned away from the altar, he couldn’t help but wonder if other Dukes and the Imperial Family possessed such a training facility, or if only the Wargraves had one. But alas, it didn’t really matter as it had nothing to do with him, not that he could ask Vaelric and Ryaen anyway.

”This is the shortest fight I’ve seen within these walls,” Zarek spoke calmly as he hadn’t expected the fight to go so fast, he had expected it would take an hour or two.

Hearing his words, Asher spoke, ”It seems Father spent a couple hours fighting whichever soul that was summoned for him.”

Zarek nodded as he explained, ”The Duke spent five hours battling the 10th Patriarch, but just like you, he couldn’t land a single attack no matter which of his elements and spear technique he used.” A small smile appeared on his lips as though he was remembering a fun memory. ”After five hours, he chose to give up as the 10th Patriarch was toying with him. I had simply thought that you would also choose to fight for a couple hours.”

”It’s not exactly fun when you are on the receiving end and the weaker one,” Asher replied with a flat tone.

Zarek turned his head towards another door that seemed unremarkable as he spoke.

”Through that door, you will find various doors leading to various places, each for a specific type of training,” he began to explain, ”and it has also been conditioned to match your current needs and power according to the information that the Sovereign of Battlefields gathered during her spar with you,” his tone explanatory.

At his words, Asher turned his head towards a door at the far end of the room. He didn’t need to ask how to enter as he knew a touch was enough to open it.

”Unfortunately, Young Master, this is where Lyra and I will have to stop,” Zarek’s voice came again, ”only people with the Wargrave bloodline can enter through that door,” he stated.

Asher’s purple eyes remained on the door for a moment before he turned his gaze towards Zarek as he spoke, ”Thank you for the help and assistance, Uncle Zarek.”

Zarek smiled as he spoke, ”It’s my duty, Young Master. I wish you success in your training.”

Asher nodded as his eyes turned towards Lyra as he spoke, ”Uncle Zarek would be leading you towards the place reserved for servants, train to the best of your talents so we can both survive at the Frontier.”

”I won’t disappoint the Young Master,” Lyra spoke with a bow.

Asher shook his head as he spoke, ”Don’t feel pressured, Lyra. I don’t have any expectations of you, be they high or low, so move at your own pace, as long as you try hard enough and do your best, that is enough for me,” a small smile touching his lips as he said those final words.

Lyra stayed silent as she heard Asher’s words, she couldn’t help but smile as she replied, ”I understand, Young Master.”

Although Asher had said that, she still didn’t plan on disappointing him.

”Young Master, we will be returning now,” Zarek’s voice came again, ”when you leave, on your way out, the open space leading to the forest will react to your presence and simply open the passage for you to pass,” he explained, as the Tenth Sun didn’t need the talisman he had used earlier.

Asher nodded his head as he turned and walked away as he waved, ”See you both in three months.”

Lyra and Zarek stared at him for a moment as they watched him place a hand on the door and push it open before disappearing inside.

”It seems the Young Master has a soft spot for you,” Zarek’s voice echoed as he turned on his feet.

Lyra walked a step behind him as she replied, ”That, I can’t confirm nor deny.”

Zarek remained expressionless as he continued, ”I don’t need you to confirm or deny it, Lyra.” His tone as he spoke, ”All I’m trying to say is, although the Young Master is talented, the Frontier is too dangerous, and I need you to always watch him at all times, even if the enemy he is facing at the time is an ant,” he stated as though he was speaking from experience.

Lyra seemed to catch that in his tone, and she proceeded to ask, ”Did the Primarch get injured or come face to face with death at the Frontier during his early days?”

Zarek stayed silent, he knew there was no need to deny it, and even if he didn’t, it changed nothing. It wasn’t like Lyra could do anything with that information.

”Yes... Over a century ago, he sent me to handle another matter while he headed to the battlefield with other soldiers,” he began to explain, ”at the time, he was made the captain of a team, and they were dispatched to handle what seemed to be a nest of Monsters, but it wasn’t.” He paused for a moment, then added, ”It turns out that the person who had gathered that intel had his memories manipulated, hence it was all a trap to lure the Duke at the time.” His tone dropped as though he felt guilty for leaving Azaron’s side, ”All in all, the Duke nearly died that day.”

He turned his head towards Lyra as he spoke, ”Don’t make the same mistake I made, Lyra. If there comes a day that the Young Master sends you to handle something while he marches into a battlefield, you can accept the order, then watch him from afar, or outright reject the order and follow him.” He paused for a moment, then added, ”I’m sure with how close the two of you are, he will forgive you in the event you disobey a direct order.” His tone seemed to be filled with knowledge, as though he was passing down a sagely wisdom.