CLEAVER OF SIN

With the idea of exploring the Wargrave territory, Asher called out Lyra's name, "Lyra."

Lyra, who heard her name, entered the room gently. The smile on her face remained; she was still delighted by the coins Asher had given her earlier.

"What do you need, Young Master?" she asked cheerfully, her voice laced with warmth.

"Nothing much. I've decided to explore the Wargrave territory today," Asher stated calmly, revealing his plans for the day.

Lyra simply nodded, not suggesting or questioning anything, as was her custom. "I will get the carriage ready, Young Master," she said politely, about to bow and leave to make the necessary preparations.

Asher raised a hand and shook his head. "No need. We will be going on foot today," he stated firmly. After all, how could he truly enjoy exploring the territory if all he did was sit in a carriage and stare out the window?

Lyra paused for a second as she processed Asher's words, then nodded slowly before asking, "Do you need me to prepare anything, Young Master?"

"Just prepare some simple clothes and a cap for me," Asher responded with a small nod.

"As you wish, Young Master," Lyra replied, acknowledging his request.

He continued, "Also, just like in the Capital, you will wear normal clothes. But this time, you'll follow me from a distance. Prepare some Knights as well, specifically the ones I traveled to the Capital with. All of you will follow from afar while dressed in ordinary clothes."

Although he was now somewhat strong, Asher wasn't foolish enough to wander around without adequate security, unlike certain arrogant nobles. Since his family had Knights, it would be senseless not to use them.

Lyra nodded once more and stepped out. Within minutes, she returned with a simple white shirt, brown trousers, a brown cap, and black boots.

Asher nodded in approval and dressed himself. Lyra had already gathered the Knights, each of them now dressed in inconspicuous clothing, their weapons securely stored in their space rings.

With everything set, Asher stepped out of his room, his gait steady and purposeful, heading straight toward the Wargrave gates without pausing at any other location. As he walked, his keen senses picked up a familiar figure, it was the Ninth Sun, Thalric.

As the two approached one another, neither spoke. They simply exchanged neutral gazes and walked past each other in silence.

Thalric didn't utter a single word or give any indication of acknowledgment. He walked past Asher as though the young man didn't exist, and Asher did the same.

'The hate and anger in his eyes have suddenly vanished,' Asher thought as he walked by Thalric. The boy's demeanor had certainly changed.

Asher shook his head slightly and continued toward the gate. Along the way, maids and butlers bowed deeply, their bodies bent in perfect form, greeting him respectfully. However, Asher didn't return their greetings, nor did he speak a word to any of them.

Upon arriving at the gate, the Knights stationed there frowned when they saw the Tenth Sun in plain clothing. Their eyes drifted to the group behind him, his personal maid and several fellow Knights, all similarly dressed in casual attire. It didn't take long for them to understand what was going on. With a simple hand motion, the enormous steel gates groaned and creaked open inwardly.

'They should seriously consider adding a wicket gate,' Asher mused silently as he stepped out into the open.

His sharp purple eyes scanned the area beyond the Wargrave estate. The buildings directly outside the gates were elegant and immaculately maintained. Ornate carriages moved intermittently through the streets, indicating that affluent individuals, likely merchants, resided in the vicinity.

Living near the Wargrave estate was considered a stroke of fortune. In the event of any major threat such as a monster invasion, those nearby would benefit from the estate's formidable defenses. Many of these merchants also made every effort to foster a favorable relationship with the Knights stationed at the Wargrave gate.

Asher could sense the presence of powerful individuals within some buildings, beings with immense but suppressed auras. It was evident that individuals of high Life Rank also chose to reside close to the Wargrave estate regardless of their strength.

He walked forward silently, his demeanor calm and composed. To passersby, he might have looked like a young man exploring Wargrave, but his tall stature, standing at 6'3", and the deliberate rhythm of his steps dissuaded any assumptions that he was lost.

As he delved deeper into the territory, the opulence and presence of designer carriages gradually waned. However, Asher noted that everyone he saw moved about freely and without complaint, each person engaged in their morning routine.

Some people were setting up their shops, preparing for the day's sales. Apparently, nobody opened their stalls at the break of dawn or as early as 6 or 7 a.m.

This time, Asher had no interest in buying clothes or sampling food at every stall. His intention was simply to observe how the common people carried out their daily lives.

Though he wore a cap and simple garments, they did little to hide the natural charm of his physique. He still drew the occasional glance, though nothing too intrusive.

Asher came to a stop in front of a building, his eyes settling on the sign mounted on the wall, it was a bar. Seeing it, Asher pushed open the door and stepped inside.

A wave of pungent ale stench assaulted his nostrils. With his heightened senses, the smell multiplied tenfold in intensity, but he made no outward reaction.

Immediately afterward, a flood of loud chatter overwhelmed his ears. The bar was filled with men of various sizes, all engaged in lively conversation. Each held a wooden cup filled with ale or some other form of alcohol, which they raised in toasts before downing with hearty laughter.

Scattered among the crowd were women, and a few men, carrying trays as they weaved between tables, serving ale as though it were an endless resource.

The interior was dimly lit, with wooden tables stained from years of spilled drink and reckless cheer. The atmosphere was chaotic yet strangely comforting. In this place, no one cared who you were or where you came from. Everyone was simply here to drink, laugh, and forget the world outside.