Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 453: Biggest Winner

Asher, Finch, William, Caldor, and Annabelle continued their discussion among one another as time steadily passed. The pain they had been feeling gradually faded away, disappearing entirely after some time, to the point that they were able to remove the bandages wrapped around their bodies. Without missing a beat, they headed toward another room within the sleeping room to change their clothes, especially since Caldor and Annabelle had already changed their outfits prior to the spar.

Together, the five of them stepped out of the sleeping room, now perfectly fine, healed, and cleaned, as though the intense battle that had taken place earlier had never happened at all.

"I think I’m getting hungry," Finch spoke as he tapped his belly lightly, glancing down at it with a casual expression.

"Maybe you should reduce what you eat, so you can reduce..." Annabelle stated from the side, her voice calm and blunt, without even turning her gaze toward Finch.

Finch let out a long sigh at those words. This was far from the first time he had heard such a remark. Those who were unfamiliar with him almost always assumed that he ate far too much, hence his large and heavy physique.

"I’m not fat because I eat a lot. Besides, I’m only hungry right now because Asher punched my stomach so hard that it made me vomit everything I’d eaten earlier," he explained without missing a beat, his tone carrying neither irritation nor defensiveness.

Because of Finch’s complaint, they ended up stopping at another dining hall within the Whale Manor. There, Finch ate as quickly as possible, as though he were racing against time itself. Once he was done, they left the dining area and continued walking. This time, however, they were led by a maid toward the direction where the Barons and Ladies were gathered.

The head butler of the Whale Manor pushed open the door with practiced ease. Without missing a beat, Asher, Finch, William, Caldor, and Annabelle stepped inside with calm, composed steps. Baron Whale, Baron Rivelle, and Baron Canestane, along with their wives, Lady Vie, Lady Isabelle, and Lady Eleanor, could be seen gathered together, engaging in gentle conversation with refined noble demeanor.

The moment Asher and the rest entered, the eyes of everyone in the room shifted toward them.

"You are awake. Good," Baron Canestane spoke first, simply nodding in their direction.

"Are you feeling any pain?" Lady Vie asked, her gaze sweeping over them as she spoke from her seat.

"We are fine, Mom," William answered on behalf of everyone without hesitation.

After a few more brief discussions were exchanged, Baron Canestane and Baron Rivelle rose from their seats, prompting their wives to stand as well.

"It seems the time to leave has come, Baron Whale. Thank you for your hospitality," Baron Canestane stated with a gentle smile as he extended his hand.

Baron Whale returned the gesture, shaking his hand firmly. Baron Rivelle also exchanged farewells with both Baron Canestane and Baron Whale as preparations for departure were finalized. With that, everyone walked out of the Whale Manor together, Baron Whale and the others escorting the Rivelle and Canestane families.

Both families soon arrived before the flying beasts they had come with.

Asher simply stared at the two massive creatures before him. They were enormous, to say the least, yet their presence was gentle and calm. Saddles of various designs were secured around the backs and necks of the two beasts as they lay there quietly, almost as though they were asleep.

’Funny how I’ve never encountered a positive Emovira throughout my time here,’ Asher thought to himself without any change in expression. ’And I’ve been in this world for over a year... are they really that rare?’

"It seems this is where we part ways, Tenth Sun," Annabelle’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

Asher turned toward her calmly. "It seems so, Lady Annabelle," he replied.

"It was nice meeting you again, Tenth Sun. Thank you for opening my eyes to the possibilities that exist in this world," Caldor spoke next.

Asher did not respond verbally. He simply nodded, his purple eyes meeting Caldor’s black ones for a brief moment.

With that, the Rivelle and Canestane Barony families mounted their flying beasts. Without hesitation, the massive creatures flapped their wings and tore into the sky, rapidly disappearing into the distance. Baron Whale, Lady Vie, William, Asher, and Finch remained behind, standing quietly as they watched them depart.

After a short while, the group turned and walked back into the Whale Manor without exchanging another word. There was nothing left for them to do outside.

Later on, Asher and William gathered in Finch’s room. They still had a few days remaining to stay within the Whale Barony, so they decided to spend the time talking about anything and everything. There was simply nothing else pressing to do. Explore the Whale Barony? There was nothing particularly unique about it, it was no different from the other Baronies scattered throughout the Zarethorn Empire.

"Hey, Finch, I might need a training chamber for the few days we’re here," William spoke as he sat down on Finch’s bed. Just because they had decided to spend most of their time talking didn’t mean they intended to stop training altogether.

Finch’s black eyes turned toward William. "It seems that spar gave you some inspiration you wish to test out," he replied, staring at his friend with mild curiosity.

William nodded silently. He had indeed grasped something during the spar, and there was no reason to hide it.

"Sigh... you and Asher are simply too talented," Finch muttered with a sigh as he remained seated. "Just a single spar with him, and you already learned something, even after having your ass handed to you."

Personally, Finch hadn’t gained anything tangible from the spar. Still, that didn’t mean he felt jealous or envious. There was simply no reason to be. His weapon and abilities were entirely different from Asher’s to begin with.

"Don’t say that," William replied with a smile. "You’re actually the biggest winner out of all of us."

Asher’s purple eyes shifted toward William in confusion, and Finch himself was equally puzzled, wondering what he could have possibly gained without realizing it.

Seeing their expressions, William continued, "Rachael. She was asleep the entire time, from the moment she ended her spar with Asher. So it’s safe to say you’re the biggest winner here. If Rachael had been awake and witnessed the spar, she would’ve seen her strongest Big Brother lose and faint. Her world would’ve crumbled right before her eyes."

Finch remained silent for a moment, unsure how to respond. After a brief pause, he simply smiled and shook his head. He really had been fortunate that Rachael was still a nine-year-old child who needed rest after exhausting her stamina.

Shaking his head once more, Finch stood up from his chair. "I’ll make arrangements for the training chamber you asked for," he said calmly before walking out of the room.

Asher’s gaze returned to the book in his hands. He didn’t need a training chamber. All he intended to do was cultivate, something he could easily accomplish once he returned to his room. In fact, he was already doing so at this very moment, seated quietly as his passive cultivation method continued to function, now slightly improved compared to before.