Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 620: Information Trading

He decided to ask another question, "when exactly did this battle take place, the devastation and destruction are still present here as though it had only happened merely a few hours ago?" Asher asked, his tone laced with both curiosity and lingering disbelief as his gaze swept once more across the ruined expanse.

"Before you left for the Star Academy, someone had attacked Wuthenya, as you already correctly guessed, at the Crownstar Life Rank, meaning your elder sister stood absolutely no chance of defending against such an opponent, so I had no choice but to step in," Malrik stated calmly, not bothering to go into any further details, as Asher was simply too weak to be entrusted with such information at this stage.

Asher frowned slightly, his brows knitting together as disbelief surfaced within him. Someone had actually dared to attack Wuthenya, yet at the same time, a Crownstar Life Ranker was not someone who could be judged or understood by ordinary standards to begin with.

"Who attacked her and why?" he couldn’t help but ask, his curiosity getting the better of him despite already having a strong feeling that Malrik wouldn’t be willing to reveal such information.

Malrik remained silent for a brief moment before replying, "you can already guess the reason why, but as for who... you are still far too weak to know," he said as he gave a small shake of his head, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Asher fell silent once more, he didn’t even need to ask whether the person who had attacked Wuthenya had survived or not, considering his big brother’s history and the Wargrave family’s reputation, it was almost certain that the attacker had already been completely eradicated without a trace.

Yet Asher still wanted to know more, however, he understood that he couldn’t force such information out of Malrik no matter what he did. At that moment, Asher came to a realization, he couldn’t always remain at the short end of the stick, he needed a method of obtaining information on equal footing, and this moment presented the perfect opportunity to test something while also revealing something significant.

"How about a trade?" Asher suggested as he met Malrik’s gaze directly, his tone calm yet deliberate.

"Hooo!!! And what exactly could my little brother possibly possess that I don’t?" Malrik asked, not out of mockery or condescension, but out of genuine intrigue and curiosity.

"Information," Asher replied simply, a faint but confident smile forming on his lips.

Malrik’s expression shifted ever so slightly for a brief moment, his little brother had only been within the confines of home and the Academy, so where exactly could he have obtained information that was both verified and entirely reliable?

"Information on who?" he asked, unable to suppress his curiosity any longer.

Asher’s smile widened subtly as he spoke, "The Emperor, Zolthemir Lux Vanthelmor."

Malrik’s eyes narrowed instantly at the mere mention of that name, the air around them seemed to freeze in place, the suffocating heat from the battlefield below faded into nothingness as Malrik’s entire demeanor underwent a drastic transformation. He had never harbored favorable thoughts or emotions toward the man who carried that name.

Asher could clearly sense the shift in both the atmosphere and Malrik himself, the smile on his lips disappeared immediately as uncertainty crept into his mind, he was no longer entirely sure how to proceed.

"What information?" Malrik asked, his voice turning brisk, cold, and completely devoid of the warmth he had previously shown, his older brotherly demeanor vanishing entirely in that instant.

Asher paused briefly before speaking, choosing his words carefully, "Emperor Zolthemir Lux Vanthelmor possesses the ability to read minds and alter memories, potentially allowing him to turn anyone he literally touches into his loyal puppet," he stated firmly.

The air grew heavier and heavier with each passing second, as though reality itself was being strained to its very limits, the clouds above were violently torn apart by the sheer tension, yet not a single drop of rain fell, as though even the sky itself understood that Malrik stood on the very brink of losing control.

"And how exactly did you come into possession of such information?" Malrik asked, his tone gradually turning colder, each word carrying an oppressive weight.

Asher swallowed hard before responding, "after my spar with Ryan Silvershade during the Royal Twin Birthday party, the Emperor placed his hand on my shoulder during his speech, and at that exact moment, I felt his power ripple directly through my mind."

The instant those words left Asher’s mouth, an overwhelming and titanic pressure erupted outward from Malrik’s body, the very air screamed as though it were alive, the sky seemed on the verge of collapse, every remaining cloud vanished completely, and the battlefield below trembled violently in restrained madness as his presence leaked uncontrollably into the surroundings.

Space itself began to tremble, distort, and then fracture entirely as it could no longer withstand the sheer intensity of Malrik’s presence.

Asher’s eyes widened in absolute shock, this was the first time he had ever witnessed Malrik in such a state, and he understood with complete certainty that if it weren’t for the crimson-orange Solar Energy cloaking him, he would have been instantly annihilated by Malrik’s mere presence alone.

"He dares," Malrik stated, his tone so cold it felt capable of freezing even the concept of ice itself, he then turned his gaze toward Asher and asked, "and how exactly did you manage to withstand such an ability?"

Asher immediately placed his hand firmly on Virelass’ hilt as he answered without hesitation, "my soul-bound weapon possesses the inherent ability to shield my mind whenever it detects any form of mental intrusion," Asher replied quickly, fully aware that even the slightest misunderstanding could lead to disastrous consequences if Malrik lost control and suspected him of being manipulated.

Malrik stared at Asher for a prolonged moment, the surrounding temperature rising to an extent where it felt as though the sun itself was descending upon the world.

"I will be back," Malrik stated in a firm and final tone.

The moment those words were spoken, Asher’s eyes narrowed slightly, he could already deduce that Malrik intended to head straight toward the Capital where the Imperial Estate resided. However, before Malrik could disappear, a man suddenly appeared directly in front of him, he had neatly kept white hair, blue eyes, and wore an immaculate butler uniform, his hands covered in pristine white gloves.

Asher immediately recognized the individual standing before them, it was Malrik’s personal butler.

"Young Master, please reconsider what you are about to do," Malrik’s butler, Conrad, stated respectfully as he bowed his head.

"Conrad, what exactly are you doing?" Malrik asked, his hand instinctively moving toward the hilt of his katana, and at that single motion alone, the air itself sharpened into countless invisible blades, the sky itself seemed to transform into a blade, and even space itself appeared to take on a cutting edge.

Asher’s mind rang with overwhelming danger as his instincts screamed at him to flee immediately or face certain death. Asher had always trusted his senses without question, but for the very first time, he chose to ignore them, believing firmly that his brother would never direct such danger toward him.

"Young Master, please consider the bigger picture, do not allow your anger to cloud your judgment. There are many alternative ways to act against the Emperor, it is simply not yet time for a direct confrontation," Conrad stated calmly, his expression completely neutral as though Malrik’s overwhelming presence had no effect on him whatsoever.

Malrik remained silent for a brief moment, if this had been anyone else, he would have killed them without hesitation, but this was Conrad, his most trusted subordinate and right-hand man.

Asher could do nothing but watch in tense silence, waiting to see what decision Malrik would ultimately make. In the next moment, Malrik turned his gaze toward him and spoke, "return for now, I will give you the information you seek when I come back."

Before Asher could even react, speak, or process what was happening, he vanished instantly from his position as Malrik forcefully teleported him back to the Ducal Wargrave Estate without granting him any opportunity to respond.

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AUTHOR’S NOTE: Gifts? Super gifts?