Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 670: Extra Payment

Asher, Lyra, and the hired hand arrived at the Wargrave Estate under the light of the moon, Asher walked with calm ease as he headed towards the building, but before he could step in, the hired hand spoke, his voice breaking through the silence.

"I’m sorry to disturb you, Tenth Sun, but my work is done, and I will be needing to return," the old man spoke, his eyes focused on the ground as though he did not dare meet Asher’s gaze, his posture reflecting both respect and caution.

Lyra, who was walking behind Asher, immediately paused, her black eyes snapping towards the hired hand, a faint yet sharp killing intent flashing past them as the man had dared to talk to Asher, her Young Master. The man was not supposed to talk to him, but to her; after all, she was the one who hired him, and he had nothing to do with the Tenth Sun, nor did he possess the standing to address him directly.

Personally, the man could not afford to stay within the Wargrave territory or even their Estate for another minute, as the risks far outweighed any sense of safety such a place might offer.

What if something went missing or was stolen for the first time within the Wargrave Estate? Obviously, he would be used as a scapegoat without hesitation. What if he disrespected the wrong maid or butler, one that was connected to a Sun or Moon? He would end up dead immediately, without even understanding how grave his mistake had been.

Best to take his coins and avoid death and unnecessary trouble, for remaining any longer would only increase the chances of something going wrong.

"Are you sure you do not want to spend the night? If you leave the Wargrave Estate or territory, bandits will surely be waiting for you, and my maid was the one who brought you here, so she was able to cover immense distance from your own territory to this place. If you leave now, you will not even arrive at your house this night, and it will take you a few days," Asher suggested.

"No need to worry, Tenth Sun, I will be safe. Fighting with bandits in a world like ours is something one should always expect during every journey; it does not matter whether it is night or day. Besides, I have a family waiting for me, and I would not want to delay my return," the hired hand spoke calmly, though there was a quiet firmness in his tone.

Asher nodded at the man’s words and said nothing else, his expression unchanged. He had only been extending courtesy by offering the man a place to stay for the night, and since the offer had been declined, there was no need to press further. Besides, there was truth in the man’s words; bandits worked around the clock, be it morning, afternoon, or night, so one should expect them at all times.

"Prepare an Enduron Horse for the man, and add a hundred gold coins as extra payment for his good work today," Asher spoke, his tone flat, his words directed to Lyra as he continued walking, stepping into the Wargrave Estate without hesitation.

"As the Young Master orders," Lyra bowed as she spoke, her voice respectful.

At the mention of "extra payment," a smile appeared on the hired man’s face as he bowed alongside Lyra, gratitude flickering within his eyes. After all, his original payment was only a sum of ten gold coins, which was already above what he was usually paid when he was hired.

Not many people needed a man like him who could increase land fertility; only commoners who were deeply involved in farming required such services. Nobles or merchants who dealt in agricultural products had their own established methods and did not rely on individuals like him.

Even if he increased a land’s fertility, the effect would last for years, so it was not something farmers or people paid for like a recurring service that could generate endless streams of income weekly or monthly.

Although one might suggest he should only increase land fertility by a bit, so farmers and commoners can keep returning and he could keep making money, but sadly, he didn’t have that much control over his ability.

Lyra met the hired man’s eyes, and upon seeing his smiling face, she simply dragged him away without another word. If she had been less restrained, she would have struck him for daring to speak directly to her Young Master, but she held herself back, focusing instead on completing her duty.

Stepping into his room, Asher sighed softly, without missing a beat, he took off his clothes and stepped into the bathroom. Although he could simply use Astra energy to cleanse himself instantly, the sensation of water running down one’s skin and back was unmatched, a simple yet profound comfort that even power could not replace, as well as the quiet ease of soaking in a bathtub.

Stepping out of the bathroom, he changed into his pajamas and sat by the window as he stared at the moon hanging in the sky, its gentle glow illuminating the darkness beyond. A smile could not help but appear on his face as he thought about all the excited children and the way they were eager to test out their new clothes and shoes, their joy unrestrained and genuine.

’I wonder how my life would have been if I had reincarnated as a commoner,’ Asher thought to himself, the idea lingering briefly in his mind. At the thought, he simply shook his head with a faint smile, as he personally knew he would not enjoy that type of beginning.

Not that he looked down on commoners, but why should he trade starting as a noble, and not just any noble, but the son of a Duke, a Wargrave, for starting as a commoner? The difference between both was immense, stretching across status, opportunity, and influence.

But Asher knew that, despite the villagers’ happiness, their respective Village Chiefs would soon give them news about the deaths of their loved ones, if their loved ones were among those who had been kidnapped. The joy they felt now was temporary, destined to be replaced by grief.

’Each Village Chief would probably wait until tomorrow to give the news; after all, they are all happy about the resources,’ Asher thought to himself, his gaze fixed upon the moon.

A knock resounded through the room, "come in," Asher stated indifferently.

Lyra walked in as she spoke, "Young Master, dinner is ready to be served."

"Serve it. I will also be needing the best wine you can get your hands on," Asher replied without turning to Lyra, his eyes remaining fixed on the sky as though he had not fully returned from his thoughts.

"Yes, Young Master," Lyra stated, then left, returning a few minutes later with dinner and drinks, leaving Asher to eat as he stared into the night.

As Asher ate, he thought about what he needed to do tomorrow, his mind already shifting towards the tasks ahead. ’Tomorrow, I will meet with the Great Elder Morthen for the World Map; after that, I will say goodbye to Elder Brother, then leave for the Star Academy,’ he thought to himself as he sipped his wine.