Chapter 143: Three Reasons

COUGH! COUGH!

​The surrounding Awakened enforcers coughed violently through the thick, choking plumes of dark smoke, staring in sheer terror at the towering silhouette standing before them. As the dust slowly settled, revealing the figure’s identity, their panic shifted to absolute shock.

​"Lord Daniel!"

​They all exclaimed in utter disbelief and surprise.

​Daniel remained completely silent, his eyes locked onto the network of fine cracks spider-webbing across his defensive barrier. He straightened his back, dropping the magical shield, before placing one hand over his chest and bowing his head low:

​"Greetings, senior. May I please inquire as to the reason for your sudden visit?" he asked, keeping his gaze respectfully lowered.

​Zion and the surviving Awakened standing behind him were entirely dumbfounded. This was Daniel—the Supreme Leader of the Awakened Association—and here he was, actively bowing down to a young man. Even when confronting representatives from top-tier factions like the Starfire or Wyrmrest families, Daniel had never lowered his head in such a manner.

​Which meant the ruthless powerhouse who had just breached their perimeter was an absolute sovereign from an Ancient Family.

​"When you lay eyes on a high-ranking member of an Ancient Family... What is the required protocol?"

​The shadows pooling at the entrance shifted violently, and Asher stepped out from the darkness, his arms crossed behind his back.

​"You...?"

​Daniel was stunned, recognizing the young Patriarch immediately.

​"Should I repeat my question?" Asher asked coldly, staring straight into his eyes with a gaze that promised total annihilation.

​Daniel swallowed hard, his throat dry. Was Asher truly demanding that he kneel right here in front of his subordinates?! He had only ever bowed his knee before Lady Astrid because he personally understood her astronomical strength and the bloodline power backing her. But he had yet to see the true ceiling of Asher’s individual power. In this brutal world, strength was the absolute law; without strength, a ruler was nothing.

​Observing the slight hesitation flickering across Daniel’s face, Asher gave a slow, indifferent nod. Instantly, his suffocating aura exploded outward—but to Daniel’s utter shock, the localized pressure passed straight through him.

​BAM!!

​"AHHHHHHHHH!!"

​Daniel froze as agonizing shrieks erupted behind him. He blinked, his heart hammering against his ribs, not daring to turn his head back.

​"AHHHHHHH!!"

​"CALL THE HEALERS!! QUICKLY!!"

​Unable to restrain himself, Daniel slowly looked over his shoulder—and horrified shock paralyzed his entire body. Every single one of his elite men was writhing on the paved driveway in pools of blood, the left arm of every single officer severed cleanly at the shoulder. Only Captain Zion remained standing, though his face was devoid of color, paralyzed by pure, unadulterated terror.

​’When the hell did he...?! Only SSS-Rank and SS-Rank Awakened are stationed at my private residence! He just severed their limbs simultaneously using nothing more than a targeted aura wave?! Just how astronomically high are his base stats?!’ Daniel thought frantically, his mind reeling as he slowly turned his gaze back to Asher.

​"Should I execute them next?" Asher asked flatly.

​THUD!

​Daniel’s knee smashed heavily into the stone driveway: "I humbly apologize for my blind arrogance!! Lord Asher!" he shouted, his head bowed to the ground.

​"...?!"

​Zion and the bloodied Awakened watched in horror, while those with active Healing abilities frantically used their remaining skills to stanch their bleeding wounds.

​Asher stared down at the kneeling leader with a cold, unreadable expression. He intended to rapidly expand his family’s reputation and absolute authority across Vaeloria; if he showed leniency now, every major faction would mistake his mercy for weakness.

​The core rule of their hierarchy was absolute: Strength is everything.

​To establish an unshakeable foundation, one must rule through overwhelming fear.

​"Come with me."

​Asher commanded, as pitch-black shadows erupted from the ground beneath them, completely wrapping around the stunned Daniel. In the next instant, both figures vanished entirely from the estate grounds.

"....?!!" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

_____

​[500 Meters Above the Sky.]

​The two materialized in the open sky high above the city, the sudden shift in altitude and whistling winds momentarily disorienting Daniel. The instant he registered his location in the cloud line, he frantically channeled his spirit energy, stabilizing his body midair before he could plummet toward a fatal crash.

​"I have three distinct reasons for coming here tonight." Asher stated, his back turned to him as he hovered effortlessly.

​"Please speak, Lord Asher." Daniel said, keeping his tone exceptionally humble.

​"First: I do not want your Association poking its nose into my personal business or any of the guilds under my jurisdiction from this point forward."

​’Guilds...?’ Daniel thought, his eyes widening slightly:

’Is he actively annexing guilds under his family?’

​Recovering his composure, Daniel quickly added: "I agree to those terms... However, if your family’s operations result in the senseless slaughter of innocent civilians, I will be forced to step up."

​Asher turned his head, looking at him over his shoulder: "Would you actually dare to interfere if one of the other Ancient Families began slaughtering innocent people?! Or would you simply cower like a pathetic fool and hide behind your desk?" he asked, a heavy wave of raw killing intent lacing his cold red eyes.

​"....?!"

​Daniel fell completely silent, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. All his life, he had striven to bring order and peace to the world, particularly for ordinary citizens lacking combat power. Yet Asher’s brutal assessment was correct—he lacked the military power to confront an Ancient Family directly. So how could he hypocritically claim he would stand up to Asher?

​"Can’t answer?" Asher redirected his gaze back to the horizon. "I have no interest in butchering innocent people, so calm yourself... As for the second reason: I require completely unrestricted access for my people to enter and leave any walled city across Vaeloria at will. You can facilitate that, correct?"

​"Yes, I will handle it personally. Every registered member of the Aetheldawn Family will receive absolute diplomatic immunity and free transit rights in every major city." Daniel answered immediately, before adding:

"By tomorrow morning, all official documentation and system updates will be finalized."

​"Now, for my third reason." Asher turned his entire body around, locking his cold gaze onto the Association leader:

​"Why did you officially announce the death of my second wife, Sara, to the public... when she is still alive?" He demanded in a calm, lethal tone.

​"I did that solely to protect her life."

​"Protect her? What do you mean by that?"

​Asher questioned him sharply. He knew full well that Sara had been struck by a deadly poison, and that the conspirators behind her assassination were closely tied to the ruling Ancient Families. He refused to believe Daniel was foolish enough to feed those apex factions false intelligence without a calculated reason.

​If the Ancient Families discovered the deception, Daniel’s life would be forfeited instantly.

​"Lady Sara bled on the front lines to defend this nation and sacrificed everything to keep our people safe..." Daniel said, his voice trembling with genuine emotion as he looked up:

"I would be nothing more than a heartless beast if I didn’t do everything in my power to protect her."

".....?!"