Lyra nodded with her eyes narrowed. "If the Wargrave wins, the Sun or Moon returns as something more, greater, even. If the assassination organisation wins, their reputation soars to unprecedented heights. After all, how many individuals can claim to have killed a Wargrave?" Lyra spoke as she arrived at her conclusion.
"Exactly my point. The assassin organisation could easily replace such bottom feeders within their ranks. A few Faintstar Life Rank assassins in exchange for a Wargrave’s head is a deal that most people would kill for. But well, that’s just my perspective. Neither big brother nor big sister said any of this, it’s simply my own deduction based on what I’ve seen and heard. So don’t take it as solid fact," Asher replied with measured calm.
Lyra nodded her head slightly and spoke with a thoughtful expression, "I believe the Young Master is closer to the truth than he realises. Still, the truth doesn’t particularly matter right now, not when the Young Master has undergone his own awakening."
"But the truth will matter," Asher stated with a calm smile, "when the assassination organisation finally betrays the Wargraves."
"Huh? What do you mean by betray, Young Master?" Lyra asked in clear confusion, her brow furrowed slightly.
"Well," Asher began, "the last true victory for the assassination organisation must have occurred during my father’s generation. But now, none of the current Suns or Moons has died during the recent True Awakenings. That’s ten entire events, ten complete chances, and the assassins couldn’t secure a single win. Anyone would be frustrated after losing ten times in a row. Don’t you think so, Lyra?" he asked, voicing his growing suspicion.
Lyra frowned deeply. She could already picture the scenario in her mind. "Although the assassination organisation hasn’t suffered any real losses, since they only sacrifice weaklings, they might still decide to make a bold and sneaky move," Lyra said with concern lacing her voice.
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Asher simply smiled at her words and replied, "Once again, these are just my thoughts, nothing has been proven, and there’s no concrete evidence. So don’t let it worry you."
"Yes, Young Master," Lyra responded respectfully.
If the Primarch were listening at that very moment, he would have been utterly shocked. What Asher had deduced regarding the secret arrangement between the Wargraves and the assassination organisation was indeed accurate.
It was a matter that had been kept under the strictest secrecy. After all, someone could easily pay the assassin group more to break the deal and truly eliminate a Wargrave. But the Wargraves always took precautions against such outcomes, they were no fools.
Yet, Asher had deduced all of this from just a few casual words spoken by Malrik and Wuthenya, words they had likely said without much thought.
Even Asher himself marvelled at his own deductive prowess. He hadn’t even been actively analysing the situation. Lyra had merely asked a question, and the deductions had unfolded in his mind with chilling clarity, as if he were solving basic arithmetic. He found himself quietly impressed with the speed and accuracy of his own mind.
’No wonder heroes always suffer at the hands of villains,’ Asher mused silently. ’Heroes are typically overpowered but possess almost no intellect, while villains rely heavily on wit and cunning. That’s why they always escape at the last second, they can’t overpower the hero, so they outthink them and make them suffer.’
’If I can think this far without even trying, imagine what I could do if I actually put effort into it,’ his thoughts continued, a hint of self-praise weaving through his internal monologue.
’Sigh... No wonder intelligent people often meet tragic ends. They eventually grow arrogant, and their own brilliance leads them straight into their downfall,’ Asher concluded inwardly, then shook his head as if to dispel the train of thought entirely.
But Asher wasn’t the only one who had arrived at the conclusion that the assassin organisation might turn against the Wargraves after enduring ten consecutive failures. Individuals like Malrik, Wuthenya, and certain experienced elders had also entertained similar thoughts.
Privately, many of them were looking forward to such a betrayal. Although they couldn’t interfere with the death of a Sun or Moon during the True Awakening, they could certainly retaliate against the assassin organisation if they dared make a direct move.
"I must say, your intelligence is truly terrifying, Young Master," Lyra remarked.
"I’m just average," Asher said with a shrug. "I’m certain there are plenty of old men and women scheming behind the scenes right now."
’Like the Emperor,’ he thought privately but refrained from saying aloud.
Asher rose from the bed where he had been sitting and spoke once more, "Lyra, I’ll need a lot of food. After coming so close to death several times over the past six hours, I’ve come to appreciate the simple joys of life."
Lyra bowed with a knowing smile. "I anticipated this, Young Master. I’ve already prepared a feast in advance," she replied.
Asher nodded in approval, then turned toward the bathroom. ’Having someone who can anticipate your needs... now that’s a luxury,’ he thought to himself, smiling slightly as he walked away.
The door closed softly behind him as he locked it. After several minutes of bathing, he stepped out, refreshed, and dressed in one of the elegant new outfits he had purchased while in the capital for the Royal Party.
Just a few minutes later, Lyra returned with a large cart loaded with food. She arranged the dishes carefully on the table, the smile never leaving her face.
"Hey, Lyra," Asher asked, raising an eyebrow, "how did you manage all this? I thought you were sealed off somewhere."
"I made the necessary preparations a day before, Young Master. In situations like this, I must stay several steps ahead," she replied, her tone light, yet proud.
’It seems I’m becoming a foodie,’ Asher mused as he stared at the array of dishes laid out before him. ’Well, not that I could get fat even if I wanted to. Perk of the bloodline,’ he thought, and then he immediately began eating.
After finishing everything Lyra had served him, Asher stood up from his seat, his stomach now pleasantly full, and collapsed onto the bed with a satisfied sigh.
Lyra entered the room once again to clear the plates. She did so quietly, then left just as swiftly.
Within seconds, Asher drifted off into sleep. After all, he had been both exhausted and famished for some time now. A peaceful silence blanketed the room, and the only sound that remained was the soft, rhythmic breathing of the sleeping young master.