CLEAVER OF SIN
Chapter 116: Pickpocket

Chapter 116: Pickpocket

Lyra’s usually calm expression finally cracked as she stared in complete shock at the ridiculous amount of money laid out on the table before her. Had she ever seen such an absurdly large amount of money in her life? Most definitely not.

Before she could find the words to speak, Asher’s calm voice beat her to it.

"This is ten thousand platinum coins. You can consider it the first payment for staying by my side until now," Asher stated with composed clarity.

After all, Lyra had been with him from the very beginning. Though one might argue that her presence was merely the result of an assignment given to her by the Primarch at the time of Asher’s birth, which was, in fact, true, Lyra could have chosen to leave when Asher awakened during his third and final chance.

After all, those who awakened at the third attempt were known to be far less talented than their peers. No one in their right mind would want to waste their time or devote their life to serving such an individual. Not when nine other monsters, more talented and more promising, existed.

Lyra hadn’t known he was a genius. She had no idea what he would become. She had committed to being his personal maid long before his system even booted, long before it granted him the Absolute Physique.

Asher wasn’t stingy, not by nature. If he had the means to provide for those who mattered to him, he would do so without hesitation, as long as it didn’t come at a significant detriment to himself.

Besides, what exactly was he going to do with twenty thousand platinum coins? He lived in an estate where food was always available, his housing was fully taken care of, and he received a monthly stipend from the family. Though he could, of course, save up, Asher had no doubt in his mind that he could get rich again if necessary.

This was a fantasy world, after all. There were plenty of bandits to rob should he ever find himself lacking money.

So yes, Asher had handed over half of his entire reward to Lyra without so much as blinking.

Lyra’s mind felt like it was about to explode when she processed the amount.

’Ten thousand platinum coins.’ Her breath hitched slightly. Even minor nobles, like Barons, wouldn’t possess that kind of money without selling off some of their possessions or unlocking their family vaults filled with old savings.

"Thank you, Young Master," Lyra said softly, a warm smile gracing her lips. She had no intention of rejecting the gesture, nor did she utter the usual cliché words like "It’s too much" or "I don’t need it."

If her Young Master gave it to her, then he must certainly have more to spare. With that, she waved her hand gently, and the coins vanished into her personal spatial ring in an instant.

Just as she was about to bow again and offer a second round of thanks, Asher raised a hand casually, halting her in motion.

"No need. Thank me by getting stronger, and fulfilling your duty more efficiently," Asher said flatly but not unkindly.

Hearing his words, Lyra simply nodded with a slight smile. She then bowed properly and exited the room, happiness evident in her calm steps.

’I just hope she doesn’t blow it all on women’s makeup and stuff like that,’ Asher thought to himself with a faint smirk.

He didn’t actually believe Lyra would waste the money like that, she was far too disciplined and focused, but women were the same across every world. Their appearance was often their top priority.

Still, Lyra was already in her mid-forties and had only reached the Firmstar Rank. Asher was confident she would use the funds wisely and push her Life Rank to a new level.

Asher smiled faintly. Sometimes, he forgot that Lyra was a woman well into her forties because of how close and familiar they were. Their daily interactions had blurred that line.

Shaking his head, he walked over to the window. With a smooth motion, he opened it and then effortlessly climbed over the sill, sitting down on the window stool. He gazed out into the world beyond the estate, feeling the gentle wind brush against his skin.

His purple hair swayed to the rhythm of the breeze. He had no thoughts of falling or dying by mistake. If this had been his past life, he wouldn’t even have dared to attempt something like sitting on a window ledge. The risks would have been too great.

But here? Even if he slipped and fell, he would land perfectly fine as though nothing had happened. He could even use Astra to stand on the vertical surface of the wall, or better still, simply teleport back into his room. After all, he had placed a teleportation mark here and already removed the one from his previous room.

As he continued gazing outward, a curious thought crossed his mind. He realized that he had never actually explored the Wargrave Duchy’s territory. Sure, he had left the main Wargrave family home and headed to the estate, but he had never explored the domain that his familiar lorded over.

’Since I’ve got nothing else to do today, maybe I should take a walk and explore it a bit,’ Asher thought.

This time, he wouldn’t move in a carriage or with guards. He would move on foot. After all, no one had ever truly seen his face, aside from a handful of nobles and a few merchants who were present during the Royal Party.

As for the commoners living within the Duchy, they wouldn’t recognize him. They might stare at him for a while due to his handsome face, but that was the most he expected.

’Maybe I should also visit the slums and see how things truly are, not just on the surface,’ he considered.

Even if Asher saw children lying around starving in the slums, he wouldn’t suddenly turn into a saint and begin rescuing them. That wasn’t his nature. He didn’t see himself as a savior. He simply wanted to observe the situation for himself, something he had read about multiple times in various books.

’I’ll even allow some children to pickpocket me. I wonder what their reaction will be when they check their loot and find a platinum coin,’ he mused with a quiet laugh.

If anyone managed to steal a platinum coin, they’d probably collapse from sheer panic. After all, only the wealthy and deeply connected possessed such wealth.

Asher smiled at the thought, then rose from his spot on the window. With smooth, practiced movement, he turned and dropped down into his room, his feet making a soft sound as they met the polished floor.

He was ready. Today, he would explore the Wargrave Duchy, not as a noble, not as a young master, but simply as Asher, moving unseen among the people.

Just for today.