The Ashen Dominion
Chapter 100 - Eleven

Chapter 100: 100 - Eleven

Tap- Tap- Tap—

As Kaiser walked toward where the lunches were being handed out... He spotted Brock, Khan, Jin, Viktor, and Edmar heading to the same place.

None of them said anything as they approached, but without any need for words, they naturally joined up, forming a casual group.

And with that, they all lined up for their portions of lunch. They’re all hungry right now and are conserving their strengths, that’s why they’re all quiet.

...

...

*****

After getting their food— the six of them found two side-by-side benches and sat down to eat.

On one bench sat Viktor, Kaiser, and Edmar— in that order. On the other bench were Jin, Khan, and Brock.

And as soon as they settled down—

NOM!

They all started eating immediately. The atmosphere was relaxed, just the sound of utensils hitting bowls and quiet murmurs here and there.

Then after a while, breaking the lull, Khan raised a question as he looked at the three across from him.

"How many members does your organization have now?"

His eyes shifted specifically to Kaiser, Edmar, and Viktor.

Before Kaiser could speak, Edmar answered.

"Six."

Calm and confident, maybe a bit proud too.

But almost immediately, Kaiser lifted his head and corrected his words casually.

"Actually, eleven."

He said.

"What...?"

Edmar blinked.

"Huh?"

"...?"

"..."

Brock stopped chewing for a moment. Jin raised an eyebrow. And Khan’s eyes widened a bit.

They were shocked. I mean, just yesterday; Kaiser’s organization only have two members including him!

Even Viktor turned to Kaiser, confused at first.

But a second later, realization dawned on his face. He leaned back slightly, a faint smirk appearing.

"So that’s why... That explains it."

Viktor muttered.

"Who are the others?"

Edmar then asked quickly.

"Why didn’t you tell me? I’m the vice head. I need to know these things so I can help you manage this organization and that we can plan for the future."

He added. His voice was calm, just a hint of disappointment.

Kaiser looked at Edmar and bowed his head slightly.

"Sorry. I forgot to bring it up earlier in the morning. I just remembered now when I heard Khan’s question."

Edmar paused, then nodded.

"Alright. Understandable. So? Who are they?"

He was curious.

And in that moment— Kaiser began listing the names.

"Damian, Rose, Jhamillah, and Jenna. They’re all Copper Rankers. They’ve only fought once, but they have potential."

He simply explained.

Edmar frowned again. His mouth opened, ready to say something.

But before he could even let out a noise, Viktor chimed in.

"They’re good kids. Talented."

Edmar turned to look at Viktor, eyes narrowing a bit.

Viktor met his gaze with a calm smile.

"..."

And after being silent for a few seconds... Edmar nodded again. He trusts his words.

"Alright. I’ll trust your judgment."

He mumbled.

And then, he turned back to Kaiser.

"That’s still only ten. Who’s the last one?"

Edmar asked.

Kaiser casually shrugged at his words.

"Rai."

Then he shortly replied.

"Rai?"

Edmar repeated.

"Yeah, he’s servant."

And when Kaiser said that— Everyone fell silent.

"..."

Even Brock stopped mid-chew again. Jin’s eyes opened slightly. Khan looked surprised. Viktor blinked a couple of times.

A servant being a part of an organization is unheard of for them until now!

Anyway, moving on...

"A servant?"

Edmar asked slowly.

"Yeah."

Then Kaiser replied simply.

"Why?"

"He’s earnest and honest. I like him. He’ll be useful for us."

He followed without much thought.

"But... First of all, he’s not a fighter. What we need right now is strength."

Edmar stated, his frows furrowing a bit.

But immediately—

"So what? Physical prowess isn’t the only kind of strength there is."

Kaiser rebutted, all calm and casual.

"..."

Edmar’s mouth hung slightly open. He wasn’t expecting that kind of response.

"He won’t weaken the organization."

"He helps where he can, and that’s what matters."

Kaiser added, shrugging his shoulders.

"Kahahaha..."

Brock laughed a little, shaking his head.

"You’re really something, kid."

He said.

"Heh."

"..."

Jin smiled faintly. Khan nodded approvingly.

While Viktor didn’t say anything, just continued eating with a look of agreement on his face. He’s so used of Kaiser being all weird after spending time with him for a long while now.

"Haaaaa..."

Edmar eventually sighed.

"Well, if you say so."

He mumbled. A smile was about to crept up in Kaiser’s face.

But you’re wrong about one thing."

Though, Edmar suddenly said that.

"Huh? About what?"

Kaiser tilted his head, confused.

And with his lips parting—

"Having a non-combatant doesn’t make the organization weaker? Sure. But it does make us more vulnerable. Rai can be used as leverage against us. If someone kidnaps him, what then? We can’t always protect him. We can’t just ignore him either. That puts everyone in a difficult spot."

Edmar explained that.

"...!"

Kaiser went quiet.

His expression shifted a bit, and it was clear the thought hadn’t occurred to him until now. Or it had been before, he just ignored it...

Edmar looked straight at him.

"Now that you know that, keep it in mind. That’s your role as a leader"

He then mumbled.

Kaiser nodded slowly.

"Yeah... I will."

Brock, Khan, and Jin actually agrees with Edmar. That Rai could be a weakness for them.

So they were glad that Kaiser listened carefully to Edmar.

"..."

Viktor remained silent, but he knew Edmar was right.

(By the way, Kaiser hadn’t met Rai yet since last night. So he doesn’t know Damian and the three girls’ answer yet, he hadn’t heard them yet. But he’s just so sure that the four of them would agree to join him... And he was right as fuck about that.)

*****

After that small talk about the organization Kaiser was making...

The atmosphere around the six of them started to lighten up. The conversation shifted from organization matters to casual things— small jokes, comments about the training dummies, and even complaints about how the soup tasted blander than yesterday.

They ate peacefully after that, just six guys sitting together and recovering from a tiring morning of training.

And eventually... They all finished their meals.

Some of them were still chewing their last bites while stretching their arms.

Then at that moment, Edmar stood up first.

Fwish~

He brushed off his pants, picked up his wooden cup, and turned to the others.

"I’m going back to training first."

He said calmly.

But before he could take even a single step away from the table—

Fwip!

Kaiser suddenly reached out and grabbed his arm!

"...?"

Edmar looked down at the hand holding him, blinking, confused.

"What is it?"

Kaiser, still seated, smiled as he pointed at Brock, Khan, and Jin.

"Join us."

He said casually.

"Me and Viktor. We’re doing our special training. Come with us."

Edmar’s brows furrowed slightly.

"Huh? Training? What kind of training?"

He asked.

"Secret training."

Then Viktor answered with a smirk as he leaned back against the bench.

"It’s hard, but you’ll get something out of it."

He added.

Edmar turned his gaze back to Brock and the others. The three of them hadn’t said anything yet, just watching silently, smirking like they knew exactly what kind of hell the two were inviting him into.

"Secret training...?"

Edmar repeated, still looking skeptical.

Kaiser stood up at that moment and gave him a light pat on the shoulder.

"You’ll see when we get started. But if you want to grow faster, this is the way."

"Hmm..."

Edmar narrowed his eyes, still suspicious. But in the end, curiosity got the better of him!

He let out a short sigh and crossed his arms.

"Alright, fine. I’ll come with you. Let’s see what this secret training of yours is all about."

Edmar said.

Viktor stood up as well and stretched his arms lazily.

"You’ll regret it."

He said with a teasing grin, making Edmar frown.

"But in a good way."

Though after Viktor followed with that, Edmar just got more confused.

Anyway with that— the three of them turned and started walking toward the training ground again.

Brock, Khan, and Jin followed shortly after, falling in step behind them.

As they walked through the grounds, the mood changed again— lighter, but with a layer of anticipation underneath.

None of them spoke much. Edmar glanced at the three veterans occasionally, taking note of their calm, composed demeanor. He could feel it now more than ever— the gap.

The invisible wall between where he was and where they stood. He clicked his tongue quietly and clenched his fists.

"Special training, huh. This better be good."

He muttered to himself.

He had no idea what he just agreed to.

Edmar hadn’t even noticed that they were heading to one of the arenas!

That’s right, Kaiser and Viktor pulled him into sparring with Brock, Jin, and Khan! They want him to suffer with them!

"Hehehehehe..."

"Hehehehehehe..."

Viktor and Kaiser laughed among themselves, eyes at each other from time to time. They were having trouble containing their voices.

At that moment—

Swoosh~

A cold wind brushed past Edmar, he felt goosebumps all over his body!

’I have a slight bad feeling about this.’

He thought to himself.