The Ashen Dominion
Chapter 96 - Goal

Chapter 96: 96 - Goal

After Kaiser and Viktor’s sparring matches against Brock and Jin, the five of them didn’t waste time waiting.

Despite the exhaustion still lingering in their limbs, they got right back to training.

Kaiser headed to the line of straw dummies where he was originally going at the start when he got here, his steps heavy but steady.

His face still ached from Brock’s earlier punch, but that didn’t stop him. He picked up his wooden greatsword—another one, since the previous broke during the spar—and stood in front of a dummy.

"Fuuuu..."

He adjusted his grip, inhaled deeply, and started swinging.

THWACK!

The dull thud echoed each time his weapon struck the dummy. His muscles burned, but he didn’t stop.

His attacks were no longer wild and erratic like they were when he first started using the greatsword—now, they had structure. Purpose.

He recalled how Brock blocked and deflected his strikes with such ease. Each swing he made now was an effort to replicate that kind of control.

"..."

His focus was intense, his brows furrowed with every breath he took between strikes.

Then on the other side of the field...

"Gurgh...!"

Viktor was working on his legs.

He had dragged over a few weighted sandbags and strapped them around his calves. Then, he began a cycle of sprints and jumps, building both explosive power and endurance.

TAP!!

Every landing from his high jumps sent jolts through his legs, but he gritted his teeth and kept going.

’Faster... stronger... sharper.’

He kept repeating in his head. His spar with Jin earlier had exposed his limits, and now, he was determined to break through them.

Khan, who had been training with a wooden spear nearby, noticed the two younger fighters pushing themselves hard.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. Setting his weapon down, he stood and walked over.

"You’re not stepping through your pivot properly."

He said, approaching Viktor mid-jump.

"Huh?"

Viktor looked at him, surprised, but then nodded and took the advice without question.

"Here, do it like this."

Khan crouched beside him and demonstrated a cleaner motion, pointing out how to better control his landing to reduce strain on the knees and maximize momentum.

"Thanks."

Viktor said, adjusting his stance.

"No problem. Keep at it."

Khan gave a short nod.

Then from there—

"Khan!"

Kaiser called out to him too. He asked for his advice as well.

Khan, without saying a word, walked over to Kaiser and corrected his grip, pointing out the angle of the blade in certain strikes.

"Don’t just rely on strength. It’s a greatsword, yes—but if you don’t guide it with control, you’ll be open after every swing."

Kaiser listened closely, nodded, and resumed practice immediately.

"Got it, thanks."

Meanwhile—

"Ugh..."

Brock had returned to his usual strength training. He was pushing against a large weighted sled, his muscles bulging as he moved it across the packed dirt ground.

Occasionally, he’d glance over at Kaiser and Viktor, smirking when he saw their effort.

"Huaaaaaah~"

Jin, in contrast, was still lounging in the shade. He just yawned.

His arms were crossed behind his head, eyes half-closed, just watching the others with a lazy gaze.

He wasn’t in the mood to train again—at least not yet.

"..."

But he was watching, silently evaluating everyone’s movements. Despite his relaxed posture, he was paying attention.

...

The sun slowly climbed higher in the sky, and the training ground echoed with grunts, the sounds of weapons hitting dummies, and the rhythmic thuds of footwork drills.

The day wasn’t over for them.

And neither was their growth.

...

....

*****

Time passed by...

Kaiser, Viktor, Brock, Khan, and Jin trained like hell. (I don’t know about Jin.)

Especially Kaiser and Viktor.

The gap between them and the three veterans—Brock, Khan, and Jin—was undeniable. Painfully so.

Every clash, every correction, every moment of exhaustion carved that truth deeper into their bones.

But instead of being discouraged, the two used it as fuel. Their swings became sharper, their movements more calculated.

Each drop of sweat that hit the dirt was a silent promise... A promise that they’d catch up. And as fast as possible.

Anyway, now... the sun was setting .

And as usual, that was the cue for the two.

It was time to go.

Kaiser, panting and drenched in sweat, let his greatsword rest against his shoulder and glanced at the fading sunlight.

"It’s getting dark... haaaa... haaaaaaa..."

He muttered, furrowing his brows.

Viktor, who was catching his breath after a final sprint, nodded.

"Yeah... time to head back."

The two of them picked up their pace and walked toward the other three.

"Guess this is it for today."

Kaiser said, offering a tired but genuine smile.

"You’re not bad, kid. Both of you. Keep at it."

Brock gave a grin in return.

"We’ll be here same time tomorrow. You know where to find us."

Khan crossed his arms and added.

Jin gave a lazy nod.

"Try not to die in your sleep or whatever. Would suck to waste all that effort."

He mumbled.

"Heh, right."

"True, haha."

Kaiser and Viktor just lightly laughed at that.

"Thanks, really. It’s been a good day."

Then Viktor said that.

"We’re glad we met you two here. This place isn’t kind, but... reuniting with people you know is a good feeling."

Khan stated.

Brock and Jin nodded their heads.

"Keep surviving... And keep improving."

Jin muttered.

"Yeah, let’s see how far you two can go."

Brock followed casually.

And with that, they exchanged one last round of nods and waves before going their separate ways.

"See you tomorrow."

"See ya."

Kaiser and Viktor turned back, heading to the gare.

Their footsteps were heavy, but their spirits were high. The soreness in their bodies didn’t matter. The pain in their muscles didn’t matter. Because for the first time in a while—

They felt like they were moving forward.

...

...

*****

The two got back to the Silver Place not long.

And as soon as Kaiser and Viktor arrive from the training ground—

"Huh...?"

"Hm?"

They immediately tilted their heads in confusion, caught by an unexpected surprise.

Edmar.

"..."

He was standing right in front of Kaiser’s door, arms crossed, eyes locked on the wooden floor like he was deep in thought.

But probably, he’s just too stubborn to knock. The sight of him there felt oddly out of place.

"What does he want?"

Viktor asked weakly, frowning as he wiped some sweat off his jaw.

But calmly—

"I don’t know, let’s just check."

Kaiser replied to him. And without even waiting for a response, he walked toward his room.

"Ugh... This is too bothersome ."

Edmar followed after him, grumbling.

Tap- Tap- Tap—

Tap- Tap- Tap—

The two approached slowly.

"Oh..."

Edmar noticed them once they got close, and he raised his head, locking eyes with Kaiser. He didn’t say anything at first. He just stood straight, letting the silence hang.

Then, when they got in front of him—

"I’m in."

He declared that! His voice was firm, straightforward!

Kaiser and Viktor hadn’t even asked nor told him anything!

"...Huh?"

Kaiser blinked, clearly taken off guard.

"...?"

Viktor was utterly speechless, in disbelief.

But at that moment—

"I’m joining your organization."

Edmar clarified with a small sigh, as if it was obvious.

"I’ve thought about it. You’re weird as hell, but... I’ve got nothing better to do, my organization was disbanded when I lost to you. So I might as well go along with this."

Then he added that.

Kaiser blinked again, then grinned.

"Seriously?"

Edmar nodded as a response.

Viktor looked just as surprised.

"...Huh. Didn’t think you’d say yes."

"I didn’t either."

Edmar just rolled his eyes.

Then with a shrug, he uncrossed his arms and looked at Kaiser.

"I already have my weapons back. If you’re serious about this thing you’re building—then fine. Let’s see where it goes."

Kaiser smiled and extended his hand. Edmar stared at it for a moment... then shook it.

"Welcome aboard."

Kaiser said.

"Whatever."

Edmar muttered with a straight face.

Viktor scoffed, amused.

"Looks like we’re three now."

He mumbled with a smile on his face.

Then, after that—

"By the way, what’s the goal of this organization?"

Edmar asked that, looking at Viktor.

"Heh..."

Viktor laughed and signaled to him to ask Kaiser himself.

"...?"

Edmar looked at Kaiser, curious.

Then casually...

"To get out of here and be free."

Kaiser declared that.

"..."

Edmar became silent after hearing that.

"Be it through special means, escaping, or whatever... Our goal is to leave this place."

Kaiser explained.

"But we’re slaves."

Edmar said.

And with a genuine confused expression on his face—

"So what?"

Kaiser asked him that.

"..."

Edmar turned back to Viktor.

Viktor saw his face and thought it was funny. So with a smile on his face, he just shrugged.

"He’s a hundred percent serious."

He stated.

Edmar frowned—

"Bruh, he’s not just weird... Crazy too, huh."

He mumbled under his breath.

"So, are you still in?"

Just then, Viktor asked that.

Edmar shifted his attention back to him.

"..."

He just looked at him and Kaiser alternatively for a while.

Then, after remaining silent for quite a while—

"Yeah, I’m in. I’m curious to see how this will go anyway."

Edmar declared that.