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Chapter 130 - Ch130 Guilt is no more

"Anne must have written all her worries. So, I won't dwell on them any longer. Anne, Gian, me, Sofia and Sam. All of us are alright. The House of Orgus neither made any moves nor made any contact with us. Everything is going smoothly like it always has. I am even starting to worry about how weird and eerie this calmness is but let's pray for the best." 

"Everyone has sent their greetings and well wishes for you. They all wanted to write letters to you as well. But I stopped them knowing it would overwhelm you. We have decided that we will send letters individually at our own pace and when we are comfortable with it. I also saw those incidents in the newspaper weeks ago." 

'Finally, a letter that gave some basic ideas about their conditions!'

Just as I was a little happy from knowing they were not pursued by Orgus, my smile froze. 

"A name caught my attention. 'Reaper' This is what they are calling a guy who had killed many gang members some nights before the monster wave in the city. Does this ring a bell?" 

"This guy sure is sharp…" I mumbled while rubbing my temples with my free hand. 

Liber was someone I respected a lot. Maybe because he was reliable or maybe because I had seen him risk his life for others… or maybe due to the bond he shares with his team. 

But in the end, some secrets will be buried deep in me. And never see the light of the sun. 

"Pfft–" I chuckled at such thoughts and hastily read the leftover letter. 

I also had to visit the Temple in the evening, and before that also gave some instructions to Castor. 

The letter in the end was just a summary of what they had done after I left. No special event or any threat. 

'Such a peaceful life they have been living… I envy that.' 

Just like that the letter ended. 

With a satisfied look, I closed my eyes and sighed. 

'But did the House of Orgus truly do nothing?' 

Shaking my head, I stood up. 

"I doubt it… but I also don't know why. Let's leave it at that, in the future I can deal with this." 

No matter how strong I currently was. To deal with a noble house I needed to be a transcendent at the very least. And that was not something under my control right now. 

Dealing with things above my league was tiring both mentally and physically, 

'Only if I can just laze around forever.' 

With a deep sigh, I stretched my arms and left the room. 

*****

Cling! 

Opening the door, I entered Castor's bar. Unlike before he finally had some customers filling up the space. 

Amidst the echoes of laughter and joy. Several figures drank like there was no tomorrow, their jokes and daily routine were clear as day. 

"Ah, my seat is taken…" I said in a small whisper as my eyes gazed at the seat beside the counter. 

My eyes then met with Castor who gave me a dumbfounded look. His eyes then following my gaze turned to look at the man who sadly has taken over my seat. 

Swish.

His head turned then rapidly turned to look at me with a stern gaze. 

'Don't you dare try something weird!' 

He moved his lips in a strange manner delivering this message to me.

"How rude… I just arrived here." I mumbled seeing his antics and moved closer to the counter. Avoiding the stray drops of beer, I slowly made my way toward him with my hand raised in the air to avoid the crowded room. 

Caster, seeing me coming closer, went to the corner and dragged a stoll from there, and placed it near me. I gave him a bewildered look, but didn't have any reason to complain. 

"Your bar sure is busy today!" I said loud enough for him to hear clearly. 

Nod. Nod. 

Castor nodded, his stern gaze getting softer as he took a seat near me. 

"That's how it always is. Today is much more crowded somehow."

"I see, and here I was worried that your bar would get closed with how empty it always was whenever I visited," 

Hearing Asher's teasing words, Casto's lips visibly twitched. With a composed expression, he sighed and leaned back, his arms relaxing at the counter beside him. 

"So, what brings you here now? I am sure it's not to appreciate my work." 

"Well, remember what I had said before about getting some help from you?" 

Castor nodded albeit hesitantly. His gaze turned to look at the people surrounding them. Then in a small whisper, he asked cautiously. 

"So, what's the plan?" 

I took a deep breath, as I stayed silent for a few seconds. My gaze turned to look at the people present beside us. Making sure no one was hearing this, I said in an equally small voice. 

"I will not take anyone's side as there is no need to. I can still make some profit from robbing those who play dirty in the mud as well." 

Castor frowned upon hearing me, looking quite bewildered at what the meaning behind my words was. 

Licking his lips, Castor asked.

"Who do you plan to rob?" 

"The soap merchant." 

I answered honestly with a calm voice. 

Castor's eyes widened for a moment. His surprise was evident in his face, as he had his mouth hung open. 

"We don't know if he had done something wrong to anyone. You were looking for a villainous person right?" Castor asked. 

I nodded understanding the true intent behind this question. 

"I did hope he would have committed some crime… but to tell the truth I didn't even look into that merchant. I was thinking that if he had committed any evil deed I would not feel guilty for robbing him." 

"Then what changed your mind?" 

Castor asked, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms. 

I chuckled softly and nodded towards him. 

"Nothing changed, to be honest. I just realised I don't need a reason to gain something. It's not that I will go around committing crimes, no I will never do such a thing." 

Castor smirked, his hand brushing through the table as he grabbed a bottle kept on the counter.

"So, what's the real reason? You are just saying things now with no intent at all of getting serious." 

He asked, gulping a mouthful of beer kept inside. 

I stared at him in silence, then sighed before saying casually with a grin.

"He is associated with Elric and supports him, correct? That's more than enough reason for me to make a move." 

"Pfft— Hahaha" 

Castor choked on his drink, as he burst out laughing. 

"What happened?" 

I asked in bewilderment as his sudden laughter scared me. 

"Nothing, nothing at all… Man, Asher, you are weird sometimes. No, cut that, you are weird most of the time. It feels like you evolve weirdly every week and become something new." 

I frowned and raised an eyebrow at his sudden comments about me. 

'What is he even talking about? Evolving, if anything I feel like banging my head on a wall every day!' 

Feeling complicated inside, I didn't ponder anymore and just went to the main issues at hand.

"Yeah, thanks… Ah, yes, let's talk about my plan. If you have anything to add or corrections I would appreciate that." 

"Okay, let's discuss that inside and you can also explain about your sudden change of heart as well," Castor said readily, as he stood up from his seat in haste before signaling some guys drinking not far from us. 

I followed him down Staris as we reached our sparing area, which originally was his basement. I had more or less taken over it at this point. 

"What's with that dubious smile?" Castor asked, sat on his chair and then again took a mouthful from the bottle in his hands. 

I shrugged, not interested in answering such stupid questions. 

"How many men can you gather, trustworthy, I mean," I asked. 

Castor thought for a moment, and after three seconds he quickly said. 

"It depends on time and place. But if you say that you will need them today, then mostly one and that person will be me." 

"What about in two days?" 

"Maybe ten if lucky, otherwise six at minimum." 

Hearing Castor's words, I found my lips curving up in a smile. 

"Good, good. That's more than enough, also bring a wagon, a big one." 

"Now, I am really confused. If you are planning on doing something in the open then I don't recommend doing that. We are not bandits in the end." 

"Castor, don't worry. I am not planning something as simple as that. So, the plan is…" 

Castor listened in silence, questioning Asher's intentions at every stop he made. By the end of it, his face had gone through several expressions as slowly muttered. 

"That could work actually, we will need to prepare several things. But can you do such a thing, it will depend totally on your part?"

I nodded. 

"I will take care of that, don't worry, both of them are my responsibility." 

"I see, let's refine this plan a bit more… We can't take any risk." 

'With this, the stage was set.' I thought before clearing Castor's doubts. 

***** 

I walked through the Temple corridor. It was not an area where anyone could just enter, but somehow I seem to come here regularly. 

'I am playing the role of a devotee.' I smiled as these thoughts passed through my mind. 

This also proved my authenticity to Elric and Ains that I in the end was a simple merchant who regularly prayed to the Goddess.

However, I was also aware that I had shown my powers to them in different ways and forms. But it was likely to get ignored if I kept my interactions with them to a minimum. 

Click—

Opening the door, the sight that greeted me was something I expected.

At her seat, Morgana sat comfortably while, at the sofa in the corner of the room Lord Elias was pretty laid back in his seat. 

"Oh, you came on time. I was ready to take a nap." Elias said with a smile. 

As I entered the room, I slightly bowed my head in his direction. 

"Greetings Lord Elias, it's nice to see you." 

"If only I could say the same…." He mussed before standing up.

"Nice to see you as well Asher." 

Morgana said in a quiet voice, making me shudder.

'Crap, I forgot her for a moment.' 

Making the best smile I could muster, I turned to look at her calm and stoic face before giving my greetings.

"Yes, it's very good to see you as well, Lady Morgana. Once again thank you for your lessons the other day." 

Morgana didn't say anything as she contemplated for a moment, then in a tone of interest asked.

"Did you study the books I gave to you?"

Nod. Nod.

I nodded like a parrot, a little fearful in the presence of ancient entities like Elias and well, Morgana shouldn't be that old right?

'I should ask her someday.' 

"I did, just a little bit."

"Hm" She nodded softly upon hearing this and gave Elias a side eye prompting him to continue.

Elias sighed, and his gaze fell on both Asher and Morgana as a dubious idea came to his mind. With a small smirk just as he was about to open his mouth.

"I—" 

"Lord Elias, if you deviated from Asher topics. I will tell her and make sure your punishment increases by tenfold." 

Morgana said in a cold voice that made Elias stop mid-motion.

Looking at her cold gaze, Elias could feel it.

Chills.

They ran through his spine as he thought to himself.

'When did this little girl become so scary?!' 

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