Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 112: Boasting

Wuthenya and Malrik continued walking with calm, unhurried steps. They conversed as they moved, their discussion centered on Orvak and the intense battle that had just concluded.

”How do you feel after going all out for the first time in a long while?” Wuthenya asked, her voice light, but curious.

”Who said I went all out? Sinvaira or not, hardly anyone is worthy of witnessing the full power of Solaris and me,” Malrik replied with a faint smile dancing on his lips.

”You’re just boasting,” Wuthenya snorted, refusing to believe a single word her brother uttered. After all, Orvak wasn’t just any ordinary being, how could Malrik claim he hadn’t used his full strength?

Malrik said nothing more. He simply shook his head, unwilling to argue the point. ”Anyway, you handled yourself quite well during the battle with Orvak. With this experience, you must have learned a thing or two,” Malrik said with casual praise in his tone.

Wuthenya nodded in acknowledgment. Even within such a brief exchange of combat, she had gleaned valuable insights. Although these insights wouldn’t immediately elevate her to a higher sub-Life Rank, they would certainly enhance her control over certain abilities, especially her Astra manipulation.

This was precisely why she always chose to observe battles of this caliber, after all, entities at this level didn’t clash every day. Every moment was a lesson, a rare opportunity to learn and grow.

”Are you coming back with me to the estate, or are you heading back into your boyfriend’s arms?” Malrik asked, his tone neutral but laced with subtle teasing.

”Hmph. I know you always feel like punching him whenever you lay eyes on him. You’d better keep your hands to yourself, or you’ll have me to deal with,” Wuthenya replied with a dismissive snort.

”I just don’t want to see you return heartbroken, that’s all. And I really don’t feel like cleaning up the mess. But if he causes you even a sliver of emotional pain, I’ll happily hunt him down,” Malrik said with the same soft smile that masked his seriousness.

Wuthenya sighed. Her brother had always been this way. Back in their Academy days, no one dared approach her, Malrik always challenged anyone who so much as hinted at affection. And after those spars, they often left the arena battered, bloodied, and barely able to stand.

”Whatever,” she muttered. ”Just be quick and ask Father to step down from his position so you can become Primarch already.”

Malrik glanced sideways at her before responding. ”So you want to use me to bypass tradition, erase our family customs, so you can become Mother?” he asked with amused certainty.

Wuthenya didn’t offer a verbal response. She simply gave him a knowing smirk, not even bothering to deny it.

”Why don’t you become the Primarch yourself? Wouldn’t that be better than making me the enemy of the entire family?” Malrik asked again, curious about her reasoning.

”Too much paperwork and pointless noble meetings. I’d rather spend that time doing something far more fulfilling,” Wuthenya answered with a shrug.

”Then you’re not serious about becoming a mother,” Malrik said, shaking his head. Though he loved his siblings dearly, he couldn’t see himself upending a long-standing family tradition, not even if he did one day accept the title of Primarch. Not that he planned to, like Wuthenya had pointed out, it was just too much hassle.

Unless it involved swinging his katana or protecting those he held dear, Malrik had little interest in anything else.

”So what about you?” Wuthenya asked, her tone now mischievous. ”Any girls yet?”

”Of course I have girls. Do you really need to ask?” Malrik replied with a smug tone, as though the answer was obvious.

”I don’t mean that flock of pigeons always fluttering around your waist. I mean a real woman, someone you genuinely love,” she clarified, folding her arms.

Malrik paused briefly as though considering her words. ”Hmm... Everyone just seems to love me for my influence and power. Until I find someone sincere, I’ll continue staying with my pigeons,” he said thoughtfully.

Wuthenya nodded without further comment. Some of those women only wanted to get pregnant to trap Malrik, but little did they know that Solaris wouldn’t hesitate to wipe them out of existence for even trying.

Malrik was aware of this too, yet it never bothered him. After all, he was what some boldly referred to as the ”Pull-Out King.”

A quiet silence settled between them as they continued their walk. Neither of them was in a rush to return home. Moments like these, shared conversations, peaceful strolls, were rare, given that they lived in different parts of the Empire. Even during the Youngest’s True Awakening, they hadn’t truly taken time to speak like this.

”Do you think another Sinvaira will come?” Wuthenya finally asked, breaking the silence.

Malrik didn’t respond immediately. Only the sound of their footsteps echoed in the open space as he considered the question. Finally, after a few moments, he said, ”I’m not entirely sure. But if I were to guess, I’d say there’s about a thirty percent chance that they will.”

Wuthenya nodded. ”Why do you say so?”

”Well,” Malrik began, his voice steady and reflective, ”the Sinvaira, as powerful and sentient as they are, experience emotions like fear and happiness, but I’m not entirely convinced they understand love. Perhaps there’s a sense of camaraderie among them since they’ve known each other for centuries, but I doubt they’d rush for revenge. After all, not one of them had ever fallen in battle before. And now, one has.”

”But,” he continued, ”it’s equally possible that they won’t even bother trying to avenge Orvak.”

Wuthenya remained quiet, considering his reasoning. It was logical. Still, they couldn’t afford to be complacent. Preparations had to be made in case that thirty percent probability became a terrifying reality. The truth was, they didn’t possess enough information about the Sinvaira to predict their behavior or abilities with any real accuracy.

”If they do attack,” she said, her voice low, ”who do you think they’d target?”

She already had her suspicions but wanted to hear Malrik’s thoughts.

Malrik smiled subtly as he walked. Then, that smile twisted into a confident smirk.

”Me or Father,” he said calmly.