Chapter 93: Tyrant’s Ultimatum
"ARGHHHHHHHH!"
Everyone felt a chill run down their spines, staring at the jagged bone sticking out from the old man’s elbow, their faces turning pale. The brutal, unhesitating violence of the act shattered any remaining illusions they held about the young man before them.
"How dare you!! Do you think because we are calm you can be arrogant!!" The middle-aged woman yelled in rage, as her energy burst out from her, spreading all over the place. The sheer force of her SSS-Rank aura whipped the dust into a frenzy, violently shaking the ruined courtyard.
"Today!! If I don’t teach you, I won’t rest!!" She added, her eyes burning with an intense, murderous glare.
"Beat me? Why don’t you try it?" Asher asked coldly, as a long red sword appeared in his hand. The blade hummed with a terrifying, apocalyptic resonance, its crimson edge seeming to drink the very light around it.
’Another Mythic-Tier??’
The group was dumbfounded. They stared at Asher, then at Juliana, who was already on guard, her daggers drawn and her stance perfectly balanced, ready to jump in and assist the moment a single hostile muscle twitched.
"Calm down everyone, Asher is indeed right here." Lord Daniel stepped forward, his arms folded behind his back, as he stopped some feet from Asher. He projected an aura of absolute calm, playing the role of the seasoned diplomat amidst a den of wolves.
"He is indeed the head of an Ancient Family, and to them, we are nothing but hopeless trash, so what he says and does do hold a meaning, even if he kills someone, he will still get away with it." He said, a small, calculating smile on his face.
Hearing his words, Asher and Juliana raised an eyebrow. This man was actually trying to place their family in a difficult position. At the moment, there were hundreds of Awakened around watching from the perimeter, and with Daniel’s words, it could turn them into tyrants in the eyes of the public... But...
Asher and Juliana chuckled coldly in unison. The sound was entirely devoid of warmth or fear.
They were all abandoned by their families and the world; everyone looked down on them, and took them as worthless trash. The country and home they tried their best to protect and serve had turned against them, leaving them to die, and now... This old man was trying to use public opinion on them?
Who the fuck cares about what others think?
Asher only cares about his wives’ emotions and wellbeing; anything else is useless to him. The hypocrisy of the Awakened society meant nothing. If he has to become a Tyrant to protect them, he will wholeheartedly accept the title. He would gladly burn the world to keep them warm.
"You knew I am the head of an ancient family, then why are you staring straight at me?!" Asher asked coldly, his oppressive aura bearing down on the Association Leader.
"You!"
Daniel was stunned; he expected a different response, but Asher’s words stunned him. The psychological trap had completely failed.
’Isn’t he scared of anything?’ He thought with a frown.
As the Leader of the Awakened Association, he has a great amount of influence in the Awakened world, but he was still far below the ancient families, because of "that" reason. The absolute power disparity was an unspoken law.
He exhaled softly, waving his hand dismissively at Asher, rapidly adjusting his approach:
’I can’t hold him accountable because he didn’t kill anyone, and I also can’t let him kill anyone... About injuring Gavin, and Eren? They’re simply too weak; that’s on them... I also can’t lose face here, so a peaceful retreat is good.’ He looked over his shoulder at Tyson, who was gritting his teeth in rage, then at Luna, who had a terrifying, dark expression on her face.
He exhaled, turning to the two older women, who were clearly angry, and lastly at Katherine, but she was actually... Smiling? Her twisted amusement was wildly out of place.
Daniel lightly shook his head: ’You already made so many enemies, if you survive for a week, it’ll be a miracle... But I need to investigate this family, if they are truly one of the ancient families, then they’re above all laws... But...’ He sighed deeply, playing the part of the magnanimous leader making a difficult concession:
"For what happened today, I will turn a blind eye because of your family’s position... But I will still investigate your family. Now, what you need to do is let those two go, and I will make sure everyone leaves this place." He offered, expecting the young man to take the graceful exit.
Asher looked over his shoulder at the two Daniel was addressing, both Eren, and Richard, who were lying broken in the rubble of his home.
"I can spare their lives, but they will have to compensate for all this destruction in my Villa... Richard is ordered to offer one hundred billion, and all the Dungeons’ keys he holds from B-Rank above... As for Eren, he will pay me five hundred billion dollars, and lose one of his hands, the same hand he tried to use to attack my wife." Asher stared at their stunned faces, his gaze ice-cold and merciless:
"If they fulfill these requests, I will spare their lives and also their guild... If they refuse, even you won’t be able to stop me." He said, staring straight at Daniel.
Daniel’s eyes narrowed to the size of a needle. When had someone ever spoken to him with such utter disrespect? Giving him a way out was already the best he could do, and now, Asher was actually asking to cut off Eren’s arm in front of the entire ruling class of Silverspire.
’I so want to beat this brat, but I need to know if this family is truly an ancient family... If they aren’t, I will level this place, but if they are one... I can’t risk it.’ He clenched his fist, his gaze cold. The weight of the entire city rested on this singular standoff; whatever he says now will be the final outcome.
Save Eren, and offend one of the ancient families, or bow to Asher’s request, and cripple Eren.