Chapter 19: The Purge and the Abyssal Forest
The sun had barely risen when the news spread like wildfire—Asher had fired every single minister and advisor involved in the plot against him.
No one knew how he had discovered them all. Even those who weren't part of the conspiracy but had knowledge of it were left speechless. Some had assumed they were safe, believing their involvement had gone unnoticed, yet Asher had rooted out every traitor with surgical precision.
The remaining nobles and officials gathered in hushed meetings, their faces pale.
"How… how did he know?" one stammered.
Another, shaking his head in disbelief, muttered, "It doesn't matter now. We're doomed without them. They were the backbone of this territory's success. Without them, how will he find people as competent?"
But Asher did not care. He had no interest in weak men who only served their own agendas. Without hesitation, he turned his back on the so-called 'essential' ministers and walked away, leaving them to wallow in their failure.
Despite the panic spreading throughout the territory, Asher showed no concern. He had already foreseen this outcome, and unlike the weak nobles who clung to their influence, he had no fear of change.
As he strode through the grand hall of his manor, the echoes of his footsteps filled the silence left behind by the dismissed ministers. He turned to his personal recruits—Darian, Elias, Talon, Lyrea, Garick, and Sellina.
"From this moment forward," Asher declared, "I will build a new order. One that isn't governed by weak, greedy men who betray their own for personal gain."
The six warriors exchanged glances, sensing the weight of his words. They had all seen corruption firsthand. They had suffered under nobles who cared only for themselves. But Asher... Asher was different. He had the strength to change things.
And so, without hesitation, they followed him.
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Return to the Abyssal Forest
Their next mission led them back to the Abyssal Forest.
The moment Asher mentioned their destination, groans and laughter filled the air.
"Oh no, not that place again," Darian muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
Elias chuckled nervously. "You mean the same Abyssal Forest where we nearly got roasted alive by a dragon?"
Lyrea, arms crossed, smirked. "I still get nightmares from that thing."
Even Garick, usually the calmest, let out a sigh. "Let's just hope we don't run into anything worse."
Despite their complaints, they followed Asher. They knew better than to question his judgment now.
As they stepped into the dark, twisted wilderness of the Abyssal Forest, the eerie silence sent shivers down their spines. But this time, something was different.
The first beast lunged at them from the shadows—a massive, fanged panther with glowing red eyes.
In their last visit, it would have taken their combined effort to survive a single attack.
But now?
Darian moved like a phantom, dodging its strikes with ease. Lyrea countered with a blade strike so precise that the beast barely had time to react before its head was sent flying.
A second monster—a serpent with scales harder than steel—sprang from the trees, its fangs aiming straight for Elias. Without hesitation, Elias drove his spear through its skull, pinning it to the ground before twisting the weapon and tearing the beast apart.
More monsters charged, but each of them fought with terrifying efficiency. Talon crushed a monstrous bear's skull with a single punch, and Garick ripped through creatures that once would have overwhelmed them.
Even Sellina, who had once struggled against weaker foes, danced through the battlefield, her magic-enhanced strikes making quick work of any beast foolish enough to challenge her.
They no longer hesitated. They only craved more battles.
They wanted to keep fighting.
Sellina watched in awe. "We've gotten so much stronger," she whispered to herself.
But she wasn't the only one who noticed.
Asher stood at a distance, observing them closely. His plan had worked. Their strength had increased at an alarming rate, far beyond what even he had predicted.
Their growth wasn't just physical—it was mental. They no longer feared the unknown. They had embraced it.
Then, the ground trembled. A deafening roar split the air.
The same dragon that had nearly killed them before descended from the skies, its massive wings casting a shadow over the battlefield. Its golden eyes locked onto them, filled with fury and hunger.
But this time, there was no hesitation.
Darian was the first to charge, dodging the dragon's fire breath with ease as he slashed at its wings, forcing it to the ground.
Elias followed, driving his spear into the dragon's scales, creating cracks in its impenetrable armor.
Lyrea and Garick worked together, striking at its legs, weakening its stance.
Talon delivered a devastating punch to its jaw, sending it staggering backward.
And finally, Sellina launched a blast of concentrated magic straight into its chest, creating a massive explosion that engulfed the beast.
When the smoke cleared, the dragon lay motionless on the ground.
They didn't just defeat it.
They dominated it.☠️
Sellina turned to Asher, breathing heavily.
"So," she began, wiping sweat from her forehead, "now that you've fired every minister and advisor, what's your plan?"
Asher smirked. "Why do I need them?"
Sellina raised an eyebrow. "You mean… you're not appointing anyone new?"
Asher's gaze swept over his recruits—his warriors. "Why should I rely on weak men who only care about politics? I have all the strength I need right here.""and I plan to make then the new ministers of my territory"
The others exchanged looks, realizing what he meant.
Sellina sighed, shaking her head with a small smile. "You really are something else, Asher. But you also ended up firing every single one of you advisors"
Asher simply grinned.
"I don't need advisors."
Selena looked at him in a questioning manner
"You might be wondering why but the answer was always simple because"
""""""" I AM ASHER """""'''.
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