From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir (Leander Ashcroft) novel Chapter 323

 323 Leave Your Lives Behind

“Venomancer of Taybourne… what are you doing here?”

Among the four, the one who had spoken to Leander before now spoke again, his voice sharp, filled with disbelief and alarm.

The other three immediately went on high alert, every ounce of their energy drawn to its peak.

All four were half–Sovereigns. Together, they could challenge even a Martial Sovereign and hold their ground. Yet at the sight of the newcomer, they reacted as if facing a mortal threat. The reason was simple–the person before them radiated terrifying power.

The man in the black robe stood completely still. A faint curl of his lips, and a foul metallic tang of blood wafted from his mouth.

“You Four Dire Wardens… truly Gareth’s right and left hands, aren’t you? Such loyalty,” he sneered.

The middle–aged man at the front spoke, his voice cold and heavy. “Venomancer, you’ve come all the way from Taybourne to Astria. This is Highcliffe–do you not fear my master’s wrath?”

Leander stood behind them, his gaze shifting as he assessed the scene. He could finally place them.

These four… they must be the Four Dire Wardens personally trained by Gareth, he thought.

Back when he was still with the Ashcroft family, he had heard of them. They were quadruplets, rescued by Gareth and devoted ever since. Each wielded a different weapon, and each was named for that weapon.

These four were the family’s most formidable guards, answering only to Gareth. Leander had never seen them in person before.

Today, he was finally seeing the full force of all four at once.

Facing Sword Warden’s accusation, Venomancer didn’t flinch. He gave a faint, knowing smile and

spat out a rough string of Astric.

“Where in this world could I not go?” he said. “Even in this vast Highcliffe, not even Gareth could know my exact whereabouts. How could he possibly know I’ve reached Westvale Peak?”

He licked his lips, his crimson tongue curling, eyes flashing with a deadly chill.

“Four Dire Wardens, you’re far too tense. I came only because I heard that Gareth’s wife was at Durham Abbey, offering prayers and devotion. I wished simply to pay my respects.”

The Four Dire Wardens froze, then drew their weapons in unison.

“How dare you!”

Blade Warden stepped forward, eyes sharp, killing intent gathering like storm clouds.

“Venomancer, you are a great grandmaster of martial arts, a Martial Sovereign of long–standing fame, yet you act so vile.

“You and five other Martial Sovereigns once set up a tournament at the Garrison Plains to defeat all Astria’s champions. You were soundly defeated by my master and fled in disgrace.

“And now that you return, you should face my master directly. You dare not, yet you come here to harm his wife in secret. Is that the way of a true warrior?”

The other Sword, Spear, and Staff Wardens all sneered, clearly showing their disdain.

“Hmph.”

Mention of Gareth made Venomancer’s eyes flash with a hint of caution. His voice turned cold.

“Gareth is indeed my mortal enemy, but I must admit, I am no match for him. Facing him now would be courting death.

“In time, others will attend to Gareth and the Ashcroft family; that is not my concern.

“My task is far simpler. I will plant a poisonous worm within his wife, making her life a torment, an endless agony.

“I will make Gareth feel the pain of watching the woman he loves suffer.

“Anything that causes him grief, I will gladly do it.”

At Venomancer’s words, the Four Dire Wardens‘ expressions changed dramatically. The worst- case scenario had arrived.

“If you even think of harming Mrs. Ashcroft, Venomancer, you’ll have to step over our dead bodies first!”

They immediately braced for battle, their auras surging to the limit. Acting as one, their energy intertwined, forming an impenetrable barrier in front of Venomancer.

“Hmph. You think you can stop me–just the four of you half–Sovereigns?”

Venomancer’s eyes flickered with disdain. Over ten years ago, he had already ascended to Martial Sovereign. Although Gareth had gravely wounded him in that battle, and he was still repairing internal injuries with no further progress in power, he remained a genuine late Martial Sovereign. Facing four half–Sovereigns was little more than a casual exercise.

Clang!

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