Chapter 83: The Stolen Angel
"Azrael?" Raven exclaimed in visible surprise.
"Out of all the Chosen here, I would have expected that you would be the last one that wouldn’t want to come with us. You have been there; you have seen our defense measures. Our combat power, our pleasant food. I dare say that our base is superior in every single way possible."
Azrael smiled subtly; it was clear that Raven was making use of several manipulative tactics in order to control the Chosen.
"It’s exactly because I have walked the path that I don’t want to do it again." He spoke without a trace of hesitation.
"I am strong, maybe the strongest Marked in the camp with only Seraphina and Isolde being able to rival my power. My point being, even I struggled to cross the distance. Facing numerous knight patrols. Reaver Danger Level monsters, and this was before I even reached the Blizzard Region. There was a hostile flora that hid beneath the snow, ready to devour me with a single bite and cold that almost froze my blood solid."
He raised his voice, feigning concern; he wasn’t doing this because he wanted to keep the other alive. They were a resource, one that he would need to use should he wish to defeat the Death Knight in time. This was the sole reason he was standing up against Raven.
"By the end I was left half dead, the only reason I survived was because somebody brought me to your base where you personally healed me. If I barely survived the journey, how could the others do so?"
Azrael was neither liked nor respected in the camp. He hadn’t bothered to maintain appearances for people he believed wouldn’t live long anyway. However, that led to one thing being known about him.
He was undoubtedly feared for his strength, even if the Chosen didn’t like him. They knew he was stronger than any of them, so when he claimed he had barely survived, his words carried weight.
Raven’s lips curled into a smile. "You’re right, but the difference between then and now is that you have me. A Radiant Proven. With my help, I can guarantee every single one of you will make it to the base alive."
Azrael’s eyes glinted. Shaking his head, he spoke.
"That is not enough. Proven Raven, when we were in the Ruined Kingdom, we personally witnessed the death of three Proven. You might be stronger, faster, smarter, more experienced than us... But at the end of the day, you, just like us, are still mortal. You can make mistakes and die. So there is no way you would be able to uphold your words."