Chapter 228: Views Part 2

Later that evening, Ra's al Ghul sat in a lone high chair, overlooking his vast compound hidden high in the Himalayan mountains.

As he sat there in contemplative silence, the confident steps of his daughter, Talia al Ghul, echoed as she approached from behind. Soon, she reached his front, bowing with one knee touching the ground.

"Father," she spoke formally, soon receiving his side glance as he gave her an acknowledging nod and replied, "Speak. How goes the settlement in the Atlantic?"

Only after being given permission did Talia rise, her beautiful features illuminated even in the dim light within the large, open hall.

"It is going well. The branch is settling there smoothly so far. Lady Shiva says it is ready to receive and train new pupils," Talia reported, but Ra's gaze, though directed at her, seemed distracted.

Having spent so much time by her father's side, such a small detail didn't escape her keen eyes, and so she asked, "Does something trouble you, Father?"

Ra's, who had just been nodding at Talia's words, was surprised to hear her ask this question.

Although they were father and daughter, their relationship was far from a normal dynamic. Their talks were almost always formal, and Ra's treated Talia as he would any other person under his tutelage—perhaps even more strictly because she carried his blood.

Hearing this question brought a small smile to his face. He knew this child of his cared for him deeply and accepted him for who he was, unlike her sister. It was partly because of her unquestioned loyalty that, despite not being the best combatant in the League—a title belonging to Lady Shiva—Talia was still able to become Ra's's right hand, not merely some object to bear him an heir.

She was incredibly intelligent and had rightfully earned her place at his side. So even when she asked such personal questions, he saw no reason not to share his worries and hear her counsel.

"Arias Markovic. Since the last meeting with the Light, let's just say he's revealed himself to be quite troublesome. As true as that may be, I cannot seem to figure him out. No matter how long I sit here and meditate, every method I can imagine to deal with him simply ends in the destruction of the League as we know it."

Ra's's voice was low, but it didn't lack the usual stern and imposing confidence he exuded.

His words weren't meant to praise Arias or belittle himself, but rather they were his honest thoughts after calmly considering the situation regarding Arias and how he could deal with him.

Assassination? That was immediately dismissed. He was confident that even Lady Shiva wouldn't be able to handle such a task.

Targeting his allies—or rather, his pawns? That was simply poking a hornet's nest. Ra's considered the time and effort Arias had spent reaching his current position with careful and calculated steps. Disrupting his foundation was a death wish.

Blocking his path forward? Similarly to disrupting his foundation, Arias had made it abundantly clear what would happen if they chose to stand in his way.

The more Ra's pondered, the more frustrated he became. This feeling of helplessness toward an opponent was one he hadn't experienced since his early days as a martial artist, struggling through the ranks in search of enlightenment.

Yet here was a new insurmountable obstacle—one who seemed to possess no weaknesses. Or, to be more precise, one whose weaknesses couldn't be targeted without inviting disaster.

Had Ra's still been a lone warrior like many centuries ago, he wouldn't have hesitated to fight Arias to the death. In fact, he would have insisted on it, seeing great honor in the challenge.

But now, failure meant the destruction of everything he had built. That was something he couldn't bring himself to accept.

As Ra's spoke, a small, helpless smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He shook his head and sighed. "Truly, once one settles, their comfort becomes a burden."

Talia couldn't help but frown at hearing such words from her father. Never in her life had she heard him speak so highly of another.

The only time he had ever shown any inkling of great respect was when he spoke of his younger days to her and her siblings. In the current age, she didn't believe anyone was worthy of his acknowledgment, with the only one coming close being Bruce Wayne—a man she felt had betrayed her father's teachings and her feelings.

Now, here he was, speaking unfiltered praise for someone of the current generation.

She didn't feel happy about this. How could she? When she herself had never truly received his acknowledgment. Had she, she would be the next heir.

Being seen as capable and being seen as worthy were vastly different, and she understood this all too well.

In the eyes of Ra's al Ghul, she was a capable daughter, but not a worthy child. Such was the inner demon that haunted her and had led her to subconsciously fall for Bruce, the only living man her father had acknowledged.

Perhaps if she could bear a son from Bruce—a child of a worthy man, bearing the blood of the great Ra's al Ghul—she would fulfill her role and make him proud.

It was a pitiful fate to consider, but in her eyes, in the eyes of a child raised in the ways of the Great Demon, it was a great honor.

But just because it was an honor didn't mean jealousy eluded her. Just like now.

Even worse than with Bruce, whom Ra's saw as a worthy successor, Arias was something far grander—a rival her father couldn't defeat.

Because of this, she didn't know what to say in response to his words. If the great Ra's al Ghul saw no way to beat this opponent, who was she to say otherwise?

But since he had shared his worries, as his right hand, she needed to answer him honestly.

"As you've said before, Father, if one explores all avenues of their potential and still cannot best their opponent, then feel no shame, for your opponent is simply greater. At such a point, you can either choose to learn from them or die an honorable death by their hand."

The words Talia had just quoted haunted her for several years of her life.

During her attempts to climb the ranks within the League, she had met an insurmountable wall in the form of Lady Shiva.

No matter how hard she tried, no matter what tactics she used, Lady Shiva—or simply Shiva at the time—had beaten her every time.

In her most humiliating defeat, the one in which Shiva was granted the title of "Lady," her own father looked down at her beaten form from his high chair and told her these words.

That day, she had no choice but to bend the knee to live, not only admitting she was weaker, but also seeking tutelage from the same person who had humiliated her.

Ra's couldn't help but laugh grandly at Talia's words. He leaned back into his seat, a wide smile on his face, nodding approvingly.

"Right you are," he agreed, his tone sincere and confident as he proceeded to stand.

A look of worry appeared on Talia's face. "Father, you..."

Before she could speak, Ra's raised his hand, cutting her off.

"The Lazarus Pit can only do so much for me before I lose myself. Besides, I bent the knee once before, and I swore I would never do so again. My path is clear."