Chapter 254: The Markovia Situation Part 4

Upon reading the name, Raven didn't really associate it with anything, as it was the first time she was hearing about it. But once she opened the document, Raven could read the heading and description, which stated, "Former division head; responsible for magical and mystical projects for Cadmus."

Reading that heading, Raven could understand why Arias implied she would be able to teach her.

As Raven closed the folder, Slade looked in her direction and further added, "In terms of knowledge to do with magic, I don't think there are many who can match her. However, she is a bit quirky and only really cares about increasing her knowledge and understanding of magic. So when she saw that Amanda didn't really care for that and simply wanted her skills for her own selfish projects, Tala tried to leave. But you don't leave Amanda Waller without her permission, so she ended up here, Cadmus site B1-12, completely off the books and more like a torture house for magic freaks. No offense."

"None taken?" Raven simply nodded at the words and handed the folder back toward Slade, who took out a lighter from one of his pockets and burned it, before turning to Arias and asking, "How do you want this done?"

Arias, while overlooking the compound, replied nonchalantly, "I would like it to be quick. There is no real need for us to waste time here."

Slade acknowledged this and quickly responded before wearing his mask, "Give me 10 minutes. I'll have the cameras out and the exterior guards dealt with." Saying this, Slade put on a mask to cover his face and jumped off the cliff as if it were nothing.

Raven watched the scene a bit perplexed but didn't really comment on it. After all, she didn't know much about Slade or what his abilities were. Instead, she turned her attention back to Arias, who simply began sipping on his whiskey while overlooking the compound.

Still, she asked, "Are you sure she will help me? From what the document said, it doesn't sound like she's willing to do work that's not in her own self-interest."

To this, Arias took a casual sip of his whiskey and replied, "I highly doubt she'll turn down the chance to study the daughter of a demon. Moreover, if there is anyone who can provide the resources and guidance she seeks, it's me. She's a guaranteed but fickle asset who'll stay loyal as long as her needs are met."

Hearing this rather blunt and honest outlook, Raven couldn't help but show a momentary look of concern as she wondered how Arias thought of her.

Was it in the same way he thought of Tala, or was she perhaps another type of asset?

However, she couldn't really voice these thoughts out loud and chose to keep quiet, but Arias could notice the look of concern she had on her face for a moment.

"Feel free to speak your mind," Arias said.

Once Arias said this, Raven looked back at him, looking even more concerned, wondering if perhaps he could read her thoughts. It was entirely possible, given just how much of a mystery Arias was.

Not wanting to take the gamble, she answered honestly, "Am I also an asset to you?"

Arias chuckled at this question and shook his head, "No, at least not yet. Right now, you're more of an investment."

As he answered this, Raven felt anxiousness in her heart. "Do you want me to help you in the future in exchange for helping me now?" This seemed like the most obvious reason Arias would choose to help Raven, but he shook his head once again, "No, in the future, whether you choose to help me or not is entirely up to you. And just ask yourself, do I look like I'm incapable of getting what I want?"

That bold statement came across as rather boastful, but Raven could find no argument for it, remembering how Arias easily saved her from an entity she considered to be the most powerful around, her father, the demon Trigon.

What she couldn't understand was why Arias went to such lengths when it looked like he had the power to conquer the world, so she asked, "If you're so powerful, why don't you just take over the world? I mean, no one would be able to stop you."

Arias finally turned his gaze away from the complex and met Raven's gaze as she looked up at him, curious. It was a good question.

"Why? Because that's the easy way, and nothing that's truly worth anything ever comes easy. So no matter what results you see come before you, you always have to stay focused and never grow complacent. At the end of the day, the majority of mankind is simple-minded, deluded even, built upon media and print that those who wrote history want to see. Because as they stand at the top, their goal is to keep their future generations there and to keep us, the lower people who brought them there, down. After all, if someone is wise, they can't be exploited."

Hearing this, Raven couldn't help but ask, "So you want to create a free world?"

Arias showed a smile at this question but shook his head, "No, nothing so selfless. I simply want to do what every man of power wishes to do on this earth: change it to match my beliefs. Although in my case, it's better to say I want it as an asset, for it's but a small piece of what I truly aim for."