Heavenly Opposers-Chapter 342 - 341-Vows Filled With Greed.
Azrail replied with a bitter tone that got Hephaestus chuckling. It was more of an annoying chuckle, but a chuckle nonetheless.
"The hardships and things you did to reach where you are are what defined you. So it can be said that whatever happened, happened for the best."
Azrail didn’t reply to it, but he did stay quieter. Though in his mind, some of the plans he kept at the back of his head just became even easier to execute.
’I have more leeway now.’
A sharp glint filled Azrail’s eyes as he thought so. The plans he thought would take some years to come into effect could be put into action much, much sooner than Azrail thought. Based on the information he had, he didn’t think such an action would occur.
’So there still exist some gods that keep their word, even at the loss they bear.’
Azrail mused on that thought. Hephaestus was in no way a good person. None of the people who reach such heights can be said to be inherently good. But there is a line between not being good and falling deep into evil. Being someone with any sense of honour or value to their words, such stuff is rarely left to be gazed upon.
"Well, you are the god. I will take your word for it..."
Azrail replied. After which, he seemed to think for a moment as he spoke.
"Thank you. All my life, I moved around, watching my back due to how special I am. What you did gave me some kind of hope towards the future. Knowing someone I can trust is something very valuable in the cosmos. I know that better than many."
"You are lucky, too, in a way. Somehow, through the several plays of fate you ended here, ended up showing the one sect to which I have owed my divine wish a long time ago. So perhaps there is a force far beyond your understanding at play here. Anyhow, with this, you will not have to fight for your path anymore. I will make sure you will not have a losing deal in any actions you take. Plus, with the resources I have at hand, you will not have to worry about anything, either."
Azrail, hearing those exact words, smiled. Unlike Hera, this was truly powerful backing that Azrail got. Not to mention from one of perhaps the greatest blacksmiths in the cosmos, who was no doubt richer than many could even begin to hope to match. Which opened up a whole new venue for Azrail to play along with.
’It seems my duties have ended up with me playing around with a lot of different legacies and characters.’
Azrail’s mind was running around as he understood more deeply that all of this would one day come together to form issues that he would have to deal with on his own. Contain and be careful of each identity and legacy he takes until he has absolute control and can bring them all together. Each place ranks the influence Azrail is reaching.
Right now, he has already established his position and power within the Eternity’s Requiem’s faction led by Thanatos. So the power is established there. Sure, he has to increase it on his own, but Azrail already took that first step by establishing the connection he needed with setting that deal. And now he has the Olympus power too.
Hera will keep indulging him as long as he remains something fun in her eyes. But this one with Hephaestus is special. This is where Azrail doesn’t have to keep looking over his shoulder or keep planning against a relationship not based on any kind of deal. A situation where Azrail gets what he wants with the full support he needs.
’This is the best situation all around.’
Thinking till here, Azrail spoke.
"I am grateful. Truly, I am. So will I be the hidden support till Hera falls?"
"It can be whatever you want."
Hephaestus replied in a serious tone. To which, after a moment of thought, Azrail replied.
"Let’s keep it all secretive and conducive for now. I can be the best weapon right now to make it perhaps a bit easier to deal with Hera. Plus, you know how her ego can be. If you try to play it hard, she will bite back hard."
"Hahahaha... true, very true indeed. Sure, it can be what you need. And whenever you need me, you can just hit me up. Whatever you need, protection or help, you can just ask me."
As Hephaestus said this, a notification hit Azrail.
"This is my private contact details. Just message me, and I will get back to you as soon as it is over. And don’t hesitate to ask for anything at all. I am here to help. And I wish we could chat some more, but I have some important things to deal with. And I have no interest in managing your life. Live it as much as you want. And when you need help, just call at me."
With those words, Azrail was waved off. And the next thing he knew, he was back again in the same place he started with Charmien, having waited for him all this time. It took a moment for Azrail to get everything set as he smiled under the hood, hidden in the darkness away from any light. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
’This was a very unexpected but welcome situation.’
Azrail analysed each situation, and within it, he also understood that, even though Hephaestus had hidden it, at that first single moment, the truth was released. That greed he had to get his hands on the method of the Mercurials. The same method is used to make those types of swords. And Hephaestus played it well, too. He made sure to first get on Azrail’s good side, too.
The truth of that still exists, and it’s something Azrail understands too, and the situation only makes it better for Azrail, truly, fully free help without any request or demands, just feels like a hole into which Azrail will fall at times, if he is not careful. Correct timing and a full understanding of the situation are what will keep Azrail safe towards the future.
