Uriel sighed, staring fixedly at Daeron. His face turned serious, completely ignoring the group of transcendents who were watching him.
"I won't beat around the bush. King Daeron. I want to ask for your help to escape the Great Tomb of Ariel."
Daeron did not respond immediately, remaining silent as he analyzed the proposal. Finally, he spoke.
"And how would you manage to escape this tomb when I, a Supreme, cannot? Why would you, a mere transcendent, believe you can succeed if I help you?"
"That's simple, Your Majesty," Uriel said with a mocking tone.
"Because I am immune to corruption, and you are not. That's why I am confident in my success where you have failed."
More than a few eyes widened at that information.
Even the Serpent King himself showed surprise before returning to his calm demeanor.
"Interesting. Even if it's true that corruption doesn't affect you, why would you succeed? Why risk my people's lives for you?"
"You wouldn't be risking them for me, but for yourself."
Daeron raised an eyebrow.
"You are a Supreme. For countless years, you have ruled over the remnants of survivors from your ruined world, all the way to this place, seeking a false salvation. Deep down, you are desperate, looking for any way to escape with your people from the clutches of the tomb built by the Demon of Terror. Am I wrong?"
"Watch your words, speaking that way to His Majesty," spoke a transcendent.
Uriel looked at a young woman with bronzed skin. Her hair was black, tied in a braid, with brown eyes.
"He is your king, not mine. You all keep your respect for him; I am not obligated to do so."
The transcendent woman glared at him, letting out some of her murderous intent, which did not affect him. Instead, he looked at Daeron, who remained silent.
"Serpent King, I will be blunt and reveal something so you will believe me. The one beside me is Cronos. He is capable of glimpsing time and traveling through it."
Of course, this was neither truth nor lie, leaving everyone to form their own stories in their minds.
"From what he has told me, this is not the first time we have met. We have seen each other in the past, working together to escape the Tomb of Ariel."
Daeron looked at Cronos, who stepped forward.
"It is as my master says. My aspect allows me to, in a certain way, glimpse time. I have seen how you join my master, achieving great things, unifying the entire River people to besiege Verge and eliminate the source of corruption." Cronos paused.
"However, you are fated to fail. Thousands of your Awakened will die in vain. Even if you attack Verge repeatedly, you will be doomed to fail and become a great beast."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I have already seen it in my visions. We are the only ones who can change that outcome to a more favorable one. If you help us, of course."
"And if I decide not to help you?"
"We will leave and escape on our own, while you, through your stubbornness, will slowly perish."
A powerful pressure filled the room, coming from Daeron, who looked at the outsiders.
His finger tapped a small rhythm on the armrest of his throne as if he were meditating.
"Very well."
The pressure vanished.
"Let's do this. Let's say I believe you for the moment. But I need to trust you, outsider."
"How about a duel?" Uriel asked, drawing everyone's attention.
"A duel?"
"Yes. If you help us, we will tell you all our plans and the information we have. But if I lose… well, you decide," Uriel said.
"Agreed. Against which of my saints do you wish to fight?"
Uriel smiled as his eyes turned red.
"Any of you. All of you… it doesn't matter. I won't even use my aspect. Instead, I will crush you with my pure skill alone."
A faint smile appeared on Daeron's face.
"...How arrogant."
"Arrogant? Of course I'm arrogant… it's the law of the strong to be arrogant when they know they are superior."
Uriel, who had been listening to everything, shook his head at Shade's behavior.
"Agreed. I accept this duel."