After taking in the beautiful countryside for awhile Azreal finally turned his attention back to Shahiem; Although he didn't necessarily understand the ranking system he decided that he would get a better understanding if he encountered more beast in the future.
The fear that he had felt before when he had just encountered the snow ape was all gone vanishing without a trace.
Seeing that Azreal seemed to be contemplating something Shahiem still chose to ask a question.
"So do you plan on coming with us to the capital or is there somewhere you'd like to be dropped off?"
It was only now that Azreal realized that Shahiem was probably traveling with companions because kept saying 'us' and not 'me', After thinking about it for a while it made sense because who would be dumb enough to go to that snowy hell by them self.
Thinking about the second half of the question, only then did he become aware of the fact that he had no idea where Maseru was.
"I think I'll tag along with you for a while"
So in a dejected voice, he could only agree to go.
"Excellent"
Shahiem seemed to had completely ignored his dejected tone, become rather excited to have a new companion.
Before they could continue to talk further a knocking came from the carriage door.
"Young Master we've decided to stop for a while so we can stretch our legs before continuing"
Rhyno called Shahiem young master instead of the prince because he didn't want Azreal to know who he was. In fact, the only time Rhyno called him prince was if it slipped out, he's been by Shahiem side since he was born.
"Mhmm we'll be right out"
Turning around and looking towards Azreal with a gentle smile he said
"Let's go"
Before jumping out of the carriage and shortly afterward Azreal stepped out of the carriage.
The carriage stopped on a hill overlooking a huge green forest, taking a moment to look around and spotting the twelve men dressed in full black armor, It really was surprising because none of them were wearing their helmets and they all had the exact same face but surprise only increased after a few moments all of them came together into one body, the one standing slightly behind Shahiem.
Noticing 'Azzys' gaze fixated on Rhyno as if he understood he proceeded to explain.
"This is Black Rhyno he's able to make copies of himself"
Having been introduced Rhyno just nodded in greeting to Azreal.
"It's so peaceful here maybe we should just spend the night here"
Hearing Shahiem's comment Rhyno didn't even bother to respond, he knew that if Shahiem had made up his mind to do something it was a waste of time to try and change it.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Lying down under a tree close by Shahiem looked toward Azreal.
"So how long has it been since you've ascended?"
"A few d-"
Before Azreal could finish what he was saying because he was interrupted by a completely terror stricken woman's scream.
"Help me!!!.........Please, he's trying to kill me!!!"
In between all the screaming was nothing but sobs.
Looking around for a while they all managed to finally locate the source of the voice.
A woman frantically running towards them with fear was written all over her face, not too far away into the distance was running off into the distance.
Azreal was honestly not surprised or tempted to help despite his past he wasn't going to try and be a superhero in a world he didn't understand.
And it seemed like both Rhyno and Shahiem shared his sentiment they looked as if they didn't even hear the woman's plea.
But the woman had a different idea spotting them from a small didn't away she looked as if she a just seen her saviors, She didn't even give them a chance to react before she picked up speed and shot right behind Azreal before he could react and right after the man-made d it up the hill.
"Let her go or you'll all going to die with her"
Rhyno replied with a complete lack of interest.
"No ones holding her take her if you want"
The man truly looked happy at Rhyno's words, but still had his guard up after all wasn't that a bit too easy, but he still walked slowly towards the woman.
Seeing that none of them planned to do anything the woman's face was no longer frantic instead it became icy cold, she let out a cold snort before speaking.
"Guess there are no more gentlemen in this world only swines"
When she said this she seemed to pull a knife out of nowhere before anyone could react she started stabbing toward Azreal's neck.
At the same time, this was happening the man had just barely made it past Rhyno when he turned around to attack him with the blade.
Not even a second had passed when all this was happening before the man could take a step forward, Rhyno seemly appearing out of thin air had already grabbed onto the back of the man's head and using his bare hands to decapitate him.
Azreal was completely stunned by the sudden turn of events but before the knife that was inches away from his neck managed to pierce through it the energy within his body started churning at an insane pace, within the split second window that was open to preserve his life, Azreal sidestepped the blade that was coming towards his neck then without a moments hesitation his fists went right through the side of her stomach.
The woman had a look of utter disbelief she wasn't even sure what was going on, she hadn't sensed any Divine Energy from him a moment ago so she assumed he was just a demi.
Azreal had to fight himself not to reveal a smile on her face in the moment, looking at him struggling not to smile the woman was even more shock. Without giving it a second thought Azreal ripped his hands back out of the woman bring some of her innards out allow with his fists.
For a few seconds he just stood there looking down at the lifeless corpse that was on the ground and just like with the ape there was no regret or guilt.
"Was it always this easy to kill someone?"
Still lying under the trees Shahiem hadn't moved a second he just opened his eyes to see if everything was over then closed them back
Looking toward Azreal and hearing the words he mumbled Rhyno guessed it was his first time killing someone so he walked over to his and placed in hand on his shoulder.
"The first time is normally the hardest but this is the world your living in now kid you either do what needs to be done or lie down and be killed your choice"
After he said what he went to the corpse and stooped down to the woman's body and took the blade from her hands and ripped off a part of her clothes and placed them in Azreal's hand manually wrapping his finger around them.
"Hold on to the blade let it be a reminding of what happened and what you did, use the cloth to clean off your hands if you let it say it'll eventually start to smell"
After a few moments Azreal cleaned off his hands then went over to sit under the tree, he had already suppressed all his feelings from earlier.
Taking a deep breath and laid down under the same tree as Shahiem examining the blade that he was given.
"We should probably get going, this doesn't seem like something random someone probably planned it maybe some bandits or something"
Rhyno spoke while examining the man's body on the ground.
Hearing what Rhyno said Azreal got up off the ground then stretched out his hand to help Shahiem up.
"Ughhh fine let's go"