As soon as they heard Cain's words, the loathing and hatred that the warriors of the Scarlet Kingdom had held toward Divine Sea began to fade. Azazel had been powerful beyond measure, armed with countless abilities and tools. That she had fallen prey to his schemes was infuriating, but it was not shameful. If it had not been her, it could have been any one of them. None of the ArchDeities could claim with certainty that they would have withstood Azazel's mind control. And so, though bitter, they could not truly blame Divine Sea for what had happened.
Leonidas sighed heavily, then adjusted the unconscious woman in his arms. No longer did he let her hang limply like a discarded weight—he cradled her with caution, even a trace of respect.
