Batman and Superman looked at Arias with narrowed gazes when he spoke but they didn't imdiately reply, with Superman first giving Batman a glance.
Batman then proceeded to nod toward Arias. "Then what do you propose?"
Arias imdiately showed Batman a smile. "I propose you get rid of all this 'help'. If you really want to watch , I believe a few of you league mbers is more than enough. If not, then I only ask you tell these n that they will most surely die when an actual threat does arise... which it will."
Superman frowned at Arias and imdiately accused, "is that a threat?"
Arias however chuckled at the accusation. "I don't need to make threats, I'm confident in my own ability. But you Superman, can you promise the families of these n that they'll live through the crisis that you yourself have seen?"
Superman's expression faltered as Arias's words did cause him to feel concern, but he found it very hard to believe him.
"The situation would be better if you just revealed what you know!" Superman urged, imdiately rembering the island disaster and the many children's lives he failed to save.
But Arias only gave him a smirk and shook his head. "No. The current world order is one run through greed. For that the change, the world powers need to know just how vast and dangerous the universe can be. Even if that ans so lives need to be lost."
Superman imdiately frowned and looked at Arias with a hateful expression but before he could say anything, Batman raised his hand to stop him.
He then asked Arias, "you'd be willing to let possibly millions die just to prove a point?"
Arias didn't hesitate to nod. "Yes. Because what you fail to understand Superman, is that humans evolve through tragedy."
"Why warn the world of the impending threat when it's the common people and heroes like you who put their lives on the line that will suffer and die?"
"All while the rich and powerful will build and profit from the crisis still. Why do you think I worked so hard to remove as many ta-humans from their reach? Surely even you can't be this blind... Clark. If I was wrong... your league would still have all its mbers... would it not?"
The question Arias posed struck Superman deeply and also made Batman genuinely contemplate the circumstances.
By putting on a front of knowing sothing they didn't and drawing reference to events he had carefully orchestrated till now, Arias was able to paint the perfect picture of a coming crisis.
More importantly, he was able to shift his image in the eyes of the league. Whether they liked his thods or not, they couldn't deny the truth his current words carried.
Even if they couldn't bring themselves to trust him, Arias knew that they now atleast wondered if things could have gone differently if they listened to him.
Compared to the governnt that had its many secrets, Arias seed easier to understand.
For example, while many governnt wanted to weaponize ta-humans and aliens, Arias gave them lives and freedom to choose their path in life.
Despite having an all powerful weapon, he only attacked military targets whereas other countries killed indescrinently in war.
Whether Batman liked Arias or not, he had considered all these factors. And adding on the words spoken just now, a genuine feeling of being wrong began to erge within him and Superman.
And this was all Arias wanted. So in the next mont, he just sighed and shook his head.
"Well, it's pointless wasting any more words. At the end of the day you're free to do as you please. Co on ladies, I've missed relaxing in the lounge of this building."
Arias turned to walk away after gesturing Cheshire and Tala to follow him.
They both put on smiles and did as asked, with Tala walking especially close to Arias, "Az you wizh mazter."
But before Arias could walk far, Superman called out to him. "Wait!"
Arias paused his steps and casually turned his head before raising a brow toward Superman.
Superman seed to struggle forming words but he eventually looked at Arias sternly as he asked. "If the league decides to do things your way, can you promise that innocent lives won't need to die?"
This question clearly took a lot of effort on Superman's part to ask, but that was simply how much he valued the lives of the innocent.
Unfortunately for him, Arias shook his head.
"I can make no such promise. But, if you have soone you care for and don't wish to see perish, have them stay either in Gotham or in Markovia. Those are the only two places I will protect. Because unlike the two of you, I am not selfless."
Having said those words, Arias walked away with Cheshire and Tala and tow. Feeling more than satisfied with the way the conversation played out.
Was it true he could protect the two places? Quite easily. But was that the goal? Of course not.
Having lost so mbers already and now fearful of the unknown, if the league wanted to safeguard the lives of the junior team... they only had two options.
Now Arias could only wait and see if they would take this carefully laid out bait.
And if they didn't, for the sake of further strengthening his image. He would unfortunately have to show them the grave error of their choice.
But unaware of all this, Superman and Batman simply exchanged glances as they felt it was better to discuss the matter later.
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