The days following the battle left Lucien feeling both victorious and strangely detached. The demons had taken to their new leader with varying degrees of respect, some out of awe for his power, others because they saw a potential to rise with him. However, none of them had yet realized the depths of his control.
Lucien stood atop a cliff, overlooking the ruins of the Church's stronghold. He could feel the remnants of the battle still simmering beneath the surface, like a simmering pot on the edge of boiling over. It was time to strike again—this time, against those who remained in power, the ones pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
His fingers curled into a fist as his mind turned to the Archbishop, the one who had orchestrated his mother's death. Lucien could still see the man's face, smug and unbothered, when he had ordered her execution. To the Church, his mother was just another casualty of a greater war, but to Lucien, she was everything.
A voice behind him interrupted his thoughts. "Lord Lucien."
He didn't need to turn around to know it was Althar, the most loyal of his demon generals. The demon's footsteps were unmistakable—heavy, sure, and always bearing the weight of command.
"What is it, Althar?" Lucien asked without shifting his gaze from the horizon.
"There is word from the demon lords in the south. They're curious about your actions. They've heard of the battle, but they want to know more about how we proceed." Althar's tone was respectful, yet cautious.
Lucien turned, his eyes narrowing slightly. The demon lords were powerful, but they had no idea how little they mattered to his plans. They were mere pawns in the grand game he was playing. "Tell them to wait," he said coolly. "I am not yet ready to reveal the full extent of my power. Let them question. Let them wonder."
Althar nodded, though a flicker of doubt crossed his eyes. "As you command."
Lucien dismissed him with a wave and turned back to the ruined Church. It wasn't enough to simply defeat the Church's forces. It wasn't enough to make them bow. No, Lucien had to destroy them. And for that, he needed more than just strength. He needed their faith to crumble.
He began to plan again, weaving a web of lies, manipulation, and carefully timed strikes. The Archbishop would fall soon, but Lucien's true goal was far more intricate than a mere assassination.
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End of Chapter 4