The grand doors of the Throne Room creaked open, the sound echoing through the massive hall as Lira and Seraphine entered. The shadows of the room seemed to shift in acknowledgment of Lira's presence, while the faint, otherworldly glow that followed Seraphine cast a serene contrast. Both guardians approached the raised dais where their lord, Lucian, sat upon his throne.
Lucian's crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, his fingers resting lightly on the arms of his throne. His pale skin and dark attire, embroidered with ancient runes of power, made him appear as much a part of the Citadel as the stone walls themselves. His gaze flickered between Lira and Seraphine as they reached the foot of the throne, bowing deeply in deference.
"Lord Lucian," Lira began, her voice steady but filled with the reverence she always held for him. "We have returned with the information gathered by the maids."
Lucian inclined his head slightly, a signal for her to continue.
"Over the past month, our maids have successfully infiltrated the courts and noble houses of several kingdoms and empires," Lira explained. "Selene, Mira, Calista, and Aira have provided us with detailed reports from the Kingdom of Veridane, the Empire of Solaria, the Kingdom of Durnam, and the Duchy of Valenor. They observed military strength, internal conflicts, and political ambitions that can be exploited."
She paused briefly before Seraphine stepped forward, her voice calm and resonant. "Likewise, Lord Lucian, Livia, Elara, Feyra, and Nerissa have gathered intelligence from the Barony of Greythorn, the Kingdom of Aerilon, the Eastern Isles, and the Kingdom of Rhodenia. Each noble house and kingdom holds its own vulnerabilities, which we can use to our advantage."
Lucian listened in silence, absorbing the vast amount of information they provided. His mind, always calculating, was already forming connections, assessing which kingdoms would be easiest to manipulate and which would require more subtle efforts. The world outside the Citadel was fractured, filled with ambition and greed, and ripe for the taking.
"What weaknesses did you observe that would allow us to undermine these kingdoms?" Lucian asked, his voice low but commanding.
Lira nodded and began to outline her assessment. "The Kingdom of Veridane, though powerful, has internal dissent brewing. Several noble houses are dissatisfied with King Gareth's heavy taxes to fund his military campaigns. In particular, Duke Renard Thorne of the eastern provinces harbors ambitions to expand his own influence. We can either support his rise to further destabilize the kingdom or use his ambition against him."
Seraphine followed, her voice smooth as ever. "In the Empire of Solaria, the Solaris Order within their mage academy is seeking ancient artifacts. If they succeed, they may uncover dangerous magical power that could rival our own. We must either monitor their progress and take the artifacts for ourselves, or ensure their failure by weakening their influence from within the empire."
Lucian's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Artifacts of great power were always a risk, but if they could seize them before the Solaris Order, it could give him an advantage over any rising threats. He made a mental note to send one of his more powerful agents to investigate further.
Lira continued. "The Kingdom of Durnam is focused on its rivalry with the Empire of Calthor. Their forces are stretched thin, and King Baric Ironfist is eager for a decisive victory. If we incite a major conflict between them, both kingdoms could be weakened. The Duchy of Valenor, though small, holds considerable economic power due to their control over rare minerals and trade routes. Duke Soren Valenor is shrewd and could be an ally—or an obstacle. His loyalty can be bought if necessary."
Seraphine spoke next, summarizing her findings. "The Barony of Greythorn is strategically placed, controlling key trade routes, but Baron Wilhelm Greythorn is fiercely loyal to Veridane. His ambitions are small, but his influence is not. The Kingdom of Aerilon, on the other hand, is a theocracy. Their faith-based magic makes them a unique threat, but their reliance on the church's influence over the populace could be turned against them if we reveal any hidden corruption among their clergy. The Eastern Isles and Rhodenia remain less significant but could be useful in smaller schemes."
When they had finished, Lucian sat in silence, his expression unreadable. The pieces were all laid before him. The world beyond the Citadel of Nightfallen was ripe for conquest, but a careful hand would be needed to manipulate these forces without drawing too much attention to himself or his guild too soon.
"Well done," Lucian finally said, his voice carrying a hint of approval. "You have done exactly as I expected. The kingdoms and empires of this world are fractured and blinded by their own desires. They believe themselves strong, yet they are weak in their disunity."
He stood from his throne, descending the steps of the dais, his tall figure casting a long shadow across the room. Lira's heart quickened as he approached, though she maintained her calm facade. Even now, after all these years, the power and presence of Lord Lucian left her in awe.
"However," Lucian continued, "we must proceed with caution. This world may seem weak, but there are forces we have yet to encounter—forces that may pose a threat to our plans. We will not reveal our hand too soon. For now, continue your surveillance. Ensure that the maids remain undetected and report any shifts in power or influence."
Lira and Seraphine bowed deeply. "As you command, Lord Lucian," they said in unison.
Lucian returned to his throne, his eyes now distant, as if already considering his next steps. "You are dismissed."
With another bow, Lira and Seraphine left the throne room, their footsteps silent as the massive doors closed behind them.
Once alone, Lucian leaned back in his throne, his mind already racing with possibilities. He had expected the kingdoms of this world to be disjointed, but the degree of instability was even more than he had hoped. Still, he knew better than to underestimate this world. There could be hidden threats—beings of power that had yet to reveal themselves.
He turned his gaze toward the map that hung on the far wall, a newly acquired artifact that detailed the known world. Each kingdom, each empire, was marked. But beyond the borders of the map, there were still unknown lands. Lucian could sense it—there were forces out there, watching, waiting.
His fingers drummed lightly against the armrest of his throne. His mind was as sharp as ever, and the possibilities stretched before him like a carefully woven tapestry. The Citadel of Nightfallen would not remain hidden forever, but for now, secrecy was their greatest weapon. He would continue to manipulate the factions of this world from the shadows, guiding events to his will.
But one day—when the time was right—he would reveal his power, and this world would know the might of Lord Lucian, the Eternal Sovereign.