From a distance, Xenon watched Paolo meet his fiery end. He dusted off his sleeves and turned away.
"What a fool," he muttered.
This simple task had been completely botched. Xenon had hoped to appear as a hero, celebrated and admired. Instead, this failure would mar the Lumina Church's century-long plan, one centered on the power of the blood sigil.
His fury grew as he recalled the young commander of the supply unit. That impudent brat!
Xenon seethed at the thought of having been outmaneuvered. The inability to deploy wyverns for reconnaissance while hiding in the forest had cost him dearly. Had he been able to use them, this humiliation could have been avoided.
Drawing a holy sign and composing himself, Xenon began gathering his comrades to devise their next move.
"All glory to Lumina!"
"All glory to Lumina!"
"Let there be light!"
