Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Unsure of my place between Lilith Snow and the one called Leofric Darkmane, who stood a bit shorter than a giant but still far taller than a typical humanoid. Lilith stood, arms affixed over one another, while Duke Darkmane mirrored her stance. He growled.

“So I am left with you? His consort.”

Lady Snow’s amethyst eyes locked with the Dukes, measuring him with a cold contempt bordering disgust, having never seen such an expression from my queen, who’d usually carried herself with grace and elegance. I stood off to the side and glanced at the Army of Shadowfell, who had remained behind.

“Seems like the defeated dog can still bark at the mercy of my husband. Tell me, aside from a shattered family, Arsene could end with a snap. What do you have?” Lilith provoked, sneering almost instinctively. “Your little rebellion is nothing more than fuel for my husband.”

“Arsene has already provoked the banking clans, who have long since reached out to me. I have the funding and the trading routes under my control. The Prime Worlds will burn during Arsene’s absence.” This fool said, basically giving me all the information I needed to destroy him. I see why Master made him the leader of this little resistance. He is a fool, unfit to lead outside an actual battlefield.

Having heard enough from these two, I released a strident cough drawing their attention. ” Lady Snow, Duke Darkmane. If we can begin?”

Lilith was the first to nod, followed by Leofric, who studied his army to be. They were all fourth-generation Shadowfell, but their potential was on par with the highest of demons, royal demons, and devils. According to Arsene and Asmodeus, even Lilith had given them the thumbs up. Unfortunately, such potential could not be recognized with such limited inherited knowledge. However, only the first and second generations held onto the infernal lineage inherited proficiency. But such a thing would easily change as these Shadowfell would hold a baptism, where they would prove themselves to the Hells and gain its blessing.

It doesn’t matter how slim the bloodline is, from what I have seen. The infernal heritage will awaken if someone can prove themselves to the Hells. Nevertheless, I found having the infernal bloodline irrelevant, for it was Master blood that I was made immune to most elements and poisons. I was so attuned to the darkness that I could feel the blessing of Tenebrae and Lunafreya at my disposal if I needed it.

A single thought and I could unleash two Origin Gods’ powers and decimate those at my level that need to strive to please the god they worship. We of shadow fell were different. We were free to become gods without praying to other gods. I knew Master had severed himself from her, but we were different. We needed a higher being, and I know Master knows this.

“A fine stock.” Duke Darkmane said, tugging me from my thoughts. “So these are Shadowfell. I can feel their connection to Tenebrae, amazing. Truly amazing.” He praised, clapping his hands together. “And they are mine?”

“That was the deal,” I remarked, gazing out the army of thousand. Then added, “They have been ordered to turn no more than ten people. After that, those ten people will convert another ten.” 𝒷ℯ𝒹𝓃𝓸𝓿ℯ𝓁.𝒸ℴ𝓶

“I’d say I was impressed, but I’m sure your Master would allow that to go to his head.” Duke Darkmane said, chuckling with laughter, but neither Lilith nor I laughed alongside him, as he had no idea how right he was.

“Ygg,” Lilith suddenly called, “You there? You are needed.”

“Are you sure of this?” Lady Ygg was quick to appear, blinking into existence in her small childlike form, her cheeks pale, and her emerald hair in disarray. “When everyone returns—”

“When they return, we kill each and last one of them,” I coldly interjected. “They will not see it coming. Even if the Court of Nox do and sense the flow of divinity run dry, upon their return, we will have so much of the Bed of Chaos under our control it will not matter.

“woe to the conquered,” Both Lilith and I said in tandem. “We are Vaevictus. There is no mercy.”

Yggdrasill gently sighed, ” If the angels were not attacking, I would be against this, but I fear such matters cannot be helped, not after the siege of Alos.”

“Oh? What happened?” Said, Lilith.

“Seriously?” Yggdrasill remarked sternly, bending her arms over her waist; she frowned, ” Do you not know how important Alos was to the Bed of Chaos? After the Celestrial World was torn in half, a vital source of spices and various other kinds of material only found on Alos came to a halt. Not to mention, with the angels’ relentless attack, trading routes are all in turmoil.”

“Woman, I’m not here to disgust politics and trade.” Duke darkmane grimly said, waving off Yggdrasell without the slightest care. He fixed his eyes on her and continued, ” I am here to kill Arsene’s enemies, and the Court of Nox is one of them. Yall can discuss this on your time. I have other shit to do. I don’t plan on spending more than a few thousand years here.”

“Sorry, Ygg, as you can see, this jack-ass here is arrogant, despite everything that shows otherwise.” Lilith snapped, rolling her eyes.

“I can see,

Coughing yet again to reel in where this conversation was going. “Shall we then begin? Duke Darkmane, Lady Ygg here will be your guide. While I will handle other operations. If everything goes according to plan—”

“We should be able to conquer the Bed of Chaos in a few thousand years, correct?

“That is correct.”

“Good, then Yggdrasill, if you will.” I lightly gestured

Flickering from sight piercing into space, followed by Darkmane and his army, I glanced at Lilith, who didn’t seem convinced.

“Will a thousand be enough?” She inquired. “None of these Shadowfell’s have advanced combat skills.”

Locking eyes with my Queen, I nodded, ” Of course. Big armies aren’t going to be that useful in small operations. Even if the Shadowfell lack Arsene’s innate ability to adapt, we are built to withstand an onslaught of attacks; this is a good training opportunity, my queen. Not to mention a team of a thousand is quite a large number. any more, and we would be giving Darkmane too much power.”

Lilith’s brow tensed with unease. ” I know. I just think Arsene is being too dismissive of that Paragon. Leofric Darkmane didn’t get where he is by chance.”

I smiled.”Then do something, my lady. You have that right. A true queen doesn’t just follow his husband’s lead. You have the right to interfere in Masters affairs.”