Chapter 35: Presence
Ethan closed the door gently behind him, leaving Aeris lying back on his bed’s sheets. She was still breathing heavily, her skin flushed and damp from the last rounds of pleasure that had drained all her strength. Even exhausted, she followed him with her eyes all the way to the door.
He walked through Eldranor’s stone corridors. The ancient architecture had always been impressive, but now it looked as though it had never been touched by time. Magical torches cast soft shadows on the walls, giving the place a sense of silent life. Ethan passed through the great hall where the cult’s crest of Aurelia now stood, carved in marble by the Guardian herself at the cultists’ request.
Upon entering the central hall, he was met by several high-ranking members of the cult. They wore dark robes adorned with Aurelia’s symbol, and upon seeing him, they bowed respectfully. Ethan didn’t need to say anything, he simply raised his hand, and everyone understood they could rise.
"Any progress on the routes I requested?" he asked, his voice calm and firm.
"Yes, my lord," replied one of the elders, handing him a scroll. "We’ve mapped a safer route through the north. Fewer monsters and easier to bring resources to Eldranor."
Ethan looked over the scroll without showing emotion. "Approved. Send a caravan at dawn. Use it as a test."
"As you wish."
He didn’t have to speak much. His presence alone was enough for people to understand his orders, and the cult was already starting to run like a well-oiled machine under his leadership. Ethan knew that despite his actions, like acquiring this entire kingdom, having earned him considerable respect within the cult, however most of their faith in him still came simply from the fact that he was the Herald.
While they spoke of numbers, supplies, and potential new recruits from other kingdoms, Ethan kept his mind ahead, thinking about how Eldranor could grow even further. With his new magic, he wouldn’t need to rely solely on Aurelia’s faithful.