It was time for him to throw himself into the game, a gamble with his own life at stake.
If he succeeded, he would reclaim everything, his authority, his people's trust, the stability of the empire. If he failed… then his life, his prestige, even the legitimacy of his reign could be shattered beyond repair.
Chen's plan was bold. Reckless. Perhaps even foolish. But he saw no other path.
He would prove to his people that there was no divine punishment, no wrath of the heavens, no cosmic retribution for detaining the godlings.
Instead, he would show them the truth as he had pieced it together.
The plague of Night, the Thralls, the spreading corruption, it was the work of their so-called neighbors, the Vampire Godlings.
Those pale monsters, half-divine and half-beast, who had long hovered at the edges of the empire. Those who smiled like saints but feasted like devils. Those who were powerful, yes, but still people, beings the empire could quantify, resist, even conquer.
