******
Kaelrik's voice thundered through the village square, resonating with an unsettling power, like the tolling of a death knell.
"This dream of mine is only possible thanks to the powerful allies I've graciously bestowed upon this pitiful fief!" he proclaimed, his words dripping with false benevolence. Yet, despite his booming voice, no one flinched. The villagers were completely enraptured, their attention fixed on Kaelrik's words, as if spellbound.
Everyone except Xylen.
'You idiot, drop the theatrical nonsense already and cut to the chase,' Xylen grumbled to himself in his mind, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.
Pretending to be unconscious was already exhausting, and worse, time was running out. But acting too soon would only jeopardize the entire mission.
Meanwhile, confusion and deep frowns gradually settled on the villagers' faces as they processed Kaelrik's words, glancing at each other in growing unease.
