Chapter 45: The Gathering Storm

The holy crusade, now in full motion, had begun to engulf the kingdom in a fervor unlike anything Lucian had ever witnessed. As the church's forces gathered strength, so too did the tension in the air. The once peaceful cities and towns were now brimming with unrest, as citizens, caught between fear and faith, struggled to choose sides.

Lucian's network, despite their efforts to disrupt and delay the church's progress, found themselves facing an increasingly hostile environment. The church's propaganda, spread through fiery sermons and impassioned speeches, painted Lucian and his empire as the very embodiment of evil. The church's leaders accused Lucian of witchcraft, of consorting with dark forces, and of corrupting the very soul of the kingdom.