Rise of the Lustful Evil Monarch (Re)

Third Person's POV

Declan was cannon fodder and a distraction to draw blood.

The figure had no illusions.

Unlike the fools who underestimated the masked youth, he knew the terrifying truth and knew what that boy really was.

He was an exceptionally talented and immensely strong monster hidden beneath an elegant shell.

If he wanted to weaken Ethan and capture both him and the woman, he would need every scrap of strength, even from base dogs like this one.

"Yes… Thank you, my lord, for bestowing me this glorious opportunity," Declan said as he hastily placed his hand to his blood-slick chest.

His voice was trembling, but not with fear but with an intensely zealous hunger as he declared shamelessly,

"I will walk through mountains of blades and seas of flame for your favor."

They were fake words and a hollow pledge from a hollow man, which the figure clearly saw and knew, but it didn't break the civility, and it nodded anyway.

There was no reason to call out the lie, as this dog would clearly bark and bite whoever he pointed out to.

So with a sweeping motion, he turned away with his black-clad companion moving like a wraith behind him.

"Then prepare and get ready with your lackeys. Meet me at the city's North Gate in half an hour, no more," he said coldly.

"They won't stay in this city for long."

With that, the figure exited, and the heavy air seemed to part for his presence.

Declan remained bowed with his spine hunched low until the final trace of power had left the room.

When the weight lifted, he straightened, though his breath was heavy and his heart pounding, and not from fear, but from the anticipation of what was to come.

He dressed in haste as his fingers twitched with restless energy.

His mind spun wild fantasies of domination, of victory, of the woman finally his.

He could already picture her moans, her resistance, and her fall.

Every scene played vividly behind his eyes as he strapped his weapons to his waist.

The brothel room, which was once echoing with moans and misery, was now silent.

The elf woman still lay crumpled in the corner in an unconscious state and forgotten like a used rag.

It clearly showed the ruthlessness and the cruelty of this world, but Declan didn't even spare her a glance as his eyes were now set on another.

And with that, he stormed out with fire burning in his loins for that woman and bloodlust surging through his veins to cut that boy to pieces.

---

The dark and unassuming carriage glided smoothly along the cobbled path toward the city's northern gate as its spectral steeds barely made a sound despite their unnatural size.

But just as it was about to pass through the checkpoint without resistance like it had done while entering, a thunderous voice cut through the air.

"Stop right this instant!"

The cry echoed harshly against the towering stone walls, and a squad of armored gate enforcers surged forward and formed a blockade before the looming black carriage.

Gleaming weapons were drawn, and the air pulsed with sudden tension.

Yet, the hooded blood slave atop the driver's seat remained unnervingly still as the shadow of his hood hid any expression as the carriage continued to roll forward with unyielding momentum.

Ethan narrowed his eyes as he glanced through the translucent flowerware panel.

A quick survey of the other carriages being inspected revealed the truth: they weren't just checking passengers, but they were hunting.

For them. Noticing this, his mind started moving like a blade.

If the blood slave didn't stop and obey protocol, they would attract far more attention than intended.

A direct clash would ruin everything, and even though he wasn't afraid, he wasn't the one to act and become the center of attention and a clear target for his enemies.

His style of doing things was in pure secrecy, without the enemy even knowing what happened.

So, without any hesitation, he sent a sharp sound transmission through the link he shared with the old blood slave.

Sir, stop the carriage. Now.

At the final breath, just as the guards tensed and brandished their weapons to strike, certain the menacing black carriage was about to plow through them, it screeched to a halt.

Dust rose around the wheels, and the spectral horses snorted while exhaling faint streams of ghostly blue mist.

The guards blinked as they were caught between aggression and disbelief.

They slowly sheathed their weapons, but their eyes still burned with indignation.

One stepped forward to shout as his mouth was already curling into a sneer, only for the words to die in his throat the moment he met the driver's gaze.

Even through the hood's shadow, a dark pressure pressed down on their instincts like a primal threat.

Cold sweat beaded their brows, and their bravado melted into a primal dread.

Their hands trembled as they quickly stepped aside from the carriage path. One stammered,

"W-We need to check your carriage. O-Open the gates!"

Their voices cracked despite their attempts to sound firm.

Higher-ups had given them reassurance that no one would dare to act out at the city's front gate, and they could search and inspect freely even if they were nobles.

But they realised that they had not told them that they would be facing such an eerie force that would suffocate them to the core.

Inside the carriage, Ethan watched their unraveling with a thin smile tugging at his lips.

How quickly a silent but show of strength turned hounds into trembling pups.

Though he smiled sinisterly, that gave goosebumps to even the girls, he adopted a softer and purposely meek tone and called out through the rear panel.

"Come here, misters... from the back."

The guards glanced at one another and circled around to the back of the carriage.

As the heavy rear door creaked open, a black-haired young man with ordinary features greeted their eyes.