Months of repeated incursions eventually gave Lucien something he had not enjoyed in a long time.
Breathing room.
The attacks had not stopped, but they no longer required him to personally watch every coastline and every battlefield.
The Thousand Races had grown too accustomed to dealing with them, and the defensive structure surrounding the five continents had matured enough that Lucien could finally step away without feeling as though something would collapse the moment he turned his back.
He did not leave the world unattended.
The responsibility simply rotated.
The ancient beasts began taking turns overseeing the continents alongside Lootwell's commanders and the major factions. Some were better suited for the role than others, but all of them possessed enough strength that anything short of a true escalation would have difficulty surprising them.
Lucien still received reports.
Tidewatch still remained linked to him.
