The Extra is a Cult Leader
Chapter 35: Presence

Chapter 35: Presence

Ethan closed the door gently behind him, leaving Aeris lying back on his bed’s sheets. She was still breathing heavily, her skin flushed and damp from the last rounds of pleasure that had drained all her strength. Even exhausted, she followed him with her eyes all the way to the door.

He walked through Eldranor’s stone corridors. The ancient architecture had always been impressive, but now it looked as though it had never been touched by time. Magical torches cast soft shadows on the walls, giving the place a sense of silent life. Ethan passed through the great hall where the cult’s crest of Aurelia now stood, carved in marble by the Guardian herself at the cultists’ request.

Upon entering the central hall, he was met by several high-ranking members of the cult. They wore dark robes adorned with Aurelia’s symbol, and upon seeing him, they bowed respectfully. Ethan didn’t need to say anything, he simply raised his hand, and everyone understood they could rise.

"Any progress on the routes I requested?" he asked, his voice calm and firm.

"Yes, my lord," replied one of the elders, handing him a scroll. "We’ve mapped a safer route through the north. Fewer monsters and easier to bring resources to Eldranor."

Ethan looked over the scroll without showing emotion. "Approved. Send a caravan at dawn. Use it as a test."

"As you wish."

He didn’t have to speak much. His presence alone was enough for people to understand his orders, and the cult was already starting to run like a well-oiled machine under his leadership. Ethan knew that despite his actions, like acquiring this entire kingdom, having earned him considerable respect within the cult, however most of their faith in him still came simply from the fact that he was the Herald.

While they spoke of numbers, supplies, and potential new recruits from other kingdoms, Ethan kept his mind ahead, thinking about how Eldranor could grow even further. With his new magic, he wouldn’t need to rely solely on Aurelia’s faithful.

The steady rhythm of the leaders’ words echoed through the hall, but his mind wandered elsewhere: he wanted to contact Aurelia, to ask what her relationship with the other gods was and whether she would mind if he wiped out their temples.

"I want you to place the younger new members in the outer wings. They still need to prove their loyalty," Ethan said, cutting off one of the men.

The man merely nodded, not even questioning him.

The hall fell silent for a moment. Ethan lifted his gaze, scanning the faces before him. There was devotion there, but also fear. And that was fine. Fear kept everyone in line. And those who proved their loyalty would receive rewards beyond anything they could imagine.

He dismissed the leaders with a simple gesture. When everyone had left, he stood alone in the hall. Aurelia’s crest gleamed under the blue light of the magical torches. Ethan took a deep breath.

Eldranor was no longer just a forgotten ruin: it was becoming a living fortress. And he would make sure that every stone, every corridor, obeyed only him.

With that settled, he turned and began walking toward the old office of Eldranor’s kings, where he would review the accumulated reports and plan his next moves. He could still feel his connection with the princess and the others, and it didn’t seem to be weakening, which meant he could stay there longer.

The royal office of Eldranor still held its ancient grandeur: a large chamber, marble walls carved with divine symbols, and tall windows that let in the soft light of the night. Ethan crossed the hall to the great stone table, spreading out the scrolls he had brought.

There were reports of caravans, lists of new recruits, and records from patrols within the city itself. He read in silence, his gaze sharp. Every name, every number, every small change, all of it held the possibility of being important later.

Among the notes, there was a discreet message that caught his attention: a report about small groups of adventurers trying to approach the ravine. Ethan rested his hand on the parchment, thoughtful. It wasn’t yet time to reveal himself completely to the outside world. Eldranor needed to grow, to establish itself as a force before showing itself officially. But he still needed a way to persuade the guild to keep reckless adventurers away.

As he pondered, the soft sound of footsteps echoed by the door. One of the cult’s high-ranking members, an older man, stood there, hesitant. Ethan merely inclined his chin slightly, granting him permission to speak.

"My lord, the preparations for the caravans are ready. And... regarding the transition of the old religion’s temples to Aurelia’s worship... some are still resisting."

Ethan lifted his eyes, cold, yet calm. "Prepare a report on those who resist. I’ll handle it when I return."

The man nodded, as if he had expected that answer. There was no hesitation in Ethan’s voice, not a hint of doubt. His followers seemed to know well that he wouldn’t tolerate anything that could compromise the greater goal.

Once alone again, Ethan walked over to one of the windows and looked out at the city rebuilding below. Stone towers now served as lodging for new cult members. The old abandoned temple near the center had begun its restoration, now dedicated to Aurelia.

He knew that Aeris was still in her quarters, resting. He also knew the princess maintained her own network of spies, even now, under his influence. Ethan wasn’t fooled: she still wasn’t entirely trustworthy. But she was useful. And for now, that was enough.

At last, he raised his eyes to the ceiling, decorated with ancient inscriptions of forgotten gods. Ethan took a deep breath, almost like a silent prayer, not to Aurelia, but to himself. He knew that from then on, each decision would weigh even heavier. Any mistake could bring down everything he had built.

He reached out, touching one of the inscriptions carved into the cold marble. For an instant, the ancient magic responded, glowing gold under his fingers. A silent reminder of who truly owned that place now.

There were still many other places he wished to conquer, just as he had with Eldranor. And now, with his new magic, there were also many people he wouldn’t allow to die peacefully, because he wouldn’t miss the chance to keep them at his side.