The Kentari Royal Armada was a burning, scattered graveyard drifting in the vacuum of space.
Lucifer's three trillion Shadow Knights had ripped through the silver dreadnoughts like a scythe through wet parchment. The invisible, dark-matter cavalry didn't leave survivors. They simply phased through the enemy hulls, butchered the crews, and left the massive ships as dark, floating coffins.
Lucifer stood on the high balcony of Zephyria, watching the slaughter.
He didn't need to issue tactical commands. The *Viceroy of Shadows* title linked his will directly to the legion. They knew exactly what to do.
"The fleet is completely neutralized, Emperor," Sarah reported from the Spire, her cosmic eyes tracking the fading heat signatures of the Kentari ships. "The path to the Ringworld is clear of naval opposition."
