Free Web NovelChapter 334: Center Of Attention
"Good evening. We begin tonight with what many political analysts are already describing as one of the most astonishing diplomatic developments in modern history."
Images of military vehicles withdrawing from border regions appeared on the screen behind her, followed by footage of officials from both nations shaking hands before a row of cameras.
"After weeks of rapidly escalating tensions that had many experts warning of an imminent regional conflict, the governments of Mexico and Lebanon have jointly announced a comprehensive peace agreement."
The footage shifted to soldiers lowering their weapons before returning to the anchor.
"Military operations have officially ceased. Diplomatic channels have been fully restored, sanctions previously under discussion have been suspended, and both governments have committed to immediate economic and humanitarian cooperation."
The anchor glanced down at her notes before looking back into the camera.
"What has stunned the international community is not simply the agreement itself, but the speed at which it was reached."
A timeline appeared on the screen.
"Only days ago, officials from both nations were exchanging threats. Military forces had already been mobilized and several governments had begun preparing contingency plans for a wider regional conflict. Today, those same leaders stood together smiling for photographs while signing documents committing themselves to peace."
Several clips played one after another showing cheering civilians, diplomats applauding, and world leaders welcoming the announcement.
"Historians are already calling this one of the fastest de-escalations between two nations on the brink of open conflict. Negotiations that many believed would take months appear to have concluded in less than twenty-four hours."
The screen changed once more, displaying world leaders reacting to the announcement.
"The United Nations has welcomed the agreement, while governments across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas have praised both nations for choosing diplomacy over war. Financial markets also responded positively as fears of a prolonged conflict rapidly subsided."
The anchor’s expression gradually became more thoughtful.
"Yet despite today’s celebration, one question continues to dominate conversations among diplomats and intelligence agencies alike."
The footage behind her froze on an image of representatives from both countries emerging from a closed meeting room.
"No official transcript of the negotiations has been released. Neither delegation has explained what caused such a dramatic shift in position. Officials from both governments have simply described the discussions as ’productive’ before declining further comment."
She folded her hands together and looked directly into the camera.
"So tonight the world celebrates peace, but another mystery has quietly taken its place."
"What really happened behind those closed doors?"
The television screen went black with a soft click before the room settled into silence. Damian lowered the remote onto the table, only to realize it had not been him who turned the television off. Rin stood atop the remote with both paws planted firmly on it, his tails swaying lazily behind him as he stared back without the slightest hint of embarrassment. Damian raised a questioning brow, silently asking whether the fox had something to say.
"Don’t tell me you are surprised?" Rin asked, sounding almost disappointed.
Damian genuinely shook his head. "No. I simply wasn’t thinking that far ahead."
At that moment the air beside him shifted as Racheal appeared, already reclining across the couch with practiced familiarity. She rested her head comfortably upon his lap as though it belonged there and reached up to trace the sharp line of his jaw with slow, absent minded fingers. Her touch was gentle, almost affectionate, but Damian paid it little attention. His focus remained entirely on the conversation.
"There is a reason neither Greed, Wrath nor even Piety managed to establish the most powerful nation on this planet," Racheal said softly. "Conquering territory is the easy part. Holding it is what attracts everyone else."
Damian’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"You mean..."
"Yes."
Rah’s calm voice interrupted him.
Damian turned toward the staircase where she sat with one leg crossed over the other, her snow white hair spilling over her shoulders. Hazel, Ruby and Racheal all frowned almost immediately upon seeing her, but Rah ignored them completely. Her attention remained fixed solely on Damian.
"By taking the capital of this planet and openly declaring yourself its God, you have done more than gain followers." She folded her arms across her chest. "You have publicly declared ownership."
The room became noticeably quieter and Rah continued in the same composed tone.
"To humans it looks like a religious movement. To the higher powers, it is a territorial claim. Every God, every Prince, every ancient force with an interest in Earth now has legitimate reason to involve themselves. Before this, you were simply another troublesome human blessed with unusual power. Now you are a rival attempting to establish a divine kingdom."
Damian stared ahead silently.
His fingers continued absentmindedly stroking Racheal’s silky hair while his thumb gently traced circles against her nails. His mind, however, was nowhere inside the room. Every decision he had made over the past several months replayed itself in rapid succession. Becoming a judge. Convicting Victor Hale. Expanding the Ministry of Love. Healing Emily before the entire world. Ending an international conflict in a single night.
Each move had seemed independent. Now he could finally see the pattern. Without realizing it, he had steadily gathered influence until the entire world had begun orbiting around him. Truly he had been Ignorant.
He leaned farther into the couch, his expression growing distant.
"I’ve never been in politics before," he admitted quietly. "I’m learning while I’m already sitting on the throne."
No one laughed. They all understood he was being serious.
After several long seconds his gaze shifted back toward Rin.
"Then my next move should be to completely destroy their bases of operation on this planet." His voice remained calm, but as he continued speaking, the logic unfolded before his own eyes.
"If rival powers already have footholds here, then leaving them untouched only invites future wars. Once I remove them from the equation, I can consolidate authority over the planet completely." He paused midway through the sentence before his eyes slowly widened. "Then... Earth truly becomes mine."
A slow smile spread across Rin’s face.
"Exactly." He nodded proudly. "You are beginning to learn how to think like a God."
Racheal immediately clapped excitedly, the cheerful sound echoing throughout the room. She looked almost childlike as she smiled up at Damian, clearly pleased by how quickly he had reached the conclusion on his own.
Hazel smiled faintly while Ruby folded her arms with quiet approval.
Only Damian remained unsmiling. His expression grew heavier the more he thought about it.
Until now he had benefited from obscurity. Most of his enemies had discovered him through coincidence, personal grudges or isolated incidents. That era was over.
By declaring himself before humanity, he had unknowingly announced his existence to every power competing for influence over Earth.
The anonymity that had protected him was gone. From this moment onward, every attack against him would no longer be personal. It would be political and territorial.
And for the first time since inheriting Lust, Damian truly understood what it meant to wage war as a God.
