Late at night, the protesters outside the manor had yet to disperse.
They had pitched tents and lit bonfires, their chants rising and falling in the night wind.
Most of the lights inside the manor had gone out, and Loren had persuaded most people to get some rest.
Only Wanda remained by his side, watching him stand silently before the window.
"What are you going to do?" Wanda asked softly.
Loren did not answer. He merely raised a hand, palm facing upward.
A mass of pitch-black energy, alive in appearance, emerged from his palm.
It was the Dark Magic Origin, the power Chthon had left behind and which he had completely mastered.
The energy slowly swirled in his palm, radiating an ancient, profound aura.
"Hydra has thirty-seven major bases worldwide, with twelve thousand four hundred and thirty-one core members."
Loren's voice was as calm as if he were reading a report.
"Their leadership is currently gathered in their underground headquarters in Washington, D.C., celebrating the imminent success of their plan."
Wanda said nothing, simply watching him in silence.
"They thought I would be angry, disappointed, and leave in despair." A trace of cold mockery entered Loren's voice.
"They thought public opinion could drive me away, and fear could defeat me."
He clenched his fist, and the mass of dark energy silently vanished between his fingers.
"They were wrong."
Loren turned to look at Wanda.
His black eyes were deep as an abyss, yet clear as a mirror.
"Wanda, protect everyone. I'll be back soon."
"Master!" Wanda wanted to say something, but Loren had already vanished.
Washington, D.C., three hundred meters underground—Hydra headquarters.
Inside the enormous circular conference hall, dozens of Hydra executives sat around an oval mahogany table.
The holographic screen on the wall was broadcasting a live feed from