The Lionmane King responded with sudden ruthlessness.
It stopped timing alone. It began coordinating.
It moved its barrier in layers, overlapping with the Starsteel intercept-lattices, hiding the Elementarch's command signals behind rotating wards like a commander hiding orders inside a marching hymn.
The troublesome kings were no longer separate threats.
They were covering each other like organs of one beast.
The Starsteel King intercepted.
The Lionmane buffered.
The Pillarborn shielded.
The Elementarch conducted.
The battle began to feel like trying to kill a machine while its pieces kept replacing each other.
Lucien did not flinch.
He could see every rotation.
He could see every attempt to stall.
And he realized something sharp and simple.
They were buying time.
Lucien's gaze lifted once.
The execution circles overhead rotated faster now, the final line shimmering near completion.
He did not have time for methodical dismantling anymore.
Lucien waited.
