Attack on Church

"Argh... Monster!!!" The priest in the church screamed in agony as his once youthful face rapidly withered into that of a horrified old man.

His eyes bulged out in disbelief as his lifeforce was drained at an alarming pace. His death was slow and excruciating, his body crumpling lifelessly to the cold stone floor.

The priest was not the only victim.

Everyone within the church, from the pious to the unsuspecting, was caught in the monstrous onslaught.

No one was spared.

The nuns and priests who called the church their home cried out in terror, only to be mercilessly wiped out by the creature with unnerving ease.

The faithful believers who sought sanctuary within its walls met a similar fate, their devotion offering no protection against the relentless horror.

But the carnage did not stop at the church.

The monster extended its terror to the homes of those associated with the church, slaughtering indiscriminately.

Every person connected to the holy establishment fell victim to its bloodthirsty purge.

What was most terrifying about the creature was that it didn't need fangs like a vampire to drain blood.

A mere gaze was all it required, and with that, it consumed both blood and lifeforce.

Once the monster set its eyes upon them, their fate was sealed.

Death was immediate and gruesome, leaving behind no trace of life.

...

When all the preparations were complete, King Uther summoned all his most trusted knights to him.

His orders were clear: purge the church members and uproot them from the Capital, once and for all.

However, just as the mission was about to begin, Merlin intervened, his voice cutting through the tension.

"They are already dead, my king."

Uther's expression darkened at the sudden news.

"Do you mean the church members?"

He had planned to deal with them himself, but now... they were already dead?

He knew Merlin wouldn't lie about something so crucial.

"Yes." Merlin confirmed with a solemn nod. "Shall we inspect the situation?"

King Uther's mind raced with questions, but one, in particular, demanded immediate attention. "And what of Francesca Prelati? Has she escaped, or was she harmed?"

"She remains unharmed," Merlin assured.

A sigh of relief escaped Uther's lips. At least not everything was spiraling out of control.

"Very well," Uther said, regaining his composure. "Let us gather a few knights and investigate the cause of their deaths."

"I know who is responsible for this, my king, and I believe it would be in our best interest not to intervene or investigate further. The other party has already dealt with the situation on our behalf and conveniently taken the blame for it," Merlin advised with a calm and knowing tone.

"The church will eventually send their own people once they become aware of the monster attack, or when some citizens stumble upon the bloodied scene and report it themselves. Instead of making an enemy out of them, why not manipulate the situation to your advantage by positioning yourself as their savior?"

A gleam of realization brightened Uther's face at Merlin's suggestion.

"Yes, if I can make Francesca Prelati a loyal and obedient puppet, I can control the church through her influence," Uther mused aloud, his voice filled with newfound ambition.

"Since you already have your plan in mind, my king, I shall take my leave," Merlin said with a respectful bow.

However, before departing, he leaned in closer and whispered something into King Uther's ear that caused his earlier bright expression to turn into a more serious and solemn one.

"Thank you for the information, Merlin," Uther nodded gravely as he turned and began to leave.

The knights, understanding they were no longer needed, refrained from following, knowing their presence would only interrupt the king's train of thoughts.