Liam looked at the assembled powers, letting them absorb what they'd witnessed.
"This is the new reality. There is no individuality that supersedes imperial survival. There is no House autonomy that protects you from consequences of resistance. There is only command structure that flows from the Primordial through to every demon in this empire—including those you thought answered to you first."
He gestured to the three legion commanders.
"When I give orders, their bodies execute before their minds can question. That is the nature of authority I possess, that you've all just accepted."
Malzeth's heart lay on the floor beside his body, no longer beating.
"Anyone else want to question whether this is farce?" Liam's voice carried casual menace. "Anyone else want to demand proof before complying? Anyone else want to test whether I'm pretender or god?"
Absolute silence.
The House leaders stared at the three legion commanders with new understanding.
