The plot seems accelerated. And writing had deteriorated. Let’s hope the rush by the author slows down...
That pope does not need to die. He needs to be tortured the same way. Faron needs to die. warning, new chapter. If you get sick easily, do NOT read! @NeriaTL , just to let you know, once again the author got his facts way wrong due to making it more graphic. Maggots eat only dead tissue. That’s why medical grade maggots are used to treat burn victims, and gangrene victims. It should have been ants poured into that Iron Maiden. (I used to watch a lot of medical dramas) Btw guys, Iron Maidens are fictional. Some Victorians with WAY too much imagination made them, and they’ve become accepted by people as medieval torture devices. But there are NO recorded instances of anything resembling Iron Maidens. (I watch a lot of YouTube.)
Wouldn't Faron be covered in wounds after being tortured for days? I would assume that he would have some severe wounds with dead tissue cells that the maggots would feast on, unless.... they would treat that? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myiasis
But dead tissue don’t feel pain. The maggots would indeed feast on Faron’s dead tissue, only he wouldn’t feel any pain. Excuse me, gonna hurl.
The author spent all this time justifying the MC’s decision to become a monster. Well done! Our schadenfreude as the MC crushes the church, empire, etc will be most enjoyable.
But this chapter showed that it isn't even Salem or the church that are the real baddies, but Prince Pygni. Him and Thoma haven't even met each other but there's no way they won't come into conflict.
Obviously, author is setting up for the MC to discover the truth after he obliterates the church. To drive in that final spike...the author is evil. Not my usual fare, but there’s an irresistible fascination this novel has to the reader. So dark...
I think the novel may still go in an unexpected direction, or at least have some twists we're not expecting. Only time will tell...