In Chapter 10 of "That Hideous Strength," titled "The Conqueror's return", Mark Studdock finds himself deeper in the political and ideological machinations of the National Institute for Coordinated Experiments (N.I.C.E). As the true, dark nature of N.I.C.E. begins to reveal itself, tensions mount and loyalties are tested. Meanwhile, the spiritual and mystical elements of the story become more pronounced, setting the stage for the ultimate conflict between good and evil.