The grand square outside the Silver-Dawn Frost Cathedral was packed with half a million citizens.
Believers, farmers, local merchants, and the five hundred rescued plague orphans stood in the snow under the midday sun. The heavy iron guillotine that had once dominated the cathedral steps was gone, dismantled into scrap metal by dwarven sledges. In its place stood long wooden tables serving hot cabbage soup, steamed meat buns, and sweet ginger tea to everyone in line.
Up on the cathedral terrace, Sister Clara stood alongside Arthur Pendelton.
Clara wore her simple white nun robes, her kind face beaming with quiet peace. Beside her, Arthur stood tall in his newly forged Excalibur-Dawn armor, his golden sun-wings resting gently against his cape.
Down in the square, seven veteran Paladin Captains stepped forward and raised their heavy broadswords high into the air.
“High Inquisitor Vael betrayed our sacred cathedral oaths!” Captain Erik bellowed across the square. “He framed our brother Arthur, poisoned innocent orphan wells, and embezzled eighty million spirit stones for Ouroboros! By unanimous vote of the Paladin Council and the congregation, we strip Vael of all holy titles forever!”
Half a million voices cheered in thunderous agreement, shaking snow from the cathedral spires.
