Inside the church, molten golden liquid slowly flowed across the floor, radiating searing heat.
Western Europe's entire upper echelon, generals and nobles alike, stood frozen in place.
The Old Gods were dead.
Follow, or become sacrifices.
This was no longer a choice. It was a trial.
"Devil! You traitor possessed by a demon!"
A shrill roar shattered the stagnant air.
Cardinal Bishop Anthony's wrinkled old face twisted with extreme wrath.
Trembling, he pointed at Richard standing upon the altar. The magnificent silver archbishop's robe on his body stirred despite the lack of wind.
"You destroyed the divine statue, betrayed the faith, and will drag us all into an eternal, irredeemable hell!"
Anthony turned toward his stunned colleagues behind him and roared with all his strength.
"Everyone! Wake up! Do not be deceived by this madman! He is no longer Commander Richard—he is a blasphemer! A servant of the Devil!"
He tried to awaken their reason, but the only response was dead silence and evasive gazes.
No one dared make a sound, much less move.
Anthony's chest heaved violently. He stared at Richard on the platform, his eyes filled with despair and mad hatred.
"In the name of Holy Light, I will purify your filthy soul!"
Anthony pulled a heavy Holy Scripture from his robes. A white crystal the size of a pigeon egg was set into its cover.
It was a Sacred Relic passed down by the Church for centuries, said to contain the blessing of the first Pope.
He raised the Holy Scripture high, muttering as he began chanting a lengthy exorcism incantation.
The crystal on the Holy Scripture lit up with a gentle white glow.
That light had once symbolized hope in the hearts of all believers, yet now, in this church scorched by golden flames, it seemed