Rhode had won!
Even though Benedictus was one of the most powerful priests in Azeroth, bolstered by dark powers, he had still lost to Rhode!
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, while their admiration for Rhode's strength-and their longing to attain it-grew even greater.
By then, King Varian had emerged from Stormwind Keep and approached Rhode.
"Executive Rhode, once again, it was thanks to your intervention that my child was spared harm and Stormwind City was saved from infiltration by evil forces..."
The king's sincere gratitude prompted the nobles and officials following him to bow their heads.
"Thank you, Mage Rhode!"
"Thank you, Duke Rhode!"
If Rhode's victories over Kel'Thuzad, Kael'thas, and the others had previously been mere rumors to them, his performance before their very eyes had now won them over completely.
Above all, they had someone to compare him with.
How powerful was Duke Bolvar? Yet he had been utterly helpless against Benedictus.
But the moment Rhode intervened, he put Benedictus under immense pressure, then reduced him to ashes in their final clash.
At least, that was probably what had happened.
There wasn't so much as a hair of Benedictus left at the scene.
No amount of thanks would be too much for someone like Rhode.
Now everyone finally understood why King Varian had held a banquet specifically for this young mage.
"Executive Rhode," Varian continued, "Stormwind City owes you a great deal. If there is any reward you desire, simply name it. We will do our utmost to accommodate you."
"You're too kind, Your Majesty," Rhode said with a smile. "I wanted to attend this banquet precisely so that this so-called Archbishop would appear and I could expose his true nature before everyone. Now that my plan has succeeded, there's really no need for a reward."
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