Three days passed, and the morning of judgment dawned with a cruel kind of brilliance—golden rays piercing through thick clouds, as if the heavens themselves wished to bear witness to what was about to unfold. The city of Solara was thrumming with anticipation; every street, every square, and every open terrace overflowed with citizens. Banners of both kingdoms fluttered side by side—the radiant sun of Solara and the crescent moon of the Crescent Kingdom—symbols of unity that now stood for something far darker.

The Grand Plaza before the Solaran Citadel had been transformed into a stage of authority. A great marble platform had been erected, surrounded by armored guards of both nations. At its center stood two thrones, wrought with gold and silver—one belonging to King Tharion of Solara, the other to King Valemir of the Crescent Kingdom. The air was thick with incense and tension.

When the bells tolled, all fell silent. From their high seats, both kings rose. Their robes gleamed beneath the morning light, embroidered with the sacred emblems of their dominions. Their faces were carved in stone—expressions of solemn righteousness.

King Valemir spoke first, his voice amplified by runes inscribed into the marble around them. His tone was measured, commanding, the kind that made hearts tremble and spirits kneel. He spoke of purity, of sanctity, of cleansing the world of corruption that lurked in the shadows. His words, wrapped in divine eloquence, drew cheers from his people and fervent nods from Solara's citizens.

Then King Tharion took the stand, his voice deep and thunderous, carrying across the plaza and through the magical screens that hovered in the air throughout the kingdoms. He announced the new decree—a law that would serve as both shield and sword, a testament to their shared vision of moral strength. It would henceforth be forbidden for any citizen of noble or common birth to consort, aid, or bear relations with practitioners of dark magic. Those who did would be deemed unclean, traitors to the light, and enemies of the realm.

The words rang across the city like a judgment bell. The crowds erupted in roaring approval. From Solara to the Crescent Kingdom, those who watched through magical projections shouted praises, their voices merging into one collective cry of devotion. "For the Light! For Purity!" they chanted.

When the kings stepped aside, the executioner appeared—a tall figure clad in black steel, face hidden beneath a shadowed helm. The crowd's cheers grew louder as guards dragged forth the condemned woman. Her swollen belly betrayed the life that grew within her—the life that had sealed her fate. Chains clinked around her wrists and ankles as she was forced to kneel before the raised dais.

Her crime was read aloud in a cold, steady voice: "For consorting with a dark mage and carrying his spawn within her womb, for defiling the sanctity of both realms, for betraying the Light."

As those words echoed, the citizens screamed for her blood. Men and women, old and young alike, spat curses, waving banners of light and purity. Some even knelt, thanking the kings for cleansing the land. The woman did not beg. Her head remained bowed, eyes fixed on the ground. Not a tear fell. Perhaps she had none left to give.

When the executioner raised his blade, silence swept through the plaza like a heavy fog. Even the wind stilled. The edge caught the sunlight for a fleeting instant—then came the swing.

A single strike. Clean and swift.

Her body slumped forward, her head rolling across the marble floor before stopping at the foot of the dais. For a heartbeat, there was stillness. And then—deafening applause. The crowd erupted, chanting praises of light and justice, drowning the faint crackle of magic that carried the scene across both kingdoms.

In the upper tiers of the citadel balcony, Serah stood among the nobles and royal attendants. Her face betrayed nothing, yet inside, her stomach churned with revulsion. The cheers sounded to her like the cries of madness—echoes of blind faith dressed in righteousness. Every shout for purity was a stab into her conscience. She saw not unity but the sickness that had spread since the Crescent Kingdom's influence had taken root in Solara—the same twisted faith that masked cruelty with holiness.

She watched her father stand proud beside Valemir, smiling faintly as if peace itself had been secured. And in that moment, Serah felt the full weight of the hypocrisy she had spoken days before, pretending to approve of the very law that now took a life before her eyes. She wanted to scream, to tear down the banners and shatter the golden thrones. But she did nothing. She couldn't. The daughter of Tharion had no voice here—only the role she'd been molded to play.

As the crowd continued its jubilant roar, the magical screens began to fade, the images dispersing into dusts of light. The plaza began to empty, filled with laughter, cheers, and hymns of victory. The kings retreated into the citadel, the priests began their blessings, and the soldiers dragged away the lifeless body.

Serah remained where she was, her eyes fixed on the blood that stained the marble steps below. It glimmered faintly in the light of the setting sun—a silent testimony of what righteousness had just done.

And when the last echo of cheers finally died, she whispered under her breath, voice trembling but cold, "So this is what our light has become."

***

The sun had long begun to set, its last rays bleeding through the tall glass windows of King Tharion's office as the two kings sat across the oak table.

Tharion leaned back in his chair, a goblet of wine in his hand, his crimson cloak draped lazily over one armrest. His expression was calm but sharp—like a lion resting after a successful hunt. Across from him sat Valemir, his silver-and-white regalia untouched by the hour, posture immaculate as ever. They spoke in low tones, voices rumbling like distant thunder.

"Once this decree is spread through all provinces," Tharion murmured, scanning the document in his hand, "the nobles will have no choice but to conform. Anyone caught dealing with dark mages will be purged without question."

Valemir nodded, steepling his fingers. "The people already revere the new law as divine will. Their faith is now our leash. Fear will ensure obedience where reason would falter."

Tharion chuckled faintly, swirling the dark wine in his cup. "You've always had a way with words, Valemir. The holy king with the iron hand."

"And you," Valemir countered smoothly, "the sovereign who wields fear as faith's twin."

Before Tharion could reply, a knock resounded through the chamber doors. Both kings exchanged a glance. Tharion's brow furrowed, his tone sharp as he called out, "Enter."

The heavy doors opened, and in stepped Serah. Her movements were poised yet carried an unmistakable weight of intent. The glow of the corridor light framed her figure as she entered, her gaze steady, unflinching. Behind her came Caelum Virellan, his expression disciplined, eyes scanning the two rulers with quiet caution.

The moment Tharion saw them, his features hardened. "Did I not make it clear," he said, his voice low but commanding, "that I was not to be disturbed, least of all during council with King Valemir?"

Serah paused midway into the room, lowering her head slightly in respect but never breaking eye contact. "You did, Father," she said calmly, her tone composed. "But what I have to say cannot wait. It concerns matters that must be addressed immediately."

Valemir let out a quiet exhale, his gaze turning sharp as a blade. "And tell me, Princess," he said, his voice dripping with sanctimonious courtesy, "what could possibly outweigh the governance of two kingdoms?"

Without hesitation, Serah met his eyes. "The truth."

Her answer struck through the silence like a drawn sword. Tharion's brow furrowed, while Valemir's lips twitched into a faint, incredulous smirk.

"The truth?" Valemir repeated softly, as though tasting the word. "A bold claim. Do you presume to hold truths greater than the laws that preserve our lands?"

"I do," Serah replied simply, her voice unwavering.

For a brief moment, Valemir's smirk faded, replaced by a look of mild irritation. He turned his gaze toward Caelum. "Then tell me, Grand Marshal," he said coolly, "what is your purpose here? Surely you do not intend to indulge her theatrics?"

Caelum, who had been standing in silence beside the door, stepped forward with measured grace. "Princess Serah requested my presence," he said respectfully, bowing his head slightly. "She said it would be required."

Valemir leaned back, his eyes narrowing. "Did she now?"

"Enough," Tharion's voice broke through the tension. He looked at his daughter with an expression both wary and intrigued. "You've come this far, Serah. Say what you must. But know this—I will not entertain folly."

Serah inclined her head once. "I understand." Then she looked toward Valemir. "But before I speak, I have one request, King Valemir."

Valemir raised a brow. "And what would that be?"

"I ask that you allow Caelum to record this conversation using a memory crystal," she said firmly. "Everything I say, everything that follows—it must be kept as record."

The room went still.

Valemir's gaze flicked from Serah to Caelum, then back again. "You seek to immortalize your words before two kings?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

"Yes," Serah answered. "Because after this, no one will believe I said them otherwise."

After a long pause, Valemir gave a quiet, cold laugh. "So be it," he said at last, gesturing to Caelum. "Activate your crystal, Marshal. Let us see what the princess wants to present before us ao badly."

Caelum reached into the pocket of his coat and retrieved a small, translucent shard carved with intricate runes. He placed it upon the table, where it began to glow faintly, pulsing with a rhythmic hum.

Serah took a slow breath, steadying herself. The faint flicker of the crystal's light danced against her face, highlighting the calm steel in her eyes.

"Very well," she said at last, her voice clear, cutting through the charged air like the edge of a blade. "First of all... "