Two weeks had passed since that last stormy night. Time moved quickly, but on the Dark Island, the changes felt undeniable. The streets of Anarats had grown livelier, the night market still bustled even with snow piled high, and word of the destruction of all Church branches on the island spread quietly, whispered among merchants.
Celes finally returned to the castle with Aurellia, carrying long reports about the state of the southern border. Likewise, Stacia came back with Alicia after scouring the small villages in the east. For the moment, there were no further movements from the Church. The island was… peaceful, though everyone knew such peace would not last long.
But the most shocking news was not the absence of enemies, but the word from the north: Velthya had seized her throne.
.....
