In the hushed night, a grim spectacle unfolded as hundreds of people brandishing torches chanted in unison:

"Kill the witch!"

"Burn her!"

"KILL! KILL! KILL!"

They formed a macabre procession, their fiery torches casting grotesque shadows upon a tall pole. Suspended from it was a naked woman, her wrists bound tightly by a rope, and her legs tethered to the ground. The pole stood tall, exposing every nook and cranny of her vulnerable form. Around the gruesome display, individuals adorned in white and golden robes, each wearing a cross as a necklace, betrayed an unsettling contradiction of their holy garb and their impending inhumane task.

Amidst the clamor, a figure emerged from behind the pole, distinct from the religious assembly. Unlike his brethren, this man donned a white longcoat with a black shirt and pants. Adorning the back of his coat was a golden cross.

"Bishop Abel!"

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"Slay her!"

"Burn her!"

The fervent cheers of the crowd resembled a celebratory festival rather than a somber execution.

"People of Ariona! The church expresses gratitude for unveiling the witch—the consort of a malevolent being, the wife of an accursed necromancer. Today, the empire is finally purged of these unholy entities," proclaimed Bishop Abel, his voice resonating with an air of sanctity.

Facing the alleged witch, her stoic countenance met his gaze. Her dark red eyes locked onto the bishop's blue orbs.

"Die, you wicked creature."

As Bishop Abel's hand ignited in blue flames, he approached the pole, and in an instant, it was engulfed in fire. The witch neither cried out nor spoke. As she succumbed to the flames, the crowd reveled in their merciless act. In the distance, a child observed from the cover of a bush. Tears streaked down his face as he witnessed his mother's agonizing demise. He dared not approach, for fear of sharing her fate and failing to fulfill the promise he made.

"The last vestige of evil has vanished from the empire! Rejoice, people of Ariona! Today marks the holy beginning of a great era!"

The crowd erupted in cheers. "Long live the empire!" "Long live the church!"

Unbeknownst to them, the true "evil" still lingered, red eyes weeping blood, nails clawing into bones. The promise would be fulfilled.

"I promise, Mother."

Thus commenced a new era for the empire—the era of...