Before dawn's golden light fully dispels the night, the first watchfires ignite on the towers of Rahlian. Evelyn and Lucien stand at the summit of the tallest lookout, overlooking city streets and distant mountains. Her gaze is resolute, the holy light emblem on her armor shimmering in the morning breeze.
"What news from the night reconnaissance?" She turns to ask.
Lucien lowers his spyglass, brows furrowed: "Communication networks between residual Holy See factions and old nobles have surfaced. Fragments of the Bone-Splitting Canon circulate in East Ridge's secret caves, hinting they aim to restore archaic rules through ancient rituals. If not eradicated soon, the tempest will sweep beyond borders to engulf the entire realm."
Evelyn grips her scepter, fingertips glinting cold: "Tonight, I will hold a 'Purification Ceremony' in the Sanctuary Hall, using the original Bone-Splitting Canon as an altar to announce the abolition of old Holy See systems and sever their foundations. Lucien, deploy the Shadow Guards to secure all secret passages—prevent any nocturnal raids."
Lucien nods, a flicker of tenderness in his eyes: "Your Highness, though this battle is weighty, the dawn after victory shines brighter. I will bear arms for you, defending this city and yourself."
As the moon reappears, the Sanctuary Hall's spires cut knife-like silhouettes in silver light. Evelyn stands before the hall in a white silver ritual robe, holy light emblem and royal blood mark on her scepter glowing simultaneously. The great doors creak open, hundreds of Sanctuary guards and elected militiamen standing at attention.
She raises the ancient scroll fragments: "The Bone-Splitting Canon was once used to suppress dissent. Today, through this ceremony, we proclaim its end. May new laws root in the people's will, abandon dark manipulation, and let holy light truly shine upon every subject!" As her words fall, a dark curtain descends on the hall's north wall, revealing unearthed canon fragments to the crowd's shock.
At that moment, Lucien and Shadow Guards burst from four secret passages, intercepting robed assassins lurking in shadows. They wield gilded daggers, aiming to strike during the ceremony. In the night wind, swordlight weaves with candleflames as Lucien blocks Evelyn with his longsword, silver sparks flying. Evelyn parries with her scepter, metallic clashes dispelling the lurking undercurrent.
After the turmoil subsides, the crowd chants the new covenant: "Covenant of All Peoples!" Holy light and dawn pour into the hall, leaving residual Holy See forces exposed.
As the ceremony ends, the night grows peculiarly calm. Lucien and Evelyn walk back to the Fountain Pavilion, her ritual robe still on, yet she feels utterly soft in his embrace.
He chuckles lowly: "You won unity with holy light and royal blood—truly admirable."
Evelyn strokes his cheek, eyes smiling: "And you guard all for me with sword and embrace. Tonight, let my body vow: no more talk of war, only the calmest hours with you."
Beneath the moon, his lips brush her neck, fingers undoing her robe. By pavilion candlelight and fountain song, they intertwine again, bodies and hearts renewing their covenant: no matter how tempests rise, their love and trust shall never waver.