The news spread like wildfire through the church corridors.
Daniel's support had completely vanished overnight. The six senior nuns who had once been his strongest backers now spoke of him with quiet pity, calling him "too gentle, too soft for true leadership." Every council meeting, every prayer circle, every whispered conversation now carried the same message: only Arahan was worthy to become the Holy Son.
Only a handful of voices — mostly older donors and a few distant relatives — still supported Marcus, the rich son of the current Father.
When Father Thomas heard the reports, his face turned purple with rage. He slammed his fist on the table in his private chambers.
"My son will not be humiliated by that sinful boy!" he snarled. "Send my daughter, Sophia. She is strong-willed and pure. Let her confront Arahan directly and expose his corruption!"
