The Cathedral of the Eternal Light was packed. Every bench in the long nave held nobles in their fine coats and dresses.
High clergy sat in their reserved rows near the front, their red and purple robes stiff with gold thread. Military officers stood along the sides in full uniform, swords at their hips.
Behind them, thousands of commoners pressed shoulder to shoulder, their plain clothes smelling of sweat and the streets outside.
Banners of the High Church hung from every pillar and rafter—white fields with the black sun and crossed keys. Torches and oil lamps burned along the walls, throwing hard light across everything.
Pope Lucifer walked up the three steps to the raised dais. He wore the full papal regalia: heavy white robes trimmed in gold, layered over a black under-tunic that reached his boots.
