The priests in front of him motioned for him to step forward again.
Logan snapped out of his thoughts immediately.
'I have to step forward,' he thought, forcing a calm smile on. 'If I don't, it'll ruin my reputation in front of the entire world.'
He could still dig his way out of being the scapegoat simply by winning the war, which he needed to do anyway.
But if he stepped back here? He'd make a fool out of the Imperial Church, which would likely make them his enemies.
'Facing both of the Church and The Holy Cross Guild at the same time is impossible for me,' he thought, stepping onto the ceremonial podium.
As he stepped forward, the lights set on the podium hit him. The sound of the crowd's applause entered his ears, sending chills down his spine.
The pope gestured with his large golden staff for Logan to stand beside him while wearing a thin smile on his face.
Logan walked over stiffly, feeling the countless stares evaluating him like livestock.
