"All rise for Grand Admiral Daelin Proudmoore of Kul Tiras!" The tall admiral walked onto the platform and took his seat on the throne at the far right. He was dressed in a Summoner's uniform, wearing a magnificent blue naval hat, and the gold medals on his chest marked his rank as Summoner of the Alliance Navy.
Daelin Proudmoore was the King of Kul Tiras and one of the greatest heroes of the Second War. He and his navy made great contributions and sacrifices in the fight against the Orcs.
At this moment, Aiden heard the red-haired mage next to him whispering to the female mage, "Your father looks radiant!"
Aiden carefully glanced at the female mage sitting a seat away: she was wearing a blue mage robe, and her hood covered most of her face, revealing only her delicate nose and full lips, as well as a few strands of golden hair.
Then, without a doubt, this female mage was Jaina Proudmoore, daughter of Grand Admiral Daelin Proudmoore and the proud disciple of Archmage Antonidas!
Aiden also guessed the identity of the red-haired mage next to her. He should be Rhonin!
Subsequently, the Paladin spoke again: "All rise for Archmage Antonidas of Dalaran, the sacred site of magic!"
Although this Archmage's hair and beard were all white, he looked energetic, wise, and kind.
The identities of the last two to enter were also extraordinary. One was Archbishop Alonsus Faol, the founder of the Silver Hand. This old man was now in his twilight years and needed attendants to help him walk. He was deeply loved by the people of Lordaeron, and Tirion Fordring was his disciple. He needed to see if Tirion had truly departed from the path of the Holy Light when Tirion faced charges of treason.
Following the Archbishop, the last to enter was the young Prince Arthas. He had been a member of the Knights of the Silver Hand for four years. As the sole heir to the Kingdom of Lordaeron, he was certainly qualified to represent the kingdom as a member of the jury.
After the jury was seated, the Paladin signaled everyone to stand and welcome the arrival of the presiding judge. Under the gaze of the crowd, Uther the Lightbringer walked to the magnificent judgment platform. His serious eyes swept across the audience, signaling everyone to sit down.
When his gaze fell upon him, Aiden felt a chill in his heart, as if he had seen Ursol, the bear demigod, for the first time in the Emerald Dream—even though the other party only had a soul left, it still made him afraid to move.
Of course, Uther did not make people feel as dangerous as a beast, but rather appeared dignified and solemn.
This Paladin was worthy of praise such as "great." He was the chief Paladin and the Alliance's recognized greatest warrior. He was the noblest and wisest member of the Paladins. His understanding of the Holy Light was unmatched.
It was most appropriate for him to serve as the presiding judge.
Subsequently, the Lightbringer's magnetic voice resounded throughout the hall.
"Lord Paladin Fordring," Uther said, "You are accused of betraying the Alliance and violating the direct orders of your superiors. You must understand that this is a serious accusation. The high-ranking commanders gathered here will judge you according to the laws of the Holy Light. What is your plea to the charges?"
"As stated in the indictment, I am guilty, court. I accept all punishment for my faults," Tirion said.
Hundreds of angry voices drowned out the hall. Many onlookers were clearly convinced that the charges were exaggerated or simply fabricated. Everyone was shocked that Tirion had confessed so frankly.
Subsequently, Saidan Dathrohan, Summoner of the Knights of the Silver Hand, appeared in court to provide testimony to support his accusations of Tirion's crimes. However, as Tirion's good brother, his intention was not to put Tirion to death, but only to hope that he could clearly recognize that his actions were wrong from the standpoint of humans.
It was a pity that things had already reached this point.
Afterward, Barthilas jumped out as an eyewitness to prove Dathrohan's testimony. This ambitious deputy did not have Dathrohan's sympathy. Instead, he took advantage of Tirion's misfortune, trying his best to smear Tirion.
However, this kind of slanderous remark against his superior did not win Lord Uther's favor as he had imagined, but instead disgusted the other party.
Uther stared sternly at Barthilas , who was trembling under his gaze, and scolded, "You must learn to control your words and actions, young paladin. I have known him for many years. I can't even remember how many times we have saved each other's lives and stood in front of the enemy as victors. No matter what he has done, his reputation cannot be tarnished by a brat like you! We have understood your testimony, you may step down."
Barthilas hurriedly returned to his seat, his face flushed. He felt like a clown, as if hundreds of eyes behind him were staring at him, mocking him.
The trial process proceeded very quickly because Fordring was too cooperative.
Uther asked quietly, "Lord Paladin Fordring, do you still need to defend yourself?"
Tirion stood up and paid his respects to the commanders: "Lords, I know this reason sounds absurd, but that orc saved my life. In return, I, as a Paladin, promised to protect him. His name is Eitrigg, and he is the most honorable opponent I have ever faced. You must understand—if I carry out the orders of my superiors, I will betray my honor as a Paladin. I cannot do that. Then I will accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate."
After listening to Tirion's defense, Uther strode towards the jurors. He briefly argued with them, gesturing all the while. After a moment, the jurors seemed to agree with his proposal, and Uther returned to the judgment platform with a triumphant look.
"Lord Paladin Fordring," he said, "The court is well aware that you have served Lordaeron for many years and defended her allied nations. Everyone here also knows of your bravery and skill in battle. However, consorting with the enemies of humanity, the Scourge, regardless of their supposed honor, is a worrying crime. By granting amnesty to the orc, you risked the safety of Hearthglen on a personal pursuit. But considering your many years of loyal service to the Alliance, the court will grant you complete leniency, as long as you renounce your oath to the orc and reaffirm your allegiance to the Alliance."
Uther's words undoubtedly showed great protection for Fordring: as long as he bowed his head and softened his stance, then everything would be easy to say. This was the result of his reasonable arguments with the jury just now. It was also the result that he, as an old friend, most wanted to see. He believed that their teacher, the already old and frail Lord Alonsus Faol, would not want his disciple to carry the infamous name of traitor.
Tirion's loyal captain of the guard, Arden, pleaded in a low voice, "Please, my lord. Agree to them, and then forget about that thing."
Dathrohan also stepped forward and lowered his voice, saying, "Let us put all this nonsense behind us, Tirion, my good brother!"
"Lord Paladin Fordring, what is your answer?" Uther asked suspiciously, noticing Tirion's hesitation.
Aiden looked at Fordring's struggling expression, as well as everyone in the entire courtroom. Among those present, except for the scheming Barthilas , everyone hoped that Fordring would forget the promise he had made to the orc.
However, these people could not experience the same things as Fordring, nor did they have Fordring's unwavering protection of oaths. Naturally, they could not understand his choice.
Aiden sighed softly. He knew what kind of disappointing choice Fordring would make next. However, if he did not have such conviction and persistence, how could he have created the invincible Paladin leader in the future?
Therefore, Fordring chose to uphold his oath.
He heard Arden sobbing softly behind him, and he saw his good brother Dathrohan slumped heavily in his chair, shaking his head in frustration; he heard countless people in the hall calling him a traitor with vulgar words, and he saw the extremely disappointed gazes of Uther and his teacher, Lord Faol, in front of him. All of this made him lower his head without a word to say.
Uther rubbed his eyes wearily, signaling everyone to be quiet. He was deeply mired in the pain of what he was about to do.
"In that case," Uther said heavily, "Tirion Fordring, from this day forward, the Knights of the Silver Hand will no longer welcome you. You are no longer worthy to live under the grace of the Holy Light. I hereby banish you from the Order; you will be stripped of all the Order's regalia, and you will also be stripped of all personal titles and property; you will be exiled, never to set foot on the land of the Alliance, and spend the rest of your life with the savage creatures of the world. May the Holy Light have mercy on your soul."
The onlookers gasped. Expulsion from the Order was already an extremely harsh punishment, as it would strip the Paladin of all Holy Light power. Since the establishment of the Knights of the Silver Hand, such a punishment had only been used a few times, and the targets were all Paladins who had committed heinous crimes. All Paladins were extremely afraid of it.
What's more, he was stripped of all honor and property, and exiled forever.
Such a severe punishment was almost as good as a death sentence.
Uther raised his hands, about to begin the ceremony, when suddenly a voice came from the audience, interrupting his actions:
"I protest!"