Nightfall has fully descended, and the giant bonfire at the center of Fierce Tide Square has been lit.
Flames lick the sky, illuminating the banner of Red Tide and casting a glow upon the snow.
Figures densely packed in the square form several layers of circles: craftsmen, knights, soldiers, merchants, civilians, apprentices...
Mary's family stands among the crowd, Yini rides on her father's shoulders, holding a small Red Tide flag.
The light of the flames illuminates every face, as if the whole city is ablaze.
Louis, clad in a Red Tide cloak, ascends the steps, followed by Bradley, Lambert, and several knight representatives.
He wears no medals, bears no ceremonial guard, only a simple sword resting by his side.
When he appears, the cheers in the square nearly overturn the snowy night.
"Long live Red Tide!"
"Long live Lord Louis!"
"Red Tide will never extinguish!"
Voices rise and fall, overlapping into a deafening tide.
