The Royal Capital, Zelheim.
With a dull mechanical groan, a secret door disguised as a marble relief sculpture slowly opened behind the main hall of the Grand Cathedral of Holy Light.
Archbishop Edmond emerged from the dark, secret passage. Long-absent sunlight spilled through the stained-glass windows of the dome, bathing the entire hall in a golden, resplendent glow.
He squinted instinctively, then his gaze swept slowly across his surroundings.
It was still flawless. The white marble walls gleamed under the sun, without so much as a trace of smoke. The massive, pure gold Holy Emblem hanging above the main entrance remained high and lofty, shining with a light one dared not look at directly.
Edmond reached out, gently stroking the spotless mahogany pew beside him, a contemptuous sneer playing on his lips.
"Hmph. This is what you call a foundation."
He muttered to himself, his voice dripping with arrogance.
