Morning light spilled through the small window of Noel's guest room inside the orphanage. He had barely finished tightening his cloak when a soft knock sounded.

Three gentle taps — unmistakably Charlotte.

He opened the door.

Charlotte stood there with a bright, warm smile, sunlight catching the soft edges of her hair.

"Good morning, Noel."

He felt the tension in his chest ease. "Morning."

Noir peeked from behind his leg, stretching.

'She's glowing again,' Noir commented. 'That's a good sign.'

Charlotte laughed softly, as if she'd heard the thought. "Ready? Orthran is already waiting in the back hall of the Cathedral."

"Yeah," Noel said, stepping out and closing the door behind him. "Today's the real test."

They walked together through the corridor leading toward the Cathedral. The scent of incense drifted faintly from ahead, and distant footsteps echoed softly as priests prepared for the gathering.

Charlotte glanced at Noel. "Yesterday… how did they do it? They listened to you?"

"They did," Noel replied. "But there's one thing I didn't tell them."

She tilted her head. "What thing?"

"That we're not doing this alone," he said calmly.

Charlotte blinked, surprised. "You didn't tell them about—?"

Noel shook his head. "No. That part is for you to reveal today. It'll carry more weight coming from the Saint herself."

Recognition dawned in her eyes — and confidence followed.

"So I'll be the one to tell them," she murmured, "that the world stands with us."

"Exactly," Noel said. "Seraphina. Elyra and the Estermonts. Lestaria. Tharvaldur. Well, Lestaria and Thalvaldur, even though we didn't send them a letter, I'm sure they'll help us; Elena is Elena. And Balthor is there if we need him. But now you will reveal it — they'll understand the scale."

Charlotte exhaled slowly, gathering herself. "Alright. I'll do it."

They stepped through the side entrance of the Cathedral. Orthran was already waiting inside the back hall, hands clasped behind his back.

He looked at them with quiet resolve. "Good. You're here. The faithful are already gathering.

Charlotte… once we begin, your words will shape the path we walk."

Noir flicked her tail proudly. 'Don't worry. She's got this.'

Noel gave Charlotte a small nod. "So… ready to change the world?"

Her smile widened, bright but steady. "Yes. Let's begin."

The Cathedral's great hall was already alive with movement when Charlotte, Noel, and Orthran stepped inside from the back corridor.

Rows of acolytes stood in silent formation. Priests adjusted their robes, whispering final prayers. Sisters guided small groups of orphans to the upper benches, keeping them quiet but curious.

The moment Charlotte entered, dozens of eyes turned toward her — some bright with hope, others shadowed with suspicion.

Orthran moved ahead, raising a hand.

"Seats," he instructed.

The room settled almost instantly. The weight of anticipation pressed from every corner.

Charlotte walked with calm, measured steps to the front dais. Noel remained slightly behind her, Noir perched on his shoulder with sharp awareness.

In front, the group of hesitant elders — Rhedon's faction — stood together near the center aisle. They watched her without the hostility of yesterday… but without acceptance either.

Charlotte reached the podium.

The hall fell into complete silence.

She placed her hands gently on the stone railing, her posture serene yet resolute.

"Thank you for coming," she began, her voice filling the chamber without needing force. "Yesterday, many of you asked difficult questions — questions that mattered. Today… I intend to answer them fully, openly."

Noel watched the elders closely. None left. None turned away.

That alone was progress.

Charlotte continued:

"First, I want to thank those who gave this change a chance. This path will not be easy — but it is necessary."

Her gaze swept across the hall.

"I am not here to erase what we were. I am here to preserve what was true… and guide us toward what must come next."

A sister clasped her hands, eyes glistening. A younger priest straightened, looking braver than yesterday.

And then Charlotte's tone shifted — quiet but commanding:

"Today… you will learn that we are not alone in this."

A ripple of confusion passed through the hall.

Noel remained still, expression unreadable, waiting for her to continue.

Charlotte looked out over the faithful with steady conviction.

"Change is frightening. But we do not face it as one city or one Church. We face it with the strength of the world beside us."

Soft murmurs rose — not panicked, but curious.

Orthran stood tall behind them, approval evident in his posture.

Charlotte inhaled gently.

"And now… I will tell you who stands with us."

The murmurs faded into a tense, breath-held silence.

Charlotte placed a hand over her chest — not in fear, but in sincerity.

"First," she said, voice steady, "the Imperial Family of Valor."

A wave of surprise rippled through the hall. Even the stoic elders blinked.

Orthran nodded once, confirming her words with silent authority.

Charlotte continued:

"Princess Seraphina herself has expressed support for the path we are choosing. She believes the Church must evolve to guide this generation — not repeat the words of the last."

Charlotte didn't stop.

"Second… the Estermont family."

This time, reactions were louder — gasps, sharp inhales, some even stepping forward unconsciously.

The wealthiest house in the known world. The power to move nations with a signature. The ability to reach every continent and every trading hub.

Charlotte's voice softened, but held firm:

"They stand with us — not out of obligation, but because they believe our truth is necessary."

Noel watched the elders closely.

None interrupted.

None stormed out.

Their resistance… was cracking.

Charlotte lifted her chin slightly.

"And though we have not sent them letters yet," she continued, "Lestaria and Tharvaldur have long been allies to our cause. Their leaders are wise — and they listen when the world shifts."

A murmur of awe swept across the hall.

Even the children in the upper benches sat perfectly still.

Charlotte's final words wrapped around the room like a warm but unyielding mantle:

"We do not walk this path alone. The greatest powers of our world walk beside us. And together… we will guide the faithful through this new era."

Noel felt the atmosphere change — the fear in the hall easing, the doubt thinning.

For the first time since they began this struggle…

The faithful looked ready to hope.

Charlotte opened her mouth to continue—

—but Rhedon stepped forward.

The hall tensed instantly. Noel's hand hovered near his side. Even Noir lifted her head, eyes narrowing.

Rhedon cleared his throat.

"We spoke with your…" He paused, searching for the right word. "…your boyfriend last night."

Charlotte's entire face went pink.

"B–boyfriend…?" she echoed, eyes widening.

She wasn't shy by nature — far from it — but having an entire Cathedral stare at her while Rhedon casually dropped that word made her breath hitch.

Noel looked away, ears slightly warm. Noir cackled telepathically.

Rhedon continued, gentler this time:

"Do not worry. There is no rule forbidding attachments or relationships." A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "In fact, it seems stepping away from your duties for a time… did you good."

Soft laughter rippled among the younger sisters. Charlotte covered her mouth for a moment, steadying herself.

Rhedon straightened his back.

"We are grateful you returned," he said, voice echoing through the Cathedral. "And after speaking with Noel Thorne, we have… reconsidered."

A quiet gasp ran through the crowd.

Rhedon placed a fist over his heart in a gesture of solemn commitment.

"We will follow the change."

Charlotte's eyes widened — the shock, the relief, the quiet joy blooming all at once.

Rhedon wasn't done.

"We still bear a thorn in our hearts," he admitted. "Letting go of the past is not easy. But if those truths are not real—then we must not cling to them. We must not lie to the faithful."

He lowered his head.

"We stand with you, Saint Charlotte of this generation."

Silence followed.

A reverent, trembling silence — the kind that marked the turning of eras.

Charlotte finally breathed again, a small, heartfelt smile forming as she bowed her head in gratitude.

The resistance…

had just become her greatest ally.

The Cathedral slowly settled, the echoes of Rhedon's declaration still pulsing through the marble pillars like a second heartbeat.

Charlotte stepped back from the podium, breath steady, posture composed — but Noel could see the tremble of relief she tried to hide. Orthran moved to her side, placing a supportive hand on her shoulder as the gathered faithful began to murmur with renewed hope.

Noel exhaled softly.

'Two weeks left…'

The quiet reminder slid through his mind like a cold thread.

Everything was going right. Better than expected. Better than he dared hope.

Rhedon and the elders had shifted.

The faithful were listening.

Charlotte shone brighter than ever — steady, inspiring, unshakable.

Noel's gaze swept across the hall.

'Phase one… done.'

Charlotte turned toward him, golden eyes glowing softly.

"We did it," she whispered.

Noel gave a small smile. "Yeah… at least the first part."

Her expression softened. "Now comes the harder one."

Orthran approached them, his voice low but firm.

"You've set the foundation. The city is with you. The Church is stabilizing." He looked at both of them — pride and responsibility weighing equally in his gaze. "Now we must carry the message beyond these walls."

Charlotte nodded. "To the world."

Noel crossed his arms, mind already racing.

'Influence. Reach. Timing. The doctrine shift can't stay inside one city.'

He felt Noir brush against his leg, whispering in his mind:

'Second phase, Dad?'

He nodded faintly.

'Yeah. Now we take this change everywhere.'

Charlotte stepped forward, facing the Cathedral doors as sunlight poured in from the front steps — bright, warm, almost symbolic.

"Noel," she said quietly, "from here on… the real work begins."

He joined her at her side.

"Then let's change the world," he replied.

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