Inside the net cafe.
Witnessed by Raymond,Chen, and others, Tess gently unwrapped the packaging around a picture frame.
The oil painting that Chen and his companions had retrieved from the depths of Stratholme—originally depicting Azeroth's two moons, "The White Lady" and "The Blue Child"—had had its surface layer scraped away, revealing the original work beneath.
It showed a young Tirion Fordring with his wife Karandra and a young Taelan. The three were embracing, capturing a short trip to the town of Caer Darrow on Darrowmere Lake.
The azure lake and the warm sunlight stood in stark contrast to the reality of the present, where the location had become a ghost town of wandering spirits surrounding Scholomance.
"Uncle, I miss my mom and dad too," Li Li said as she looked at the warm, beautiful painting, thinking of her parents back on the Wandering Isle.
Chen patted her head. Chenbo Stormstout was, after all, his own brother. "Do you want to go back and see them?"
Li Li shook her head. "I won't go back until I find Pandaria! I don't miss them THAT much!"
Chen lifted the painting and hung it in the Fordrings' bedroom. They stood and watched it for a while, praying that the old knight who had endured so much would return safely.
Three days later, outside the Cathedral of Light in Stormwind.
Layers of guards monitored every movement in the vast square outside the cathedral. Over two hundred people had been verified and granted entry to listen to the public trial. Beyond them, a massive crowd of commoners who lacked entry permits had gathered nearby to witness the event.
Hammond Clay was sweating profusely. He knew that with today's lineup, he would be held heavily accountable if anything went wrong. Thinking of this, he looked toward the chairs on the dais.
The Lion Throne in the center belonged to King Varian Wrynn. To his left was a much smaller throne prepared for his son, Anduin. Standing behind them was a female Blood Elf dressed entirely in red—the King's personal bodyguard, Valeera Sanguinar.
To the right of the Lion Throne sat Rhonin, leader of Dalaran and the Kirin Tor, alongside Duke Bolvar Fordragon, Supreme Commander of Stormwind's military. On the other side were King Magni Bronzebeard of Ironforge and Archbishop Benedictus of the Holy Light.
Tyrande Whisperwind of Darnassus and Lady Jaina Proudmoore of Theramore had sent representatives due to the "Meteorite" incident. High Tinker Mekkatorque had also sent a representative, as he needed to oversee the defense of Ironforge while Magni was away.
Below the steps sat two ordinary wooden chairs, occupied by the Fordrings.
As Bolvar stood to begin the proceedings, the square fell silent. He announced loudly that the purpose of the gathering was to decide whether to overturn Tirion Fordring's conviction and whether to declare Taelan Fordring innocent.
The panel had been chosen according to rules established during the Alliance of Lordaeron: accusations of treason against significant figures must be decided by a High Council of the Alliance. During the original trial, the temporary tribunal consisted of Daelin Proudmoore, Antonidas, Alonsus Faol, and Arthas Menethil, representing the military, the magical community, the Church, and the Royal Family respectively.
Despite the world having turned upside down, Stormwind's Alliance followed most of Lordaeron's practices to maintain the legitimacy of its rule, including the recognition of past convictions. However, as the Lordaeron Alliance was primarily composed of the Seven Human Kingdoms, Ironforge had not participated in the original trial.
Times had changed; Lordaeron had fallen and Stormwind had been rebuilt, making Ironforge an indispensable power and a literal shield against the Scourge to the north.
Furthermore, for obvious reasons, Lady Jaina Proudmoore—having broken away from Kul Tiras to found Theramore—no longer had the standing to represent her father, Daelin. King Varian had suggested Magni Bronzebeard represent the military; Rhonin naturally took Antonidas's place; and Archbishop Benedictus replaced his predecessor, Alonsus Faol.
All three had accepted the invitation immediately upon hearing it was for Tirion Fordring. Prince Anduin Wrynn represented the Stormwind royalty, taking the final seat once occupied by the Prince of Lordaeron, whose name many now refused to even speak.
The trial began with the defendants' statements.
Old Fordring didn't say much. He briefly recounted the events of years ago and restated his belief that honor should not be determined by race. While this statement had sparked widespread opposition back then, it now received nods of agreement from the Dwarves, Gnomes, and Night Elves present.
Then came Taelan Fordring. He truthfully described his journey into the Scarlet Crusade, his role within the organization, why he decided to leave, and how he had escaped.
After their statements, the witnesses were called.
Shadowbreaker gave a detailed account of how he infiltrated Hearthglen and fought his way out with Taelan. Chen described Tirion Fordring's slaying of Grand Inquisitor Isillien. The appearance of the Pandaren caused a stir of excitement; on the dais, Magni Bronzebeard offered Chen a smile of recognition.
Following them were Archmage Marlin and Archmage Amy. Even Baron Tyrosus, who could have stayed out of it, attended specifically to tell the court that the reclusive Tirion had been assisting the Argent Dawn against the Scourge for years, even funding bounties for adventurers to hunt the undead.
With an almost overwhelming amount of supportive testimony and the presence of heavyweight figures like McBride, Andormath, and Duke Thelenehoff in the front row, most expected the trial to exonerate the legendary Paladin and bring him back into the Alliance.
However, after the Special Tribunal deliberated, Archbishop Benedictus asked to speak first. Facing the expectant gaze of the crowd, he directly expressed his opposition.
He opposed overturning Tirion's treason conviction, and he opposed declaring Taelan innocent!
The crowd erupted in an uproar. No one expected the Archbishop—viewed by many as a spiritual mentor and the incarnation of the Holy Light, known for his kindness and tolerance—to take such a stance.
Benedictus, anticipating the reaction, began to explain his reasons in a calm, persuasive voice. He first spoke of his own difficulty in the matter and gave a speech about how the Light encourages tolerance and forgiveness.
But then, his tone shifted.
"After my mentor Alonsus Faol was killed by the Scourge, I was appointed Archbishop during a crisis. Over the years, I have performed minor tasks to assist the King and the Duke. But the most important thing I have learned is this: when making a judgment on anything concerning the safety of the Kingdom, the Alliance, or all of Azeroth, one cannot put personal preferences and emotions above law and order!"
"I remember the events of that year clearly. Though I was only a monk then and had no standing to influence the trial, my heart sympathized with Tirion. It is indeed as he says: honor is not a matter of race, just as we brothers and sisters here today all bathe in the baptism of the Light."
"But my current status is that of an Archbishop whose every word and action affects countless people. The story of Tirion and the veteran Orc has become a popular tale over the years, but the fact that he attacked Alliance soldiers is also undeniably true."
"He admitted his guilt with integrity and courage back then, and he does so again today; you all heard him. And his son joined the Scarlet Crusade. Although it was out of desperation and deception, crimes committed even under instigation cannot be tolerated by the law."
Chen felt a surge of irritation. He nudged Shadowbreaker, who was sitting beside him with a look of shock. "What was that word Wayne used again?"
Shadowbreaker's expression tightened. "Do not be disrespectful to the Archbishop..."
"You say that with your mouth," Chen whispered, "but your heart thought of the word too."
The word Wayne had used when playing games was "Old Schemer".
Benedictus continued in his infectious tone:
"As Archbishop, I have no choice. If I perform any act of kindness or soft-heartedness that goes against the law, it may lead our soldiers of the Light in future wars to take the same actions toward the enemy for the sake of so-called mercy and honor! Once such a trend spreads, it is destined to bring serious consequences!"
"Everyone, think at last: why have the four members of the previous tribunal all been replaced today? How did they leave this world? It is because the enemy will never be merciful to us! The Holy Light and the law are our weapons against them!"
As he finished his final sentence, Benedictus raised his hands in a rallying gesture. Below the dais, several monks under his command immediately led the infected congregation in shouting:
"The Archbishop is right!"
"We shouldn't overturn the case from years ago!"
"We sympathize with Fordring, but the law must be followed!"
Amidst a wave of support, Benedictus, as the first to vote, officially informed King Varian that he was casting a dissenting vote.