To address the disorder of magical energies and rebuild Dalaran, Rhonin had already begun the process of withdrawing the magical city from the Alliance to transform it into a neutral entity. Starting from Year 25 of the Dark Portal, they would completely abandon their hostile stance toward the Horde and allow Horde spellcasters into the city under certain conditions—including the Blood Elves, who were about to officially announce their joining of the Horde.
Regardless, at this moment, Rhonin was still a part of the Alliance.
Unlike him, Prince Anduin—who stood up with the supportive nod of King Varian—would not only be an Alliance member for his entire life but would also one day become the King of the Alliance. Varian, who had sat firmly on his throne without a change in expression throughout the trial, now looked at his eleven-year-old son with a face full of pride and expectation.
During the period when Varian was "missing" and "split in two," the young Anduin had displayed a strength and endurance far beyond his years. Alongside Bolvar, he had held the line and prevented chaos from spreading further. This made Varian immensely proud. To avoid placing pressure on him, Varian had not asked Anduin about his stance beforehand.
Tirion Fordring looked calmly at Anduin as the boy walked forward to speak. He remembered clearly that in the original trial years ago, it was the prince who had become a Paladin under his own witness who had cast the decisive vote.
Back then, Old Fordring felt no blame or resentment; instead, he felt glad that Arthas could place the interests of the Alliance and the nation above all else and make a decisive call at a critical moment. No one could have predicted that Arthas would eventually walk too far down that dark path.
Now, before him was another prince. Old Fordring did not know this young child well, and the boy lacked the high-spirited radiance that Arthas once possessed. Many in the crowd clenched their sweaty hands, watching to see how Anduin would decide.
"I..." Anduin glanced back at Varian. Finding his father smiling and nodding at him, he continued, "I vote in favor."
No one expected the young prince to be so blunt and direct. The square fell silent for a few seconds as the crowd processed the result, before erupting into two starkly different reactions.
"Yeah! Whoo-hoo!"
"Oh, no!"
Joy and anger filled the square in front of the cathedral. Those who were happy cheered, while those who were angry cast questioning looks at Anduin. Some, like Rhonin, realized through encounters with Blackrock Mountain and the Scourge that the world was fraught with danger; a Paladin as powerful and steadfast as Tirion Fordring was an indispensable force for saving the world.
However, many others had lost family members to the Horde—whether during the Old Horde's invasion through the Dark Portal or the small-scale skirmishes that broke out after Thrall established the New Horde. Their hatred for the Horde was deep-seated. Even though Tirion's case had happened many years ago, they still found his act of "betrayal" intolerable.
Under the persuasion of Bolvar and the guards, the square gradually regained its calm.
Anduin spoke to the crowd in a voice still carrying a hint of childhood: "Even though Uther the Lightbringer stripped him of his power to use the Holy Light years ago, the Light eventually accepted this weathered Paladin once again."
"Although his son went astray, I have found through his own account and the testimony of witnesses that the pure power of the Holy Light still flows within him. The Holy Light is our faith, and its choice is proof enough."
Finally, with King Varian's authorization, Bolvar announced to everyone present that all charges against the Fordrings were dropped effective immediately. Their status as Alliance citizens was restored. However, given that Taelan Fordring—who inherited the title of High Lord—had joined and indirectly aided the Scarlet Crusade for years, and considering that Mardenholde Keep was effectively under enemy control, the Kingdom would strip him of the inherited title. The final ownership of the territory would be decided after it was reclaimed.
After Bolvar finished reading, he felt a weight lift from his chest. He didn't let his relief show on his face, but he was genuinely happy about the result and proud that the future heir to the nation could make such a decision. Benedictus showed little emotion, watching the scene with only a faint smile.
The matter did not end there. Anduin handed another order to Bolvar. Bolvar accepted it in surprise and opened it to see the King's seal. He realized this was an order prepared in advance.
"At the suggestion of Prince Anduin, the King announces to all subjects and territories: except for those guilty of capital crimes such as murder and specific fugitive bandit leaders, all treason charges against individuals involved in the Defias Brotherhood and similar incidents are pardoned. All prisoners related to these cases are to be released immediately."
To put it plainly, it was a general amnesty. In Anduin's name, the rebellion of the Stonemasons' Guild from years ago was finally settled.
Bolvar finally understood why Varian could remain so composed on his throne all day; he had prepared these backup plans long ago. If the trial went as hoped, the Fordrings would receive a dignified verdict, and the world would know that a regret stemming from the era of the Lordaeron royalty had been resolved by the Kingdom of Stormwind. If the result had been unfavorable, there was still this pardon.
Varian stood up. Escorted by guards, he and Anduin invited Magni Bronzebeard to join them at Stormwind Keep.
Rhonin walked over to the Fordrings, who were still in the defendants' seats. "If you ever feel uncomfortable staying here, Dalaran will always welcome you," he said.
Tirion Fordring expressed his gratitude to the leader of Dalaran and the Kirin Tor—the man recognized as the most powerful Archmage among living mortals—but declined the invitation.
"We have already promised to serve someone to repay his kindness. He is the one who allowed me to pick up my weapon again; his companions brought my son out from the clutches of demons; he reunited our family; and he facilitated today's trial. We owe him too much."
Rhonin said no more but patted Tirion—who was significantly older than him—on the shoulder as a gesture of blessing. He then cast a teleportation spell to leave Stormwind.
He had heard about the "Net Cafe Kid" from his wife. After today's events, he was even more interested in Wayne. However, he had to return to Dalaran immediately, as many matters were waiting for him.