Three Months Later
The eastern district had been rebuilt.
Where demon claws had torn through stone and holy fire had scorched the earth, now stood new buildings – stronger, better fortified, designed with defensive architecture that reflected hard lessons learned.
The kingdom had changed in three months. Demon attacks had become routine rather than crisis. The guard had reorganized under Seria's permanent leadership – she'd been promoted to Guard Commander after all, once the council realized her "controversial association" with Lord Valcrest was actually the kingdom's most effective anti-demon strategy.
The Church had fully reformed under Elara's guidance. No longer the controlling institution that had caged her, but something more flexible, more human. Still devoted to the Goddess, but acknowledging that devotion could look different for different people.
