The woman beside him fell quiet, memories surfacing. Others nearby had similar expressions. They, too, had witnessed or heard of such tragedies.
The market's atmosphere grew increasingly agitated. Merchants, commoners, even servants of noble households—everyone was caught up in the same heated discussion.
"What? The miracles were fake?" one man repeated, his eyes widening.
Another man nodded eagerly.
"That's right. Word is, the Pope made a pact with the heretics. They say all those towns supposedly 'purified' by the Radiant Sun Church were actually destroyed to increase their own prestige and collect more donations."
A nearby man clenched his fists, face contorted with fury.
"Is that true? My cousin was burned as a heretic by them. His whole village—five settlements in total—wiped out. I thought it was strange. He was a good man. Honest, upright… the kind who wouldn't harm a fly."
Another voice cut in.
