CHAPTER 58: ALONSUS FAOL

The architectural style on the human side of the divide differed greatly from that of the High Elves. While in Quel'Thalas, where grandeur and intricacy were paramount in their architecture, the humans here appeared to prioritize practicality.

Charles could even see exposed bricks in certain places inside the building, a feature strictly forbidden in High Elven construction standards.

Decorations inside the building were quite sparse, and it seemed this was a platform designated for receiving teleporting individuals. Except for a few mages, the entire interior seemed unusually spacious.

Lyadrielle continued to smile and respond politely to the slight reproach from Archmage Neilsen. She had probably gathered the reason behind it during their earlier conversation.

Initially, this Archmage of the Seventh Circle had been engrossed in researching a new project. However, the command from Lord Baron Rivendare of Stratholme had disrupted his work, instructing him to receive a group of High Elven priests visiting from Quel'Thalas.

In the present time, Lord Baron Rivendare of Stratholme was certainly not the Death Knight who would come under the command of Arthas Menethil in the future. He was, in fact, Arthas's father. Stratholme had always been the ancestral estate of the Rivendare family.

For mages, interrupting their research was quite vexing. After inquiring about the situation from the Baron, Neilsen reluctantly led his group of mages to welcome the High Elves, a task he undertook with some underlying frustration.

Unfortunately for him, he met Lyadrielle. Seeing the priestess consistently respond with a graceful smile while bearing his mild reproach, Neilsen couldn't continue to vent his frustration. Ultimately, he could only lead the group of High Elves with a somewhat sour expression, making way to the cathedral district.

Upon leaving the mage tower, the High Elves, who were also visiting a human city for the first time, observed the surrounding architecture with curiosity.

Just as Charles had noted during his observations inside the building, the human structures appeared quite rudimentary. Many of the exterior walls of the houses had not been meticulously plastered, exposing the bricks beneath, presenting an unfamiliar sight for the High Elves.

This architectural style, differing from the red rooftops and buildings predominantly found in Quel'Thalas, was characterized by white walls and brown roofs, bearing a distinct sense of antiquity.

The mage leading the way remained silent throughout their journey, secretly appraising the High Elves with his gaze. Many of the humans who resided not far from Quel'Thalas in Stratholme had rarely, if ever, seen High Elves. The present sight of a group of High Elves, traveling in such numbers, was an uncommon spectacle.

The men's gaze was predominantly fixed on the priestesses, though it couldn't be ruled out that some individuals with philosophical interests might be observing the handsome Elven males. High Elves, with their high standards of beauty, stood well above the human baseline, often described as charming for both men and women.

In the crowd, some ladies out shopping discreetly observed the High Elf men, using feathered fans to conceal their glances. In contrast to the often rough-looking men they typically encountered, these fresh-faced priests were a rarity. If it weren't for the mages leading the way, someone would likely have already approached them.

Mages held a similar status in human society, having initially been taught by High Elves during the Troll Wars. Becoming a mage was no easy task. Apart from questions of innate talent, staves, robes, and various enchanted equipment weren't within the means of ordinary individuals.

At one point, mages had been an exclusive profession for the aristocracy. In recent years, as the number of mages increased, some individuals began seeking gifted commoners to instruct. This slowly brought mages into mainstream society.

Yet, exceptionally gifted commoners were still a rarity. Once they excelled and stood out, they followed their mentors' strict criteria when selecting apprentices. This had preserved the mage's esteemed position in society, elevating their renown rather than diminishing it when commoners joined the ranks.

The cathedral district, where the Church of the Holy Light was situated, stood adjacent to the mage district. With a mage leading the way, Charles and his group of High Elves reached Stratholme's grand Cathedral of the Holy Light in just over ten minutes.

At this moment, a middle-aged man in red bishop's robes stood before the cathedral's entrance with a dozen priests, both men and women, dressed in clerical attire. The leading mage approached the bishop with reverence.

"Archbishop Faol, forgive my delay. I have escorted our guests to you."

With a gentle smile, Archbishop Faol patted the mage's shoulder and said, "May the Light be with you, my friend. There is no need for such formality with me. I am but a humble believer basking in the light of the great Holy Light."

From the mage's address, Charles and the others learned that the middle-aged man with a receding hairline was Alonsus Faol, the Archbishop of the Stratholme Diocese.

Lyadrielle hastily stepped forward to offer her greeting. "Archbishop Faol, I am Priest Lyadrielle from the Church of the Holy Light in the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas. His Eminence, the Grand Archbishop, extends his blessings to you. May the Light be with you."

The task of relaying the message was already complete, and the accompanying mage had returned to report to the Archbishop. Lyadrielle couldn't help but notice the polite smile from Archbishop Faol.

"May the Light bless you, Priest Lyadrielle. We are all children of the Light; there's no need for such formality. Please, join me in the cathedral for conversation."

The human onlookers who had been gazing at the Elves only dispersed after the Elves entered the cathedral. Some of them even offered a prayer at the cathedral's entrance. The Church of the Holy Light had gained broad popularity in various human kingdoms compared to the Sunwell-worshipping High Elves. The Stratholme Diocese, led by the charismatic Archbishop Alonsus Faol, had an enormous following, with some even referring to him as a saint.

Alonsus Faol, as Charles faintly remembered, was already the Archbishop of the entire Kingdom of Lordaeron at the onset of the orcish invasion. After the fall of Stormwind, it was he who convened the meeting at Lordaeron's capital, leading to the foundation of the Paladin order. Faol personally administered the initiation rites for the five original Paladins, each of whom became renowned heroes in later times: Uther the Lightbringer, Saidan Dathrohan, Gavinrad the Dire, Turalyon, and Tirion Fordring.