The crowd dispersed slowly after Gerald’s speech. The middle wall, which once stood as a barrier of protection, now felt like a cage to those who lived behind it. The whispers of the people grew louder as they returned to their homes, carrying with them the weight of Gerald’s words and the haunting presence of Plaga’s influence.
The nobility and merchants of the middle ring had always lived in relative comfort, their lives sheltered from the struggles of the lower ring. But now, they couldn’t ignore what was happening below. They had seen the transformation in Gerald—his twisted armor, his glowing eyes, his commanding presence. They had heard Plaga’s promises, her offer of salvation wrapped in the guise of decay. And they feared what would come next.
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### **The Inner Sanctum’s Unease**