The paladins didn't surrender. Some of them wanted to fight. The elders wanted to negotiate but when I came outside with the empress more or less defeated, they were ready to attack.
If they all attacked, it was going to be hard to fend them off even with my army above, but I had a plan.
"Gentlemen, I am a skeleton of my word. Hence, I will not take over your land. I will not interfere with your internal politics either; I have already acquired what I wanted. Therefore, it is pointless for me to want more. What I will want, however, is a trade treaty, which your high council already agrees on," I said, motioning to my right.
The shivering nobles were here.
Paladins held sway in this world. As did the church. However, Sondar was still ruled by their respective nobles and empress. All of them had distinct jobs at the High church of Sondar and were respected individuals.
However, that didn't mean they were selfless.