Chapter 52: Execution

The people of the estate gathered in the square, murmuring as they stared at the gallows. Having lived all their lives on the frontier, this bizarre and terrifying execution device was something they had never seen before. Behind them, the Bratz mansion stood quietly on the hill as always.

"An execution by hanging?"

"Tax evasion is a serious crime, and he even resisted."

"Goodness, how did it come to this..."

"Isn't that so! They collected so much tax from us, but didn't send any to the capital. Where did all that money go?"

"Into his belly, making it so bloated."

"What a lunatic, really! We even sold our house to pay taxes. My daughter had to learn field work as soon as she started walking, and now her back is bent!"

"Hey, keep your voice down. Do you want to get into trouble?"

"What's the point! He's not a noble anymore, just a criminal. He's going to die anyway, so let him die nicely! Why did they even bring out the soldiers?"

"Exactly. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have sent my kids to the mansion..."

"Initially, if the viscount hadn't done those things, everything would have been fine. We suffered, our money was taken, and our homes were destroyed in the battles..."

To them, hanging was a truly dishonorable way to die. As a noble, especially one who had faced the barbarians on the frontier, he should have ended his life by the sword.

"By the way, the barbarians are building the gallows?"

"Who else would move logs that big?"

Ironically, the barbarians who lived near the border were preparing the execution platform for Derga, not the Barial people. Although they had never built a gallows before and were following the instructions of the investigation team, the atmosphere was far from that of subordinates being commanded.

"Ah, just say it once. Don't make me ask twice."

"I-I'm sorry. After setting the post, we should tightly tie it with ropes to secure it."

The high platform facing the gallows. Kakantir felt a strange sensation as he looked at the estate's people and the gallows gradually taking shape.

Just a few months ago, Derga had maintained a delicate relationship between allies and enemies. Now, the leader was about to be hanged in front of everyone, and he himself was going to watch from a high position.

'Life is truly unpredictable.'

Meanwhile, in the mansion, Erica was writing the announcement, her head in her hands. She was explaining Derga's crimes in a way that the common people could understand, and it was an important task to proclaim the majesty of the royal palace and her own achievements to the world.

Creak.

Below, Ian arrived at the underground prison. Derga, locked in the last cell, had a cloth over his eyes and a mouth full of gravel. His swollen limbs were shackled and hanging limply. He was in a state where it wouldn't be surprising if he died soon.

"Open the door."

Click.

At Ian's command, the Thousand-Eyed guard opened the door without hesitation. Derga perked up his ears at the sound of Ian's voice. The stench of filth and blood emanated from him.

"Viscount Derga. It's Ian."

"Ugh..."

Now, even the titles of father and son were stripped away. As Derga flinched, the sound of the shackles rattling was chilling.

Creak.

"The date for the execution has been set."

"…!"

"They say you sent a letter to the palace, even reporting to Prince Marib, didn't you?"

Derga looked up at Ian, but his eyes were covered, so his expression couldn't be seen. However, Ian guessed that his eyes were shaking fiercely beneath the cloth.

"Thanks to you, Erica couldn't receive her appointment as viscount. This has given us a reason to leave Bratz hurriedly, and your execution has been moved up."

Derga tried to punch with all his strength, but it was impossible to reach.

He regretted it. When he first brought the woman from the brothel, he should have made him a cripple as Mary suggested, to prevent him from causing trouble. What did it matter about public opinion!

"...Ugh!"

"Mary and Chel are also dead."

"..."

"Among those bearing the name Bratz, you are the last survivor. Congratulations. You have a glory that no one else can have."

Derga's face turned red. The blood rushing to his head was clearly visible. Ian grabbed his hair and left a final word.

"Don't feel too wronged. It's all your karma, isn't it?"

Raping a woman from the brothel and fathering a child, then separating him from his mother and abusing him. Using underhanded tactics secretly with the Thousand-Eyed. Over-taxing and being shunned by both the central government and the estate's people.

From one to ten, there was nothing he hadn't brought upon himself.

"Sir Ian. Kakantir is looking for you."

"I'll go."

Ian left the underground prison, leaving Derga, who was silently screaming, behind.

Outside, spears taller than a grown man were lined up.

"Hey, Sir Ian. Take a look at this."

"What is it?"

"Does the length of the spears seem okay?"

Ian scanned the spears that would pierce Derga's heart and glanced at the window where Erica, the head of the investigation team, was standing.

"The highlight of the execution. It would be good to discuss it with Director Erica and include it in the announcement."

"Hmm. Yes, that sounds good."

He had glanced at her unintentionally, but Director Erica was looking down at them with a haggard face. When their eyes met, she irritably pulled the curtain shut.

Swish!

'Dog-like situation.'

Erica muttered a curse, holding her head. There was no letter of explanation from Mollin. Clearly aware of the council's decision, a messenger should have arrived around the same time.

"Damn old man!"

Meeting Mollin in person would likely resolve the issue, but after Derga's execution, he would definitely have to leave Bratz. Ian and the Thousand-Eyed wouldn't let him stay for a moment. Even if he had left with the letter, he would be halfway down by now...

'I need to come up with a plan.'

Erica pondered deeply and then took out a new piece of paper to start writing a letter. It was both a demand for an explanation to Mollin and a letter to the first prince of Marib.

As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. To avoid being in a dog's position, it might not be bad to open a line with them.

Swish.

Instead of a seal, Erica cut her thumb and dabbed the blood. It could be identified with a magic potion.

"Director Erica. I've found the materials you asked for."

"That Ian, he really did a thorough job."

"It's meticulous enough to leave immediately."

"Damn brat. Tsk! Put it there."

The investigation team member gathered important evidence of Derga's tax evasion and handed it over to Erica. The content was detailed in the announcement.

On the day Derga died, to explain the meaning of his death to the estate's people.

* * *

Finally, the day arrived. It was the day right after the gallows were built. Everyone in the mansion came out and gathered at the entrance to the underground prison.

"Bring Derga out."

"Yes, Sir Ian."

At Ian's command, two Thousand-Eyed warriors went down and dragged Derga out.

"Derga Bratz. It's time to execute you."

At Erica's words, Derga's body trembled. His limbs were limp, and his eyes and mouth were still covered. Erica signaled her subordinates to lead him to the square.

"Move quickly."

"Hey? Why are you dawdling?"

He had to walk barefoot on Bratz's land as an act of penance. The sound of chains clinking echoed with each slow step. Like a beast being led to slaughter, he kept his head bowed.

"Derga Bratz, move."

Crack!

"Ugh!"

The investigation team member had no choice but to swing the whip, and Derga groaned, taking a step. It was almost a forced push.

"Viscount Bratz... "

"Goodness, what a sight."

"Stripped like that, he looks worse than us!"

"Die! Die! You sucked our blood and even killed our families! Because of you!"

"Really? Is that really Derga?"

As they walked to the square, the estate's people's exclamations came from all directions. The sight of their lord in such a miserable state was truly shocking, and almost the same words echoed until they reached the square.

Is that really Derga? This is the core of the matter.

"Go up."

"Ugh..."

Swish! Thud!

"Derga! Was this really the best you could do?"

"Bad son! Just do it right!"

"Die painfully! Please!"

The moment of retribution for his past misdeeds had arrived. As Derga stumbled up the stairs, stones were thrown at him.

Someone burst out in anger, saying their wife had been molested by Derga, and another complained that they had become lame because they couldn't pay taxes and were beaten. The names of Mary and Chel were also heard.

"Did they catch Mary and Chel?"

"I'm not sure."

"But if they're alive, it's not a complete extermination, right?"

"There's a rumor that the remaining investigation team will join the pursuit after the execution."

"Really? So the foreigners are all leaving?"

"The Thousand-Eyed will stay, but they can't survive the winter either."

"Ah! Finally, life is returning to normal."

Buuu-

The investigation team member blew a buffalo horn. The spectators, who had been chattering, gradually quieted down. Soon, Director Erica stood next to Derga and lifted the announcement.

"I am Director Erica of the Royal Investigation Team. I will now announce the crimes of the criminal, Viscount Derga Bratz, in the name of His Majesty the Emperor."

She then read out the charges and evidence they had gathered against Derga in detail.

In fact, the common people couldn't understand a word, but the longer the content went on, the deeper their anger grew at Derga's wrongdoing. And the fact that it was the price for their blood and sweat.

"Especially, the production of the Monne mine was 60,000 tons, but only half was reported to the central government, resulting in a profit of 8,000 gold coins. This is only a part of the assets that have been missing for the past few years..."

"What? 8,000 gold coins?"

"Did I hear that right?"

Below, Ian could feel the rising heat. The amount of harvest and profit were meaningless, but the number of gold coins was clear to the common people.

"Hey, you scoundrel! How could you?"

"Kill him! Kill him now!"

Stones and trash were thrown from below again. Director Erica ignored the pile growing at her feet and read the final sentence.

"Therefore, in the Barial Empire, those bearing the name Bratz will only face eternal death. By the Emperor's command, the Bratz family is to be exterminated."

Smack!

At the same time, a stone hit Derga's temple hard. Erica signaled the team members to proceed with the execution.

"Remove the blindfold."