Arcane Era-Chapter 95: Public Execution

"Sigh..."

Theo walked alongside his teammates, his mildly dissatisfied expression perfectly shrouded by the pitch-black skull mask that decorated his face. Kamara was right in front of them, leading the way to the town square.

’I feel a little violated...’ His thoughts trailed, glancing at their team leader for a fraction of a second. ’She didn’t have to be so rough.’

Of course, he kept his grievances to himself.

After all, unlike before, he had a more polished outlook—one befitting a member of the Ak’ashi Guild and distinguished guest of the Sarvos Royal Family. Ultimately, he had no right to complain, so he quietly sported his black cloak, which matched perfectly with his boots and mask—all of which resonated with the deep color of his hair and eyes.

His shirt was, strangely, white, though it was well complimented with gray jacket and pants.

Overall, he appeared distinguished enough, and together they left the Royal Palace, making their way to the town square right in time for a special event; one that attracted an immense crowd of thousands of people, all of whom had their gazes fixed on a single spot.

—The central execution stand!

The air was filled with whispers, chatters, and divergent noises, their chaotic mixture creating an atmosphere of dread permeating the entire area. Stone tiled the town square’s floors, but at the moment it felt like it was made of glass. The way everyone shifted uneasily as they cast their gaze on the makeshift stage created just early that morning, complex expressions were on all of their faces.

Dread. Fear. Anger. Curiosity. Pleasure. Uncertainty.

This maelstrom of emotions stemmed from the diverse values and perspective each spectator embodied, but this was not the time to express their varying ideologies or viewpoints.

It was an execution ground.

And, atop the stage for execution were two men—both of whose faces were obscured by dirty sacks. Ropes tightened around their bodies, restricting them from even the most basic actions. Other than squirming ever so slightly and letting out muffled sounds—which couldn’t even be heard due to the unceasing noise from the crowd—the men could do nothing else.

They could only await their deaths.

Officers belonging to the Military Police were standing all around the stage, and a few men in special uniforms—no doubt Royal Guards—stood atop the stage, right behind their superior who took to the forefront to address the waiting masses.

He had an aged appearance, slim, tall, and donning a pristine garb of white and red. A tall hat sat on his head, though it was unable to hide his long gray hair. His several rings shone with all manner of precious stones, and the golden jewelry that decorated his body made him sparkle under the bright sun.

He felt divine... powerful.

He was none other than the Head Chancellor of Sarvos... Laus.

"Good citizens of Sarvos... bear witness to the righteous execution of these two sinners." Laus addressed the crowd with a strange mix of enthusiasm and sorrow, perfectly blending them together like it was a natural thing.

His charisma was astounding, and the delivery of his lines immaculate.

Never did he stutter, and none of his words were without some form of gravitas, easily swaying the crowd with every syllable he uttered and every word carved out of his aged lips.

No doubt about it! Laus was a skilled orator, eloquent in every sense of the word.

"They dared to break into the Royal Palace under the instruction of those wretched enemies of our wonderful Nation, the Revolutionary Army, attempting to eliminate our young princes—the future of Sarvos." Gasps filled the air after he spoke. "When their plan failed, they also tried to eliminate the members of the Ak’ashi Guild whom have offered us their full support and assistance in this war."

More whispers traveled among the crowd.

"What? The Ak’ashi Guild is here?"

"They’ll be helping out with the war? That means it’ll be over soon."

"Maybe that’ll put an end to this recession..."

Head Chancellor Laus saw this and his smile grew broader. "That’s right! These shameless bastards from the Revolutionary Army, with no fear or regard for the rules of war, tried to use underhanded tactics to prolong our Nation’s crisis."

This spurred rage and vitriol in the minds of the people, most of whom were dressed in rags and tattered attires. Many were fed up with the war and, more than anything, desired for it to end. As such, the presence of the Ak’ashi Guild was good news to them.

As for the reported actions of the Revolutionary Army... it was repulsive.

Head Chancellor Laus spoke some more, ensuring he hammered home the point of the sins of the Revolutionary Army through the assassins used as scapegoats, as well as elevating the reputation of Sarvos’ Royal Family.

After he was done, satisfied with the results, he raised a hand and ordered the commencement of the execution. This time, there were no complex expressions in the crowd.

Even if there were, they were very few.

For the majority of people watching, they had cheerful, vindictive expressions on their faces.

They cried for the execution of these people, even cheering once the frightened faces of the assassins were revealed and their heads eventually rolled on the floor of the stage.

Theo watched all of this silently, a small sigh leaving his lips.

Even after seeing the killing happen, witnessing as blood sprayed into the air like a geyser, and the trembling heads make their lifeless descent, he had no reaction on his expressionless face. He could hear Liyah’s shriek and Kaycee swallowing his vomit, but he remained still, unmoved.

His mind was racing, however.

’What a brilliant move...’ He shook his head mildly. ’They really knew what they were doing with this.’

In his eyes, the public execution served two primary purposes.

’One is to reinforce the power of the Royal Family and strike fear in the hearts of anyone sympathizing with or supporting the Revolution. Second is to paint the Revolution as the bad guys and the Royal Family as the heroes. In essence... this is propaganda.’

This was the most effective tool for controlling the people, and it was the Royal Family’s signature move, giving them an edge over the Revolutionary Army.

’What a waste of time...’ As he was sighing, ready to leave the town square, he suddenly heard a voice that made him pause in his tracks.

He glanced to his side and observed two men standing next to each other.

They were conversing.

"Those darn Revolution bastards... when are they going to stop?"

"Your son is fighting them in the front lines, isn’t he? You must be a proud father!"

"Hehe... I suppose I am."

"Leroy had better bring victory for us! For Sarvos!"

"I know he will..." The man who spoke about his own son in the war appeared mildly haggard, with a dirty commoner suit, clearly his own attempt at looking polished. Among the crowd, he looked slightly more distinguished, but compared to proper attire—like the one Theo was putting on—his clothes might as well have been rags.

However, Theo wasn’t concerned about the man’s clothes, or even his insensitive friend.

He recognized this person.

Memories of his time in the small shop owned by this man, hanging out with his friends as they observed the various designs of the letters and other stationeries being sold there, flashed into Theo’s mind.

He couldn’t forget them, even if a million years passed.

’That is... Leroy’s father!’ His eyes flashed, squinting in observation to see a bitter smile suppressed on the man’s worried face.

’He’s clearly in pain... but he can’t show it, since he is meant to be proud about his son fighting for the Nation.’ Theo sighed, clenching his fist.

He could only feel a portion of this man’s pain, unable to recognize the depths it reached.

’Leroy’s mother died when he was really young, so Leroy is all his father has. He must have been happy when the sentence was almost over, only for him to get drafted at the last minute...’ Theo kept gritting his teeth, stopping himself from going to meet the man.

’I’m so sorry, Mr Zach... it’s all my fault.’

Soon, the crowd began to disperse, including Zach and his friend, but Theo remained fixed in his position. He let himself get drowned by the guilt he felt, the faces of all his friends overlapping in his mind as he thought of each of them.

’Leroy, Cheery, Rash... Edward.’ He burned their fates into his mind and allowed the heaviness in his heart grow.

He truly deserved this... at least this much.

’I can’t do anything to comfort your old man, Leroy... but I’ll find a way to make it up to him somehow.’ Theo finally walked away as well, his eyes easily spotting the others in his team.

’Maybe I’ll visit the shop anonymously some other time.’

With that thought firmly established in his mind, he finally reuinited with his new friends.