Chapter 259

Chapter 259

1Those reveling in the victory of the trial shared their joy with loud laughter. Having overcome a major hurdle, they approached Ian and Jin to offer congratulations and establish familiarity.

With the cheers of the crowd added, it was a festival scene beyond compare. Except for the seven families facing their demise, and a few others.

“Your Highness Jin. Today’s testimony was truly impressive. As expected of your brilliance, I’ve never been so moved. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

“I suppose the next time we meet, you’ll be the heir to the Empire.”

“Has the date for the appointment ceremony been set? By chance, do you know of the silk our family imports? Though it pales in comparison to Your Highness’s radiance, the harmony of gold and red threads is quite remarkable. If it pleases you, our family would like to offer Your Highness’s ceremonial robes for the appointment.”

“You’re getting ahead of everyone else, aren’t you? Haha! Your Highness, our specialty is wine. Since it’s a grand imperial celebration, we’ll have wine flowing through the streets.”

“Thank you. I still can’t drink, but those who enjoy it will be satisfied.”

Centered around a single child, the central nobles formed a tight circle. They were engaged in subtle jostling to get closer or avoid being pushed out. If Ian hadn’t been standing firmly beside him, even the faint semblance of order would have disappeared.

“Lord Ian.”

At that moment, a mage barely squeezed through the crowd to call him. There were matters to report, including the upcoming execution schedule. The nobles glanced around and subtly stepped back.

“We will escort the prisoners to Central Square, the execution site. Will Your Highness Jin be accompanying us?”

“His Highness...”

At Ian’s murmur, Jin shook his head. Wasn’t the imperial palace already at capacity with the crowds swarming like clouds? If he were to join, it would increase the burden on the guards and mobilized personnel. Confusion would be unavoidable when mixed with the crowds.

Another reason was that while he might have watched Mariv’s end as she was his sister, there was no need to do so for the final moments of the seven families.

“Only Lord Ian should go.”

“Yes, Your Highness. A wise decision. I shall do so.”

Twenty-one corpses would be swinging from high places in Central Square. What good would it do to endure the trouble of going to see such an unpleasant sight? Jin had never left the imperial palace before. He didn’t want to use his first outing to watch someone’s death.

“I’ll go alone. Prepare.”

“Yes, and Lord Ian. About Captain Akorella...”

“Akorella?”

At the mage’s words, Ian looked towards Akorella’s seat.

An empty chair. From when she arrived by carriage until just before the trial began, she had looked quite unwell. She had disappeared amidst the commotion.

“She left during the recess and still hasn’t returned.”

“...I’ll look for her. You focus on preparing for the escort and execution.”

“Yes. Understood.”

“Your Highness, it’s time for you to return.”

“Yes. Alright. Lords, it was a pleasure meeting you all. Until next time.”

As Ian and Jin wrapped up, the nobles simultaneously placed their hands on their chests. Soon, the crowd parted like the sea, and Jin left the courtroom, preciously holding the yellow flower.

“I’ll see you this evening.”

“I leave the rest to you.”

“Of course. Xiaoshi, take good care of His Highness.”

“Yes, Master.”

Ian personally opened the carriage door for Jin and watched until he left the main building, surrounded by soldiers as escorts.

The crowds slowly followed, calling out to Jin. The carriage window opened slightly. Fingertips wiggled, trying to come out, then retreated. Likely stopped by Xiaoshi.

“Ian, clean this up too.”

“Yes, Sir Romandro.”

Ziiing. Ziing.

Ian took off his gloves, savoring the relief of having overcome a great obstacle. Then, emitting a very faint magical energy, he sensed Akorella’s presence. Her aura was felt not too far away.

Tak tak tak.

He passed through the corridor, continuing deeper inside. As the commotion faded, Akorella’s magical energy felt stronger.

Just as he was about to turn a corner, he discovered bloodstains on the wall. They were stretched out long, with the end sharply cut off. It was a trace of someone collapsing weakly and grasping the wall.

“...Akorella?”

“Ah, shit...”

Akorella was crumpled at the end of the corridor. There were even drops of blood scattered on the floor. As Ian approached in surprise, she weakly tried to stop him.

“Don’t come closer.”

“Akorella. What happened? First, let me give you some magic. As a temporary measure...”

Akorella turned her head with her forehead pressed to the floor. Her upper clothes were completely soaked in blood, as if she had been coughing up blood severely. As Ian hesitated in shock, Akorella chuckled.

“Ah, Lord Ian. I think I’m fucked.”

“Akorella.”

“It seems a bit too severe to just be a side effect of the magic amplification potion. I, right now, keep...”

Akorella stared blankly into space and then flinched. As if her consciousness had faded and then returned.

“...I keep losing my memories.”

Losing memories? How could the side effects of a magic amplification potion cause such symptoms? Ian first helped Akorella up, then poured as much magical energy as he could into her.

Ziiing! Ziing!

The mages breathed sighs of relief at Ian’s message. It was truly fortunate. Perhaps she had used some concealment magic? However it was done, it was truly a relief that Akorella could leave without delay.

Ian patted his uniform sleeves and asked.

“The preparations.”

“Huh? Ah, yes, yes. No problems.”

“...We’re heading to Central Square.”

“Yes. Understood!”

Tak tak tak!

The mages took the lead in escorting Ian. As they came out of the main building, the citizens waiting for the mages cheered.

“It’s the mages! The mages!”

“Oh my, I’m seeing them for the first time! Mr. Magician!”

“Is that Ian Hielo, the Minister, in the middle?”

“My, he’s really young. Even younger than I thought.”

Tat!

“Wooooah!”

“They flew! They flew into the sky!”

Those walking at the very front leapt into the air in an instant. The heads of the numerous crowd tilted up to the sky, following them. Ian mounted a horse and slowly pulled the reins, following the path guidance coming down from the air.

Neigh!

“Make way!”

“Clear the path! The execution will begin in Central Square! Everyone leave the palace and return!”

“Slowly, in single file!”

The prisoner transport carriages, which had been waiting for the mages to join, slowly moved. A full twenty-one people. The procession stretched out long, creating quite a spectacle. Ian drew a beam of light next to it with magic, making the prisoner transport visible even from afar.

They moved at almost walking speed. At this rate, it would take a full hour to reach the city gates.

Clatter clatter.

Ian noticed the carriage curtain being slightly pulled back. It was Hayman. His hands were tied, and a soldier sat between him and his wife, but his eyes were as calm as if he were going on an outing.

“Close the curtain. If people know you’re there, stones will fly.”

“Hahaha. Stones, you say.”

“...You think it’s a joke?”

Hayman silently looked at Ian. Even as the carriage shook and the horse swayed, his gaze remained steady. Although they were walking side by side, Ian noticed a smile spreading across his lips. Hayman gestured as if asking him to come closer.

“Hey, soldier. What are you doing? Close the curtain.”

“Yes sir! I’m sorry.”

“I heard Melania is missing. Is it true?”

The soldier pulled on Hayman’s shoulder, but he leaned in closer and asked back.

“They say the Imperial Defense Department is having a hard time finding Melania.”

“You’ll see where your daughter is when you’re dead.”

“Aha, hahaha! Ahaha!”

Hayman burst into a hearty laugh, truly for the first time in a long while.

Melania! His lovely and proud youngest daughter!

He had always been satisfied with how she shone brighter than her brothers, and she proved herself to the very end. If even one person bearing the name Hayman survived, wouldn’t that mean the continuation of the family line?

“It’s Duke Hayman!”

“Kill him! Kill him!”

Nevertheless, Hayman’s satisfied smile did not easily fade.

Even until the very last moment –

When a thick rope was placed around his neck –

When the ground beneath his feet gave way –

When his whole body was dirtied by stones and filth thrown by the crowd.

Screech!

Thud!

“Die! Let all the other families die!”

“Waaaah! Kill them!”

The curses of the angry and excited crowd.

Ian, watching Hayman’s swaying corpse, tightly clenched his palm. Under the leather gloves, he felt the sticky blood.

As twilight seeped in, twenty-one corpses from the seven central families were hung in the square.

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