The Verdict (2)
“I think it will be a very good method for a guy who blasphemed, speaking ill of the Goddess’ holy water saying that it was a drug.”
“Oh…”
“Since the devil contaminates the whole body, it will be a ritual of purification.”
“Yes, that seems to be a very good method. If the execution were made carelessly, the demon’s energy in his body would pollute the castle. That’s right! Just as I expected from Lee Kiyoung.”
I had just thrown him a curveball, but the Cardinal’s reaction was very enthusiastic.
If I thought about one of the punishments faced by witches in the Middle Ages, the one where they threw them into the sea with them tied to a stone. thought they had a similar method, but it seemed like they didn’t.
They must have their own methods, but at least, Cardinal Basel looked happy with the idea.
‘Hmm. It’s not bad.’
Ito Souta’s case was completely different from Lee Seolho’s. He was already completely in trouble, but as one never knew what could happen, it was right to deal with it when you had the opportunity. There was no need to wait around.
At this point, I was sure Cardinal Basel felt more eager than I was.
‘Considering what he had seen, that’s understandable.’
“W-what…”
Of course, Ito Souta’s reaction was to feel very disconcerted. Up until now, couldn’t believe he had been throwing insults my way just a few minutes ago.
He must be realizing what the reality truly was.
Dummy.
Even though he was exposed to the curse, seeing him laid down flat and struggling madly made me realize that pride usually didn’t help at all.
When he saw Cardinal Basel opening his mouth, his face turned pale again.
“Bring the bronze statue right now! A bronze statue!”
“Yes!”
“Bring the empty bronze statue! That’s a bronze statue filled with holy water!”
“I’ll honor your order.”
He indeed moved very fast. I didn’t know what he had done in the past, but I knew I had made the right decision in choosing Cardinal Basel as the receiver of the ‘Goddess’ revelation.’
I thought he had a personality that preserved dignity and elegance, but it looked like he had a fiery spirit hidden inside. Of course, this worked to my advantage.
“Lift the very demonic worshipper, Heretic Inquisitor.”
“Yes.”
“The trial will proceed quickly. No, it cannot be called a trial. It is a good idea to ask the demon worshipper whether he is guilty of sin or not. It will be a simple execution.”
“Damn it… Damn!”
“Even if you regret the sin you have committed now, it is too late, devil worshipper. Now, please, clear up the messy hall, Holy Knights.”
“Yes. Okay.”
“It would be better to make space for the statue to come in. Yes. This way. This way! Everyone here now will be an observer of this execution. You will be the eyes and mouth of the Goddess to testify of this execution, seeing what the words of the wicked, who not only committed the crime but also betrayed God, are.”
It was at this moment that Cardinal Basel would prove to be very useful for me in the future. If he were to get promoted one day, I, who would already have established a considerable acquaintance with him, would be able to wield unprecedented power.
‘I have to be good to him.’
It would be good to bring him a few more bottles of sacred wine.
Shortly after that, the former courthouse’s door, the current execution site, began to open.
What caught my eye was a large statue, a statue of a woman with large wings. Of course, I know who it was. In order to impress these people, I had to gain some knowledge of theology.
‘Raquel
She was an angel that was considered the right-hand woman of Benigore’s Goddess.
I didn’t know whether it was a good end or not to die inside such a statue, but the statue, which was made very beautifully, seemed more than enough to fit two adult men at once. It looked grandiose at first glance, but I soon realized it was a torture device.
Or perhaps it was made just for storing items. Of course, its usage had nothing to do with me. Currently, the priests were busy pouring holy water inside the statue.
As if they had practiced this beforehand, the whole thing looked sacred.
Of course, it wouldn’t look that way to Ito Souta.
“Crazy… These crazy guys! These savage guys! Cough…”
“Marlin Young-ae! Duchess Catherine! Cough! Will you just be watching this madness? Judge James! Cough… in the heavenly court. Execution?! Are you insane? Yuno Kasugano! Are you really betraying your country now?”
“What do you mean by betraying my country? This is not the Earth, Ito Soutassi. We are now the imperialists of the Free Cities of Lindel and Celia. If you sinned, you must be punished. This society, which is fair to all, is very equal to sin.”
“Kiyoung you… Cough…”
“So why did you do that? Why did you collaborate with the devil?”
“No. I am not like that. Wasn’t all of this something you made up…?”
“If anyone hears, they will misunderstand, Ito Souta-ssi. You have instincts, right? The wrong choice in an instant is what makes this result. You shouldn’t have turned the Goddess as an enemy.”
To be precise, you shouldn’t have turned me into an enemy. I knew Souta would understand this.
“Benigore’s Goddess never forgives enemies. She shows mercy only to the believers who turn their heads toward her.”
“You… you!”
“She will never forgive those who oppose her.”
“Cough… you…”
“You came too far to repent, Ito Souta-nim. I will not lie about you going to a good place. Since you have committed numerous sins, it would be hard to go to Heaven. I hope you don’t make the wrong choice in the next life.”
Though I knew I was speaking too much, I felt like it was only right for me to repay him for what happened in front of Yuno Kasugano’s door.
When he first backstabbed me, he wouldn’t have imagined that the result would be this way.
“Pfft.”
It was heartbreaking to see him tied up tightly, but this could also be seen as the perfect end for such an opponent.
Cardinal Basel then spoke up in a solemn tone.
“Shut his mouth so that the sinner does not play with his cunning tongue.”
“Yes.”
“These savage guys! Let go of me! I said, let go of me!”
He was resisting, but there was no way that a tightly tied up guy could do something.
Eventually, he got gagged, muffling his directed curses.
“Mhmpf! Mhmpf!”
Of course, this only served to anger Cardinal Basel further.
“Verdict! Guild Master Ito Souta of the Yamato Guild, the perpetrator of the Lindel terror incident, inflicted great wounds on the citizens of the Free City of Lindel and caused dozens of casualties due to personal greed. Not only that, he committed a crime of anger in the Imperial Palace, threatening and assassinating the Holy Empire’s guests. He is an imperial sinner who broke the imperial agreement to minimize conflict.”
“But.”
“This is not the primary reason to condemn the execution of the criminal Ito Souta. He made plans to dominate the Holy Empire through the demons, traded illegal drugs in the Free City of Celia, and committed the sins of anger, such as slavery and organ trafficking. In the heavenly court, he blasphemed about the holy water of Benigore’s Goddess, saying that it was a drug, and then betrayed his oath with the Goddess with false testimony.”
“Ito Souta, a sinner that has sinned against the God and man with adopting the disobedience to the interrogation of the Heresy Inquisitors as evidence of being a demon worshipper…”
“I’ll sentence you to death.”
People began to applaud as Cardinal Basel gave his verdict.
Ito Souta, who was delivered to the statue with his limbs tied up, was struggling as much as possible, but there was no way he could resist at this point. However, his body was eventually squeezed into the dark and cramped door. “Mhmpf! Mhmpf!”
A small splashing sound was heard, and the statue closed.
I heard a continuous thumping sound hitting the wall, but slowly, very slowly, it started to calm down.
What was he thinking in there?
Was he having regrets by now?
I decided not to think about it. He tried to kill me, and I only paid it back.
That was all.
Thud
I couldn’t see the end personally, but well, this was not a bad result.
Thud
It was actually good.
Thud
This was the story that had been written down for him.
After some time, the thumping sound from the inside disappeared. It was such a shabby end for what could have been such a powerful person.
I stepped forward after greeting the people around me.
You had a hard time.
Thank you.
Justice has won.
The Goddess will bless you.
These words enveloped the whole room. However, Lee Jihye and Cha Hee-ra still seemed like they had some more tasks to do. Now was not the time to talk to them, though.
Holding Jung Hayan’s hands, I passed through the chaotic place, and soon after, a voice called out for me.
“The royal castle is going to pronounce the Griffon.”
“Is that so? That’s good news.”
“Yes, young man. Not only that. As Cardinal Basel said, there are several rewards planned for you. Representatively, tens of thousands of gold coins and items will be paid. There will be a room just for you in the castle, and you can use all kinds of luxury items. Perhaps you’ll be awarded a title… It is almost certain for you to take a position at the Pope’s side.”
“Ah, that’s great.”
“Are you happy? Are you satisfied?”
“Of course. That wouldn’t be bad news to Victor Hart either. Everything was put together without war between Celia and Lindel, which you were worried about.”
“The war is not a problem. Innocent people may die…”
“Victor Hart. The guild members of the Yamato Guild are not innocent people. Ito Souta is a criminal who committed a crime, a vicious man who blasphemed and charged as a demon worshipper. The same goes for those in the Yamato guild. These are the ones who have become his hands and feet. You have to be careful with your words.”
“I say once again, but if it were me who yielded, I would not have been here.”
“I understand what you are saying. There must be circumstances that I do not know. But that way is too much.”
“No, Victor Hart doesn’t understand me. If you think there is an enemy, you should not show mercy. Mercy is an emotion that the strong can have towards the weak, not the weak.”
“Who would see you as the weak? You are not the weak.”
“But I feel that way. Perhaps Victor Hart will never understand me.”
“That’s the same for me. I… I don’t think I can like you.”
“But, we will be able to get along.”
I saw Victor Hart smiling at this as he eventually nodded.
That was not a bad reaction.
“How is it? Let’s have a drink. I have some very good wine.”
“I’m good.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
I watched Victor Hart as he stepped away. I had been worried as to how he would treat me afterwards, but there seemed to be no hostility in his eyes.
On the part of the Emperor’s side, I was not a person who can be rid of, so Victor Hart would have to stay close to me. Apart from that, the old man’s eyes somehow annoyed me, but…
“Hayan.”
“Yes?”
“Shall we drink some wine together?”
“Y-Yes, I would love that!”
I wouldn’t care about such trivial things. Today was a pleasant day, made to be celebrated.
As I looked behind me, I gave one last glance at the ominous statue, sitting there in such an innocent manner.
“Thank you, you asshole.”