Chapter 38: Arcadia’s Judgment, a Hero’s Folly, and a Saintess’s Fury

Arcadia Square, the Imperial Capital.

“Save, save me! Mph! Mphmph!”

“Didn’t I tell you everything! Please, just my life… Mph!!”

Over twenty people were struggling on the gallows, begging for their lives.

However, the object of their pleas, Anastasia.

Did not even pretend to hear their screams, and ascending the platform, she solemnly opened her mouth to address the crowd filling the square.

“I, Anastasia von Sterngart, will confess everything to you all frankly, without a single lie!”

Anastasia continued her speech with a resolute expression.

“These individuals have, since the past, abducted the powerless weak, like orphans from the slums.”

“The horrifying truths that they forcibly sold them to brothels, or handed them over to villains as illegal slaves, and even as subjects for magical experiments.”

“And that the Imperial family, who should have prevented such things from happening and rectified them, was so incompetent.”

“Even the shameful fact that they failed to deal with it properly at the time, leading to it almost happening again now.”

Anastasia exposed everything without a shred of hesitation.

“Good heavens! Unbelievable!”

“Such terrible things were happening even in the Imperial Capital?”

The people who heard her confession were all engulfed in shock and anger, starting to murmur.

And naturally.

“Even if they are orphans from the slums, they are so pitiful!”

“Exactly! What on earth were the Imperial family and the Imperial Guard doing!?”

Those who pitied the victims and those who condemned the incompetence of the Imperial family emerged.

Logan thought as he looked back and forth between Anastasia, who was giving the speech, and the populace reacting to her confession.

‘Anya… I’m sorry.’

‘Even though it’s not something she did wrong.’

‘It must be very difficult to bear all the resentment and criticism alone, revealing the Empire’s past mistakes in front of so many people.’

‘Moreover, her reputation had risen due to the Demon Lord’s subjugation and yesterday’s speech, so if she mishandles this, it’s dangerous enough that her approval could plummet to rock bottom in an instant.’

‘Of course, it must be an immense burden.’

‘…But it has to be done. And…’

‘In his belief that Anastasia could handle it well.’

Logan had proposed this plan to her the previous night.

– Anya… I am truly sorry to make such a proposal to someone as kind and considerate as you.

– No, Logan. To think I was unaware that such things were happening openly in the Empire… and in the capital at that… I truly find myself so pathetic…

– You don’t need to blame yourself. This didn’t happen while you were ruling the Empire, Anya.

– No, as a member of the royal family, if I had set my mind to it, I could have found out and stopped it. So, to rectify it even now, I will accept your proposal, Logan.

– Thank you… And I’m sorry, Anya…

Logan felt a sense of guilt.

‘Even though justice had to be served.’

‘Not just one or two, but dozens of people.’

‘He had proposed a plan to execute them in front of so many onlookers.’

‘Of course, they were villains who deserved to die.’

‘Himself, who had suggested using human lives for political purposes…’

‘Wouldn’t she find him repulsive?’

‘The person who became my sanctuary when I was deeply wounded.’

‘Wouldn’t she, so gentle and kind, despise and be disappointed in me?’

‘Because of such thoughts.’

Logan couldn’t help but feel uneasy in a corner of his heart.

Contrary to Logan’s worries.

Anastasia gently wrapped his hand with hers and said.

– Don’t say such things, Logan… I’m not as kind a person as you think I am…

– No, a person as considerate and warm as you, Anya…

– Thank you so much for saying that. So, Logan… don’t worry. I also always think of you as a considerate and warm person.

– Anya…

Logan briefly recalled the conversation he had with Anastasia and slowly turned his gaze back to her, who was giving a speech on the platform.

‘The execution of human trafficking organization members in front of numerous citizens.’

‘And the subsequent execution of guards who had condoned crimes by accepting bribes.’

‘Though it was said to be for the sake of proper law enforcement and realizing justice.’

‘In a way, it was a cruel and calculated political move.’

‘One might wonder if there was really a need for her to personally step forward and bloody her hands like this.’

‘Sera… Before that woman pulls something, I must firmly imprint it on the people.’

‘That Anastasia is the true leader for the Empire.’

‘That she is the one qualified to ascend to the throne.’

Logan, when he had asked Sera to persuade Lian, who was acting unreasonably during the Demon Lord subjugation.

Still clearly remembered what conditions Sera had set and what proposal she had made to him.

‘She’s a truly frightening woman… She’s probably using Irene too…’

Thinking of the childhood friend he once loved, Logan’s chest tightened again.

However, he soon shook his head and steeled his heart.

‘Even if only to prevent someone like her from being used by Sera and going down the wrong path.’

‘He had to quickly solidify Anastasia’s position to end the dirty power struggles and political machinations.’

‘That was why he was taking such a strong measure now.’

‘Through the Empire’s past mistakes and her firm resolve to reform in the future, she would surely be able to persuade and inspire the populace.’

‘By decisively executing these heinous criminals now and making an example of them.’

While Logan was thinking such thoughts, Anastasia’s explanation to the populace ended.

And then, she continued, declaring in a solemn voice.

“…Therefore, I declare. Today, in this place, all these vile individuals will be executed, and in the future, anyone who deceives the people will not be tolerated and will be severely punished!”

She gestured for the criminals to be executed and continued speaking.

“I promise you, this includes nobles and even members of the royal family!!!”

The populace, feeling Anastasia’s heartfelt cry and the firm determination within it.

“Waaaaaaah!!!”

Responded with a roar like thunder.

“Long live Her Highness the Crown Princess!”

“We believe! That you will bring justice to the Empire!”

“It’s different from before! From now on, the Empire will change!! Because Her Highness will set things right!”

As Logan had believed, Anastasia succeeded in winning the hearts of the people.

Such fervent cheers from the populace meant death for the prisoners on the gallows.

“Mphmph!!”

“Uuugh!!!”

The prisoners struggled to live, but the hanging was carried out.

Starting with those who tried to kidnap and exploit powerless children.

All those who had received dirty money from these heinous individuals and turned a blind eye, in order.

And afterwards.

Soon, the nobles who had bought orphans from them would also follow and ascend the execution platform.

“……”

Logan watched the public execution with a calm expression.

He inwardly felt a sense of regret.

Because.

The events he had expected to happen afterwards did not occur.

‘…As expected, not everything goes as easily as planned…’

Logan had definitely felt a presence.

Behind the many cheering citizens.

Staring at him with hate-filled eyes.

‘Lian…’

‘The hero trapped in his own hypocritical beliefs.’

‘…It seems Sera stopped him in the end.’

‘Just like he had rampaged in the conference hall.’

‘He had expected the foolish fellow to barge in and cause a commotion this time as well.’

‘Probably, that fellow would say that even these criminals are human and shouldn’t be killed carelessly.’

‘They were heinous and cruel individuals, but.’

‘If given a chance, they would surely be reformed.’

‘Therefore, lives should not be taken carelessly.’

‘I really can’t understand…’

‘If that life is truly so precious.’

‘He shouldn’t have sacrificed allies while spouting sophistry like ‘fair and square’ in the war against the Demon Lord’s army.’

‘…Anyway, it’s unfortunate.’

‘If those foolish fellows had interfered and spouted nonsense in front of the populace about how even criminals are lives that must be protected.’

‘He could have completely ruined the structure of the public opinion war they were planning, preventing it from even starting.’

‘Still… Sera, your head will probably hurt a lot worrying about what to do next.’

Logan chuckled, thinking of Sera who must be racking her brains right about now.

Because the situation was definitely turning in their favor.

---

“Sera!!!”

The hero, having returned to the church, raised his voice at the Saintess.

“Why are you stopping me!?”

He had come out of his room as she wished.

But Lian was furious because she had stopped him from saving lives.

At this, Sera glared at him with a pathetic expression.

“Hero, are you serious? You were about to barge in, saying the execution shouldn’t happen, weren’t you?”

“Yes, of course, I had to stop it! A precious life was disappearing before my eyes!”

“Ha…”

Sera couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.

‘Bertrand, that old man, really… how did he raise this brat?’

This idiot hero, perhaps because he was hastily infused with divine power and nurtured.

Had far too many flaws in things like theoretical or ideological education.

How could he discuss the preciousness of human life in that situation?

If human life had been important in the first place.

He shouldn’t have opposed Logan’s strategy in the war against the Demon Lord’s army.

Actually, she had thought his head was messed up since then, but the situation was definitely different at that time.

‘Opposing Logan’s strategy in the war against the Demon Lord’s army was beneficial to us too, so I went along with it, but…’

Since the Church mostly provided support from the rear, there was almost no damage even if they fought the Demon Lord’s army head-on.

Sera had supported Lian’s assertion.

Because it could naturally weaken the other factions besides the Church.

If one thought about the aftermath of the Demon Lord’s subjugation.

Reducing the number of elites in each faction as much as possible would be very advantageous for the future balance of power.

However, in the case of today’s execution, if she had indulged Lian’s stubbornness.

‘It’s obvious there would be a backlash!’

If he advocated that the lives of those who committed dirty crimes like human trafficking were also precious.

“Many citizens wouldn’t understand. You heard what they did, didn’t you?”

Sera tried to persuade him with extremely common-sense logic.

However, Lian raised his voice further and retorted.

“Sera! What on earth are you talking about!”

“What do you mean, what am I talking about? Naturally, people are furious with the criminals, so…”

“Isn’t it our job to persuade such people! Sera! Are you even a Saintess!?”

“Ha…!”

How dare a fake hero like him question her identity as a Saintess.

As Sera was momentarily speechless from disbelief.

Lian, thinking his words had hit the mark.

Arbitrarily judged that she was at a loss for words and shouted even more triumphantly.

“As expected! It was strange! Elysium rejecting me, it’s all because of you…!”

Lian, having lost his reason, began to hurl all sorts of harsh words at Sera.

At this, Sera, whose patience had finally reached its limit.

“…Silentium.”

Whispered the spell softly.

At this, Lian, who was in the middle of his tirade.

“You despicable woman! How can you, when a human life is fading… Keuk!?”

Thwack!

His body was slammed to the floor by an unknown, powerful force before he could even register it.

What on earth had happened.

Lian, unable to comprehend, looked up with a confused face.

And there.

Sera looked down at him with eyes full of contempt and disgust, and spoke coldly.

“…Shut up, you b*stard. Just do as you’re told.”

“Se… Sera…? Keoheok!”

Thump!

Sera mercilessly stomped on Lian’s head with her shoe as he lay on the floor.

As if that wasn’t enough.

She continued to stomp on him relentlessly.

Thump! Thump!

“Aaack!! Sera, stop…! Aaack!!!”

“Shut up, you btard!”

Thump! Thump!

“And I told you clearly, didn’t I? It’s fine to carry the Holy Sword, but don’t try to draw it recklessly! Why the hell are you keep trying to draw something that won’t even come out!?”

“I’m sorry, Sera! If it’s to save people, I thought Elysium would surely answer… Aaaack!!”

Thump! Thump!

“What kind of bulls*it is that!? You f*cking idiot!!!”

“Aaaack! I was wrong! I’ll listen to you, so please stop… Aaaack!!!”

Thump! Thump!

Sera assaulted Lian even more mercilessly, despite his screams and pleas.

Gurgle…

Even after Lian foamed at the mouth and fainted.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Only after venting her anger to her heart’s content for a long while.

“Ha… I should have done this from the beginning. Tsk… What are you just standing there watching? Hurry up and clean this up.”

Sera, with a refreshed expression, ordered the nearby priest to take Lian away.

And then, she muttered, staring into the void with unfocused eyes.

“Ah, what a f**king idiot I’ve been…”

Sera couldn’t help but curse herself.

‘As expected, I should have reconsidered back then.’

‘Not the fake hero.’

‘I should have chosen the real one.’