Ch.5757. The Eve

The day before the execution. After heated debate, the Court Ministry, which assists the Emperor’s rule, finalized the execution method.

An exceptionally cruel execution for the Empire, which typically insisted on penal battalions or labor camps rather than capital punishment. They had even consulted ancient texts for reference.

Yet the high officials who reached the conclusion had expressions tinged with dissatisfaction.

They knew that no matter how cruelly he was killed, no matter how long they made him suffer, a sense of emptiness would follow.

“Shit.”

“Ahem.”

“I apologize. I’m concerned that Gwon Heejin’s ramblings until his final breath will only leave people’s hearts bruised.”

“We can gag him, of course, but somehow… I wish we could make him understand even one-tenth of our despair before sending him off… Lord Wellesley, do you have any clever ideas?”

“What would I know?”

Despite saying this, Court Baron Erick Wellesley naturally offered his opinion. As if he had attended the meeting without being asked.

His suggestion wasn’t particularly grand. He merely proposed a small performance before carrying out the sentence.

False hope, followed by a fall.

A proposal that could be summarized in those two words.

Only then did the officials’ expressions brighten, if only slightly.

***

Just as Gwon Heejin’s execution method was being decided.

A middle-aged man sat in a small reception room attached to the Court Ministry building.

His attire clearly indicated noble status, yet his face was a complete mess. A nose bridge that seemed broken and barely reset, bruises around his eyes.

Nobles, even knights, didn’t typically suffer such facial damage. Even if injured, they could simply visit a priest for healing.

Moreover, the man wasn’t just a nominal noble but one from a traditional lineage.

His rank: Count.

His domain was slightly lacking in resources and military power for a county, but he belonged to a noble family that had existed since the Empire’s founding.

No matter how chaotic the capital was over the Hero’s execution, he wasn’t in a position to be treated so poorly.

Yet strangely, no one found his mistreatment unusual.

This was because he was Count Neize.

He was the father of Lady Knight Millia Neize, who was detained in the palace, and also the cousin of Viscount Neize, an accomplice in the Hero’s proxy trading scheme. At this point, even a Demon Lord’s spy might receive better treatment.

‘But still.’

…Being made to sit and wait like this seemed excessive.

Count Neize anxiously rolled his eyes.

His entire body still ached from the fierce physical struggle when he personally arrested his cousin. His twisted back made even sitting painful. He would lie down if he could.

Unable to bear it any longer, Count Neize carefully called to a young official passing by the reception room.

“Excuse me, about the ministers…”

“Which minister? There are quite a few.”

“…Anyone will do. I’m not in a position to be picky about rank.”

“Wait here.”

Tsk, coming at such a time.

As the official disappeared with a huff, Count Neize’s face became hollow.

He thought he’d grown accustomed to being treated like garbage since the Hero’s false report scandal broke, but perhaps due to his physical pain, he felt as if needles were piercing his heart.

“Urgh.”

He stroked his trembling knees, alternating between sighs and groans.

Difficult as it was, he had to endure.

‘This might be my last chance.’

He had heard how the Delirose County, another proxy trading collaborator, had been dismantled in just one day.

They had sent two Masters to end the situation instantly.

Even more shocking was that this tremendous incident wasn’t even being discussed in the capital. In normal times, it would raise concerns about a chain of noble rebellions.

Moreover, House Neize had an even worse reputation than House Delirose.

Though he had earned merit by personally arresting the culprit, there was no guarantee of reduced punishment. Perhaps in a few days, his entire family would be breaking stones in a quarry…

‘Not that! Anything but that!’

Count Neize shook his head violently, desperately denying the terrible future. His pink hair, streaked with gray, swung wildly.

After waiting for some time.

Several ministers spared time to meet him. Among them was Minister of Justice Count Necker, who had been both his senior at the Academy and a frequent visitor to the exchange. They had once been quite close.

It was fortunate that this man was included. Count Neize decided to beg the ministers with the most pitiful expression he could muster.

“…Excuse me.”

“What are you doing lingering in the palace at a time like this?”

The response was cold.

At least there was no disgust, which was fortunate. Count Neize looked up at the ministers desperately, his hands neatly folded.

He wanted to plead for his family’s survival, but in truth, even the ministers lacked such power. Perhaps even the Emperor or Crown Prince lacked it.

Knowing this full well, yet having no choice but to beg—such was Count Neize’s miserable situation.

“Everyone, actually I…”

“Your daughter is doing well. If that’s what you came to ask.”

“What? Ah, yes. Of course.”

The Hero’s party members were said to be imprisoned somewhere within the palace grounds. They weren’t being tortured; rather, they were provided with decent accommodations and meals.

“And you know, right now every citizen in the capital has their eyes fixed solely on Gwon Heejin’s execution.”

Though the despair had somewhat subsided thanks to the Goddess belatedly withdrawing her blessing, the hatred for Gwon Heejin hadn’t disappeared. Dozens of people were still racking their brains to vent that resentment even slightly.

“After we execute him tomorrow, the treatment of those involved will be discussed. Being here now won’t help you…”

“I know.”

“If you know, then why?”

“…I fear it will be too late after Gwon Heejin dies.”

At this, the ministers clicked their tongues. The response wasn’t entirely hostile.

‘Perhaps I can still appeal for mercy…!’

This was Count Neize’s belief.

There was no particular basis for it. He simply hoped for leniency to prevent his family’s complete destruction, like House Delirose.

Any vain hopes of restoring his family’s prosperity had long been abandoned. He would be content just to preserve their lineage…

But the answer the ministers gave shortly after was pessimistic.

“Since Gwon Heejin’s companions will be at the execution site anyway, you should come too.”

“What…?”

This was truly a bolt from the blue. Summoning the party members to the execution site was essentially no different from killing them alongside Gwon Heejin.

After Gwon Heejin died, wouldn’t everyone’s attention turn to the party members? They might face humiliation and be made scapegoats on the spot.

“We’re not planning to kill them, so relax your expression. Perhaps this will somewhat reduce the hatred directed at your daughter and family.”

With that, the meeting ended. The ministers left without even saying goodbye.

What could this mean? Count Neize pondered their words for a while but couldn’t make sense of them.

He couldn’t even ask anyone else.

Because many people recognized him due to his distinctively bright pink hair. All Count Neize could do was pull his hat down low and hope the ministers’ words were true.

‘Tomorrow, is it.’

Count Neize limped out of the palace. He wanted to see his daughter’s face while he was here, but that was too much to ask at this point.

After Count Neize’s visit, other relatives of party members also made contact with the palace in succession.

First, from the Great Forest, homeland of the elf Silvina, came a messenger with a stiff neck.

This messenger announced that elf Silvina was not a great warrior chosen by the World Tree, but an elf selected by Gwon Heejin on his own. They spoke as if the carnivorous elf had tarnished elven honor.

Of course, the palace ignored this announcement.

Next was the Magic Tower.

The Tower Master, who was also Yuni’s mentor, met with the Crown Prince to request mercy for Yuni. Considering the poor relationship between the Magic Tower and the palace due to funding cuts (effectively elimination), this was relatively courteous.

Moreover.

“I think I raised her too indulgently. If the palace shows leniency, I will discipline her thoroughly.”

He even bowed his head with these words.

The problem was the addendum that followed.

He cautiously inquired when research funding might resume, and suggested that rather than confiscating the research funds Gwon Heejin had provided to Yuni, incorporating them into the Magic Tower’s budget would be a more efficient measure.

“Your Highness, it’s not beneficial for the Empire to have excellent mages struggling because they can’t afford magical materials.”

The Crown Prince looked at the Tower Master and simply smiled without comment.

Though his succession to the throne had become likely after the Prince had sought refuge with the Papal State, shadows lingered around his eyes.

The Tower Master misinterpreted his smile and rose, asking for his favorable consideration.

Finally, regarding Saintess Claire, her presence was barely felt. After all, the Papal State was managing her custody.

However, on the evening before the execution, clerics from the Papal State arrived in the capital at an insane speed.

Elder Priest Edin, who performed dozens of blessings while leading the charge on horseback.

Cardinals who imitated him and inadvertently learned to manifest holy power while riding.

Nuns who, not knowing how to ride, clung to the waists of holy knights.

And elderly priests transported in ambulance carriages due to their bodies breaking down from motion sickness.

Their number reached several hundred.

It felt as if the entire Papal State had relocated. The sight of gaunt clerics with wild eyes created an eerie atmosphere. Saintess Claire stood awkwardly among them, but no one paid her any attention.

And the next day.

The day of the Hero’s execution finally dawned.