Chapter 16: Rondor’s Executioner – 4

The lieutenant of the First Knights, Todd, asked as he headed toward the underground prison of the First Knights.

“What kind of change of heart could this be?”

Baelor did not answer.

He didn’t know the reason either.

This morning, after being summoned by Vivian Rondor, Baelor was handed a few documents.

“It’s an execution order.”

A death warrant, sealed with the sun of the Rondor family.

It was permission to end the lives of the vermin who had committed atrocities and lounged around in prison.

Baelor let out a sigh of relief—finally.

But at the same time, he thought it was unexpected, and he felt a slight sense of doubt.

Recently, Baelor hadn’t expected much.

Executions seemed impossible, and the only option was to wait for the death row inmates to die on their own.

This also related to Baelor’s beliefs.

If there was one thing Baelor had come to believe firmly over the course of 38 years, it was that people don’t change easily.

Humans are born with inherent temperaments.

You can tell just by looking at the squires who aspire to be knights.

A coward stays a coward, a violent person stays violent, an impulsive person stays impulsive, and a brave one remains brave.

Just as a snake remains a snake, and a dragon remains a dragon… it’s unchangeable.

The only difference is in how people conceal or reveal their nature as they grow, but in extreme situations, their true temperament comes to the surface.

Vivian Rondor was a coward.

In harsh terms, she was a coward; in kinder terms, she was a gentle noblewoman.

She was a girl who used to be very affectionate with her parents and loved her family deeply.

She might have grown up to be a good woman, a good wife, and be loved by her husband… but she was not suited to be the head of the Rondor family.

Even just a few days ago, she endured a slight insult without saying a word.

She was someone who couldn’t stand tall even in front of her family’s knights.

So how did she, of all people, manage to stamp the execution orders for 20 people?

Others might think of it lightly, but Baelor knew that the person signing the order needed to make a certain resolution.

There was a pressure only a leader could feel from the position of a knight commander.

Managing people’s lives was no different.

Baelor had given Vivian Rondor time because he understood that to some extent.

But now, overnight, she had changed.

He hadn’t heard of any vassal criticizing her or giving advice on the matter, so the change had come out of nowhere.

It was so abrupt that it made the waiting he’d done feel pointless.

Baelor couldn’t understand it.

As Baelor walked with a blank expression, Todd spoke up.

“Ah, could it be that?”

“…?”

As they entered the underground prison, Todd cracked a joke.

“Didn’t the commander insult Lady Vivian recently? Maybe she made you the executioner to get revenge…”

Baelor gritted his teeth and turned to Todd.

Realizing his joke hadn’t landed, Todd immediately lowered his stance.

“J-joking! No need to be so serious…”

“…Todd, it would be wise if you kept your mouth shut.”

“I-I’ll be careful.”

Baelor brushed off his uneasy feelings.

Maybe he was more upset because Todd’s words seemed like a real possibility.

But if Vivian Rondor had made such a choice, Baelor would have likely made one as well.

As Todd suggested, he might try to elevate Robert Rondor to the head of the family.

How much blood had he shed for the Rondor family?

How much pain and agony had he endured in war?

If his reward for such loyalty was to be given a lowly, scorned role, he would have nothing left to give to Vivian Rondor.

“Let’s go.”

Baelor spat on the ground as he arrived in front of the prisoners’ iron bars.

At the same time, he rid himself of the uneasy thoughts about Vivian Rondor.

Then he spoke to the 20 death row inmates in front of him.

“It’s time to die.”

The execution took place in the courtyard of the Rondor estate.

Though it was called a courtyard, it was not a small space.

It was large enough to comfortably form a big circle with over a hundred people.

In the center of that circle was a single wooden block.

The execution platform.

The sight made even me start to feel tense.

Heads peeked out from between the windows of Rondor Castle.

Interested maids, vassals, and guards all focused their attention.

Key figures had gathered in the courtyard.

The First Knight Commander, Baelor.

The Second Knight Commander, Thoros.

The Third Knight Commander, Mordain.

The Fourth Knight Commander, Vergor.

Their lieutenants and many knights.

The treasurer, Brynden, Lady Linne, Vivian’s tutors, the Spymaster officer, Nestor, the chief steward, Pippin, and other household members, along with Vivian’s personal maids—Valon, Wallace, and Martin—among many others who wished to watch…

…including myself.

Everyone who could gather from the Rondor household was present.

The young soldiers of the punishment battalion were no exception.

At Vergor’s suggestion, they had come to witness the fate of major criminals.

Valon, standing beside me, murmured.

“It’s my first time seeing an execution. It’s kind of thrilling.”

Like a child with a new toy, he couldn’t hide his excitement.

Martin, fiddling with his acne, added.

“Do you think there’ll be a lot of blood? I’m curious.”

Wallace spoke as well.

“Finally, that bastard Darien’s gonna die. He’s the one who forced himself on Aunt Aina and Aunt Laura, right?”

I shot a glance at Wallace.

Hearing his words didn’t sit well with me either.

The deaths of the men of Loctana had certainly contributed to the deterioration of public safety.

Martin raised a question.

“Huh? Aunt Aina and Aunt Laura, the ones I know?”

“Yeah.”

“Wow… what a sicko.”

“I’ve been wanting that bastard dead for a while now. Aunt Aina was kind, even if she wasn’t the prettiest…”

“…Shh. It’s starting.”

As Martin said, the execution began.

Vivian walked into the courtyard, her red hair fluttering in the wind.

The vassals parted ways to avoid obstructing her path, and Vivian, with slightly uneasy steps, garnered everyone’s attention.

She slowly ascended the high platform that had been set up and took her seat.

She was accompanied by the chief steward, a few soldiers, and vassals.

It was hard to believe that this small girl was the one governing everyone here.

Vivian opened her mouth to speak.

“Sir Baelor, are the death row inmates r-ready?”

Baelor stepped forward and answered in a loud voice.

“Yes.”

Baelor, with his golden hair and blue eyes, had a forehead that was gradually broadening—his hairline was starting to recede.

Still, a weighty, knightly aura flowed from him.

Thick arms, broad shoulders, tall stature.

He was almost as large as my father.

When Baelor turned slightly and glanced behind him, the First Knights dragged out the 20 prisoners, their heads covered in sacks.

Vivian swallowed nervously as she watched.

The unrest in her eyes grew stronger.

This was the moment she would face the people she had condemned to death.

Just as the anxiety clearly bloomed on her face, her red eyes swept over the crowd.

Her wandering gaze seemed to search for someone.

Before long, her large eyes settled on me.

We stared at each other for a long time.

It was as if we were the only two people in this place, exchanging glances amidst the hundred others.

As Vivian’s breathing slowly calmed, my heart began to pound instead.

I didn’t know what decision Vivian had made.

Would I truly become the executioner?

Would I be the one to kill the 20 people kneeling in front of me?

Vivian spoke.

“Before the execution begins… I-I would like to ask you all one thing.”

Her small voice rang clearly in the ears of the people.

No one made even the slightest sound.

Perhaps because of that, her stuttering seemed more pronounced.

“D-due to the war, many people have died, and among them was the Lesque family, who served as Rondor’s executioners. As you all know, there is n-no one in Rondor to act as the executioner. S-so, is there anyone here who would take on the role of Rondor’s executioner?”

I felt an urge to slap my forehead.

There was nothing to gain from the head of the family showing such weakness.

If she was going to command it, she should have just commanded it.

Why did she always have to show her soft side, despite my advice that people only trample on you when you do so?

Wallace nudged Valon and whispered.

“Hey, Valon, why don’t you volunteer?”

“Are you crazy? Why would I do that?”

“Scared of killing someone?”

“…Then why don’t you do it?”

“I-I won’t. I was just joking.”

Their banter revealed their shared tension.

That’s how difficult it was to take a life.

Aside from their jokes, the courtyard remained silent.

No knights stepped forward for their lady.

As the silence dragged on, Vivian’s appearance became more pitiable.

A long, drawn-out silence.

Not a single person was willing to walk a hard path for her.

I understood that executioners were despised in the South.

Given that it was a hereditary role, I could see why it was avoided.

But for no one to step forward… that was sad.

It felt like confirming Vivian Rondor’s place.

Vivian also seemed to sense this coldness, as her anxious gaze swept over the crowd.

She looked at me, as if seeking help.

This was why I couldn’t just stand by and watch.

She appeared so lonely to me, as if she were standing precariously alone once again.

Like a rose blooming in the wilderness, or like the last dying embers in a forest—she gave me the feeling that I had to protect her.

And because it felt like our family was somehow responsible for her seeming so pitiful… and because I just couldn’t tear my eyes away from her…

I found myself nodding without realizing it.

A confirmation of my intention.

If no one else would do it, I would.

Seeing this, Vivian bit her lip hard, then spoke again.

“If no one will step forward… as the head of the Rondor family, I will appoint someone to take on the role.”

I could hear the vassals’ tension.

Maybe because I had already made up my mind to do it, the sight of the vassals, all holding their breath as if afraid of being named, seemed laughable to me.

“…Kailo Alan.”

At Vivian’s whisper-like words, the crowd inhaled sharply.

The gazes of a hundred people shifted from Vivian to me.

My distinctive black hair stood out among the southern crowd.

People quickly spotted me.

“Uh…uh…”

Valon, Wallace, and Martin were also dumbfounded.

Vivian continued.

“From now on, you’re Rondon’s executioner.”

I closed my eyes tightly and then opened them.

So, it has come to this.

I hated it, but I remembered what I had told Vivian.

I was the one who insisted that, even if I didn’t want to, I had to do it.

Now, I didn’t want to look foolish by going back on my word.

I took a step forward.

-Thud… Thud….

I slowly walked toward the execution platform.

The path felt unbearably long.

As I walked, the eyes of the Rondor family bore into me.

I didn’t take my eyes off Vivian, and she didn’t take hers off me either.

“Do you need a weapon?”

Vergor shouted from far behind.

“…A two-handed sword.”

I answered coldly.

I saw Vivian’s expression twitch slightly.

We were both preparing to kill someone together.

Vergor’s aide, Coleman, appeared from somewhere and handed me a two-handed sword.

I held the sword and felt its weight.

I had wielded real swords before, but it had been a long time.

It weighed the same as a wooden sword, but the heft in my hands was incomparable.

There was a solemn gravity to a weapon that could actually take a life.

“Hoo…”

I caught my breath.

Gripping the handle with both hands, I raised the blade toward the sky.

Then, after checking its sharpness, I drove the blade back into the ground.

Now that I had been designated the executioner, the tension among those who didn’t want the role seemed to ease, and mocking remarks began to echo here and there.

The first came from the deputy of the 1st Knight Order.

“Think you can do it? You’re just a 14-year-old kid.”

I turned to him and responded.

In the quiet courtyard, conversation could flow easily.

“I’m 15 now.”

“Same difference. A brat is a brat. Have you ever killed anyone, Kailo Alan?”

I was entirely at the mercy of the Rondor family.

Given the relationship between our family and Rondor, it was to be expected.

Another knight nearby sneered and shouted.

“This is quite a sight. The eldest son of the Alan family, becoming Rondor’s executioner. Could there be a more fitting task?”

“He’s just doing work suited to his origins. Savage, lowly work.”

Laughter began to spread.

I glanced briefly at Vivian.

Her expression wasn’t particularly pleasant.

I wondered for a moment if she felt guilty for what she had done to me.

But I didn’t want to show her that I was being humiliated.

I knew that if I remained strong, she would follow.

Losing face to a few lowly knights wouldn’t do.

Especially not to the knights who tormented Vivian Rondor.

If you get hit, you have to hit back.

That was what my father said.

“Lowly?”

I turned to the knights and asked.

“I’m not sure who the lowly ones are here. You’re too scared to kill one person, and you can’t even help your head of the house.”

My words caused the crowd to fall silent, as if cold water had been poured over them.

They hadn’t expected any kind of rebuttal.

The 2nd Knight Commander, Thoros, spoke up.

He was a short, nimble man.

“…What do you mean by that?”

“What was that just now? The head of the house was looking for an executioner, and every single one of you turned into mute idiots. Is that the loyalty of Rondor? If it was our Alan family, we would have—”

My voice echoed through the courtyard like a reverberation.

The knights, the maids, the retainers—they all fell silent at my words.

I continued.

“It’s starting to make sense how we trampled over you. With knights like this, it’s inevitable.”

“…You’d better watch your mouth, Kailo Alan.”

The 1st Knight Commander, Baelor, said in a deep voice.

I knew he had taken the bait, so I steadied myself for the next round.

I had wanted to give him a blow ever since I spoke to Vivian.

“Watch my mouth?”

I pointed at him and said.

“You should consider it a blessing that you were born in this land.”

“…?”

“In our land, anyone who speaks carelessly and disrespects the head of the house… gets their head chopped off and displayed on the city walls.”

Murmurs spread here and there in response to my harsh words.

Baelor stared at me with his unwavering blue eyes.

Vivian looked shocked, her lips slightly parted.

The maids and retainers around her had similar expressions.

Baelor continued.

“…Are you questioning my loyalty to Rondor?”

“Loyalty is shown through actions, not words.”

His eyes scanned me from head to toe.

I could see the other knights behind him growing increasingly angry.

But Baelor suddenly let out a dry laugh.

He didn’t look happy at all.

“…Well, you do live up to being Jade Alan’s son. Your tongue is just as sharp.”

“But listen, Kailo Alan, if you’re going to talk like that, you should at least stop your hands from shaking.”

I glanced down at my hands.

As he said, they were trembling slightly.

I hadn’t realized it, but I must have been quite nervous.

But I couldn’t help it.

Under the gaze of the entire Rondor family, I had no choice but to make these provocative remarks.

I was suppressing my fear for Vivian’s sake.

It wasn’t just about this public gaze; I was about to kill someone.

But I couldn’t reveal those thoughts.

“Do you think I’m afraid?”

“No matter how much you hide it with your words, a kid is still a kid. It’s okay to be scared.”

Baelor spoke to me as if comforting a child.

He was hurling insults, and I responded in kind.

“Those of you who got trampled by my father—what is there for you to be afraid of?”

That remark seemed to hit a nerve with the crowd.

The memory of defeat wasn’t something easily forgotten.

For the first time, Baelor’s eyes twitched.

The 2nd Knight Commander, Thoros, spat out a curse.

The 3rd Knight Commander, Mordain, placed his hand on his sword.

The 4th Knight Commander, Vergor, chuckled in disbelief.

Sensing I had struck a nerve, I pressed on.

“There’s no glory in crushing the weak. Don’t be mistaken. Rondor’s peace is maintained by my sacrifice and the patience of the Alan family, not by Rondor’s soldiers. You’re not holding our lives in your hands—we’re holding yours.”

I could feel the air grow heavy with tension, as murderous intent spread around me.

Here and there, I heard the unsettling sounds of fists tightening in leather gloves.

I realized I had become a complete target.

Even people who had once become accustomed to me, who no longer showed outward signs of hatred, were now clenching their teeth as they looked at me.

Vivian alone was different.

The person who would have been the angriest under normal circumstances wasn’t reacting the same as before.

She was watching my fight with her mouth slightly open, just as she had before.

With her lips slightly parted, she watched me fight.

Perhaps it had to do with the promise we had made.

I had told her to watch me.

I was showing her a fight she couldn’t fight herself.

At the very least, I hoped it offered her some small comfort.

I wanted her to feel relieved that I had repaid Baelor’s insult.

“Alan.”

The laughter was gone from Baelor’s voice.

“…You’ve made a mistake.”

Even with his final warning, I stood firm.

-Thud!

I slung the greatsword over my shoulder, ready to strike.

Looking straight at him, I said,

“Shut up and bring the condemned forward.”