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Captain's POV
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I was on my way back to Richt a few days after finding and freeing the slaves.

Because I was the one to find them, and due to knightly duties, I had to stay behind to ensure that all the victims made it back to their families, and that they were provided with safety.

Many of them had no place to go to, as many were taken with their families, who were then sold off.

I also later learned that there were categories for slaves, which I had to organise them into, as they all needed specific types of recovery.

There were the typical slaves, who would often be used for menial and laborious work, like heavy lifting. These slaves often had injuries all over their bodies, but none that would hinder their ability to work.

After that were the sex slaves. These were primarily women, but a few men were mixed in. These slaves often didn't have many injuries and were considerably well-fed compared to the others.

And finally, there were, what were dubbed, the "anger slaves". These were the ones who were missing limbs, as they were the ones who were used for when the Baron wanted to exert his anger out on someone.

The "anger slaves" wouldn't often be sold, but apparently on a few occasions, they were taken and, according to rumours, then found dead within a few weeks.

Thankfully, there weren't any children among the slaves that we found, but I told the knights who were helping me to keep a look out just in case.

But after all of that was done, I was free to leave the fief town of Serti.

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Much like the journey I had made a few days prior, the trip back to the Capital was uneventful.

I managed to make it back in around a day or two, and as I reached the edge of Richt, the sun was soon hiding under the hills of the grasslands around me.

Despite this, however, the city remained as lively as ever as the night life of Richt began to come to life.

Lights lit up the streets in a fluorescent glow as dancers and drunkards alike began to make their way out of their buildings.

Music could be heard echoing through out the turns of the city, and shouts and cheers rumbled through the alleys.

Every now and then, you'd be able to hear a scuffle, which would quickly turn into a friendly drinking challenge.

As I made my way further into Richt, I found myself in the night market. A market very similar to the one you'd find in the day, but selling much more exotic goods.

I had once managed to find a dragon tooth for sale in one of these stalls many years ago.

Glancing across at the stalls that I walked beside, several things peak my interest, and I soon find myself engrossed in the many items for sale.

It takes a few minutes for me to pull away from the glow of the market and readjust my path to the Palace.

These sights continue more and more infrequently as I make my way closer to the Palace, and soon, the noise of the shouting and cheering die out.

With no more distractions behind me, I hasten my pace and reach the Palace within a few minutes, to which I'm let inside promptly.

Despite it being dusk, I still receive a few of the usual scornful glares as I make my way to the King's study.

I knock on the door twice, before hearing a voice call from beyond it, allowing me entry.

"... Oh, Doujima, you're back so soon?" (King)

"The investigation was over much quicker than I had expected. Of course, most of that was thanks to the letter you sent." (Captain)

"Ah, that one... Well, what did you find?" (King)

"Lots of slaves. Well, I think they're slaves. None of them had the branding symbol, yet they were all beaten and bruised." (Captain)

"None of them were branded? Did you get lucky with how fast you got there?" (King)

"Not likely. There were piles of bodies in a corner of the Baron's torture room, and they were all severely malnourished." (Captain)

"Hmm. Maybe we are missing something about enslavement magic. I'll ask the Court Magicians." (King)

"Yes, Your Majesty." (Captain)

"Oh, and I'll arrest Baron Vionne soon, so go and rest." (King)

"Thank you, Your Majesty." (Captain)

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Baron Vionne's arrest was done much like Count Poin's, and his trial was also done in a similar fashion.

Because of the lack of time between the arrests and the fact that they both committed the same crime, they were both ordered to be executed on the same day.

Of course, since they were traitors to the Kingdom, this became a public execution to show how traitors would be dealt with if more appeared.

Though, I'm sure the commoners mostly just wanted something entertaining to watch.

And, though we weren't ordered to, Airi, Ryu and I also went to watch it.

"Why do they enjoy stuff like this?" (Airi)

"Hmm. Probably because it's something different? I'm sure some like it because of their patriotism." (Captain)

"Well, yeah, but I can't get my head around why taking someone's life could be fun." (Airi)

"Some people are just like that." (Captain)

The executions were scheduled for midday in the town square, the most open part of Richt.

There were over 100, if not 200, people gathered here to watch, and the noise of the conversations around us couldn't be compared to anything I'd heard recently.

In the centre of the town square, a wooden stage had been set up with a guillotine visible to all.

A few minutes later, the two figures of the Count and the Baron could be seen, and food and stones were already being thrown at them.

Many hit their mark, leaving a few more scratches and blemishes atop their already dirtied faces.

The Baron seemed to be in disbelief as he walked closer to the stage, his head hung down, slouching as he walked.

He didn't seem much like the noble that he should have been.

In front of him, the Count wrestled against his chains as he was pushed along by the guards escorting him.

He seemed to be shouted profanities at everyone in an attempt to refute what was happening.

I barely managed to hear some excuses he was making as he reached the steps.

Baron Vionne was to be executed first, as per tradition in The Kingdom for the lower-rank to have his life taken first.

As he was pushed down onto the guillotine, shouts much more distinct could be heard from the crowd.

They weren't shouts of anger, nor joy, but rather, shouts of anguish.

I managed to look over the crowd of people to see a middle-aged woman shouting towards the Baron, tears streaking down her face.

By her legs were two young children, a boy and a girl, who were also sobbing.

Just by seeing their reaction to the execution, I knew who they were.

The Baroness, Iona Vionne, and their two children, Fjord Vionne and Juli Vionne.

Though it pained me to see the children like that, I looked away, focusing on the Baron as the guillotine blade fell, cleaving its way into the Baron's neck, tearing it free from his body.

Amidst the cheers, a harrowing scream could barely be heard.

These soon died down as the Count was pushed down next.

Unlike with the Baron, the crowd around us was surprisingly quiet, barely a whisper could be heard.

Through this silence, Count Poin seemed to want to take the opportunity.

"Since I was promised by His Majesty, I shall announce my final words!" (Count Poin)

His voice echoed throughout the town square.

"... VERBENDUM!" (Count Poin)

...

...

...

Nothing seemed to happen in response to his shout.

At this sudden outburst, the crowd laughed at the ridiculous words the Count shouted, and the rope holding the guillotine blade was cut.

It once again carved through a neck, this time the neck of the Count, and lodged itself into the wood beneath, severing the connection between the head and the body.

Cheers erupt from the crowd once again and last for a few seconds, before the excitement calms down and people begin to leave.

"... Well, let's go." (Captain)

"Alright. Hey, Ryu, come on-- Ryu!" (Airi)

Cutting herself off mid-sentence, Airi drops down to Ryu, who was now crouched down on the floor, clutching his hand.

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Author Notes
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Once again, I am writing this a few minutes before publishing, because I can't seem to get myself to write when I need to.

And don't worry, that purple light isn't a new special power to make Ryu some kind of God, if anything, it's the opposite, but don't worry about that.

Anyway, I hope you enioyed this chapter, please continue reading!