Chapter 90: Prayers of the Rebels

“You must die as nameless thieves.”

Listille said these words with a feeling akin to spitting blood.

If they were to forgive them here, it would set a precedent that anyone could take the royal family hostage when they wanted to push through their demands. That would shake the authority and order of the country to its core.

Furthermore, if it became known that the culprits of the kidnapping incident were returning soldiers, the backlash against other returning soldiers would only grow stronger.

Killcord and the others would not only lose their lives but also their honor. Their fight for their comrades’ future, unknown to anyone, would result in them being executed as despicable thieves.

There was no objection. They knew from the beginning that it would come to this.

“I have one request…”

Killcord spoke in a hoarse voice.

“What is it?”

“I appreciate the princess’s kindness, but I have no guarantee. I need reassurance that you will keep your promise.”

He said this because he couldn’t trust the words of the royal family. The words of protecting the returning soldiers might be completely forgotten once they left the cave.

That’s just how nobles and royals were.

“You…!”

Jocel placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. How dare Killcord make such a rude remark? Committing the unforgivable act of kidnapping a member of the royal family and then receiving mercy. It was no longer a matter of dealing with royalty; it was something he couldn’t tolerate as a person.

Listille restrained the enraged Jocel with her hand. It seemed she was determined to accompany this failed rebel’s story to the end.

“What guarantee do those who are about to die seek from me?”

“I want someone to witness it. I want you to pretend that our youngest, Eil wasn’t here…!”

Eil was taken aback by the sudden request, but the other team members responded one after another.

“I see, that’s a good idea.”

“It’s frustrating to die without leaving anything behind.”

“If we consider the life of a young one as a memento, it’s not a bad way to die.”

They expressed their agreement.

Killcord gritted his teeth and continued his words.

“I understand that it’s a selfish and self-centered request. However, in exchange for my ten years of honor and loyalty, I implore you…!”

In a pool of blood, he discovered something shining. It was the tip of a broken rapier. Killcord picked up the rapier and thrust it into his own abdomen.

“Killcord!?”

It happened in an instant, too quick to comprehend.

“As you wish…”

“I understand. Even if one thief escapes, we won’t chase after them.”

“Thank you…”

He couldn’t speak anymore as he coughed up blood.

“Gerhardt, make it quick and painless.”

“Understood.”

Although their way of speaking had become that of a lord and his subordinate, no one paid it any mind. It seemed natural in this situation.

Gerhardt stood behind Killcord and raised his beloved sword, “Ittetsu.” With this sword that could cut through iron and stone, he could cleanly sever the head in a single stroke, without pain.

A smile appeared on Killcord’s face. It was a gentle smile, uncharacteristic of a man called the Grim Reaper.

…There is nothing left unfinished. I have done everything I needed to do. No, that’s not true. I have regrets. I chose the wrong master to serve. It’s a sin to leave her with lingering attachments.

The sword swung down, and Killcord’s head fell.

Jocel carefully held the severed head and said,

“I’ll go offer them a surrender suggestion.”

And he left. Ricardo and the others were still fighting outside.

“Next, it’s my turn, old man. Do it quickly.”

A team member spoke in a cheerful voice that didn’t match the scene. Eil stood up and let out a sorrowful cry.

“Wait, let me die too! Don’t leave me as an outcast!”

“Sorry, but hell is already overcrowded.”

“I’m also a member of Killcord’s squad!”

“That’s why I want you to bear witness.”

Eil’s plea was not accepted by the comrades. Helplessly, he could only watch as his smiling comrades were beheaded, one after another.

The execution was over. Those lively comrades would no longer say anything.

Listille turned her emotionless face towards Eil.

“Go now. You weren’t here; that’s everyone’s wish.”

“Am I not allowed to grieve or die…?”

“How you accept Killcord and the others’ wishes is up to you. I won’t be involved. However…”

Eil held his breath and waited for Listille’s words.

“When the preparations are complete, we will welcome you as a mere returning soldier.”

“Ugh…”

He let out an inarticulate voice and picked up a sword, running away.

The word “live” can sometimes become a curse.

Even though he wanted to cry, he couldn’t. Eil wasn’t present here; there was no reason for him, a nameless thief, to mourn their deaths.

“Well, well, can’t even say thank you in a situation like this…”

Gerhardt said with a hint of exasperation.

“You can’t expect someone to say thank you at a time like this. Young people need time to agonize over life.”

Lutz replied, slightly loosening his shoulders.

“Why are you saying such mature things? Lutz, you’re still young.”

“There’s quite a difference between the late teens and early twenties, don’t you think?”

“To me, it’s all the same. A man’s life begins in his sixties.”

“Once you’re in your seventies, Gerhardt, you’ll probably say a man’s life starts at seventy, won’t you?”

They laughed and joked. There was still a hint of stiffness in their laughter. Both of them felt the desire to brighten the atmosphere, even if it was forced.

Jocel and Ricardo, accompanied by four men, entered the prison cell as if they were swapping places with Eil.

“What about the others?”

Gerhardt asked, and Jocel answered.

“Out of fifteen, Ricardo defeated seven, three were killed on the spot for not surrendering, and one managed to escape.”

“Not bad.”

Aside from the one person they let escape, they couldn’t do anything about it now. They had entered with just four people and emerged victorious. It would be luxury to expect anything more.

“The three who came at us seemed to have accepted death as a given.”

“Yeah, that seems about right.”

They sat the captured four men in front of the princess and explained the situation. They were genuinely happy.

Their fight was not in vain; their comrades would be saved. Even if only Eil survived. Instead of being tortured as they should have been, they would be given a quick death.

As nameless thieves, there would be no harm to their families and followers. Although they were relatives who didn’t accept them, there was no intense hatred to the point of wanting them to be burned at the stake.

Luck. Even when faced with the fate of death, they called it luck.

Gerhardt raised the executioner’s sword once again.

“I leave the matter of our comrades to you.”

That’s what they said before dying.

It was a surreal sight. Several headless corpses lined up in the prison cell. The fallen heads had peaceful faces, as if offering prayers.

“Princess, the execution is complete.”

Gerhardt said, wiping the blood off the sword.

“It’s all over now.”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing those words, Listille covered her face with both hands, shaking her shoulders.

The fear of capture overwhelmed her. It was because they were of the royal family that they cornered them. And, no matter the circumstances, she was the one who ordered their deaths.

A burden had been placed on her young shoulders. Now, she could finally cry. The men couldn’t find any words, they could only watch the crying girl in silence.

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