Chapter 103

Today was the day of Hayden Wolphall and Ian Wolphall’s execution.

The location was Covent Square, right in the heart of the State. It was also the place where Mrs. Chandler, the woman known publicly as the creator of health syrup, had met her end in a public execution. Of course, it wasn’t technically a public execution. She had merely sampled her syrup in a public space.

‘Though it was essentially an execution.’

Even drinking regular Mahuang decoction in such quantities would be perilous. There was no way she could survive drinking an entire bottle of syrup laced with poisonous herbs.

And the Hayden brothers were to die in an even more brutal manner—by burning.

At first, I thought it was a lie, but it wasn’t. The Empire was a peaceful nation. While it lacked extravagant entertainment, it wasn’t a barbaric country that enjoyed public executions for amusement. Executions themselves were rare, and when capital punishment was carried out, it was usually a private hanging.

Yet this time, there was to be a public execution by imperial decree, bypassing trial.

By fire, no less.

The Hayden brothers were the Emperor’s brothers-in-law. They were also war veterans who had each contributed their fair share during the Emperor’s succession war. While the Emperor and his knights had taken charge of the actual fighting, managing key military intelligence was the responsibility of the Hayden brothers.

It was easy to imagine how much deliberation the Emperor went through before making the decision to execute them. But there was something even more astonishing.

“Sir Alan, by His Majesty’s command, please come to the palace immediately.”

The Emperor suddenly wanted to see me. I teleported to the palace immediately using a magic circle, though I wasn’t in formal attire. The Emperor didn’t seem to care. It wasn’t like he’d told me to ignore etiquette because he wanted to treat me as a close friend…

‘There must be an urgent matter.’

Was I summoned privately to be reprimanded for sending my beloved youngest sibling into exile, and now executing his brothers-in-law by burning?

Given my history, it wasn’t entirely surprising.

Moreover, the location where the Emperor had decided to see me wasn’t one of the three audience chambers but his study. This was clearly a private matter.

Upon entering the study, I first paid my respects.

“Humbly at your service, Your Majesty.”

When I looked up, the face of a middle-aged man, noticeably thinner over the last few weeks, met my eyes. Though not grotesque, he looked terribly weary.

The Emperor neither addressed me nor glanced in my direction.

He just fiddled with his teacup in silence.

Finally, after a long pause, the Emperor slowly began to speak.

“This is a tea called Da Hong Pao.”

Suddenly changing the topic to tea?

“Your Majesty?”

“It’s a famous tea usually enjoyed in the Imperial Court or by the Princes. Honestly, I don’t know what it tastes like. It’s not just that I lack tea appreciation skills; it’s because I’ve mixed whiskey in it. Quite a lot, actually. …This is how I’ve been enjoying tea lately.”

“….”

“I happen to like this way.”

He certainly didn’t call me here to brag about mixing whiskey in his tea.

There was only one reason someone would reveal their weakness to someone they didn’t get along well with.

It was a signal to set aside past grievances and open up. So, I decided to listen carefully.

“Alan Medoff, I have a favor to ask.”

“Consider it an order.”

“Should I? …You always squirm your way out when I give you an order, Medoff. Not that you would do differently now. That’s why I’m asking politely. And there’s no clever way to avoid this one.”

“….”

“Please witness the execution of my brothers-in-law shortly.”

The Emperor was earnestly telling me to attend the spectacle of his brothers-in-law’s execution.

“Your Majesty, may I ask the reason?”

“You already suspect, don’t you.”

How was I supposed to know?

But upon reflection, I started to understand. It had to be about Princess Victoria. Her character meant she’d definitely observe this execution herself, perhaps as a demonstration of her leading this purge. If that was the case, the Emperor’s intent was…

‘He wants Princess Victoria to distance herself from me.’

After all, I was the one who had brought down the Wolphall family.

It was true that it was done with Victoria’s cooperation, but I had orchestrated the scheme. I even swung a blunt weapon at Hayden and his daughter. Watching the brothers die on the stake might also make Victoria feel repulsed by me.

It was clear the Emperor hoped for exactly that.

“Alan Medoff, if possible…”

Edmund III left the sentence hanging ambiguously.

He wanted me to act appropriately so that Victoria could detach herself from me. It was too undignified a request for a ruler to express clearly, which was why he left it vague. The Emperor seemed to be caught somewhere between being a weary ruler and an anguished father.

I would do as he asked, but it didn’t seem likely his wish would come true.

This matter was beyond resolution by mere conduct.

***

I headed to Covent Square.

Two execution stakes were being set up in the spacious square. A pile of logs, somewhat clumsily arranged, stood there awkwardly, evidence that the Empire hadn’t conducted many executions by burning. Even the crowd gathering to watch seemed confused. There was an undercurrent of disbelief—could they truly be preparing to burn people to death in such a wide-open plaza?

Standing on the rooftop of a three-story building overlooking the square was a young noblewoman of high esteem.

She was dressed modestly in a black tunic dress.

Still, her platinum hair was impossible to hide despite the simplicity of her attire. Honestly, even disregarding her beauty, she was anything but ordinary. Plainly-dressed knights guarded her, and she herself stood with her hands behind her back, posture perfectly straight.

Of course, this was none other than Princess Victoria.

Wanting to observe quietly, I approached without formalities.

“Sir Alan?”

Princess Victoria greeted me with obvious surprise.

Even to me, this situation felt strange.

The workers setting up the piles of wood were awkwardly trying to avoid the crowd’s gaze. The citizens of the state murmured nervously. Some even looked up cautiously at either Victoria or me.

And we were the ones watching it all.

Princess Victoria cleared her throat awkwardly.

“Actually, there are more than just two executions today.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Jeniko Wolphall… one of my maternal uncles. He is also Timothy’s father. He commanded the 6th Cavalry Brigade for five years, but throughout those five years, he accepted monthly ‘contributions’ from the horse handlers.”

“From what I can tell, he wasn’t taking much.”

“How did you know…? Regardless, you’re correct. He collected around fifty talers monthly from each person. It became so natural over time that it was treated like a membership fee. And one officer who pointed out this practice…”

“….”

“…I had no idea. In fact, I once thought he gave up his promotion as a colonel because of me.”

Suddenly raising her voice while quietly muttering to herself, Victoria clenched her fists and her expression twisted with anguish. Perhaps she was reproaching herself for not uncovering the corruption of her maternal relatives earlier. Though such details were hard to catch, I didn’t offer hollow comfort.

A brief silence followed.

Meanwhile, the stakes were completed, and the crowd filled the square.

This meant the execution was imminent.

Only then did Princess Victoria slowly turn to me, her eyes welling up.

“After today, I will be remembered as a Princess who executed one of her uncles and two maternal uncles. It doesn’t stop there. All four titles held by the Wolphall family will be stripped, and those who escape execution will live out their days in labor camps making ship ropes.”

“Your Highness…”

“To be honest, I fear how others will look at me. Who would willingly approach someone who entrapped their maternal family to purge them?”

“….”

“Now, I have no one left.”

At this point, a single tear rolled down Princess Victoria’s cheek.

It was normal to be afraid.

After all, cutting ties with her mother’s family was no small feat, and approaching Victoria after she had done so herself wouldn’t be easy. Perhaps, she’d even be treated as more repulsive than Siena. Unlike Siena, who had at least business acumen, Victoria didn’t even give pocket money to her subordinates.

While offering comfort might be proper etiquette, I wasn’t sure how to approach it.

At this moment, Victoria stepped closer to me.

Less than an arm’s length away.

A subtle citrus fragrance lingered in the air. Though she seemed to notice how close we were, she didn’t step back.

“Sir Alan.”

“Speak your command.”

“I originally intended to apologize to you. …It seemed the right course of action. I’ve done a wretched thing involving you this time. Of course, I know you don’t care about gossip, but I still felt apologetic.”

“….”

“But I’ve decided not to apologize. …Not this time.”

This time?

A question arose, but Victoria quickly clarified.

“Because now, the only person I have left is you.”

At first glance, it didn’t make much sense. But understanding what Victoria truly wanted to express wasn’t difficult. The look in her eyes—no longer sharp but softened—stared at me so clearly that it almost made me uncomfortable.

Though the awkward moment passed quickly.

“Hey! They’re here!”

The Hayden brothers had arrived at the square on a prison cart.

Apparently, they’d been carted around the city like packages. Although they didn’t seem to have been pelted with eggs or such, both were wailing pitifully. It seemed witnessing the execution stakes forced them to confront their reality.

Victoria finally turned away from me and signaled to her adjutant.

The execution was carried out swiftly.

…

“Your Highness! Princess Victoria—!”

“Wait, wait! Not quite yet! Not saying I’m innocent, but I have a confession to make! I’ll confess everything remaining and face my crimes honorably, very honorably! But if I die like this, it’ll be bad for His Majesty too! So exile would be—honorable!”

All their desperate struggles were in vain as the brothers were bound to the stake.

The executioner ignited the flames immediately afterward.

“AAAAAHHHHH! Extinguish the fire!!!”

Contrary to their mournful cries, the flames roared ferociously.

Their feet were soon engulfed in thick smoke and fire.

The cries ceased only after a long while.

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