Chapter 50

The vast capital square was set up with a temporary public trial arena.

The nobles brought here were all treated the same, regardless of their titles.

Whether they were dukes or barons, they were dragged out of the transport carriages like dogs and stood in the defendant’s seat.

No explanation was given as to where they were or why they were here.

Without any chance to understand the situation, the trial began—thoroughly unfair, with no possibility of innocence.

“Now, everyone! Let’s begin today’s fifth trial!”

Once the guards restrained the criminals to prevent escape, the lawyer stood up and drew the audience’s attention.

This was a man particularly obsessed with beheading high-ranking figures from Lady Arshah’s faction.

A top-tier elite intellectual with a flashy resume and a lawyer’s license.

Carlos had chosen him because he wanted someone who would enthusiastically cooperate and participate in this staged farce.

As expected, even without being paid, he energetically proceeded with the trial from the morning.

“The defendants this time are Count Horn, Count Grunwald, Count Arshah, and so on, totaling five! Though fewer in number than before, they all hold titles!”

The lawyer lightly called out their names to set the mood, then moved through the audience, listing each of their crimes one by one.

He spared no effort in using his usual courtroom rhetoric and eloquence, which he had once used to advocate for his clients’ interests.

“First, this blonde old man here! Despite being 60 years old, he used his title as a count to take young women as concubines as a hobby! He didn’t even participate in the war, just lived off the money sent from his territory!

Using the difficult war situation as an excuse, he imposed absurd taxes one after another, burdening his people with a tax rate of almost 80%!”

“Next is this fat-bellied lord with his useless potbelly! His hobby is gourmet food, so he spared no expense in collecting rare ingredients from all over the country!

Premium beef, truffles, lobsters, and more! Of course, the cost of acquiring these was entirely borne by the people of his territory! He even squandered the support funds sent by the central government to prepare the military, all to satisfy his gluttony!”

“Then there’s this gloomy-looking count with a gaunt face! This man embezzled a large amount of public funds!! He skimmed 30% of the budget for the Great Plains’ waterway maintenance and road construction projects—”

There was no prosecutor to rebut the lawyer’s words, nor any defense lawyer for the defendants.

From start to finish, it was all his one-sided speech and criticism.

Whether he distorted evidence, exaggerated, or downplayed facts, it was all up to him.

He could thoroughly demonize people and cut them down like bugs.

Well… their average personalities were so wretched that he didn’t even need to fabricate much—there was plenty to criticize.

“Ugh, those bastards deserve to be torn to pieces!”

“To think I’ve lived 40 years being exploited by such scum…”

“Some have been starving for so long they’ve forgotten what chicken tastes like!”

Considering the average knowledge level of the public, the lawyer used simple words to explain, and the people quickly got excited.

They were enraged and disgusted by the endless stream of fresh atrocities committed by the nobles.

The seeds spread by Karolus’s propaganda sprouted here, fueling the atmosphere like kindling.

With each introduction, curses flew, and primal hatred ran rampant.

The intensity grew gradually, reaching its peak by the fifth and final defendant.

The trial arena was like a concert hall awaiting the highlight song, filled with heat and anticipation.

After finishing a long speech and catching his breath, the lawyer finally brought out the main event.

“Now, let’s proceed to the verdict! Please loudly call out the punishment you think is appropriate for each criminal!”

The alpha and omega of the people’s trial.

Decision-making by the general public.

Finally, as the baton was passed, the audience became one and shouted with all their might.

“Execution! Execution! Execution! Execution!”

“Tear them to pieces! Rip their limbs apart and burn them with fire!!”

“No, that’s not enough! Skin them alive and sprinkle salt on them! Tie them to a carriage and drag them around the fortress walls!!”

“Whoa, everyone, calm down! If you shout so urgently, we won’t be able to understand!”

The lawyer, with a smooth smile, asked as if confirming something he already knew.

“Can I take it that everyone here agrees to execute the criminals?”

“Yes!”

“It’s a waste of rice to keep them alive!”

Traditionally, communist people’s trials would have several frontmen and party members placed among the crowd.

The reason was simple: the more people you had prepped, the easier it was to steer public opinion. A lot of groundwork was needed to get the desired outcome.

But here, there was no need for that. Even without preparation, they shouted for execution.

The karma accumulated over generations by the kingdom’s nobles, the lawyer’s skillful handling, and Karolus’s concentrated propaganda over the past few days.

The foundation for unleashing resentment without hesitation was already well laid.

“Good! Then, finally, let’s give the criminals a choice!”

Turning his head, the lawyer looked at the criminals and spoke.

“We’ll give you the right to choose your own end. Which do you prefer: stone, sword, or water?”

“Stone, sword, water…?”

“What does that mean?”

“You’ll find out soon. Just choose.”

Confused by the cryptic instruction, the nobles obediently followed along.

Two chose stone, two chose the sword.

And Count Arshah was the last to choose water.

“The choices are made. Now, let’s proceed with the execution!”

He clapped his hands. The guards then stepped forward and dragged the criminals from the defendant’s seat.

They were forced to kneel on the stone floor, and the punishment they were about to receive was announced.

“Stone means stoning! Count Horn and one other will be pelted with endless stones until they meet their end!”

“What?!”

“This is too cruel—ugh!!”

It was no use resisting. The guards had already surrounded them, ready to carry out the sentence.

With their pleas for mercy silenced, the two were dragged to the execution ground, where stones were piled high.

“Next is the sword! A traditional Eastern method! Count Grunwald and one other will have their flesh sliced off bit by bit, thinly shaved like sashimi!”

“Just tear my limbs off, you bastards! Is this a punishment for humans?!”

“What does it matter? You’re not human anyway.”

The lawyer stopped smiling and sneered in a mocking tone.

“Humans wouldn’t start a war, hide the cause for ten years, and exploit the people like tyrants.”

“…”

No rebuttal came. Before they could spout nonsense, gags were shoved into their mouths.

The two were dragged to a place where a blood-soaked execution block awaited.

“Finally, water! The most non-violent yet cruel death! From now on, Count Arshah will be boiled alive in a pot until he becomes stew!”

“P-please spare me! This isn’t right!”

Desperate, Count Arshah looked around and spotted a familiar face on the terrace of a nearby mansion, his face lighting up.

“Kamilla! That’s Kamilla, right?! Please save your father! You can’t let your own flesh and blood die like this!”

She was Lieutenant General Baden, Julius, the Finance Minister, and Karolus’s closest confidant and lover.

With just a little effort, saving one person on the spot would be nothing.

With that hope, he looked at her, and Kamilla raised her finger.

“…Huh?”

It was her middle finger.

* * * * *

“Ugh, that damn man. Finally, I get to see him die.”

Kamilla, leaning on my shoulder, muttered as she watched the execution. She had been looking forward to this moment since morning, feeling thoroughly relieved.

“Congratulations, my lady. No, should I call you Countess now?”

“Not yet. I still have to hold the succession ceremony soon.”

She smiled faintly and turned to look at the people behind us.

“Everyone, sit back and enjoy the show. Since you’ve survived, isn’t it better to savor your luck?”

“Ah, understood!”

“Of course! Hehe…”

The nobles who responded all wore servile expressions. They were the ones who had narrowly escaped the people’s trial.

Though we had talked about killing all the Blue Bloods, we didn’t actually do it. Talent was too precious.

Nobles made up a significant portion of the civil service, and if we wiped them all out, the administration would collapse.

Even if we excluded the incompetent, irreplaceable talents existed everywhere.

‘With the country still in a state of war, indiscriminate purges would disrupt military supplies.’

So we conducted strict selection.

We spared those whose crimes weren’t too severe and whose talents were valuable, removing them from the trial list. Of course, this included our faction members.

We could have left them alone, but we brought them here to set an example.

We had to show them clearly what happens if they don’t cooperate after being spared, to prevent any foolish ideas.

There were also those spared to be sent to the empire and others left to deal with the king later.

Quite a few exceptions were made. Still, about 70-80% of the noble families were being destroyed here.

“But since this morning, only men have been appearing, no women. Is there some reason?”

“Ah, the noblewomen are being tried separately.”

“Why?”

“Do you think nothing would happen if we put them in front of an excited crowd?”

By the way, female titleholders are being tried and dealt with in a quiet place. To maintain public order and prevent sexual crimes.

If we brought them here, crowd control would be impossible.

Before they could even be taken to the execution ground, the citizens would storm in and lynch them. They’d strip them, rape them, beat them, and do all sorts of horrible things.

After being thoroughly violated, being stoned to death would be a much cleaner end.

I have no desire to recreate Sodom and Gomorrah in Rahator.

Most noblewomen, aside from those with titles, spend their days socializing at salons. Most haven’t committed capital crimes.

“The trial is expected to end in four days. Let’s enjoy ourselves until then and return to the office. We have new preparations to make.”

“What are you referring to?”

“…Civil war.”

And once this enjoyable event is over.

It will be time for internal reorganization again.