Chapter 147 – Liberty and Equality
The day of execution had finally dawned.
Originally, it was Sunday, so it would be normal to still be in bed, but since I had to attend the execution ceremony, I got up early in the morning, washed up, and prepared to go out.
The execution ceremony is held at 12:00 PM.
I.E. Noon.
The execution ceremony held in the southern plaza was open to all citizens of Oz, regardless of social status.
And, if the beautiful girl mask is a real hero, it will appear here.
In fact, if it didn’t show up, it didn’t matter as it was.
It’s true that the Resistance is a cancerous entity in Oz anyway, so I had to set an example.
It’s not for nothing that there is a saying that it is a one-time punishment.
After having a little more hearty breakfast than usual, we all left the house together.
Originally, only Ozuma and I would have gone, but today we had to capture the beautiful girl mask no matter what, so we decided to borrow the help of Vanessa and Dorothea.
The southern plaza was not too far from our house, so we walked instead of taking a carriage.
Perhaps because it had already been extensively advertised through newspapers, many people were heading to the southern plaza from early morning.
From a modern point of view, executions may feel barbaric, but in a less entertainment world, they are treated as just another show.
It was not for nothing that a building like the Colosseum was built during the Roman era.
Many philosophers emphasized the importance of morality, but many still liked bloodshed and violence.
Covering our faces with hats and robes, we walked for about 20 minutes until we arrived at the south plaza where the scaffold was located.
***
In the past, most executions were by hanging.
Those who had some money were poisoned or beheaded for the least amount of pain, while those who committed the most terrible crimes were burned at the stake.
In other words, the form of death also changed according to the person’s status and wealth.
However, with the development of the guillotine a hundred years ago, everyone’s death became equal.
“Waaaaa! Kill the traitors!”
“Ah! Please, my son! He’s a good boy!”
“Go away from the dictatorship! Go away!”
The square in front of the south was filled with people who came to watch the execution.
In a chaotic atmosphere, people were unable to move forward because of the barricades made by the police around the scaffold.
And dozens of members of the Resistance, who were scheduled to be executed today, knelt in front of him with masks pulled over their faces.
We mingled with the crowd and watched the scene, and we had a small conversation.
‘There are more people than I thought?’
‘It means that that many people have been captured this time. Even among the resistance, I only picked the bad guys, and that’s about it.’
‘Surely that number has gathered.’
‘It can’t be helped because I left it on purpose to prevent the pro-maf faction from gaining power.’
The time on the clock tower was pointing to 11:30.
It was about 30 minutes until the execution ceremony.
Knowing we couldn’t delay any longer, we entered the plaza out of sight.
When I and Ozma, who can be said to be the top of the government-general, appear in public, the audience reacts even more enthusiastically.
Well, I expected this kind of reaction to come out.
After exchanging greetings with several distinguished guests who came to observe the execution, we sat down on chairs on the podium.
The hour of execution is slowly approaching.
However, the beautiful girl mask still did not appear.
As the number of people watching increases, the burden on the police guarding the area increases.
Nearly thousands of people had already been put in, but seeing the crowds gathering, I felt that even that number would be insufficient.
It won’t matter much since we’re the ones who’ll catch the pretty girl mask anyway.
Before long-
“From now on, we will hold the ceremony.”
Phut! Papapapang!
At the same time as 12:00, fireworks sounded from all sides, and the resistance execution ceremony began.
***
It’s an execution ceremony, but you might say it’s a grandiose event, but this is also a kind of publicity.
It was to show off the power of the Government General and to show that this is what happens when you rebel against us, so it was carried out as splendidly as possible.
The governor, Ozma, had an expression of disapproval of the festive atmosphere, but I was the same.
In the first place, making a show about killing people, it would be strange to accept it pleasantly.
While chatting with the guests who participated in the execution ceremony, we watched as the black flag symbolizing the Demon Alliance (Demon Alliance) was raised on the flagpole.
A large black flag waving in the wind.
It was a time when everyone gathered in the plaza was focused on the flagpole.
“Uh?”
Someone exclaimed.
That would also be the case, because a small shadow was standing on the flagpole where no one had been before.
Until now, the phantom thief and beautiful girl mask, which no one had ever witnessed properly because they had been active only at late night, had revealed themselves to the public.
“It’s a beautiful girl mask! A beautiful girl mask has appeared!”
When someone shouted that name, the beautiful girl mask jumped off the pedestal.
“Hot!”
The saber in her hand splits the flag of the Demon Alliance in half.
Everyone could not keep their mouths shut at the tragedy that unfolded in an instant in front of their eyes.
Before long, she landed lightly with a gesture like a butterfly, and spoke in a quiet but clear voice that everyone could hear.
“Governor Ozma Zoroaster! And Chief Treasurer Patlash! Stop the execution ceremony because I came as you requested!”
Then the crowd fell silent.
To be honest, most of the people here didn’t really think that a pretty girl mask would appear.
Because it was obvious that it would be a dog death.
But she just showed up.
I applauded in a heated atmosphere.
Match! Match! Match! Match!
Then, he got up from the VIP seat and slowly walked forward to face the beautiful girl mask.
Because the distance was far, the voices couldn’t reach me, so I used magic to communicate.
“I’ll see you in three days. A beautiful girl mask.”
Then, the beautiful girl mask responded to the conversation with a stiff expression.
“It’s papillon noir.”
To be honest, I thought it was okay now that it was something like a title, but I decided to respect her who really appeared in this place that was no different from her limbs.
“Yes, Papillon Noir. Do you know why I brought you here?”
“…Isn’t it because you hold a grudge against me for breaking into your mansion?”
I shook my head.
“You failed anyway. And I’m not going to widen the game so much just to get revenge for that much.”
I said that and pointed at her.
“I know your secret.”
“!”
Then, she wears a beautiful girl mask with a visibly embarrassed expression.
I would have thought that I had completely concealed my identity, but I couldn’t fool my eyes.
However, as if thinking that this could be a fake, the beautiful girl mask asked with a calm smile.
“If it’s a secret, what are you talking about? I know you and I are only seeing each other for the second time.”
“Freelance newspaper reporter, Linda Kent. Is this your undercover identity? I remember seeing your hair a long time ago, so I personally looked it up and the data came out right away.”
“…You seem to really know.”
“Because my eyes are already all over Oz.”
As I said that, I tapped her on the corner of her eye, and she bit her lip in resentment and said,
“Anyway, since I’m here, stop this execution. Isn’t that what you want?”
“You’re not wrong. But you don’t seem to have any intention of surrendering?”
“Because it would be better to catch two rabbits.”
Saying that, the beautiful girl mask pulled out another sword from her waist.
Is it a dual flow?
It was a fighting style that reminded me of the old Ozma.
Perhaps using magical armaments, a blue stream of water rippled through her body.
In line with that, I also activated Whirlwind Dokol.
A green whirlwind wrapped around your hands and feet.
Ozma, who was behind, asked.
“Can I help you?”
“It’s okay now. Watch moderately and help me if it seems dangerous.”
“I get it.”
As Ozma said that, he gave her eyes of trust.
I jumped off the podium to live up to that expectation.
Thud!
The death row inmates are hurriedly moved by the police, perhaps thinking that the atmosphere is unusual.
Kamen and I smiled as we slowly walked towards each other.
Somehow, it felt like I had met my lifelong rival.
Kooooo──
When I used arcane breathing, the virtual magic pathway inside my body began to run furiously.
As if the other side had completed their preparations for battle as well, unusual magical energy was flowing from their entire bodies.
‘Is it a revenge match?’
Last time it was over, but this time we will compete to see who is stronger.
“Goes.”
The moment I said that, we rushed at each other without saying who came first.
