Chapter 41 - Episode 12: An Execution Platform is Practically a Soapbox, You Know
Gokigenyou! I am Violia Nico Fortesia!
I am currently in a prison cell! And to buy time until my execution this morning, I have just finished stuffing bread into the lock of my cell door!
With this, it will be quite difficult to take me out of the cell and lead me to the public execution platform in the central plaza! You lot can just do your best to pick out the bread stuck in the keyhole! Ohohoho!
Yes.
And so, here I am. I am watching the soldiers desperately trying to pick out the bread I jammed into the lock.
It was their misfortune that the lock had such a complex and delicate shape.
If you cram soft bread in there and let it sit overnight, the bread that entered the fine crevices of the keyhole hardens, rendering the keyhole completely useless.
Honestly, this is what happens when you insist on being overly fancy! If you had used a simple lock, I would have just picked it and escaped!
...Yes. Well, watching the soldiers poke at a keyhole is a most delightful sight, but unfortunately, this is not a fundamental solution.
In the end, it is merely a stalling tactic, or perhaps a way to cause a bit of a stir among the soldiers... Ultimately, I am waiting for Doran and the others to make their move.
But I do not believe this is meaningless! I am certain that this stalling and harassment will prove useful! I believe it!
...And so, after three hours of the soldiers' futile efforts, the bread was finally removed from the keyhole.
No, really, I just did it on a whim, you know? Bread in a keyhole. But for a whim, it certainly ate up a lot of time... The cost-benefit ratio was superb.
"Now then. With this, we can finally execute you. Are you prepared?"
"No... honestly, after watching you all struggle to pick out bread, I'm not really in the mood for 'preparedness' or anything of the sort..."
"Stop making a mockery of us! You've caused us unnecessary trouble!"
The soldiers finally unlocked the cell and led me outside.
...In the end, Doran and the others didn't come. All that's left is for something to happen before I ascend the execution platform...
"Now, walk!"
Uuugh, I wonder if they'll really make it in time...
Leaving the basement, I entered a world of blinding light.
Passing through the Great Hall of the royal castle, through the castle gates.
...And finally, I was led to the plaza in front of the castle, where the execution platform had been prepared.
The cheers of the masses rise up. I'll kill every single one of you bastards who are cheering right now, dammit all.
"Silence! ...We shall now carry out the public execution of Violia Nico Fortesia!"
The crowd waits quietly for my death, though their excitement remains. All of their gazes are fixed upon me.
With my hands and feet in shackles, I climb the scaffold. To respond to their stares, I walk tall and straight as 'the one who will continue to plunge this country into the depths of chaos.'
The scaffold seems to be a makeshift construction. It looks like it was cobbled together from timber. However, it should have no problem supporting me and the executioner.
Once I climbed up, the scaffold was unexpectedly high. From here, I can be seen clearly from all over the plaza.
"Violia Nico Fortesia plotted to assassinate His Highness, Prince Dactor Fila Orchesta! Furthermore, she escaped from prison accompanied by numerous heinous criminals! She is the mastermind who plunged this country into terror!"
That's practically a compliment... I continue to bask in the gazes of the crowd atop the scaffold, feeling as though I am being praised.
"And this villainess, rare even in history, is the culprit behind the mass murder of nobles in Elsemarin!"
I did deny it, but they really want to pin that on me too, don't they? Well, I suppose it's better for the country's reputation to consider the matter settled here.
"Based on the above charges, there is no room for leniency! Violia Nico Fortesia, the woman who sold her soul to the devil, shall be executed!"
A roar of cheers rises from the crowd. If the situation were different, it might have felt pleasant.
...Well, very well.
No matter the situation, I am the one standing before the masses now. I am the one stirring them up.
In that case, it shouldn't matter if I take control of this place, right?
"Silence!"
Since they went quiet just because a soldier said 'Silence!', I thought they might actually listen if I tried it, and they really did fall silent. These commoners are quite well-trained, aren't they?
"I am Violia Nico Fortesia! Everyone, listen to my words!"
As I raised my voice resonantly, the crowd stirred, but they did not make unnecessary noise. The colors of confusion and fear were strong.
...Public executions are something the masses can watch with peace of mind precisely because a great criminal is being killed without resistance. If that criminal were to direct words toward them... that must be something entirely beyond their expectations. They thought they were watching as bystanders, only to be made parties to the event. That is how they must feel.
"I never plotted to assassinate the Prince! Everything was orchestrated by the Royal Family and a portion of the nobility!"
"Hey, you, what are you—"
A soldier placed a hand on my shoulder, trying to stop me in a panic. But I will not stop.
"This country's finances are on a steady decline! That is due to the extravagant indulgence of the Royal Family and certain nobles! The taxes taken from you are being used for the luxury of the Royal Family and the nobility! And when even that is not enough, the Royal Family frames innocent nobles, kills them, seizes their wealth, and continues their indulgence!"
When I said something that sounded plausible, the crowd was completely transfixed by me. Feel free to pay as much attention as you like.
"People! Have doubts! Who is it that truly threatens your lives! It is not I, nor is it the various prisoners! Yes! None other than... the pinnacle of this country! The Royal Family is your true enemy!"
"What are you doing! Execute her at once!"
Snapping back to his senses at the King's voice, the soldier finally leveled the executioner's sword.
"I shall have my revenge on this rotten Royal Family! And on the foolish nobles who framed me! For that purpose, I would gladly give a soul or two to the devil! Do you understand!? Everyone, remember this!"
Looking down at the silenced plaza, and seeing the light reflect brilliantly off the sword about to be swung down in the corner of my vision... I uttered my final words.
"The Royal Family and the rotten nobles! I'll kill you all!"
At that moment.
A flash of lightning struck the sword that was about to be swung down at me and exploded.
The sharp, brilliant lightning charred the soldier to death.
The plaza stirred. The King was speechless. But what those fools focused on... was not the culprit, but me to the very end.
...And so.
The ground beneath me lurched... and amidst numerous screams, the sound of timber splintering echoed...
...The execution platform collapsed!
The scaffold fell. The soldiers were caught in it and tumbled down. And as the platform crumbled, it mercilessly engulfed the soldiers who were stationed nearby to protect the King.
The masses screamed and fled, every man for himself. Because of that, it seemed difficult for the soldiers to move.
In the midst of that, I kicked off the collapsing scaffold, leaped, and landed nearby. I can manage at least this much even with shackles on!
...Then, landing beside a particularly burly soldier who was right next to the scaffold, he quickly scooped me up in his arms and started running.
"The criminal is escaping!"
"Pursue her!"
There were soldiers who tried to give chase, but several bolts of lightning struck there, blocking their path.
...Furthermore, an exceptionally large bolt of lightning struck the remains of the scaffold, and it instantly burst into flames. Perhaps oil had been planted; the roaring fire of the scaffold served as an ample distraction for the soldiers.
Now then.
"Well then, everyone, Gokigenyou!"
With this, I shall take my leave!