Reluctant Hero | Amaki Ren

Chapter 28 | His Call

"Your feelings shouldn't control you."

The execution was made to be done right after the Queen's final verdict. All witnesses and the citizens of Melromarc were allowed to watch the execution of the first princess and king consort, which leads to them gathering inside the arena that was used for the fight between Naofumi and Motoyasu.

Sakura and her party stood at the very back of the stands, the leader herself eagerly waiting for what is to come. The guillotines were already prepared in the middle of the arena. One for the king and one for Myne. Guards were around it, making sure that it is in perfect condition per the Queen's order.

The crowd was mixed in cheers and protests, each citizen having their own opinion on the matter itself. However, there is only one thing that grants permission as to what happens to the life of traitors.

The Queen is supreme, and what she says goes.

No one can stop her power.

"Sakura-sama, you look like you know something none of us do."

"I always know something you lot don't know." Was her quick reply to Haru. The latter couldn't help but chuckle at her response, shaking his head. He should have expected such an answer from her.

"Well, this is the Queen's decision. This is her way of setting justice straight, right?" He asks.

"Yeah," Sakura glances across the arena, right at the balcony where the Queen overlooks the execution. Melty stood beside her with hues filled with worry and mercy. Sakura couldn't blame her.

That is her family down there, facing the guillotine that determines whether or not their sins are repaid.

The King and Myne stood in front of their own guillotines, both still handcuffed and facing the Queen of Melromarc.

"Whatever happens will be Naofumi's will." Sakura glanced at her right, finding the Shield Hero and his party by the right side of the arena. "I need to respect that."

The wrongful acts done to her cannot be compared to the hardships that Naofumi went through himself. There is no reason for her to have a say in the execution when this was supposed to be an act of repentance to Naofumi himself. She happened to be entangled with it because there were crimes committed against her by the same perpetrators.

"The criminals will now be beheaded! Those who turn against the country and its people deserve death."

"She's forcing herself." Sakura concludes in her mind, reading the Queen's body language quite well. She leans forward, her good hand laying flat on the barricade in front of them.

One of the Queen's hands were reaching behind her, taking something that remains hidden from the crowd.

"Especially if they're royalty! We will prove it right here, right now." She said sternly.

"Yeah! Get them!"

"My daughter died because of you!"

"Give back my home and my family!"

There are many who agree to this execution, being driven by their emotions that are having trouble coping with their own losses. Those who have lost someone have the hardest time trying to accept reality, and their feelings are getting ahead of themselves that they wish to witness something as justifiable as a criminal's death to at least ease the pain in their hearts.

That is human nature.

When something gets taken away from them, they wish to take something away from another.