He stared at the public standing before him, waiting for his rolling head on ground or—maybe a roasting skewers kind of scene.
He heard someone say that the citizens had gathered here since morning for this special execution. They were staring, pointing and talking like watching a play. Children sat on their fathers shoulders and swinging their legs.
An execution sells better when it feels like an entertainment.
It had been an hour standing, his hands bound behind his back, wrists raw and painful From chains. Special kind actually—meant to Stop him from not using his powers. He saw his sword kept on a stool near him, but couldn't reach it. The knight with red hair stood near stool was watching him like a hawk. Oh how he wanted strangle him.
Then the crier stepped forward holding a scroll, empire's flag drawn on it. Citizens bowed to show respect to royalty.
"By decree of his Imperial majesty," he announced, " Asset registration number 99 is hereby stripped of status and sentenced to death for treason against the empire."
Asset. A disposable property. That's what they wereto emperor. Not a hero. Not a warrior. A registered asset.
He lifted his head and glanced at priest who stood there like a statue, glaring at him. The white and golden robe swoosh behind his divine self as he stepped forward towards the prisoner and sighed before he spoke.
"Do you deny the charges?" Priest asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes."
The crier stiffened and a ripple went through the crowd. Most of them were afraid, some were happy and few of them were ready to protest.
Young priest closed his eyes and this time prisoner saw the real him— his best friend. Who used to talk about god and justice.
"I am asking again. Do you deny the charges?" He asked once more. This time he got closer and spoke quietly so that only the prisoner could hear him. " please, I am begging you, Caelan. Just say no, and I will ask for mercy in front of his majesty. I can't lose you. Please." His voice broke at the end.
"Then chose the right side Edrin. " Caelan said.
Edrin couldn't. Prisoner knew that. He wouldn't do that. His stupid loyalty towards emperor ruined him, yet he didn't realize what he was doing.
Priest poked Caelan's stomach with his index finger. He knew what Edrin was doing. He could feel divine power entering inside him.
This idiot. Caelan thought
He was making sure that his best friend wouldn't feel any pain. Then he stepped back.
Silence washed over the capital's square and then they all heard them—the other registered assets coming towards the execution place.
98 fake heros,disposable assets just like Caelan. The difference was— they accepted it and he didn't.
They stopped before him and bowed to Edrin, then looked at Caelan .
" We hope you will find the right path in afterlife. " they said simultaneously.
Whatever bullshit came out of their mouths didn't match their expressions. Their eyes looked hollow and broken.
He felt guilt.
He had shown them hope— hope of breaking these chains. They had chosen his side, fought beside him.
And now it was over.
The chains tightened further and making it harder to breathe. He could see the mark of strangulation on their necks.
They were sent here by him.
That fucking coward. He clenched his fist, digging nails in palm.
He remember the registration ceremony— how young he had been kneeling as they branded his name as Asset 99 in that ledger which was older than that bastard sitting on his throne.
The Citizens had cheered back then, not knowing that the hero ceremony was just a lie. It was much darker than that.
You belong to me. He'd said, just loud enough for his assets to hear.
Today, he didn't came. That coward.
Edrin stepped closer and this time he saw his friend's eyes well up. He didn't say anything. He didn't have to. Caelan understood everything.
"Remember that day when I told you that if died before you, I'd definitely become ghost and haunt you?" He chuckled at the silly memory.
"You better do that." Edrin quietly said and patted his head two times. His way of showing affection.
And then he felt it, his body burning.
He didn't feel pain thanks to Edrin.
His eyes darted to every face trying to memorize them. Seniors, who were holding their tears back and then he saw her—in the corner. That fierce lady. He forgot her name, though.
And with the thought of girl , he realized that he was dying virgin.
He felt so many emotions. So many thoughts crowded his head.
Memories of childhood. Of Edrin and him playing.
Regret over not eating one more chicken leg from his favorite restaurant.
Did he leave the stove on at home? Who knows. He might not like always.
His sweet neighbor who used to yell at him all the time. She wasn't that bad.
That shitty prince and princess. He definitely hoped they suffer and may thunder strike them, worms crawls into their clothes, rats chew up their hairs.
And the emperor—no.
He want to kill him. It should be him. Not someone else.
Then everything went black