"Look…! He's the mastermind behind all your suffering…!"
My shout boomed, drawing the attention of the people in the northern region of the Vermillion Territory.
They stared angrily at Arod, who was kneeling on the stage with his hands and neck shackled.
"The river should have flowed again, giving you hope throughout the Vermillion Territory, but why not in the northern region? Because this bastard built a new embankment blocking the river's flow! I've destroyed everything with my magic, and the river's flow is back to normal! Including the Rune Knights who have tormented you for years!"
"Ooohh…!"
The crowd immediately cheered enthusiastically, some filled with gratitude and emotion, thanking me for my heroic arrival.
"I know Arod has represented you all these years… but he abused his position! He's been cruel and unfair to you all!" I shouted, making the people in front of the stage shout even more passionately.
"Just kill Arod! He's been slandering us for years if we resist!"
"Behead Arod and his Rune Knights! My friend was killed simply for questioning the source of the water!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Arod stared in disbelief at the brutality of the people who were publicly proclaiming their desire for his horrific death.
His face paled as he realized the tall, muscular, and powerful Rhaevor was beside him, preparing to execute him.
On the one hand, I was actually surprised by the reaction of those who wanted Arod dead.
Perhaps in my world, such barbaric reactions would be extremely rare, perhaps even non-existent.
But this was a different world, where magic and power were everything.
It was only natural for them to want Arod chained to death.
And strangely, I was pleased with this outcome.
A bastard like Arod deserved such a horrific end!
"Baron Atreus…it seems the people can't wait for Arod's execution…" whispered Leysha beside me.
"Heheheh… are you impatient too, Leysha?" I asked curiously.
"Mmm… yes, Baron. To be honest, Arod has been completely reckless and cruel since the death of the Vermillion family."
"Did you hear that, Arod? Everyone is waiting for your death!" I said mockingly.
"B-B-Baron Atreus…! Please spare me…! It's fine if you want to banish me from the northern region, or even from any region in Vermillion territory. But please don't kill me like this…!" Arod pleaded, whining and crying.
Oh my, I was even surprised to see the once-arrogant and cocky Arod now begging like a child.
"Arod…just so you know, I am the supreme leader of the Vermillion territories, including this northern region. As a good leader, I must listen to the voices of my people because this is for the common good…and you know…they all want you dead…"
"B-BARON Atreus…! I BEG YOU…! WITH ALL MY HUMILITY…! DON'T KILL ME…!"
"Give my regards to the Baron and Baronesse whom you have conspired to destroy Vermillion from the depths of hell, Arod."
"BARON Atreus! I-"
SLASH!
One slash of the greataxe was more than enough to end Arod's terrified screams.
Arod's head was already severed from his body by Rhaevor's slash.
Even the people who had initially called for Arod's death immediately screamed in satisfaction and applauded his death.
For me, who has lived for so long in modern times, this kind of execution is certainly primitive and uncivilized.
But what the heck civilized put a role in this harsh world anyway?
Ever since my ex-wife and daughter left me because I wasn't rich enough for the man they chose, I've realized that this world is truly only for the strong.
And I won't repeat the same mistake in this new world.
Either I get killed, or these bastards like Arod get killed.
Amidst the roar of cheers and applause from the crowd in front of the stage, I saw a silver necklace with a blue gemstone pendant fall.
I picked it up, and felt a mystical vibration that penetrated my very core.
"B-Baron Atreus... that blue gemstone pendant doesn't seem like an ordinary pendant. I usually see elite Rune Knights use them as keys to secret rooms," Leysha said.
"Ah, good, Leysha. With a clear clue like this, I can trace Arod's crimes. Come with me on this quest."
"Yes, Baron Atreus!"
*
That night, Leysha and I used Arod's blue gemstone pendant to trace the path to the secret room.
Based on the trail we had identified together, the two of us arrived at a house located at the northern end of a residential area.
Initially, when we entered, nothing seemed suspicious.
Every room in the house was empty.
It looked like a normal civilian's house.
But when the blue gemstone pendant pointed to a specific wall to the north, we learned that the wall led to a secret chamber hidden in the basement.
"Ooh…! What is this room…?!"
Leysha gaped in disbelief, gazing at the grandeur of the secret chamber, filled with gold, silver, and even the Rune Knights' weapons, which were quite difficult and expensive to acquire.
In the center of the magnificent room was a luxurious bed worthy of a king, accompanied by several high-quality wines stored on the shelves next to it.
"Where did all this gold come from? Did Arod manage to find a gold mine around here?"
I almost laughed at Leysha's guess.
"B-Baron… why you're laughing? Am I wrong?" Leysha asked nervously.
"It's okay, Leysha. Sometimes, I like your innocence," I replied, still chuckling.
I picked up some letters neatly tucked away on the dresser shelf.
After a quick glance, I realized they were proof of Arod's betrayal of Vermillion.
I could even clearly see one of the letters signed directly by Baroness Cecile Thornvale.
"That gold is a payment from a Baron and Baroness outside of Vermillion territory. He needs it to build his own army, or rather, his own kingdom within the Vermillion Kingdom. What a asshole," I said, showing some of the letters to Leysha, leaving her speechless in shock.
From there, I glanced at the gold and silver, which I would undoubtedly plunder as Vermillion family treasure.
I definitely need that gold and silver later to build my army.
But what caught my attention was a knife with a blue gem at the end of its hilt.
"Baron Atreus... that's the anti-magic knife Arod once used. It's renowned among elite Rune Knights," Leysha said.
This anti-magic knife is indeed powerful enough to suppress a wizard's elemental magic, though it doesn't seal Spirit Element.
However, this anti-magic knife can only be used once for sealing magic.
Beyond that, it can be used offensively and defensively, breaking through magic shields.
I grabbed the knife as my secret weapon, and suddenly, my heart started pounding.
It was as if something had possessed me. The anti-magic knife, the blue gemstone pendant, even the intoxicating scent of the room, everything was permeating my being.
"B-Baron Atreus...! Are you alright...?!"
Leysha came to me, holding me as I knelt.
In my vision, Leysha was blurry, but I saw the faint outline of Rhaevor behind her.
I caught my breath and then took a closer look at Rhaevor, now visible as a faint reddish magical line etched across Leysha's body.
All the lines converged toward a single point; Leysha's pussy.
A flash of Baron Atreus's memory came back to me, hinting at the connection between Elite Rune Knight weapons and the enhancement of Wizard abilities.
It was an interesting and unexpected combination, but at least now I understood that even Wizards need Rune Knight weapons for their development.
"Leysha…there's a call for the Spirit Master…" I said with a chuckle, as if savoring the sudden pain that struck me.
"Spirit Master? Is this about Rhaevor? Baron Atreus…haven't you already mastered Rhaevor inside me? What else is missing?" Leysha asked, her voice filled with worry.
I didn't answer the question immediately.
My hand moved faster to grab her chin.
And my lips attacked hers even faster.
Our tongues collided so aggressively and wildly, that a shocked Leysha couldn't move as I continued to push her down until she was sprawled on the bed.
I paused for a moment, our breaths mingling, our eyes locked.
"Ah…Baron Atreus…"
"Take off your clothes now, Leysha. Tonight, the ritual will begin."