“As the person that disrespectfully called the goddess’ holy water a drug, I think this punishment is the most suitable for him,” I explained.

“Oh ho…”

“It’ll be a purification ritual since his entire body has been tainted by the demons,” I added.

“I think that’s a great idea, yes! If we execute him as is, the demon in his body could taint the energy within the castle. I think that’s good, yes! That’s the best way! As expected from Brother Lee Ki-Young,” Father Basel complimented me.

His reaction was great considering I said it without much thought. When I recalled the fact that one of the punishments the witches had suffered during the Middle Ages was having a rock tied to their ankles before they were thrown into the water, I thought it would be a similar punishment, but that didn’t seem like the case. I was sure they had their own methods since Father Basel looked happy.

‘Hm, not bad.’

Ito Sota’s case was different from Lee Seol-Ho. Even though Ito Sota had been cornered, no one knew what kind of trouble he would cause, so it was better to take care of him while we had the chance. Basically, there wasn’t a need to wait for an execution day or keep an eye on him because Father Basel was more impatient than me.

‘He saw and experienced it himself, after all...’

I could understand why he couldn’t wait any longer; he must have recalled the future he saw.

“Wh-What…”

Obviously, Ito Sota was really starting to panic and it was as if the scene where he glared and cursed at me just now didn’t actually happen. He was starting to understand what was going to happen to him.

‘Idiot.’

Even though he was influenced by the curse, he should have begged for forgiveness but instead, he was making a fuss and in some ways, he showed that his pride wasn’t doing him any good. His face turned pale when Father Basel yelled.

“Bring the bronze statue immediately!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Bring an empty bronze statue! It’ll be filled with holy water!” he ordered.

“We have received your order.”

His driving force was really fast. I wasn’t sure what he did in the past, but as the one who received the goddess’s revelation, I thought Father Basel had made the right decision. I thought he cared about maintaining his grace and dignity, but he had a fiery spirit and I wasn’t going to blame him for that. His nature helped me in a positive way, after all.

“Inquisitors, make that demon worshiper stand up,” Father Basel ordered.

“Yes, sir!”

“We’ll quickly proceed with the judgment; no, this isn’t even a judgment. Is it even worth asking the demon worshiper about their sins? This will be a simple execution,” he ruthlessly stated.

“Shit… shit!” Ito Sota started to curse once again.

“Even if you regret the sins you have committed, it’s already too late, demon worshiper. I want the holy knights to clean up this place,” he told them.

“Understood.”

“We need to make room before the statue arrives, so over there! Everyone here will observe the execution and become the goddess’s eyes and lips as they watch the execution of the wicked who had committed a crime and betrayed god.” Father Basel announced.

The more I watched him, the more I liked him. It was a coincidence that I chose Father Basel, but people like him who would do whatever it took to reach their goals had always been useful. If Father Basel moved up in rank, I would be able to wield absolute power since I was close to him.

‘I should treat him well...’

I thought that it would be good to give him a few more of those Sacred Wine.

Moments later, the court turned into an execution ground and what caught my attention the most was the large statue. It was a male statue with large wings and I knew exactly who it was. After all, to become close to the religious figures, I had to somewhat study theology.

‘Raquel.’

He was an angel and the right hand of the Benigoa goddess. I wasn’t sure whether dying inside a statue like that was a good thing or a bad thing, but the statue was beautiful and it was big enough to fit two men. I wasn’t sure what the statue was used for previously, but seeing how it had a door behind it, I assumed it was a torturing device. But it could have been used for storing things, but how it had been used before didn’t really matter to me. What was more important were the priests pouring holy water inside it and it was as if they had done this before because the way they poured the water made them look holy. Of course, it didn’t look that way for Ito Sota.

“Crazy… you’re all crazy! You savages! Cough…” Ito Sota yelled.

“...”

“Lady Marilyn! Lady Caitlyn! Cough! Are you just going to watch them do something crazy like this? Chief Justice James! An execution cough inside the holy court? Are you out of your mind? Kasugano Yuno! Are you betraying your country?!” he screamed.

“That’s nonsense. We’re not on Earth, Mr. Ito Sota. We’re the people of the empire affiliated with the Free City of Lindel and Celia and if you have committed a grave crime, you should be punished for it. This society is all about fairness and that includes punishments for the sins you have committed as well,” I explained.

“Lee Ki-Young, you… cough…”

“Why did you do it? Why did you collude with the demons?” I asked.

“It’s not true, I didn’t do it. You’re the one responsible for all of this…” he said.

“People might misunderstand what you’re saying, Mr. Ito Sota. You did this from the start and this is the result of the wrong choices you have made. You shouldn’t have betrayed the goddess,” I told him.

It was more like he shouldn’t have made me his enemy and I was sure that he understood what I meant.

“The Benigoa goddess doesn’t forgive sinners and only shows mercy to the followers that serve her,” I added.

“You… you!”

“She doesn’t forgive those that oppose her.”

“Cough… you…”

“You’ve come too far to repent, Mr Ito Sota. I won’t lie to you and say that you’ll go to a good place. Since you have committed a lot of sins, it’ll be impossible for you to go to heaven. I just hope that you won’t make bad choices in your next life,” I explained.

I quietly raised the corner of my lips. I was worried about the others looking at me, but I wanted to pay him back for what he had put me through in front of Kasugano Yuno’s room. I was sure that he never imagined he would land here the moment he tricked me.

“Pffft.”

Just like how he laughed, I laughed quietly. My heart broke at the sight of him being tied up, but this was the best ending for a villain. I guess Father Basel felt the same way too because he spoke solemnly.

“Cover his mouth so that he won’t be able to use that sly tongue of his.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You savages! Let go of me! I told you to let go!” Ito Sota shouted as he struggled.

Even though he was resisting, there wasn’t anything he could do and in the end, he looked around while being gagged. I was certain that he was cursing us, though.

“Mmm! Mmm!”

Obviously, Father Basel didn’t get swayed by him and he actually spoke quietly while expressing his anger.

“Verdict! Guild master Ito Sota of the Yamato Guild, the mastermind behind the Lindel terrorist attack has not only harmed the citizens of the Free City of Lindel, but he has also killed dozens of people to fulfill his greed. Not only that, but he even committed an outrageous crime within the castle and threatened to assassinate the Holy Empire’s guest. He’s a sinner for breaking the imperial pact to minimize conflict.” Father Basel declared.

“...”

“However…”

“...”

“The reasons stated earlier aren’t the reason for Ito Sota’s execution. The reason for his execution is his collusion with the demons, his plan to take over the Holy Empire, his distribution of illegal drugs within the Free City of Celia, and the terrible crimes of slave trade and organ trafficking. He has also insulted the Benigoa goddess’s holy water within the holy court and even betrayed the goddess with false testimonies.” Father Basel continued.

“...”

“He disobeyed the heresy inquisitor’s interrogation, which is proof that he’s a demon worshiper, so the sinner Ito Sota…”

“...”

“...Will be executed!” Father Basel ordered.

As soon as he was done talking, people started applauding because it was the right verdict.

Ito Sota was being moved to the statue while tied up and even though he was struggling, there was only so much he could do. He wriggled his body to prevent being placed in the statue, but in the end, he was pushed inside it.

“Mmm! Mmm!”

I heard splashing as the door closed. I heard him kicking the walls a few times, but soon enough, it started to get quiet. I wonder what he was thinking in there. Was he regretting what he had done or did he feel wronged? I decided not to think about it because I simply took revenge on him for trying to kill me—no more, no less.

Boom!

Even though I couldn’t watch until the end, this wasn’t such a bad ending.

Boom!

This was enough...

Boom!

‘He had been a pretty good villain though…’

I somewhat liked him.

Moments later, the banging sound from inside the statue disappeared and unlike his flashy life, his ending was pitiful.

After saying goodbye to the people around me, I started walking away.

Good job. Thank you for your hard work. Justice won. You would be blessed by the goddess. These were the types of conversations we had. A few prayed while others discussed Ito Sota’s evil deeds.

I guess Lee Ji-Hye and Cha Hee-Ra had work to take care of. Since today wasn’t our last day, I could always talk to them next time. When I lightly grabbed Jung Ha-Yan’s hand and exited the chaotic place, I heard a voice beside me. I was surprised to see the person who spoke, but their news was good news for me.

“I heard the castle is going to give you a griffon.”

“Is that so? That’s good news,” I said.

“That’s right, young man. Not only that, but just as Father Basel explained, you’ll be receiving several rewards. You’ll be receiving tens of thousands of gold coins and items. The castle will provide your own room, give you access to all the luxuries here and they may even give you a title… It has basically been confirmed that the Vatican is going to give you a position,” Victor Hart explained.

“That’s great.”

“Are you happy? Actually, are you satisfied?” he asked.

“Of course. I’m sure it’s not bad news to you either, Mr. Victor Hart. Everything was taken care of before war broke out between Celia and Lindel.” I pointed out.

“War isn’t the problem. It’s the death of an innocent person…”

“Mr. Victor Hart. The members of the Yamato Guild aren’t innocent. Ito Sota is a criminal that committed a crime, insulted the goddess’ gift, and even worshiped demons. The members of the Yamato Guild are just like him because they are all serving him. Please be careful about what you say,” I told him.

“...”

“I’ll say this again, but if I yielded, then I wouldn’t be here right now,” I added when I noticed him getting silent.

“I completely understand what you’re saying and I’m sure there’s something I don’t know, but your method was too much,” he remarked.

“No, you don’t understand me, Mr. Victor Hart. If you think the opponent is the enemy, then you shouldn’t show mercy. Mercy is a feeling that the strong can have for the weak, not the other way around,” I explained.

“Who would consider you as a weakling? You’re not a weakling,” he said.

“That’s how I feel and I’m sure you’ll never understand me, Mr. Victor Hart.”

“I agree. I don’t think… I don’t think I can ever come to like you,” he confessed.

“But I’m sure we’ll get along,” I said with a smile.

I saw Victor Hart nodding ever so slowly. Overall, it wasn’t a bad reaction.

“How about it? Would you like to have a drink with me? I have a really great bottle of wine,” I offered.

“No thanks,” he declined.

“I’ll visit you soon,” I told him.

I watched as Victor Hart started walking away. I was worried that he was going to become hostile toward me, but it didn’t seem likely. I was a figure that even the emperor couldn’t throw away, so Victor Hart had no choice but to get along with me. But for some reason, the old man’s eyes made me feel frustrated…

“Ha-Yan,” I called out.

“Yes?”

“Want to drink wine together?” I asked.

“Y-Yes!” she answered excitedly.

I didn’t care about small things like that because today was a good day. When I looked back, I saw the statue sitting quietly in the same spot.

‘Thanks for everything, you bastard.’