“A plan more than a week in the making. ‘Inoshi will serve his purpose as the broken tool destined to give comfort to the people of Rintiya and our organization.’

Is what master said to me. How much I pleaded with her to look at what she’s doing, Inoshi, my dear Lifes, I’m so sorry.” Niya continued her story in between sobs.

“I don’t understand, Kiyoko wanted me to die for the citizens to have some peace of mind?

None of that makes any sense Niya! Even if I believed you, why would Ostel need to die?!”

“Will you really force me to say that? Shiawasu was a spot of light in your life of darkness and killing. Your will had to be broken.

Please Lifes, please don’t despise the master for her actions. Is what I would like to say, but looking at your face right now, the master’s suffering is none of your concern.”

My mind went numb, this information is too much to handle…

Esmoniya turned on her heels before telling me one more thing “You are scheduled to be executed in a few hours, it wouldn’t matter what information you give them about Slayer as this is a collaborative action with the king himself.

Worry not however, I have a plan to help you avoid execution.

Stay strong dearest. I have loved and always will love you…” The shaking voice trailed off at the end.

Her words went in one ear and through the other, I don’t care about torture or execution.

I was staring at the floor for a while now, trying to process everything.

Now that I think about it, it all made sense, Kiyoko made me into a legendary assassin and the best thief on the continent, nobody has ever seen my face. They only know my uniform number is 4. My stomach was turning.

All of this build up for the last 4 years has been in order to make me the perfect scapegoat, is Kiyoko doing to me what the people in the slums have done to her?

I heaved whatever was left in my body. To think I felt bad for her.

This bitch, this fucking piece of trash, this disgusting liar, THIS FUCKING LIAR!

***

At least 3 hours have passed since I was put into the punishment room.

The sound of footsteps and clanking armor was heard in the stairs, I guess it’s time to go.

“So this is the legendary Number 4 is it? Less impressive than I imagined.

Hey loser, you’re coming with us.” Huh? Are they soldiers? I guess they’ll take me to the execution.

“Pfft, there’s only hell waiting for the likes of him! ‘Legendary’ yeah right.”

The door to the small punishment room opened with a clicking sound and 2 men clad in metal plated shirts and swords tied to their hips walked in.

Those fucking pieces of shits, I can kill them both without my Seal yet they are so arrogant. I guess I’ll trust Niya, she said she can help me, let’s not complicate things anymore.

As we exited Home, Slayer’s main residence, I turned around one last time. I swear I will come back here and fucking kill you Kiyoko, piece of shit.

One of the soldiers kicked me in the back and yelled “Who do you think you are to stop like that, if we tell you to walk, you walk, fucking scum murderer!”

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Murderer… I guess that’s true, I am a murderer. However, I will kill at least 1 more person before forsaking this title.

We arrived at Silvermoon upper district soon enough. My feet were burning, my wrists, tied way too tightly with a rope were bleeding from the harsh pulling of the horse I was being dragged behind.

People on the street stopped and stared confusedly at my pathetic form before the soldiers started yelling “All of you who wish to learn the identity of this criminal, make sure to attend the king’s announcement in 2 hours time!

Spread the word, one of the continent’s most infamous criminals is to be handed a sentence today in public!”

***

For the last 2 hours I was on my knees with just a small piece of cloth to serve as an undergarment, getting beat up and whipped constantly.

The pain wasn’t much, Kiyoko’s training was much more brutal and painful.

Those guys are just having fun beating up a helpless person, how pathetic.

A rough punch to the stomach made me throw up and start coughing. My throat as well as my back were on fire.

No broken bones yet, I made sure to coat my bones with Sy to make sure I don’t break any. Those guys are just too weak.

“Tch, I wanted to have more fun with this murderer scum but the king is ready.” I looked up to meet the eyes of the young soldier, my hair fell over my eyes and blood dripped from the tips of it; it was hard to see the man’s face as my vision was blurry. He didn’t like my stare regardless.

“Who do you think you’re looking at, maggot?!” The man grabbed my hair and hit my face with his knee. Again I managed to protect my bones with Sy.

Those fucking retards don’t even understand how weak they are.

“Tch, still no reaction, crazy bastard. Hey Jason, bring the scum to the announcement platform.” The weak man said to his colleague.

I was roughly released from the binds that held my hands up and my knees tied to the floor, Jason, the younger-looking guard helped me get up to my feet.

“Fucking murderer, I hope your death isn’t painless” he whispered as he dragged me outside.

I was brought next to an important-looking old man. He was wearing a white coat made of expensive cloth,

“Behold my citizens! This beaten and broken man that you see before you, is a criminal! An infamous murderer and thief.”

The crowd murmured about my identity as the soldiers pulled my hands up and tied them to the pillars of wood on top of the platform.

The man I assumed to be king lifted up the black stone he’s been shouting into and kept talking “Not more than 1 week ago, this man had infiltrated into the academy city of Mil-Ansk!”

The murmurs and curious voices got louder.

“This filth! It was sent by a notoriously evil organization named ‘Slayer’ to take the life of my youngest son!” The king wiped some tears from his eyes.

“Luckily for me and tragically for my good friend, the baron of Shinville, this murderous abomination of a human being could not control his urges to kill.

This creature has struck down the noble child of Shin Villfer!”

*SNAP* The soldier behind hit me with his whip. The entire crowd started yelling insults and throwing things at me.

The humiliation was harder to bear than the stones that occasionally hit my face.

“It is, however, a great day for the kingdom of Rintiya!” The king continued “The Slayer organization is no longer going to be a threat to our peace! This announcement symbolizes the dawn of a new era!”

The king put down the black stone and proceeded to announce my sentence before he was cut off by a familiar, charismatic voice that came from behind me.

“Father, if I may, I have a suggestion for the punishment of this individual.” Leonardo, the third prince walked up to his father, our eyes met for a second but he averted his gaze.

“Leo, how insolent of you, get back to your seat this instant, you can’t just barge into the middle of father’s important announcement like that!” Another voice, probably another prince came from behind.

I could barely see from the corner of my eye but it seemed like the king lifted up one hand and the other prince quieted down.

The 3rd prince and the king started discussing.

Nobody could hear what they were talking about, but the answer soon came in the form of the king stepping back up to his booth and saying that Leonardo’s suggestion is quite the unavoidable one.

“We will now announce the punishment for this criminal, as proposed by my youngest son who was the target of Slayer’s vile plans!”

The king said something I couldn’t hear or see to the soldiers behind me and they walked up to the wood pillars next to me.

The soldiers raised their swords. I guess that’s how it ends… Life is just so unfair.

“Cut it!” The king yelled.

I closed my eyes and accepted my faith.