In the most popular district of Ei'en laid the public execution platform. It was used as an example to execute criminals in the public view primarily to punish wrongdoers. For the most part people didn't dislike it, but occasionally nobility had a bad habit of using it unjustly for the most petty of crimes. It was public knowledge that this one was often used for the local district Baron's son to punish anyone who speaks out against his father or himself.

For over three years Soga MichiVasu had terroMeid the local populace since he was around sixteen even minor tax debt would at times be used to quell the populace into paying higher fees. This caused the district to become more and more of a slum with gangs going unpunished because they had the money to pay off MichiVasu.

Today was a bad day for MichiVasu. A pathetic little brat had thrown a rock at him after he had hung the boy’s mother for refusing to service him the night before. Now he had to dirty his hands and hang the little cockroach himself.

"Lord Soga, we retrieved the child!" a guard held up a squirming child by his collar.

"Good get him on the platform and make an announcement to the district that all present must attend immediately."

MichiVasu knew his father would likely not approve, but he had left for the frontlines years ago to aid in the warfront and MichiVasu didn't care much if his father didn't like his methods he was his own man! If he was ever going to rule as a noble properly he needed to express his authority to the citizens of Ei'en.

Today would be the last time people try to pull anything like this again in his district, because he would personally behead this child. It was only right. If one citizen gets away with throwing a rock at a noble, what is to stop all the citizens from rising up in revolt.

...

The arena games were fascinating and Mei was extremely pleased watching the various fighting styles on display. It also was nice to have a day where she could move by the end of it. This made Mei very much excited by it all.

Master Myong Yeo-jung had told her to wait in the public square while she went to buy some items she needed for her courtyard at the academy. Mei didn't mind though it was nice to get away from her for a bit as friendly as she was. It was a bit much for her. She couldn't fathom how her master was friends with this woman; they were polar opposites. However there were much more odd relationships in this world and Mei was sure she hadn’t seen the last of it.

After waiting for some time the crowd began to build up in the district square. Mei turned around to see something oddly familiar... A platform stood high above the ground with a hangman's noose. A chill went up her spine as she looked at the place that people went to die. It gave her an uncomfortable and odd feeling in the pit of her stomach and her throat tightened up seeing what was on display before her.

On the platform was a young child no older than eight years of age dried tears on his face as he stoically stood in front of the entire crowd. His body is dirty from living on the streets and his hair unwashed for a long period of time.

"Citizens of the Soga district!" A man with a wicked looking eye stood on the platform sword drawn "today you will learn that defiance is pointless in this district!"

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He pointed at the child "this child sought to harm me and usurp my rule. This cannot be tolerated so you will all watch as his head rolls!"

Several women in the crowd gasped quickly covering their children's eyes.

At that moment when he lifted his sword Mei's mind went blank and she bolted towards the platform dodging and weaving until she jumped on the platform kicking the man in the chest sending him staggering back. Taking out her katana daggers she cut the boys chains.

Turning towards the man "you will not touch him" she glared at the despicable man.

MichiVasu was furious "How dare you! I will have your head first!" he yelled loudly.

Mei was ready to defend herself even though she could feel his Ki was much higher than hers he charged her going much faster than her reflexes. At the last moment she was able to parry the mans one-handed longsword to the side. Retracting he did an overhead arc at her which she blocked again barely making it the impact of the blade caused her arms to go numb. Her fingers lost strength and she dropped her daggers.

MichiVasu looked down at the girl and her eyes were disgusted in his mind "foolish girl, you are not nearly powerful enough to stand up to me. I've been trained for years by some of the greatest teachers. Die for your insolence" he said cruelly his eyes had a wild look to his face.

As his blade came down Mei closed her eyes. Was this the end? This is how I die?

Mei waited as time seemed to slow down the blade was about to come crashing down on her head, but it never came. Only silence as the crowd held their collective breath.

Several gasps from the crowd came as she peered up to see what had happened. For the sting of death didn’t strike her.

To her shock a man wearing blue robes and wielding a katana had blocked the man's blade. He had long black hair that was held up in a golden metal cusp with a phoenix pin holding it together. The man who stood before her was easily the most beautiful man she had ever seen in her lifetime. He couldn't be much older than her own master based on his looks for his face was extremely handsome with a single scar on his cheek that didn't subtract from his beauty instead gave him a mature look about him. Despite her being saved by him she had a weird feeling that she somehow knew him and ought to stay far away from him, but she couldn't help but feel grateful in that moment ignoring her instinctual reaction to get away from him.

At that moment even her executor was stunned; he held his blade up in the position that it was parrying his eyes wide with both shock and freight. With little hesitation the man who had just saved her grabbed the other man by his throat with his free hand and lifted him out a look of pure hostility on his face.

"Soga MichiVasu" he pronounced each syllable distinctly "for what reason do you believe that executing an eight year old and the person who tried to stop you is appropriate of nobility?"

"Lor---d Ryohei" he choked out "please... rel--ease me!" he begged.

"Are you telling me what to do? The crown prince?" his glare intensified.

"Lord Ryohei" one of his guards spoke up at that moment "even if you cannot kill someone of the nobility without a trial please consider your actions milord or risk the wrath of your father."

Ryohei's head cooled off and he turned to the young women who he had been following since the arena "rise up young child. Tell me your name." he said as he released MichiVasu who fell to all fours trying to catch his breath.

"Seito Mei milord" she bowed lowly, not looking him in the eye.

Ryohei nodded "you did the appropriate thing today young woman. I will reward you later, please return to your master and I will contact you after I deal with this mess."

Mei nodded quickly, backing away running towards where her master's friend had left her. Not looking back, her only desire was to get away from the whole situation as fast as possible. She still had no idea why she chose to jump in and stop that man, but she couldn't remember even going into action.