Traditionally, an execution in Makelty would be carried out either in public, where the execution would become a public spectacle, or in private, where the execution would be done in a secluded execution site where the execution would be carried out away from the public eye.

The former was commonly done to those criminals whose crimes were too heinous such as murder or rape, and these executions were made public in order to remind the citizens the consequence of committing such crimes, as well as to gain their favor after bringing these criminals to justice.

As for the latter, this kind of execution was reserved to those whose death might lift them to martyrdom, like rebels or those who were beloved by the common folk. It was also to preserve their dignity by keeping the execution away from the public eye.

I chose to carry out Aura's execution in private, in an area where no common folk would see the execution being carried out. From what I had heard, Aura was beloved by the locals for being a good caretaker for their children and a healer who helped out the sick and helpless. Carrying out her execution in public might incite an uproar among the common folk, and the crown would be regarded in negative light.

Carried in a horse-drawn carrier, Aura was brought to the execution site, flanked by a squad of elite guards. As her executioner, I already arrived at the execution site ahead of her, checking the weather and wind. It was high noon, but I saw dark clouds coming our way. The sun would soon be covered by the clouds, casting shadows all over the area.

When the witch finally arrived, she came out of the carrier, shackled and chained. Still, she wore a peaceful expression, as if she had come to terms with her incoming execution.

The guards forcefully brought her to the side, and she let out a yelp when she was dragged by them. I had to avert my eyes when they did that, still seeing my own little sister in her.

"She's... so small..." One of my assistants, a black haired lad a year younger than me, Saul, muttered under his breath as he saw the witch being dragged to the chopping block. "I can't believe it... i-is she really a witch?"

"Do not falter, Saul..." Another one of my assistants, Hardin, chided Saul. A middle-aged man, face weathered by years of experience and hardship, he stoically watched the condemned being brought to the chopping block. "This is our duty. We do not question the will of the crown..."

As for me, I gathered my courage as I waited for Aura to arrive. When she was finally before me, I looked at the guard and asked, "Remove her bonds. She poses no harm to us anymore..."

"B-but-" the guard tried to argue against my order, but I gave him a fierce glare, silencing him.

"You dare to defy the order of the Crown's Justice?" I asked, projecting an aura of authority befitting my station.

"N-no, milord!" The guard shook his head before he took out the keys, fumbling a bit as he unlocked the shackles and chains that kept Aura restrained.

Once Aura was freed, she gingerly moved her hands. Standing in front of her, I held out my hand.

"Come, follow me..." I told her, and she nodded. She took my hand and followed me to the chopping block.

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The guards and my assistants watched at us wordlessly, speechless as they saw the witch voluntarily putting herself on the chopping block, even brushing aside her long white locks to unravel the back of her neck for me.

"I'm ready, sir Rodyle..." Aura said, already prepared herself for her imminent demise. I closed my eyes, gathering my courage to fulfill my duty. Opening my eyes, I pulled out my sword, already sharpened to the point where I could even cut through solid steel without chipping the blade.

"I'm sorry..." I spoke softly to Aura.

"Do your duty..." Aura replied, looking down as she waited for me to swing my blade onto her neck. "May your fortune shines brightly in the coming storm..."

Nodding, I stabbed the ground with the sword, giving her my last prayer.

"May your next life be more fortunate, where the sun shines brightly upon you and no one may anathemaze you for simply living..." I intoned. "Now..." I pulled out the sword. "Stay still. This will be quick and painless..."

"Just like falling asleep..." she whispered in response to that.

Heaving the sword up, I brought it down, and with a swift stroke, I carried out the deed, and her head fell off her shoulders as I beheaded her. My assistant immediately picked the severed head up, not daring to look at her face.

Her body shook the moment I cut off her head before she went still. Most of the time, the condemned would empty their bowels after being executed. But her dress remained pristine even after losing her head.

"Put her head in the sack, Saul..." I ordered, cleaning my sword with a cloth Hardin handed to me. Saul nodded before he put the head into the sack. It would be delivered to the castle to be put on a pike while her body would be placed in a morgue to be prepared for burial.

After that, both Saul and Hardin carried Aura's headless body away. I just watched them, feeling completely drained from this experience. Sighing, I prepared myself to head back to my home so I could sleep and forget this whole thing.

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It turned out that I couldn't sleep no matter how much I tried. It's still daytime outside, and yet it's already dark due to the dark clouds in the sky. I was certain that it would be raining soon.

Still bothered by the execution, I decided to visit the morgue to see them preparing for Aura's burial. Putting on a cloaked robe, I headed out of my home, heading over to the morgue.

When I arrived at the morgue, the guards stopped me, so I pulled down my hood to reveal my face. They immediately stepped aside, allowing me to step into the morgue.

Asking the head of the morgue, I found where her body was placed. She was put on a stone bed, fully naked with nothing to cover her body.

A small bundle of clothes was placed where her head should be. Excusing himself, the head of the morgue left me with the headless body of Aura.

"This is wrong..." I muttered, feeling my heart filled with remorse. "You shouldn't be here." I held her cold, unmoving hand.

I remained by her side for a while, hoping that her next life would be free of misfortune, where she could be happy and enjoy her life. If only there was something that I could have done, then-

I shook my head, pushing whatever dark thoughts away back from whence they came. It was useless to think about what ifs, now that she was dead. Sighing heavily, I let go of her hand before I turned around, ready to depart.

*sshhh*

I stopped when I heard something from behind. Turning around, I froze when I saw Aura's headless body sitting up, black smoke coming out of the stump of her neck. I was too shocked to say anything, and I was unable to do anything as something emerged from the stump.

First, there were bones. Her white skull materialized itself before muscles tissues started to form. And then, her flesh covered the entirety of her skull before her skin stretched all over her head, covering her flesh.

I could only stare in horror as her head gained its full shape. Her nose, lips and eyelids reformed themselves before her long white hair emerged, cascading over her shoulders.

When it finally ended, Aura was alive and no longer headless. She took a deep breath before she reopened her eyes, revealing those bright violet eyes.

And then, she looked at me, who was too stunned to even utter a word. Smiling, recently-resurrected Aura tilted her newly-regained head and spoke.

"Ah, we meet again, Sir Rodyle..."