Chapter One-Hundred and Forty-Seven: Death to the tainted.
<strong>Somewhere in a different tutorial. . .</strong>
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ram uu crux encii! Rap! Rap!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh! Poor soul tainted by the foul magic of this new world! May the sun cleanse you!”
<span style="font-weight:400">A man stood over a kneeling woman, but she had the ears of a wolf, the tail of one as well. And in her arms she held another beastwoman, one with feline features, and bright orange hair.
<span style="font-weight:400">“<em><span style="font-weight:400">May the sun purge your evesting soul. Be blinded by that of the brilliant dawn! Giant’s Dawn!”</em><span style="font-weight:400"> the man chanted, holding his arms wide as a glowing orange magic circle formed in front of him.
<span style="font-weight:400">The pair of women shrieked in terror, both clinging to one another as they wept and screamed.
<span style="font-weight:400">The next moment a miniature sun formed from the magic circle instantly the heat in the surroundings spiked upward, singing and charing the area in a ze of red hot mes. The searing spared no one and nothing as the grass, trees, animals, and the woman were burnt to a crisp.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ah! My lord is good, my lord is great! He gives me sce and power to do what is needed to cleanse this world. I thank him every day for the passion he instills in me to walk my righteous path…” the man said, his face showing just how difficult he thought his actions were.
<span style="font-weight:400">“By his will!” the man shouted turning around his arms spread dramatically, his staff of pure gold in one hand. A ball of ss a brilliant yellow and orange me inside it in the other.
<span style="font-weight:400">“By his will! For the Emperor! For our Lord!” shouted the men kneeling in front of him.
<span style="font-weight:400">The man smiled down on his believers, nodding his head as a tear fell from his eye.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Bring the next abomination to be cleansed!” he shouted.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes! Right away my Emperor!” one of the devotees replied.
<span style="font-weight:400">Soon another Beastman appeared, this time a man looking to be in his early 20’s his hair blue and his furred bear-like ears streaks of silver on top of his head.
<span style="font-weight:400">The beastman roared and snarled at the man, even while constricted by the restraints around his arms and legs.
<span style="font-weight:400">He was forced to kneel despite his struggle, the devotees of the man overpowering him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Kneel beast! You are in front of the true leader of the Sun God’s Devotion!” one of the men sneered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Now now,” the leader said, his face soft and sincere, “We are here to help these filthy monsters. We are here to cleanse them of their tainted bodies and blood. In them being cleansed in fire, mes, and the brilliance of our God. They shall be reborn. Remember that my loyal followers. We are the right, and we are helping these beasts find their way.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The men on their knees shouted in agreement, a loud cry and cheer sounding out.
<span style="font-weight:400">The beastman on the other hand continued to struggle, fighting against his constraints as he bared his teeth staring daggers at the man in front of him to no avail.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Do not worry,” the leader said, “It will be a painless passage. Do not struggle, for my god is great,” he smiled, his left hand raising with the crystal ball, “I will purge you of your disgusting form and blood. Worry not.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“<em><span style="font-weight:400">In the light of my sun there is no shadow! May the world be cast in brilliant rays!”</em><span style="font-weight:400"> the man chanted, the ball in his hand glowing brighter with each word, a magic circle forming above it, “<em><span style="font-weight:400">Cleanse this darkenednd, illuminate it with your grace! Bear your power in my hand!”</em><span style="font-weight:400"> a ball of mes formed from the circle, condensing over and over until it turned into a white hot dwarf star.
<span style="font-weight:400">“<em><span style="font-weight:400">Guiding Star.”</em>
<span style="font-weight:400">The manpleted his chant, the miniature star stabilizing above the crystal in his hand.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Open his mouth,” demanded the leader.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes!” replied the men restraining the beastman, moving to wrench his mouth open with their knives.
<span style="font-weight:400">The leader looked down at the beastman, talking to him onest time.
<span style="font-weight:400">“May you be cleansed. From the inside out,” he said, his eyes opening and his face twisting into a sneer as he thrusted the sun into the mouth of the beastman.
<span style="font-weight:400">The beastman roared in pain, his voice quickly burning out as he began to glow in a white light, the men holding him backing away.
<span style="font-weight:400">In the next moment, the beastman began to tear and rip, his insides burning him alive with light escaping from the cracks and tears in his skin, until he exploded in a cacophony of wondrous bright white mes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“He has been saved!” the leader shouted.
<span style="font-weight:400">“He has been saved!” shouted the crowd, “And so shall more!”
<span style="font-weight:400">The man smiled, “And so shall more.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“All hail the Emperor of the Sun! All hail the true leader!” they shouted loudly, raising fists and arms into the air.
<span style="font-weight:400">“All hail! <em><span style="font-weight:400">Atticus Wallen the Grand Sun Mage</em><span style="font-weight:400">!”
<hr>
<span style="font-weight:400">“Haa……” Shigure sighed, looking at the reports on his desk, “These are all justints about the food. There is not much I can do to change it unfortunately,” he said aloud, “We still have plenty of food for several more weeks, but we have started to ration already. It is understandable that some people are unhappy with the change.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“My Lord, perhaps we should go out in search of more wild game? The current hunting parties may just not be going far enough out in fear of monsters and the like?” Uta proposed from his side, caring another stack of papers.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure gave it some thought, then shook his head.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It has only been a few days since Shot and Bear’s group has left. I would like to give them a little more time,” he exined then his face darkened, “There is also the issue of the people he brought on the day he came.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Uta’s face turned into a scowl, “You mean the criminals?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure nodded with a steely expression while getting out of his seat.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Because of all themotion, we haven’t had time to deal with them. But now things have calmed down for the most part… And I hate to say it, but thanks to Shot I now have more agency to get things done,” he admitted reluctantly, “No one questions the man backed by a Tyrant…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Please do not say it as such my Lord! You are a great leader! What happened with Adam was.. Regrettable..” Uta shouted, trying to console him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Uta…” he smiled, “Thank you, but I have to own up to my mistakes if I am to continue leading after we exit the tutorial… but enough of that, I should get going and deal with these criminals. The paperwork can wait untilter.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, of course,” Uta said, bowing then shimmering in a puff of inky smoke.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure exited the tent a momentter, assuming Uta was trailing him while concealed.
<span style="font-weight:400">He moved through the outskirts of the outpost quickly, making his way to the other side. Passing through the outpost and greeting people along the way, he finally made it out the other end, to where they were holding the men and women that were branded as criminals by Shot.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure greeted the guards who were standing in front of the wooden cage tools that Shot provided.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good evening. Has there been any trouble with the prisoners?” he asked briefly.
<span style="font-weight:400">“None, Lord Shigure!” one answered, “They have been treated humanely and given food as well as rights to use the bathroom and shower in private… Though some of them don’t deserve it..” the guard added.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure raised a brow, “What do you mean?”
<span style="font-weight:400">The guard coughed, getting elbowed in the side by the other.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s just… We’ve heard some of them talk. Some are bragging about what they did… And a few of the people that Monster, Shot brought,” the guard said, visibly shivering at mentioning the name, “They came by. Asking about when justice was going to be done, telling us about some of the things that happened.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I see..” Shigure said in a low hum, “Uta.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes,” Uta replied, appearing in a bowing position from a puff of smoke next to Shigure.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Please find these witnesses. Bring one of the Guards as well. Then also bring several people who do not know the victims or the criminals,” Shigure instructed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“By your will,” Uta answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">She stood and grabbed one of the guards, going back into the outpost with haste.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What are you going to do Lord Shigure?” the remaining guard asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“We are going to have a trial. One we should have had a long time ago,” Shigure answered.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure paced the cages, waiting for Uta to return. His eyes observing the men and women inside.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hey! You’re the leader of this ce right?! Please just let me out! I shouldn’t be in here!” a woman cried out, her hands pushing through the holes of the cage.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure recoiled, not used to seeing such desperate pleading.
<span style="font-weight:400">“W-we will see… You were brought here by Shot, so you must have done something…” he stammered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I was forced to! Please!” she pleaded.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure turned, not wanting to hear her before the trial. Walking away and separating himself from the cages now, he moved back to where the lone guard was, waiting for Uta.
<span style="font-weight:400">And he did not have to wait long. Soon she arrived back with several tens of people in tow.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I have brought the people you requested Lord Shigure,” Uta announced with a bow.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you.. I did not expect so many?” Shigure said in surprise.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, there were many people who were affected by the people who were captured. And many who wished to speak on behalf of those who were… Killed and can not speak for themselves.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure flinched at her words. He had expected as much, and he had dealt with these types of people before. But he wished for better.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I see… Then, let’s start. Bring out the first prisoner,” Shigure instructed, his face clearly showing how he was ufortable with the situation.
<span style="font-weight:400">He looked to the crowd that had followed Uta to the cages, instructing them.
<span style="font-weight:400">“We are going to judge these criminals today. I ask that everyone please be as objective as possible whenying down their judgment. Those who were brought here and unrted to the crimes please move to one side. You will be given time to hear and deliberate for each case. Once this is finished you will be rewarded for your time and honesty regardless of the oue,” Shigure instructed.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure finished his instructions just as the guard brought out the first to be judged. He was a man of about twenty if Shigure had to guess. His face somewhat sunken from his time in the cage and rationed food.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Does anyone know this man,” Shigure asked the crowd as he looked at Uta.
<span style="font-weight:400">She moved to him pulling documents that held what every person had done ording to the man Theodore had told them when the criminals had been handed over. It included the names, levels, and what the perpetrator hadmitted or was used of.
<span style="font-weight:400">While he waited for someone to step forward, he flipped through the papers and found the individual’s name.
<strong>[Harrison Regan Level 12]</strong>
<span style="font-weight:400">Just as he did, a woman stepped forward.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I-i know who he is…” she said in a hushed tone.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure looked pensively through the file, then steeled himself as he recited the used crimes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“This man is Harrison Regan, he is used of aiding in the sexual assault of a woman during his time in Shot’s Outpost,” he looked to the man first, “How do you plead?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Not guilty damn it! I was forced!” the man shouted.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure then looked over to the woman, “What is your evidence against him.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The woman looked pensively to the man being held by the guard.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I….I’m the woman that was assaulted…” she said her shoulders shaking, “T-that monster and his friends tried to do something unspeakable to me! But Mr. Shot, he stopped them. He should have died with his friends but he was on the lookout making sure no one…” she stopped for a moment her voice cracking, “No one interrupted… I still wonder why Shot didn’t just kill him on the spot for what he helped them try to do!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure raised his hand, stopping her.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ve heard enough…” he said solemnly, “You don’t have to relive that anymore, I’m sorry for what happened and sorry that you had to remember it,” Shigure said, his face grim.
<span style="font-weight:400">He had not realized just how bad some of the people in the tutorial had it. Was he just blind to the truth? Shot had told him many things but he didn’t want to believe any of it because he was the source.
<span style="font-weight:400">The woman interrupted his thoughts, responding to his consoling.
<span style="font-weight:400">“If you want to be sorry, then give that man what he deserves! He tried to take advantage of me! What they tried to do was unforgivable! My name is Gracy Morgan, but I’ll never be the same Gracy after that. Why should he get away with that…” she said sobbing.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure opened his mouth to say something but couldn’t find the words, instead deferring to the makeshift jury they had assembled.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You have an hour to discuss,” he said, handing the piece of paper to one of the members, “This is his file, use it in your discussion. If you decide before the hour you may announce your decision as a group. There are 10 of you, and it must be a unanimous decision,” Shigure instructed.
<span style="font-weight:400">The man nodded and brought the file to the others as they moved a small bit away discussing.
<span style="font-weight:400">During the time Shigure looked at the woman who had spoken, her face still in tears and her body shaking.
<span style="font-weight:400">He turned to the used man, his face and bodynguage showing just how much he didn’t care for the woman, but instead painted in the undeniable truth that he was guilty, and he knew it. His only concern was what he was going to do about his punishment, obvious on his face.
<span style="font-weight:400">The jury didn’t take even thirty minutes to reconvene, the time passing quickly as Shigure be lost in thought.
<span style="font-weight:400">Looking up he nodded to the person they had chosen to represent their finding.
<span style="font-weight:400">The woman took a step forward from the group, “We find this man Harrison Regan, guilty on all ounts,” she announced, then looked to Shigure somewhat hesitantly, “But we are not sure what his punishment should be..” she said trailing off.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure took a step forward this time, his mind and body steeling himself for what he hade to a decision on.
<em><span style="font-weight:400">I hate to admit it but Shot was right…. And now even as a temporary leader of this Outpost, it is my responsibility to see justice done for these people under my care.</em><span style="font-weight:400"> He thought.
<span style="font-weight:400">“His punishment will be death for his crimes. This is a cruel world we live in now, and there is no room for people like him,” Shigure said, gripping the sword at his waist, “Release him.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure motioned for the guards to let the man go, even throwing the man a spare sword to his feet.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Choose to die like a warrior with a sliver of respect still remaining, or die like the dog you are painted as. I only give you thisst service because you are a human and not a beast,” Shigure said, his own hand unsheathing his sword, but an ever so slight tremble apanied it.
<span style="font-weight:400">Harrison looked down at the de, then at the surroundings. Choosing to run instead of face Shigure.
<span style="font-weight:400">“A filthy coward till the end… You will have no quarter from me. <em><span style="font-weight:400">First Strike….”</em><span style="font-weight:400"> Shigure chanted his skill, his de painted in a red glow that hummed with power as he stepped forward, his de bisecting him. His corpse falling to the floor.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shigure swung the de, cleaning it of the blood as he sheathed it, turning to the guards, his face looking as if it had matured several years.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Bring out the next criminal.”