A heavy silence settled over the entire vige. The suddenness of the verdict left everyone struggling toprehend what had just happened. Even Darius, the one at the center of it all, was no exception. He stood there, staring nkly, blinking as if trying to process the situation.


    "W-What?" he stammered.


    "No need for ''what''. Should I repeat myself? I said I''m going to kill you," Justin replied with a cold look. It was only then that Darius''s face turned pale, the weight of the words sinking in.


    "Wh-Why?" he asked, his voice trembling.


    "Why?" Justin scoffingugh in response , cocked his head and stared down at Darius. "What do you take nobles for? Do you think just because there''s a hierarchy, this ce is some kind of feudal system? A ce where even a lord can''t just do as he pleases with the nobles?"


    Darius stood silent, visibly shaking.


    "You''re wrong," Justin continued coldly. "This is an absolute monarchy. My word isw, and I am the king in this society. Even if you are a noble, or a pioneer, I can have you executed whenever I see fit."


    His words caused not only the townspeople but even the other pioneers to flinch. Some of them, especially those who had first arrived with Zachary, seemed particrly shaken. They might not have believed he would assert his power so decisively, even if he had the means to back it up.


    Justin, however, ignored the reactions and kept speaking. "Do you think I''ve been merciful? That I haven''t executed anyone out of the kindness of my heart? You''re wrong. It''s simply because everyone has obeyed me so far. There''s no need to punish people who don''tin and do as they''re told.


    If anything, I''d reward them."


    In reality, he had made sure no one would grow dissatisfied before issuing orders. The townspeople had suffered under other tyrants before, so byparison, he seemed like a good ruler. He left the pioneers to grow on their own, interfering as little as possible, and when it came time to draft them for war, he provided justifications, assuring them that such experiences were inevitable.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    It was only natural for a ruler who imed absolute power to maintain such control. But all of this operated under one essential premise.


    "The key point here," he said, his voice sharp as he stared at Darius, "is that in thisnd, I am king. Making legitimate demands? Sure, you can. Havingints about your treatment? You can voice those too. I understand the importance of rewarding good behavior and punishing bad.


    It''s better to air grievances than let them fester. But..."


    He paused, his gaze narrowing at Darius.


    "Challenging my authority? That''s uneptable, right?"


    "N-No! I wasn''t challenging you! I swear!" Darius''s voice cracked with desperation.


    "Are you kidding me? You organized a strike, and you''re saying you didn''t challenge my authority?"


    "T-That was just—!"


    "I don''t care what your intentions were. What matters is that because of this mess, I had to step in. That means you forced my hand."


    The strike had been a deration of defiance against Justin''s orders. The fact that he had to intervene meant Darius had seeded in drawing him out. And the audacity of presenting his demands so openly only added insult to injury.


    Each element of the situation left a sour taste in Justin''s mouth, and he was certain that Darius had intended every part of it.


    "What''s most irritating," Justin continued, "is that you even attempted something like this in the first ce. What did you take me for? Some kind-hearted lord who, despite speaking harshly, would let you off if your demands had some legitimacy?"


    Darius likely thought that the justice or rationale behind his demands would serve as a weapon. But he was wrong. In the end, no matter how sound his arguments seemed, Justin''s feelings were the only thing that mattered.


    "If you were going to try something like this, you should''ve done it properly. You should''ve positioned it so I could refuse at any time, and made it seem like I was voluntarily agreeing, not because of your protest. A strike? Demands? And not evening to me but dragging me out? Impressive."


    "S-Sorry... I... I didn''t mean..."


    "Whether you apologize or not doesn''t matter. The fact remains that you''ve undermined my authority. If I don''t kill you now, I''ll be the kind of ruler people can protest against. A lord who listens to strikes, who people can pressure without consequences. Do you understand?"


    Darius''s legs gave out beneath him, and he copsed onto the ground. He finally realized what was happening. Once marked as an example, there was no escape from execution.


    With a subtle gesture from Justin, Derek, who had been standing behind him the entire time, stepped forward. He grabbed Darius''s shoulder with a smile.


    "Alright, it''s over now. Let''s go."


    "W-Where are we going?" Darius asked, his voice shaking.


    "Where do you think? I have to kill you, but it''d be a bit messy to do it in front of everyone. Let''s go somewhere quieter."


    "N-No! Please, no!" Darius screamed, thrashing in Derek''s grip, but it was no use. The difference in strength was too great. A craftsman like Darius stood no chance against a seasoned warrior.


    "P-Please! Forgive me! I didn''t mean for this to happen...!"


    "Shut up ande quietly," Derek muttered, clearly annoyed.


    Thwack!


    With a solid punch to the face, Darius''s eyes rolled back as he lost consciousness. Derek dragged him toward the forest outside the vige. Momentster, a distant scream pierced the air.


    "Help me! Please, just once, spare me—!"


    Crunch.


    The sound of something hard breaking was followed by silence.


    After waiting quietly for a while, Justin turned as Derek returned, blood still staining his clothes.


    "It''s done," Derek said.


    "The body?"


    "I threw it deep into the woods. The hobgoblins will take care of the rest."


    "Good work."


    Justin turned his attention back to the vige. Everyone avoided his gaze, lowering their heads as if in fear. The first execution had clearly shaken them.


    Finally, he looked toward the craftsmen.


    "As collective punishment, I''m stripping the craftsmen of their titles. From now on, you aremoners. You will fulfill the duties ofmoners to the nobles, andmoners will not be punished for treating you as equals."