75
My Villains Chapter 75
20. City of Chaos (4)
The gallows erected in the center of the square was hidden behind military tents. Because of this, we only discovered the gallows after walking through crowds of soldiers and refugees.
About seven prisoners were bound to the gallows. The prisoners were completely immobilized, their wrists and necks locked in large pillories.
Among them, Utequais stood out immediately.
Although I could only see his back... His overwhelmingly large build compared to the others, his long braided hair, and the night sky tattoo carved across his broad back were unmistakable characteristics.
I quickly moved toward the gallows, but fierce-looking soldiers were guarding the prisoners.
Hmm... I've made it here, but what do I do now?
"Phoenix?"
"Hm?"
Turning at the familiar voice, I saw a woman standing at one corner of the gallows.
She wore an oversized helmet tilted to one side, and her slender build and sharp eyes were very familiar.
"Arnal?"
"It is you!"
Ha, since this city is so small, it seems like I run into someone I know wherever I go.
As I approached Arnal with a lukewarm expression, Ellen tugged at my shoulder seam.
"Put me down here and go."
"Huh? Why?"
"I don't like hanging off you like this in front of others. Hurry."
"Why are you suddenly like this?"
"Stop talking and hurry."
I set Ellen down on a pile of materials near the military tent. She glared at me with a sullen face before turning her gaze toward Wand. Only then did I approach Arnal.
"What are you doing here?"
"Can't you tell? I'm standing guard."
"Guard? Why you?"
"Because of this."
Arnal was wearing a sleeveless leather tunic over a thin linen shirt. When she slightly raised her arm, the contours of her slim but firm forearm were clearly visible.
I noticed the bandage wrapped around that forearm and nodded.
"Ah, you're doing this because of the arrow wound?"
"An archer who can't draw a bow is useless. I've been relegated to guard duty now. But what about you? Didn't you go down to the sewers before the earthquake? How did you manage to survive without being buried alive?"
I briefly explained what had happened to Arnal, who was chattering away with a welcoming expression.
As the short story concluded, she gaped in shock.
"Mr. Luke was a necromancer? That nice-looking old man?"
"You sound just like Mr. Luke. That bastard nearly got me killed, my teeth still grind just thinking about it."
"Wow, this is quite shocking...."
"Never mind that, what about Grania?"
Arnal' bright expression suddenly turned heavy at my question.
"She's probably trapped in Salt Castle. Haven't heard from her in days."
"...No news? Why?"
"She transferred to the Royal Guard because of Uncle Gillius and Farel. About five days ago."
"And?"
"Talk about bad luck - the earthquake hit the very next day. The walls collapsed, bandits swarmed in, and that bastard of a lord fled.... If Prince Ulkar hadn't maintained discipline by ordering the commanders around, the city would have fallen by now. Silver Prince, Silver Prince they called him, and he really lived up to the name."
I pressed Arnal as she digressed into admiration mid-story.
"Don't get sidetracked, tell me about Grania."
"Ah. Anyway, after that, the prince rounded up all of the lord's family and locked them up."
"I heard about that. They're in Salt Castle?"
"Yeah. Some Royal Guards went in with them, and I think Grania, Uncle Gillius, and Farel were among them. So I haven't seen them since the earthquake."
Ah, my head hurts. Things have gotten really messy.
Whether it's for Grania or the informant, I'll need to visit Salt Castle at some point.
"Then why is that guy like that?"
"Oh, the barbarian?"
Arnal glanced at Utequais, who was hanging limply on the gallows, and clicked her tongue before speaking.
"Tch- That guy beat up some guards."
"The guards?"
"Yeah. Did you know the guard station moved to the Ship's Horn Inn?"
When I shook my head, Arnal adjusted her worn helmet and continued.
"All the guard posts collapsed. They're using the inn as a temporary station. It was already being used as a checkpoint anyway."
"The inn is safe then. What about Daria?"
"Daria's fine too. Well, she's probably having a hard time with the horny guards throwing themselves at her."
Whew. Daria was my biggest worry, but now I can rest a bit easier.
"Anyway, the guards lost it when they saw that barbarian. It's wartime, and here he is stumbling around drunk - of course they'd be angry. So they tried to conscript him..."
"And?"
"That barbarian, he's incredibly strong. He knocked down about fifteen guards."
"Oh, shit..."
I cursed quietly while rubbing my face.
"Even so, isn't execution a bit harsh?"
"Harsh? Four people were permanently disabled by that barbarian. One of them had his face completely crushed - they say he won't last the day."
...Hearing this, it's amazing Utequais is still alive.
As if reading my mind, Arnal added a few words.
"But that guy, I've seen him before and he's a real monster. Throwing grown men around like bundles of straw.... If he hadn't passed out drunk, several people would have died."
"..."
In a way, alcohol saved Utequais's life. If he had kept rampaging, he would have been surrounded by soldiers and cut down.... Or was it the alcohol that made him beat people up in the first place?
I let out a deep sigh and glanced around.
Including Arnal, there were four guards watching the gallows, all faces I'd seen once or twice before. One soldier even gave me a slight nod when our eyes met.
"Hey, Arnal."
"Yeah?"
"If I said I wanted to talk to Hatanka for a moment... Would you stop me?"
Arnal made an intriguing expression at my question.
"What could you have to say to someone who's about to die?"
"I'm the one who brought him into the city. I'll be brief."
"I'd like to turn a blind eye, but... I don't think the other guards will just stand by."
"Then...."
I opened the pouch at my waist.
I didn't want to use the shared funds with Ellen, so I'd have to use my personal money....
Ugh, no silver coins. Can't be helped.
With trembling hands, I pulled out a gold coin.
"Would this be enough for everyone to look the other way?"
"...More than enough. Wait a moment."
Arnal approached the guards and exchanged a few words before returning to her post.
"Keep it short. When we signal, come down right away."
"Thanks."
I passed by the guards who were pretending not to notice and climbed onto the gallows. The prisoners bound in pillories noticed me and called out with darkened eyes.
"Who are you, bastard? Come to gawk?"
"Hey, hey! Want to make some money? Let's talk for a minute?"
"You know a woman named 'Tora' at the Drunken Pony? Please deliver my message!"
When the prisoners started causing a commotion, two guards climbed up and beat them with their spear shafts.
"Shut up, you diseased bastards!"
"Anyone who shows their teeth will get their lips sewn shut!"
I left behind the wailing prisoners and approached Utequais.
"Hey, Hatanka."
Utequais, with his head deeply bowed, showed no reaction.
Ordinary prisoners, with their hands and neck bound to the frame, had to maintain an awkward posture where they could neither stand straight nor sit.
But Utequais, perhaps because of his height, remained kneeling even while bound to the frame.
"Hey, hey!"
As if the wooden frame wasn't enough, Utequais had large iron balls chained to his ankles. Moreover, thick chains secured by large stakes were wrapped around both his wrists.
"Hey, you!"
...This guy, don't tell me he's sleeping?
I was momentarily dumbfounded and pushed his head lightly.
"Mmph."
"Oh, come on." Did you just wake up? What an idiot.
"Erpe Th-rab--"
"What are you saying? Hey, wake up."
"Urwha?"
Utequais mumbled something in a hoarse voice.
When I plopped down in front of him, Utequais blinked his small eyes a few times. Then he raised his black pupils to look down at me.
"Darran tanka?"
"Speak in Milanol, I can't understand you."
"...What?"
Finally, words I could understand.
"What do you mean 'what'? After I let you into the city and gave you money, why are you like this?"
"None of your business."
"What do you mean none of my- ugh."
I swallowed my curse and continued.
"You're getting executed tomorrow, aren't you?"
"I know."
...What's with this guy?
"You crazy bastard, do you really understand the situation? You're dying tomorrow, got it? Whether you're hanged or beheaded, you're dead either way."
"No regrets. My life not short. Have many sons. Can't go home."
"What are you talking about..."
It was a resigned attitude unbefitting of someone called a Berserker. I gave a hollow laugh and asked him.
"That person who was your father or whatever, he left you his last words before dying, right?"
"...Last words?"
"Yeah, last words. Don't you know? The final thing he said before dying."
"...Ah. Majemu."
"Majemu or whatever. Is this what he wanted? When he handed over his belongings, did he want you to die meaninglessly in foreign lands?"
When I shot back sarcastically, a crack seemed to appear in his expressionless face.
"...Not your concern. Go away."
"I don't want to. Who are you, a death row inmate, to tell people to come and go?"
"Your father, the shaman, the tribe people. Their corpses are lying outside, right? Aren't those thieves who killed them still swarming outside the walls? But here you are, their son, not thinking about revenge, just beating up innocent people and crippling them? And now you're preparing to have your head cut off? Your father must be so proud in the afterlife, you idiot."
Utequais kept his lips firmly sealed with an expressionless face, but he was clearly angry. His already reddish face was turning crimson, which made it obvious.
"...Darr've erap, is mocking me your purpose?"
Of course not. The reason I came here is...
There are 9 classes in total in Dark World. Necromancer, Swordsman, Berserker, Martial Artist, Arcane Hunter, Holy Knight, Soul Shaman, Elemental Mage, and Blood Knight. Each one of them is a hero and a savior who will rescue Middle World.
Of course, Utequais might not be a hero but a madman like Luke. Given that he beat people up and crippled them without reason, he probably doesn't have such a good nature.
Even so... Is it really okay to let Utequais die like this?
With my mind in turmoil, I sighed deeply and spoke.
"What would you do if I set you free?"
"...What did you say?"
What filled his eyes wasn't hope, but distrust.
Seeing that look in his eyes, I'm reminded of the saying 'good things don't come easily'
In Utequais's eyes, my sudden approach must seem to have ulterior motives.
Well, that's not entirely wrong. I plan to use him as a meat shield, not as a companion.
"If I save you. If I set you free, what will you do?"
"...Tell me what you want."
"Follow me, and obey my commands. Then someday I'll give you real freedom."
"Hmph. I am a warrior of Mother. Darran tanka, cannot command me."
"Talking nonsense again. So you're just going to die like this?"
"I told you. Don't care if I die."
"Don't lie, you want to live. You need to get revenge and return to your homeland."
Utequais closed his mouth. I stood up, dusting off my bottom, and said to him, "I'll leave now, think about it."
"Think?"
"Yeah. Think about whether you really want to die like this, or if you still have things to do."
Leaving the silent Utequais behind, I descended from the gallows.