Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Cleanup Time (5)
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The protesters successfully withdrew from the battlefield without sustaining major casualties.
It was possible thanks to the guidance of Sara Minehart and the Cry of Freedom organization members.
And they watched it all clearly.
Martin and the White Dragon Knights dismantling the Brightner family's forces.
That's why, even with Jurgen dead, the citizens didn't descend into chaos.
They were genuinely delighted instead.
No longer forced to endure tyranny.
But the show Martin had prepared wasn't over yet.
The next morning.
Murmurs rose.
The citizens of Pratelle City had gathered in the plaza before city hall.
What captured their attention was the guillotine right in the center.
The blade of the guillotine gleamed chillingly in the sunlight.
“Bring out the sinners.”
At the solemn declaration of Pratelle City's executioner, guards dragged out ten men bound in ropes.
The first four, including Pierre Brightner, were the main culprits who had run the drug plantations.
The six behind them were mine owners who had colluded with Jurgen, falsifying output records and siphoning off profits.
“Sp-Spare me, Young Lord!”
“It was all Jurgen von Brightner's doing! We only bowed to his threats!”
“With all the evidence found, how can you deny it so shamelessly?”
The condemned men wailed desperately.
But Martin dismissed their pleas with an impassive expression.
Even as they begged fervently, their voices were drowned out by a louder roar.
“You damned bastards! You lived well while we starved!”
“We slaved away just to survive, and you skimmed profits behind our backs? Are you even human?”
“All scum like you deserve to die!”
“Tear their corpses to shreds! Leave no trace!”
The citizens' fury swallowed the sinners whole.
Overwhelmed, they fell silent.
Martin then rose from his chair.
“The sinner Pierre Brightner operated drug plantations for the past two years, distributing narcotics and inflicting great harm on the citizens' health and wealth. In contrast, the sinner amassed enormous illegal wealth.”
“It was on the family head's—no, the lord's—orders! He said he'd kill us if we didn't obey!”
Pierre Brightner cried out pitifully.
Of course, Martin paid no heed.
“You think that's an excuse? Two years ago, the previous head of the Adalbert family was still alive and well. You could've reported the lord's atrocities right then, but you didn't. And that's not all? You used the money from peddling drugs to live it up however you pleased.”
“Th-That's!”
“Shut your mouth, Pierre Brightner. You enjoyed everything there was to enjoy, and now you make excuses? Don't you find yourself utterly pathetic? By imperial law, I sentence this sinner, who sucked the citizens' blood, to death.”
“No! Just once, forgive me this once!”
Pierre wailed in despair.
But the executioner silently dragged him to the guillotine.
He thrashed until forced down, but it was futile with his mana core shattered.
“P-Please spare me! Young Lord, show mercy just this once....”
Before Pierre could finish, the executioner pulled the lever.
Clang!
The blade dropped, cleanly severing Pierre's neck.
Crimson blood poured from the stump.
The other sinners' faces drained of color at the sight.
“I'll never do it again, Young Lord!”
“I'll give up everything I have! Just spare my life!”
“Why parade your ill-gotten gains? That wealth was forfeit from the start. Die like the sinners you are.”
Martin sneered at them in a cold tone.
Afterward, the guillotine blade rose and fell repeatedly.
The remaining sinners' heads separated from their bodies, and blood sprayed like fountains, staining the surroundings red.
Each time, the citizens cheered.
Finally receiving justice from those who had drained their blood.
Once the executions ended, the citizens turned back to Martin.
“As I said before, all the sinners' illegally amassed wealth will be confiscated. It will be given to the citizens of Pratelle City as compensation!”
“Woooaaah!”
The citizens erupted in cheers and ecstasy.
Joyful at liberation from oppression, and now an unexpected reward too.
Ignoring it, Martin shouted.
“The founding family head said it: bring peace to all citizens. Thus, I will not forgive those who commit injustices for personal gain. Nor will those who shirk their duties to abuse power escape severe punishment.”
“Woooaaah! Thank you, Young Lord!”
“Glory eternal to the Adalbert family!”
Martin's declaration was brief, but the tone carried unwavering resolve.
The citizens raised their voices to the hero who had freed them from oppression.
With that, the execution ceremony concluded, and Martin headed to city hall.
Now it was time to meet with the city's influential figures, high officials, and Cry of Freedom leaders.
To decide the fate of the Brightner family's territory and mining city of Pra.
* * *
“The Brightner family's territory will be managed by the main house for the time being. Of course, this is only temporary.”
No one objected to Martin's words.
The Adalbert family could be considered the hegemon of the northern Altheria Empire.
They had the authority to punish rogue independent lords who caused trouble, and reporting it to the imperial family as a precautionary measure wouldn't be an issue.
Thus, all northern families were obligated to respect the Adalbert family's will.
But his next words shocked everyone.
“However, Pratelle City will be placed directly under the Adalbert family and managed by us.”
“Young Lord, what is this all of a sudden...?”
“Pratelle City is the Brightner family's core. Mishandling it could collapse the territory itself.”
“I agree on that point. That's why, no matter who becomes lord, I'll guarantee mining rights—but only half. The rest goes to the new mayor and city council members.”
At the mention of mayor and council, the city's elites and officials fell silent.
They had assumed it would end with Adalbert-appointed bureaucrats, but no.
Mayor and city council meant one thing.
Pratelle City was being elevated to a free city.
A golden opportunity to seize political power had arrived for them.
Amid this, Sara voiced her unease.
“Unlike the branch Rustal family, the Brightners are independent nobles. Incorporating their core into Adalbert territory could provoke backlash from other nobles.”
“You think I don't know that?”
“What do you mean, Young Lord?”
“The Altheria imperial family, the five kingdoms' royals, and the three great houses. All seized dungeon entrances and gained ownership. But even they face checks.”
“You mean the Adventurers' Guild.”
“Exactly. These nine houses are deemed the continent's strongest, yet they can't monopolize dungeons. How much less a mere noble house claiming all rights? Just because they got there first? Does that make sense?”
Sara had no reply.
Meanwhile, the elites and officials, having calculated, shifted their stance.
“We fully agree with the Young Lord.”
“I believe that's the path for everyone's benefit.”
“Thank you for agreeing. The city council members will be decided locally. But the mayor will be appointed by me and the Adalbert family heads. Like other free cities, it's a lifetime position.”
He subtly included himself among the family heads, but no one objected.
He hadn't formally ascended, but Martin's stature was already that of a family head.
“So the mayor becomes a vassal of the Adalbert family head?”
“Correct. In that vein, the first mayor will be... Sara Minehart. You're the only one qualified right now.”
“Me?!”
Suddenly named, Sara was genuinely stunned.
The other Cry of Freedom leaders were bewildered too, but only briefly.
“Congratulations!”
“Our leader will do great!”
They hugged her joyfully.
In contrast, the city's elites and officials couldn't hide their displeasure.
It wasn't mere dislike of Sara.
“Only nobles are qualified to be mayor of a free city, Young Lord. We acknowledge Sara Minehart's merits in fighting for the citizens to the end, but she is no noble.”
“Imperial law says nothing about nobles only. Nobles just took the role to avoid bowing to other lords.”
“That is...”
“Would future Pratelle mayors like Sara have to watch their step? Even haughty nobles wouldn't openly defy the Adalbert family head's direct vassal. Am I wrong?”
“...As you say, Young Lord.”
“And Sara Minehart's achievements alone are exemplary. She risked her life rallying citizens and exposing the Brightners' atrocities. She found the drug plantation locations and informed me—that's her merit too. I guarantee you, without her, none of this happens today. At best, Jurgen steps down as family head.”
With Martin's final word, the opponents bowed their heads.
They had to concede Sara's feats.
Better her than self-serving Jurgen.
Above all, further opposition would slight the Adalbert family—and Martin.
That must be avoided at all costs.
“Young Lord...”
Sara gazed at Martin, on the verge of tears.
She hadn't fought for reward.
But knowing someone truly understood her heart filled her chest.
“I'm entrusting it to you because I trust your love for the citizens, Sara. But remember this.”
“Yes.”
“Never forget to always care for them. If you pull the same stunts as Jurgen von Brightner, I won't forgive you.”
“That will never happen, Young Lord.”
Wiping tears, Sara replied firmly.
She knew her own shortcomings.
But she had no intention of giving up.
She vowed to strive and become an excellent mayor.
“That's the spirit. That's why I'm giving it to you.”
“I promise. I'll make Pratelle the empire's finest city.”
“Oh? Threatening Bareahein City?”
“We can't win in economy. But in quality of life? Possible, right?”
“Nice confidence.”
At Martin's playful tone, a bright smile bloomed on Sara's face.
Seeing it, Martin nodded.
‘One matter settled.’
Apart from his gains, it was a fitting conclusion.