The first rude man suddenly shouted at the woman.
"How dare you speak like that to the True King!"
"So the dog dares bark in its master's presence?" The woman's lips curled in a mocking smile. "Did you forget you're just—" She paused, then kicked the first man hard in the side before finishing, "…one of the rebels' prisoners!!"
She stepped back, looking satisfied as the man doubled over in pain, the soldiers around her laughing at his expense.
"Gragar!" the woman barked, calling out to her assistant.
"Yes, Captain!"
"The list. Read the names, and group them at the executioner's block."
"Yes, Captain!"
The vice-captain took out a scroll, cleared his throat, and stood tall before the gathered prisoners.
"Loth De Gurmuin, High Lord of Gurmuin!"
Two soldiers immediately seized Loth, dragging him roughly toward the execution area.
"Next!" the vice-captain called out. "Keimark from Kuntar!"
Two more soldiers moved in, grabbing the first rude man. Keimark struggled and tried to fight back, but was punched hard in the gut and dragged away, coughing and cursing.
"Next! Joir from Vesten!"
Joir's eyes went wide. He gestured desperately to Kazuma with a jerk of his head.
"Me and him, we're not rebels! You can't do this!"
The woman captain only smirked, then flicked her hand in a silent signal. The soldiers seized Joir anyway, dragging him toward the others, ignoring his protests.
The vice-captain looked down at the list, then frowned in confusion. He glanced up at Kazuma.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
Kazuma replied in a low, uncertain voice.
"Ka...Kazuma."
"Where are you from?"
"J… Japan," Kazuma stammered.
"Ja…pan?" The vice-captain stared at him, baffled. "Where is that?"
Kazuma didn't answer. His mind was spinning, barely process what was happening.
The vice-captain turned to the woman captain.
"Captain, this person isn't on the list. What should we do?"
"Huh!? Forget the list! He goes to the block!" the captain snapped, shooting Kazuma a mocking smirk and spitting on the ground. "List or not, he's with the rebels!"
"As you command, Captain," the vice-captain replied crisply.
Two soldiers moved in, grabbing Kazuma by the arms and dragging him toward the area where all the other prisoners were gathered.
He looked around and saw it clearly now. A grim, open square that resembled a medieval execution ground. Wooden platforms stood ready, stained with old, dark marks. Soldiers stood in rows, grim-faced soldiers and curious villagers watching from a distance.
Kazuma's mind was spinning, everything growing more and more unreal, his thoughts drifting and hazy.
What's happening…?
Why am I here?
Why is it that the very first time I wake up in this world, I end up in a place like this… waiting to be executed?
Panic clawed at his chest, but all he could do was stand there, trembling, as the nightmare unfolded around him.
"Where's the headman?!" the captain barked, glancing around at the soldiers.
One soldier saluted nervously. "He's sharpening his executioner's axe, Captain."
"Then call him! And call the priest too!"
"B-but, Captain… he's the headman. We… can't really give him orders. And… we were told to wait for General Zarban before proceeding…"
The captain let out a frustrated groan. "Ugh!"
The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.
Keimark snorted. "Heh! Can't wait to execute us, huh?"
The captain growled, glaring at him.
"You're lucky we have to follow the list, dog! If it were up to me, you'd be the first to lose your head. Just you wait, you'll feel real pain before you die!"
She spat on the ground, eyes blazing with anger, while the soldiers kept a tight grip on the prisoners.
Kazuma suddenly noticed all the soldiers snapping to attention and giving crisp salutes.
Someone was approaching, a massive man clad in full plate armor, adorned with gold stripes that gleamed in the sunlight. He was flanked by several men in even finer armor than the captain's. Their presence was enough to silence the entire square.
Kazuma caught a glimpse of the captain's face as she immediately stood tall and saluted with perfect discipline.
"General Zarban!"
The towering general gave her a curt nod, his gaze sweeping over the assembled prisoners.
"It seems fortune smiles upon us today. To have the infamous leader of the rebels among our prisoners, what an occasion."
With his hands clasped behind his back, Zarban strode slowly toward Loth De Gurmuin. He paused, looking down at the kneeling noble, a smirk curling his lips.
"Not so mighty now, are you, High Lord Loth De Gurmuin?" he said, voice dripping with disdain.
"Some may call you a hero, but a true hero does not raise his voice in rebellion, does not stain his hands with his king's blood and usurp the throne."
Loth De Gurmuin clenched his teeth, eyes blazing with fury even as the gag muffled his words. He strained against his bonds, glaring defiantly up at Zarban.
The general continued.
"You killed the king, incited rebellion, and sought to seize the throne by force. You brought suffering upon the people, tearing sons from their families, turning peaceful lands into battlefields, spreading famine and misery to every corner of the realm!"
Zarban let out a heavy sigh.
"And now, the Imperial shall put an end to you and restore the peace you shattered."
He turned sharply as the headman arrived, executioner's axe resting on his shoulder. Zarban addressed the woman captain with a single nod.
"Carry on."
"Yes, General Zarban!"
( End Of Chapter )