The crowd gasped in horror as the final words left the robed man's mouth, a golden crucifix on his neck swinging from the wind like a pendulum. Murmurs filled the air as people cursed Samuel for his alleged crimes. Yet, no matter how Samuel tried to object to try and save some of his reputation before being executed, his words wouldn't come out as if his mouth had been sewn shut and his tongue ripped off.
"Silencing magic? Such a despicable method of execution, not even letting the guilty to voice their final words... I swear that, if I manage to be reincarnated once more after this, I will torture you slowly but surely before feeding your loved ones to you in a stew! You bloody bastard!" Sam attempted to shout but to no avail. He had given up all hope on getting out alive and eventually accepted his fate with a resigned look on his face and yet his eyes still burned with passion.
"If I were a protagonist, I'd probably have a hero swoop in and save me and then teach me magic for the "Good of the people". However, even if that did happen, it is clear as day that these people are as delusional as one could get. But, even then, I guess I can't really blame them. I know full well what religion can do when exploited and abused by those in power fro my previous world..." Sam pondered in despair.
"It really wasn't a good life. I get a second chance and for what? A little bit of mental and physical torture and a system which doesn't act like a system and instead acts as a shady shopkeeper. What did I do to deserve this? Two short deaths in a row, neither of them good. However, at least this allows me to know that there is a supposed "God", even though he apparently has secretaries like a business... I guess even someone who is apparently omnipotent needs help every now and then... I wonder what will happen now. I wonder what God looks like... I hope he's ugly, maybe that will teach him a lesson to not reincarnate me into a poor vessel!" Cursed Sam, almost laughing at his own demise.
He laid there for only a few seconds, and yet it felt like time was moving in slow motion. It was upsetting seeing the individual scorning faces present in the crowd. He only saw a few which had faces of despair, and yet he didn't know if they were despairing his demise or his parent's murder. Suddenly, everything went back to normal as a shout resounded through the crowd.
"I, Leroy Mickens, will save you, Samuel Goldstache! May this fake God burn in the Seven Circles of Yondrom! The Retributionists extend an invitation to join our ranks to overthrow the unholy Pope and his heretic states!" A stoic and short dwarf yelled out whilst running towards the execution stand, hoping to kill the guards and the mysterious figure who stood behind Samuel. Yet, the old man only wore an expression of serenity and calmness, enraging the wannabe hero to another level.
"Halt! Under the Guards of Mildaruk State's jurisdiction, you are under arrest for treachery and attempted murder! Continue to advance and we'll be forced to take action!" Yelled out a few guards at the front in unison, radiating an aura of holy passion and goodwill. However, the supposed hero instead chuckled when thinking about the irony of goodwill when they are executing an innocent man.
So the dwarf continued to plough through the crowd, injuring many civilians who he saw cheering in the meantime. Then he fell to the ground after facing one guard, blood spurting out of his chest like a teapot, short and stout. He died a few seconds later unceremoniously. Even though his grandiose behaviour inspired some grieving slummers, they still did not dare to move a muscle.
"Well then, there goes my knight in shining armour, guess I'll die. But remember this, I will come back! You picked the wrong person to mess with, I hold grudges and I'm not a dog without claws or teeth!" Sam cursed through his teeth as the rope tightened around his neck.
Plop. He fell limp as soon as his body was thrown off the stool, the makeshift rope breaking his neck instantly. The cheering grew even louder, with only a few screams of terror and cries of despair in the distance.
The hooded executioner walked up to the limp corpse of Samuel Goldstache and checked his pulse before exclaiming in a thunderous voice:
"The traitor Samuel Goldstache is officially dead! Anyone who is a part of this "Retributionist" cult will be purged within time. Now, pray for Yaldur and disperse, amen!"