The executioner's skill was exceptional. There was no need for a second strike; with two swift strokes, the heads of Tuco and the "One-Eyed Man" fell into the bamboo basket. Black, oily blood gushed from their necks, resembling the petroleum that had sparked countless wars.
Seeing Tuco executed, many townspeople burst into tears, not out of mourning for Tuco and the "One-Eyed Man," but out of relief and joy at avenging their grievances. By publicly beheading the bandit leaders who had terrorized Green River Town and Willowbrook Town for years, Magnus Valorion had greatly uplifted the spirits of the townspeople. His words, "Those who harm my people shall meet this end!" resounded with power and authority.
Magnus had demonstrated his resolve through action, providing an immense sense of security to the townspeople. Many young people etched his words into their hearts. The relieved townsfolk swarmed around Magnus, kneeling before him in gratitude for avenging them. Magnus quickly helped up the elderly man nearest to him and addressed the crowd, "Please rise, gentlemen and ladies. These are my duties; there is no need for such grand gestures."
However, the kneeling crowd did not heed his words and continued to surround Magnus. As Mayor, Magnus naturally sought to comfort the weeping townsfolk who had just avenged their grievances. He moved through the crowd, gently patting shoulders and shaking hands.
"Dear folks, today is a day of great joy for our revenge. Your loved ones in the afterlife can now rest in peace. Now, we must live well and make our days better and better."
Magnus' warm words gradually dried the tears of the townspeople, and hope for the future shone in their eyes again. The crowd slowly dispersed under Magnus' guidance. Just as Magnus was about to order the proper disposal of the bodies and blood, a boy of five or six ran against the dispersing crowd to the execution platform.
Magnus watched from afar, unsure of the boy's intentions. What he saw next shocked him. The boy boldly placed a small clay pot under Tuco's neck, collecting the gushing black blood. After filling about half the pot, the boy quickly ran off the platform.
Magnus was horrified! "What the… drinking human blood?" Magnus suddenly remembered the medieval superstition that human blood had curative properties, especially the blood of executed criminals. Fresh corpses' blood, flesh, fat, and bones were used to make ointments and powders.
Despite teaching the townsfolk to read and basic medical knowledge, including the dangers of consuming human blood and flesh, it seemed his efforts were in vain. The boy's family could die from ingesting the toxic blood of Tuco and the "One-Eyed Man," laced with paraquat.
Fury surged through Magnus. He finally understood why his teachers were so angry when students failed to learn. Magnus shouted angrily, "Stop that child immediately!"
The townsfolk, though puzzled by their mayor's anger, trusted him completely and quickly intercepted the boy. The boy, despite his agility, was eventually caught by an elderly man.
Though the townsfolk did not know why Magnus wanted the boy stopped, they believed the kind mayor would not harm him. The old man holding the struggling boy comforted him, "Child, our mayor is a good man. If you did something wrong, just apologize to him, and he won't be harsh."
But the boy, ungrateful, bit the old man's arm hard. Despite the pain, the old man held on to the boy and brought him to Magnus with a smile.
"Henry Walker, is this your grandson?" Magnus asked, still angry.
Henry Walker, holding the boy, replied helplessly, "No, sir. My grandchildren are girls!"
Since the boy was not Henry Walker's, Magnus couldn't vent his anger on him. Magnus shouted, "Whose child is this? Come and claim him!"
The crowd looked at the boy and, confirming he wasn't theirs, shook their heads. Seeing this, Magnus' anger flared even more.
Henry Walker, sensing Magnus' anger, cautiously suggested, "Sir, this child is young and ignorant. If he did something wrong, I apologize on his behalf. Please be lenient."
Magnus said nothing, but snatched the clay pot from the boy's hand. He held it high for the crowd to see and poured the black blood onto the ground. "Children are ignorant, but adults should know better!" Magnus roared. "How many times have I told you, human blood and flesh cannot cure diseases!"
"If human blood and flesh could cure diseases, there would be no need for doctors. Just eat human flesh and drink human blood!"
The crowd fell silent as if time had stopped. Everyone listened intently to Magnus' reprimand.