While the royal family was having their touching family reunion, most royal guardians arranged the spoils of war into bags, preparing to move them to the royal treasury, where they would be counted and placed accordingly. Meanwhile, a small group of royal guardians and mages were currently unlocking Vercencalt's cage and roughly pulling him out while he attempted to kick them forcing them to put him to sleep.
As soon as he was brought out of the cage, two royal guardians immediately dragged him toward the royal balcony; while he was unconscious, with his legs limp behind him, being dragged toward his death in front of an angry crowd.
Once this was all dealt with, the royal guardians manning the inner walls gatehouse started allowing citizens inside toward the royal square underneath the balcony. The stampede started with the nobles and envoys being allowed priority so they could calmly walk toward their boxes on the left side of the square. As soon as the nobles and envoys were seated in the correct position, the royal guardians moved out of the way and allowed the citizens inside to flood the venue, with over 10,000 citizens flooded in before the inner gates were shut, forcing anyone attempting to enter to turn around.
In the meantime happening, inside the Palatine Palace, young Julius was poking his father's bandaged-covered face asking if it hurt and when he would recover and no longer be a hideous monster bringing down the family's good looks. Looking over and watching his wife stifling a laugh, Junius narcissistically replied.
"Son, it will all be repaired by the royal healers within six months, so enjoy being better looking for six months because, after that, I will kick you off the top spot, and beware, your siblings will be gorgeous as well so don't fall down to the bottom of the rankings."
Hearing her husband say this, Aurora rolled her eyes and said, "Enough. You have a job to do half-face."
Listening to his wife's orders and putting on half a smiling face, Junius quickly ordered the royal guardians to open the balcony doors, allowing him to walk in front of his adoring citizens.
In the intervening period, five minutes went by for the citizens as they cheered and called out to their royal family while a wooden block with an axe poking out of it was being set up in full view of the cheering crowd. Suddenly, the opulent balcony doors opened, allowing the citizens to see their majestic King and his family again. Junius immediately walked to the edge of the balcony with half a smile on his face, royally waving toward the gathered crowd before calling for silence and speaking in a booming voice.
"My people, the last few years have truly tested our resolve from the bandits terrorizing our Kingdom to the cowardly attack by the barbarians up north stealing our agriculture and kidnapping our citizens. But through this, we have come back stronger and dealt heavy blows to our enemies in the process. I will personally be rewarding the Marshal-General and the Legates involved in this war for their accomplishments and sacrifices for this Kingdom are immense. But for now, welcome High Chieftain Vercencalt."
As soon as the King stopped speaking, two royal guardians dragged a still-unconscious Vercencalt onto the right side of the balcony before kicking him awake and placing him up against the side of the balcony. The crowd immediately began hurling abuse at Vercencalt, many of whom had lost family members due to actions of attacking the Kingdom. Vercencalt quickly came to his senses, realizing where he was, and attempted to break free, but all he got for his efforts was a kick full force in the plumbs, forcing him to stifle a scream in pain as his testicles ruptured.
Watching this, the King and the crowd started laughing before the King started speaking again. "My people before you is the smelly barbarian High Chieftain Vercencalt, who is fully responsible for the surprise attack across our borders. I know you are angry, so today, I will help you let out your anger by watching this miserable barbarian beg for life while being executed."
The citizens started cheering again, shouting "off with his head" and getting excited at the pending execution. As the citizens were enjoying the spectacle, the executioner walked onto the balcony dressed in a royal red robe with a hood covering the executioner's identity. At the same time, two royal guardians dragged the pleading Vercencalt toward the wooden block, forcing him to kneel in front of it.
Bending down, the King addressed his barbarian foe for one final time while shaking his head. "Vercencalt, I bet you never thought you would end up in this position, did you?"
Seemingly accepting his fate, Vercencalt replied, "No, I didn't, pretender. It might be my time today, but your time will come sooner than you think. Do you really think you can hold onto power while others eye this kingdom?"
"I know someone coerced you into attacking us. Tell me who is eyeing our kingdom, and arrangements could be made?" said the King in the hope of knowing who his true enemies are.
"HAHAHA, Not a chance, pretender, I tell you, and then you will just execute me anyway. It's what the mob below us want." Answered a downtrodden Vercencalt.
"Fine, have it your way. Oh I've forgotten to tell you we also captured your family. They will soon be executed in front of a crowd as well." Standing up with a smile after telling a cruel lie to his enemy as they had not had confirmation of capture yet. Vercencalt immediately tried to lunge at Junius but was quickly restrained and gagged while his head was forced down onto the wooden block.
Meanwhile, just before this happened, the executioner had already picked up the axe and started waving it in the air toward the excited crowd.
After watching Vercencalt getting gagged, the King began speaking again. "My people, in a twist of humorous irony, the axe you see before you is Vercencalt's personal weapon. Now this weapon will end his tyranny and help usher in a new age."
Immediately upon finishing speaking, the King lifted his arm up in the air while the executioner placed the axe high above Vercencalt's head. Looking around the crowd, the King swiftly lowered his hand, and a slice resounded through the royal square. The executioner quickly used their left hand to pick up Vercencalt's severed head with the blood still poring out, presenting it to the crowd, which captivated the citizens, who started cheering, celebrating the barbarian's death.
"My people, this is what awaits anyone who stands against the Kingdoms of Romanium's values. Now that this barbarian is dealt with, we can look towards a prosperous future, Roma Invicta." Shouted the King above the roaring crowd.
"Long Live the King, Glory to Romanium, Roma Invicta." The citizens began a serial chant as their enemy was executed before them. Upon hearing these chants, the King promptly waved back at his adoring citizens before turning around and leaving the now blood covered royal balcony.