It wasn't like the human world, yet it was not hidden from Akriod—a scene he had witnessed countless times during his service as a Holy Knight: the scene of human dogs and the sin they had committed to find themselves in such a position.
Nine men dressed in black, their bodies, heads, and faces completely covered, were leading the nine humans below them like dogs. The scene was familiar to him, but for his knowledge of Inar's naive character, it required an explanation. "Excuse me, who are these?" he asked.
As Ronan looked at them with disdain, he replied, "These demons are supposed to be part of this year's first batch, yet they threw themselves into the well of doom by doing the most forbidden thing in this world, being exposed as they performed the forbidden demon ritual to gain access to the most forbidden thing in this world, scoundrels who sacrificed their human status for the sake of forbidden power."
Akriod knew exactly what the old man was referring to, a long-forbidden mysterious power that he was searching for, which was the reason he was here in the first place in the form of Inar.
He was aiming to target the Dysar Agard, who might have knowledge of the location of the Hidden Library by virtue of his power, but he was surprised by the news of his death, which made him realize that he had to get to the point the hard way; otherwise he would never be able to access the power he need, nor would he be able to remove the curse within him.
The old man in the white, dotted robe rose and took a few steps forward, placing his foot upon one of the human slaves with utter contempt.
These beings no longer possessed rights, reduced instead to hollow shells awaiting the inevitable death brought upon by their own actions.
Their expressions were not sorrowful but pale and cold, resigned to the bleak reality of their existence. Yet, some betrayed their terror; their toes trembled involuntarily—not from humiliation alone, but from an overwhelming fear that surpassed it.
"You sold your human rights for the lowest prices, so prepare yourselves for what is coming to you."
While Akriod stood in front of Ronan and looked at the slaves, "And why did you bring them here?"
"To be executed, of course," Ronan replied with a serious tone and expression.
"And does your position allow you to do that?"
He looked at him. "No, it's not me."
"Then who?"
"You, Mr. Inar."
"Me!"
__
Half an hour had passed since Akirod and Ronan last spoke.
Akriod was wearing his black military uniform with a few white stars on his left chest, standing on top of the building looking out at the training ground.
The soldiers had finished training and put on their uniforms and lined up in orderly military rows.
He understood everything from Ronan in detail, and the reason for his presence in this place.
* * * *
"the great Leader!" He tried as hard as he could to feign a surprised expression; feigning ignorance was his favorite thing to do.
"Yes, every Dysar in the Democracy of Elethra has a portion of the forces controlled by the Great Army of Democracy, and these are the forces of the Great Dysar of Agard; I learned that at the last meeting in the Agard family home during your funeral."
"No, I don't mean that; I just can't believe that the time has come for me to be the commander of the forces of the Agard family."
"Yes, since you are the sole heir of the Agard family, he left his will in your name. I know it sounds complicated and difficult, but don't worry." Ronan put his hand on Akriod's shoulder. "We are with you, the three training elders of the forces of the Great Dysar Argad, and from now on we are at your service in anything."
* * * *
"Yesterday's criminal and today's hero." Akriod muttered to himself sarcastically.
"But their numbers are good for a sect," he added in a calm tone.
Having reached this stage, Akriod now focuses on fulfilling his role as the son of the Agard family and heir to Commander Agard before heading to the documents of the road in the hidden library whose location he does not know and which contain what he seeks.
A colossal ship with the hum of its propellers flew over the building where Akriod stood, soaring above the vast training grounds and hanging in the sky with its two massive propellers.
Each propeller had five enormous, sharp blades spinning rapidly, though the sound of their rotation was faint.
Ronan, who came from behind Akriod, touched his back and said, "Now is the time to announce you as the new leader and heir to your father, show them the power of your iron fist."
He looked at him with a smile, knowing that he had to fulfill his role as the new leader, and the announcement of his rise to this position was the execution of the nine criminals who were thrown from the ship one by one in a violent manner.
They were suspended in the air with ropes binding their legs that were aching with their inaudible screams due to their closed mouths, and even their hands were tied behind them.
Ronan smiled and said, "A sight that can often be said to be hideous… but that is an exception for anyone who has transgressed the unified world's taboos and wanted to become a lowly being." With a disgusted expression, he looked at them and added, "Demons."
Akriod looked at the soldiers holding rifles, he noticed that there were women and children, about nine families, who were on the left side under the roof of the corridor in the camp yard, looking.
Women crying and children confused.
He decided to deliver his speech, postponing his question, "This is Inar Agard, your new commander and heir to the great Agard family lord, my father. I don't really have much to say, but I want to make something clear first and foremost, which is that my command is absolute. What I say is what it is, and I am honored to have you as my followers." His words were strong and clear, the aim of which was to instill a little fear in their hearts.
He raised his hand like a sword, pointing to the nine hanging in the air, where the ship was waiting for his order. "As for the demons, as the supreme commander of the Agard forces, their execution is my responsibility, and now--"
With a startled scream, everyone in attendance was drawn to attention, including Akriod, who looked towards the source of the sound to find a woman in a black dress falling to the ground due to her reckless running.
While she was on the ground, she raised her head, "Please stop, great dysar." With a loud scream, her tear-filled eyes turned towards Akriod.