As the clouds parted, allowing sunlight to illuminate the scene, even the expressions on the soldiers' faces seemed to hold their breath at her truly astounding bravery. Every soldier stared at her, their gazes fixed, beads of sweat rolling down their faces from the tension.
Her gaze remained locked on Akriod. "Do these families have any ties to the criminals?" he asked Ronan, his eyes briefly flickering back to her.
As Ronan stepped forward he said, "Yes, and their presence is a national duty based on the universal law of combating demons, which is to make the criminal's family witness his execution, with all the ages of his family, so that this would be a warning to them against challenging the unified law of this world."
Akriod knows that no woman—or any human being, for that matter—can change what is destined to happen.
It's not that he wants to; in fact, he has no interest in it at all. He's focused solely on fulfilling his role. And even if he wanted to stop the execution, it would be impossible. Executions are carried out by universal law—an immutable and fixed decree.
Furthermore, this serves as an excellent opportunity to demonstrate his authority in carrying out decisions as the new leader, succeeding the previous leader.
Without hesitation, he brought his hand down in a swift, commanding motion.
Instantly, the soldiers opened fire, their relentless gunshots rising in a deafening crescendo to announce the execution of the nine men.
The nine women, tears streaming down their cheeks, could do nothing but cry.
They closed the eyes of their children, who were terrified by the deafening sound of gunfire piercing the bodies of their fathers, whose forms had become nothing more than perforated flesh, hanging loosely.
"Stop," Akriod ordered loudly after confirming their deaths.
The execution was complete, and the ship began to move north, leaving the scene under Akriod's watchful gaze. His eyes were fixed on the ship. "Where is it headed?" Akriod asked Ronan.
"To democracy, sir. Since you live outside its reach, it's something you've never witnessed before... It's just that the sight of these corpses is a customary display meant to warn the people, showing them the fate of those who dare to venture into the world of demons."
As Ronan finished speaking, the woman's furious gaze locked with Akriod's cold, unfeeling stare, as though she were cursing him.
A soldier quickly approached from behind her, his rifle raised. With a seething expression, he struck her with the rifle's butt, throwing her to the ground. The women behind her screamed in terror.
The soldiers were taken aback by his action, but he remained focused on the woman, unconscious from the blow to her neck.
"How dare you look at the commander with those filthy eyes?" he spoke with a scornful tone.
"What are you doing, Ryudas!" one of the soldiers exclaimed, surprised by Ryudas' actions.
He raised his head to Akriod and said, "I apologize, sir. I couldn't bear the look of a common woman directed at you." His expression was filled with regret.