Upon hearing Nagu's words, the other death row inmates also came to their senses.
Right, why move forward? They could just as well jump back to the viewing platform and still survive. It was only a ten-step distance, which was trivial for these death row inmates, even without the power of a mage, they could cross it.
However, when they turned back and saw Ash's Executioner growing visibly larger again, they quickly snapped out of it, cursed Nagu for his shamelessness, and while taking delight in Ash's plight, they continued to climb the steel cable with their heads down.
Going back was a trap.
Nagu's words were the trigger for the trap.
The moment Ash turned around, he knew he had messed up, because as soon as Nagu spoke those words, he saw his votes increase exponentially.
The audience was frantic, they were frantic!