Chapter 4- The weight of justice

Erick's POV:

Whistling sounds were heard in unison followed by wailing screams. The moans hadn't ended yet when a man in armor raised his hand and screamed.

- Fire!

Again, whistling sounds echoed before being followed by another moan of pain. This time, there were incomprehensible screams mixed in with the moans. Because of the distance, I wasn't able to understand him, but he was desperately pleading. Despite his pleas, the armored man raised his hand again.

- Fire!

The whistling sounds rang out again, but this time there were no screams or moans. A terrifying silence reigned over the place. A part of me relaxed thinking it was all over, but soon the man raised his hand again.

- Fire!

Another whistling sound rang out in the air in unison. Once again, silence surrounded the environment. Finally, the man lowered his hand. A sudden wave of relief causes my legs to fail me and I fall on my butt to the ground. The fear of what I was witnessing took over me making it impossible to move from my spot. Thinking it was finally over, I look back at the knight before realizing he had pulled out the sword at his waist. With the sword unsheathed, he walked over to 4 wooden pillars holding what had once been people. An intrinsic bad feeling took over my mind as I tried to look away from the scene without success. With a quick movement, he detached the head of one of the former humans and held it in his hands. He quickly tosses that head to one of the subordinates behind him before moving to the next pillar. He repeats the process 3 times before shaking the blood off his sword and sheathing it again. He shouts something to the subordinates holding the heads and walks away with them in their hands. The rawness of the scene leaves me shocked. Not knowing how to react, I just held my legs and sat on a pillar behind me.

- Are you interested in executions, sir?

- Hiiiick

Those words from my teacher made me let out a shriek as I looked at my sword teacher in panic.

- Mr. Longinius…

- You don't have to look so scared, sir, it hurts my feelings.

A grimace of pain crosses his face as he lowers his head. In panic I try to recompose my words, but he quickly laughs at my panic.

- Were you pretending?

- I'm so sorry, sir, I just couldn't help it.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I see that I hadn't hurt my teacher's feelings. My teacher simply gives me a hand to get me up from the ground with a gesture tinged with concern.

- Are you okay, sir?

- …. Mr. Longinius, is my father a good person?

Surprised by my question, he looks at me for a moment before turning his gaze towards the execution ground.

- I believe he is a respectable man who cares about his people.

- Then… why does he kill his people?

A complicated expression crosses his face as he puts his right hand on his neck, rubbing it slowly.

- … If I had to say it, he did this for the sake of justice.

- Justice?

With a somewhat melancholic look, he turns his gaze towards the execution ground.

- The people you just saw die were traitors who tried to start a revolt.

- Traitors?

- Yes. They were influenced by a neighboring noble to start a revolt and thus remove your father.

- … Even the children were part of the revolt?

A timid silence was created as I watched him closely in search of an answer, he just sighed and continued.

- Those children were not participating in the revolt.

- Then-

- But, it is the family of the ringleader.

- But why does that matter?

His gaze fell on me with some annoyance in his expression, finally he sighed and spoke.

- You may be too young to understand it, but it is a way of setting an example for others.

- Setting an example?... just for something like that he killed the children and his wife?

- Exactly. Right now, those soldiers are heading to the city square, where they will display the heads of the ringleader and his family for the townspeople to see.

- Display them? Why would they do something so-?

- As I said, it is to avoid more unnecessary deaths.

- Unnecessary deaths?

- That's right. If the Grand Duke of Hasha, his father, were to show mercy to the rebels, it would only lead to the birth of another ringleader who would pointlessly lead to more of our citizens' deaths. To ensure that they don't try again, we have to be as cruel as we can to those who committed treason.

My teacher's words cling to my heart and weigh it down. Even though he says that he is doing it for the greater good, I can't help but think that it is unnecessary. My teacher kneels down until his face is level with mine as he places a hand on my shoulder gently.

- Listen, young master, I know it may seem ruthless, but justice exists to end evil.

- … Evil

- That's right. If justice were to soften with evil and let it run wild, evil would only expand uncontrollably until it swallows what we love most. That's why you are learning about the art of the sword, so that one day you can lead your people under the banner of justice to a better future.

I nod my head vigorously as my teacher gives me a smile. A sudden burden settles on my shoulders. When I try to move, I begin to feel my body being slowly tied by invisible hands that whisper inaudible things. When I look up, the entire stage had become dark and my teacher was no longer in sight. Quickly more and more hands join together until they block my movements. An intense scream resounds in the dark room that is swallowed by the infinite black.

...…..

A nightmare wakes me up. I'm covered in sweat and I can't help but breathe heavily in my quest to get air into my tight lungs. Even though I've already woken up from my dream, the feeling of being bound doesn't go away from my body. I slowly recover as my eyes slowly adjust to the darkness. When I look down, I notice that there's something tied around my chest and arms. I quickly try to free myself from these bonds expecting the worst.

"Stop!"

A sudden scream in my head brings me back to my senses. My hands stop completely as I search for the source of the voice.

- Vulk?

"What the hell were you about to do?"

- Take away these things blocking my movement?

"And you're just going to waste that little girl's effort like that?"

- Effort?

I look down carefully and realize that they weren't restraints, but rags carefully wrapped around my body.

- Rags?... no, am I bandaged?

Vulk lets out a heavy sigh at my confusion.

"I can't believe you hid those wounds even from me."

- … Did that girl notice?

"So it seems, in the middle of the night that girl got up out of nowhere and started undressing you. Frankly she was so skilled that I even thought she wanted to rape you and everything. But before I knew it, she was tearing off parts of her blanket and bandaging you with it."

As I slowly scan the tent, I find the little girl a few steps away from me lying on the ground while shivering from the cold wrapped in what was left of her blanket. A light smile comes out of my lips before I crawl over to her. I quickly take her in my arms and lay her down on my bed.

"…You are bolder than I thought."

Ignoring her comment, I lay down next to her and cover us both with my blanket. Seeing that she is still shivering, I bring her small body closer to my side and put her in my arms to prevent her from feeling cold. She slowly stops shivering as she unconsciously snuggles into my chest.

- …Dad…

A light whisper from the little girl reaches my ear as I make the determination to continue my journey with her until I can return her safely home.