Forbidden.
It wasn't quite like the human world, yet it wasn't hidden from Akriod—a scene he had witnessed countless times during his service as a Holy Knight: the sight of human dogs and the sin they had committed to find themselves in such a predicament.
Nine men dressed in black, their bodies, heads, and faces completely obscured, were leading the nine humans below them like dogs.
The scene was familiar to him, but due to his understanding of Inar's naive character, it required clarification. "Who are these?" he asked.
Ronan, looking at them with disdain, replied, "These demons were supposed to be part of this year's first batch. Yet they threw themselves into the well of doom by committing the most forbidden act in this world—revealing themselves as they performed the forbidden demon ritual in pursuit of the most forbidden power. Scoundrels who sacrificed their humanity for the sake of cursed strength."
Akriod immediately understood what the old man was referring to: the long-forbidden mysterious power that he himself sought, the very reason for his presence here in Inar's form.
**
His goal had been to target Dysar Agard, who might have knowledge of the Hidden Library's location through his powers. However, the news of his death had been a blow, forcing Akriod to realize that accessing the power he sought would not come easily—nor could he remove the curse within himself without taking the hard path.
**
The old man, draped in a white, speckled robe, stepped forward and contemptuously placed his foot on one of the human slaves.
These beings had lost all rights, reduced to hollow shells, awaiting the inevitable death brought about by their own transgressions.
Their expressions were not ones of sorrow but cold, pallid resignation to their bleak fate. Yet, some of them betrayed their fear; their toes trembled involuntarily—not from humiliation alone, but from an overwhelming terror far greater.
"You sold your humanity for mere pittance, so prepare yourselves for what is coming."
Akriod stood before Ronan, his eyes fixed on the slaves. "And why bring them here?"
"To be executed, of course," Ronan responded solemnly.
"Does your position grant you the authority to do this?"
Ronan regarded him. "No, it's not my decision."
"Then who?"
"Yours, Mr. Inar."
"Me!"
---
Half an hour had passed since Akriod and Ronan's last exchange.
Akriod, dressed in his dark military uniform adorned with several white stars on his left chest, stood atop the building, looking out across the training ground.
The soldiers had completed their training and donned their uniforms, aligning in perfect military formation.
He had come to understand everything Ronan had explained, as well as the reason for his presence in this place.
---
"The great Leader!" Ronan exclaimed, feigning surprise; pretending ignorance was one of Akriod's preferred tactics.
"Yes, you are the new leader. Do you feel anything unusual, Mr. Inar?"
"No, that's not it; I simply cannot believe the time has come for me to be the leader of the Agard forces."
"Yes, since you are the sole heir of the Agard family, your father left his will in your name. I know it sounds complicated, but don't worry," Ronan said, placing a reassuring hand on Akriod's shoulder. "We are with you—the three senior elders of the great Dysar Agard's forces—and we are at your service."
---
"Yesterday's criminal and today's hero," Akriod muttered sarcastically to himself.
"But their numbers make them useful for a sect," he added, his tone calm.
Having reached this juncture, Akriod focused now on fulfilling his role as the son and heir of the Agard family and the father of Inar, before seeking the documents of the Hidden Library—whose location he did not know, but which contained the answers he desperately sought.
A colossal ship, humming with the sound of its propellers, flew over the building where Akriod stood. It soared above the vast training grounds, hanging in the sky with its two massive propellers.
Each propeller had five large, sharp blades spinning swiftly, though the sound of their rotation was faint.
Ronan, approaching Akriod from behind, placed a hand on his back. "Now is the time to announce you as the new leader, the heir to your father. Show them the power of your iron fist."
Akriod turned to look at him, knowing that he had to step into his role as the new leader, and the first act of his rise would be the brutal execution of the nine criminals—dropped from the ship one by one in a violent manner.
The criminals hung from the ropes, their legs bound, aching with inaudible screams as their mouths were sealed, their hands tied behind their backs.
Ronan smiled and remarked, "A sight often considered hideous…but a fitting fate for anyone who has violated the world's taboos and sought to become a wretched being." With a look of disgust, he stared at them and added, "Demons."
Akriod observed the soldiers holding rifles, then noticed something: to the left, under the shelter of a corridor roof in the campyard, there were women and children—around nine families—all looking on.
The women were crying, and the children appeared confused.
Akriod chose to make his speech, postponing his question. "This is Inar Agard, your new commander and heir to the great Agard family—my father. I do not have much to say, but I want to make one thing perfectly clear: My command is absolute. What I say, goes, and I am honored to have you as my followers." His voice was strong and authoritative, intent on instilling some fear among them.
He raised his hand like a sword, pointing toward the nine suspended in the air, where the ship waited for his command. "As for the demons, as the supreme leader of the Agard forces, their execution is my responsibility. And now—"
A startled scream broke the tense silence. Everyone turned in shock, including Akriod, who sought the source of the outburst. There, on the ground, lay a woman in a black dress, who had fallen while running recklessly.
From the ground, she lifted her head and cried, "Please, stop, Oh great leader. " Her tear-filled eyes turned pleadingly towards Akriod.