■ Freedom and Equality □
Finally, the day of execution has arrived.
Originally, since it’s Sunday, it would be normal to still be in bed, but due to the necessity of attending the execution, I woke up early in the morning, washed up, and prepared to go out.
The execution is scheduled to begin at 12 PM—noon.
Since the execution taking place in the southern square is conducted publicly, regardless of social status, any citizen of Oz can come to watch.
And if Beautiful Girl Mask is truly the Hero, she will appear here.
Actually, even if she doesn’t show up, it wouldn’t matter much.
After all, it’s a fact that the Resistance exists as a cancerous mass within the current Oz, so we must set an example.
There’s a reason for the saying “punish one to warn a hundred.”
After having a slightly more filling breakfast than usual, we all left the house together.
Originally, only Ozma and I were going to attend, but since we must capture Beautiful Girl Mask no matter what happens today, we decided to rely on the help of Barnett and Dorothea.
Since the southern square isn’t very far from our home, we walked instead of taking a carriage.
Perhaps because it had been heavily advertised through newspapers, many people were already heading toward the southern square from the early morning.
From a modern perspective, an execution might seem barbaric, but in a world with few forms of entertainment, it is treated as another kind of show.
The Colosseum in ancient Rome wasn’t built for no reason.
Despite numerous philosophers emphasizing the importance of morality, many people still love bloodshed and violence.
With our faces concealed by hats and robes, we arrived at the southern square where the gallows stood after walking for about twenty minutes.
In the past, most executions were hangings.
The wealthy either drank poison or faced decapitation, which was the shortest and least painful method, while those who committed unspeakable crimes were burned alive.
Thus, the form of d*ath also varied according to one’s status and wealth.
However, a century ago, the guillotine was developed, and for the first time, everyone’s d*ath became equal.
“Wowwwww! k*ll the traitors!”
“Oh no! Please spare my son! He’s usually such a good boy!”
“Down with the dictatorship! Go away!”
In front of the southern square, a sea of people gathered to watch the execution.
Amidst the chaotic atmosphere, police barricades prevented the crowd from moving forward any further.
Today, dozens of Resistance members, their faces covered with masks, knelt before the scaffold.
Blending into the crowd, we observed the scene while quietly conversing.
“The number of people is higher than expected.”
“It means that many humans have been captured this time. Even after selecting only the worst offenders among the Resistance, there are this many.”
“They’ve really managed to gather quite a number.”
“It couldn’t be helped since we deliberately left them alone to suppress the anti-horse faction.”
The clock tower now pointed to 11:30 AM.
We knew there was only about thirty minutes left until the execution.
Understanding that we could no longer delay, we entered the square through a spot where no one could see us.
As the top figures of the Governor’s Office, my presence and Ozma’s arrival drew a stronger reaction from the audience.
Of course, we anticipated such a response.
After exchanging greetings with various distinguished guests who had come to witness the execution, we took our seats on the platform.
The time of execution was drawing near.
But Beautiful Girl Mask still hadn’t shown her face.
The larger the crowd grew, the greater the burden on the police officers guarding the area.
Even though nearly several thousand officers had already been deployed, it felt like it might not be enough given the influx of people.
Anyway, catching Beautiful Girl Mask is our job, so it didn’t matter much.
Eventually—
“We will now commence the ceremony.”
Bang! Pop pop pop!
At exactly noon, fireworks erupted from all sides, marking the start of the Resistance’s execution.
One might question why an execution is being carried out with such grandeur like an event, but this is also a form of publicity.
It is meant to showcase the Governor’s power and demonstrate what happens to those who oppose us, so it proceeded as extravagantly as possible.
Though Governor Ozma herself wore an expression of dissatisfaction with this festival-like atmosphere, I felt the same way.
After all, turning the killing of human lives into a show is strange in itself, and accepting it with pleasure is equally odd.
While exchanging pleasantries with the dignitaries participating in this execution, we watched the black flag symbolizing the Demon Tribe Alliance rise onto the flagpole.
The large black flag fluttered in the wind.
When all the spectators’ eyes were focused on the flagpole, someone gasped.
This was because, moments ago, the flagpole had been empty, but now a small shadow stood atop it.
Until now, the Phantom Thief Beautiful Girl Mask, who had only been active at night, had never been seen clearly by anyone, but she had revealed herself to the public.
“It’s Beautiful Girl Mask! Beautiful Girl Mask has appeared!”
As someone shouted her name, Beautiful Girl Mask leapt down from the flagpole.
“Hah!”
Her saber sliced the Demon Tribe Alliance’s flag in half.
Everyone was speechless at the tragedy that unfolded right before their eyes in an instant.
Finally, landing gracefully with movements akin to a butterfly, she spoke in a quiet yet clear voice that everyone could hear.
“Governor Ozma Zoroaster and Chief Financial Officer Partarth! Since I’ve come as you requested, stop the execution!”
This caused the crowd to fall silent.
Frankly, most people present didn’t actually believe Beautiful Girl Mask would show up.
It was obvious that she would meet a terrible end.
But she had indeed appeared.
In the tense atmosphere, I clapped my hands.
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Then I rose from the VIP section and slowly approached Beautiful Girl Mask, facing her.
Since the distance was too great for my voice to carry, I used magic to communicate.
“Nice to see you again after three days, Beautiful Girl Mask.”
In response, Beautiful Girl Mask replied with a stiff expression.
“Papillon Noir.”
Honestly, I thought titles didn’t matter much at this point, but I decided to respect her for appearing here, which was practically s*icide.
“So, Papillon Noir, do you know why I specifically summoned you here?”
“…Isn’t it because you bear a grudge over my intrusion into your mansion?”
I shook my head.
“You failed anyway. And I wouldn’t go through all this trouble just for revenge over something that minor.”
Saying this, I pointed at her.
“I know your secret.”
“!”
Her noticeably startled expression confirmed it.
You might think you’ve perfectly hidden your identity, but you can’t deceive my eyes.
Still, perhaps considering the possibility that it might be a bluff, Papillon Noir calmly smiled and asked.
“What kind of secret are you talking about? As far as I know, this is only our second meeting.”
“Freelance journalist, Linda Kent. That’s your cover identity, right? I recognized your hair from before and quickly found the information.”
“…So you really do know.”
“My eyes are spread throughout all of Oz.”
As I said this, tapping my temple lightly, she bit her lip in frustration and said,
“Anyway, since I’m here, stop this execution. Isn’t capturing me what you wanted?”
“You’re not wrong. But it seems you have no intention of surrendering.”
“While I’m here, it’d be better to catch two birds with one stone.”
Saying this, Papillon Noir drew another sword from her waist.
Is that dual wielding?
Her combat style reminded me of the old Ozma.
Blue streams of energy flowed through her body, likely due to some magical armament.
In response, I activated my Wind Palm Bone technique.
Green winds swirled around my hands and feet.
Ozma, standing behind me, asked,
“Should I help?”
“For now, it’s fine. Just keep watch and assist if it gets dangerous.”
“Understood.”
Ozma nodded with a look of trust.
To live up to her expectations, I leaped down from the platform.
Boom!
Realizing the situation was serious, the prisoners were hastily moved away by the police.
As I and Papillon Noir slowly approached each other, smiling, it felt like meeting a lifelong rival.
Kooohhh—
Using Vision Breathing, the virtual magic circuits within my body began to fiercely activate.
Apparently, she was also ready to fight, as an unusual flow of mana emanated from her entire body.
‘A rematch, huh.’
Last time, it ended inconclusively, but this time, we’ll finally determine who’s stronger.
“I’m going.”
The moment I said that, without waiting for anyone to move first, we charged toward each other.
