Now that everyone had been gathered, the long-awaited reckoning could finally begin.


    After thorough investigations by the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with the Capital Guard, it was confirmed that Yuvan, Nichs, and his associates were indeed guilty of treason. The charges were indisputable. After such a long dy, it was time to list all their crimes for the world to


    see.


    Yuvan''s entire family-except for Randall, who had provided valuable information-was sent to Astral Prison. However, Randall was also removed from the royal registry. He remained in his post at the Supreme Court, still serving as warden. Despite that, it was clear that any prospects for promotion were now out of reach for the next ten years.


    Matthew had ordered Randall to take a temporary leave, telling him to stay away from Astral Prison and reflect quietly at home while the matter was sorted.


    Matthew thought Randall was a bit slow, but at least thetter was honest and willing to learn. Over time, he had grown more decisive and was starting to think things through, which Matthew appreciated. So, Matthew was still willing to look out for him.


    Matthew had mentioned Randall to Carissa before. Carissa had said that Randall had grown up with a timid nature, never daring to resist when faced with challenges. Fortunately, he had been raised by Avis, who had taught him well. This prevented his nature from being spoiled.


    Carissa advised Matthew not to give Randall too much special attention. "Let him stay in the capital and live an ordinary life. Only then will the king feel at ease."


    Matthew understood this. Randall had only managed to get out of the situation because of the lead he had provided about Yuvan''s private army. But once everything settled down, Salvador would no doubt feel ufortable every time he thought of Randall.


    That was why Salvador hadn''t stripped Randall of his post-he was being kept close, under constant surveince. If he ever harbored thoughts of leaving the capital, he wouldn''t make it far.


    In the morning court, Salvador announced the charges against Nichs, Yuvan, and their co- conspirators. The list of offenses was staggering-over a hundred in total.


    They were used of plotting to overthrow the throne, fabricating royal attire reserved only for the king, training private soldiers, hoarding weapons and secretive escape techniques, inciting the people, spreading rumors about the court, embezzling taxes, supporting bandits, and raiding viges...


    The charges were all grave, some of them almost unfathomably severe.


    The people might not have cared much about power struggles or rebellion, but when bandits began plundering and terrorizing themon folk, the situation took a turn. That was when the people''s anger truly boiled over, for it became personal. The public''s fury was such that they cried for blood, wishing nothing more than to see the criminals meet a gruesome end.


    The fury was so intense that the people called for the harshest punishments.


    Nichs and Yuvan were to be executed with Torso Cleaving, and the officials involved-Clifford, Wayne, Saul, and Samson-would all be beheaded.


    The families


    the traitorous nobles


    and officials were not spared, either. The men were branded on their faces and exiled, never allowed to return to the capital. The women were forced into theundry house, living their lives as ves.


    Many officials were involved, and heads fell one after another at the execution grounds. Each time, they


    made Nichs, Yuvan, and others watch the executions, forcing them to see their trusted subordinates


    die.


    They also wanted those officials


    who had conspired in the rebellion


    to realize, just before they died, how they had been deceived by the wrong people. They needed to know that their actions resulted in the near destruction of their entire families.


    Even someone as mentally strong as Nichs and Clifford couldn''t withstand such torment.


    The days and nights they spent


    plotting together, the faces full of


    ambition, and the hopeful eyes-now all turned to hatred. The rebel


    пе


    officials red at Nichs and his group, looking as though they


    wished they could burn holes into


    their bodies.


    On the day of their execution, Nichs and the other main conspirators were paraded through the streets, exposed to the jeers and curses of the people.


    That day, the main streets of the capital were blocked off. Wherever the prison carts passed, they left behind a mess. The people couldn''t bring themselves to throw eggs. Instead, they threw rotten vegetables, mud, and waste.


    Anything that could express their hatred, they threw.


    Before their execution, there was widespread discussion about the bandits causing chaos and harming the people. Their cruelty angered everyone.


    Clifford was no longer the calm figure he once was. Hisposure finally cracked.


    He had always thought that no matter how much people insulted or cursed him, it wouldn''t hurt him. His heart had be numb.


    But as the filth and mud rained down on him-dirty, repulsive, and degrading he felt something shift


    deep inside him. It was as though all the blood in his body rushed to his head, and his face turned a deep, livid shade.


    This was what true public disdain felt like. This was the weight of universal contempt.