Chapter 139


    <i>Ta-dak, tadak.</i>


    Carynne climbed up the towers spiral staircase, which seemingly went up and up and up endlessly. Still, rather than a ce of execution, it seemed to serve as a steadfast marker in the middle of the woods.


    It was quite high. Her legs were starting to ache from all her climbing. She stopped.


    Its filthy


    There was blood on the walls of the staircase. It seemed like they didnte in to clean this ce often. Judging the height of the old bloodstains here, which were all brown and dried up, Carynne tried to make a guess on the height.


    That is, the height of the person who died in this ce earlier before herself. By her estimate, perhaps he had been a man of great stature. And he seemed to have struggled a lot before he kicked the bucket. Up top, there were quite a few messy marks left behind.


    If she were to be told to die neatly, then so she shall. Its fortunate enough that Verdic Evans wasnt going toe to this ce. She hated his presence at this time the most. Because she knew for sure that hed deliberately bring a rusty, blunt axe to off her.


    Wonder if its through hanging again this time.


    As she was still on her way up the stairs, Carynne eventually came across a small window. Well, its rather generous to call it a window since the breadth of barely one arm could pass through it. Even so, there was enough space for a person to look through.


    Carynne stared out the window.


    Called it. Yep, hanging this time.


    What she didnt expect though was that there were more people here to witness her death. The barracks nearby seemed to have been erected for a much longer stay. Still a lot less peoplepared to downtown though.


    Carynne thought of it in a good wayhow great was it that this huge crowd hade here especially to see her corpse? Truly, the bodies of women on death row could be used in various ways, not only as a spectacle.


    Ha, haa. My legs hurt like hell.


    Finally, she reached the top. Carynne stood in front of the top floors sole door. There was just one room here. Was she going to get executed after staying here? The door was utched. Carynne entered the room. And she scowled.


    Why are <i>you</i> here?


    There was a man in a room.


    One with an ever so familiar face.


    Dun.


    Something felt off for Carynne here.


    As Dun was sitting inside the room until now, he rose to his feet and walked towards her.


    I, Im here as the p-priest in charge of of your final confession.


    Then, he untied the ropes on Carynnes wrists. She wrapped a hand around one of her tingling wrists. Was it a good thing that <i>he</i> was here and not someone else? But, in any case, what meaning would there be that its not just some acquaintance, but Dun himself?


    Ha. Sure. Whatever.


    I got dragged here as soon as I was sentenced to death. Its driving me nuts.


    Yes.


    Carynne sat down in the chair, still touching her tingling wrists. Dun remained standing as there was only one chair inside the room. She looked up at Dun.


    Theres something Im curious about.


    Are executions usually conducted like this? Ive watched a few other people get executed, but its my first time experiencing it myself. From what I gather, the more known the criminal is, the bigger the audience would be so that the criminal can be made an example.


    Carynne looked out of the window as she said this. This top floor was bigger and brighter than she had expected.


    I dont think this is how its usually conducted for those sentenced to death.


    T-Thats what youre curious about?


    Yeah.


    Dun graciously answered her.


    I-I asked Mister Verdic to organize this.


    To have my execution done here?


    T-Thats right.


    Why?


    So So I can t-take it out on you be, before you d-die.


    Carynne blinked.


    Wow.


    You volunteered to do that?


    Dun nodded.


    Th, Thats right.


    Carynne was dumbfounded.


    Mmh, so what youre saying is, before I die Ah, I got it.


    She knew it all too well. Carynne was well aware. Unlucky young women were always in danger of this method. And among all unlucky women, she was one of the unluckiest.


    But of all people, for Dun to say such a thingCarynne was furious.


    So what are you going to do to me?


    Carynne tore a hand through her hair. An amalgamation of anger and irritation rose within her, and it was difficult to suppress.


    She did not know why Dunwho knew the truth behind her situationwas being like this to her. If he were to just let her die roughly, wasnt she going to hell anyway?


    Then why dont you take off your clothes now? Ah, seriously. Im tired enough with Sir Raymond. Mister Verdics annoying, too. Im going to be executed soon. Why are you all irritating me so much until the bitter end?


    Carynne jumped out of her seat and grabbed Dun by the cor.


    Hey, just y with my corpse after I die. Im too tired to do it right now. Why the hell are you doing this to me? Huh?


    Carynne was furious. Thus far, Carynne had not felt such anger at Dun because of the many eventful things that had been happening one after another until now. And because Carynne was in a situation where she really cant get all too angry.


    L-Let go of me.


    But after everything that Dun did to her, Carynne could not help but get angry.


    You sent me to Crown Prince Gueuze, you brought Ise back to life, you put me on death rowyouve just been dragging me here and there. Why are you so annoying? Huh? After this, what? You wanna relieve your lust before I die?


    <i>SLAP!</i>


    Carynne grabbed Dun by the cor and pped him hard on one cheek.


    From the beginning From the very beginning! I, I told you that Id spread my legs for you if you want to sleep with me! Youre the one who didnt want to! Its all over! Youre useless! Just let me die already!


    N-No.


    Dun grabbed Carynnes wrist. His strength overpowered her. He pressed Carynne down by her shoulder.


    You, you havent answered me yet.


    As Dun looked down at her and she red up at him, she tried to calm her wheezing breath. She wanted to lop off Duns head here and now. If only she could.


    What.


    True love.


    Carynne red viciously at Dun, but he merely stared at her with those ck eyes, like endless chasms.


    D-Does Sir Raymond love you?


    You havent answered yet.


    Our wager is not yet over.


    * * *


    What do I do


    Ise bit her nails anxiously. She paced back and forth inside one of the tents in the barracks. Too much happened while she was in thata. Ise still could not believe that she had slept for seven months.


    Lily! Lily!


    Y-Youre not there?


    Ise became discouraged when she realized that her maid did note. Its ufortable. Its really ufortable in this tent.


    Ise really didnt want toe here, but going out of her way to watch was her dutyher duty to carry out the revenge that her father spoke of. Ise had to take revenge against Carynne, and she would see the culmination of her revenge here.


    Ise was not ready yet. Ise couldnt bear to see injuries, let alone a corpse. However, Verdic refused to allow any more childishness from her. After all, she had be an adult already.


    Ise, stop biting your nails. Its not a good look.


    Verdic rebuked her from the moment he stepped into the tent.


    I-Im sorry.


    Ise took her thumb out of her mouth. Its not long ago when Verdic had vowed to stop scolding his daughter, but it didntst long.


    Ise looked around and asked.


    Father, what about Mother? Shes noting?


    That womans good at leaving the house, in any case.


    Verdic replied curtly.


    Shes noting


    Rather than her father, Ise wanted to see her mother more. She felt so anxious. Ise usually relied on Verdic more, but ever since she woke up from hera, her father had be so frightening, and so unfamiliar.


    Were going back home soon, too.


    Okay


    With tears welling up in her eyes as she looked up at her father, she answered.


    Ises scared. Shes scared now, and shes scared of whats toe.


    Were going back as soon as its over.


    Verdics voice was gentle, but his words were certainly not. He never once suggested that his daughter could go back and rest up first.


    As soon as its over.


    Verdic said this once more as he stared at the tower. His eyes contained firm resolve. Ise wiped off her sweaty palm on her skirt. Whenever her father had that expression on his face, something bad always happened.


    Look over there. Our revenge has already begun.


    Inside that tower was Carynne. Ises legal sister. Ises nemesis. A murderer who killed several people.


    Ise and Verdic were waiting outside the tower to see that young woman get hanged.