PRKE 87

CHAPTER 87…………………………………….

“This can’t be happening…”

“She’s a terrible woman. How are we supposed to handle this?”

“She must be exiled immediately.”

“Exile won’t be enough. That evil is already contaminating this sacred land. We need to cleanse it with blood.”

“We must act quickly. The drought will worsen even as we speak.”

“The priests must be protected.”

Before the corruption spreads further, I must be dealt with. That was the consensus of the tribunal.

Though their role was to judge crimes, this was already a verdict being announced, not a trial.

All that remained was deciding the punishment: permanent exile or a death sentence.

I merely watched as people debated. I didn’t protest, nor did I explode in anger, claiming it was all false.

It was useless.

Even in my past life, when I was sentenced to beheading, no one listened to my protest—I was already deemed guilty.

“Fine, whatever.”

I neatly set aside those thoughts.

“At this pace, escape is impossible.”

The punishment would be beheading.

I would be sent directly from the transport to the guillotine without any waiting time. That would be it. No chance to run.

But I had no intention of accepting death quietly.

“With so many people trying to kill me, there’s no way I’ll go quietly.”

Maybe I should do what Aris did.

A surge of power.

I smiled at the thought while watching the people seriously discussing my fate.

Aris had pushed past limits to bring more rain—she had lost control.

When you exceed your limit, the power runs wild, uncontrollable.

“If I go berserk, I won’t remain unscathed either.”

Aris had lost her sanity and become a madwoman for a time.

If I, wielding even more power, went berserk… I couldn’t even imagine the outcome.

“Berserk? Are you out of your mind! You’re already half spirit! If you release that power, who knows what will happen!”

Tailrin, reading my thoughts, circled around me anxiously.

“I’ve always wondered—since when could you read my thoughts?”

“Since you first made contact with me. The spirits’ power grows stronger when gathered. I am a spirit too. Being connected to you, half-spirit, makes this possible.”

“I see.”

“Anyway, don’t think unnecessarily.”

Tailrin looked me in the eye seriously.

“You could die.”

“Just like Leo does.”

I remembered Leo, who had jumped in outrage when I went to find Giovanni instead of Aris.

“You’re laughing now?”

“It’s not laughter. It’s irritation at this mess.”

“You can plan for the future. Unlike me, you have the power to reverse your situation.”

I stared at Tailrin, unpersuaded.

“Wouldn’t my going berserk actually be better for you?”

“What?”

“I could take revenge on the kingdom.”

Tailrin’s eyes hardened.

He had always burned with hatred, unable to escape the past.

“Even if I die, the kingdom will flood. Many humans will vanish.”

“……”

“Just as you wish.”

I sighed inwardly, averting my gaze from the silent Tailrin.

“I thought I had discovered my potential this time…”

Meeting Giovanni had revealed an even brighter possibility. Though that light was fading, at least one path remained: the spirits’ revenge.

It was the only option I had in this situation.

While I conversed with Tailrin, the judge delivered the verdict.

“Igrene Lorenst is sentenced to beheading!”

The judge struck the gavel solemnly.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The guillotine, seen after so long, was still grotesque and chilling.

As expected, there was no chance to escape on the way to the execution platform.

I had considered smashing the transport carriage, but the wooden bars were reinforced with iron inside.

After the failed attempt, my thoughts returned to ‘berserk.’

Yet, with my rage somewhat tempered, the reality that I’d risk my life gave me pause.

“Isn’t there another way?”

The only tool I had now was this power.

“Once the spirit power exceeds a certain amount, spirits will seek me out without my searching—just like the priests’ power naturally absorbed into me after their deaths.”

“Yes.”

Tailrin, who hadn’t spoken after suggesting it would be beneficial for me, finally replied.

I stared at him, then turned my head.

His deep, calm voice reached my ears:

“You’re mistaken about something.”

Executioners were preparing the guillotine.

“My revenge is important, of course.”

I watched the blade, heavy enough to crush a human neck, and listened to Tailrin.

“But….”

Why was it so hard for him to speak?

Tailrin, usually blunt and straightforward, struggled unusually to voice this.

“That doesn’t mean you’re not important.”

I knew I was important to him—I was the last hope for the land where spirits had vanished.

“It’s not that I want you to fail!”

I blinked, startled, as his voice echoed in my mind.

His small, round serpent eyes twisted.

“I have never wished for you to fail. Not as Hilda, not now, not even once!”

“……”

“I’ve always wished for you to live.”

I realized he wasn’t speaking only about the present—he was recalling a past I didn’t know, struggling with it.

“Are you alright?”

“……Yes.”

His tone had calmed somewhat.

“The tragedy our family suffered can be avenged later. As long as you live.”

“……”

“So just focus on keeping yourself safe. I beg you.”

The guillotine rope was released, sending the blade down. Heavy enough to crush a human neck, it hit the floor with a clang.

Taang!

The crowd fell silent at the grim sight.

The executioner rewound the rope, preparing the blade to rise again.

I followed its motion and said:

“You misunderstand—I’m not giving up and waiting to die.”

“……”

“I won’t die alone. If there’s a way to survive, I’ll take it, of course.”

“……”

“So don’t look at me like that. You snake.”

“I was human once too.”

I bristled.

“Even so, you’re just in a shell.”

“…Hmph.”

Tailrin snorted, then after a pause, asked in a noticeably softened voice:

“So… is there a way?”

“Well… I thought there wasn’t one…”

I scanned my surroundings.

The executioner had finished demonstrating the guillotine for the crowd and stepped aside.

The guards were watching the upper audience.

The area, shaded with a long canopy, had a clear view of the execution.

This was the overseer’s seat.

“The king’s seat.”

The executioner and the guards waited for the king.

Nobles, having received the news, filled the stands.

Commoners watched from the ground, level with the guillotine, while the nobility and royal family observed from above.

I looked around.

“So many people… what’s so entertaining about watching someone die?”

Execution would not begin until the king arrived. That was the time I had left.

“I need to make a move within that time.”

Because the carriage was full of people, the guards’ vigilance seemed slightly relaxed.

Yet, the crowd’s eyes monitored me, so it wasn’t necessarily an improvement.

Even now, people outside the carriage glared and jeered at me.

Then, I heard a soft voice.

“Ig… Igre…”

I didn’t turn, only rolled my eyes.

A middle-aged man pressed against the opposite side of the carriage bars caught my attention.

At first, I thought I was mistaken, but no—I wasn’t.

Why was he here?

“Kay?”

I muttered skeptically, and he quickly responded:

“What kind of scene is this?”

Glancing around, I saw no one had noticed him talking to me.

I moved only my lips.

“The story’s long. How did you even get up here?”

Kay leaned subtly closer to the bars, understanding me.

“Chui sent word that you were about to die. I had to come immediately!”

“Chui?”

“You’ll need to kneel and thank him when you meet. If it weren’t for Chui, you might not have ended up like this.”

“Then why did you come, Kay?”

“What do you mean? How could I not come after finding you again?”

Tears glistened at the corners of his lively eyes, like a traveling merchant.

It might have looked like a lovers’ quarrel, but it wasn’t.

Kay and Chui were Amtein’s local spirits, posing as a quack pharmacist and a madam of a brothel.

Especially Kay—he was the potion maker who procured remedies to ease Giovanni’s suspicion. A cunning traveling pharmacist.

He had liked me even back in Amtein, but normally, such a shrewd human wouldn’t step into such danger. Why now?

“Since you left, my medicines have been a hit! They sold like crazy! But no matter how I make them now, they don’t work the same. I think it’s because of you!”

He mumbled so rapidly I could barely hear.

“What did you say?”

“See! My guess was right!”

His serious expression caught my attention.