A man who perseveres like this, Ethan believes that even after he's beheaded and goes to Hell, he will surely carve out his own world.

The announcement lasted for dozens of minutes. When Mary closed the dossier, people were still immersed in the echo left by Hawke's accusations. The commoners stared fixedly at Hawke, who was strapped to the guillotine, as if seeing him anew.

"Mr. Grave, please come up to the stage."

Mary's voice startled the commoners, who turned to look at the tall, thin elderly man in a black, old-fashioned double-breasted suit amid the crowd. Every time he attended an important event, he wore this suit.

It was said to be bought during his youth, while studying at the Truth Society in the Imperial Capital, kept until today.

Upon returning to Oasis City, Grave refused a job at the Security Office in Upper City, opening a detective agency in Lower City. With no major cases, he dedicated himself to resolving disputes among the residents, gaining a reputation among commoners. People liked to seek his help as Grave always found a proposal satisfactory to both parties, and over time, he became the embodiment of fairness in the eyes of Lower City residents.

Even Grave never expected Saint Mary to know him, let alone call his name in public.

He walked towards the execution platform, supported by his cane, having a vague premonition about what would happen next.

Grave took a deep breath, maintaining his composure.

"Mr. Grave, considering Hawke's crimes, how should we deal with him?"

He met Hawke's pleading eyes, Hawke continuously conveying his message through his gaze. If this criminal's mouth were not gagged, he would have promised Grave many benefits—wealth beyond the commoners' imagination.

"According to the laws of the Far West, the tenets of the Church Court, or the Empire's laws, he should be put to death."

"Then, how about you carry out the execution?"

This time, the commoners gathered in the square didn't raise torches, urging Grave to perform the execution. They simply watched silently as Grave and the struggling Hawke on the platform, awaiting the judgment's result.

In fact, Grave was present at last night's gathering, mingling in the crowd without giving any opinion. When the celebration ended, he sat alone in the corner, ordered a plate of fried dough twists, and a jug of malt beer.

As someone who had attended the Truth Society, he should have stayed away from such fervor overwhelming reason. He clearly understood the consequences of the situation's progression but also witnessed the changes in Oasis City and Hawke's deeds when Stone Lung struck.

For this reason, he couldn't stand before the commoners as a "rational" person, coldly pointing out their frenzied actions.

This might not be the best solution, but it could be their only means.

Yet now, they seemed to have another option.

Grave ceased his contemplation, reached in front of the guillotine, under everyone's eager gaze…

The guillotine blade fell sharply, blood splattering, the decapitated head rolling away, time seemingly frozen. In this moment, not a single cheer arose. Grave stood in astonishment like everyone else, the visually shocking scene inducing a strong sense of unreality.

They…

actually executed an official of Oasis City?

By publicizing Hawke's crimes through existing laws in front of a large crowd?

As the audience remained in shock, several more individuals, under Mary's instruction, were brought onto the execution platform. They were similarly bound and gagged, crying almost to the point of passing out at the sight of the earlier scene.

This was Hawke's family.

Mary began the second round of crime announcements.

Compared to Hawke, their crimes were trivial, typical of those with vested interests, many still immersed in the shock of Hawke's decapitation as Mary finished reading the charges against the second batch of convicts.

"Mr. Grave, considering their crimes, how should we deal with them?"

Mary's question pulled Grave back to reality.

In yesterday's underground tavern "trial," these individuals were as detestable as Hawke, deserving to be burned alive in the manor. Suddenly, someone in the crowd raised his right arm, shouting, "Grave, don't be fooled by them, they're all Hawke's accomplices, off with their heads!"

The speaker was the host of yesterday's trial, who had incited the crowd's hatred, torch held high.

This time, however, his incitement met no response.

The man incredulously surveyed the surroundings, questioning everyone present, "Have you forgotten what that drug peddler did to us?"

"Hawke has already been executed."

Though not loud, Grave's voice resonated throughout the square.

The headless body collapsed beside the guillotine, Hawke's face still etched with execution-induced terror and despair.

Grave spoke in a deep tone, "According to the laws of the Far West, their assets should be confiscated, and they should be imprisoned based on the different crimes."

"But..." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Mr. Laris, if you have any objections, please come up to the platform."

Upon hearing this, the man's face flushed red with anger, yet under the gaze of the crowd, he refused to advance a single step, "If you believe they also deserve death, why not carry out the execution yourself?"

Time passed slowly, yet the man instead retreated a few steps, blending into the crowd using them as a shield.

"...I have no objections."

After a while, the man said reluctantly.

"Take them away."

Mary ordered.

Subsequently, the third batch of defendants was brought onto the guillotine.

Seeing these people's faces, the crowd started discussing—these were Hawke's household servants, many were familiar faces, including young maids they watched growing up.

"Next are their crimes."

Mary unveiled the dossier for these individuals, people listened intently, met with silence.

The silence lasted about a minute, then Mary asked again, "Mr. Grave, according to their charges, how should we handle them?"

This time, even Laris lowered his head, avoiding eye contact with the servants on the platform.

In yesterday's "trial," these people were also to be burned together.

After all, they betrayed Lower City, working daily in those lavish mansions?

But now, Laris couldn't candidly voice his true thoughts, as even he realized this was no longer about justice.

"They should be released."

…

Before nightfall, the commoners of Lower City returned home, the expected riot didn't occur. Instead of surprise or questioning, they were met with warm embraces from their families.

This relaxed them.

Until the hot soup and hard bread were served, when family members asked about the trial's proceedings, they said, "Maybe... we should write a complaint to Lady Mary."

"A complaint? But those who wrote complaints before were taken away..."

"It's worth trying again, maybe it'll work."

However, for the nobles of Oasis City who witnessed this trial, it was inevitably a sleepless night.

Once her work was done and everyone dispersed, Mary, finally relaxed her dignified demeanor before Ethan, let out a long breath, and rushed to Ethan's side, "Phew—! Senzi, I was really afraid that Laris would run onto the stage to behead the others."

Of course, she wouldn't allow such a thing to happen, but openly stopping Laris would embarrass her.

Fortunately, until the end, Laris didn't take a single step towards the execution platform.

"Ave was indeed right."

Mary couldn't help but feel curious about the young lady far away in the Imperial Capital, who bore the same appearance as her. During today's call, Ave had confidently told her that Laris would definitely not go up to the guillotine.

Because when people put down their torches, and genuinely judge someone's life or death, reason will reclaim its place.

Ave had always believed that.