Chapter 35: In the Name of the People

Chapter 35: In the Name of the People

TL: Etude

The day after the liberation of Port Fran, Paul Grayman ordered the townsfolk to gather in the square in front of the church. He intended to hold a public trial there, to judge the pirates openly.

Soldiers began notifying every household early in the morning, and by nine oclock, the entire town had congregated in the square. There, people noticed four ominous gallows erected and began speculating about how many pirates the lord would execute.

Over two hundred members of the Shark Gang, the pirate captives, were bound and kneeling in front of the churchs steps. Seeing these scoundrels who had tyrannized Port Fran in recent months, the townspeoples emotions surged.

Now, these pirates, looking like defeated curs, were no longer a threat. The crowd began pelting them with rotten fish and stones, with some captives suffering bloody injuries from the barrage.

Several people attempted to break through the security cordon to physically assault the captives but were promptly pushed back by soldiers with drawn weapons.

If it werent for the soldiers on guard, the pirates would likely have been beaten to death by the angry mob.

They stole my familys life savings!

My daughter was violated by these scoundrels, oh

Oh Lord of Light, send these demons to hell!

Complaints and curses like these filled the air, creating a cacophonous scene in the square.

Paul stood silently on the second-floor balcony, observing everything below.Read latest chapters at nov(e)lbin.com Only

Suddenly, he asked, Do you see that, Schroeder?

The person behind him promptly replied, Yes, Count. It seems the townspeople utterly despise the pirates.

Paul continued, I was just thinking, what if I had been the one to lose yesterdays battle? What if I were the one bound down there? How would these townspeople treat me?

Schroeder fell silent, unsure of how to respond.

Paul mused, Probably no different from these pirates, I suppose. Rotten fish and stones would be hurled at my head just the same.

This How could that be? My Lord, you are their lord, Schroeder replied, trying to be comforting, though his uncertainty was evident.

Paul scoffed, Yes, a lord whose family abandoned them to pirates for over twenty years and then shamelessly came back to collect taxes.

A townsman dragged a pirate out from the group of captives, declaring, It was him! I saw with my own eyes how this man stabbed poor old Glen in the stomach for demanding payment for his meal.

An older woman, scratching at a brute who had violated her daughter, cried out, This fiend defiled my daughter, please seek justice for her!

Scenes like these unfolded continuously until three in the afternoon, when the identification was finally complete. The pirates convicted of serious crimes were dragged out, knowing their end was near, and closed their eyes to await their final judgment.

Paul, standing on the balcony, shouted down to the crowd:

People of Port Fran! I, Paul Grayman, Lord of Alda, hereby announce the sentences for these pirates! For those whose crimes are lesser, I sentence them to 3 to 5 years of hard labor.

He then solemnly turned his gaze to the more serious offenders and said, For those proven to be the most vile and heinous, only death can quell your outrage. Thus, I sentence them to hanging! In the name of the people, execute them immediately!

The soldiers promptly led the condemned to the gallows. The nooses were placed around their necks, and with a kick to remove the stools beneath them, the prisoners struggled in vain before losing their lives. The crowd erupted in cheers as each life was taken, in successive batches.

After the executions, Paul again addressed the crowd: People of Alda, to offset the losses caused by the pirates, I declare a one-year tax exemption for the coastal regions of Alda!

The townspeople gasped in surprise at the good news.

Before their astonishment subsided, they heard the lord loudly proclaim: Before God as my witness, I, Paul Grayman, swear from this day forward

Paul hesitated, and someone gently nudged his waist.

regardless of who the enemy is, no matter how powerful, whether they come from sea or land, I will never abandon you. I will always share your honor and disgrace.

I shall regard your safety as my own, your happiness as my happiness.

I, will devote my life to defending your safety and happiness!

The people of Port Fran were moved. In these simpler times, they were genuinely touched.

They were reminded of the noble legends sung by bards, portraying nobles as just, compassionate, and paternal. Once regarded as mere jokes, they now witnessed a living example.

Paul turned his head and quietly complained to Cecil, Damn, where did you get this cheesy speech from, some third-rate poet? Its making my skin crawl.

Cecil chuckled, My lord, thats exactly the effect we wanted. The cheesier, the better at stirring emotions. Thats what our people love.

Father Morsen, who had been watching the trial from a corner, clasped his hands over his chest and prayed softly, Omnipotent Lord, may Your glory shine forever upon Lord Paul Grayman.

With the conclusion of the public trial, the pirate turmoil that had plagued Alda since the spring finally came to an end.