CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER55-A BLOODY MASSACRE

As the people watched those who were about to be hanged, the crowd of onlookers immediately began to whisper among themselves.

"What should we do? Should we intervene and try to save them?"

"Save them? What are you thinking! Even Hero Rank warriors fell here. How are we supposed to save them? It’s the same as signing our own death sentence!"

"So, are we just going to stand here and watch them get executed?"

"If you think it’s too cruel, you can leave."

"...So we’re not doing anything? But I can’t shake the feeling of regret."

"Then you go ahead!"

...

The members of the Killer Guild and Leap Mercenary Corps, along with some others who had managed to blend in with the commoners, didn’t dare to make a move.

They had seen the events from yesterday, the way the invisible assassins had appeared, utterly unstoppable.

For all they knew, they could be surrounded by a large number of assassins right now.

So, under everyone’s gaze, those who had participated in the rebellion the day before were all hanged.

In an instant, the common people of the imperial city began to feel a shift in the air.

The once meek emperor was now a ruthless king.

And his methods were so powerful that even the great forces could not compete with him.

Unlike the commoners, the various factions in the imperial city now found themselves gripped by fear.

They realized with horror that Aurek had the complete ability to wipe them out.

Luckily, they had not participated in the rebellion last night, and thus had avoided the same fate.

But this was only the beginning. Under William’s investigation, numerous officials and their families were completely uprooted.

The outcome for them was the same—death by hanging at the execution grounds.

Because the number of prisoners was so large, to increase the efficiency of the executions, even many insignificant individuals were simply strangled on the spot!

In no time, the execution grounds were piled high with bodies.

Meanwhile, at the Clover Auction House,

Upon receiving information from his subordinates, President Kafka Ashford’s face immediately darkened.

Wasn’t this going a bit too far?

Killing so many people—didn’t Aurek have some kind of special obsession with bloodshed?

"How many people have died by Aurek’s hand so far?"

"Based on our observations, it should be more than five thousand."

"Of course, if we count the rebel soldiers, the number exceeds one hundred thousand!"

At the mention of one hundred thousand, even Kafka was visibly moved.

At House Tascher,

Yule was equally shocked by Aurek’s actions.

He had never imagined that Aurek would be so ruthless!

One hundred thousand people!

All dead simply because of one of his orders.

Wasn’t this a bit too much?

But soon, Yule realized, to his despair, that Aurek had become a force no one could sway!

"This matter is not something House Tascher can intervene in."

"Instead, we should prepare for what’s to come. Last night was just the beginning, the real end has not arrived yet!"

...

At the cathedral,

Bishop Ramos’s face was grim, his eyes burning with fury.

He never imagined that Aurek would win, and even Hero Rank assassins had fallen under his hand!

"Can someone tell me how Aurek managed to build up such a formidable power?"

But the members of the Ordon Theocracy lowered their heads, unwilling to answer.

Aurek’s methods were simply terrifying, and not only was his power immense, but his actions were also brutal!

For the first time, they faced the young emperor with an unmistakable fear.

The sense of superiority they once held over him had crumbled in an instant.

Now, all they could do was quietly wait, for Archbishop Austin to finish his meditation and return to take charge.

Until then, they didn’t even have the courage to leave the cathedral.

...

An entire morning passed,

And the execution grounds were piled high with corpses.

However, the killing did not stop—it continued unabated.

A new batch of soldiers had replaced the exhausted executioners.

Not only was efficiency unaffected, it had actually increased.

The members of the Royalist Party, seeing this scene, felt an intense sense of fear.

Had they stood on the wrong side, they too would have met the same fate as the others.

"I feel like continuing this way won’t accomplish much. And..."

"Forget it, I think we should go and see His Majesty."

Thus, William and Heimerdinger made their way to the Crossbridge Empire.

After a night of bloodshed, the Valoria Palace was also filled with heaps of bodies.

The Royal Guards and other attendants were busy clearing the bodies.

Aurek had said that if the bodies were left to pile up here, they would release toxins and affect everyone’s health.

While everyone was busy, Aurek stood alone on the city wall, looking out over the vast outer city.

At that moment, his mood was far from good.

Aurek was not someone who reveled in killing—quite the opposite. He was someone who valued life deeply, even giving food to stray animals when he saw them.

But in this world, he couldn’t afford to show even a hint of mercy.

As the emperor of the Crossbridge Empire, he had a responsibility to the nation and its people.

If the Crossbridge Empire collapsed, it would be the commoners who would suffer the most.

Thus, Aurek had to harden his heart, clearing the destabilizing elements within the empire and allowing the entire empire to thrive once more!

Only then would more civilians be able to survive.

Once the Crossbridge Empire became truly powerful, the commoners would no longer have to worry about exploitation and oppression. Their lives would no longer be treated as worthless.

So, for now, Aurek had to be ruthless—he was willing to kill many if it meant ensuring a better future!

War to stop war, killing to end killing!

Though he still felt uncomfortable deep down, Aurek knew there were no other options.

As for how others would judge him—Aurek could not afford to care.

He did not concern himself with other people’s opinions.

Before long, night fell completely,

And the torches on the execution grounds illuminated the entire area!

The executioners had changed several times, and the bodies were now piled into multiple small mountains!

The once terrified onlookers now began to grow numb.

This emperor Aurek was a madman who loved killing!

In an instant, similar thoughts began to fill the minds of the crowd.

Just then, Commander Gaia, riding a swift horse, rushed towards the execution grounds.

"His Majesty has issued a new command. All of you are to stand by and await orders!"