Chapter 48
Chapter 48: For All to Gather Firewood, How Can We Let Them Freeze in the Wind and Snow?
Within Winterfell stands a tall clock tower, which chimes eight times a day at three-hour intervals, accurately telling the time for the citizens of Winterfell.
When the bell of the clock tower rings, its clear and melodious sound carries far, even audible in the wilderness outside the city.
However, today was destined to be an unusual day.
At four o’clock in the afternoon, the bells, which were not supposed to ring at this time, began to ring “clang, clang, clang,” and continued for thirteen times in a row.
The citizens turned their gazes towards Winterkeep, pausing what they were doing.
This was the bell that summoned the citizens by the lord, and thirteen tolls of the bell meant a public execution.
The citizens’ square, which was rarely visited, was now bustling with a crowd.Two teams of knights stood solemnly on either side of the square, acting as a cordon.
Behind them, in the center of the Citizens’ Square, a temporary wooden platform had been erected. On the wooden platform stood a sturdy gallow, and the noose, already tied, swayed slightly in the wind.
Following a burst of shouts, the man to be hanged, already beaten like a dead dog, was brought up by two knights.
He looked battered, bruised, blood seeping from his white knight’s lining.
The atmosphere of the entire execution ground became even more solemn and oppressive at this moment.
“Enock, Kelly, we’ve had drinks together…”
“No one can save you, Great Knight Gal.”
Two knights stood coldly under the gallows, holding down Great Knight Gal with both hands, making it difficult for the now lord-disgraced Gal to move.
Sivey walked solemnly onto the platform, standing next to Gal.
His gaze was like a torch, overlooking all the citizens present. The once buzzing Citizens’ Square became as silent as a pin drop at this moment.
In the week since he took office, this lord had almost never appeared in front of the citizens, except for award ceremonies. Today was the unique occasion when he summoned all the citizens.
Even so, he still enjoyed a high reputation among the citizens. Not only because of his powerful army and deep background, but most importantly because he abolished the tithe.
This was almost impossible in the Cologne Empire at the time. Abolishing the tithe meant losing half of the income. What would they eat, wear, and use to maintain the army?
However, Sivey did just that. Plus, he rarely showed himself, occasionally appearing in the city on horseback with an expressionless face, unlike other lords who were so self-righteous.
Gradually, he established in the hearts of the citizens an image of a cold-faced, kind-hearted, powerful, and mysterious lord.
“I have summoned you all today to announce something and to execute a man.”
“This is my underling, Great Knight Gal.”
Sivey’s words caused the citizens to exchange glances, seeing shock and suspicion in each other’s eyes.
They looked incredulously at the prisoner who was shackled on the wooden platform and then at the lord who had a cold and serious expression.
The Citizens’ Square was filled with suppressed discussions.
“For the gods’ sake, it’s unbelievable…”
“Is the lord going to hang a knight, and a Great Knight at that?”
“How is this possible? What did he do? Did he sleep with the lord’s wife?”
…
“Silence!”
The knight beside Sivey shouted loudly, and the Citizens’ Square immediately quieted down.
“Why must he be hanged?”
“First: defying orders, seizing relief funds.”
“Second: as a knight, bullying the weak.”
“Third: inciting ruffians, disturbing public order.”
“So, even if he is a Great Knight, I will hang him!”
Sivey’s gaze was icy as he scanned everyone in the square, including his knights and soldiers.
“Today, I have summoned you to witness this execution to let you know that in the Eagle Territory, the dignity of soldiers is inviolable, and the honor of soldiers is not to be insulted.
“They die for the Eagle Territory, for those who are alive, for everyone here, including me, the lord.”
“Whether they are militiamen, guards, or knights, there is no distinction of high or low.”
“For all to gather firewood, how can we let them freeze in the wind and snow?”
“If anyone insists on becoming this storm, I, Sivey Golden Lion, will be the blazing sun that scorches all.”
Sivey’s eyes were like the fierce wind of a bitter winter, and no one dared to meet the gaze of the enraged lord.
After a moment of silence, a solemn command came from the wooden platform.
“Execute!”
With Sivey’s words, the knights who were already prepared immediately placed Gal’s neck in the noose and then kicked away the plank beneath his feet.
With the force of gravity, Gal’s body dropped from the high wooden platform, his feet dangling in the air, the rope tightening. His feet were barely half a meter above the ground, almost eye level with the citizens standing on the steps in the square.
In the Cologne Empire, there were various laws regarding punishment for criminals, but none were as chillingly visible as hanging, allowing everyone to see the fear of death in a less bloody manner.
Usually, hanging would directly break the spine of the victim, but because Great Knights were stronger than commoners, their bodies were more resilient. They would truly be strangled to death, suffocating.
Thus, the citizens would witness the gradual suffocation of the prisoner, his face turning from red to purple; they would see his eyes bulging and his bladder and bowels losing control, slowly being drawn away by the God of Death.
There were no pitiful cries of pain, no struggling. But in this silent stillness, it was even more shocking.
This was the lord’s deterrent and warning to them.
Soon, the Great Knight hanging from the rope went still.
The lord on the platform continued to speak.
“From today, I will purge all the ruffians and scoundrels from Winterfell and form a militia city guard. This order will be carried out by my knights, who will go to other towns as well.”
“After six o’clock tonight, those interested can go to the castle’s military office to sign up. Militiamen will receive five silver coins per month, but I want to make it clear to you in advance.” Sivey paused, then continued in a chilling tone.
“If any of you dare to abuse your status for personal gain, bully commoners, I will personally enforce the more than two hundred cruel punishments in the Cologne Empire’s laws on you.”
With that, Sivey turned and left, accompanied by two knights.
On the square, only the team collecting the body remained, along with the citizens still in shock, silent as cicadas in the cold.
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damnn...
i like this protagonist