Only God

The Princess, although reckless and without taboo, knew the gravity of certain matters. She wouldn't use her royal status to force the opportunity to carry out an execution, for one thing because it would bring shame to the Royal Family, and secondly, if the local Governor or the Emperor's Paladin got wind of it, they would surely do everything in their power to stop it.

So, Arsia's method of snatching the Executioner's opportunity was straightforward.

She simply disguised herself and paid a high price to buy the chance to execute from the Executioner.

This approach was fast, effective, and caused little worry about the consequences.

However, unexpectedly...

At the Executioner's, Arsia faced a severe rejection.

"No, I can't leave this task to someone inexperienced."

The Executioner spoke with conviction,

"The criminals' families have paid money for a quick death, and if, because of you, their deaths are not swift, then I'm in trouble. Those people won't let me off."

Arsia pondered for a moment, then said,

"I'll pay three times the price."

She had thought such a high offer would surely sway others, but once again, Arsia was mercilessly rejected.

"It's not about the money, it's about the lives."

The Executioner stressed,

"Do you understand? The matter of taking money from the families can be a big deal or a small one. Once those families report me to the Governor, I would be exiled."

Even after Arsia offered ten times the money, the Executioner not only rejected her outright but also showed them out.

"This person is crazy; I can't understand why he's not tempted by ten times the money!"

Arsia complained, rubbing her fingers, looking extremely unwilling to let it go.

Eden glanced at the Executioner's house, located at the edge of the town, surrounded by overgrowths, almost detached from secular society, with few willing to approach, as if there were thick invisible walls on all sides of the house.

"Elsewhere, ten times the money would be enough to tempt someone.

The problem is, he can't bear the consequences after taking the tenfold money,"

Eden spoke slowly.

"Oh, consequences, what's there to worry about consequences? After all, those people are going to die anyway, is there really that much difference between a cruel death and a swift one?"

Arsia was completely indifferent and glanced at Eden before continuing,

"Priest, you're always talking about sin and punishment as if they are so important.

But as I see it, no matter the sin or punishment, as long as one isn't held accountable, they might as well not exist."

Eden turned his head, looked at Arsia seriously, and said,

"Your Highness, you are a True Believer."

Arsia spread her hands,

"I never said I wasn't. I pray every day, and I go to Mass at the Grand Cathedral on every major holiday. But I just don't care about sins or punishments."

Eden fell silent; there was nothing more to say to Arsia.

He felt as if they were people from two worlds: himself, who had been brought up in Spiritual Cultivation and could see good and evil, who valued the human soul and looked forward to the afterlife, whereas Arsia, brought up in luxury, was keen on pleasure and loved the beauties of this world, even if all that was built on the suffering of others.

"Forget it, Executioner Princess, let's just wait and watch the execution."

After a while, Eden said, having no intention to continue arguing with Arsia.

Arsia nodded slightly, looking at Eden, seemingly hesitant to speak.

She expected Eden to say something to refute or mock her, but when Eden didn't, it threw her off.

Inexplicably, Arsia felt unsatisfied and asked deliberately,

"In your eyes, what is sin?"

Quickly, came the Priest's response,

"Sin is something you cannot understand."

Arsia choked on his words, her tall frame trembling with indignation.

...

In the afternoon, when the time for the execution arrived, the unbribed Executioner made his way to the town square, and the condemned had already been placed on the platform.

Nearly half the town's residents had gathered here, closely packed; looking from a higher vantage point, the place was a sea of heads.

Arsia stood with Eden on the outskirts, having arrived later, they didn't get a spot at the very front, but this was no issue for her height allowed her to see the execution site clearly from the outskirts.

The local townsfolk, aside from looking at the execution ground, were occasionally sizing up Arsia, having never seen such a tall woman, they couldn't help but marvel.

The Executioner sharpened his blade on the execution ground, the rhythmic swishing sound haunting, like a charm calling for the arrival of the Death God.

Arsia clenched her hands, her eyes wide with a slight smile on her lips, like a maniac yearning for the descent of death.

If given the chance, she would love nothing more than to snatch the knife away and carry out the execution herself.

Eden frowned at the scene on the execution grounds, knowing well that no one on that platform was wrongfully accused: out of the five death row inmates, three had been sentenced for murder, and two for crimes such as robbery, rape of women and children, poisoning of crops, and causing disability through injury. It seemed none of them deserved pity or forgiveness.

Deep down, Eden detested these people, believing they got what they deserved, and their souls would fall into Hell after death.

However, watching each of them being put to death, seeing their bloody heads hit the ground, didn't bring him any satisfaction. Instead, it left him feeling an indescribable sorrow.

Eden thought he was incredibly conflicted.

When people commit crimes, they must pay the price, as it's only right.

The price for sin is death.

Yet, Eden still felt sad.

"Why can't people just not commit crimes? If people didn't commit crimes, they wouldn't have to face death."

Eden mused,

"God, why must people be so depraved?"

Squish.

The sound of blood spurting rang out across the execution ground.

A collective "oh" erupted from the crowd—not of pleasure nor disgust, but a neutral exclamation of surprise.

A head fell, rolling on the wooden platform, and the executioner held it up, signaling to the audience.

Arsia was so thrilled she could hardly contain herself, her heart racing, almost ready to cheer with frenzy.

Then, she turned her head, quite unintentionally, and suddenly, her heart turned cold.

"Why are you closing your eyes? Are you scared?"

She saw Eden close his eyes, as if he couldn't bear to watch the gruesome sight.

For some reason, this deflated Arsia, and Eden's expression made her enthusiasm vanish in an instant.

Squish.

Another burst of blood fell, and Arsia glanced back carelessly, her excitement now completely cooled, not a shred of it left.

"You are such a killjoy."

Arsia said with slight dissatisfaction.

She looked back at the platform and saw the executioner again displaying a severed head to the crowd.

The Princess felt no excitement, as if the novelty had worn off. She suddenly found it all so dull, particularly with Eden's reaction, which only added to her boredom.

Before long, all five death row inmates had been executed, their heads neatly laid out on the platform. The townspeople slowly dispersed, making the execution seem like a riveting spectacle.

Arsia and Eden were among the last to leave, watching the executioner hastily clean up the scene before another prisoner was brought to the platform and secured with stocks.

From afar, Eden thought the man looked familiar, and he moved closer to get a better look.

Approaching, he saw that the prisoner appeared to be a half-blood of Fawn and human. As he drew closer, Eden suddenly showed a look of surprise.

"Timian?"

He recognized him—the half-blood he had met once in the prison.

"How could he…"

Arsia looked at Eden and inquired:

"Do you know him?"

Eden nodded slightly,

"In a manner of speaking."

Timian, shackled to the platform, was shouting loudly, claiming he was framed and wronged. When Eden and Arsia drew near, he pleaded with even more urgency.

"Save me, please! I am wronged, God knows how wronged I am!"

Due to his disguise, Timian hadn't recognized Eden. He was just desperately calling for help.

Eden silently entered into Spiritual Cultivation State and gazed into Timian's soul.

Despite Timian's emphatic claims of innocence, Eden saw that he had been arrested for stealing from others.

Eden exhaled in disgust, giving Timian a disdainful glance.

"Two good people, please don't leave! Have mercy, have mercy—give me something to eat! I have been starving for two whole days!"

Timian cried out in panic, attempting to detain Eden, who was about to turn away and leave.

Hearing this, the Priest pursed his lips and finally sighed. He had considered leaving but couldn't bring himself to do it, after all, they had met once before.