Chapter 181 - 'Justice'
A single word was enough to spark a fire of rage amongst the people
“Why are they here!?”
“Shouldn’t they be in the prison and waiting for judgment?”
Various questioning voices were heard among the audience. Some questioned the reason for the criminals being here, while some just questioned them still being alive.
“I know that my words will not be enough and it will be hard to fully believe them. And thus… I thought rather than just my words, why don’t I show it with my actions instead?” Lucius spoke.
“I want to show my sincerity and for that, I shall leave the fate of these degenerate, scums, and the vilest beings of this world in your hands. Feel free to get justice… with your own hands!” Lucius said out loud, much to the terror of the six criminals.
They were still gagged and thus could not speak, but the fear in their eyes was apparent. They tried to struggle, but it was useless. Lucius had already ensured beforehand that none of them had any gifts that would allow them to escape from their bindings.
Lucius gazed at the people and saw the hesitation in their eyes.
‘Just a small push…’ Lucius thought to himself.
“These are the very people that hurt you, hurt your loved ones, your friends, and your life… I give you the opportunity to get justice on your own. And this will be considered the official judgment of the Inanis Family, so fear not of any repercussions.” Lucius stated.
Upon hearing Lucius’s words, the eyes of several people lit up and the sparks of violent desires were ignited.
~step~
~step~
The first to come forwards was none other than Johan the old man. Rage flowed out of him like a stream and Lucius, who was very good at judging emotions could tell that the man was truly furious.
“The demon exists within everyone and all that is needed is the right key to release it…” Lucius muttered to himself.
He looked towards the people who were still waiting, and his eyes flashed for a second.
“YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME!” In the next moment, another man from the audience jumped out like a beast and pounced on one of the criminals, knocking him down.
~Crack~
~Crack~
“Hnghhh!” the criminal grunted.
The fall and weight of a man on top of him were enough to break a few ribs, and the man couldn’t even cry out freely in pain.
“You took my money, you took my job and you left me nothing!” Punch after punch started to land on the criminal’s face as the man started attacking him.
As for Johan, he simply extended his hand as a glob of water appeared on it. He placed his hand on the face of the man that had killed his granddaughter and kept on producing more water.
The criminals tried to struggle but were held in place by the guard. More and more water poured into his mouth and nose as it started to fill his lungs.
“Grhhhh!” the man tried to cough it out but Johan’s hand prevented him from even doing that.
During the entire time, the old man stared into the eyes of the drawing man as they turned from white to red as veins popped up.
~thud~
About a minute later, the man fell to the ground all life drained from him.
~step~
Johan seemed to have stumbled as well, but managed to gain control of himself.
“Finally… finally… my granddaughter will get to rest…” Johan said, tears dripping down his face.
Seeing the two men getting their ‘justice’ the rest of the public got excited as well.
“GET THEM!”
“WE SHALL HAVE OUR JUSTICE!”
“THEY SHALL PAY FOR THEIR SINS!”
Like a flint striking the steel, Johan’s actions motivated others to do the same. And then that spark from the flint ignited the oil, spreading flames of vengeance among all.
“Kill them!”
“Rip their tongues that laughed at us!”
“Break their fingers that stole from us!”
“Pluck their eyes with which they watched our women!”
Curses and swears flowed like a river as a storm of agony was launched upon the criminal.
During all this, Lucius took a step back and leaned against the wall, watching it all play out, a slight grin on his face.
“Is this all fine?” Kiana questioned upon approaching him.
She had been watching from the back room all this time and saw everything. Right from how Lucius ignited the interest of the people and now seeing them act on their desire for vengeance.
Lucius turned to look at Kiana and nodded his head.
“Look at them… do you think they would normally be like this?” Lucius questioned.
“No, they would never act like this… they aren’t this kind of people…” Kiana said, feeling apprehensive.
Their words had also caught the attention of the guards and they were hearing them as well now. Lucius took notice of it but did not react any differently.
“Indeed. They are not these kinds of people. But have you thought how much pain they must be in? How much they must have suffered till now?” Lucius replied.
Kiana could not answer him and kept on thinking.
“Not only were they in pain due to the things that happened to them, they were also in despair due to being unable to do anything,” Lucius added.
“But this… it seems wrong… almost barbaric…” Kiana muttered.
“It seems wrong on the surface, but it is not… think of it, we are letting them release their suffering, their pain and providing them relief… isn’t this mercy? The very mercy that Goddess Alana demands?” Lucius explained.
“It is rather us who have sinned by letting these people suffer like this. Who knows how many more have died with grievances since they were unable to resolve their pain and grudges.
At least this way they will be able to rest in peace while living out their lives.” Lucius spoke in a magnetic tone.
Hearing his words, it was as if a whole new world was opened for Kiana and the other guards.