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Chapter 74 Part 2 – The Blazing Flames and Hearts That Scorch the Night

The so-called southern deserted alley is located on the outskirts of the town.
A long time ago, there was a fairly busy fish market there.
However, an earthquake uplifted a part of the alley, creating a difference in elevation from the river level. After an epidemic broke out and the area was abandoned, it was used as a scrap yard. Usually, not a single person lives there.

But now that place was crowded and full of frenzy. A cluster of torch flames moved. The people seemed to have shed their civilized skins and reverted back to the savage tribes. They were showing murderous intent and hatred. They are filled with the burning desire for destruction. They long for the condemnation of the criminal that ruined their peaceful daily life. They wish to quickly see the fire turn the depraved criminal into ashes.

At the center of the madness was a stake that was going to be burned. It loomed like an ominous monument.

That area used to be a harbor, but it is no longer in use, with rotten planks and slanted mooring poles. It became a deserted plaza with only a dark river slightly hitting against both sides.

Around the stake, dry bushes, firewood, and scrap wood were piled up to be lit in fire.

Rona’s younger brother, Ronny, was on his knees in front of the stake with his hands tied behind his back.

Occasionally, rocks would be thrown at him along with jeers and hit Ronny’s face, but he didn’t react. Ronny’s heart had long since died. He did not respond to the voices urging him to confess. His body was covered with wounds from the beating. His bones are broken here and there. But even the pain no longer mattered to him.

In order to save his older sister and twin brother, Ronny did as he was told by the Inquisition official Matthew and lied about the town’s influential people being on the side of witches. All the while, the terrible torture continued. Matthew laughed and said that only further torture could verify the truth of the words he had elicited through torture, even though the truth is that Ronny had been forced to accuse those people.

After being dragged outside, he was subjected to horrific abuse due to the hatred of the people of the town.
Stones rained down on him.
The townspeople were furious that their beloved mayor had been unreasonably taken away by the Inquisition.

His own conscience is utterly powerless in the face of the great flow of malice. The cruel truth was too heavy for a young boy to take on alone and it broke his heart.

The furious cries of the townspeople saying that he is the minion of the devil, the servant of witches, and to kill him.
There is no helping hand offered to him.
He no longer has any expectations.
No one would believe him even if he told the truth.

Ronny had only one wish left in his heart: the safety of Rona and Teddy in exchange for his life.

「…… Ronny ……!!」

At that moment, amidst the angry shouts of the crowd, a girl’s voice caught Ronny’s ears.
Her voice reached Ronny like the faint but clear tinkling of a bell.

Ronny lifted his head and saw his older sister Rona’s small face coming towards him as she desperately struggled through the waves of the crowd.

「…… Stop!! Please stop!! Ronny will never accuse someone!! He’s the kindest kid ever!! I’m sure there must be a reason for it!!」

Rona ran toward him while pleading as much as she can

「Please move aside!! Let me through!! Get out of my way!!」

Rona was not frightened by the crowd of adults with torches and weapons.

Light returned to Ronny’s dull eyes and tears began to stream down his cheeks.
There was a family member that believed in him and loved him, even if she had the whole world against her.

Rona was so pretty and beautifully dressed. It was easy to see that she was living a happy life. And yet, Rona was willing to throw it away without hesitation for Ronny’s sake.

‘…… Sister Rona, you’re such a fool. Even though you’re a crybaby, when you try to protect me and Teddy, you never back down.’

Ronny recalled his childhood memories.

Ronny and Teddy were cowering in fear after being barked at by a stray dog. But then, Rona jumped in with tears in her eyes and trembling knees and swung a stick and yelled loudly to scare away the stray dog. Even though she had always been morbidly afraid of dogs and was teased by her younger brothers for it.

Ronny chuckled and felt grateful for being Rona’s younger brother. At that moment, he made up his mind.

He had always been protected by his older sister.
There is no point in being born as a guy if he can’t at least protect her in the end.

「Ronny!! Your body ……!!」

When Rona finally reached near Ronny who was tied to the stake, she was devastated when she was able to have a close look at Ronny’s state.
Ronny apologized to Rona inside his heart and threw cold words of rejection at her.

「…… Hah? Who the heck are you? Don’t act familiar with me. So annoying. I don’t recognize you at all. Are you trying to play the saint by sympathizing with a pitiful young sinner? Go away. I’m busy since I’m about to be roasted over a bonfire.」

「Eh ……? Ronny …… what are you saying ……」

He sneered loudly to cover Rona’s stunned voice.
In order to attract the attention of the crowd to himself, instead of Rona.

「Heh, besides, I don’t think it’s possible for these townspeople to burn me to death since they would be too scared to do so!! Reflect on my sins!? Like hell I’d do that!! I’m the pawn of the devil. If you people are frustrated, then try setting me on fire right now!! You cowards!!」

The confessor groaned and retreated.
Ronny spat at the confessor’s face together with the blood gathered inside his mouth and bits of his teeth.

「To hell with repentance and confession!! Curse you!!」

The confessor screamed and waved his hand around in a flustered manner.
Ronny sneered at him and then glared at Rona.

「Hey, you. You seem to be a young lady from a rich family. Are you trying to show pity to a poor guy like me? Don’t act so pretentious. It makes me feel sick. You’re just a bitch on the inside. Listen up you useless townspeople!! Your wives and daughters are also vulgar bitches like this one!! I’ll teach them a lesson!! You guys should be grateful and thank me in tears!!」

Ronny deliberately ranted in a vulgar tone and cursed Rona and the women of the town.
His offensive remarks triggered an explosion of killing intent from the crowd.

「Ro- ……」

The angry shouts of the crowd were like a tsunami and it drowned out Rona’s cries in an instant.

The furious men immediately rushed toward Ronny and the petite Rona was tossed about and swallowed up in the crowd.

Rona’s clothes and hairstyle that Marielle had done for her were a far cry from Ronny’s state as a tattered pauper.
She looked like a girl from a middle-upper class family.
Ronny’s face was also bruised and so no one could tell that they were siblings.

They were enraged at the thought that a girl from the same class as themselves had been insulted by a hateful, impoverished brat. As proof of that, several people shielded Rona from the crowd of people. Rona struggled so hard with the stream of people that she passed out.

Ronny smiled after he saw that Rona had been rescued. The way he smiled fearlessly while being beaten and tied to a stake further added fuel to the fire of anger of the crowd.

「What an impudent brat!!」

「As you wished, I’ll let you be burned to ashes!!」

The pile of dead grass was set on fire and began to emit black smoke.
The firewood was poured with oil to make it easier to burn.
If the situation continued as it was, Ronny would be burned to death with all of the townspeople’s hatred concentrated toward him before Rona regained consciousness. Everything would be over and at least Rona would be safe.

But there was a devil who trampled on Ronny’s feelings.