THWACK—!
Several executioners in black hoods neatly beheaded three heretics with their axes.
The heads fell like balls into the prepared bamboo baskets below, rolling a few times before coming to a stop.
The crows and other birds near the execution platform were silent.
The townspeople who had come to watch were no longer as enthusiastic as they had been a few years ago. Such heresy trials and executions had become so frequent that everyone felt uneasy and afraid.
But no one was foolish enough to stand up and genuinely question the Heresy Review Committee about whether these dead were truly heretics.
Dahr, the old man in a small round hat responsible for investigating and sentencing heretics, returned to the Count and reported respectfully, "My lord, the death sentences for the three cultists have been carried out."
"Hmm." The Count, seated on his throne, appeared plump at first glance, but upon closer inspection, one could see he possessed a sturdy and imposing physique. A faint smile always lingered on his face. "Dahr, you have done well."
The captives he selected were locked away in the dungeon. The remaining chaff were perfectly suited for public execution.
The Count had no objection to using terror to control and govern his domain. He believed that after this, most people would not dare betray him or rise against him.
Dahr hesitated for a moment but still couldn't help advising, "Heresy trials primarily fall under the jurisdiction of the Holy See. If we conduct them so frequently... will the Holy See..."
Hearing this, the Count smiled contemptuously.
He knew the Holy See's style well. Compared to him, the number of heresy trials and executions conducted by the Holy See was utterly unprecedented.
Recently, in the territory directly under the Holy See's jurisdiction—the Holy City—a riot had broken out among the commoners.
This group of commoners even claimed that the nobles and monasteries monopolized the world's wealth. They advanced the pagan idea that all men are equal before God, rallying the crowd to protest against the Holy See.
The result was predictable.
The Holy See's army brutally suppressed them, killing all who held this belief, treating them as cultists, burning them at the stake, and executing them alive.
If the Holy See could do this without hesitation, if they truly learned of the Count's heresy trials in his domain, they would likely not interfere further—instead, they would appreciate the Count's steadfast faith in God, wouldn't they?
"Dahr, you need not worry about this." The Count slowly rose, clasped his hands behind his back, and headed toward the castle. "You will continue to handle the affairs of the Heresy Review Committee. Do not stop."
"In the land I rule, there cannot be a single cultist or pagan. I am also thinking of the stable lives of the territory's inhabitants."
"Yes." Dahr listened, no longer insisted, and nodded in agreement.
He first ordered the executioners and soldiers to clear the execution ground, then hurried to follow the Count, remaining silent the entire way.
The Count understood his steward's character. He smiled faintly and asked, "Dahr, do you have doubts?"
"Ah!" Dahr's cloudy eyes widened in surprise. "I truly cannot hide anything from you, my lord... I..."
"Just say it." The Count spoke leisurely, but he had already guessed what Dahr would say.
Indeed, Dahr cleared his throat lightly and said, "The Black Dog Knights have been lingering in the outer city for several days now. The number of people they have killed or injured has reached dozens. If this continues..."
The Count interrupted quite firmly, "You need not worry. They will leave soon."
Generally speaking, Apostles could coexist in the same area—like the many Apostles in Mist Valley. But it was clear that the Slug Count and Wyald could not establish such a relationship.
Just as a region rarely has multiple terrifying serial killers, the powerful and territorial Slug Count would not allow Wyald to remain here.
Wyald had no intention of staying either.
His goal had always been to reach Windham City. This was just a small place to rest and have fun. He planned to leave once the Slug Count satisfied his twisted desires.
The Count entered the castle gates and said without looking back, "The Black Dog Knights will likely leave in two or three days. You need not worry about them. Let them do as they will."
"Besides, Dahr, tend to your own affairs. I do not need your assistance for now."
"Yes."
Since the Count had said this, Dahr could only agree once more. He stood in place, watching the Count depart.
The Count entered the castle.
A group of knights responsible for guarding hurried over.
Their leader was a tall man in armor, holding a battle axe. This was Soldag, one of the two main generals under the Count's command.
"My lord, you have returned." Soldag's voice was hoarse, but his expression was somewhat flattering.
The Count waved his hand and said, "Continue your patrol. Do not disturb me. I will call if anything arises."
"Yes." Soldag agreed.
This was routine.
Ever since the Countess had died at the hands of cultists years ago, the Count often locked himself in his room like this. No one was allowed to disturb him during these times.
Soldag was not surprised. He acknowledged the order and led the knights away.
With his hands behind his back, the Count entered the corridor, ascended the stairs, then stopped on a certain floor and stared in one direction.
It was the room of his daughter, Theresia.
Theresia was likely the only remaining human food source for the Slug Count, much like Jill was for the Queen Bee, Rosine.
However, Theresia seemed to have sensed the Slug Count's terrifying transformation. She was already deeply afraid and resisted his touch.
This pained him.
Why... why... why can't you, mother and daughter, understand me?
I am protecting you...
In the midst of silent resentment and unwillingness, the Slug Count gritted his teeth. But he did not go to Theresia's room. Instead, he returned to his own bedroom.
He pressed a mechanism on the wall and opened a secret door.
The secret door led underground. A long, spiral staircase seemed endless, completely swallowed by darkness.
The Slug Count did not light a candle. Instead, he happily walked through the darkness, as if this was his world.
He remembered that in the dungeon, two people were not yet completely dead.
Today's feast would be taken from them.
Approaching the deathly silent dungeon, the Slug Count vaguely sensed something strange.
Both of them had stopped moaning in pain.
Could they no longer hold on and have simply died?
What a pity.
The Slug Count pressed into his memory, lightly touched the candlesticks and matches, and lit several of them.
The dim candlelight finally illuminated this rather large dungeon.
Dried meat hung from hooks, was placed on dissection tables, or was locked in cages. Bloody traces were everywhere, and a disgusting stench filled the air.
The Slug Count acutely realized that the two people who had been alive before were gone.
Then he noticed that a manhole cover on the ground had been lifted and tossed aside, revealing the dark opening of a well. Bloodstains were nearby.
The bloodstains disappeared at the well's mouth. Deep below this well lay the castle's sewers.
The Slug Count was initially surprised, then suddenly smiled.
The same method...
Years ago, Vargas had fooled him by feigning death, then stolen his Beherit. It was through the sewers below this well that he had gradually crawled out of the castle without a trace.
After that, the Slug Count had deliberately not filled or sealed this secret passage.
Because he understood perfectly well that if Vargas was not dead, resentment would drive Vargas to recklessly exceed his limits and seek revenge through this secret passage.
Finally, the Slug Count had waited for this day.
However, he looked around by the light of the few candlesticks in the dungeon. He did not see Vargas's short, weak figure. Instead, he saw a tall figure sitting on the ground in the corner.
The figure stood up, revealing armor in his hand, a greatsword, and a curved sword.
He yawned and said, "You're finally here. I almost fell asleep waiting."
This man was not Vargas. It was Nidhogg, who had infiltrated this dungeon according to the map of the secret passage provided by Vargas.