Chapter 7

The people heard the marching feet of the soldiers approaching the market isle, making them descend one by one like flowers wilting over season.

All fell to their knees and bowed their heads to the incoming ruler.

Even the upper-class citizens and officials wearing their high-grade cloths and robes unhesitatingly soiled whatever they are wearing only to pay respect to the ruler.

Slowly, they march in a slow parade of showing off power while observing the people and economy growing beneath their feet.

Muren did the same ritual to avoid standing out from their keen and brutal eyes.

While the ruler was getting transported by a high-held seat carried above the soldiers' shoulders, a woman suddenly stood bravely before them. When Muren heard the marching stopped which just passed by from him, he took a tiny glimpse from the ground and saw a shocking scenario.

The woman standing before them, going up against the ruler's arrival was Ruollo's mother.

"You are a fucking unjust creature!" She shouted, earning gasps from the people kneeling. "You deserve to die! My innocent son died because of you! The heavens shall punish you for your cruelty!"

Ruollo's mother immediately threw a rock towards the ruler, which only bumped against his shoulder and did no much harm. The frontline soldiers drew their swords out that rasped in hunger of an innocent blood.

The ruler grabbed the thrown stone and gripped it tightly, showing clear infuriation and anger, making him speak the command to publicly persecute the woman.

Within the blink of an eye, Ruollo's mother was quickly beheaded there and then without giving a chance to even struggle.

Muren returned his shaky gaze down the ground as he hears the continuous march of the soldiers, running over the dead mother.

Her corpse was left untouched after they had nonchalantly passed by.

Muren could not control his rapid breathing despite almost inhaling the dusts from the ground.

When the parade was over, the people squirmed at the sight of the horrible corpse in the middle of the market aisle.

The parents covered the children's eyes to keep them from seeing it.

Muren bolted towards the shallow forest and began throwing up from behind a tree trunk.

Ruollo's mother's image kept flashing over and over his head – her kind gazes, generosity at the village, her motherly voice, and her warm, welcoming touch, all despite the struggles and starvation and poverty. She was a true, loving mother whom everyone adores.

And within a short period of time, both the mother and son were publicly persecuted.

Muren cleaned up and refreshed himself, then returned home.

His mother told him that he had a visitor in his room, so he immediately went to accommodate the guest.

When he saw that it was the messenger from the government, he was quite pleased. He served the ally with a water.

"I apologize for the little offering I have," Muren said. "They limited our foods to little rations, so please do understand."

"Worry not, comrade. I am more than grateful to partake in an offering from you. The aid you have given us at the government is nothing compared to mine."