"The execution begins now!"
The voice echoed cold and merciless across the elevated platform, cutting through the air like an invisible blade.
At the top of that grim structure, the moment of judgment had finally arrived.
The execution platform towered above the city—a brutal symbol of justice… or perhaps vengeance.
"XXX, according to Chapter 10, Section 40 of Sumeru Law, the crimes of theft and treason are punishable by death."
"No, don't do this!! I beg you!!"
"XXX, according to Section 30 of Chapter 5 of Sumeru Law, the crimes of rape and indecency are punishable by death."
"Let me go! I swear I won't do it again! I swear!!"
"XX, according to Section 3 of Chapter 7 of Sumeru Law, crimes such as murder, kidnapping, and human trafficking are punishable by death."
"I am a noble! YOU CAN'T DO THIS!!"
But no one listened to their pleas, nor did anyone hesitate.
The guillotine blade fell again and again.
One after another, the heads of the condemned were severed from their bodies.
Regardless of status, wealth, or origin…
All those who bore unforgivable crimes received their final judgment that day.
Blood flowed through the streets of Sumeru City, staining the ground a thick, almost black crimson.
The metallic scent spread through the air.
The crowd, far from feeling pity, roared, shouted, and hurled stones.
They unleashed years of accumulated oppression and suffering upon those who, until recently, had been untouchable.
At the top of the platform, Leon stood silently, merely observing everything.
Not a trace of mercy could be seen on his face.
At that moment, in the eyes of the people, he was no longer just the prince of a neighboring kingdom.
He seemed like a divine envoy.
An angel of justice, descended upon the mortal world to purge evil and restore Sumeru's purity.
The executions continued…
And continued…
Until the afternoon of the following day.
When it finally ended, a small hill of severed heads had formed.
The blood staining the streets had already begun to coagulate, making the cleanup even more arduous and grotesque.
And as for the greatest sinner—the Grand Sage—
The verdict Leon had given him was worse than death.
No one knew how long he would continue to live.
Ten years.
A hundred years.
But one thing was certain: every second of his existence would be filled with the worst kind of pain, inflicted by the most sadistic and cruel of torturers.
An eternal punishment.
However, with the executions over, a new problem arose.
An inevitable one.
Now that the Sages and the Grand Sage had been eliminated…
Who would lead Sumeru?
It was unavoidable to admit—the Grand Sage had done an "efficient" job in Sumeru.
For years, he had manipulated the people to the point that almost everyone had forgotten…
That there was a rightful ruler.
A goddess.
A small queen, wise and gentle, imprisoned in a cage.
But when someone finally suggested freeing her and restoring her to the throne, the atmosphere fell silent.
A strange, heavy, and awkward silence.
The young Dendro Archon—the one who had been forgotten and abandoned for years.
Even if the Grand Sage was the main culprit, the truth remained:
They had ignored her as well.
They had abandoned her too.
And now, even without saying it aloud, many felt ashamed.
Others felt reluctant.
Because, deep down, humans are like that—they would rather persist in their mistakes than admit they were wrong.
But then—
"Then… why don't we let His Highness Leon rule?"
The suggestion came suddenly.
And like a stone thrown into a lake, it created immediate ripples.
Surprisingly, few opposed the idea.
After all, those who might have resisted had already been eliminated by the girls of Night Raid during the chaos of the previous day.
The noble class of Sumeru had practically ceased to exist.
Especially the high-ranking ones.
For ordinary civilians, who possessed no magical power, Leon was the best possible choice.
As for the fact that he wasn't originally from Sumeru…
Few truly cared.
After all, unlike empty ideals, reality was harsh.
More than 80% of the population had been oppressed by the aristocracy.
They didn't want patriotism—they wanted a better life.
And then, something happened.
The [Heart of the God of Grass] appeared in Leon's hands.
Floating, radiating an intense green light.
At that moment, almost everyone felt it instinctively—as if it were a divine revelation—that he was the new ruler.
Of course…
That was also the result of "programming."
The artifact that the Grand Sage had never been able to control
Immediately responded to Leon, after all, he carried Nahida's aura.
And he was also recognized by the Dendro Dragon King.
Perhaps even the Heart of God itself had judged him to be the most suitable to lead Sumeru at that moment.
And then, as if to confirm everything, the sky trembled—
And the Dendro Dragon King, Apep, descended from above.
His colossal body covered the sky, casting an imposing shadow over the entire city.
Everyone was stunned.
That was a legendary existence—the original sovereign of all vegetation.
But the most shocking sight was what stood before them.
Leon speaking to Apep as an equal.
Like two old acquaintances.
And then, before everyone, Apep declared:
"Since you have done this for Sumeru, I recognize you as the new king of this land."
Any doubt vanished at that very moment.
The situation, which had been on the brink of collapse, stabilized rapidly—almost miraculously.
Sumeru had been destroyed from within and then rebuilt.
A new government was being born.
And as for the other nations?
Any potential external threat disappeared at that same moment.
Apep had made his stance clear.
And no ruler in the world would dare challenge a Sovereign Dragon.
Even less so now, with the rising power of the so-called Magical Kingdom of Palettia.
"Alright, alright… less than two days until the festival. Hurry up and prepare everything."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
After completely stabilizing the internal situation, Leon immediately issued new orders.
It was time to celebrate.
The Festival of the Goddess of Flowers was about to begin.
Even after such a bloody event,
Sumeru needed this.
A moment of joy.
Of hope—and a new beginning.
But Night Raid's efficiency was absurd.
In just two days, the entire city was transformed.
Decorations, lights, and flowers adorned every corner.
In addition, through the use of spatial portals, Leon mobilized troops from the Kingdom of Palettia to replace the old regiments and maintain order.
The blood quickly disappeared, and in its place came the fragrance of flowers, laughter, and anticipation for a better future.
And then, on the day of the Festival of the Goddess of Flowers—
"How do I look?"
Leon stood before a mirror, dressed in traditional Sumeru attire.
An elegant blue-and-white robe adorned with golden details.
A delicate crown rested upon his head.
Golden bracelets wrapped around his arms.
His appearance perfectly blended the styles of the rainforest and the desert.
Alpha, Lumine, Nilou, and the others…
Simply couldn't look away.
Regardless of what he wore—
Leon always managed to elevate it to another level.
"Hmm… perfect."
Leon let out a light sigh, smiling at the girls' captivated gazes.
Then he walked to the window and gently opened it.
The sight before him was completely different from the day before.
The city was alive.
People were smiling.
Talking.
Celebrating.
That festival, which hadn't been held for so long, had finally returned.
"So… it's time."
"Where are you going?"
Nilou asked curiously.
Dressed in a luxurious and dazzling dance outfit.
Today, she would perform the Dance of the Goddess of Flowers.
Leon paused for a moment.
Then he raised his hand and pointed toward the palace at the highest point of Sumeru City.
A soft smile appeared on his face.
"I'm going to pick up the other birthday girl."
His eyes gleamed faintly.
"And… prepare the parade float for me."
(End of Chapter)