Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength-Chapter 1144 - 1138: Judgment

Dong dong dong——

Ronald and Gwendolin returned to the town center.

Before they could see the appearance of the square, the ringing they heard in the afternoon pierced their ears.

They continued to approach along the street.

After the next corner, the gallows and the crowd of onlookers came into view.

Since it was evening, the market used by residents during the day was temporarily idle, and the overall layout of the square had changed somewhat.

In the direction directly opposite the gallows, a platform about half a meter high, but constantly lengthening, had been pulled out. Five prisoners bound in fetters were tightly locked on it, unable to move and only kneel on the ground.

And should they make any slight movement.

The cult magicians on guard there would use spells the next second to make them understand what pain was.

The location between the gallows and these prisoners.

Was occupied by citizens who either came to hear the news and broaden their horizons or those who simply wanted to witness the execution scene.

"Mr. Ronald, this way please——"

Ronald and Gwendolin headed towards the square.

But before they could enter, a cult magician who had been waiting for them approached and invited Ronald:

"You can enter from behind the gallows."

"That way you won't have to pass through the citizens, more fitting for someone of your status."

Ronald didn't fuss over such trivial matters.

He nodded to acknowledge the magician and followed him around to the left, eventually arriving on the wooden platform behind the gallows.

The mayor of Anluo Island had already been waiting here.

As soon as Ronald appeared, he enthusiastically invited Ronald to sit beside him, even personally adjusting the chair.

The name of this cult magician who was also the mayor was Moyeta.

With just a glance, Ronald could sense from Moyeta's aura that he was also a powerful holder of original texts.

Dong dong——

Once Ronald was seated, the persistent ringing gradually ceased.

Then, in front of Ronald and Moyeta, a cult magician holding a notepad stepped forward and announced loudly:

"Alright, the trial of the prisoners this evening officially begins!"

"Now, the first prisoner step forward——"

As the cult magician's words fell, the first prisoner on the wooden platform was released from the fixed tether and was forced to kneel in front of the gallows.

"Riel Sank, since April, has been luring customers at the port tavern, drugging them overnight, and stealing their belongings."

"Do you have anything to say?"

Kneeling below was a girl with a pretty face and a striking figure.

After the cult magician publicly declared her actions, the girl named Riel loudly responded without resisting:

"Yes, I confess!"

"But let me explain, I took others' property because they refused to pay fairly. You can encounter all sorts of crazy pirates at the port, I had no choice!"

"..."

The cult magician managing Anluo Island was evidently experienced.

After Riel's loud defense, he whispered a few spells, and his confidence returned.

But before delivering his judgment.

The mayor of Anluo Island first turned to Ronald:

"Mr. Ronald, this one isn't lying, but she's concealed some truths."

"I think she might have…"

Wanting to show his close relationship with Ronald, Moyeta naturally spoke so others could hear. And upon hearing this, Riel's eyes widened—things were looking grim!

As someone who habitually charmed and stole at the port tavern, Riel knew what kind of punishment awaited her.

So she hurriedly defended herself loudly:

"Mayor, I haven't finished speaking, please listen to me!"

"I do admit sometimes targeting customers willing to pay, but overall, I only seek profit, not lives. These months in Anluo Island, I haven't done anything outrageous!"

"..."

Moyeta showed a disdainful expression, clearly unhappy that Riel interrupted him.

But with Ronald present, he couldn't act up directly.

So he signaled to his subordinate, and the cult magician once again spoke:

"This time, she's not lying."

"In that case, Mr. Ronald, how do you think we should handle her?"

"Though she's guilty… it's not a death penalty, right?" Ronald agreed to assist in spreading the word, but had no ulterior motives. After replying, he once again handed the decision back, "I think we should just follow your local laws and enact the standard punishment."

"You're absolutely correct."

Moyeta nodded with a smile, then announced his decision:

"With that settled, Riel, your punishment will be to have your limbs bound at the East Street crossroads for a month."

"Eh?" Riel clearly didn't expect such a punishment.

But before she could plead or act otherwise, the cult magician standing beside her struck her on the head with a stick.

Tie her up!

With a thud, the shapely thief fainted to the ground.

The cult magician dragged her by the arm, heading directly toward East Street on Anluo Island.

Clearly, he was a man of action.

"..."

At the same time, Ronald, seated on the gallows, hadn't yet processed it.

It wasn't until the beautiful thief was dragged away and the citizens below began cheering that he snapped out of it.

"Leaving someone tied at the street corner for a month will surely kill them, won't it?"

"Mr. Ronald, no need to worry." Moyeta confidently assured Ronald of his concern, "The people of Anluo Island are kind-hearted. Even for prisoners serving punishment, there will be good folks delivering food and water."

"This…"

Ronald opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.

Pleading for Riel—she's a proven criminal and appears to operate across regions; saying nothing—somehow the punishment felt a bit excessive.

"The trial for the second prisoner begins!"

As Ronald's face showed extreme conflict and Gwendolin was already smiling happily beside him, tonight's second prisoner was brought forward.

But this time, it seemed there was no need for the cult magician to announce the crime.

Because as soon as he arrived at the gallows, the burly man with magic fluctuations started speaking directly:

"Moyeta! I'm telling you—the squad you sent out is dead because of me!"

"If you dare, kill me now!"

"It won't be long before my brothers avenge me!"