Chapter 239: Execution Day
Based on Theron’s understanding of the rebels, he was certain they would come to rescue Tekular.
Tekular held great prestige among the rebels.
Their higher ranks could not abandon him.
Or rather, even if the rebel leaders did intend to give up on Tekular, those who had been moved by his character certainly would not.
Even if they knew this was a trap, they would still come.
"Complete the defensive deployment as quickly as possible."
"Understood!"
After Theron made the arrangements, the First Legion quietly set ambushes at various points throughout Blackwood City.
Like a vast net spread open, they waited only for the fish to leap inside.
The day of execution arrived as scheduled.
On this day, large numbers of commoners gathered in the execution square.
A dense crowd filled the area beneath the platform, all there to watch Tekular’s execution.
Among them were not only commoners from Blackwood City, but also many people from other places.
Some were merchants.
Some were adventurers.
Some were historians.
Some were wanted criminals.
All kinds of people had come after hearing the news.
They wanted to see what the renowned Tekular was truly like.
After all, his reputation was far too great.
The fact that he dared resist the Empire was enough to earn the respect and admiration of many people.
Some had come purely to watch the spectacle.
Others had truly come to see Tekular off.
Whispers intertwined within the crowd.
"The execution time is almost here."
"The show is about to begin."
"I want to see how the rebels plan to save Tekular from the First Legion."
The execution had not yet begun.
The platform was empty.
Although it was a bright and sunny noon, a tense and heavy atmosphere covered the square.
Inside a house at the edge of the square, a noble held a cup of black tea and stood by the window, looking down at the crowd below with disgust.
"A crowd of lowborn filth. So noisy."
In the slums of Blackwood City, several concealed figures moved between the streets.
Their footsteps were hurried.
As they passed a street corner, a sudden voice made them stop, each becoming alert as though facing a powerful enemy.
Caelum sat casually on a broken wall and suddenly spoke, startling them.
"You know it is a trap, yet you still dare come?"
Among the concealed figures, one raised a hand to signal that nothing was wrong.
Then he stepped out from the shadows.
It was Cedran, whom Caelum had not seen in a long time.
After several months apart, the kid had not changed much.
His bearing had become steadier, but overall, he was still the Cedran Caelum knew.
Joy appeared on Cedran’s face.
"It has been a long time."
Caelum glanced at the people behind Cedran.
None of them could be considered strong.
He spoke directly.
"Looks like you intend to throw your lives away here. I did not expect you to have that kind of resolve."
"Haha."
Cedran laughed.
"As you said, I have no resolve to sacrifice myself for the rebels. I simply admire Tekular as a friend. I cannot look away from his execution."
In only a few short sentences, Caelum sensed the great change in Cedran’s heart.
He could not help praising him.
"You have grown stronger. In every sense."
"Thanks for the praise. If you want to chat, let us do it next time. I am in a hurry right now. If I make it back alive, I will treat you to a drink."
Cedran started to leave.
Then he remembered something, turned back, and tossed a damaged parchment scroll to Caelum.
"Did you not say before that you were interested in the legendary Divine Relics? This is for you. It might be useful."
With that, he hurried away without looking back.
The Divine Relics possessed terrifying destructive power.
During his travels, Caelum had also intended to search for them as a backup method to destroy the world.
Although they might not truly possess the power to destroy the world, they were still a possibility.
Back when they were in Hartstead, Cedran had once asked about it, and Caelum had mentioned the subject to him.
Coincidentally, the rebels had also been secretly searching for the ruins of the ancient kingdom and the Divine Relics in order to fight the Empire.
Cedran had luckily obtained this parchment scroll.
But he remembered that Caelum seemed interested in this thing, so he kept it for himself and planned to give it to Caelum when the right chance came.
Now the timing was perfect.
From this, it was clear that Cedran truly was not devoted to the rebels.
What he cared about was Tekular as a friend.
This once again proved how powerful Tekular’s personal charm was.
After they walked farther away, Cedran’s companion finally spoke.
"Cedran, if he is a friend you can trust, then one more person means one more source of strength. Perhaps he would be willing to help us?"
"We cannot drag him into this."
Cedran rejected the suggestion.
"This is our own affair."
"I understand."
Caelum opened the parchment scroll in his hand.
It was covered with a long string of ancient alchemical symbols he could not understand.
Below them was a written annotation.
The annotation looked extremely old and was probably the work of some archaeologist.
Through the ancient alchemical symbols on the parchment, the annotation described one of the peak creations of ancient alchemy.
One of the seven Divine Relics.
Hourglass of Ages.
Hourglass of Ages had no destructive power.
However, it was a powerful item capable of manipulating the time of its holder.
Whoever possessed it could remain forever young and freely control their own age.
It could even reverse the holder’s own time.
Even if the holder died, they could revive through this method.
Of course, this ability to reverse time was extremely powerful.
But as the annotation stated, Hourglass of Ages could only affect the holder.
It had no effect on anything other than the holder.
It could not affect objects beyond the holder.
Nor could it reverse the time of the world.
Furthermore, it could not remain active at all times.
After each use, Hourglass of Ages had to cool down for a while.
Even so, despite its many limitations, the ability to manipulate one’s own time remained unbelievable.
It was worthy of the name Divine Relic.
The parchment contained an image of Hourglass of Ages.
It was an hourglass.
As for the whereabouts of Hourglass of Ages, the parchment did not record them.
That was rather unfortunate.
"This is still a major step forward. At least I know the name and function of one Divine Relic."
Caelum put away the parchment and jumped down from the broken wall.
He leisurely walked toward the execution platform.
Strictly speaking, this had nothing to do with him.
But he disliked owing favors to others.
Cedran could only be said to have good luck.
His life was not meant to end here.
At the execution square, the execution began.
Heavy chains clattered.
The crowd in the square immediately fell silent.
Only the clear sound of iron chains continued to ring.
Before long, Tekular, covered in injuries, was brought onto the execution platform.
"So that is Tekular."
"He seems stronger than I imagined..."
The spectators murmured quietly.
Tekular sat down carelessly.
His bright eyes swept across the entire square.
He said nothing.
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