My Glitched World Throne System Came Ten Years Too Early!
Chapter 24: Responsibility

Chapter 24: 24: Responsibility

As Roderic jumped off the wooden podium, another stone flew through the air.

THUD!

’’ARGH!’’

Darrel’s legs buckled beneath him, only for the ropes around his body to keep him upright.

Yet, the two middle-aged men in front of Roderic remained standing perfectly still.

Their hands were clenched tightly as their eyes remained fixed on their sons.

Captain Harris, on the other hand, stepped forward and bowed immediately.

’’Young Master,’’ he greeted politely.

Roderic nodded once with a satisfied smile.

’’Captain Harris,’’ he said respectfully.

Only after hearing that did Captain Harris straighten his back.

’’Allow me to introduce them, Young Master,’’ he said, gesturing to the two men by his side.

He first gestured to the tall man with graying black hair beside him.

’’This is Sir Benjamin, father of Rick.’’

Captain Harris then gestured toward the second man, who was much shorter and noticeably heavier.

’’And this is Sir Roland, father of Darrel.’’

Only then did the two men finally tear their eyes away from the square.

Their expressions remained complicated as they turned toward Roderic before bowing respectfully.

’’Young Master,’’ they greeted in unison.

Roderic studied them for a moment.

’Neither of them looks like arrogant people,’ he thought, raising an eyebrow. ’They seem more like exhausted dads who work three jobs than anything else....’

Even so, there was a reason why these men were so respected.

They were both highly skilled two-seal knights who had fought beside his father for years, earning the respect of the entire barony.

Even now, they spent their days maintaining the territory and keeping the merchant routes free of bandits.

Shaking his head lightly, Roderic smiled warmly at the two warriors.

’’It’s a pleasure to finally meet the two of you,’’ Roderic said calmly.

Before either replied, another loud scream echoed out behind Roderic.

Both of their gazes instantly flickered back to the podium before they forced themselves to look away again.

Sir Roland bowed respectfully first.

"I never imagined we’d meet again under such circumstances, Young Master,’’ he said, his voice cracking.

Sir Benjamin smiled bitterly beside him.

’’Neither did I,’’ he said, his gaze drifting away again.

Just then, another stone slammed into Rick’s face.

The lanky boy cried out once more, trying his best to move his face away.

Sir Benjamin slowly closed his eyes, feeling utterly helpless.

’’I thought he was just messing around a bit,’’ he said hoarsely. ’’I never imagined... they’d harmed this many people.’’

Roderic remained silent.

There was no need for him to answer.

Sir Roland let out a deep sigh.

’’My apologies, Young Master,’’ he said. ’’The fault lies completely with us.

’’Had we not been so lax and absent, none of this would’ve happened...’’

This time, Roderic immediately glanced back at him.

Almost as if he’d been waiting for a sentence like that, he opened his mouth.

’’I don’t blame you,’’ he said, smiling warmly. ’’Naturally, it’s a parent’s responsibility to teach their sons and daughters. But they’re old enough to make their own choices.’’

Roderic paused for a moment.

"Besides, I’ve seen how much both of you have sacrificed for this barony. How could I blame men who have devoted so much of their lives to protecting it?"

The two middle-aged men stared at him with wide eyes.

But Roderic didn’t pay any attention to them.

Instead, he slowly turned back toward the crowd.

For a moment, he remained silent as he channeled his inner actor.

’’It pains me that I have to punish them,’’ he said, holding his chest. ’’But your sons went too far this time.’’

He fell silent for a moment, watching stones and rotten tomatoes fly through the air.

’’Now it’s up to the people to decide what they want.’’

Sir Benjamin and Sir Roland nodded solemnly.

Their gazes slowly shifted back toward the podium.

Despite how much it pained their hearts to watch their sons suffer, both knew it was something they had brought upon themselves.

Stones and tomatoes flew through the air, striking Rick and Darrel one after another.

Large gashes and wounds opened up all over their bodies.

And as if that wasn’t bad enough, rotten tomato juice started dripping into the wounds.

’’ARGH!!!’’ Darrel screamed as a stone hit his swollen face.

Between snivels, his gaze landed on Rick beside him.

His head hung low as rotten tomato juice mixed with the blood running down his face.

Just a minute ago, he’d been hit by a fist-sized stone straight between his eyes.

After that, he hadn’t spoken another word.

Darrel’s breathing grew heavy with fear and terror.

’’Rick...’’ he muttered hoarsely.

His voice barely rose above a whisper.

’’Rick... say something...’’

But no response ever came.

Before he could say another word, another stone struck him square in the ribs.

His body jerked violently as he felt a bone snap.

’’That’s for my sister!’’ a young boy’s voice rang out.

THUD!

Another stone hit him right on top of his head.

’’That’s for my shop, you fucking asshole!’’

Darrel didn’t even hear a word of it.

His world had long started spinning before turning completely black.

For a moment, his entire body went limp.

His head slumped forward as blood dripped steadily onto the wooden platform beneath him.

The next man holding a stone came to a halt, his eyes narrowing.

’’Wait!’’ he shouted, raising his hand.

More and more people around him began lowering their hands momentarily.

The furious shouting gradually faded.

’’Is he dead or did he just pass out?’’

’’I don’t know!’’

’’We still have much time left, right?!’’

For a moment, the entire central square fell silent.

People hurriedly began exchanging glances.

Many still wanted to throw more, but if they did that, there’d be no way to get compensated.

This was all part of Roderic’s plan.

’They really made me doubt for a moment,’ he thought, looking on with a smile. ’A crowd’s fury really isn’t something I should underestimate again.’

A large smirk spread across his face.

’Even so, there’s no way they wouldn’t choose the compensation.’

Killing the kids would be nice for them.

But it’d never be as nice as having food on the table.

Not to mention, normally executions were carried out by knights.

But now that they had to do it themselves... many people had started doubting themselves.

’Everyone wants to kill another,’ he thought, nodding slowly. ’Until they have to take responsibility and do it themselves.’

Of course, the outcome might have been different.

Had Rick and Darrel crossed an even darker line, the crowd might never have stopped.

’Now that it’s done, I have a happy and satisfied crowd. The two pests have been dealt with, and their families owe me one.’

Just as Roderic finished his train of thought, a loud voice suddenly rang out from somewhere in the crowd.

’’Wait!’’ a burly man shouted.

The entire square fell silent once more.

The burly man scratched his beard before pointing at the two bloodied boys tied to the posts.

’’What if we just get the physician to patch those fuckers up?’’ he suggested loudly. ’’Then we can keep throwing!’’

Complete and utter silence fell throughout the central square.

Even Roderic’s confident smile slowly froze.

His mouth gradually fell open as he turned back toward the crowd.

’’...Huh?’’