The guilt-by-association system that holds people collectively responsible simply for being in a specific relationship. And what stems from that system is the punishment of exterminating three generations of a traitor's family.

I thought it was barbaric and cruel, but it wasn't that I didn't understand it.

Especially in the case of high treason like rebellion, wasn't exterminating three generations a procedure done for its warning value, political intent, and to prevent retaliation?

Furthermore, the era that implemented the guilt-by-association system didn't have human rights or sensibilities developed like modern times. So, even if I didn't like it, I was somewhat... coming to terms with the system itself, but...

"... This is a bit baffling."

"Ah, my apologies. I apologize for coming in so suddenly. It's because I'm in a bit of a rush. You really aren't going to watch the execution?"

Let's just say exterminating three generations was unavoidable given the background of this worldview. But what was the reason for offering me to watch it?

Did I look like someone who would enjoy something like that? Of course, with the temper of my concept, it seemed like I wouldn't bat an eye even if someone died, and in most cases, that was true, but...!

"It's because in the outside world, we... don't often see executions caused by guilt-by-association. I am personally reluctant to watch innocent people die. Both I and this person."

"Is that so. That's a shame."

Now that I knew he was a domestic abuser, that face—which was beyond just being unpleasant and was annoying just to look at—flashed a brief smile.

I almost reflexively shouted, 'Why are you smiling? Makes me want to split your face open,' but I barely held it in. My concept didn't speak vulgarly like this. Because it wouldn't look cool.

"If you came, I could have tried to spare the children."

But this bastard is playing it like this?

"... What does that mean?"

At the Archmage's question, Atart shrugged.

"I didn't mean much by it, I was just trying to put on a bit of a play. It's the law of our Bigabol to exterminate three generations of a traitor, but there are a lot of young children among the targets for execution this time. I felt bad about having to kill all those children, you see. So, if you came, I was going to try and sneak the children out, saying I didn't want to leave a cruel impression on our guests."

He had a very slick tongue. In the end, wasn't this a threat saying, 'If you don't come, the children will die'?

"But since you said you don't want to..."

For reference, this wasn't prejudice stemming from hearing that the other party was a domestic abuser. Of course, that wasn't completely excluded, but rather, something else influenced my judgment.

"It can't be helped."

Of course, if he really felt bad for the children and wanted to save them, would that bastard be smiling right now? He would have begged us earnestly and desperately, even getting on his knees.

"Well then, enjoy your meal."

Yet, I just didn't know why that bastard was acting like that. Did he want to confirm that children were my weakness? Did he want to use that to exploit me?

But for that, his smiling face was just too...

'I want to fucking kill him, seriously.'

How unpleasant.

Rather than the insidiousness of trying to use me, he acted like he could naturally use me. Seriously, smiling arrogantly as if he was certain I was beneath him.

"... Chief. I know you're in a rush, but simply dropping your business and leaving is somewhat baffling."

The Archmage bought me some time just then. Thus, through my surging anger, I quickly rolled my thoughts around.

The anger actually made it easier to find my composure. My brain worked swiftly because I wanted to screw that bastard over so badly I couldn't just beat him up.

Because of that, my thoughts reached the fact that he was a domestic abuser once again.

More precisely, the psychology of a domestic violence perpetrator.

"Ah, have you changed your mind, perhaps?"

One of the causes of domestic violence is when violence is adopted as a means to gain power or feel a sense of superiority. It means expressing an inferiority complex through violence.

Then it also explained why that bastard was suddenly taking children hostage and acting so confidently.

A guy who wields violence against his family as a means of feeling superiority wouldn't be unable to threaten me using children as a means, and a guy who has recognized his own position through these means all this time wouldn't fail to feel a sense of superiority from this threat.

He probably thought he was the better man the moment he threatened me, even though he couldn't even compare to me in strength.

"I am not saying we will participate right away, but there is room for further discussion..."

The only annoying thing was that children's lives were actually on the line, so I couldn't just ignore it carelessly.

'Can't I just kill him?'

I looked down at the teacup I had briefly held because it was too awkward to pick up my utensils.

"It won't have any effect unless you come in person."

"Chief."

"It's unfortunate, but what can be done? I certainly made an effort—."

If that bastard thinks he has the upper hand, I need to drag him back down.

That way, we could actually have a conversation.

"You must have thought I was a joke."

CRUNCH.

I crushed the teacup with my bare hands for showmanship. Was it because it was a teacup made of wood? It felt different from a glass cup.

The cup shattered along its grain.

The Archmage and Atart's mouths snapped shut all at once.

"... How could that be. I was simply—."

Look at him trying to run his mouth again, all because he's supposed to be the Chief.

After completely crushing the teacup, I brushed off the pieces along with the powder. Of course, because I smashed the teacup without wrapping my hand in mana, injuries were carved into my hand.

I was wearing gloves, but some pieces pierced through even those, digging into my flesh and finally drawing blood.

Blood and water mixed and trickled down.

'Show him who's boss.'

But did it hurt?

It didn't hurt much.

'Utter fear...'

What hurt, what really hurt was...

【Waaaah!!!】

'Why?'

It was around my pounding heart every time I heard a child's crying.

'Why does sadness for the dying come before anger toward the one crawling all over me?'

You see, the sound of a child crying is what I hate most in the world. I didn't have any related trauma or past incidents, but I just hated it.

From young children to minors on the verge of adulthood, I just wanted them all to be happy.

"Did you think I would jump straight out of my seat if you said that?"

Purely because I was an adult, because I had lived more years than those children. Because I believed that was the right thing to do.

"Did you think a piece of trash like you could use me?"

I simply wished for the happiness of children.

"Know your place."

But this shit-like motherfucker dares to take kids hostage? He's completely lost his fucking mind, does he have a death wish? I really feel like ripping his fucking throat out and tearing him apart, seriously. Does he want to become minced meat?

"The only reason you are still alive right now is purely because you made the proposal I wanted first."

I slowly stood up and approached Atart. Since we were similar in height, there was no need to lower my head. Our lines of sight met straight on.

"And that I simply didn't want to needlessly dirty my sword with blood."

And I muttered.

Bastards who crush the weak to place themselves in a superior position over others were highly likely to bow their heads when faced with something they could never defeat, so it was a threat made based on that.

"..."

Just as I suspected, it was indeed the right answer. I looked down at the bastard who was sneaking his eyes away in fear despite being of similar height.

If I had my way, I'd want to smash his head into an ethics textbook while saying, 'Now, repeat after me, human rights!' but it was a deep regret that there were no ethics textbooks.

My eyes glared at him tenaciously.

"You would do well to keep this in mind. From this moment on, the lives of the children will hold the exact same value as your own life."

Damn it. It was already annoying enough that I had to leave it alone because I had no way to intervene despite knowing he was a domestic abuser. But he dared to threaten me with children?

Son of a bitch. Whether the remaining bastards rebel asking why you aren't following customs or not, you figure it out now. You're the one who gave me an opening to intervene when I had no excuse to get involved.

If you so much as harm a single hair on those kids' heads, you'll be dying right along with them. Understood?

"Get out."

I ordered him to leave without hiding a single ounce of my displeasure, disgust, and contempt. Only then did Atart reveal his sense of humiliation as his face flushed bright red, but he didn't argue back in the end.

He was a typical coward, groveling to the strong and trampling the weak.

"I'll, take my leave."

The door closed, and peace returned.

"Well done."

I didn't know when she had approached me, but the Archmage gave a light clap. Every time her palms met, white light spread out and began to orbit until it reached the walls.

"Truly well done."

The Archmage then began to write something with mana along the path of the revolving light. It seemed she was casting a spell. Though I didn't know what spell it was.

"I wondered what crime the children committed that they had to die, no matter if it was custom, but thanks to you, the children, at least, will be able to live."

I listened closely to the sounds outside. Even if I couldn't understand the meaning, I could sense the sounds of the children crying fading away. With a little focus, I could also tell that the presences of a large group of children were being moved somewhere.

Seeing as it was in a different direction from where the adults' presences were gathering, there was a high chance they were being pulled from the execution. I had saved them somehow.

"The problem is that the Chief won't let this incident slide easily... I don't know what will happen to the surviving children's treatment."

Well, just as the Archmage said, this wasn't the end. They survived, but their parents were all up for execution. Furthermore, they were the children of high traitors who were originally supposed to die.

Becoming orphans was enough to make life tough, but if they even had the label of being sinners' children attached to them...

"It would be burdensome for the Chief to keep those children in the village too. But then again, I wonder if it would be possible to send them to another tribe."

Hah, it was bad to just blindly help others without a plan. Ah, what should I do about this. I couldn't exactly take the kids around with me either.

"We'll have to think about this gradually. It's not something we can get an answer to right away."

Wasn't there anyone who could take in a large group of children?

Unable to contain his anger, Atart took his steps with a flushed face. Those waiting outside cautiously followed while walking on eggshells around him.

【Was there some sort of problem...】

However, his expression was only revealed for a moment. He barely managed to compose his emotions and returned his expression to its usual state. This was a position where he had to smile on the outside even while cursing profusely on the inside.

【The guests, especially the Black Snake Warrior, said they do not wish for the children to die. Haha. I thought so earlier as well, but he is a person who truly cherishes children.】

With that single statement, the complexions of the people around him changed. They were marveling at the broad-mindedness of the guest who was generous and merciful to children despite wielding such mighty power.

【There is no need to impart the impression of a cruel tribe when we are indebted to them. Spare the children under 10 years old... no, under 12 years old.】

【Understood.】

【However, Chief. When you say under 12 years old, do you mean you are only permitting those from 1 to 12 years old...?】

【Is there a problem?】

【There is a child who turned 13 just a few days ago.】

【... Then up to that child.】

【Yes.】

But to Atart, it was nothing more than an annoyance. He thought he could at least exploit it, but instead, he ended up leaving behind seeds of unrest within the tribe.

Furthermore, having been threatened with the vague word 'children,' he couldn't just spare the ones too young to discern right from wrong. They were better than the 14 or 15-year-olds, but 12 and 13 were still old enough to harbor a desire for revenge.

【However, spare them but do not release them into the village right away; keep them isolated and release them while monitoring their condition.】

【Yes.】

【You there, sort out the children from 1 to 12 years old and move them to the original prison. Along with Akata, who turned 13 a few days ago. It is an order to show mercy.】

Feigning calmness, he participated in the execution ceremony. As all the residents watched, the rebels were thrown near the execution platform, and some of the children were transferred away.

【What are you going to do with my child!】

【Akata!】

【Mother, Father!!】

Was the child who just turned 13 Akata, Taposhaka's daughter? I kept her alive for nothing.

Atart covertly glanced at the child, who was large for a 13-year-old and had evenly developed muscles. With her eyes burning fiercely, it was obvious she would never forget this day.

She is a seed of betrayal. It is right to kill her.

But I have already given the order to spare her, so what should I do. This is a position where I must not go back on my words.

【Damn you, I'll kill you. I'm going to kill you! You, and the outlander you brought in too!!】

Then suddenly, that shriek-like shout struck Atart's ears like thunder.

【Right. And the place given to the two of them is also...】

【Pardon?】

【It is nothing.】

He thought of a very good plan that could both warn the outlander who dared to not only reject his proposal but threaten him in reverse, as well as kill that budding seed of trouble.

A chilling smile lingered on Atart's lips.