The Grand Duelist

"It's time..."

Joseph re-entered the world of Victory and when he came out of his room.

A determined expression could be seen on his face.

"Master..."

A smile emerged on Ezreal's lips when he saw Joseph's serious look. Right now, Joseph was different from who he was before he entered the Underground Penitentiary.

At that time, Joseph could barely suppress his trembling whenever he felt cold wind passing on his skin, and whenever he heard the cries of anguished souls.

But this time? 

Joseph actually looked quite peaceful. When he realized and learned from Krid that he must not take life for granted, and worrying was a worthless affair that wouldn't solve anything. Joseph finally had the bravery that he lacked due to his insecurities since the death of his parents.

Even though he knew that he still wasn't as confident as what his parents wanted him to be...

Right now, he felt unstoppable.

He smiled at Ezreal, and the latter also smiled at him in return as the two of them went towards the Maximum Security Tunnel where a bunch of Inquisitors could be seen huddled around each other.

Along with the other Inquisitors was the Jail Warden who turned to look at the incoming Ezreal and Joseph.

"Good morning, sir Warden." Joseph slightly bowed his head, and Ezreal did the same.

"Hmmm." The Jail Warden nodded his head before handing over two pouches full of something towards the two.

Joseph swiftly stretched his hand out in order to receive what the Jail Warden was handing over, while Ezreal's hand moved in a somewhat hesitant manner.

"What is this, sir Warden?" Joseph mumbled, but when he opened the pouch. He was astonished for it contained a lot of shining gold coins. But a frown soon appeared on his face. He couldn't remember doing anything that deserved him such a payment.

"Why do you look so confused. It's the compensation for the help that the two of you rendered back when both of you forced a confession out of those cursed bastards." The Jail Warden revealed a light smile and Joseph, along with Ezreal finally understood what he was talking about.

'Ah, so these gold coins are for that walk of shame back then. I see... This is some neat stuff. I didn't expect that I would actually get a lot of... wait... how many gold coins are these?' Joseph promptly turned around and deposited the gold coins within the pouches into his Inventory. 

When the system completed its count on the number of gold coins that Joseph deposited.

His eyes widened in shock.

[You currently have 500G, 5S, 8C]

"F-F-F-Five hundred gold coins?!" Joseph inwardly exclaimed.

Money in Victory wasn't so easy to earn.

Don't think that just because Joseph easily acquired five hundred gold coins meant that earning money in Victory was simple and not really that difficult...

The only reason why Joseph earned this much money in such a short time was because of his hard work. Although it would be controversial to say that Joseph did a lot of things. Luck also played a role in Joseph's acquisition of this much money.

"I... Thank, sir Jail Warden!" Joseph deeply bowed.

The Jail Warden hurriedly replied.

"No, no, no... You do not have to do that. The rewards that you got are from the fruits of your labor, you deserve it and that is what you get."

A kind smile spread on the Jail Warden's lips and the Inquisitors around him.

Although when Joseph remembered the identities of these people whom some were ex-convicts or death row inmates.

A shiver ran down Joseph's spine as he awkwardly scratched his head and thanked everyone for their appreciation towards his hard work.

Ezreal also got the spotlight...

In fact, some members even started giving him some coupons for the red-light district. With good intentions of setting Ezreal back on the right, and standard way.

Of course, Ezreal firmly refused their coupons which elicited bitter smiles on the faces of every Inquisitor, including even the Captain of all Inquisitors.

"Seems like he's too far gone..."

"Yeah, it's too late."

"I guess..."

Ding! Ding! Ding!

A dull and loud sound suddenly rocked the entire Underground Penitentiary...

Everyone, including the inmates sleeping soundly or crying within their jail cells, was startled before they turned to look towards the direction of the Maximum Security Tunnel.

"It's time..." The Jail Warden's expression turned serious. 

"Let's go... Assume the formation!" The Captain of the Inquisitors ordered.

"Yes, sir!" The Inquisitors answered.

"I have already heard from the Jail Warden about what are the roles of you two so, but be careful, the might of a Legend must never be underestimated."

The Captain of the Inquisitors said these words to Joseph and Ezreal before he rushed towards the barracks and left both Ezreal and Joseph along with the Warden.

Joseph and Ezreal turned to look at the Jail Warden.

The Jail Warden nodded his head and gestured as if saying 'come follow me' before moving.

The three went beyond the sealed room again, and inside the room was Krid...

"Honorable Jail Warden, shall we proceed now?"

... and the other five Deputy Warden.

"Yes, we shall proceed with the preparations. This is the first time in four decades that a public execution will happen under the jurisdiction of our Underground Penitentiary. Always remember that our honor is in the line." 

"Yes..." The Deputy Wardens bowed their heads towards the Jail Warden.

"That guy..." 

Joseph swept his gaze at the gathered Deputy Wardens and found that the middle-aged man who arrogantly left them alone within the darkened hallways of the Underground Penitentiary back when they first came here was also present among the Deputy Wardens.

That middle-aged man nodded his head, but his face remained expressionless.

Seeing that the middle-aged man had no intention of talking with him. Joseph surreptitiously glanced at Krid. He didn't dare to stare directly into the eyes of the old man, for he knew that today was the day of reckoning.

Today was a turning point in Joseph's life and Krid was heavily involved with it...

Honestly, Joseph didn't know if he could still even face Krid after everything that would happen today.

Nevertheless, Joseph planned on doing what he must along with his interest and Krid.

No matter how other people would judge what he was planning on doing.

Joseph reminded himself that everything was for his, Krid, and for the sake of Krid's disciple.

After about half an hour, the preparations were finally complete.

"Prisoner Krid. Rise..."

The Jail Warden announced within the sealed room where Krid resided.

"Heh... So, it's finally time... Took you bastards too long." A sarcastic smile appeared on Krid's face, and all the Deputy Warden's couldn't help but frown when they saw his laidback expression. 'Are we really going to execute him, or are we going to accompany him to a picnic somewhere in a paradise-like backyard. Why is he so calm and composed?' 

These were the thoughts of the Deputy Wardens, but some of them merely scoffed inside: 'Hmmph... He may be keeping up that complacent and peaceful facade right now, but when he's under the guillotine and in the face of death. I reckon, even a Legend may beg for forgiveness!'

Only Ezreal and Joseph had strange looks on their faces as Ezreal went forwards and escorted Krid by the arm. No one among the Deputy Warden thought strange of what Ezreal was doing.

After all, prior to all of these...

They had already heard from the Jail Warden about what were their arrangements.

They didn't really mind what Ezreal was doing since for them, Krid was already a dead man.

The group continued their march towards the surface. Accompanied by every Jail Janitor and Inquisitor who had solemn, yet excited expressions on their faces.

But could you really blame them?

I mean, the execution of a Legend was something to look forward to them, since they could possibly be recorded within the annals of history for being one of those people that executed a Legend for the first time in history. How could they not be excited?

With all sorts of sentiments and thoughts running through the minds of everyone within the procession.

Their journey continued, albeit slowly, yet surely as they walked towards the surface with heavy footsteps.

Then...

When the first ray of sunlight entered their eyes.

Several system notifications appeared in front of Joseph's face. But before he could read them, he was astonished by the scene that he saw around him. It was because around them, was a gathering...

A gathering of tens of thousands of people, staring at them with different looks on their faces.

"Execution procession... Passing through!" The Jail Warden cried out loud, his voice reverberating through the air and rang in the ears of everyone as if he whispered these words close to them. 

"We shall obey!" The NPCs exclaimed, astonishing the players.

But the next scene further deepened their astonishment. It was because at the moment that the NPCs completed their sentence. All of them suddenly threw leaves that had the lush colors of green into the air, creating an artificial rain of leaves that dotted the streets. 

After throwing all the leaves that they held within their hands, all the NPCs then simultaneously screamed.

"May you have a fine journey!" 

The players were thoroughly astonished about the actions of these NPCs.

But the other NPCs, such as the Jail Warden and Ezreal now had their heads slightly hung low towards the direction of Krid.

"You guys..."

Joseph mumbled under his breath.

It was completely unexpected for Joseph that the residents would treat someone who committed treason against their home kingdom with such respect before his execution.

'Shouldn't these residents throw all sorts of nasty objects towards Krid? Why did they hurl leaves, and why are they wishing him a fine journey?' 

Ezreal noticed Joseph's confusion and a smile appeared on his face as he softly explained: "Master, this is the culture of the people of the Kingdom of Nether. Although the crime attached to my comrade, Krid is a crime that definitely deserved capital punishment..."

"The people of the Kingdom of Nether never really liked the concept of death in the first place. Every death is considered as sad partings, and farewells for them..."

"For example, take a look at these leaves that they hurled in the air. These green leaves colors signify the birth of a new life upon the appearance of Spring."

"In other words... Not only they are wishing for Krid's fine journey through the yellow springs. They are also wishing for his rebirth in this era..."

"After all, talented men such as Krid is absolutely necessary for the development of mankind..."

"It is sad that Krid couldn't help them in this generation, but these people are hoping that in the next generation. Krid would be reborn and could finally wield his talent to the fullest without meeting such an end like this..."

"Do you understand it now, master?"

Ezreal stared at Joseph and he found that the latter had his hung low towards the direction of Krid.

A smile emerged on Ezreal's face and he also did the same as they kept on walking towards the Central Square.

However, Joseph felt completely different from Ezreal's expectations.

Right now, tears could be seen silently falling down his cheeks.

This tradition of the residents of the Kingdom of Nether reminded him of the early farewell that he had to make to his parents.

"Dad... Mom... I wish both of you a fine journey through the yellow springs..."

Joseph fetched some leaves on the ground, and he slowly hurled them to the air.

Watching the leaves that he threw, steadily, yet slowly falling into the ground...

A smile emerged on Joseph's lips.

"Dad... Mom..."

Closing his eyes, tears stopped falling from them, and when he opened them once again. A confident light, befitting to that of a domineering overlord could be seen within his eyes.

"From now on, I shall never doubt my own capabilities ever again."

Joseph took a step forward...

It may be a small step for others, but for Joseph...

It was an incredible leap from his previous self to his new self.