>>6014960>>6015038>>6015162>>6015175>>6015959"If it's a calamity for him to have died without leaving a male heir, the blame lies on him for killing all of his sons," you declare with authority. The old tyrant feared a prophecy that predicted he would be killed and overthrown by one of his own sons. Driven by this fear, and proving his cowardice, he ordered all his newborn sons buried alive. Such monstrous actions should have earned him the hatred of all, yet even now, he has loyalists.
"He needed no heirs, for he was one of the divine. He would have lived forever if you hadn't killed him," the younger prisoner shouts again, fervent in his belief that the old tyrant was more than a mere mortal, someone worthy of worship.
"Your so-called divine king died screaming in terror, just a frightened old man," you snort in derision, holding the young man's gaze. "When my sword ended his life, he proved himself nothing more than human." You then turn to address all the prisoners, your voice cold and authoritative. "Tell me how your king dealt with traitors, for you will receive the same treatment, as if his hand still wielded the sword."
Silence falls, even the most fanatical prisoners now mute with dread.
The palace guard commander steps forward, his voice steady but carrying a note of obedience. "King Suial was nothing if not creative. For crimes such as treason, he concocted some truly inventive forms of torture and execution—flaying, burning, boiling, the brazen bull, the boats, the rats... Our torturers are well-experienced, your radiance. And as for their families, their brothers and sons will be publicly crucified, and their wives and daughters given to the soldiers to be used as they please."
> I will offer you one final choice. Renounce Suial and recognize me as the rightful king, and you will face a swift end by beheading—a merciful death, by my decree. Or maintain your loyalty to your fallen king, and suffer the torments he would have devised for traitors.> Execute them publicly, employing methods Suial would have used to instill fear. However, their families will be spared. This kingdom has seen enough bloodshed of the innocent.> Carry out their executions publicly, using the methods of Suial to maintain a semblance of continuity in punishment. Extend the punishment to their families as well, to prevent any future plots of vengeance. This harsh measure ensures no threads are left to unravel our fragile peace.> Imprison them in the dungeons, subjecting them to the same gruesome tortures Suial favored. They will live every moment in agony, a drawn-out death befitting their crime.> They will meet their end in the arena, not as honored gladiators but as men condemned to die by beast or blade. This spectacle, part of the grand tournament I will soon announce, will demonstrate the fate of traitors and entertain the masses. 