The Hero Stole My Lover, So I Decided to Steal the Hero's Lover Instead - Chapter 74-75

Chapter 74: The Prince’s POV

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He wondered who that person really was. That thought occasionally crossed his mind, and before he knew it, ten years had passed. He had never expected to see her again. But to think they would reunite at the execution ceremony of the Hero’s Party…

And to make matters even more unbelievable, Sharon was said to be the one responsible for capturing all four of them.

“You’ve gotta be kidding… You’re that brat from back then!?”

“So you remember.”

It seemed she remembered Chester as well. The innocent boy from that day had now succeeded the foolish king and become the ruler of the Holy Kingdom.

“Sharon-san, back then you told me, ‘I am the Demon King.’ I was half in doubt. No, honestly, I thought it was a joke. But it was true, wasn’t it?”

The flow of time for demons and humans was different. Sharon had clearly lived far longer than her appearance suggested. For a human, it would be unthinkable to go through ten years without any visible change. Some parts of them would have changed, even slightly.

But if she were a demon, it wouldn’t be impossible. That was why Chester had deduced that Sharon was the Demon King. It was a guess, but one very close to certainty. Sharon looked slightly confused for a moment, then burst into a cheerful laugh.

“Ah, that’s right. I am the Demon King.”

“So it was true.”

Even after learning that Sharon was the Demon King, Chester didn’t change his demeanor. He had no intention of invading the Demon Kingdom, nor did he bear any hatred toward demons.

“Thank you for saving me back then.”

“You’re welcome. I never would’ve guessed you were a prince.”

“Cain killed my father, so I’m the king now.”

To that, Sharon said nothing. Perhaps she felt that neither “congratulations” nor “my condolences” were appropriate.

“By the way, may I ask that question again… Do you know the whereabouts of the Holy Sword?”

“It’s in my possession. Do you want it back?”

“No, that’s quite all right. Please keep it.”

“Without the Holy Sword, killing me would be a tall order, you know?”

“…It’s not like I hate you or want to invade the Demon Kingdom.”

Chester gave a gentle smile, to show that he was speaking the truth.

“I see. You seem to think very differently from the previous king.”

As she said that, Sharon held out her hand.

A handshake?

He took her hand.

“With this, we’ve made peace. From now on, the Holy Kingdom and the Demon Kingdom will be friendly nations.”

It struck Chester as funny somehow, and he chuckled.

“Yes. I look forward to it.”

Clap clap clap. 

Sharon’s two subordinates applauded. Before he realized it, Chester’s guards had also come closer and were clapping as well.

“To sever ties with the past, we must carry out the execution of the four members of the Hero’s Party.”

The past—the attempt to kill the Demon King using the Hero. Chester called over the chief official in charge of today’s execution and told him.

“Begin the execution.” 

The official gave a nod and walked off.

“They committed far too many crimes. If they hadn’t been given the title of ‘Hero,’ they likely wouldn’t have gone this far. When I think of it that way, I… Well, I still can’t sympathize with them.”

In the center of the plaza stood four guillotines. The four members of the Hero’s Party were being led there. Chester and the others watched them silently. All four would be beheaded at the same time. The angry roars of the crowd filled the air, growing louder and louder.

And then, the execution began.

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Chapter 75: The Hero Party’s POV

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After being handed over to the national army, the four were transferred to the royal capital, Seintill.

When they were granted an audience with the king, they begged for their lives, but naturally, their pleas fell on deaf ears. Without an ounce of mercy, they were declared, “All of you are sentenced to death.”

After that, the four of them were thrown into a filthy prison. The food was disgusting, and they weren’t allowed to bathe. The environment was unsanitary. Gradually, the four began to lose their minds. 

They couldn’t tell if it was morning, noon, or night. No matter how much they screamed or raged, no one said a word. They were completely ignored. The wait until the execution was unexpectedly long. Was it because preparations for the execution were taking time, or were they simply being tortured through the delay?

“Damn it… I never should’ve joined the Hero’s Party…”

Daryl muttered in a low voice, gnawing on his nails.

“If I hadn’t joined, I’d be…”

“What did you say!? After all the sweet benefits you’ve enjoyed, you’ve got the nerve to say something like that!?”

Cain shouted and threw a punch at Daryl. Ronnie watched the two brawling with a dry smile on his face.

“It’s too late for us to fall out with each other now. Sooner or later, we’ll all be beheaded together. Let’s just quietly wait for the execution.”

“Yes… Let’s wait. Let’s wait… And wait for death… Heehee, heeheehee…”

Anita’s eyes were lifeless.

I won’t give up! No matter what, I’ll get out of here and go see Alicia—

Just then, soldiers appeared in front of the prison bars. They looked like grim reapers coming to bring them death. The lock was undone, and the heavy metal door creaked open with an eerie sound.

“Out.”

That was all they said.

“Are we being executed now!?”

Ronnie asked, his face contorted in desperation.

“Out. Hurry.”

“No! I don’t want to die!”

“Ufufufu… Death is coming…”

“Uwaaaaaaahhhhh!”

Cain launched a desperate tackle. But with his strength drained from malnutrition, his charge was easily dodged. His joints were locked, and Cain groaned in pain.

The four were restrained so they couldn’t resist and brought outside for the first time in ages. They hadn’t realized how beautiful and warm the sun could be. Tears fell from their eyes without them noticing. They were placed in a carriage and taken to a plaza in the capital.

As they got off the carriage, they were met with a large crowd. When the spectators spotted the so-called Hero’s Party, instead of cheering, they hurled insults. Words too vile to hear. The soldiers didn’t silence the jeering but grimaced in disgust.

“This way.”

In the center of the plaza stood four guillotines. The blades were stained and looked dull. They were far from new—clearly used in past executions.

“N-No…”

Cain trembled but stood his ground. He resisted, like a child throwing a tantrum. The towering guillotines looked more terrifying than any weapon they had ever seen. The sheer presence of them was overwhelming. It was enough to make them wet themselves.

“You lot have committed countless crimes. You’ve killed plenty of people too, haven’t you? Ideally, you’d be executed a hundred times to make up for it, but unfortunately, a person only has one life. So, you only die once. Lucky you. One time only. Honestly, the punishment is light considering your crimes. I’m jealous.”

The soldiers dragged each of the four to their respective guillotines. Several men held each of them down to prevent any escape or resistance.

“Now then, we will proceed with the execution of the four great sinners of the Hero’s Party. Cain, Daryl, Ronnie, and Anita.”

The official in charge of today’s execution began listing their crimes. There were countless additional offenses. Even without those, their crimes were undeniably worthy of death. A parade of atrocities.

With each crime announced, the crowd’s jeers and excitement grew. The tension reached a fever pitch. It had become a sheer frenzy.

“—And finally, the murder of His Majesty the former king, Lord Philip.”

At that moment, the crowd’s excitement reached its peak.

“Their crimes can never be forgiven. Therefore, they shall be executed by guillotine, to cleanse their sins.”

The executioner raised his hand. It was the signal to begin. Cain, Daryl, Ronnie, and Anita—each stared upward in desperation. The massive blades descended toward their necks. That final instant was the longest moment of their lives. It felt like everything moved in slow motion.

“If only I hadn’t joined the Hero’s Party…” 

Daryl  muttered.

“In the next life, let’s commit crimes more cleverly, without getting caught.”

Ronnie said.

“Ufufu… So I really am going to die now, aren’t I…”

Anita chuckled.

“No! I don’t want to die! Alicia! Alicia, I—” 

Cain shouted and then… The four guillotines fell, severing four heads.

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