Prologue (1/2)

Prologue – Public Execution Day

TL: keriv136

ED: keriv136

This proved to be very difficult to translate for a variety of reasons. Firstly, I had difficulty copying the RAW because the site where it is hosted uses flash and you can’t copy and paste. I had to find a work around (one note copy text from picture) but it doesn’t work properly. Some characters are copied incorrectly which meant I had to spend an inordinate amount of time hunting down mistakes. Secondly, the author’s writing is very simplistic and there are so few details it is difficult to understand what is going on sometimes and the phrases he use are sometimes confusing. Anyway, I decided that if I continue this story, I will try my best to focus on translating in a way that makes the novel sound more natural for an English reader. This means that I am not so concerned with ‘perfect accuracy’ and rather will freely subst.i.tute Korean phrases with appropriate English ones, even if it isn’t a direct translation of the original text. I may also add some details which may be implied but not directly stated.

By the way, the translation below is how the author writes, this is not an MTL. Maybe it will change past the prologue.

Sorry for the long Note.

Today, the capital’s plaza is crowded with countless people.

“Long live his Imperial Highness the second Emperor!!!!”

“Hurry and kill that d.a.m.n tyrant with your blade!!!”

“Kill! Kill!”

Wild cries broke out among the citizens.

In the middle of the square, the crowd separated and a group of people headed towards the center of the square.

Being led by the group of people was a young man with his hands tied.

Maybe he appeared to be in his thirties? He was handsome with a n.o.ble impression, but his face was filled with fatigue and exhaustion.

When the citizens saw his face, their expressions became even more ugly.

Hey, look at that outfit, isn’t that enough evidence to prove that he sucked the life out of us? They thought.

”Even under these circ.u.mstances, are you still mocking us?”

“Kaaaaaak twet” (spit)

Contrary to the circ.u.mstance of being tied up and dragged out to be executed, the man’s attire was glamorous.

His magnificent garments were woven with golden thread and covered in gold and jewels.

The man whose life was about to end could only laugh to himself with scorn.

Is this supposed to be a cheap play? If so, I’m really going to have something to complain about.

No matter how extravagant these garments were, he had only ever worn such luxurious clothing a few times.

The Emperor had always been frugal, and after he ascended to the throne, he spent a decade embroiled in civil war.

He could not afford to wear luxurious clothes as he spent most of his reign on the battlefield.

If I could have afforded to dress like this, I would have said ”Oh, I'll be d.a.m.ned, don't mind if I do!” He thought sarcastically to himself while moving to the center of the square.

At the center of the square, a large device for executions had already been prepared.

This device consisted of a tall upright frame where a weighted and angled blade was suspended at the top.

Under Imperial law, those who committed severe crimes would be decapitated by a guillotine.

The dethroned emperor stopped walking and stood before his brother.

He glanced slowly once more at the enraged citizens below.

“Cut his head off right now!”

A rough middle-aged man cried out.

“Because of you, both my son and grandson were forced to fight in the war and die!”

A gray-haired old woman screamed with evil intent.

What was communicated by the crowd was nothing but their hatred, which they poured out on him.

The man, however, felt pity for them.

What are they guilty of?

Everything is the Emperor's fault.

He couldn't defend anything.

Soldiers who followed him to the last.

His loyal subjects that remained loyal to him.

And even his lover who was his precious companion.

”All citizens must now be quiet!!”

”From here on, we begin the trial of the Emperor!”

All men quieted as the trial announcement was declared.

”Leonhart.”

All eyes turned to the high stage where the trial was taking place.

Their gazes fell on a handsome blond man at the center of the stage.