try begging

I have to send this child away before he remembers me. By the time he can say the word "mother," I have to be across the ocean. Alone.

"I'm going to live my life. You live yours."

Grace patted the sleeping child and muttered the same words as if they were a spell.

º º º

The train entered Winsford Central Station, cutting through the morning sunlight pouring down like a blade. Campbell, who had been standing in the corridor, knocked on the door of the sleeping car as the train came to a complete stop.

"... ... ."

As soon as the door opened, I tried to say hello in the morning, but I stopped. The major who was walking out looked completely restless. I was worried that he might die from overwork.

As soon as the two officers got out of the station, they caught a taxi.

"Hailwood's..."

Just as Campbell was about to suggest to the knight that they go to Winston, the major shook his head and corrected his destination.

"Winsford Transit Camp."

"Which one shall I choose today?"

His tone was brisk, as if he were talking to a horse in a stable. However, what Winston was pointing at one by one with the riding whip in his hand were not horses, but people.

Those kneeling in a line on the dirt floor, their hands and feet bound with chains and shackles, were cadres who had once led the revolutionary army.

Those who were dragged to the execution ground as soon as the sun rose were all staring at the devil's shiny brown shoes for fear of making eye contact with him. Winston came wearing a suit instead of an officer's uniform for some reason. The devil, who was leisurely walking back and forth in front of the officers, cracking his whip and carrying a pack on his back, suddenly asked.

"Any volunteers?"

No one answered. No one willingly submitted to execution.

Those who now know only too well what happens when the devil's taunts reach their peak begin to visibly tremble.

Two of them did not tremble. They already knew that they would not die today. Nevertheless, their faces were clearly tense. After witnessing the deaths of all their comrades, they were destined to be tied to the last pillar at the end of the execution ground.

"No volunteers? What the...."

Just over a month ago, there were eight people gathered at the execution ground. But now there were only five left. That means that one out of three people gathered here today was destined to die.

From late spring onwards, Winston became more and more cruel. Before, through the author, I had seen how far human cruelty could go, but now it felt like cruelty itself was playing with small things while wearing a human shell.

Jimmy had a gut feeling. This was retaliation. It wasn't about something we had done to him, it was about someone else taking it out on him. And it was obvious that that someone else was Grace.

Grace had to be an unjust victim because of her mistake. Winston, who had been pacing around mockingly, suddenly stopped.

"Then I guess there's nothing I can do."

Last time, they decided who would be executed by drawing lots. What kind of crazy thing are they going to do this time? Everyone was holding their breath and swallowing dry saliva.

"Go back and tell me why someone other than yourself should die. I will spare the lives of the two who succeed in persuading me."

The three of them, except Little Jimmy and David Wilkins, raised their heads and looked at each other with eyes that were clearly filled with confusion. Soon their eyes began to show hesitation instead of confusion, and the moment one of them spoke, everything changed.

"Oh, my lord, those two a while ago... ."

Eventually, an ugly war of revelations began. In the end, all three exchanged insults and curses with their faces reddened.

It was a moment when the fear of death trampled on the camaraderie that had lasted for decades.

"This is by far the best show I've seen this year."

Winston watched the ridiculous scene and burst out laughing as if he was watching a comedy film.

"Hey, smile a little for your hard-working comrades."

He even went so far as to coax Jimmy and Dave into responding, even to the stunned silence.

"You two aren't even shaking."

Winston, who was looking down at the two, made a sound. At that moment, the two people, who had an ominous feeling, held their breath.

"Hey, look this way."

As the bastard shouted, the three men who had been exchanging insults and spitting tears and spit at each other turned to look at Jimmy and Dave.

"It's hard to tell who's better. So these two who won't die today decided to choose who will die today."

Those who stood on the edge of a miserable life and an even more miserable death were easily swayed by Winston's low-quality slander. Even as he pleaded with Jimmy and Dave, his eyes were filled with contempt and resentment toward them.

Then eventually one person gave up.

"Just kill me.... Kill me now...."

He was destined to die someday anyway. They came to the conclusion that it was better to experience it one day sooner rather than live in fear every day. However, Jimmy and Dave could not readily sentence him to execution.

"Kill me... Please kill me... ."

Leon, who had been quietly watching the two rats who wouldn't die today and the one mumbling the same thing absentmindedly, clicked his tongue.

"Can't you do it? Anyway, what is the right thing to do? Okay, I'll choose today in particular."

Although he acted as if he had no choice but to choose, Leon had actually decided on a target for execution. After putting the three death row inmates in various crises and doggedly observing their behavior, the person he chose was neither the one who tried to live the first nor the one who volunteered to die the first.

"The most indecisive person, who could neither betray first nor give up first."

When Leon pointed the end of his whip at one of the prisoners, the man's face twisted and he trembled.

"I hate indecisive people."

The attitude of not wanting to take risks, the lack of courage and cowardice is exactly what I hate. Leon, who was reciting the reason for choosing today's death row inmate, suddenly stopped.

"Wait a minute, who is this?"

He spread his hands wide in admiration as if he recognized the face of a familiar acquaintance.

"You are so indecisive, yet you were the first to tell Grace to die an honorable death."

The guy became even more thoughtful and looked at his comrades with eyes full of resentment. It meant that everyone who was there at the time had blown up.

"That's not what I ordered... Hey, you all thought that! You were right! Speak up, everyone!"

But his comrades either ignored him or only watched Leon's expression.

"Please just let me live."

Leon bent down toward the man crawling on the dirt floor, his jaw lifted by the tip of the whip.

"Oh, why didn't you swallow cyanide and die with honor? Then you could have avoided today's dishonorable death."

"Please, I was wrong."

"I now know why you raised that woman. It's unbelievable. You didn't know how to use the Joker even though you had it in your hands, so you ended up getting beat up by it."

Leon clicked his tongue and straightened up.

"You should definitely hear the news that he died."

There was no need to say who wanted to hear this news. When I turned around, Campbell nodded, holding the notebook in his hand. The news of the author's execution will be in the newspaper tomorrow.

Look, I'm doing my best to get revenge on you.

Leon sighed and ordered, placing his palm between his eyebrows.

"Take it and go."

The private who had been waiting dragged today's condemned man to the pillar at the end of the execution ground. The man, whose legs had lost their strength, was dragged along, kicking his feet in vain and groaning.

"You killed that monster's father! Dave! You're the one who should be standing here!"

David Wilkins turned his head as the man shouted while being tied to a pole.

"Ugh!"

The tip of the whip struck the back of the man's neck, which was exposed outside his prison uniform. The man fell down and struggled, unable to get up. Iza had lost the use of one of his legs when he was caught in an explosion caused by Grace while trying to escape through the underground passage during Operation Blackburn. Leon nodded, and a private standing behind him sat the man up.

"If you have given me a special seat in the royal seat, shouldn't you show me the appropriate sincerity?"

This time the tip of the whip dug into the cheek of James Blanchard Jr., who was avoiding eye contact.

"Look straight ahead."

Little Jimmy was relatively obedient, but Wilkins refused to listen and kept lowering his head. Leon took a pair of black gloves from Campbell and grabbed the bastard by the hair.

"Look carefully. How your children died. And how you and the rest of your children will die."

When I reminded him of what he had done and what he would do next, he clenched his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut, which were filled with disgusting tears. I could clearly see his jaw trembling.

My first meeting with Izawa was still vivid even months later.

I have to send this child away before he remembers me. By the time he can say the word "mother," I have to be across the ocean. Alone.

"I'm going to live my life. You live yours."

Grace patted the sleeping child and muttered the same words as if they were a spell.

º º º

The train entered Winsford Central Station, cutting through the morning sunlight pouring down like a blade. Campbell, who had been standing in the corridor, knocked on the door of the sleeping car as the train came to a complete stop.

"... ... ."

As soon as the door opened, I tried to say hello in the morning, but I stopped. The major who was walking out looked completely restless. I was worried that he might die from overwork.

As soon as the two officers got out of the station, they caught a taxi.

"Hailwood's..."

Just as Campbell was about to suggest to the knight that they go to Winston, the major shook his head and corrected his destination.

"Winsford Transit Camp."

"Which one shall I choose today?"

His tone was brisk, as if he were talking to a horse in a stable. However, what Winston was pointing at one by one with the riding whip in his hand were not horses, but people.

Those kneeling in a line on the dirt floor, their hands and feet bound with chains and shackles, were cadres who had once led the revolutionary army.

Those who were dragged to the execution ground as soon as the sun rose were all staring at the devil's shiny brown shoes for fear of making eye contact with him. Winston came wearing a suit instead of an officer's uniform for some reason. The devil, who was leisurely walking back and forth in front of the officers, cracking his whip and carrying a pack on his back, suddenly asked.

"Any volunteers?"

No one answered. No one willingly submitted to execution.

Those who now know only too well what happens when the devil's taunts reach their peak begin to visibly tremble.

Two of them did not tremble. They already knew that they would not die today. Nevertheless, their faces were clearly tense. After witnessing the deaths of all their comrades, they were destined to be tied to the last pillar at the end of the execution ground.

"No volunteers? What the...."

Just over a month ago, there were eight people gathered at the execution ground. But now there were only five left. That means that one out of three people gathered here today was destined to die.

From late spring onwards, Winston became more and more cruel. Before, through the author, I had seen how far human cruelty could go, but now it felt like cruelty itself was playing with small things while wearing a human shell.

Jimmy had a gut feeling. This was retaliation. It wasn't about something we had done to him, it was about someone else taking it out on him. And it was obvious that that someone else was Grace.

Grace had to be an unjust victim because of her mistake. Winston, who had been pacing around mockingly, suddenly stopped.

"Then I guess there's nothing I can do."

Last time, they decided who would be executed by drawing lots. What kind of crazy thing are they going to do this time? Everyone was holding their breath and swallowing dry saliva.

"Go back and tell me why someone other than yourself should die. I will spare the lives of the two who succeed in persuading me."

The three of them, except Little Jimmy and David Wilkins, raised their heads and looked at each other with eyes that were clearly filled with confusion. Soon their eyes began to show hesitation instead of confusion, and the moment one of them spoke, everything changed.

"Oh, my lord, those two a while ago... ."

Eventually, an ugly war of revelations began. In the end, all three exchanged insults and curses with their faces reddened.

It was a moment when the fear of death trampled on the camaraderie that had lasted for decades.

"This is by far the best show I've seen this year."

Winston watched the ridiculous scene and burst out laughing as if he was watching a comedy film.

"Hey, smile a little for your hard-working comrades."

He even went so far as to coax Jimmy and Dave into responding, even to the stunned silence.

"You two aren't even shaking."

Winston, who was looking down at the two, made a sound. At that moment, the two people, who had an ominous feeling, held their breath.

"Hey, look this way."

As the bastard shouted, the three men who had been exchanging insults and spitting tears and spit at each other turned to look at Jimmy and Dave.

"It's hard to tell who's better. So these two who won't die today decided to choose who will die today."

Those who stood on the edge of a miserable life and an even more miserable death were easily swayed by Winston's low-quality slander. Even as he pleaded with Jimmy and Dave, his eyes were filled with contempt and resentment toward them.

Then eventually one person gave up.

"Just kill me.... Kill me now...."

He was destined to die someday anyway. They came to the conclusion that it was better to experience it one day sooner rather than live in fear every day. However, Jimmy and Dave could not readily sentence him to execution.

"Kill me... Please kill me... ."

Leon, who had been quietly watching the two rats who wouldn't die today and the one mumbling the same thing absentmindedly, clicked his tongue.

"Can't you do it? Anyway, what is the right thing to do? Okay, I'll choose today in particular."

Although he acted as if he had no choice but to choose, Leon had actually decided on a target for execution. After putting the three death row inmates in various crises and doggedly observing their behavior, the person he chose was neither the one who tried to live the first nor the one who volunteered to die the first.

"The most indecisive person, who could neither betray first nor give up first."

When Leon pointed the end of his whip at one of the prisoners, the man's face twisted and he trembled.

"I hate indecisive people."

The attitude of not wanting to take risks, the lack of courage and cowardice is exactly what I hate. Leon, who was reciting the reason for choosing today's death row inmate, suddenly stopped.

"Wait a minute, who is this?"

He spread his hands wide in admiration as if he recognized the face of a familiar acquaintance.

"You are so indecisive, yet you were the first to tell Grace to die an honorable death."

The guy became even more thoughtful and looked at his comrades with eyes full of resentment. It meant that everyone who was there at the time had blown up.

"That's not what I ordered... Hey, you all thought that! You were right! Speak up, everyone!"

But his comrades either ignored him or only watched Leon's expression.

"Please just let me live."

Leon bent down toward the man crawling on the dirt floor, his jaw lifted by the tip of the whip.

"Oh, why didn't you swallow cyanide and die with honor? Then you could have avoided today's dishonorable death."

"Please, I was wrong."

"I now know why you raised that woman. It's unbelievable. You didn't know how to use the Joker even though you had it in your hands, so you ended up getting beat up by it."

Leon clicked his tongue and straightened up.

"You should definitely hear the news that he died."

There was no need to say who wanted to hear this news. When I turned around, Campbell nodded, holding the notebook in his hand. The news of the author's execution will be in the newspaper tomorrow.

Look, I'm doing my best to get revenge on you.

Leon sighed and ordered, placing his palm between his eyebrows.

"Take it and go."

The private who had been waiting dragged today's condemned man to the pillar at the end of the execution ground. The man, whose legs had lost their strength, was dragged along, kicking his feet in vain and groaning.

"You killed that monster's father! Dave! You're the one who should be standing here!"

David Wilkins turned his head as the man shouted while being tied to a pole.

"Ugh!"

The tip of the whip struck the back of the man's neck, which was exposed outside his prison uniform. The man fell down and struggled, unable to get up. Iza had lost the use of one of his legs when he was caught in an explosion caused by Grace while trying to escape through the underground passage during Operation Blackburn. Leon nodded, and a private standing behind him sat the man up.

"If you have given me a special seat in the royal seat, shouldn't you show me the appropriate sincerity?"

This time the tip of the whip dug into the cheek of James Blanchard Jr., who was avoiding eye contact.

"Look straight ahead."

Little Jimmy was relatively obedient, but Wilkins refused to listen and kept lowering his head. Leon took a pair of black gloves from Campbell and grabbed the bastard by the hair.

"Look carefully. How your children died. And how you and the rest of your children will die."

When I reminded him of what he had done and what he would do next, he clenched his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut, which were filled with disgusting tears. I could clearly see his jaw trembling.

My first meeting with Izawa was still vivid even months later.