Pirate Kingship-Chapter 666 - 462: Two Suns in the Sky, Palace Coup (6100 two-in-one)_4

The rods are used for flogging, the axe for capital punishment.

When the dictator inspected the nation, local officials had to submit unresolved cases to the dictator's judgment. If the crime was not death-worthy, they would choose rods of varying thickness according to the severity of the crime to beat the offender.

If the crime was extremely heinous, the axe would be used to chop off the offender's head.

In that era, the bundle of rods was also called 'Fasces,' symbolizing power, violence, and terror rule.

Holding the Dictator's Rod was equivalent to obtaining the highest dictatorial authority, which could be used to behead a foolish monarch or execute rebellious subjects.

What's more important is that when the ancient Silver Empire fell, every nation in the Old Continent claimed to be the rightful successor to the Empire!

This included cultural customs, and the continental legal system still followed by various countries also originated from the Silver Empire.

Even though the current Holy Silver Empire is neither holy, nor particularly rich in silver, nor an empire in the traditional sense, it still obtained a [King's Title] [Crown] surpassing those of other nations, demonstrating its influence.

Therefore, this axe from a bygone dynasty theoretically could truly be used to execute officials of the current reign, even those with a Kingly Title.

Except for Outlaw Madmen, everyone must tread carefully around it."

At this moment, the Marquis of Neville achieved resonance with the Sacred Relics.

The dazzling red light, like a brutal Giant Dragon, constantly pulsed within the Dictator's Rod. It looked at the two who shared royal power, instinctively eager to test its strength.

This Knight of Judgment had tamed this formidable power from the Mythological Era. He was a top-tier existence among all Fourth-order Heroic ranks and even possessed special effectiveness against other Tribunal Sequences.

With such a formidable character present, The Kingmaker Warwick, even if he went mad, wouldn't dare provoke the Neutral Faction at this critical juncture.

Focusing all his efforts on fighting the Royalist Party was the proper course of action.

After all, he couldn't possibly kill all the Nobility. Even if he ascended to the throne by taking over his grandson's body in the future, he'd still be a King with limited royal power, still needing Nobility of all levels to help him govern the country.

The Neutral Faction, like Byron, also had their own interests.

In this world, there are ancient families with a thousand years of heritage, but no Royal Family lasts for a thousand years. After all, whoever sits on the throne still needs to win them over.

If nothing unexpected happens, they definitely won't personally enter the fray to risk their lives.

They have people, money, and armies; they are much more powerful than any mere Noble Clans.

Byron shook his head as he watched the scene. As subjects, Warwick holds the Sword of Damocles and the title of Abreast King, while Thomas Neville holds the Dictator's Rod.

Hightins's reign as King is truly a failure.

In a unified, centralized state, forget such devastating weapons; if you dared to privately hoard even two suits of armor, you and your entire clan would have long been executed for treason, right?

A King who is beneath the law isn't fit to be even a dog!

Just as Byron saw the heavy losses of the Royalist Party and Edward IV growing somewhat weak, he began to think about how to use the "offshore balancing" technique in a way that best suited his interests.

Should I use the copper wire again to borrow a "Left Zero, Right Fire, Thunder God assist me!" bolt from the heavens to eliminate the surrounding Lost Ones?

"Ah—! It's the Headless Knight..."

"Don't come here!"

"My hands won't obey me! Stop, stop..."

A chorus of girls' screams suddenly erupted from one side of the banquet hall.

Byron turned abruptly. He realized the noise was coming from the parlor where his prospective sister-in-law, Anne Neville, and her group of friends were hiding!

Divine Sight also captured a familiar, headless figure appearing in their room.

This sudden turn of events clearly caught everyone by surprise.

Even The Kingmaker Warwick, the instigator who was on the verge of victory, suddenly paled and roared, "Stop, Hell Painter! Those people must not be killed!"

Meanwhile, Byron, Knight of Judgment Marquis Thomas Neville, and Duke Richard of Gloucester—who, still seemingly hoping for a dance, had been waiting near the parlor—all instinctively rushed over.

But it was all too late.