This time, I won't be the devil.

The news of the capture of the phantom thief Robin Hood had spread like wildfire during the past three days. On the day of the execution, the entire execution ground was filled with onlookers.

Looking at the scene in front of him, Frey couldn't help but think of the day when the devil "Hakimi" was beheaded.

When Jacob was pushed onto the guillotine, Keyes read out his charges in person.

"Prisoner, Marius Jacob, listen carefully!"

At this moment, Jacob no longer had any worries or concerns in his heart. He replied firmly:

"Say it, I'm listening."

"Before the execution, on behalf of the Court of Justice, I will question you one last time."

"Regarding the 50 crimes you have committed, including theft, assault with a weapon, illegal possession of dangerous items, and damage to public property, do you plead guilty?"

In response to Qi Si's question, Jacob snorted coldly and remained silent.

"The prisoner refuses to plead guilty. Let's record this result and prepare for the execution."

Just as Qi Si turned to leave the execution platform, Jacob stopped him.

"Director Qi, if I remember correctly, death row inmates have one opportunity to raise questions and defend themselves before being executed. This is a right granted by God."

"Since the facts of your crime are irrefutable and the evidence is irrefutable, no matter what you say, it will not change the verdict."

"But you have no right to deprive me of my right to speak."

In front of so many people, Qi Si naturally couldn't break the rules, so he agreed to Jacob's request.

"You can ask a question and speak for up to 10 minutes."

After receiving permission, Jacob spoke.

"Before I became a thief, I was a soldier in the Great Crusade.

"My comrades and I once went to the battlefield to protect humanity, but now they are all gone."

Although the 86th Company could not be mentioned, what Jacob said at this time was an indisputable fact.

"Director Qi, what do you think of their sacrifice?"

Qi Si thought Jacob was going to say something, but this is what happened?

As the president of the court, he had memorized the answer to this question countless times.

"The holy war against the demons is a great war that concerns the survival of all mankind."

"It is a great honor to give one's life for humanity. All soldiers who died in battle are honored. Their courage deserves praise, and their sacrifice deserves praise..."

Afterwards, in front of everyone present, Qis gave an impassioned speech.

His tone was ups and downs, his words were witty, and his expression was tearful, which moved everyone who listened to him.

At the end of Chis's speech, Jacob asked:

"Mr. Director, what you said is truly wonderful. Sacrificing for humanity is undoubtedly a glorious thing."

"Now I have a question, and I hope you can answer it honestly."

"Where were you when my companions and I bled and died?"

"What did you say?"

The sudden words caught Qis off guard, but Jacob's questioning continued.

"While the soldiers on the front lines risked their lives fighting the demons, where were you, the one who praised and sacrificed yourself?"

"When war takes away a mother's son, a wife's husband, and a child's father, what have you paid for singing the praises of war?"

"When disarmed soldiers have no livelihood and are wandering the streets, when orphans who have lost their parents are homeless, how do you and your family live?"

These three soul-searching questions made Qi Si feel a little guilty and shaken. Under normal circumstances, he should be able to regain his composure immediately, but for some reason, the emotions in his heart were rapidly swelling.

Inside the execution ground, the sound of a bard playing his instrument could be heard.

"What qualifications do you have to question me? I... I also participated in the Great Expedition. I am a hero of mankind!" Qi Si, who was panicked, hurriedly defended himself.

"If I remember correctly, you, the human hero, should be in the logistics unit, right?"

"What do you know? The soldiers on the front line just need to follow orders. We in the rear have to worry about..."

At this point, Qi Si realized that he had spoken out of turn.

"Could you please say that again in front of everyone?"

Today is a weekday, and most of the people who come to the execution ground to watch at this time are unemployed people with nothing to do.

A considerable number of them were disbanded soldiers.

These soldiers have already had a very difficult life over the past six months, and after hearing what Qi Si just said, one can imagine the anger in their hearts.

Although they were unable to speak due to the influence of the speech control agreement, the anger in their eyes could not be hidden.

Just as Qi Si was about to lose his composure, Jacob took a deep breath, faced the crowd, and spoke in a loud voice that could be heard throughout the entire execution ground:

"Humanity's victory over the demons is undoubtedly a glorious achievement, achieved through the sacrifices of countless people over the past 300 years. Even a beggar on the street would involuntarily puff out his chest at the thought of this great achievement."

At this point, Jacob changed the subject.

"But now, half a year has passed since the Demon King was defeated. Has everyone's life improved?"

"We have obtained the coveted magic stone veins from the demon clan's territory. These veins generate huge wealth every day."

"However, all this wealth ended up in the hands of those remarkable people in the rear, and not a single cent flowed to the people!"

Jacob's chest trembled, and he poured the last of his vitality into his words.

"Now, I want to tell you why I am a thief."

"In our time, those who knead dough lack bread; shoemakers who make thousands of pairs of shoes expose their toes; weavers are naked; stonemasons who build palaces live in humble huts..."

“He who produces everything has nothing, and he who produces nothing has everything.”

“So stealing is about giving back, about taking back. Instead of kneeling on the ground and begging for what I deserve, I would rather fight step by step with my own hands.

"So, I embarked on the path of thief without hesitation. I have lived my life with a clear conscience..."

After Jacob finished his speech, silence fell on the execution ground.

Among the spectators at the execution ground were workers laid off from the magic stone factory, adventurers sleeping on the streets, and elderly and young children who had lost their loved ones in the war and were left alone.

They may not agree with the thief's speech, and they may not sympathize with the experience of the death row inmate.

But it is impossible for them to remain indifferent to the suffering they have experienced in the past six months.

Jacob's words were like a spark thrown into the crowd, igniting the resentment.

Several people opened their mouths and wanted to speak, but the words they said were blocked by the contract.

Looking at the speechless crowd, Qis on the execution platform breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as the people remain silent, there are plenty of ways to cover up the truth.

He didn't realize that in this silence, something was brewing and about to explode.

Suddenly, a burst of applause rang out from the crowd.

Didoris clapped her hands at Jacob on the execution platform.

In the huge execution ground, one person's applause seemed too weak.

But then Frey also applauded.

Seeing Frey clapping, Noelle beside him also quickly clapped his hands vigorously.

Then there was Dark Knight Van Damme, whose applause was powerful and emphatic.

Led by them, applause began to break out from the silent crowd. It started out as a few scattered applause, but then quickly spread.

First came the retired military personnel, then the laid-off workers, then the adventurers, and finally everyone.

The sounds overlapped layer by layer, converging from all directions, gradually forming a tremendous force that made the air tremble slightly.

The Vatican's contract can silence people's mouths, but it cannot change their hearts.

The applause of countless people gathered together, like bursts of thunder, echoing under the gloomy sky.

After the thunder sounds, those who have guilty consciences will feel ashamed.

"What do you mean? Are you planning a rebellion?"

Looking at the crowd that kept applauding, Qis on the execution platform was furious, but his words had long been drowned out by the voices of the people and could no longer intimidate anyone.

The people's support is clear.

With no other options left, Qis decided to resort to force. He quickly looked at the Holy Knight beside him.

"What are you doing here? Go and suppress these troublemakers!"

But no one dared to obey the order. With so many people around, it was impossible to completely block the news. The knights knew very well what would happen if they took action.

Qi Si quickly understood this, and after regaining a bit of his sanity, he made a judgment.

"This must be Jacob, that demonic spy. He's using some kind of sorcery to deceive people. Now it's noon, execute him immediately!"

Just as the executioner was about to pull down the blade of the guillotine, a threat stopped him.

"Do you want our Church to completely lose the support of the people? Let's see who dares to take action!"

Leonard walked up to the execution platform. This time, he was no longer as casual as usual, and exuded a powerful aura.

In his hand, he was holding a badge that emitted a golden glow.

"The Pope's decree."

As soon as these three words were spoken, all the clergymen around, including Qi Si, immediately knelt on the ground.

The Pope's Order, this token has the highest authority in the Hikari Theocracy, equivalent to the Pope himself, and is generally only granted to imperial envoys who carry out important tasks.

After showing the Pope's decree, Leonard took out a pair of handcuffs in front of the crowd and walked up to Qis.

"Doropo Chis, you are under arrest..."

After sending someone to take Qis away, Leonard hurried to Jacob, but the old man had no signs of life.

The magnificent speech just now exhausted his last bit of strength.

He died to the applause of everyone.