Solor took a deep breath. His palms clutching the side of the roof ridge felt wet with night dew. His chin rested on the ridge line, while his sharp gaze remained fixed on the ceremony unfolding quietly in the middle of a sea of people encircling a heavily guarded ancient joglo house.
The midnight cold grew deeper and increasingly suffocating. From behind the shadow of the roof ridge, Solor turned slightly back. From that height, he swept his gaze across the surroundings. The villagers were still packed tightly, with not a single person showing signs of sleepiness. Their faces were gloomy, illuminated by torchlight reflecting eyes full of fear and shattered hope.
Someone stepped out from the house surrounded by soldiers. The tall, well-built man wore long-sleeved white clothing with a golden gradient at the bottom, fitting his body like a modern-style beskap. Both of his white-gloved hands held a large scroll that appeared heavy and precious. A sash adorned with gold and silver motifs characteristic of the Alliance dangled down, while the sumping and jamang on his head shimmered in the light of torches and oil lamps. Though his gaze tried to remain firm, a faint sorrow still radiated as he stepped onto the prepared stage.
His voice rang out loudly, shattering the crowd: "O citizens of Sanajayan, listen solemnly and with deep understanding! Today, we witness the end of a violation that has torn apart the legal order and balance of our world. Using a relic without devotion to the law is treason... not only against our own souls, but also against our land and ancestors. The Alliance's law is the shield of this world, and that shield must stand firm, even if blood must spill."
The man's voice echoed in the cold of the last third of the night. Every word hit like a hammer striking the hearts of the villagers.
"This punishment is not our desire, but a duty. In every crime, there are consequences. In every violation, there is retribution. Today shall serve as an eternal warning: no ambition is greater than the truth, and no power is more valuable than loyalty to the law."
The crowd trembled. The atmosphere gradually turned into a roar of weeping that filled the air.
On top of the stage stood a youth with a weak body. His legs trembled occasionally as they supported him, while beside him the Alliance soldiers stood tall and unmoving. The youth's face looked pale. On both of his arms, scars remained from the earthquake he had faced to save the villagers.
Yet, despite his exhausted body and hands bound behind his back, a faint smile still graced his face. His gaze did not droop. His eyes still burned brightly, as if wanting to tell everyone that he did not regret the choice he had made.
"May the departing soul find a bright path in the darkness. And may his actions become an everlasting lesson for us all."
Beneath the stage, the villagers' weeping broke out uncontrollably. The sorrowful sound echoed throughout the courtyard, accompanying every word that fell from his lips. The herald ended his speech with a heavy voice. Both hands holding the scroll of the verdict trembled as well. It was as though every sentence he read not only pronounced a sentence upon a youth, but also tore at his own conscience.
"To you who violated the law, we say: may peace accompany your final steps, even as the world has closed its doors to you."
The youth lifted his face, then swept his eyes across the villagers, ending on a mother whose body was held steady by the woman beside her.
Randu managed to utter a single word, his voice soft yet steadfast, "Do not be sad. You are safe. That is enough."
Another woman screamed from the middle of the crowd. Her anger burst out, trembling and hoarse, "You have no heart! He is not a criminal, he only wanted to protect this village!"
On the other side of the crowd, a youth suddenly pushed his way toward the stage. However, his steps were cut short as the guarding soldiers blocked him.
"You are no better than dogs...!!!" The youth thrashed from another corner of the crowd, tears streaming down amidst the soldiers' grip. His voice sounded like a wound reopened in a night already stained with blood.
Several other youths stepped forward together from the crowd. One of them spoke explosively, "Hey! You are no better than the one you are punishing! What do you even know about justice?!"
They tried to push forward and fight back. Punch after punch struck the steel shields of the Alliance soldiers as they tried to break through the line blocking them. However, their bodies were pushed back, leaving blood smeared on the emblem of the Alliance.
One of the youths charged forward again with all his strength, shouting loudly, "If you dare to hang him, hang us too!"
In another corner of the crowd, a group of men kept raining blows onto the soldiers' shields, hoping to find a single gap to breach.
"Andika! This way!" The youth who had once been asked by Randu to help an old woman pinned under a branch ran through the crowd. Behind him followed his other friends. With all his might, both hands of the youth named Andika swung a large mallet, slamming it into the Alliance shield.
CLANG...!!!
"Take this!!"
CLANGGG...!!! His frustration boiled over.
Several Alliance soldiers fell and were driven back, leaving their shields dented.
"Release Randu! He is innocent!"
CLANGGG...!
The entire crowd began to surge. The anger that had been pent up finally exploded. The villagers moved forward together, their voices merging into a wave of resistance that slammed into the line of soldiers.
Stones flew from the middle of the crowd. Kicks, punches, and various martial techniques struck the soldiers' shields one after another. They tried to break through the defense to reach the gallows where Randu stood.
"Clear them out!"
Several soldiers immediately slipped into the edges of the mob. They grabbed and lifted fallen villagers, separating those who were still trying to incite the crowd, then slowly ushered the crowd away from the center of the riot. Every time a group of villagers tried to break through from another side, the reserve soldiers had already stepped up to block them, forming a solid human wall protecting the shield-bearing soldiers.
There was no counterattack. They merely warded off, pushed back, and sealed every gap that could cause the clash to escalate further. Gradually, the villagers' rage lost its direction. The crowd that had been in turmoil began to scatter under the multi-layered security surrounding the field from all directions.
Solor suddenly stood up on the roof. His trembling legs caused his sandals to slip slightly on the slippery, moss-covered tiles. Down below, he felt the atmosphere growing heavier and more chaotic.
From atop the roof, Solor watched as Randu was led slowly toward the gallows.
PLOP...
A tree frog landed on the ridge of the joglo roof right in front of him.
Solor was startled. Amidst the chaotic clash between the villagers and the Alliance soldiers, the pair of frog eyes stared at him without blinking. Its body blocked the shadow of Randu.
Solor returned the gaze of the tree frog's eyes. It was as if the frog wanted to convey something, yet it remained silent, staring at Solor, who was also growing anxious.
Solor's fingers quickly snatched the otok belt at his waist. With one eye closed, he aimed at the rope hanging above the stage while his fingers fumbled for the crescent-shaped kujang usually tucked behind the leather wrapping.
"Huh... where is my sickle...?"
His movement froze instantly. His breath caught in his throat.
Only then did he remember that all his weapons had been confiscated before he entered the village.
Now, all that remained were a pair of empty hands and... without resistance, a looped rope around the youth's neck.
In an instant...
His body hung, swaying gently in the night wind.
Weeping broke through the air, merging with the loud roar of anger and helplessness.
In the sky, clouds moved slowly, covering the moon. The night grew closer to dawn, and Solor knew that fragility was slowly creeping over him.