Ever since Ares Frost returned carrying strange weapons from the Phoenix Empire, Phaethon had become completely fascinated by firearms, especially the M-99 sniper rifle capable of firing terrifying 12.7x99mm rounds across nearly two kilometers.
To the young king, the weapon felt beautiful.
"A sword requires the enemy to approach," he once told Ares Frost. "But a true king should be capable of deciding life and death before the enemy even realizes danger has arrived."
Yet despite his obsession, he rarely used the sniper rifle recklessly.
After all, Ares Frost had only managed to bring back one hundred rounds of that caliber from the Phoenix Empire, and replacing them would require traveling thousands of kilometers again.
Every bullet mattered.
Every shot carried value.
Thus, today's execution had not merely been punishment.
It had also been a practice session.
As the group prepared to return toward the palace, the soldiers quietly exchanged uneasy glances.
