Formicea Chapter 172

Gioras...

Honestly, I tried my best to ignore him during the journey.

Didn't want to engage with him or even be reminded of what I went through.

Of what Kyska went through!

I don't like the feelings I get when I indulge in these thoughts.

Still, while not outright mistreated, he clearly wasn't handled with the greatest care.

Might be the way the drones live out their anger for what he did.

"Urgh. Huh, I need to admit this is an impressive sight." (G)

He probably ans the queen looming over him.

I can't believe that he isn't more disturbed in this very situation.

But more pressing is what the queen is thinking with doing this.

I have a bad feeling about this.

(E)

(U)

"You're talking about , huh? Mind putting in a good word for ?" (G)

"Wham"

I threw him a glare, yet the queen's reaction is even more nacing.

Even without pheromones, she can convey very well that she doesn't appreciate her talk being interrupted.

(E)

(U)

She wants to decide his punishnt?

No, not just punishnt.

Formicea don't have much of a concept for corrective asures since their society just works.

This is about his life.

Is this a test?

To see if I can make hard decisions?

I an, I hate this man.

After everything he subjected to this is only understandable.

But still, can I really order him to be killed?

I'm not at risk because of him anymore.

This wouldn't be about self-defense, it's rely to put him down because of his past actions.

But maybe I can compromise?

(E)

(U)

This is a test.

It must be a test!

But... but Formicea don't lie.

Formicea don't deceive.

If Uma says that his fate is mine to decide, then she won't rebuke my decision.

So rather than a test, this is a lesson.

A lesson on hard decisions as she just said before.

But this also ans this will be, truly, just on .

I now must decide if I want Gioras to die or not.

Whether I believe the world will be a better place without him.

Do I think so?

Truly, I can understand why he did it.

He saw a chance to win a war he thought they were going to lose and save his people.

This might even be true to so degree.

Fielding an insect army against his enemies might have done wonders.

However, it would've been at our loss.

Though, didn't I as well think often enough that helping Tarsona to prevail might be a better outco than a win for Koreso and having to deal with them as our new direct neighbors?

But that's beside the point.

The issue here isn't about what he wanted to achieve, but what he actually did.

And what he did was nothing else but a hostile action against the swarm.

Given the chance, he would definitely do the sa again.

He would do anything for his country.

If I understood Uma right, she plans on sohow seizing control over the humans in Tarsona.

Maybe not in a cruel manner, but certainly not completely free.

It can be more than expected that Gioras would eventually conspire against such a thing if we would be the oppressors.

This will eventually cause another conflict that might be to our loss.

He's intelligent after all and willing to seize any opportunity.

He'll never just accept us without thinking about how he may take advantage through his scheming.

But the other point Uma brought up weighs even heavier.

What this man did was by all accounts a cri.

Worse, it was treason.

To us and even high treason to the crown.

It's not just a question of how I feel about it.

Justice shouldn't be based on personal feelings.

If he'd abducted Honiu or Liseti this wouldn't have been any less bad for the swarm.

Would I really argue that the death warrant wouldn't be justified if it had been them?

Heck, even Gioras said that he doesn't expect to get out of this alive.

It's not just about him, but about setting an example.

The whole upper caste of Tarsona knows how important princesses are to the swarm.

If we'd now show leniency after the most important part of our society, essentially our royalty, was threatened, it would set a bad example.

Still, can I really give out such a verdict?

Am I truly capable of deciding that soone else shouldn't live anymore?

Suddenly, I beco aware that my royal guard is next to .

Given that all of them signal burning hatred for that man, it seems like I found my executioners.

"Ahem. While it seems like you have sothing on your mind, I'd like to say sothing. I can identify a public execution when I'm being subjected to one and therefore think I got the gist of the situation." (G)

Shit!

What now?

This is not gonna get any easier with him talking out of this.

Not like I hold much sympathy for him, but one can't dismiss that he's a good talker, and I'm already conflicted about this.

"No need to give that look. All I wanted to say was: Please, just make it quick." (G)

What is this now?

So kind of mind trick?

Catching off guard so I'm getting engaged, or so such?

"Shut up! I'm not letting you sway !" (E)

At my outburst, my royal guards step closer to him, threatening to take the still-pending decision away from .

I kinda wish they would.

"Nothing like this. I can see how pressured you are. It doesn't take much imagination to conclude what this giant would expect you to do. Not after preparing for this kind of stage. So do it. However, I would suggest in a properly human manner so as to not appear too repulsive to the assembled nobles. So, better make it quick." (G)

"Are you seriously giving tips right now regarding how to kill you?" (E)

"I wouldn't say I do so with a light heart, but the advantages outweigh my feelings. From the start, I knew how this would end for . The question is now what to make out of this. If you executing properly is going to appease the big one, that's good enough. I know you still feel a connection to the people of this country. You don't want their demise. So it's better if you don't lose too much favor. At the sa ti, you should balance any thirst for vengeance with the image you're trying to convey to these people. Another war is the last thing that this country needs now." (G)

Damn, I'm so pathetic.

Now even the guy I have to kill needs to convince to do so.