(Thanks to .JJFLYYYYYy. for the donation! Bonus update 5/5. Thanks again!)
The planetary bishop was in a sorry state. His ornate robes had been torn to rags, leaving his upper body bare, his skin marked by cuts from sharp blades.
He had been bound upright to a frame, utterly dejected.
A series of clicks came from the large iron door before him, and Li Qinwu walked in, flanked by several guards.
"Bring me a chair, then all of you leave. I want to talk to him."
Li Qinwu gave the order. The soldiers acknowledged it, brought over a chair, then all withdrew.
Li Qinwu sat down, lit a cigarette, and took a slow, deliberate drag.
The planetary bishop watched him, his face ashen, but he showed no agitation. Clearly, he had accepted his situation.
He spoke first. "What are you going to do to me, Lord Inquisitor?"
Li Qinwu crossed his legs and exhaled a mouthful of smoke.
"You won't survive this. In accordance with the Inquisition's usual practice, I'll sentence you to White Phosphorus Execution.
But how quickly the white phosphorus burns, and whether you're allowed sedatives before being tied to the stake-those things are still negotiable.
So tell me your last words, or whatever else you want to say."
The planetary bishop was silent for a long while before blurting out a sentence.
"This wasn't my fault."
Li Qinwu spluttered, coughing out the smoke he had just inhaled.
He stared in astonishment. He had never expected this fucker to come out with something like that on the verge of death.
"Are you out of your fucking mind? Do you have any idea how many people you killed by ordering Agent Orange sprayed?
Over the past few days, even my people's rough count has recorded more than 150,000 miscarriages