Griffin's objection was overruled to uphold the authority of the Codex.
Griffin was taken to the gallows inside the prison. Apart from the victims' families, who refused to forgive him, few people watched the execution.
Annan watched as the noose was placed around Griffin's neck. The trapdoor opened beneath his feet, and his frail body had no chance to struggle before the rope snapped his neck.
No matter how important a person had been in life, everyone looked the same on the gallows.
Annan turned to a boy whose fists were clenched and eyes were red. "The man who killed your family is dead. You've had your revenge."
The boy's fists slowly loosened. Confusion surfaced in his eyes as he watched the body swaying from the rope.
"Do you have any other family?" Annan asked.
The boy shook his head.
"What's your name?"
"Jimmy."
It was an ordinary name, nearly as common as Jack.
"Would you like to stay in Free City? You can get an education here. When you're older, you can choose to become an apprentice, a worker, or a soldier." Annan admired the boy.
He could understand people who had no choice but to compromise, but that did not mean he could not admire those who refused to.
"You're a lord, and you avenged my family. I want to stay!" Young Jimmy's gaze was resolute.
"Good. Go find Shadow Song. She'll take you to the other children."
Once everyone else had left, Annan looked toward the corner.
The tall Skeleton King emerged from the shadows, draped in a cloak. "Begin," Annan said.
"Tyr, what's going on with you? You keep making mistakes."
Faced with his classmate's complaint, Tyr said sheepishly, "Sorry. I got distracted..."
"That's enough for today." Yuli, the Compounding Room's team leader, threw away