@MODERATUS | voice + attached image

[bloodings]

[ It's time. Mordred's in full armour, but without her helmet — just like her father would be during these moments. That way, her voice is clear when it rings out, clearly speaking towards her network audience as much as Kebechet. The BCE's can't transmit video, so this is the next best option. ]

I told you then, didn't I? You could never hope to stand against my father. Now face the judgment of the King of Knights. [ Always him. Always him, even as she wields the blade, hands down the decision. ] The punishment for rebellion— is death. It's time for your execution, Regency dog.

[ She'd know. It's quick, at least: Agravain was the torturer, not her, and they won't get anything else out of Kebechet now regardless. The doomed woman says some final words, translated over the BCE: Be unwearied, unceasing, alive; let not the heart be troubled during your sickly sojourn on this rotting Earth— until the vicious sound of a blade cutting through flesh interrupts her, and then a dull thud. Even without video, it's obvious what just happened. ]

The fool Kebechet is dead. Of course, you don't have to merely take my word for it.

[ Attached is a photo of the woman's head, bald with numbers tattooed along it, and complete with Mordred's armoured boot resting atop it. It's not as grisly as it could be (the neck is out of shot), but it's still... well, a severed head. Don't worry: she's not sorry at all for this.

Still part of the recording, but aimed towards those she's with: ]

Ensure her corpse is disposed of properly. I won't have her return to be a nuisance again. [ Then, more generally— ] This was the wish of our Commander as well. The dragon woman has proof of that, so speak to her about such matters. Oh, and give her all your complaints, too. I have no use for the wailing of soft-hearted idiots.

Comments

[ryuji]

[Jesus fucking christ.]

Mordred...

[bloodings]

What's wrong, Master? I handed down the punishment like I said I would.

To tell the truth, I wanted to draw things out a bit, but... the others felt it was distasteful. She's still dead either way, so it's fine like this.

[ryuji]

Yeah dude... it's pretty freakin' distasteful. Maybe you didn't need to show a pic of the head?

[bloodings]

And deal with countless fools asking for proof? What a waste of my time. This way, there can be no doubt.

[ryuji]

What!? Isn't your word enough? You're a knight!

[bloodings]

... I see, even you can be wise sometimes, Master. Perhaps my word would have been enough.

But not everyone here knows of my title. Even if they did, I'm Mordred, the Treacherous Knight. Normally, I don't care if people doubt me, but this is far too important.

[ryuji]

You're definitely tryin' to get on my good side.. callin' me wise and shit.

[Probably not, but... it's working either way.]

Look, I don't disapprove of what you did, at all. I know it's not as simple to say what's right or what's wrong anymore, but. I dunno. I still can't believe what she did to our friends. She got what she deserved, her death 'n all. Not so sure that the public execution style thingy you got goin' on is honorable though.

[bloodings]

I don't care about things like honour in the first place. Simply killing her with a surprise attack would have been fine by me, but the others hoped to gain something from an interrogation.

[ They didn't. She doesn't care. ]

Ideally, we would have gathered all of COST together to observe it, like a true execution. That's how my father would have done things. [ Morals were whack in 500AD, yo. ] No doubt I would have faced the same fate, had it come to that. You understand, right? It's just the reality of this world.

[ryuji]

[Reality of this world... He knows, they've had to do some really painful things to get by here in their missions around COST.]

You know your master's pretty damn good at changing the reality of the world, right? I'm fightin' for a future that doesn't need war to get shit done. You gonna continue to support me?

[bloodings]

A future without war... that sort of thing isn't possible. Not even my father could achieve it.

But if you continue to fight for it anyway... yeah, I'll support you. I'm stubborn enough to go along with a foolish plan like that. So I'll stay by your side for as long as I can, to keep you and your dream alive.