Epic Of The Demonic Sage

Chapter 180 - A Speech

The people who were waiting looked at Lucius, who had just appeared. He was dressed to the T and looked immaculately handsome.

His hair was slicked back, a smile dressed his face and his hands rested on a cane. The black and gold vest he was wearing over the red shirt only added more to his handsomeness and pulled the eyes of women in the hall, particularly.

"I'm sorry for the wait, but we can finally begin. Now then… I'm sure you all are wondering why you have been called here, aren't you?" Lucius spoke.

Lucius could see the nods of the people in the audience, just like he wanted.

"So let me tell you the reason why. I had Kiana find people who she thought deserved more in life, more than they have right now. It doesn't matter what position they are in or what they are going to be, I thought it should be simple.

Then in the end, you all are the ones that responded to it. I've heard the stories of some of you and am saddened to know that you all are in this condition." Lucius stated, confusing some of the people.

His eyes snapped to an old man that looked to be in his sixties in the corner.

"Mr. Johan, I've heard that your granddaughter died last month due to being injured during a robbery?" Lucius questioned.

The old man, who was taken aback for a bit, nodded his head.

"Yes… yes, she did… they already took the things from our house… why did they have to take her life as well…" The old man replied.

"I was saddened to hear that. But fear not, justice will be served! For many such similar reasons, we launched our current attempt at the reward and bounty system." Lucius said, finally letting the people understand the context.

He looked towards one of the women that looked to be in her twenties.

"Miss Lerin, I heard that you were denied entry into the academy because you were unable to pay the fees in time?" Lucius questioned.

The woman nodded her head and a spark of anger could be seen in her eyes as well.

"Yes, Young Lord Asher. Those thieves stole my pouch in the middle of the roar and ran away. The guards couldn't do much about it, as by the time they caught them, they had already spent all of the money.

I tried to appeal to the academy but they can't change things just for me." Lerin answered.

"What audacity…" the other people couldn't help but whisper.

Lucius kept his expresser calm upon seeing this all, but he was internally smiling. One by one, he talked to each person in the room. They conversed about their situation and how they had gone through certain problems.

Some people had more severe problems than others, but the one thing that was in common was that they were all affected by the criminals in some ways. Many of them didn't get sufficient justice because the criminals had either already left the city, or had spent whatever was stolen from them.

As for the murderers, rapists, and other harsher crimes, their judgment was yet to be passed. 

"As you all can see, even if we enhance our security, take extra measures, criminals will always be there. Some of them don't do crimes that are worth execution and will thus be released back into the society.

These are simply the laws of the Kingdom and thus we can't do much to change them. We can't go against the doctrines of the churches either and thus need to stay in their purview." Lucius said and took a pause, letting the audience simmer in it for a bit.

"I know how it feels to be helpless and not be able to do anything. And that is exactly why I've called you all here." Lucius stated. "I want to give you all an opportunity to make a change… a change in your life, a change in this city and eventually… a change in this world," Lucius revealed.

"How will you do this, Young Lord Asher?" someone asked.

"That's the good question, but it's not how 'I' will do it but rather how 'We' will do it." Lucius said before starting his explanation about the Reeducation centers.

"With the Reeducation centers, I guarantee you that the criminals will forever change their ways and instead vie to serve the society instead! As for the ones beyond saving, such as those that hurt mister Johan's family… they shall pay for it… and you will be one's done it." Lucius said, much to the shock of the people.

"Bring them in!" Lucius said out loud.

~Creak~

The door at the back opened up as a few men that had their heads covered with a black sack and shackles on their hands were brought in. The ones that brought them in were a few guards that were familiar to Lucius.

They gave him a salute before pushing the men forwards. In total, there were six men that had been brought in and none of them could be identified as of now due to their faces being covered.

The Audience was a little confused as to who these men were, but seeing the manner in which they were bought in, they were sure they were criminals. Upon understanding this, a shocking thought appeared in the minds of everyone.

"No way…"

"Can it be…"

"Will they…" 

Whispers and mutterings could be heard coming from the audience as they tried to guess what was going to happen.

Lucius looked at the guards and spoke, "let the faces be shown." 

One by one, the guards pulled off the black sacks that were covering the heads of the criminals that had just been brought in. 

~Hiss~

~Gasp~ 

Sounds of gasps could be heard coming from the audience as they saw the men. Some of the people in the audience seemed to be greatly infuriated.

"Him! It's him! He's the one that killed my granddaughter!"