Re-Overlord: I Can Acquire Anything!
Chapter 165: Breaking Rules and Past Loves

Chapter 165: Breaking Rules and Past Loves

The Next Day.

The sun stood high over Stargaze City, casting a golden sheen on the towering gallows built at the center of the Grand Square.

Thousands of people had gathered for witnessing the "punishment"

Men, women, and even children from every street and alley of the city stood in tense silence. This was not just a spectacle. It was justice long delayed. A cleansing of poison from the heart of their home.

Atop the wooden platform stood four figures, shackled and bloodied. Dominic Ecrox. Zeref Woodinson. Gareth Vermal. Caleb Brown.

Once the unshakable pillars of the Skadi Empire’s dominion over Earth State.

Now, stripped of dignity, bound in chains, they awaited their final breath.

Their faces bore a thousand expressions. Rage. Defeat. Regret. But none of them had the courage to meet the eyes of the crowd below.

Before them stood Igaris Vance.

He wore no crown, yet none could question his rule. His presence was as sharp as a blade. As resolute as a mountain.

He raised his voice, loud and clear as he addressed the crowd:

"These four men once ruled through fear and oppression over Earth state. They silenced humanity’s voices, broke families, and spilled blood to maintain their illusion of power. But today, help humanity will bear witness to the end of their cruel reign.

Today, I declare Earth State as Independent Empire that will follow no one’s orders from now on."

He stepped closer to them, and though his tone was calm, it carried the weight of a storm.

"Your crimes are many. Your apologies, nonexistent. Your arrogance... eternal. You obey like dogs to the Skadi empire and assumed none would ever rise against you."

Dominic clenched his teeth in hatred. "Brat, You think this will save you from the wrath of Skadi Empire? You’re a child playing with fire, Igaris."

Igaris gazed at him with pity.

"No. I am the fire."

With a wave of his hand, the signal was given.

The executioners pulled the levers.

Four wooden doors snapped open beneath the condemned.

Four bodies dropped.

Four necks snapped.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Then came the sound of applause.

Clap, clap, claps...

Not wild or chaotic, but slow. Heavy. Like thunder rolling from the mountains.

Tears welled in many eyes. For loved ones lost. For justice finally served. For a new dawn breaking over the Earth that had long lived under shadows.

As the corpses of the Four House Leaders swung in the air, banners bearing the symbol of the Overlord were raised behind them. The symbol was shaped like an empty obsidian throne chained by stars.

Shirley walked beside him with a strange look on her face, her golden hair glowing under the overhead crystal lights. Her steps were hesitant.

"Adrian and Lucius... What are you going to do with them?" she asked softly, her tone almost cautious.

Igaris’s voice was cold, certain. "I will grant them death with my own hand."

"But"—she paused—"you have... more guests to see. Although I do not know if you should see them or not."

Igaris turned his head, puzzled. "What are you not telling me?"

Instead of answering, Shirley took the lead, her expression unreadable. She guided him through the grand hallway, their boots echoing against the black marble.

At the end of the corridor, guarded by two of Malthius’s elite undead knights, stood a wide silver door. With a light knock, the door opened, revealing a lounge-like chamber filled with warm lighting and velvet furniture.

Inside, seated on a red couch with upright postures and stern faces, were two young women.

One wore a icy blue dress and had long blue hair tied with a silken ribbon. Her blue eyes shimmered with coldness.

The other had a wild aura, with fiery brown eyes and silver-blonde curls that framed her gentle but tired expression.

They sat in silence, like criminals in a courtroom.

But they were not alone.

Adrian and Lucius, stripped of all weapons and armor, were tied securely to reinforced metal chairs in the center of the room. The Shackles pulsed with sealing runes. Cuts and bruises adorned their bodies, but both still held onto a sliver of pride.

The moment Igaris entered, the two young women stood up.

"Igaris, did you really do it?" Aluna Woodinson asked, her voice as cold as her expression.

"Igaris... please tell me you didn’t kill my father too," Daisy also added, her eyes clouded with tears.

"We know now that we were manipulated into hating you," she continued, her voice trembling. "But why did you have to go that far? Why do you have to kill them? We were willing to return to your side... willing to marry you again, just like we promised in the past." She sniffled, wiping at her eyes.

Shirley clenched her hand into fist, wanting to punch of their faces till they bleed.

While Igaris paused just a few steps inside the chamber, his silver eyes meeting the tear-filled gaze of Daisy and the steely stare of Aluna. His aura did not waver, but something in his heart twinged—memories long buried, promises made in youth under moonlit courtyards, laughter that once echoed between the halls of nobility.

He exhaled a sigh and replied,

"Yes, I killed them."

Aluna’s fists clenched at her sides. Her nails dug into her palm, drawing faint blood, but she didn’t say a word.

Daisy’s shoulders trembled as she whispered, "But... they were our fathers."

Igaris took another step forward, his shadow stretching over the tiled floor like a judgment.

"Aluna, Daisy, don’t make me sound like a villain. They were the real tyrants," he replied. "They slaughtered my family, stole what my family built, and hunted me across this world like a dog. They crushed thousands beneath their boots to cling to power and dared to call it justice."

"B-But we didn’t know!" Daisy cried out, tears rolling down her cheeks. "We didn’t know they were behind it. All this time, I believed the lies they fed me. We were children... and we never stopped loving you."

Igaris’ eyes softened for a brief moment. Which Only Shirley, standing at his side, noticed.

"I know," he said quietly. "And for that, I let you live."

He turned toward Adrian and Lucius, who glared up at him with the last dregs of their shattered pride.

"But they did know," Igaris continued. "And they enjoyed it. They broke my legs, spat on my family’s grave, and sought to take everything I had left."

He raised a hand, dark energy humming in his palm, the flicker of Soul Eclipse glowing faintly around his fingers.

"I have no hatred for you, Aluna. Or you, Daisy," Igaris said calmly. "But the old love, the promises, and the dreams we once shared are no longer within me. I no longer feel for you as I once did."

Aluna bit her lip and lowered her gaze, unable to argue. Yet, silent tears slipped down her cheeks before she even realized it.

Daisy sobbed quietly, hugging herself as a cold emptiness wrapped around her heart. She felt alone, more than ever.

Shirley, standing nearby, felt a strange sense of relief wash over her. She didn’t like those two girls for some reasons. Probably they could have tough opponents due to their childhood love relationship.

On the other hand, Adrian’s eyes widened in terror as Igaris raised his hand, his ominous fingers crackling with ominous energy.

"No, wait! Please, Igaris," Adrian cried out, his voice filled with desperation. "Remember, we were once friends. We grew up together. We used to play in the gardens. For the sake of those memories, let me live! You can kill Lucius if you must, but spare me!"

Lucius turned his head slowly toward Adrian, disbelief etched across his face. "You bastard," he spat. "After everything I did for you, after being your lapdog for years, you throw me under the cart like this? You’re even more disgusting than I thought."

He then turned to Igaris with a desperate sneer. "Look, Igaris. He’s the schemer, not me. Spare me and I will swear loyalty to you. I will serve you faithfully. Just give me a chance."