I’d hate to be one of the last ones, you just know the executioner was getting tired.
I had a friend from Syria back in the 1970's. He told of two guys convicted of raping a 12 year old little girl.
Public executions - the Executioner was standing there with his "workday" sword, prisoner kneeling at the chopping block. Then they brought out the victim and the crowd gasped and began to murmur.
The Executioner turned, walked over to the side of the raised platform, leaned his very, very sharp "workday" sword against the wall and picked up his "ceremonial" sword. All fancy engraving, chromed, tassels and all. And duller than a butter knife.
My friend said it took a number of whacks to complete the job.