anyways I love how mercer’s dramatic bullshit ended up being his downfall. he had the dragonborn right there. unable to move - unable to scream - unable to shout or fight back. he willingly & happily opted to inflict a mortal wound that would leave them to bleed out instead of a more secure, oh idk, decapitation.
he knew they’d be left there to bleed - he knew they’d have a few moments of actual horror as they bled & were left to helplessly watch him abandon them. those words about Brynjolf - how he takes his time in striking the dragonborn down as they’re laying there - how the dragonborn is left to ponder the fate of the guild && everyone within it. he knew exactly what he was doing - he knew exactly what would destroy them in their last few moments. he valued that power play of dramatics &&& stroking his own ego over a proper death sentence &&&& it came back to end him. being a snake himself he should have known full well it’s better to remove the head to keep from getting bit later on.