Did they just fucking kill halt
No, ur correct. They don't kill halt in this scene, it was simply the emperor didn't want evidence left in the assassination attempt of the priestess. They're just bagging him like that because he is no more than a monster with human skin to them.
Conspiracy
Now I think it is very likely they're abusing and mistreating halt, and I believe the emporers ploy in trying to assassinate the priestess is to make the 2 go rogue possibly so he has a reason to execute them without his wife's interference. I don't have any reasons to back that last bit though lmao. Just a fun theory










Horny ahh