I'm starting to think that regardless what happens in FT 70% of people are just going to rage about it. The fights against executioners started, most of people were mad that the plot was stalling. The fights ended in two chapters, most of people are mad that they weren't longer. Decide what you want and stick with it.
I, for one, am really satisfied with this chapter. There's no more stalling, no more "split team" setting that leads nowhere and no more fighting with characters that will never appear again and hold no importance. Not to mention that we got some info about characters and their powers. For example (from the whole fight not just this chapter), we know that Mira holds back around "nakama" (and her transformations have awesome side effects), Wendy isn't affected by magic that has effect on one's condition, Lucy's spirits actually do something useful (arguably more than herself) and fishy princess is fishy. Not to mention that those executioners had the worst match-ups possible. Nearly ALL of them got to fight the magician that could nullify their magic.
Did I find the chapter boring? Yes. Do I think it was pointless? No. Am I annoyed with how FT wins with a snap of fingers this arc? Yes. Was it unjustified here? No. I understand that the chapter wasn't "kick ass", "epic" or what not but it gave us some information and understanding of characters. Plus, it would be simply idiotic if they got out of there just like that. It's a prison run by the kingdom directly, they HAD to have someone dangerous there, otherwise it would be beyond stupid. That being said, I'm really happy the plot is moving on.