......
Soaring Continent, Central Region.
Within the most secretive place within the Springfield Household, there was a small auditorium deep within their territory where most confidential meetings of the Springfield Family were usually held.
Almost all the members with the highest standing within the family were gathered. Even the Grand Elders who were usually staying within their ancestral land after their retirement were also present.
Aside from a few who chose to be left behind to protect the Dragon Valley, the rest of the elders with senior standing within the family were present.
As for the current 'younger' generation, those that were from the immediate family of the direct line were present.
Even the servants were fairly limited as only the head butler and head housekeeper were present.
At the same time, some members of the Levana Family – those from the maternal side of Arthur and Sheilla – were also present, particularly their maternal grandmother.
Despite the place being filled with people, the atmosphere was heavy and gloomy, especially when the people were all wearing black clothes.
This was the secret funeral that the Springfield Family had held for Bernard while they were waiting for Shiella to finish the exploration within the cultivator's tomb and the initial result of the investigation of the special forces.
The Springfield Family wanted to limit the news of Bernard's death close to their circle, so they did not even accept any visit from outsiders.
...
Arthur, who looked extremely handsome in his black suit, stood in front of a coffin painted in gold where his father was laid. But his appearance was overshadowed by his bloodshot eyes, moist and on the verge of tears as he stubbornly held them back.
He was doing his best not to control his emotions and burst into tears while looking at the peaceful look of his father, who seemed to be only sleeping.
With Evangeline's techniques, she was able to restore Bernard's corpse to his clean appearance. She felt pained as she looked at her friend's face at that time, blaming herself for not being able to save him.
Arthur tightly clenched his fists, making his nails dig on his palms, while also biting his lower lip, which was somewhat bleeding.
He might not be close to his father, but he could still remember their bonding time when he was very young.
His initial training under Bernard was extremely hard and he hated it, especially when he was usually being beaten up black and blue during each session. But who would have thought that these most hated expressions would be the first to enter his mind when he thought of his father?
The loud and angry voice of his father, when he was being scolded for skipping the training, reverberated in his ears as these memories flashed through his eyes.
When he could no longer suppress these intense emotions within his chest, he could not help but step forward and mumbled with a voice that only he could hear.
"Hey, Old Man! Didn't you say that you will not leave us early?"
"Have you already forgotten your promise to have a serious spar with me when I am strong enough? You said that you will wait until-... I am good enough to enter the Alpha Unit and achieve great feats."
"You said that you would wait until I participate in the final rounds of the Hundred Empires War – the Battle for Supremacy."
"Didn't you say that you will not kick the bucket until you accompany Big Sis walk in the aisle toward the altar or until you see your grandchildren from me?"
"But what is this? Why are you lying in this coffin?"
"If it is one of your stupid pranks whenever you come from your special missions, then you get me. You got me, alright, so can you please stop this now."
Nathan stared at Arthur's side for a couple of seconds before smiling. 'He somewhat matured.'
He then stood up and patted his nephew. "Go back and rest for now. Come back again later."
He paused and turned again while saying. "And visit Shin when you come back. He has been transferred here earlier. He is still unconscious, and Cloe is looking after him. They are in his room."
After that, he continued his steps and walked away.
Arthur then lowered his head and sighed. "Shin. Please note you as well."
It took a couple of minutes before he was able to bring himself to stand up and head back to the main house.
When he arrived, he saw Leonard being led by one of their maids. From the path that they were taking, he could tell that they were also heading toward Shin's room.
"Leo!" Arthur called Leonard, who just happened to see him at the same time.
Leonard walked over and whispered. "How is it? Are you alright?"
Arthur did not reply he just shook his head while wearing a smile filled with different emotions.
Leonard instantly understood and did not ask anymore. He cleared his throat before asking. "Are you going to see Shin before resting?"
Arthur nodded before turning to the maid. "We will be fine. You can go back to your task."
After seeing the maid leave, Arthur turned to Leonard. "You also did not rest and head straight here?"
Hearing that, Leonard smiled bitterly. "How can I rest after hearing such news?"
...
Inside Shin's room, Cloe was currently tidying up the basin of water and the towel that she just used to wipe Shin when she sensed something.
She put the basin down and swiftly turned toward Shin.
She nervously stared at Shin, trying to confirm if what she felt was real and not her imagination.
Not long after, Shin slowly opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. There was a deep frown on his face as he tried to recall what just happened.
"So, it still happens in the end," he sighed as he sat up.
That was when he noticed Cloe, who was looking at him with a slightly opened mouth behind her hands.
She swiftly ran toward the bed and was about to leap and embrace him. But she suddenly halted in her tracks when she saw the color of Shin's eyes.
They were purple.
Moreover, as someone who knew Shin very well, she instantly sensed the different air surrounding him. It was as if she was looking at a different person with the same face as Shin.
She could not help but look at him warily and ask solemnly. "You-... Who are you?"
...