Chapter 100 Farewells

The bells rang in the morning, echoing through the entire city of Adenberd, followed by a saddening announcement of Alier's passing, leaving everyone dumbfounded in utter shock.

Just the last night, an atmosphere of festivities filled with exuberance enveloped the entire city. People were happy, singing and dancing as they drowned in the cheerful mood.

It came off as a huge shock to anyone who heard the news. The infamous cultists had struck again, this time targeting the White Family, or perhaps, the Young Master of the White Family.

Although no explicit details were released by the White Family, the whole matter was eventually leaked, and its common details were revealed in front of everyone.

No matter what anyone had thought of Ethan before, now everyone also held pity and sympathy for him in their hearts. This was the second attempt made on his life and although he had survived, at the cost of his Uncle's life.

Aisha, Naenna, Old Lady Catelyn, and Luce. Everyone felt like the floor below their feet had slipped when they heard the news.

Old Lady Catelyn who had lost her son couldn't accept the reality as it dumped on her all of a sudden and fainted on the spot after she heard the news.

Aisha, who realized that Luceryc had lost both his mother and now even his father, rushed forward to console him. While she also became deathly anxious over Ethan's safety as he had suffered grievous wounds this time around unlike the last time.

From this, it could be seen that Aisha truly was a virtuous woman, caring not only for her son but for the whole family. Although her son Ethan had suffered a lot, she did not forget Luce who was now alone in the world without both his parents.

Luce, who was an aloof and silent child, had received the greatest shock of his life. Although it seemed from the surface that he was an emotionless child, he truly was very close with his father especially since his mother had died after giving birth to him.

Perhaps his bizarre behavior was due to that exact reason or perhaps it was innate. But nonetheless, no one knew how this saddening piece of news would change him going forward. But for now, Luce was in an extreme state of shock. He did not speak or react to anyone, he was utterly stunned.

Naenna was just as sad and worried for both Ethan and Luce. Although she wasn't very close with Alier he was family nonetheless.

Even though everyone was greatly disturbed by the news, they could see that Albaer was devastated the most. Only Ethan knew that a great storm was stirring in Albaer's mind as he was torn between his suspicions and his delusions.

His suspicions stemmed from the piece of paper he had found on Alier. The paper had accounts of the White Family's businesses and financial records which were anything but clean. As if the prior assassination attempt and then the whole situation with the cultists weren't strange enough.

While the first assassination attempt was strange due to the elaborate behavior of the assassins as well as the fact that they had entered and left the city without any trace, the whole situation with the cultist was even more strange.

Why would the cultists strike at this point in time and a place like the ancestral shrine? How did they have an artifact like the isolation barrier and how could they have been hiding in wait for Ethan and Alier beforehand? Was Ethan lying? Why would he lie?

The questions were eating away Albaer's mind but he subconsciously didn't let his mind wander. Albaer knew that his brother had changed greatly after his wife's death and now he was dead. There was also Ethan from whom he had sensed the power of the White Family's Ancestral Blessing despite Ethan denying that he had comprehended anything. And so Albaer just wanted to believe what he wanted to believe. He also wanted to vent out his frustration, anger, and disappointment.

Albaer was someone whose only weakness was his family and Ethan had used this weakness effectively. It was in a way a gamble as there was no guarantee as to how Albaer would act. And so Ethan was prepared to lay out all the truth in front of his father in case he were to confront Ethan directly, but fortunately, Albaer didn't as his heart was much weaker ever since his wife had died.

Sometimes even when the truth is before one's eyes, one would deliberately ignore it to protect one's heart. Although Albaer did not have a clear idea of the truth, the faint, vivid suspicion had taken root in his heart.

They say that ignorance is bliss. Albaer did not wish to know the truth as there was no point in knowing so. Alier was dead and Albaer had decided to vent out on the cultists to clear his mind.

After the news broke out, the guests who were staying in the city extended their stay for a few more days in mourning for Alier's sudden passing and to show their condolences to the White Family. Or perhaps they only wanted to dig deeper into the mysterious incident of that night.

A public and private funeral was arranged. At the public funeral, the officials of Adenberd City, the guests, and others were present while the private funeral took place at the ancestral shrine where the entire White Family paid their respects to the departed spirit of Alier. This was done by the tradition of the White Family.

After the funeral, Ethan sobbed profusely on Alier's gravestone with a guilty expression. As if he felt guilty that Alier had died protecting him.

Although Ethan somewhat felt like a douchebag doing this, that was the most normal reaction at that moment as only Ethan knew the truth of the matter however everyone else thought that Alier had sacrificed himself protecting Ethan. So his feeling of self-guilt and loathing was the most natural human reaction considering the circumstance. In fact, it would have been suspicious otherwise if he hadn't acted that way.

Ethan then truly felt guilty seeing that no one blamed him for what had happened. This genuinely warmed his heart.

Ten days after the incident, it was time for Ethan to bid farewell to many people.

Firstly, Albaer had made everyone aware of his decision to go out on cultist hunting. Despite Aisha's unwillingness, she did not stop Albaer or try to change his decision. She knew that her husband was an incredibly stubborn person. Secondly, Earlene and Anicia were both going to leave with their respective families. And thirdly, all the guests who had come for the banquet were also going to leave back to where they had come from.

On that day, Ethan saw Albaer leave with his squad of Elite secret forces dressed in black as he gave most of the governing power to Aisha's hands while appointing Ethan as Duke Regent and instructing Albert to not leave Ethan's side at all costs.

On the eleventh day, Earlene and Anicia were going to leave as well. Even though Anicia was engaged to Ethan, it wasn't appropriate for her to stay with him even if she wanted to support him in the harsh times. And as for Earlene, she was going to go to the Royal Capital to pursue her interests.

It was a fresh morning with a clear sky and the birds chirping happily as the scent of wet soil permeated the air. The carriages were ready below the Castle and Ethan was present with Albert and Aisha to bid farewell.

As Lady Stout was consoling Aisha before leaving while Yunugiv and Count Farley waited while discussing among themselves, Earlene dragged Ethan to the corner, a confronting glint flashing in her gaze.

With a solemn expression that Ethan had never seen on her face before, she confronted, "Tell me the truth."

Ethan was not surprised to hear this question from Earlene. He had expected Earlene to have her own trail of thinking as she was ironically the person who knew Ethan the best. Naturally, she had sensed something odd with Ethan's behavior.

But since Earlene was going to be useful in the future, he didn't mind at all. And so he revealed to her that he indeed was the one who killed Alier, he had merely used one of the oldest tricks to gain someone's complete trust and confidence and that is to share one's most intimate secret. He also demonstrated a little of his prowess to make her believe that he was saying the truth.

This made Earlene stunned and speechless momentarily and then a string of emotions went through her mind consisting of fear, perplexity, and shock.

After calming down and knowing the reasons for Ethan's actions, she asked him upfront, "What do you want from me?"

Smiling gently, Ethan said without wasting his breath, "You're going to the capital… Gather information and keep me informed on the latest happenings."

Earlene thought for a second and nodded, still feeling apprehensive in her heart.

As there was nothing more to discuss, Earlene gave way for Anicia, noticing her fidgeting in the distance.

Anicia hurriedly approached Ethan as Earlene joined her father. "I couldn't get in contact with you. You- you are injured… Are you fine? Does it hurt?" With a worried expression on her face, Anicia blurted in a panicked tone.

"Calm down… I… I am fine. The wounds will heal… But my uncle won't come back." Ethan muttered in sorrow.

A silence ensued as Anicia's gaze turned downwards. With a shaking voice, she said, "I wanted to stay with you… But father and mother won't agree. Will you be fine, Ethan?"

Ethan sighed hopelessly as he raised his hand putting it on Anicia's head. With a bitter smile, he said, "Don't worry about me… You be careful. Especially from the church. We will meet again."

Looking into Ethan's eyes and once again being reassured by his calm demeanor, Anicia nodded softly.

"Anicia, come here dear. It is time to leave." Lady Stout's voice sounded from the distance as she waved softly at Ethan and Anicia.

Ethan grabbed Anicia's hand and gracefully escorted her to the carriage like a proper gentleman. His perfect mannerisms and proper decorum only made the spectators feel pity for him.

"Ethan, send a word if you run into any difficulty. Take care, son." Yunugiv said with a reassuring tone and a gentle smile.

Ethan simply nodded without a word as he shot a glance at Anicia. The Stout Family then boarded their carriage and with a sharp sound of a whip, the horses neighed and the carriage moved forward onto the road.

Inside the carriage, Anicia anxiously clenched her fists in worry, an inexplicable feeling in her heart as she fiddled with her fingers. Seeing this, Lady Stout sighed hopelessly.

As the Stout Family carriage left, Count Farley also urged Earlene to leave. After doing the same formalities, Earlene and her father left on the road as well.

"I will personally report the unfortunate news to the King. Master Alier was a heroic man and the Kingdom has truly lost a gem. Please take care, as the Kingdom would regret nothing more than losing more such gems."

At this moment, The Royal Physician cautioned meaningfully as he boarded the black carriage. Elder Aries looked in the direction of Ethan with his closed eyes and simply nodded. Not saying anything further, he too got on the carriage and the neighing of horses once again rang as the carriage departed, leaving a puff of dust.