Chapter 55: [Side Story] The Funeral

Chapter 55: [Side Story] The Funeral

Lucass eyes were a vibrant blue. A deep, brilliant, emerald-tinged azure.

Typically, his gaze was tender, much like a large dog gazing up at its master, but in this moment, I couldnt quite gauge the temperature of his stare.

Did he ask his question out of genuine concern for me?

Or was it a test to determine if I truly was the real Ash?

"Uh, well..."

I faltered, breaking into a sweat.

How was I expected to know the intricate details of Ashs familial history? Id assumed that, as the emperors son, his past wouldnt be straightforward, but...

This sudden and unexpected line of inquiry had caught me off guard, and I fumbled to respond.

"..."

After silently watching me for a beat, Lucas finally spoke,

"I apologize. I broached a topic youre uncomfortable with."

He lowered his head in apology.

I quickly waved my hands to deny his claim.

"No, its not that! I just... I was caught off guard, and I spaced out for a moment. Haha."

"Your family history, as well as Miss Evangelines, will all sort itself out."

Lucas beamed, his usual radiant golden retriever smile.

Had I been overreacting? Was Lucas simply expressing concern?

"Uh, umm... Thanks, good night! See you tomorrow!"

I hastily waved goodbye and hurried off to my bedroom.

Did Ash have family problems?

He was a prince, after all. The emperors own son.

Naturally, thered be plenty of dark and messy secrets. The issue was that I was entirely in the dark.

What else is he hiding about his past?

I would need to dig around for more information later. Sigh.

Once again, the stark reality that I was inhabiting someone elses body struck me. Living as another person was proving to be no small task...

***

The day after we returned from the dungeon,

I tackled the backlog of work and fortified our defenses for the next stage.

[Enemy Information - STAGE 3]

- Lv.? ??? : 5 units

- Lv.20 Steam Golem : 152 units

- Lv.15 Rock Golem : 103 units

Especially considering that this time wed be fending off a battalion of golems, I needed to adapt the defense installations accordingly.

Large monsters, a handful of elites. Tailor the strategy to them.

Just over a week remained until the next stage.

This time, I would be fully prepared.

To be able to handle any curveball. No.

So that I can chew up and spit out any curveball with even greater firepower...!

I ramped up my preparations for the next stage, ceaselessly placing orders and fine-tuning all the production guild facilities in the city.

***

Then, another day passed. Early in the morning.

To the west of Crossroad, in the barren wasteland. The graveyard.

"..."

I stood silently amidst the bustling funeral preparations.

While several had been injured during Stage 2, only one had fallen.

Margrave.

I clenched my jaw as I glanced over the list of names for the funeral. Charles Cross name was the only one that stood out, etched in solitary isolation.

"Your Majesty, the procession has begun."

"Hmm."

Lucas murmured in my ear. I responded with a nod.

The casket, initiated at the temple, meandered through the citys main arteries, ultimately breaching the western gate.

Unbeknownst to me, a lengthy stream of citizens trailed the procession.

The lord who had presided over this place for decades had passed.

Even in a city as unfeeling to death as this one, many were expressing their grief.

Ultimately, the casket halted before the graveyard.

The funeral would occur here, with the casket destined for burial in the orchard where Margrave Charles Cross had lived his life.

His wifes tomb was there, too.

Thud!

The casket, gently placed on the ground, was draped with the banner of the Ash Everblack Empire.

Priests, forming a circle around the casket, initiated their prayers, with a choir chiming in with a funeral hymn.

Once the procession reached its conclusion, it was time for me to deliver my concise eulogy.

The coffin.

Evangeline glanced at the coffin settled on the ground and inquired.

May I verify the coffin?

The priests presiding over the funeral looked at me, nonplussed. I nodded.

You are entitled to do so. Please, proceed with the verification.

Evangeline positioned herself beside the coffin, and the priests cautiously lifted the lid at the head.

...

Evangeline clenched her mouth tight and studied her fathers face.

The corpse, saved from decay by temporary magic, was pallid.

The small mercy was that while the body was horribly disfigured, the face was relatively untouched.

...So its true.

Evangeline murmured slowly.

Always at the front of the fight, as if he were invincible. But in the end...

Evangeline, who had been biting her lip, abruptly pivoted away.

...Thank you. That will be all.

The coffin was sealed once more.

Evangeline remained stationary, her back turned, until the coffin was interred.

The coffin was set into the deeply excavated hole, with only the task of covering it with earth remaining.

It was then that one of the soldiers cautiously addressed Evangeline.

"Miss."

"Yes?"

"I have something to ask."

The veteran soldier extended something towards Evangeline. It was a battered cavalry lance and shield. Evangelines eyes widened in surprise.

"This is..."

"This weapon was passed down through the Cross family, wielded by the Margrave himself. I originally intended to lay it to rest with him. But I thought it best to consult with you first."

"..."

"Though its a bit worn and damaged, it could be restored to use..."

"Bury it."

Evangeline lowered her head.

"Please lay it to rest alongside my father."

"...Your wish is my command, Miss."

The soldiers carved out a separate niche beside the grave, inserted a box, and filled it with the lance and shield.

The two weapons, loyal companions to the head of the Cross family for generations, were subsumed by the dirt mound.

I observed the scene, a twinge of regret flickering within me.

At last, the dirt blanketed the coffin.

The priests offered their closing blessings, marking the end of the funeral.

"Ah, my shoulders."

I kneaded my sore shoulders. Despite the event lasting merely a few hours, I was profoundly drained.

"Everyone, enjoy a refreshing drink!"

Lucas handed out drinks to all in recognition of their diligent work.

As everyone accepted and sipped their drinks, I stood before the grave, my gaze fixed on the tombstone.

More deaths will follow in the days to come.

I remembered all those who had given their lives on the battlefield thus far. Their deaths, in retrospect, felt so vivid and real.

How many more?

How many more?

Suddenly, one of the Margraves remarks echoed in my mind.

- A time will come when you must surrender what you hold most dear to safeguard this city.

"..."

What would I have to relinquish?

Could I still maintain my sense of self after such a loss?

Immersed in these thoughts, I softly began to recite a poem.

Built from ice and snow,

Here lies the surface,

The path of a compassionate life.

It was a line from a poem I held dear on Earth.

I originally planned to recite it as a tribute at the funeral, feeling it was fitting for the Margrave, but it felt out of place for the ceremony, so I refrained.

Lost in contemplation, my gaze locked onto the tombstone.

Just then.

"I didnt realize you enjoyed the cultured pastime of reciting poetry."

A young girls voice drifted from my side.

I turned and found, as anticipated, Evangeline.