Chapter 719: Funeral [2]

"....!?"

I was supposed to leave at least a day in advance in order to get to Bremmer. However, with everything that had happened, I ended up going the same day that the funeral was being held.

"Are you kidding me? You want to rob me blind? Do you know who I am...?!"

"No, and I don’t care. Pay up or we’re not opening up the portal."

"....!"

I clenched my teeth and glared at the man in front of me.

In the end, albeit unwillingly, I ended up handing over 200,000 Rend. I felt my stomach twist as I handed the man the money, but I had no choice.

This was the price I had to pay in order to not be late.

’Thankfully, there’s a gate not far from our territory.’

The Evenus Household didn’t have a gate set up. This was mainly due to the astronomical price that it took to set one up, and with Noel wanting to keep the finances private, he never established one.

As a result, I had no choice but to run to a nearby territory and use their gate.

"It wasn’t so hard, was it?"

Taking the money, the man gave me a look before turning around and motioning the workers to set up the gate.

I held myself from cursing at him.

Then...

Swooosh—

The surroundings swirled as the portal formed.

My clothes and hair fluttered as I stared at the massive gate in front of me.

’Maybe I should think about setting one up.’

Even though it cost a lot of money to make, it also generated a lot. Not only that, but it made traveling easier.

I was starting to get tired of carriages.

’...And it’s not like we have to hold our financial power back any longer.’

I had been holding and saving the money in preparation for buying the crack that was in Ellnor, but as things stood, I probably didn’t have the chance to buy it.

At the very least... I wouldn’t be able to buy it anytime soon.

Things were going to heat up after the funeral.

The last thing I’d be able to worry about is the crack.

"How annoying..."

That deviated from my plans a little, but it wasn’t like I could do anything about it. I had too many things to worry about.

"The gate is ready. You may enter!"

Hearing the worker’s voice, I turned my attention back towards the gate and stepped towards it.

’Let’s handle the funeral first. I’ll think of everything else later.’

And with that, my body faded into the portal.

*

"I made it just in time."

The first thing I noticed as I stepped out of the portal was the weird atmosphere that lingered in the air.

It was somber and gloomy.

People walked around the streets with black clothing, and all appeared to be heading towards the Royal Palace.

I followed behind the crowd before stopping at the gates of the palace.

A lot of people were waiting outside, but only a select few were given direct access to the garden. Thankfully, I was one such person as I pushed my way through and entered the gates.

’I wonder how Aoife is doing...’

Entering the gates, it felt as though I could finally breathe again.

There were a lot fewer people present.

However, looking around, I could tell that everyone was an incredibly important person within the Empire, many of whom I recognized.

’....I don’t see Aoife anywhere. It looks like she might come later.’

I scratched the side of my face. I could see Kiera and Evelyn in the distance. They were both wearing black dresses, and they stood next to their parents.

Looking around, I saw even more familiar figures.

Primarily, those that I knew from the Academy. But at the same time, I was shocked to see several people that I didn’t think I’d see for a while.

’Caius, Kaelion, and even Amell...’

What were they doing here?

"Wait, is—"

"Been a while."

A hand tapped my shoulder and I paused. Turning back, a pair of gray eyes met my vision.

"Leon?"

"Mhm."

Leon nodded, his face unusually serious. He wasn’t different from the others. He wore all black, but at the same time, looking at him, he felt different.

He felt...

More regal.

’I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this sight.’

To me, he was just my knight.

"I didn’t think you’d show up here. I—"

"Why wouldn’t I?" Leon looked at me in confusion, cutting me off. "Although I’m now the prince of another Empire, it doesn’t change the fact that I was raised here. And... It’s also not like I am heartless to the point where I wouldn’t show up when something happened to one of my closest friends."

"Right."

He was right.

I looked around.

"...I guess those from the other Empires aren’t here for the same reason, no?"

"Nope."

Leon shook his head.

"They’re here to monitor the situation. Most of them are keeping an eye on the succession candidates. Some may have already chosen sides and started to sponsor them. This is the first time that the Nurs Ancifa Empire has been so vulnerable. It’s only natural that the other Empires are setting their targets on the Empire."

"You’re right."

The situation was extremely delicate.

It was so delicate that I had no choice but to pick a side myself.

’If I don’t pick a side and one of the candidates takes over, things can become rather troublesome for me.’

Let alone the Inverted Sky, who had likely already begun making moves to seize the throne, with the other Empires now entering the fray, I knew this would be an exceptionally bloody and ruthless struggle.

In order to protect my own interests, I had no choice but to join the battle.

’...How troublesome.’

Just the thought made my headache worse.

"What about the Verdant Empire?"

I looked at Leon.

"...Do they plan on interfering?"

"I don’t know."

Leon shrugged.

He continued before I could speak.

"We’re already busy with our own internal matters. Even if I wanted to help, I don’t have the ability or manpower to help. That being said, if the others from the Empire do plan on doing something, then I’ll also try something. Naturally, we’ll stand with Aoife."

"I see."

That made a lot of sense.

I was just about to say something else when—

BANG!

The massive doors of the palace swung open, and several guards clad in gleaming silver armor stepped out. Their presence brought the surroundings to a still silence. The sheer pressure they exuded, combined with their radiant appearance, seemed to suffocate everyone nearby.

The last thing I heard before they walked out was Leon’s voice.

"...It’s starting."

Shortly after, the sharp clank of metal echoed through the air as the guards stepped forward, holding onto two large white coffins in their grasp.

They moved in solemn silence, making their way toward the center of the vast garden, while the sun cast its harsh glare upon the white coffins from above.

Following the guards from behind were several figures in black.

Immediately, my gaze fell on a certain figure as she walked with her head hung low, her face covered by the black veil that rested above her head. She walked in silence, following the guards as they eventually stopped at the center of the garden, where everyone could see.

Clank!

Placing the coffins down, the guards each took their own position beside the coffins.

Everyone stood in silence as they stared at the coffins.

No one said a word.

No one was allowed to say a word.

At this very moment, the silence was meant as a sign of respect.

Respect for the Emperor and the Prince.

But the silence didn’t last for long.

Eventually, a man stepped forward. He was tall, and his features were quite handsome. He looked relatively young, and his piercing yellow eyes stood a stark contrast to his black hair.

"...That’s John P. Megrail. One of the most likely candidates for the throne."

Leon whispered next to me.

I nodded silently, already somewhat aware of this.

However, I was confused about something.

’He’s clearly not a person who comes from the main bloodline. How come he’s giving a speech before Aoife? Or is it possible that she’s supposed to be last?’

I wasn’t necessarily aware of how the customs worked.

Nonetheless, under the heat of the sun, I spent the next couple of hours listening to the speeches coming from all the delegates.

After a certain point, I felt like dying.

In all honesty, I cared nothing for the Emperor or the Prince.

I had only met the Emperor once, and the memories of that time weren’t exactly the greatest.

I only came here because I had to and because I wanted to check up on Aoife.

’...How long is this supposed to last? Can I get out already?’

Looking to my left, my gaze met with Leon’s, and with just one look, I could see that he was feeling the same.

This had been dragging for far too long.

I sighed.

He sighed.

And then...

"Next up, Aoife K. Megrail will be giving a speech."

It was finally Aoife’s turn to speak, and my interest returned as I turned my head to see her walk up towards the coffins, tracing her hand over them as she turned her head towards our direction.

Despite the black veil covering her face, for a brief moment, I felt her gaze wander over to me.

It locked onto me for several seconds before turning away.

But just subtly... I noticed a subtle twitch of her body the moment our eyes locked. It wasn’t very noticeable, but I still picked up on it.

’Is something wrong?’

For whatever reason, it felt as though she was holding herself back.

I was a little confused, but I didn’t think too much of it.

She then began her speech. Compared to the others, her speech was on the shorter side. Her tone was relatively monotone, and she kept her face hidden the entire time. In spite of this, no one judged or said anything.

Everyone grieved differently.

...But at the same time, there was a noticeable and gradual shift in the atmosphere as she spoke.

It was light at first, but it became more and more noticeable as her speech was slowly coming to a close.

"That is all."

It only became glaring once her speech was over.

It was so thick that even I struggled to ignore it.

The smell...

It was the smell of gunpowder.

The faces of many subtly shifted, and tensions rose to an all-time high.

"It’s starting."

Leon’s soft mumble reached my ears, causing me to hold my breath.

"...The fight for the throne. It’s starting."