CHAPTER 569: CHAPTER D208: RADIANCE 3

[The Hero activates skill: Innocence, automatic success]

Because a purification ritual is needed during burial to prevent the corpse from undergoing an aberration, and to guard against lawless individuals, the cemeteries in cities are usually managed by the Church.

In some small towns or villages, there might only be one church handling all affairs, but in larger cities, different duties are generally divided up among different churches.

This cemetery and church on the outskirts of the city are specifically used for blessing the dead and listening to the sorrows of the living.

Currently, there are no visitors here, only the Hero and her party. The sound of their footsteps hasn’t traveled far before being dispersed by the gentle breeze, making the entire cemetery appear even more tranquil.

"We’ve arrived, this should be the place."

The Tomb Guardian stopped walking, pointing to a gravestone.

"Then I’ll not disturb you any further. If you need flowers or other offerings, you can purchase them from the church over there."

After expressing gratitude and saying goodbye to the Tomb Guardian, the Hero paused and looked at her feet.

"So this is it..."

She whispered softly, her emerald green eyes reflecting an extremely simple gravestone.

The grayish-white tablet carved with the deceased’s name, identity, and years of birth and death. Nothing more beyond that.

Unlike other gravestones, it didn’t use more expensive or better quality stone, nor did it have exquisite carvings, it was just simple.

The Hero reached out and gently caressed the surface of the stone, her palm tracing the engravings of her dear friend’s name, then resting on the forever stopped, one-year-younger date.

The Hero opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but was unable to speak.

She knew, there was nothing here, no soul, no longing, not even a corpse existed.

According to tradition, a body that has been tainted by Magic Creatures must undergo the purification of flames after death, symbolizing the burning away of all filth, to approach reincarnation in an untainted form.

So ultimately, all that was left was a small urn of ashes.

This was one of the reasons why the cemeteries in this area were relatively small.

The death of the body signifies the dispersal of the soul, and the dispersal of the soul signifies the erasure of existence.

Words, memories, emotions... everything between her and herself would never increase again, she would never give her anything more, nor would her words have another day to be conveyed.

Apart from dreams, this is the divide between life and death.

As a Beast Spirit Mage, the Hero instinctively understood this from a young age.

So she just silently looked at that small gravestone.

"...Would you mind telling me more about her?"

Behind her, the Fourteenth Princess watched the Hero’s small back, seeming to realize for the first time that she was just a girl much younger than herself.

"Of course, I don’t mind, but there’s nothing particularly special." The Hero stood up again, smiled at the Princess, indicating she was alright.

"Her family was commoners, they didn’t live comfortably..."

Indeed, it wasn’t a particularly special story.

Similar to herself, a girl left to fend for herself due to her busy parents, but different, with a special talent in spirit magic, who had decided early on the path she would take.

During a walk to avoid going home, she met her, and thus they became friends, receiving much help and care from her.

Other children in the city, when the Hero revealed her family name, their attitudes would change somewhat.

The daughter of the Viscount’s House, the child of the Great Mage... the difference in background created an invisible barrier between them, but only she could get along with herself as always.

Unknowingly, they became the best of friends.

She always relied on her.

Even though she was just of ordinary commoner background, she was more mature than the noble peers,

Though the same age as herself, she had already firmly chosen the life she wanted to live.

She could always perceive others’ sadness and melancholy, and with a cheerful demeanor, infect others, embracing herself with a gentle attitude.

But perhaps, it was precisely that sensitivity that made her endure excessive pain, so that the future she yearned for disappeared, leading her to choose to end her own life.

If only I had at that time...

No, I’ve thought of too many such "ifs" before.

The Hero turned away.

"Is it already enough?" The Fourteenth Princess asked, puzzled.

"Mm, I just came to take a look, and that’s enough." The Hero smiled softly.

Suddenly, she looked at the Fourteenth Princess, and said seriously: "By the way, Princess Sister, if you encounter difficulties, remember to tell me, I will definitely try to help you."

"...Mm, I will." Meeting the Hero’s eyes, as if understanding something, the Fourteenth Princess solemnly nodded.

These words could no longer reach her, but because of this, they should now be said, to tell those who are important to herself.

When encountering darkness, even when trapped in despair, please do not sink.

No matter how insignificant, no matter how unreliable...

I also hope to be your light.

→☆→☆→☆→✧←★←★←★←

End of Return Journey

[Hero’s Luck (5+ arrival at the Capital)]

D10=d10(9)=9