Chapter 221

Chapter 8: Farewell Part 1

“May the gods… forever protect us.”

The disjointed prayers echoed throughout the hall.

“It’s… all for the better…”

“A hero should receive the respect he deserves…”

“Since Her Holiness has spoken… then we…”

The crowd’s emotions gradually calmed.

In such a ceremony, no one would dare defy the wishes of the clergy, especially when the words came from Margaret.

But I think they were still mostly in shock. The events had unfolded too quickly; most of those who were unaware didn’t understand what the sudden incidents during the funeral truly meant within this short ten minutes… or perhaps even less.

Actually, I couldn’t fully comprehend it either…

Ever since the assassin appeared, I had been secretly observing the Empress’s actions. I thought she had arranged that person and expected her to have more tricks up her sleeve… after all, she had set the pace, so there was no reason for her to give up so easily.

But in fact, she stood there blankly, doing nothing. No one paid attention to her, and she seemed not to care about anyone else. Only Victoria’s uncle occasionally gave her meaningful glances, looking somewhat anxious… but the Empress ignored him, giving no response.

I didn’t understand what was wrong with her.

But I felt that Victoria and Margaret… they must know.

Ah, these two looked at each other again… Margaret seemed to notice me staring at her and turned her gaze toward me, offering a gentle smile.

“Miss Silviga, thank you for your understanding…”

“…Yes.” I softly responded.

Then, she lifted her face.

“…Thank you all for coming to the church today to pray sincerely for our warriors, our heroes. Next… please let Reverend Teresa rest. And we will bid farewell to the brave warriors under the watchful eyes of the gods.”

After her words fell, the dark coffin representing Reverend Teresa was swiftly carried away by the monks, disappearing into the depths of the long corridor. The other coffins were raised once more, and the hymns began to echo through the church, with everything prepared.

At this point, this was the best outcome.

I knew that the church would certainly hold another ceremony for Reverend Teresa later.

But I could no longer interfere. If I continued to stop it, it would only lead to worse consequences… I wasn’t foolish, and I understood these principles. My bottom line was simply “not to send off Teresa,” and even this was already being quite selfish. I couldn’t allow things to become any more complicated.

“Captain Knight, let them pass.”

Hearing the command from Her Holiness, the knight captain waved his arm to the knights behind him, and they started moving.

But the knight captain seemed to have some reservations, as I heard him whisper to Margaret.

“Holiness, are we really just letting them go? There might be…”

Margaret smiled and interrupted him.

“There’s no need to worry.”

At the same time, Victoria was quickly instructing Reckt, saying something like “keep an eye on the Empress… don’t lose sight of her… wait until the ceremony ends,” and then I saw Reckt nodding solemnly.

He turned to leave, but before he did, he suddenly looked at me.

“Miss Silviga, your armor is very beautiful.”

There was a hint of a smile in his eyes, and then he asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

I held my helmet and looked up at his shoulder.

“Is your injury… healed?”

“No problem,” Reckt said. “Her Holiness’s divine power truly amazed me. Healing such minor injuries is as simple as breathing for her.”

“That’s good.”

He waved his hand casually and found a seat among the pews nearby.

The knights stepped back, creating a path through the hall that revealed the grandly opened church doors.

Faint cries could be heard outside, like waves crashing upon the shore.

Out of the corner of my eye, Victoria walked beside me, extending her right hand once more.

“Let’s go.”

“Mm-hm.”

I gently held her hand and followed her as she took large strides forward.

Throughout this entire time, Victoria did not look back at our mother even once.

The Holy Maiden Margaret still walked on the other side, together with me, escorting the silver-armored queen between us as we slowly made our way out of the church amidst the crowd.

“Boom—”

Under the glaring sunlight, the cries of the people instantly reached a fever pitch.

I smoothed down my black hair that had fallen from under my helmet, and peered through the narrow slit in front of me to see the vast blue sky above, filled with a sea of people stretching endlessly before us.

Those dressed in rough homespun, those adorned in silk and looking proper, and those in foreign attire—men, women, children, the elderly—they all craned their necks, eagerly awaiting. Some raised their arms, shouting loudly as if thunder was rumbling.

“Her Majesty the Queen!”

“Lady Teresa!”

“Miss Silviana!”

Only these three names were clearly audible.

Directly ahead, countless royal guards stood in two neat rows like dragons, holding spears at the entrance. The formation stretched along the wide street, carving a long path through the crowd that extended to the unseen horizon.

I supported Victoria as we descended the steps before the church door. She stopped.

The shouting reached its peak.

“Her Majesty the Queen!”

“The Heroic Lord!”

“Oh my God! That’s the Holy Maiden!”

“The Holy Maiden has arrived in the royal city! Look! That’s the Holy Maiden!”

The guards nearby shouted incessantly for order, but it was futile. The people were in high spirits. They could only push back against the crowd in front of them to prevent anyone from rushing forward out of excitement.

I adjusted my slightly askew helmet and then saw several silver-armored guards leading three dark, robust unicorn beasts to our side.

My heart tightened suddenly.

Wait…

In the next moment, Victoria released my hand.

She raised her arm, shook off her black cloak, and nimbly mounted the beast, settling herself securely before turning to look at me.

“Miss Silviana, please proceed.”

A guard holding another unicorn beast in front bowed to me and gestured for me to mount it.

But…

No one told me I’d have to ride a unicorn beast…

“Sss—”

The giant creature blinked its large eyes at me and gave a soft whinny.

I panicked immediately.

This isn’t going to work… I’m afraid of this…

Last time, with Bella leading me, I was so scared I couldn’t let go of her… This time, it’s just me… What should I do?

My legs went cold, my face stiffened, and my expression must have been ridiculous… Thankfully, I was wearing a helmet.

I tried to act composed: “Do I really have to ride?”

“Miss Silviana, you are the revered Knight of the Pope… You’ve saved countless lives in the royal city… It wouldn’t be appropriate for the hero to walk… It wouldn’t be good…”

…I wanted to say, I don’t mind.

“What’s wrong?”

Victoria’s voice came from beside me.

I turned my head, holding my helmet, and saw that she and Margaret were already seated firmly on their beasts. The monks carrying the coffin and the participants in the prayer ceremony were now being escorted by the church knights out of the church, waiting outside the door.