Chapter 217

Chapter 4 The Funeral Ceremony

Dong dong dong.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Miss Silviana, have you not yet prepared? The ceremony will begin shortly…”

A young female voice urged from outside.

I quickly turned my head and called out, “I’m almost ready!”

I pulled at the overly long cloak behind me, then turned back to look at my reflection in the mirror before me.

My black hair flowed like silk curtains, my eyes shone like stars, my face as pitiable as ever, but with an added touch of heroic vigor.

At this moment, I had already shed the lavish dresses of my past youth and put on a very orthodox Milanese armor.

This was the first time in my life that I had worn armor, whether in my previous life or in the memories of my current one.

The armor was pure silver, with graceful lines, and adorned with intricate golden sunflower patterns on the chest and back. At first glance, it was clear that this was of extremely high craftsmanship… apart from my own central workshop, no other forge in this world possessed such top-notch weaponry capabilities.

The sunflower shield emblem emblazoned on the center of the chest proved this point.

This set of armor was prepared by the church for me. And the reason I wore it now was because I was about to attend a funeral ceremony, wanting to pay respects to those who perished in this disaster—the soldiers of the Calri Sword, the civilians, and the children. I wanted to see them off.

As a knight, one must be fully armed during such a solemn funeral ceremony to show respect for the deceased, a custom of Esterbel for hundreds of years.

I was glad I hadn’t missed such an important ceremony. Coincidentally, I happened to wake up two hours before the ceremony began, and the location was in the ground floor hall of the Grand Cathedral of Saint Zayere.

After taking care of my bodily needs, washing myself, and changing into the nun’s robe prepared by the church, Margaret came over to inform me of this matter, asking if I was willing to attend as a Papal Knight. I immediately agreed.

Thus, not long after, Margaret sent someone to bring me this set of armor, instructing me to wear it and reminding me of some注意事项, which I noted down one by one.

The armor was quite beautiful and didn’t feel heavy to me. Having dressed completely, I picked up a hair tie from the dressing table and placed it between my teeth, using both hands to twist my long hair into a messy bun, then securing it with the hair tie…

“Miss Silviana—”

“I’m coming, I’m coming!”

The urging voice sounded again from outside. Holding the helmet with one hand, I stepped toward the door while putting it on.

Clank… clank…

It felt a bit uncomfortable.

Although it wasn’t strenuous, the cumbersome weight made it hard to ignore, making me feel rather uneasy. Moreover, when standing there earlier, I didn’t notice anything, but once I took a step—I realized—the armor was too large.

But Margaret had already instructed to take the smallest size… oh well. It didn’t affect much; I’ll just make do.

Securing the clasp of the helmet, I pushed open the door and walked out.

Creak—

Two young nuns were already waiting at the door.

“Miss, please follow us downstairs.”

“Oh.”

Damn, all I could see were their ample chests.

Due to the helmet being full coverage, once the clasp was fastened, my entire face was concealed, leaving only a narrow slit at the upper part of the gorget for vision. This made it impossible to see close-up details clearly… no wonder Carlos never wore this thing.

I couldn’t understand how heavy armor knights managed to fight. One couldn’t even see properly…

Clank… clank…

Following behind the nun, I walked through the exquisite corridor, carefully descending the stairs to reach the first floor of the cathedral.

The chanting grew clearer in my ears.

The grand hall was adorned with murals, people clad in armor or robes…

The figure in black with a礼帽 sat bowed in prayer on the pew, with monks holding candles on either side, singing in unison an indistinct hymn. At the front of the hall, the white-bearded 长袍老者 stood solemnly before more than ten pitch-black coffins and rows of flickering candles, his eyes closed as he murmured something under his breath.

Two nuns led me to a vacant seat in the middle of the first row and then left.

Marguerite was seated to my left, but she was praying devoutly, and my arrival did not draw her attention. Instead, the 骑士 sitting to my right, fully armed like me, lifted his head, seemingly glancing at me.

I noticed that her armor was designed for a woman, so I turned my head and sniffed… This special fragrance could only be Victoria.

It was almost impossible to recognize her in armor… But looking at her now, it seemed she was really fine. Her previously deformed left arm had returned to normal, and she sat there upright, full of vigor.

I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Wanting to talk to her, but knowing this wasn’t the time, I mimicked others by clasping my hands in front of my chest and bowing my head to pray.

… What should I say?

It felt like déjà vu.

Those killed by monsters, coffins without remains. After the dust settled, the living could only pray for the dead.

But this time, I didn’t need to sing the praises.

That’s all.

What have I done since then…

Ding ding ding…

The sound of the bell used for summoning souls echoed in my ears, and golden light spread throughout the hall.

Moments later, the 长袍老者’s chanting suddenly rose: “…await your return amidst the dust…send you off…embrace from God…may God always protect you.”

“May God always protect you.”

After everyone said this in unison, they stood up.

The prayer seemed to have ended. The monks pulled down the white silk cloths hanging on the walls, covering the black coffins. Some of the cloths bore the emblem of a sword, others the holy cross of the Church. Faint golden light almost enveloped the entire hall, and the candles representing the common folk gradually went out… According to the meaning of the Church, there were Lucas, Abel, Charles, and many children from the orphanage, whose souls had found peace.

But I hadn’t had time to say anything, nor did I know what to say.

Their lives had ended; no matter what was said, it would be unheard… meaningless.

Voices gradually grew louder.

The monks began to lift the coffins four at a time, and I knew it was time to bid farewell to the warriors.

“Victoria…”

“Hmm.”

“After death, where do people go?”

I knew this was a foolish question.

As someone who had experienced an advanced era, even though those memories had become intangible, like a dream, such questions still shouldn’t come from my mouth.

I was just hoping. Perhaps in this world akin to a myth, perhaps in a world where gods might exist… perhaps there truly are souls, perhaps there is an afterlife.

“I don’t know.”

Victoria replied.

“Maybe one day, when I die, I’ll understand… or maybe never.”

She extended her right hand to me.

“Let’s go out, everyone is waiting.”

“…Okay.”

I took her hand, helping her step toward the church door. The silent Saint Marguerite followed on the other side, lost in thought.

Behind us were the black coffins covered in white cloth.

I noticed that the golden cross on the frontmost coffin was particularly prominent. Suddenly realizing something, I stopped in my tracks.

“Who… is that?”

“It’s Sister Teresa,” Marguerite whispered softly.