In the midst of the snowfield, they swayed neatly with the wind, their luminescence converging like a sea of stars.
During this process, Marjorie's pale complexion gradually became rosy, and the conspicuous bloodstains on her body also began to disappear.
If one did not look at the severed parts of her body, she now looked as if she were peacefully asleep.
"This is a funeral rite originating from the Elf Clan," Lillian said. "In the Rudolph Family, we call it the Star Burial."
"Indeed, it is like a dreamy starry sky," Colin murmured, his azure eyes reflecting the magnificent "sea of stars" before him.
"Next, my grandfather will recite the eulogy," Lillian said, then stood side by side with him, quietly observing the ceremony.
Atbolde's eulogy was not long, of course, nor could it be considered short.
It was while listening to the eulogy that Colin finally understood why Marjorie had never chosen to leave Atbolde.
Many years ago, on one night, an accident took the lives of all of Marjorie's family members, and only she was saved by Atbolde's chance rescue.
Atbolde might not have taken this matter to heart, but Marjorie remembered it dearly.
Thus, after some strenuous efforts later, she arrived at the Tin Saint School and became a student of Atbolde.
That was nearly fifty years ago; by this year, Marjorie would have been almost seventy years old.
However, for a Wizard Apprentice, this is only considered middle age.
Had it not been for this accident, Marjorie could have lived at least another fifty years.
Amidst the shifting emotions, Atbolde's eulogy reached its conclusion,
"...wishing you well, my dear Marjorie."
Shortly after Atbolde finished these words, he announced that the funeral had reached its final step.
He turned and walked over to Colin and stood quietly beside them.
A little while passed.
The swaying green grass gradually ceased, and the light suddenly dimmed.
But in the next moment, the shimmering green light abruptly brightened, then spread out like flowing water in all directions.
Then, the lights ignited the surrounding plants like sparks to a flame.
First, the huge ancient tree in front of them, a pale green luminance spreading from the roots upward, swiftly engulfing each leaf, transforming it into a mystical ancient tree radiating with luminescence.
Next, the surrounding bushes, short trees, and all the plants within a nearly twenty-meter radius started to glow as well, stretching and gently swaying.
As if mourning for Marjorie, the center of the light.
This was a spectacularly lavish scene; Colin surveyed the surroundings, gaining a deeper understanding of the meaning of the Star Burial.
However, splendor is always fleeting; just seconds later, the brilliance vanished in an instant.
The light retreated along the path it had come, enveloping Marjorie's body, and formed a pale cocoon of light.
Then, the light cocoon disappeared, and flowers bloomed.
Marjorie's body had vanished without notice.
But in this cold snowy night, one dazzling flower after another blossomed in the place where the body had been.
A sea of flowers twinkling with faint light thus formed, creating a bizarre and magnificent scene with a captivating allure.
And so, the group stood in silence for a while, until the last traces of light on the flowers completely disappeared.
Atbolde waved a hand and summoned several tree chairs and a wooden table, gesturing for them to sit.
Although the villa had not yet been completed, setting up a makeshift gathering place was not a challenge for a Second Rank Wizard.
As the three sat down, Atbolde waved his hand again, and a circle of twisted vines quickly rose around them.
A moment later, a temporary vine dome was formed, enveloping them and the sea of flowers that Marjorie had transformed into.
Whoosh.
Atbolde then kindled a bonfire, its orange-yellow glow bringing warmth, also causing the drooping flowers that had lost their faint glow to the cold to stretch out a little.
Perhaps with the enhancement of witchcraft, the vine dome had good insulation, and the burning area of the bonfire was well-ventilated.
The inside of the dome quickly became comfortable.
"The conditions are simple, so it can only be this way," Atbolde said, looking around.
Seeming to feel that something was missing, he patted his forehead and continued to take out a robust cast-iron grilling rack and placed it over the fire.
Then he took out some ingredients, cooked food, and some meats that appeared to be destined for grilling, such as steaks.
"Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've grilled outdoors. Back when I was adventuring outside, this was one of the most common things to do," Atbolde reminisced.
The small vine dome, the burning bonfire, the cast-iron grill, and the ingredients and seasonings now laid out on the table,
This setting made Colin feel somewhat relaxed, the heaviness from Marjorie's funeral gradually fading away.
The silent sea of flowers beside them swayed, and Colin paused before saying:
"Master, actually, I also brought some food."
He took out a roast duck and a roast chicken that he had instructed Renee to prepare from his Storage Ring.
That night, fearing that his residence was under ambush, he had ordered Renee and others to rent a room at an inn for a temporary stay.
But he had never imagined that his departure would last for several days.
Fortunately, Renee had enough Magic Stone on her and had always heeded his instructions to stay at the inn, so all was well.
Atbolde raised an eyebrow at the roast meats Colin had taken out, not saying much, but Lillian was quite interested in these two fresh foods she had never seen before.
However, the focus of the evening was still on the grandfather and Colin; she quietly took out her homemade flower dew wine and a set of cups, pouring two cups for Colin and herself.