Chapter 676: Chapter 421 Funeral
June had arrived, and the pleasant days of spring had passed, giving way to the fervor of summer with the sensation of all things bursting into life.
Today, the sun shone brightly, the sky was blue, and the white clouds drifted by. A gentle breeze blew, stirring the grass and trees into a rustling sound, which should have lifted the spirits of anyone who saw it.
Yet the Roon Palace was enveloped in a gloomy atmosphere.
A grand funeral was underway.
The body of Wizard Erwin lay in a coffin surrounded by clusters of flowers. Carefully prepared for his final rest, his expression was serene, as if he had merely fallen into a deep sleep.
Before the coffin, all the guests wore black Wizard Robes, a tradition for funerals and a sign of respect for Wizard Erwin.
"Reflecting on the legendary life of Erwin Roon, we must admit that he was a revered, great wizard..."
The funeral was led by a First Rank Wizard, who, by blood, was Erwin’s nephew. As he read the eulogy, it seemed as though the summer breeze bewildered his eyes, causing them to redden slightly and his hair to flutter in disarray, leaving his heart heavy with sorrow.
He truly felt grief over the passing of Wizard Erwin, as it signified the complete downfall of the Roon Family.
Soft sobs emanated from the members of the Roon Family standing at the forefront, with many of them having reddened eyes.
Jennifer stood to the front right, her gaze moving through the swaying flowers and landing on the body of her great-grandfather Erwin in the coffin; she couldn’t help but sniffle, wiping away the tears that threatened to fall with her right hand.
After the presiding Wizard finished the eulogy and all the guests had paid their respects before the coffin, it was time for the last step of the funeral—burial.
The Roon Palace covered an enormous area, and to the south of the palace lay a small hill, which served as the exclusive cemetery for the Roon Family.
A solemn procession moved along the neatly-paved stone paths within the Palace grounds toward the Royal Family’s burial site.
Allen walked at the end of the procession, looking up curiously at the extravagant architectures readily visible around him.
"Allen, watch your manners," his uncle chided, frowning, from beside him.
Allen replied nonchalantly, "I’m just taking an early look at my future palace. Is there a problem with that, Uncle?"
"Don’t celebrate too soon. That old man Erwin may be dead, but the Roon Family still has several First Rank Wizards, and who knows what other foundations they might have?"
Gos stressed this point, but he didn’t have much to do with the family’s most talented youngster.
So his emphasis fluttered away like a breeze, with Allen paying it no heed:
"Uncle, my father is now the only Second Rank Wizard in the Roon Kingdom. No matter how many First Rank Wizards the Roon Family has, what can they really do?"
"Besides, we planned to take action after the funeral. If the Roon Family gets angry at seeing me like this, it will give us the perfect excuse, won’t it?"
Gos opened his mouth to respond but ultimately fell silent, not bothering to restrain the youth any longer, letting him look around as he pleased amid the somber funeral procession.
Perhaps it was because they were at the very back that, despite Allen’s brazen behavior, it caused no mishap.
The procession reached the hillside cemetery without trouble.
The burial site for Wizard Erwin had already been determined, at the very top of the hill, an area exclusively reserved for the burial of past Clan Leaders.
As the black coffin was slowly placed into the prepared grave, in order to prevent desecration of the deceased body, the once peacefully-reposing Erwin had already been reduced to ashes under the coffin lid.
The First Rank Wizards of the Roon Family lined up, each taking a steel spade in turn to fill the grave with earth.
Jennifer, being the least experienced, was last in line. Grasping the spade, her eyes slightly red but her expression regaining composure.
’Great-grandfather Erwin, rest in peace.’
With the spade, she scooped up the final handful of soil to cover Erwin’s coffin.
Afterward, the presiding Wizard chanted a Spell. Instantly, the grave was engulfed by the surging earth, and a white stele emerged from the ground. Then, rows upon rows of text chronicling the life of Wizard Erwin appeared on the stele, like vines coming into view.
With this, the funeral of Wizard Erwin was essentially concluded.
Jennifer put down the spade and stepped back into the crowd.
As the presiding Wizard Joe was preparing to recite the final eulogy, announcing the end of the funeral and inviting the guests to the banquet hall,
a surprise visitor descended from the sky.
"Sorry, I’m late."
This was a middle-aged man with a rough ponytail, his skin pale and weathered, his green eyes as if shrouded in mist, somewhat eerie.
He looked at the people of the Roon Family and performed a noble’s salutation with ease.
’Father!’ A joyous expression flashed across Allen’s face in the crowd as he cast off his black hood, striding forward confidently.
Following his movements, nearly sixty percent of the Wizards in the crowd also unveiled their hoods and stepped forward.
"Duke Harries?"
"What is... going on?"
The sudden turn of events threw the scene into chaos. Some guests who hadn’t stepped forward kept silent, as if they had anticipated this.
Yet many of the remaining non-advancing guests were confused, whispering among their companions.
"Harries, what is the meaning of this?" Presiding Wizard Joe’s expression darkened, and he asked in a deep tone.
"What meaning... I am of course here to attend the funeral of the esteemed Erwin," Harries said with a smile. Without waiting for a response from the Roon Family, he stepped forward, revealing the commanding presence of a Second Rank Wizard!
The powerful wave of Magic Power caused a silence to fall over the area, and many guests showed startled expressions.