85 Funeral

Priest Anderson collapsed in front of the Statue of Goddess of Freedom Statue the Main Hall, his body surrounded by a complete Divine Rune Magic Circle.

After the blood on the magic circle dried, all the holy light was completely lost.

He had become skin and bones, lying on the ground like a dried-up skeleton wrapped in oily skin, barely clinging to life, each breath an excruciating pain for him.

His dry eyes gazed at the Goddess of Freedom Statue, a look of sorrow in them.

After absorbing all of his life force, the Divine Rune Magic Circle finally came to a complete halt.

The Divine Descent in the Main Hall suddenly ended, but the Goddess of Freedom did not descend. High Priest Reed rushed in first and embraced Priest Anderson, who was lying on the ground like a withered corpse.

High Priest Reed chanted the prayer rapidly...

This was the first time Roy had seen him consult Holy Prayer while performing divine magic.

Before anyone could see him drawing divine runes, a beam of holy light descended from the ceiling, completely enveloping Priest Anderson.

' Greater Holy Light Art '

The holy light began to repair his already exhausted body, but unfortunately, Priest Anderson's aura grew weaker and weaker.

His eyes had become extremely dim.

Priest Anderson said in an extremely weak voice, "Reed, don't waste your energy. No one can save me. I know... I know. My thinking was wrong from the root. The Goddess's Holy Radiance cannot shine here. It's not that she wants to abandon this power. I guess she must be trapped in some Dark Land, where there is endless darkness that the Holy Radiance cannot penetrate."

"I should have answered the High Priest's call and joined the Temple Expeditionary Force sooner, instead of giving up on myself here..."

As he said this, his gaze fell on the dome of the Main Hall, and a glint of light suddenly appeared in his eyes.

His eyes were filled with light as he said to High Priest Reed, "I'm sorry, Reed, my death may cause you a lot of trouble."

High Priest Reed shook his head and said, "Anderson, let's not talk about this anymore. We came to Castleton City together, and if it weren't for your help, I wouldn't even be able to establish myself here."

Priest Anderson's eyes grew brighter and brighter, but his aura grew weaker and weaker.

His pupils began to dilate slowly, yet one could still hear him whispering, "Heh, I'm truly free this time, Reed! I see the steps, the Crystal Stairs, Reed! I see that Adamantine Gate in the distance! It's truly grand... Reed, I look forward to our reunion, but I'd rather that day be later..."

Priest Anderson's eyes finally fixed on the scene, his breathing having stopped a moment earlier.

High Priest Reed held his body, one hand brushing against his eyelids, and Priest Anderson closed his eyes.

A silence then fell over the Main Hall.

Priest Anderson seemed to know he was going to die, for there was a coffin in the warehouse, a very simple Wooden Box without any patterns. It was the perfect size for him to lie in. There was even a book of Holy Prayer placed inside the coffin, and his usual cloak was laid at the bottom. There was nothing else in the coffin.

Roy and Abbott carried the light coffin out of the warehouse and placed it in the Side Hall.

High Priest Reed and Jasper placed Anderson in the coffin.

The burial rites for the Priest were very simple, because the deceased Priest were entering the Divine Kingdom, so strictly speaking there was nothing to be sad about.

After encoffining Priest Anderson, Roy and Abbott comforted Jasper before returning home before nightfall.

The rain had long since stopped, and although the dark clouds overhead had not yet dispersed, a rosy glow appeared on the horizon.

All the dead elves will be buried in the cemetery.

The West Suburb Graveyard is basically the burial place for the dead Half-Elf. The elves believe that they are Child of Nature and that after death they will become little elves and return to nature until one day they will be chosen by an elf mother... and be reborn.

Therefore, a cypress tree is planted in front of the elves' graves.

Roy walked ahead carrying a shovel, while Abbott and Jasper followed behind, having received a decent-looking cypress tree from the gravedigger.

Priest Anderson has been buried in this cemetery. All that's left is to plant a cypress tree in front of his grave and nail his nameplate to it.

Roy never expected that he would return to this cemetery just two weeks later.

You should know that the plaque on the cypress tree in front of Windsor's tomb was hung by him himself! The ceremony was simple: burial, planting the tree, and saying goodbye.

Jasper was in a bad mood.

As they left the cemetery, Abbott and Roy tried to find something lighthearted to talk about.

As Roy passed a hillside in the cemetery, he suddenly saw a familiar figure.

To be honest, we weren't that familiar... it's just that his attire and appearance were somewhat out of place among the elves of Castleton...

Since our last meeting at my doorstep, where we exchanged a few words, this Dark Moon Elf has vanished as if into thin air.

Roy thought he would never see him again in his life!

Unexpectedly, the two met in a cemetery. He was still wearing a very fitted leather armor, with a dagger hanging from his belt, short, choppy white hair, and ashen skin— the Dark Moon Elf who had come to investigate Jefferson's death.

Moreover, he was dressed in the standard Shadow Ranger outfit, as if he was afraid that others wouldn't realize he was an assassin.

He stood beside a cypress tree, gazing at Roy from afar. His eyes, like those of Mrs. Winnie's Night Blade Leopard, held a wary yet murderous glint.

So it makes no sense that Roy would have the illusion that a Blue Mackerel could solve the problem.

Roy greeted Jasper and Abbott, asking them to wait a moment, explaining that he had an acquaintance over there and needed to go say hello before leaving...

The main reason Roy made Jasper and Abbott wait for him was because he was worried that the Dark Moon Elf might suddenly do something impulsive.

Roy walked over and found the young Dark Moon Elf standing in front of Jefferson's tombstone.

The plaque on that cypress tree bears Jefferson's name; he was buried by the dock Guard Squad...

"I thought you had left Castleton a long time ago!"

"That's what I was planning to do too, but unfortunately things here haven't been settled yet, so I'll have to stay for a while longer."

"Want to track down Jefferson's killer? Fifty Kole, I can sell you portraits of those sailors. You know, these days even hiring an artist to paint a self-portrait costs more than that. I can give you five." Roy stood in front of Jefferson's grave, peddling Sabrina's paintings to the Dark Moon Elf.

The young Dark Moon Elf stared at Roy, a hint of disdain in his eyes, and glanced at Roy impatiently. "Their ship has long since left the dock, and besides, Jefferson is just a liaison here; he's not worth us doing this for."

Roy was somewhat disappointed to hear from the Dark Moon Elf that they had no intention of avenging Jefferson.

He couldn't help but sneer, "So you're staying here just to pay your respects to this compatriot lying in his grave?"

"Don't you think..."

The young Dark Moon Elf was somewhat annoyed; he wanted to rush over, grab Roy by the collar, and throw him out...

But seeing Roy's two companions a few dozen meters behind him, he decided to hold back in the end.

Seeing the Dark Moon Elf's hostile gaze, Roy quickly took a step back, spread his hands, and said:

"Okay, let's pretend we never met, since you didn't say anything to me anyway."

"..."

The Dark Moon Elf adopted a cold demeanor, completely ignoring Roy.

Roy smiled at him before turning and leaving.

Bonus chapter for Silver Grand Alliance member Canghai Yizhi Miao (8/100)