Empty Grave

"Nun, I'm back!"

When Linsey returned to the church.

Red Moon sat alone on a wooden bench in the chapel, just like the scene Linsey used to see every day.

Only after hearing the voice of one's own father teaching his son.

Red Moon turned around and nodded slightly to Linsey: "You're back?"

The Nun's expression was calm and serene. Seeing her tranquil eyes, Linsey immediately felt much more at ease.

He then stepped forward and chatted with Red Moon about his life over the past two days.

Only after the usual conversation ended did he reveal why he had come back today:

"Nun, I was also present when the Distant Hunt party was involved."

"Those two deceased hunters should be having their funerals soon, right?"

Red Moon nodded slightly:

"Anrui sent someone over last night."

"Their remains could not be recovered, so they can only be buried in Empty Grave."

"..."

As expected.

Linsey closed her eyes slightly and sighed.

How could a human possibly leave behind a corpse when they were killed in Devil Beast horde, especially when the monsters were ferocious and starving?

After composing herself, Linsey continued, "Does the burial ceremony need any changes?"

Linsey previously worked at a church and had never dealt with this type of Empty Grave burial before, hence the question.

Red Moon explained calmly, "Only the prayer will change, and the clothes will replace the corpse; everything else will remain the same."

Linsey was already quite familiar with the standard burial procedures.

After confirming that there were no other changes needed, he decided to do some preliminary preparations.

But at this moment, the image of the Red Moon was reflected in his pupils.

Linsey inevitably thought of something.

Have the two rival groups in the town tried to win over Red Moon?

Red Moon is an awakened individual in the Fourth Stage of the School of Death. Before advancing to the Fifth Stage of the Ascender, this school has virtually no special abilities against the living, but it has absolute power to suppress the dead.

Considerations regarding strength.

The awakened ones in the town shouldn't do anything out of line to Red Moon.

But the problem lies in Red Moon's identity.

The School of Death enjoys a high reputation among ordinary people, and in order to win people's hearts, it is probably inevitable that it will be harassed.

Thinking of this, Linsey asked with concern:

"Nun, there's been a lot of conflict in town lately. Is there anything I can help with?"

Linsey phrased it rather tactfully.

Although Red Moon rarely left the church, she was aware of such an important event and immediately nodded in affirmation:

"I know they came, but I turned them all away."

Linsey breathed a sigh of relief before continuing to inquire about Red Moon's attitude:

What are your thoughts on this matter?

Red Moon shook her head slightly:

"The work of the School of Death is quite special; they should not comment on the thoughts of others."

For others, this one sentence is enough for Red Moon.

But the Linsey in front of her is her godson.

After a few seconds of contemplation, Red Moon, in her capacity as Godmother, added, "Linsey, I am a member of the School of Death, so I must be even more cautious about things that can lead to death."

"..."

"I see."

Linsey nodded seriously.

After his conversation with Red Moon ended, he began to prepare the necessary things for the funeral.

The hunter's body cannot be retrieved now.

But all the proper burial rites will be performed without exception.

This is not just a religious ceremony in form, but also a sign of respect for the deceased, and should not be taken lightly.

Linsey arrived at the church at the crack of dawn.

By the time he was ready, the sun had fully risen.

Inside the now brightened chapel, other townspeople are arriving one after another.

The coffin prepared by the village Carpenter was also transported over.

Two cedar coffins sat in the center of the chapel. Although they were empty, the people around them couldn't help but show awe for death when they saw these coffins, which symbolized death.

Immediately afterwards, the deceased hunter's relatives arrived.

They brought the deceased's clothes and placed them in the coffin. Then Linsey wrote the two hunters' deeds on an oak plaque, placed it on top of the clothes, and then nailed seven coffin nails in.

Three years of church life taught Linsey to handle everything properly, in accordance with regulations, and with perfect etiquette.

Red Moon was mainly responsible for prayer and taking care of the townspeople who came to the church.

Before long, the chapel became more and more crowded.

Before the funeral began, Linsey thought it would be relatively simple.

After all, the counterattack against the Devil Beast has not yet begun, and many people in the town are busy with their own things.

Even ordinary townspeople.

We also need to consider how to stockpile supplies during this food-scarce winter so that we can get through the next three months as safely as possible.

But as a result, the funeral was still quite large in scale.

About thirty people participated in the memorial service, including Anrui and Suo Mu Jin, who also came into the chapel to join in.

Linsey's attention naturally fell on the two of them.

Compared to the tense atmosphere yesterday morning, Anrui now has a confident smile back on his face.

Suo Mu Jin frowned and looked downcast.

The two did not exchange a single word.

However, the funeral proceeded smoothly, and no disrespect for the deceased occurred.

It wasn't until the Empty Grave was erected at the cemetery, and the two hunters' relatives and friends had paid their respects and left, that the ceremony was held.

Suo Mu Jin behaved very honestly throughout the entire funeral process.

Only when Linsey was alone did the old merchant approach him and ask in a serious voice, "Linsey, I heard you went to the Lord's manor last night?"

This guy also knew about the counterattack plan against Devil Beast and realized that it was a plan to divert attention from the conflict.

Linsey sensed Suo Mu Jin's probing, so she simply replied:

"I'm cultivating cold-resistant crops. Yesterday I went there and Uncle Anrui said he would send someone to help me find some wild parent plants for my crops."

"..."

Linsey's answer has already demonstrated his attitude.

Suo Mu Jin understood Linsey's meaning and knew that as the counterattack against the Devil Beast unfolded, he would definitely be at a disadvantage.

The businessman didn't say anything more at that moment.

He nodded slightly, then retreated back into the departing crowd and quickly disappeared from sight.

Half a day has passed.

The burial ceremony for the two hunters was now over.

Linsey originally wanted to explain to Red Moon her plan to go back to the church for two days.

But Red Moon gazed at Linsey with deep eyes and then said, "Don't worry about me."

"Linsey, you have more important things to do, don't you?"

Red Moon's words made Linsey's heart skip a beat, leaving her speechless.

He eventually accepted Red Moon's advice and prepared to return to the cabin, focusing wholeheartedly on what he needed to do now.

And on the way back...

Just as Linsey walked to the statue of the great explorer in the center of town, Alan called out to him.

Alan's face showed complete trust.

He had no doubt that Linsey would join.

He walked up to them, simply smiled, and briefly informed them of the matter and the time:

"Three days later, Lord Anrui will organize a team to launch a counterattack against those berserk Devil Beast."

"Linsey, remember to bring enough arrows!"