According to the "common sense" Shade had heard from the Coachman, Underground Tombs were the most expensive, while among aboveground graves, plots beneath trees were slightly pricier than the rest. Being buried beneath a tree represented noble character in literary works.
The chirping of cicadas filled the air. The weather was somewhat overcast, so the Sun's rays striking the ground were very dim. It seemed as though it was about to rain. Yet even such weak sunlight made the two souls grow fainter and fainter.
Just like the legends from the Outlander's homeland, souls could not remain exposed to sunlight for too long. Of course, malicious spirits born from Relics or other powerful evil forces were highly resistant to sunlight.
The entrance to the Underground Tomb soon came into view. The group stopped and let the Gravedigger, who had been following behind the crowd, unlock the door with his ring of keys. Burial Objects in the Underground Tomb were placed directly around the coffins, so one had to be especially wary of ill-intentioned nighttime visitors. Besides the Gravedigger's own vigilance, the three layers of barred gates outside the Underground Tomb were also an important means of protecting this place.
And apart from the gates here, every underground burial chamber had its own barred gate. Still, not everyone in the funeral party could go down. Only the deceased's relatives were permitted to enter the tomb, and Shade was certainly not among them.
So his next task was to wait aboveground. Once Mrs. Wosente returned to the surface, she could settle the bill with him. It was not yet four o'clock, and Shade would have plenty of time later to visit Mr. Sparrow before returning to the city for dinner.
By the time he got home, Miss Annette and Miss Bayes would