Boom!
Near noon, a peal of thunder rolled through the low-hanging clouds, and torrential rain began to fall.
Raindrops pattered down in unbroken strings.
Pedestrians hurried to take shelter.
Even as they sought shelter, however, they watched the people lined up along Forest City's main street with intense curiosity.
It was a sizable contingent. Starting at the Temple in the heart of Forest City, two people stood facing each other every three meters, stretching all the way to the city's entrance.
But what most caught the passersby's attention was their attire.
Every one of them wore gleaming helmets and armor.
The longswords at their waists seemed sharp even within their scabbards.
On the large kite shields standing before them, blood-red crows spread their wings against black backgrounds.
Anyone who saw those shields could almost hear crows cawing in their ears.
What had happened?
The passersby speculated.
As residents of Forest City, however, they knew the wisest course of action.
They watched without asking questions.
They certainly wouldn't get in the way.
The unfortunate fools who had failed to take the hint in the past had long since taught them the consequences.
Under all those watching eyes, Hayden Ao waited anxiously.
He shouldn't have been so anxious, but whenever he thought of everything Lotus had told him, the head of the Funeral Society's Forest City branch could no longer contain himself.
He had long yearned for the Funeral Society's independence.
He had had enough of living at another's mercy.
Even with restrictions remaining under their new exalted patron, the shackles that had been removed were enough to make him give his utmost and ensure that he carried out the Exalted One's orders.
Whoosh, splatter!
The rain grew heavier.
Even Hayden Ao's vision was obstructed.
Fortunately, the technology already available ensured that