The procession of Magi slowly marched toward the depths of the Murky Mountains. The air was thick with the scent of damp moss and the soft fragrance of wildflowers. The trees in the forest stood tall, casting long shadows across the forest floor.
Although quite a lot of magical beasts had already been dealt with in the last battle, the Magi still moved cautiously, alert about any danger that could be lurking in the shadows.
Sometimes when the leaves would rustle, a few Magi would instantly turn vigilant and brandish their weapons. At other times, when someone would step on a twig, the Magi would go on high alert.
After all, this was the first time they had ventured into the Murky Mountains. Since childhood, they were told that the forests here were home to countless dangerous beasts and other magical species.
So it made sense that most of the Magi would be so cautious of their surroundings.
As the procession made their way into the forest, the light filtering through the canopy grew dimmer. Day turned into night, and night turned into day once again.
On the second day since they departed from Stardale, they arrived at a large clearing ringed by thick, ancient trees. It seemed as if the branches of these trees were forming a natural protective barrier around this clearing.
At the center of this clearing, a large number of people could be seen going about their day. It appeared that they were working in tandem to set up a large-scale camp.
"Looks like Magi from the other stronghold cities have arrived," Esmond muttered in slight surprise as he gazed at the people in the distance. He didn't expect these people to arrive here so quickly.
"But I'm sure there will be more arriving after us," Professor Kimberly replied as she nudged her glasses.
"Indeed." Magus Marcella nodded. "Anyhow, let us take our troops down there. They need to recuperate and be in the most optimal shape. Even if there aren't any orcs around this area, there sure are many beasts."
The Rank 2 Magi nodded and then proceeded to lead everyone behind them into the clearing.
Suddenly, a Magus wearing black robes and a cape, riding a majestic-looking white fox, came toward the front of the line and called out for Esmond, "Boss!"
Esmond turned around and saw that it was Adam. When he glanced at this youth, his lips involuntarily curled up, displaying a smile full of gratification. The other Rank 2 Magi were also the same.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})After all, they had all heard about this young man's feats in the Battle of Stardale. They were very proud of him, to say the least.
"What is it, boy?" Esmond asked in a good mood.
Adam first glanced at the other Magi looking at him and hesitated whether to talk about it now or not. But, in the end, he did it anyway.
"Me and the team are going to go to a secluded spot nearby," he spoke softly. "It's… it's for Galriel."
Esmond's expression turned somber. "I understand, I'll come with you as well."
"Forgive me, Magus Esmond, but I don't think you can afford to leave right now," Magus Marcella interjected. "We still have a lot of tasks that we need to finish."
The red-haired man glanced deeply at Marcella. In the end, he sighed. "You're right."
He turned back to look at Adam and gestured, "You all go ahead. I'll visit her when I'm free."
"Thank you, Boss."
"Don't go too far from the camp," Esmond warned.
"I understand," With that said, Adam turned around and returned to the back of the line where Edward, Lisa, and Farald were waiting for him.
…
In another small clearing about two hundred meters away from the expanse where all the other Magi had gathered, the air was filled with the melodic chirping of birds and the gentle rustles of the leaves in the breeze.
Adam, Edward, and Farald stood before a tall ash tree and started digging the soft and damp earth beside it. They did not use any magic. Instead, they did everything manually.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})A little distance away from them, Lisa knelt on the ground with tearful eyes as she gazed at Galriel's body that was wrapped in a white, cotton cloth before her.
The elf had been a skilled archer, a trustworthy comrade, and a beloved friend to them. Now, she lay silent and unmoving, her face tranquil in death.
After a while, Edward walked toward Lisa and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "It's time."
Lisa snapped out of her daze as she wiped her tears and nodded. "Mm."
The four of them slowly picked up Lisa's body, their faces marred by overwhelming sorrow. Then, they walked toward the ash tree and gently placed her body in the freshly dug grave. Soon after, they took up shovels and began to fill the grave with earth.
When the grave was filled, they stood around it, bowing their heads in a moment of silence. While the young men could fairly control their emotions, Lisa had it the worse. She just couldn't stop her tears from flowing.
It took Edward a great deal of effort to calm her down. After that, Lisa stepped forward with a small bouquet of wildflowers in her hands.
She gently placed the flowers over the grave and muttered softly, "We will remember you…
"Always."
As the group slowly turned around and started heading back one after the other, only Adam stayed behind.
"You… are you okay?" Edward asked in concern. "Want me to wait for you?"
"It's alright." Adam shook his head with a faint smile. "I'll be fine. I just need some time alone. Go take care of Lisa."
Edward deeply looked at him and nodded. "Alright, don't take too long." With that, he turned around and left.
Adam looked at Galriel's grave with a bitter smile. He sat down before it and took out a gourd of wine and two cups from his earring. As he filled both the cups, he muttered lightly, his tone laced with deep sadness,
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})"Where does a mortal go after death?
"Some say, their souls leave their physical bodies and journey to the Spirit World…
"Others say, they journey to an unknown place, waiting to be reincarnated…
"I wonder which one is true?"
The youth placed a wine cup before her friend's grave. His mouth opened and closed several times. Tears trickled down his face as he whispered, "I'm sorry for robbing you of that chance… I'm sorry…"
After a while, he wiped his tears and grabbed the other wine cup before making a toast.
He glanced at the grave with moist eyes and recited a poem.
"In the great cycle of life and death;
"A small seed takes root with every breath;
"In nature's cycle, life will always find its way;
"From seed to a towering tree in the light of the day;
"But seasons change and the river of time doesn't wane;
"The tree withers and turns to a seed, only to rise again."
Adam raised his head and glanced at the verdant leaves of the ash tree that were gently fluttering in the breeze.
It was just him, the tree, and the grave.
"Goodbye...
"My friend."
