Across the entire mountain range, dragon bones were being excavated at an excavation site.
In a secluded part of what was commonly known as the Dragon’s Tomb, bodies that were periodically recovered were cremated and given modest funerals.
Since there were casualties among the soldiers and adventurers who were clearing out the undead, it was necessary to commorate their sacrifice.
“…It’s said that a funeral represents the life one has lived.”
However, unlike usual, where comrades from the sa party or unit would visit, today’s funeral only had one attendee.
What was more unusual was that it was the Legion Commander overseeing the garrison, but what he uttered while looking down at the urn was closer to reproach than rembrance.
“Jang Cleo, the life you led was truly empty.”
Had those who ca to the garrison with him at least visited, perhaps he wouldn’t have felt this much resentnt.
Instead of visiting the funeral, they had simply left a note and gone off sowhere.
[If you go to the place written on this note, you will be able to recover his remains. Please conduct his funeral on behalf of Hyo-sung…]
It was a cruel act, if one were to call it that.
But if the reality was to resolve the foolish comrade’s lingering attachnt, it wouldn’t be fair to simply bla them.
Even knowing that obsessing over heroes of the past holds no aning in tis like these.
“…I’ll watch over it, but don’t expect anything more.”
Surely, he must be continuing so kind of mission even after his departure.
His death was entangled with various complex emotions, but Marcus ultimately suppressed all of it, intending to persevere in his own path.
What was needed to protect humanity was not exceptional heroes, but an army so strong that even those heroes were just a part of it.
This thought remained even after witnessing his death, leading to a resolution to soberly assess the legacy he left behind.
“You might see so potential in that man, but to , a hero is no more than one competent soldier.”
For now, it should be enough to watch over and support from behind.
With that, Marcus concluded the brief expression of condolence, ready to turn back to his mission.
“…He’s gone after all.”
Until he heard the murmuring of soone who suddenly appeared, as if to fill his absence.
“What…?”
Yes, now there was a woman occupying that spot.
Along with the apron wrapped around her body, the tools hanging from her belt indicated she was one of the artisans active in this garrison area.
“Until recently, I was waiting for the day I would die, but the youngster left before …. Is ti flowing too fast, or have I been too sluggish?”
However, more noticeable than that was the cigarette in her mouth.
The dull muttering and the strong smoke spreading alongside it were as intense as the scent of bones faintly wafting through the funeral site.
“…Did you know him?”
The visit of such a presence to a funeral that no one else attended was bound to arouse curiosity.
He stopped to ask, driven by such feelings, but she simply kept looking down at the urn in silence.
As if he didn’t matter at all to her.
“Hey, are you not listening to …?!”
Just as he was about to snap at her, her gaze shifted.
As soon as he t her gaze, his breath stopped, and his hardened gaze began to fix on her staring eyes.
“…Did you call for ?”
Her voice was tinged with fatigue, and her eyes carried a sense of decadence.
Just facing her cald his impatient heart, and he felt the discipline he had to maintain as a legion commander being undermined.
It was only for a brief mont.
Because he thought that all notions of authority might be aningless to the person before him.
“…Please refrain from smoking in the funeral site.”
Dismissing the montary discomfort as a misunderstanding, Marcus averted his gaze from her and spoke cautiously.
Was his voice lower than usual because of an inexplicable sense of alienation?
Even though such behavior might seem unsatisfactory, she simply removed the cigarette from her mouth and exhaled only the strong smoke.
“Does it matter? It seems there’s no one else here except for anyway.”
“It’s a matter of basic manners. Displaying an impure attitude at a funeral is not respectful to the deceased.”
Manners.
It was almost laughable, even to himself.
Rather than lighting up a cigarette in the first place, mocking the dead would be even more disrespectful.
“…That’s a laughable statent. To act politely in front of ashes.”
However, the woman’s scorn was not aid at her own behavior but at the statent itself.
Then, fixing her gaze on the urn, she swiftly removed the cigarette from her mouth and muttered bitterly.
“Of course, funerals perford by humans are ultimately a culture of the living. If we don’t cherish even these ashes and reflect on the past, the ti that has passed will beco aningless.”
“…Human?”
aningful murmuring flowed out with the smoke.
Feeling puzzled, Marcus, sensing the unease he had been feeling beco reality, took a step towards her.
“What exactly are you saying? You are…”
Perhaps the person in front of him was not rely an acquaintance but sothing dangerous.
“Legion Commander! Legion Commander, are you here?!”
A shout ca just as he was about to voice his suspicion.
Following that, the loud ringing of bells spread throughout the garrison area, causing Marcus’s expression to harden instantly.
This was not a re announcent.
This sound was reserved for a massive invasion from the outside.
“Commander! The undead are currently forming an army and heading this way! Please command swiftly!”
‘So, it has finally co.’
Having annihilated the enemy’s vanguard not long ago, he had anticipated that the opposing side would feel the crisis and engage in a full-scale war.
Hearing his aide’s shout from afar, Marcus composed himself and prepared to head to the frontline.
“Hey, rookie. Let give you a piece of advice.”
That was when a voice ca from behind.
Contrary to her previously detached deanor, the woman listening to the alarm spoke to him in a sharp voice.
“Co at , you corpses! I am Lee Jun-young from Anyang, Gyeonggi-do!”
-ROOOOAAARRR!!!
Imdiately after, a torrent of power was released from the enemy knight’s sword.
Exposed to it, Lee Jun-young’s body vanished without a trace.
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