A massive crowd gathered in the street.
The barrier that had been protecting them was gone, and due to the recent invasion by the witch, magic had spread close to the city, leaving them in a state of fear; yet, so many people had come out.
The reason all these people braved their fears to take to the streets was that today was the day to bid farewell to those who had sacrificed themselves to protect them from the Gluttony Witch.
“Well then, we will set off now.”
Soon, a procession bearing the coffin passed through the street where people lined up.
The procession, which started from the outskirts of the city, was headed toward the crematorium in the city center.
“Ugh, hic…”
“May they rest in peace there…”
The returning procession led by the families and friends of the heroes who had fallen while defending the city carried the meaning of bringing them to a peaceful resting place.
People watched the procession, shedding tears or bowing their heads in silent tribute to those who had departed.
“…We have arrived.”
The procession carrying the coffins finally reached the crematorium after a long passage through the lined streets.
The reason the destination was the crematorium was that, given the limited land they had, all funerals were conducted through cremation.
Though there were occasionally those who found it hard to endure burning the bodies of their family, today— for better or worse— there was no issue of that nature at all.
As a result of approaching the Gluttony Witch, the bodies had all been transformed and scattered by magic, leaving not even a single strand of hair behind.
So what filled the coffins now were not the corpses but the personal belongings of the deceased.
And thus, the funeral proceeded in an even more solemn atmosphere.
The absence of bodies meant there had been fierce battles, and it indicated that those who had departed had sacrificed themselves to protect everyone.
The remaining ones had the duty to live on, ensuring they would remember their sacrifices for the rest of their lives.
“Well then, we will proceed with the cremation.”
“Ah…”
Soon, the procedure for the cremation began.
The families of the deceased, despite the coffins containing only belongings, found it hard to part with the coffins.
They felt that the moment they let go of the coffins was the moment their loved ones would leave them forever.
But now was the time to finally let them go.
A funeral serves not only for the departed but also as a ritual for those who remain.
The dead do not return.
Accepting that truth was never an easy task; however, the remaining ones, holding back tears, made an effort to gather their feelings and let the coffins go.
“Miss Scarlet, the fire.”
“…Yes.”
The coffins were placed side by side on the ground for all to see, and Scarlet, who had fought alongside them in this battle, lit the flames on the lined coffins.
As the coffins were quietly engulfed in flames, Mark Aegis, the principal of Aegis Academy, began his commemorative speech on behalf of the fallen.
Natalia and Leon were Mark’s former students from the academy, and Eve was like family to him, which is why he was given the honor to deliver the eulogy.
“Today, we are here to bid farewell to the heroes who sacrificed themselves to protect humanity.
They dedicated their lives not just on this occasion but throughout their entire existence to humanity, leaving this world as heroes until their very last moment.
We must always remember their sacrifice.”
Mark looked at the left coffin among the three at the front.
“Natalia Eloise was an outstanding hero.
She was a courageous hero who stepped forward to the front lines more than anyone else, and a dedicated leader who perfectly executed every mission entrusted to her.
Even when faced with the situation of sacrificing her own life, she remained steadfast.
I remember when she was still a student at the academy and unexpectedly became pregnant.
However, none of the teachers who saw her were overly concerned.
They believed in her, knowing that she would manage excellently under any circumstances.
And I felt the same when I saw Marine Eloise, who entered the academy.
Seeing her grow up so splendidly, I realized that Natalia had indeed succeeded as both a hero and a parent, just as she had hoped.
I am convinced that if everyone in the world could put in as much effort as Natalia did, the world would undoubtedly be a much better place.”
A faint sobbing sound could be heard from somewhere.
It was the sound of Marine, Natalia’s daughter, struggling to hold back her tears.
With her eyes wide open, Marine stared straight at the burning coffin while suppressing her sobs.
Mark looked at the flames reflected in her eyes and thought about how that determination to face the potentially frightening reality resembled Natalia.
Though she had recently gone through difficult times, just by looking into her eyes, he could tell she would manage to overcome it.
He then turned his attention to the coffin on the right side among the lined coffins.
“Leon Lionel was a marvelous hero.
Those who knew him will surely remember.
Whenever trouble arose, he was there faster than anyone to solve the worries of others.
He truly was the fastest hero in this world.
But he wasn’t always that fast from the start.
In the past, he lagged behind compared to his peers among the academy students.
Having served as principal for some time, I’ve seen many students, and I’ve watched as some lost heart before the wall of talent.
However, Leon was different.
He did not give up until he found his own talent and ultimately blossomed on his own without anyone’s help.
Of course, many might argue that if he truly had no talent, he couldn’t have grown so strong.
But I dare say that his true talent was in never giving up, regardless of the situation.
His indomitable spirit, the way he stood back up against any obstacle, is something we all should emulate.”
Mark said this before gently glancing at Leonor, who was quietly watching her father’s coffin ablaze.
Unlike others, who were struggling to contain their sorrow, she appeared remarkably composed, accepting her father’s death.
She likely understood that her father would want her to overcome it and live with a smile rather than dwell in sadness.
In her demeanor, Mark saw a reflection of Leon when he had lost his wife, saying, “My wife entrusted me with our daughter. I can’t be downcast; I must face her.”
Mark momentarily felt tears welling up in his eyes.
However, recalling that there were still those he needed to honor, he collected his thoughts and spoke again.
Among the lined coffins, he focused on the one that had not yet received an eulogy.
Looking toward Eve’s coffin.
“Eve was a teacher deserving of respect.
She was, she was…”
Mark, who had begun to recite Eve’s eulogy, could not help but pause midway.
His emotions overwhelmed him, making it impossible to hold back his tears.
It couldn’t be helped.
Eve was no different from family to him.
Taking a moment to regain his composure, Mark wiped his tears and continued the tribute.
Naturally, wiping once wasn’t enough to stop the tears from flowing.
“…She was our teacher and our benefactor.
For many long years, we received her guidance and help.
She dedicated herself to humanity more than anyone else.
Even though she was a witch.”
Mark remembers when he learned the secret of Eve from his father and inherited her contract.
At that time, Mark’s father had told him.
“She has done many things for humanity all this while. So whatever she seeks, see to it that you fulfill her wishes as much as possible…”
Knowing all the truths, Mark had promised wholeheartedly.
He had not known that Eve longed for death.
For Mark, Eve had been like family since childhood, so he had naturally wished she would not die.
But having watched her for a long time, Mark found he could no longer stop her.
Seeing her slowly losing strength and occasionally suffering because of it, he could no longer plead for her to regain her power.
He was the only one in the world who knew her secret.
How could he stop Eve, who had yearned for humanity but had realized it was impossible, who at the very least wished to die like a human?
So Mark thought he would carry that sorrow and that secret alone until Eve passed away.
It just so happened that everyone ended up discovering her secret.
“…You may not know. She wished to be human more than anything else in her life.
Having lived among humans her entire life, she desired more than anything to be like them.”
Once, he had joined Eve at a prominent hero’s funeral.
Watching the sight of many people shedding tears in remembrance, Mark noticed a peculiar expression on Eve’s face despite her sorrow.
He had asked her what she was thinking.
In response, Eve said:
“I was just wondering… when I die someday, will people cry for me like that? If so many people are grieving, it means I must have lived a good life… Haha, but who knows if I’ll actually die?”
Eve had replied with a slight smile that expressed her yearning, but Mark sensed that a bittersweet tone was hidden beneath that smile.
Now, he felt he understood why.
Eve likely thought that if she died, being honored as a human while concealing her identity as a witch would be deceiving to them.
But what did reality hold, contrary to her concerns?
Mark observed as Eve’s coffin was transported.
He witnessed the many people in the street crying over her death.
Despite the revelation of her identity as a witch, they mourned her pure and unprejudiced.
When the funeral concluded, Eve’s name would be inscribed on the memorial alongside the names of countless others who had sacrificed their lives.
She would be engraved on a monument for humanity’s history and their sake.
Yet, no one rejected that.
Could it not be a testament to the life she had lived?
“Maybe this is why. From what I’ve seen, she was more human than any of us.
She genuinely taught her students, always giving for the sake of others, and
sacrificed herself until her very last moment.
She truly lived and died like a human being.
So I will remember her not as a witch but as a human being.
That was what she had wished for throughout her life.
And I hope, if possible, you all feel the same.”
Mark pleaded with the people.
That they remember Eve as a human being.
There was no immediate response.
But a response was unnecessary.
The sight of everyone shedding tears while mourning her death was, in essence, their answer.
If you were to see this scene, you would likely be pleased.
Thinking that, Mark softly murmured, wanting to convey this happening to her.
“……Did you see this?
Your life was so beautiful that so many people mourned your passing.
So now, please rest easy.
Eve.
Born a witch,
yet
died a human.”
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