323 Leave 1 (1/2)
Chapter 323: Leave 1
Garen stood in front of the memorial tower in the inner city, wearing a golden adonis flower. Standing alone in the line of people dressed in black, Garen didn’t stand out in the slightest.
Everyone in front and behind him stood in a straight line, making offerings to the Grand Duke’s body one by one. Those who had offered their flowers walked away quietly, and stood to a side. The people behind him followed suit quietly.
In the wide memorial hall, everyone somehow came to an unseen agreement to not make any sound.
In the large grey-white hall, next to a pyramid-shaped memorial tower, there were the Grand Duke’s remains. His body had been frozen by a platinum-colored, amber-like translucent metal.
Garen didn’t recognize the people in front of and behind him, but the shimmering ripples around everyone prove that nobody here was weak. With all these people lined up here, only he had a Form One totem user’s Totem Light.
Everyone else was either a Form Three or Form Two totem user, their bodies covered with the thick scent of blood.
Anyone who could survive safely in these times, would definitely be an executioner whose hands were stained with the blood of countless monsters.
Soon, it was his turn.
Garen took one step forward, and put the adonis flower in his hand in front of the crystal coffin lightly. He bowed, and turned to the left.
He glanced over. It was compact with people, but he didn’t recognize a single one.
The people were gathered in twos or threes, speaking softly. Some stood alone at a side, their expressions cold. Not far away, a heavy air hung over the nobles.
Garen didn’t see Goth anywhere.
After the Grand Duke expended his life to clash with that strange bird yesterday, the army of monsters suffered a heavy loss, and finally retreated. That strange bird was also grievously hurt, and flew away pathetically to save its life.
The situation had been temporarily stabilized.
But Goth had vanished without a trace.
Garen sighed. At first he had only come here to meet Goth for his own personal gain, but he didn’t think that after seeing the scenes from history with his own eyes, he would feel rather upset inside.
Soon enough, a middle-aged man and woman entered the memorial hall, both wearing platinum armor, covered by a white robe with silver edges.
”Lady Vesta, Lord Kanan.” The receptionist went up to them and greeted them respectively.
”The situation is urgent, we can only stay for a short while.” The man, Kanan, nodded solemnly. He and Vesta were now the strongest Form Three totem users in the inner city. Although they were still far from as strong as the Grand Duke, the monsters were obviously too afraid to really bear down on the inner city after the fright from the previous battle. The situation had also calmed down significantly.
A group of people surrounded the two of them respectfully as they walked to the coffin. Some asked about the situation, some were worried, some wanted a guarantee.
Most of the people went up to them, surrounding them in hopes of getting the answer they wanted.
Garen gave the center a wide berth, feeling suddenly frustrated at the rather noisy situation inside.
Turning around and leaving the hall, he raised his gaze to look. The surroundings were echoing empty, and he could barely see anyone anymore. There were only a few lonely people with numb expressions walking on the road. Most of them had already ducked into the defense fortifications that had been built in advance.
Garen had already searched everywhere, but hadn’t caught even a glimpse of Goth’s shadow.
It was empty inside the city now, there were too many places for him to hide. Walking on the main street, he wandered for a bit but eventually decided to leave the inner city through the underground tunnels.
”Garen?”
A confused voice came from a passing carriage.
Garen turned around, and looked towards the black carriage that had stopped beside him.
”You are?”
The carriage door curtain was pulled aside, revealing a solemn man’s face. ”I saw you that at Goth’s house. Won’t you come up for a chat?”
Garen hesitated. ”Alright.”
He pulled aside the curtain, entered the carriage, and sat on the man’s right.
The carriage gave a slight jolt, and started moving again.
The man looked at the street outside calmly. ”That day I went to investigate Goth’s house, and just happened to see you walking out from inside. How is it? Do you know the situation?”
Garen shook his head. ”I’m completely in the fog right now. Goth was controlled by someone and killed his own father, but who on earth controlled him? And what’s up with Jessica?”
The man’s face flashed with a hint of heaviness.
”We’ve already started our initial investigations on this matter, but only a few higher-ups know about it. All of this started with Goth’s mother, Jeanria Jess.”
”Jess?” Garen’s gaze grew serious.
”You know about it too?” The man glanced at Garen in surprise. ”As a Form One totem user, you sure are well-informed. Since I happened to meet you on the street, I might as well explain the situation to you, so you can help to advise Goth if you ever meet him.”
Garen nodded.