Chapter 185 - A Flower Field for the Future
When we returned from Clad Family’s territory to the Headquarters, the conflict with the McDallian Family was mostly settled. Each team had pushed through with relentless effort, achieving their objectives beyond expectations. Even the combat teams that hadn’t returned yet were only dealing with mop-up operations, so it wouldn’t be long before everything was wrapped up.
After a brief information exchange with the executives on standby, I decided to hold a full executive meeting the next day—well, technically today, but in the afternoon. We needed to have a thorough discussion about future plans during that meeting.
I allowed the members who weren’t on duty to rest, and I collapsed onto my bed, reflecting on the long day while drifting into a doze. It all started when the Commerce Guild board member, Jallens, showed up unannounced during the late afternoon. He reported that there were ridiculous rumors spreading about someone from the Kikyo Society being seen with someone from the Legisamo Cartel. I dismissed them as lies, but some people had fallen for it.
As the sun set, the McDallian Family, having been misled by the false information, took action. They might not have cared whether the rumors were true or not. After all, we were already enemies, and the Anastasia Union, associated with the betrayers of the Gandrault Gang, was a natural target. For the McDallians, it was just another reason to attack us.
The McDallian Family launched a full-scale assault, wreaking havoc in our territory and attacking our members. The worst part was the delivery truck that exploded at the Headquarters, disguised as a routine delivery. The Kikyo Society suffered heavy casualties, making it the worst incident in our history. It’s hard to process the loss, but one thing is certain: this must never happen again. We need to develop a solid strategy to prevent it.
After dinner, I gathered the executives at the Headquarters to brief them on the situation and solidified our resolve to take down the McDallian Family. We spent time gathering information to ensure a decisive victory, and the retaliation began in the early hours of the next day. I even used my ace card, employing unprecedented offensive magic.
It was late at night when we confronted the Clad Family. We encountered a red mist magical device, a purification device, and even a barrier magic device. The explosion was a stark reminder of the McDallian attack. Despite the chaos, I managed to fight a legendary swordsman, which cleared some of the lingering frustration, but many questions remained unanswered.
I tasked the Intelligence Bureau with investigating and organizing the information, and once we exchanged data with the Clad Family and the Anastasia Union, the bigger picture would start to come into focus.
Sigh. At least one phase was over. I returned just before dawn, but it had been a long, long day. So much had happened in a single day, but the overwhelming emotion was sorrow. Losing comrades is a shock that doesn’t fade easily. It’s a bitter memory that will likely stay with me for life.
...Today was exhausting. I decided to stop overthinking and just go to sleep. I finally managed to drift off at a time when I would usually be waking up.
When I awoke, the sky was unusually dark and damp. It was supposed to be midday, but the weather was clearly poor.
This time of year, spring is in full bloom, making everything feel pleasant. It’s a shame we don’t have time to enjoy it.
After a quick shower and a quick meal, I prepared for the day ahead. There was important business to attend to.
Balgar Clad had assured me there were no more enemy movements, and Josephine and Ortlinde agreed. Therefore, we kept the alert to a minimum and arranged for the necessary tasks. The only members who couldn’t be spared were those essential to ongoing operations. The rest of us gathered near Lily’s farm.
The outskirts of the city were mostly barren land.
A portion of this wasteland was land the Kikyo Society had secured, though it had never been used before. It was purchased as a cemetery. Given the nature of our organization, where members often face life-threatening situations, it’s only natural that we have a dedicated burial ground. Many of our members are orphans, and having a place to lay them to rest is essential. While there are other areas in the city where graves are located, we chose to have our own for various reasons. We have the necessary permits, so it’s a legal cemetery. We’ve covered all our bases.
Under the overcast sky, we gathered in our dark cloaks, respectfully placing the coffins in the prepared graves and covering them with thick cloth. Normally, the deceased would be laid directly in the ground, but the lightweight aluminum alloy coffins were to be disposed of at this moment.
Burial methods vary by region and religion, but in the Kikyo Society, unless there are special requests, we follow the standard practices of the Kingdom of Brenark. We invited a priest from the polytheistic religion widely followed on the continent to conduct the funeral.
While I don’t have a deep interest in religion beyond its customs, I believe farewell rituals are important for the living. For the sake of everyone and the dignity of the deceased, I didn’t skimp on the contributions to the church, ensuring we had a high-ranking priest.
The unfamiliar ritual, conducted by the priest in black vestments, involved solemn incantations and purification spells, creating a clean and solemn atmosphere. We watched with solemnity, our emotions heightened.
Sobs and cries of grief filled the air. These were not just acquaintances but close friends. They were free to grieve. This was the place for it.
I don’t deny the existence of a higher power, but I can’t bring myself to trust or feel affection for it. I don’t pray to the gods, but I do offer silent prayers for each of the deceased, remembering them in my heart.
After a while, the ceremony concluded.
“Please return the departed to the heavens,” the priest said.
This meant we were to cremate and bury them. Depending on the situation, the method can vary, but we could handle it ourselves. We used magical flames for the cremation and then buried the remains. There was no need to rely on others.
We returned our comrades to the heavens with our own hands. Even someone like me, who isn’t religious, felt the significance of this act.
The cries grew louder, but no one stopped. We poured our emotions into the magic, burning and laying them to rest.
For the final part of the ceremony, we decided to add a Kikyo Society touch. Lily, her eyes brimming with tears, stepped forward. She usually wears white, but today she was dressed in dark colors.
As she took a prayerful pose, a shower of flowers rained down from the cloudy sky. Red, white, yellow, pink, and purple petals, large and small, filled the air. With so many varieties, there must have been one that each of the departed girls loved.
The petals continued to fall, covering the ground.
After the ceremony, the priest left, and we gathered in front of the monument. It was a sturdy, large structure made of Nova Ore, resistant to almost any damage. The surface, coated with Ariston White faux marble, was more durable than the real thing. This grand monument was a shared grave for Kikyo Society members.
On the front, an inscription read:
"Gathered under the Kikyo crest, they rest here.
Beneath this silent stone, they shine even in the depths of hell.
To those who see this, offer your prayers.
To those who ignore it, may disaster befall you.
To those who seek to desecrate it, hell awaits."
When we read this inscription, a small smile might appear. Even as we read it together, a hint of a smile appeared on the faces of the members.
The inscription was created with the help of the members at the time, and I plan to join them here one day. Thinking about it, it’s a pretty cool epitaph.
On the back, the names of the thirteen deceased were etched in small letters. I hope it will be a long time before more names are added.
“We should head back. We need to switch with the others,” I said.
“I’m going back too. I have a tight schedule even during times like this,” someone else added.
The members who were still lingering were gradually led away by their peers. We had to return to our daily lives; there was always work to do.
Valeria, Frederica, and I were the last to remain. Lily, who had also stayed, approached us.
“Um, can we turn this place into a flower field? I can take care of it between farm work.”
The idea of turning the grave site into a flower field, a place where the ashes of our members would rest, was intriguing. The thought of them blooming as beautiful flowers wasn’t bad.
“Lily, I think that’s a great idea. It’s really good.”
“Yes, it’s a wonderful idea, Lily. Thank you. I’m sure they would be happy, and I would appreciate it.”
Hmm, it’s a good idea. The more I think about it, the better it seems.
A flower field on the outskirts. A solitary grave marker in the middle of a wasteland is a lonely sight. We could buy the surrounding land and turn it into a grand flower field.
A beautiful place naturally draws people. A quiet, almost deserted space might have its charm, but a bit of liveliness would be more appreciated. Even if the Kikyo Society no longer exists, the Nova Ore and faux marble monument will likely remain, surrounded by a flower field, for decades or centuries. That doesn’t seem like a bad outcome.
Thinking ahead, if people start gathering here, we could set up a small tea house or restaurant. We could sell souvenirs inspired by flowers. Thanks to the Elegance Balloon, we know there are many flower enthusiasts, and if we do it right, it could become a popular spot.
This would create jobs for the shop and for maintaining the flower field and cemetery. While it might seem mercenary to think about profit, it’s a fact that without it, the place wouldn’t last. We can’t rely on Lily indefinitely, and an untended place can quickly become overgrown. The ideal is a system that can sustain itself without strain.
I got a bit carried away with the details, but ultimately, if the resting place of the Kikyo Society members can remain beautiful, that would be a wonderful thing.
“Hey, I have an idea, more like a spontaneous thought...”
With the right authority and practical people in the room, my suggestion was quickly approved. The rest would be handled well.