Chapter 346: A Funeral for the Late Prince Kelin

The Underworld, the Demon Capital, Higher Demon Academy.

Inside a pavilion draped in hidden vines and man-eating flowers, Vivian, wearing a pitch-black satin dress with ruffled lace, rested her chin on her hands. She gazed thoughtfully at the lower-year students coming and going outside the garden, though her mind had already flown to the distant human world.

She heard her brother had snuck into the Empire again to stir up trouble recently. He hadn't replied to her letters in a long time, and she had no idea how he was doing.

She wasn't worried about him being in danger; after all, her brother wasn't an ordinary demon—he was a demon among demons. Even she, who had fought her way to invincibility at the Higher Demon Academy, was no match for him. Surely, no human could do anything to him.

Besides—

He had even learned that evil magic known as Holy Light!

Recalling that heart-wrenching memory, a flush of crimson rose to Vivian's cheeks. Her slightly curled pinky finger unconsciously slid to the corner of her mouth, and she bit down gently with her fangs.

Just as she was lost in thought, Nan Fu, who was sitting opposite her flipping through a book, suddenly sneezed without warning. With an "Achoo!", he nearly sprayed snot everywhere.

Vivian frowned slightly, casting a look of mild disgust at the boy.

"What's wrong with you now?"

Nan Fu scratched his head in embarrassment, his face turning red as he whispered.

"I, I don't know. Lately, I've had this feeling that someone is thinking of me... Do you think it could be the Elder Brother?"

Vivian chuckled upon hearing this, her small, pert nose crinkling with a hint of pride and showmanship.

"How could that be? If the honorable Elder Brother were thinking of anyone, it would be the elegant, graceful, charming, and wickedly imposing me... Besides, you haven't even seen his face, have you?"

Nan Fu stole a glance at her, amazed that a vampire could be this shameless.

However, she was right about one thing: he had never met Luo Yan... at least, not face-to-face.

As for the reason, that was Vivian's mouth to blame.

In her descriptions, that unfathomable Demon King had become the very embodiment of evil, eating children as if they were snacks.

To the point where, for a long time, his legs would tremble whenever he heard the Elder Brother's name.

Let alone meeting him, he avoided him like the plague.

Of course, as time passed, he gradually realized there was exaggeration in his older sister's words—she just wanted to make the Demon King who had once defeated her sound more formidable.

"Sigh..."

"What are you sighing for?"

"Nothing," Nan Fu shook his head, muttering, "I was just thinking, if only I had the chance to meet him once..."

Although Mr. Luo Yan had not accepted the embrace of the Kelin family and still retained his human bloodline, he couldn't be considered family in the true sense. Yet, emotionally, he quite wanted such an outstanding and reliable elder brother.

On the other side of the world, the Shengcheng of the Aus Empire.

The solemn and majestic Saint Clement Cathedral was packed with people; every bench was filled.

The midday sun shone through the massive stained-glass windows, casting bizarre and mottled patterns across the wide marble floor.

Black silk and holy lilies decorated the towering pillars and altar, and the air was filled with the fragrance of incense mixed with burning candles... it was a scent that brought peace to the soul.

Dressed in black mourning clothes, Luo Yan sat quietly on a bench inside the cathedral, praying devoutly alongside the Holy Light nobles present.

His face was filled with heaviness and sorrow, for the one about to be buried was his "father"—the previous Prince of the Kelin family, the noble and great "Prince Watching Nan Fu Kelin."

Incidentally, this name wasn't a typo; it was set this way on purpose.

Although no one on the surface knew such obscure knowledge as the "genealogy of the Underworld nobility," considering this was a funeral, he decided it was better to avoid his real name. He hadn't copied the Kelin family genealogy entirely, after all.

A sorrowful and solemn atmosphere hung over the heads of everyone attending the funeral.

Everyone remained silent, and the hall was plunged into stillness, with only the low and solemn prayers of Pope Gregory IX echoing through the cathedral.

Edmond Dantès, sitting in the corner, had a face full of sorrow, while his wife, Anna, was even more heartbroken, squeezing out a few tears and gently dabbing the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, careful not to smudge her foundation.

"Prince Kelin is truly pitiful... losing his father's love at such a young age. This poor young man must surely need a shoulder to lean on right now. Sophia, if he can't hold himself together in a moment, remember to lend him your handkerchief."

That was not a feigned emotion; she had truly immersed herself in the situation and had even moved herself to tears.

"Yes, Mother." Sophia, with tearstains of emotion on her cheeks, sobbed softly.

Like her mother, her heartache was genuine, and her desire to become a pillar of support for Prince Kelin was equally sincere.

Even her brother, Lucien, was just as eager to become a pillar of support for Prince Kelin.

He dreamed of becoming a knight, and it would be even better if he could add the title "Saint" before that knightly rank.

Among the family, perhaps only six-year-old Emily was crying the most sorrowfully and from the bottom of her heart.

However, her crying was not because of some distant relative she had never met, but because she had suddenly received terrible news this morning—she would never be able to go to Lady Agnes's school for girls again, as her father had found her a tutor who graduated from the Empire's top institution to teach her "truly useful knowledge."

And this also meant that she might truly never see her good friends again...

This grand funeral touched the hearts and minds of every citizen in the Shengcheng.

When the knights escorting the coffin from the harbor stepped into the square before St. Clement's Cathedral, whether noble or lowly, wealthy or poor, every pair of eyes turned toward the Imperial Eagle flag draped over the coffin, offering heartfelt prayers and blessings to the respected Prince.

Praise be to Watching Nan Fu Kelin; he continued the bloodline of the Kelin family, allowing the Empire's glory on the Janna Continent to endure.

Praise be to this great father, who raised a child of noble character, brought the glory of the Kelin family back to the Empire, and extended the Empire's interests across 7 million square kilometers of unfamiliar land!

The bells of mourning tolled three times.

Citizens placed white bouquets on the ground and silently made the sign of the cross over their chests.

Under those heartfelt, pious prayers, a soft radiance descended from the sky, enveloping the spire of the sacred cathedral.

That holy light contained the power to cleanse the soul, and all evil would have nowhere to hide before it.

It is a pity, however—

Even the "Will of the Masses," which transcends the "Extraordinary," cannot easily cross the high walls within the human heart.

Gregory IX, bathed in the holy light, continued to chant in a solemn voice, gently placing his wrinkled palms upon the flag-draped coffin.

"... Let us pray for Prince Watching Nan Fu Kelin, may his soul, under the guidance of the radiance of Saint Xisi, return to this land that nurtured the glory of his ancestors, and may his soul find peace in the eternal sanctuary, so that it need not drift upon the vast and boundless ocean."

That was the eulogy for summoning the soul.

Luo Yan heard every word he said clearly, pondering to himself that it didn't seem much different from the "rituals" on Earth used to summon and guide the souls of relatives who died in foreign lands.

As for whether the soul of "Watching Nan Fu Kelin" actually returned...

That was naturally impossible.

There were no remains in the coffin, only a box of ashes and a relic belonging to the late Prince.

And those ashes were refined from bones he had picked up at random from the Grave Mage, which, to put it bluntly, was just a handful of soil with a very high calcium content.

After a person dies, if they do not become a natural undead or are not sealed in a special soul vessel, the soul will quickly detach from the dead body, either becoming a wandering ghost that dissipates in the wilderness or, guided by faith, heading toward the lands of the Holy Blessing or the Demon Blessing.

Simply put, being carried into a church means going to heaven, dying in hell means going to hell, or dying in a labyrinth means being sucked into the labyrinth's core.

This is a required course for Necromancers, a required course for the priests of the Shenxue Academy, and even more so the reason why the vast majority of powerful Extraordinary individuals do not easily appear on the front lines.

Whether it is applying a blessing or permanent detention, the window of operation to detach a soul from the cycle of reincarnation is very short.

And—

The soul itself has no physical form; unless there is an extremely strong causal entanglement, it is impossible to see. And the souls that ordinary people can see are not souls at all, but rather a type of undead spirit called a ghost.

This is also the reason why Gregory IX had to perform the ritual for the late Prince Kelin, to bring his soul back from the Janna Continent.

As for whether that noble soul actually returned, no one could know.

Having been dead for so many years, it is not impossible that he was reincarnated as a lizardman or an animal in the forest.

A funeral is, after all, a ritual for the living.

Rather than saying it is to comfort the departed soul, it is more about resolving the obsessions of the living and allowing those who remain to continue moving forward along the path of their predecessors.

Sprinkling holy water onto the coffin, Gregory IX tapped the flag three times with his golden scepter, completing the final ritual.

The cathedral bells rang out, tolling three times, startling the birds perched on the eaves.

Watching the coffin being carried to the cemetery, Gregory IX settled for a moment in the mournful atmosphere, then turned back to look at the heavy-hearted Kelin, comforting him in the tone of an elder.

"... Prince Kelin, I believe that if your father saw this light, he would surely find his way home, no matter how rugged the journey might be."

"You can rest easy now."

Luo Yan, holding a holy candle, nodded slightly, the holy light shining on his pale and handsome face, adding a touch of holiness to his heavy brow.

"Thank you, Your Holiness, for praying for my father... returning to the land of the Holy Blessing was his only obsession while suffering through his illness, and I believe he will surely return."

Gregory IX nodded slightly, made a cross on his chest with his index finger, and a kind smile appeared on his face.

"Guiding the way for a pious and noble soul is the vocation Saint Xisi has bestowed upon us clergy... if there is still unresolved sorrow in your heart, you may come to me; I would be very happy to be of service to you."

Although this was his first time meeting this Prince Kelin, he had a very good impression of this young man.

Loyal, pious, benevolent, and polite... despite his noble birth, he did not have much of the arrogance of the Holy Light nobility, and his attitude toward both clergy and citizens was very humble. Especially that proposal regarding the Templar Order; he had been quite impressed after hearing it.

Many nobles donated to the church, but most did so with ulterior motives, and their offerings were mostly in gold coins.

Looking across the entire Shengcheng, perhaps only this Prince with lofty ideals was a good man willing to use his own land and honor to expand the faith of Saint Xisi.

Squeezing a friendly smile from his sorrowful face, Luo Yan nodded slightly and said.

"Thank you for your concern. If there truly comes a day when I cannot hold on, I will certainly not keep it bottled up inside. However, after hearing your prayers, I feel that the sorrow in my heart has been smoothed away."

"This shows that your heart yearns for the light, which is the same as the vast majority of children in the Shengcheng... I am very pleased to have been of help to you," the Pope nodded with a smile, then his gaze fell upon the Dantès family nearby, and he said in a teasing tone, "I think... compared to a strange old man, you must need the support of your family more at this time, so I will not take up any more of your time."

Luo Yan nodded slightly, watching His Holiness the Pope depart, and Hearing You You, who had been hiding behind him, floated out quietly.

The energy on that old man made it feel a hint of fear, and it only felt better after he had left.

"Great Demon King, it would be better if you didn't deal with him; he might... not be as simple as a demigod, and he might even possess the power to communicate with gods."

"I have my own sense of proportion; you don't need to worry about me," Luo Yan replied in his heart, then cast his gaze toward the Dantès family, continuing to reply in his heart, "Also, how many times have I told you, call me Prince when we are outside."

Even though Sarah had called him Demon King yesterday...

Hearing You You squeaked in grievance, turned into a streak of invisible blue smoke, and dissipated from Luo Yan's side.

"Prince Kelin... are you alright?" Seeing His Holiness the Pope leave Kelin's side, Edmond hurried forward with quick steps, his face full of concern and awkwardness.

It was an expression of wanting to show concern but not daring to appear too close or overstepping his bounds.

His two sons stood cautiously behind him, quietly sizing up the Uncle Kelin before them.

Luo Yan glanced at the two children, reading their personalities in just one second: one sunny and cheerful, the other introverted; the look in their eyes toward him held both respect and admiration, as well as a hint of longing to be recognized.

As for the young lady named Sophia, besides those three emotions, there was also a kind of infatuation on her beautiful face that he had once seen on Miss Castillion.

The only thing unusual was little Emily, whose sullen expression looked as if her candy had been snatched away... it seemed he had accidentally snatched a child's toy again.

"I... am fine," Luo Yan looked at his "distant relative," squeezing a gentle smile from his sorrowful face. "Thank you all for attending my father's funeral... he always wanted to get in touch with his relatives in the Shengcheng while he was alive, but it is a pity that it wasn't until my generation that we finally waited for the collapse of the barrier."

Watching the Prince who "was clearly filled with sorrow in his heart, yet still cared for the feelings of those around him," the eyes of Anna and Sophia could not help but moisten.

"Wuu wuu... sorry, I can't help it." Anna sobbed, covering her face with a damp handkerchief.

"Mom, use mine." Suppressing the sorrow on her face, Sophia, with red eyes, handed her own handkerchief to her.

"Thank you... my good daughter, you are truly a beautiful and kind child; I am proud of you." Lady Dantès said while sobbing, then used the handkerchief to blow her nose.

Sophia did not mind her mother, but it was only then that she suddenly remembered that it was her only handkerchief... and she couldn't do without that thing either.

"I have extras here." Seeing her distress, Luo Yan gentlemanly handed his own handkerchief to her.

He didn't have any use for this thing anyway; carrying it was just a matter of "when in Rome, do as the Romans do."

"Thank you..." Taking the handkerchief with a blushing face, Sophia clutched it tightly in her palm and whispered, "You are so kind."

His warmth and scent still lingered on the handkerchief, and in just an instant, she felt a burning heat climb up her cheeks.

Shyly lowering her head, the half-speech she had rehearsed in front of the mirror was all stuck in her throat, and the "100 love phrases that reach the depths of the soul" she knew by heart could not be spoken at all.

Instead, she felt as if her soul had been entered by something.

"You're welcome." Luo Yan nodded gentlemanly, his words and actions strictly within the bounds of etiquette.

Looking at the well-spoken Prince Kelin, Edmond's Adam's apple moved, his face full of impatience.

Finally, he could not help but want to perform before the Prince, to show his value as the head of the Dantès family, so he snatched the spotlight from his daughter and said.

"Prince, that... is it convenient to talk to you? Regarding that matter you asked me to do, I have already completed it, and the bank president promised me..."

"Shh." Placing his index finger on his lips, Luo Yan made a quiet gesture.

Meeting that serious gaze, Edmond was startled and hurriedly closed his mouth, which he had just opened.

Looking at the well-behaved and sensible Mr. Dantès, Luo Yan nodded with satisfaction and said in a very low voice.

"For the next steps, just report to Lumier; he will be staying in the Shengcheng for this period, and he will tell you what to do."

"Yes..."

Looking at that face illuminated by the light of the holy candle, Edmond slowly swallowed a mouthful of saliva, subconsciously using a tone of awe.

He didn't know why either.

Clearly, this Prince's tone was very gentle, and he treated people with humility and grace, but he still felt an instinctive fear.

That fear was not due to a dread of force, but stemmed from suppression at the soul level... just as he felt awe for the Emperor and Saint Xisi from the bottom of his heart.

What he didn't understand was why he felt this power from Prince Kelin as well.

Could this power be inherited through bloodline?

Edmond was confused.

Luo Yan did not spend too much time on the Dantès family; this family was just one of the many chess pieces he had laid out in the Shengcheng, and there were more important things waiting for him to do at this funeral.

Not far away, Duke Albert Valencia and Regent Granville Bota walked over side by side, holding candles.

Noticing these two supreme and noble figures, Edmond was immediately flattered and hurriedly bowed respectfully.

Granville looked at him, smiled, nodded, and returned a noble greeting.

"No need for formalities, Sir Dantès. Prince Kelin before you is the host here; I am merely attending this funeral as a friend."

Pausing, he wore a smile on his face and continued in a conversational tone.

"I heard you have a project in the Bai Lu District recently; is it progressing smoothly?"

Edmond was flushed with excitement, his excited voice almost blowing out the holy candle in his hand.

"Everything is going smoothly, sir... thanks to Prince Kelin's care, so far, we haven't encountered any difficulties."

"That's good. The realization of this project is also a blessing for the citizens of the Shengcheng." Granville smiled slightly, took a business card from his bosom, and handed it to Edmond. "This is my business card; if you encounter any difficulties, remember to contact me."

Edmond hurriedly reached out with both hands to accept it... even though he was holding a candle in one of his hands.

Standing before him was the Regent, the existence in this Shengcheng who was below one person but above ten thousand!

At least that was the perception of the vast majority of citizens.

Granville nodded with a smile, as if he had just done a trivial thing, then cast his gaze toward Prince Kelin, put away his gentle smile, and made an expression of concern.

"Your father's coffin has already been buried in the cemetery of St. Clement's Cathedral. I believe that if his spirit is in heaven, he will surely be gratified by what you have done for him today."

After Granville finished these words, Duke Albert Valencia also said in a comforting tone.

"I hope you will not be too sorrowful; I believe your father must have expected this as well."

Luo Yan nodded to the two and said softly.

"Thank you, I feel much better... for me, this is not only fulfilling my father's wish but also fulfilling a wish I have had for a long time."

Pausing, he continued in a solemn tone.

"In order to repay the old homeland's deep love for the Kelin family, I have decided to announce the establishment of the Templar Order at this funeral... I wonder what you two think."

Granville and the Duke of Valencia beside him exchanged glances, then looked at him and nodded with a smile.

"Both the Duke and I believe that now is the time to announce this news."

"Prince Kelin, this is a benevolent act initiated under your proposal; you are the person most qualified to decide this moment. You do not need to ask us; we are all your supporters."

No need to ask, because it had already been asked.

Before this funeral began, the charter of the Templar Order had already been discussed, and all three major factions of the Shengcheng had participated in the formulation of the charter... and the Senate held the greatest interest in it, at least that was what the Senate thought.

Even the reason why this funeral was delayed until now was largely due to the discussion regarding the charter of the Templar Order.

During the month Luo Yan stayed in the Shengcheng, he had hinted more than once in social settings to the nobles of the Shengcheng that he intended to use the Templar Order as a gift from his father to the homeland of the Kelin family.

Looking at the two who stood firmly on his side, Luo Yan returned a grateful smile to them, then cast his gaze toward the square in front of St. Clement's Cathedral.

"I ask you two to lend me some courage and accompany me to unveil this glorious moment."

The moment he heard this, "Little Dantès'" expression became instantly excited, as if he couldn't wait to offer his own blood for that shining ideal.

The response of Granville and the Duke of Valencia was just as he had expected; the two nodded respectfully with smiles on their faces, not noticing the shadow flickering beneath the relief of the Holy Grail at all.

The flame of the holy candle flickered, causing their shadows to merge into the corrosion spreading in silence.

"Happy to be of service to you, Prince."

"This will be the honor of the Valencia family!"

(End of chapter)