The Extra Wants To Live

Chapter 202: Funeral [2]

"A pure spirit, untainted by the world, was offered to God, and a body and mind that were most clearly radiant despite being tainted by the world, dedicated to her son.

Lilly Felt, a believer and mother, has taken steps toward God at this place today."

Gilius spoke with the weight and solemnity of a speech given to thousands of believers, even though there were less than ten people present, including himself.

His sunken blue eyes seemed to glimmer with a firm, shining faith.

"Lilly, a devout believer and a loving mother, lived a humble life despite being in the highest position. She rejected many things and lived a life of poverty. What she held in her hands toward God was not a gold coin to leave behind. In her right hand, she held her faith in God, and in her left hand, she held her devoted love for her son.

These are true values that are more valuable than anything left behind in the world, and that all of us living on this earth must truly pursue."

Gilius successfully expressed his sincere heart as a devout believer with the eloquence of a skilled politician. He discovered and instilled in Lilly's life and death the unchanging values pursued by the Düren cult.

"He took care of the farthest places that the human body could reach, but he left without taking care of himself, and he tried his best to convey his love, which is no different from what Düren did."

Düren, who loves those who look down on all things and make efforts. Gilius mourned Lilly's death, saying that she had lived a godlike life.

"We will remember the footsteps of Lilly Felt, who lived a god-like life and left for God, and we will pray for her never-ending steps."

Gilius held high the necklace of Vire he had received from Carl, holding it respectfully in both hands.

Even the torches illuminating the tomb poured out a clear light, blessing the silver staff necklace. Gilius, who soon lowered his hand, spoke solemnly.

"Lilly Felt's son, Carl Felt Hardion, please come forward."

Carl stepped forward quietly. He was wearing a plain white suit with no decoration.

"Say goodbye to your mother."

Gilius handed the necklace to Carl and whispered softly in a comforting, affectionate voice, unlike his solemn tone just a moment ago.

Carl took the necklace and stood in front of the sarcophagus.

"… ."

Thanks to Milton's careful handling, Lilly lay in the sarcophagus in perfect condition.

Wearing the clothes Carl had given her, wearing the jewelry Carl had given her, and holding the dried flower decoration Carl had given her.

With a calm and peaceful smile, she was surrounded by spring flowers that Carl had picked and brought her.

Carl slowly bent down and affectionately caressed his mother's face, which looked as if she might wake up at any moment.

He put the necklace around his mother's neck, careful not to crush the flowers so that his mother could leave comfortably and beautifully until the end.

Carl looked at his mother's sleeping figure, who would never wake up, and slowly lowered his head to press his lips to her forehead.

"Good night, mother."

Whispering softly, Carl looked at his mother's face for the last time. He caressed his mother's face one last time, trying to commit the image to memory.

"I love you."

This was the last time, and he wanted to show her a smiling face rather than a crying one. Carl smiled fondly.

After that, everyone came to Lilly and offered flowers to her. Everyone had a gloomy look on their faces, and young Billford, in particular, looked as if he would burst into tears at any moment.

They allowed her to be placed in the imperial tomb, but there was no one to help with the funeral, so those present had to do everything themselves.

Nero himself stepped forward and helped Carl close the coffin lid, and Catherine and Billford also stepped forward to help lift the heavy sarcophagus.

Lilly's coffin was laid to rest next to that of Carl's biological mother, Diana.

Unfortunately, it was in the outermost, most remote part of the mausoleum. All Carl could do was stare blankly at the coffin of Diana, his biological mother, whose face he had never even seen.

He wasn't really interested. But since Lilly missed Diana so much, when he became emperor later, when Lilly's coffin was moved, they would be moved together and placed side by side.

After the funeral was over, Gilius quietly bowed his head to Carl and left. The story would come later, but for now, it would be better to give Carl time to let his mother go.

"…Carl, I'm sorry," Nero spoke heavily to Carl, who was unable to move in front of his mother's coffin.

"I don't blame you, brother. You did a good enough job," Carl spoke softly and in a low voice.

Nero had treated Lilly as Carl's mother and protected her in the best way he could.

Carl couldn't ask for more than that.

It was too much for Nero to even protect his own mother, Bella. And this was moved directly by Emperor Azgoth.

Even if Nero and Aric had kept their eyes wide open and tried to protect Lilly, they wouldn't have been able to stop him.

Carl closed his rippling eyes. It was better to close his eyes and picture his mother's hazy figure than to look at her already closed coffin.

'Ah! I should have left a portrait of my mother!'

Carl was so distressed that his heart almost stopped. He thought she would always be there, so he couldn't even think of leaving a picture of his mother.

Perhaps, he was reluctant to do it because it was an action that assumed his mother's death.

'It's my fault.'

Carl muttered to himself.

Tragically, Carl's best efforts to protect Lilly had resulted in her death. The problem was that he was too outstanding and stood out too much.

Azgoth had killed Emma in order to move Adrian, whom he secretly considered to be the next emperor. Knowing this, Carl did his best.

Then he thought that Azgoth would not let go of Lilly, who was Carl's leash.

But because Carl was so outstanding, Azgoth killed Lilly, who would have been an obstacle to Carl's path after he became emperor.

They valued Carl more than the outstanding imperial talents of Aric, Adrian, and Nero and judged that he would eventually become emperor.

This was the judgment of Emperor Azgoth, who knew well the majority of the powers possessed by the princes.

In the current situation, the person closest to the throne was Carl.

"Brother."

Carl called Nero in a heavy voice.

"Yes."

In response to Nero's answer, Carl remained silent for a while before slowly opening his mouth.

"Please take good care of your mother."

"… Okay, I understand."

"And."

Carl opened his eyes, turned around, and looked at Nero.

"Don't forget."

Nero couldn't tell what was shining brightly in Carl's green eyes.

"You can't run away forever."

"… … ."

Carl strode past Nero and left the tomb, leaving his mother behind without looking back.

Carl had lost the only 'person' that existed in this world. For Carl, who even considered himself a pawn on a giant board, there was only one person who existed outside the board: his beloved mother. All of him.

So then, what was left inside this great being?

Carl's back was as dignified as that of a laurel planter, but something was clearly different than before. But no one could understand what had changed.

Carl stepped out of the mausoleum, the cold air of the evening biting at his skin. The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky a deep, bruised purple.

The world seemed to reflect his mood—dark, cold, and empty.

The wind whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of the flowers he had placed on his mother's grave. It was a bittersweet reminder of the woman he had just lost.

His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. There was grief, of course—overwhelming, consuming grief.

But beneath that, there was also a burning anger, a deep-seated rage directed at the world, at fate, and most of all, at Emperor Azgoth. The man who had taken everything from him.

Carl clenched his fists as he walked, his nails digging into his palms.

The pain grounded him, keeping his mind focused on the task ahead. He knew what he had to do.

His mother had been the last connection to any semblance of normalcy, to a life where love and kindness still held meaning.

Now that she was gone, there was nothing left to hold him back.

The path ahead was clear. He would play the game. He would do whatever it took to rise to power, to claim the throne that Azgoth coveted so much.

And when he did, he would make sure the emperor paid for what he had done.

There would be no mercy, no forgiveness.