Published at 27th of July 2019 12:01:07 PM
Chapter 23.1
Episode 5: I Mean No Harm – Chapter 23 . 1
The sky was slowly turning darker .
The pouch inside Calian’s inner pocket made a clunking noise as Calian peeked inside his jacket . I feel sort of guilty using a child’s hard-earned money, he thought for a moment; he figured that Old Calian wouldn’t be too mad at him since he was just using the money to ensure his survival .
In any case, Calian had to cross the river again now that he had bought a sword, which was his top priority . Calian went back the way he came and headed towards the bridge .
It didn’t take him long to get to the bridge that crossed the Ceignes River . However, a group of people in black who were gathered around the entrance of the bridge noticed Calian approaching and blocked the path . Raven slowed down into a halt .
“What’s wrong, Raven?”
Since Raven was so good at finding his way around, Calian was lost in thought about his next destination . He only looked up when Raven had stopped .
Only then did Calian notice the people in black . Alertness flashed across Calian’s face .
Thankfully, they weren’t some bandits with the nerve to take over the Royal Road of a prospering capital city . Calian, who had been thinking for a moment how he should draw the weapon that he had just bought, sighed in relief and faced the front .
The man who was standing at the front of the crowd approached Calian . “I’m terribly sorry to block the way . ”
The black clothes that he wore was a funeral attire . His voice was hoarse from crying to the point where Calian could barely make out what he was saying . Even so, the man explained the situation with a very polite attitude .
“The deceased is passing the bridge right now . If you aren’t in a hurry, we would be most grateful if you could wait for a little while . ”
Calian looked over at the Ceignes River . Small candles were placed on top of red annerucia flowers that were floating down the river . A small group of people were gathered around from where the flowers were lowered onto the river .
Calian finally understood what was happening . “A farewell ceremony?”
“Yes . I apologise for the inconvenience . ”
Calian climbed down from Raven’s back right away . “I have no reason to block the journey of the deceased . You have nothing to apologise for . ”
As Calian had guessed, he was at the site of a funeral ceremony traditional to Kailis . The mourners gathered next to the closest river to the deceased person’s home and floated candles down the river that will shine on the final path of their life . There was a belief, however, that if a living man crossed the river while the petals were still floating down the river, the deceased would try to follow the living and lose their way . Hence, during the ceremony, it was customary for the family of the deceased to ask those on the road not to cross the river .
Calian gazed at this solemn sight that he had come across by chance .
Please download our sponsor's game to support RLN!
The flow of the Ceignes River was always calm; the annerucias also quietly floated down the river without rocking . The wind was silent tonight, so there was none to flicker the candlelights .
“They must be passing peacefully . My deepest condolences,” murmured Calian, almost subconsciously .
“Thank you,” the man answered sincerely . As a sign of thanks for stopping, getting off the horse, and even paying his respect for the deceased, the man bowed his head once again .
Calian recalled Secretia’s tradition where they place cinnastars, a flower that bloomed a second flower under the moonlight, on the grave . I wonder if Chase had placed cinnastars on my grave, or if he had turned the axis of time before having the chance to do so .
Calian’s thoughts were interrupted once again by the man . “You can go ahead now . ”
The annerucias seemed to have completely passed under the bridge . Calian nodded and climbed onto Raven’s back .
In his gratefulness, the man wanted to see whose family the boy belonged to . The man looked up at Calian as he sat down on his horse and flinched . He hurriedly stepped out of the way .
The magic light posts that lined the Royal Road was bright . It was more than enough to clearly show the face hidden underneath the robe .
Sponsored Content
Calian noticed that the man had realised who he was . He said in a subdued voice, “Do not keep this in your memory . ”
“…understood . ”
The man bowed, and Calian slowly crossed the bridge .
When the man straightened his head once again, he stared at Calian’s back for a long time . A group of other people in black clothes approached the man .
“What’s wrong, Arsen? Was it someone you knew?”
The man—Arsen Hertz—shook his head . “No . He just seemed like a kind person, that’s all . ”
The candlelights, which were now quite far away, flickered ever so slightly .
Sponsored Content
The sun completely sank below the horizon and darkness settled . Since Calian’s next destination could be visited regardless of how late it was, Calian looked around at a leisurely pace .
“This city really is big on Sispanian,” muttered Calian . He recalled a comment from a spy who went by the code name Blue Warbler .
— The capital city, Kailisys, almost seems like a place solely for admirers of Sispanian . Her presence is evident all over the city .
The host of yesterday’s horseback riding show had also mentioned Hatsua and Sispanian . Now, in front of him, were rows of stores that borrowed Sispanian’s name: a hotel called “Sispanian’s Slumber”, a cafe called “Sispanian’s Break”, and even a restaurant called “Sispanian’s Meal” .
Calian sighed in defeat . “It really feels like they’re overdoing it . I can’t imagine a meal of a dragon being appetising . ”
A hollow laugh spilled out when he saw a pub named “Sispanian’s Strong Scent of Alcohol” in the corner of the street . Most other shops seemed very normal in comparison .
After travelling for a little while, a sign reading “Nieransha Street” appeared . Calian’s second destination was on this street . He immediately hardened his face and entered the street, fiddling with his knife .
Kailisys’ Western Market was on this street .
Since it was getting late, most shops were closed for the day; only late-night restaurants, pubs, and cafes were lit up . However, Calian passed by all of them without hesitation as they weren’t where Calian was headed towards .