Chapter 94
**BACKTICK**CHAPTER_TITLE: Irene’s Remains Were Transferred to the Crematorium**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**>**BACKTICK**Irene’s body was transferred to the crematorium the next day.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**The empty fortress was utterly desolate, save for the flower-laden carriage gliding slowly forward on its own.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**A carriage filled with flowers moving alone inside such an empty fortress—especially in this season.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**The remaining staff watched the funeral procession carried solely by Michael and felt a mix of surprise and sorrow at the same time.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“Even so, Count Michael looks after the body of his own Pair.”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“Exactly. But what good is it to enjoy something after death?”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**They had no intention of insulting Michael, yet the whispers carried clearly even from afar made him lower his head even further.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**The crematorium lay outside the fortress at the foot of the mountain range.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**The old man in charge of the crematorium explained that it was unusual for a body to arrive at this time of year and told Michael to wait a little longer until the fire reached the proper temperature.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**While waiting for the fire to rise, Michael stared blankly at the sleeping Irene lying in the coffin.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Unlike the day before, she wore thick, soft clothing.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Delicate stitching ran along the sleeves, and luxurious lace adorned the fabric without restraint.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**The clothes suited her beautifully, yet now she uttered no word at all.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**As if his belated feelings, like a fragment of his heart, had no influence on her whatsoever.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**After gazing at her for a long while, Michael carefully raised his hand and placed it on her cheek.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Her face was drained of color, yet the heat rising from the crematory oven reached her, warming the cheek where his fingers touched.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“……Irene.”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**He called her name softly, as one gently awakens someone lost in deep sleep.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**He wondered how her long eyelashes would flutter slightly and then slowly open her eyes at the sound of her name.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Michael recalled what he knew of her eyes.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**They had met countless times. The problem was that the moment he looked at her, he had turned away and fled.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Even after turning his head, the deep amethyst eyes lingered in his mind for a long time, so he gripped his sword hilt awkwardly.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**In the brief moment they had shared—mere distant glances—Michael found her eye color genuinely beautiful.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Whenever amethyst-colored gems appeared as dungeon rewards, he had secretly slipped them into her share.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**He had harbored a quiet expectation that one day, among the most beautiful and skillfully crafted pieces, she would have one made into jewelry and worn around her neck.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**But Irene had never once worn a single gem he had given her.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**At the time, the fact had stung him a little, yet now the self who had been secretly rejoicing alone felt cursed in light of her reality.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“The fire is burning well. You should be able to enter soon. Please give your final farewell.”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**The old man in charge of the crematorium added more firewood to the oven and spoke to Michael.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Final farewell.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“Irene.”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Michael called her name once more, hoping against hope.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**She remained unmoving despite the warmth and beauty surrounding her.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“Step back, please. The fire is hot.”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**The old man opened the crematory door, telling Michael—who was gripping the coffin—to move away.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Fwoosh!**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**The raging flames revealed themselves, and the sudden wave of scorching heat forced Michael to cover his face with his hands.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**The heat caused Michael’s heart to drop heavily.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Irene had to enter that scorching place.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“Irene.”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**He unconsciously grabbed her shoulder.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“It’s too hot. So……”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**She should have risen and left him far behind.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**As if he had seen many like this before, the crematorium old man prayed to the gods once and skillfully removed Michael’s hand from Irene.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“Now you must walk your own path. If you delay any longer, you will lose the form the gods granted you and become a terrifying ghost.”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Michael clenched his teeth at the old man’s words.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**He could not accept the fact that he and she could no longer walk the same path together.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**While Michael stood there, the old man skillfully pushed the coffin into the crematory oven.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Fwoosh!**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**The flames immediately wrapped around the newcomer.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“Ah……!”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Michael tried to step closer to the crematory, but the old man immediately slammed the door shut.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Just before it closed, a peaceful figure appeared in the bright light—Irene sleeping quietly.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**With eyes that no longer felt fear or pain, she lay there in serenity.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Michael could not call her name again and stood rooted in place, unable to move.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK****BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**The fire burned for nearly a day.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**When the black smoke from the chimney had almost vanished, the old man poured water over the oven to extinguish the flames.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**He glanced at Michael, who stood motionless the entire time.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Most people would have returned to the fortress after the cremation, taken a short rest, and eaten.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**But Michael had not moved from his spot all day long.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**As if a child left alone did not know where to go and stayed quietly in place.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**After the fire died out, the old man retrieved the wide iron plate where the coffin had rested and dragged it to a corner of the crematorium.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**A long while later, he returned carrying a wooden box the size of a human head.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“Here are the remains of the deceased. May you rest in a good place.”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Michael accepted the wooden box.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**It felt quite thick, and the wood itself still radiated heat, as if warning how hot the contents had been.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“And this came with it. Judging by the position, it seems she was holding it in her hand……”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**The old man handed him a metal fragment while speaking.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“It is strangely not hot at all. Is this some kind of artifact the knights were talking about?”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**It was a valuable item; he could have hidden it.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Fortunately, the old man was a conscientious person with no great attachment to the rest of his life.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**He had also worried whether some kind of curse clung to it.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Michael accepted the fragment the old man had given him.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**As the old man had said, despite being taken from the hot crematory, the metal held its coldness.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Michael examined it.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Where on Irene had this come from?**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Suddenly he recalled what the maids had said when he asked them to change her clothes.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“Because she had been dead for some time, her body had stiffened quite a bit and was extremely difficult to move. Her hands were clenched so tightly……”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**He had been paid extra to change the clothes of a corpse with terrible injuries.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**At the time he had simply handed over the money without thought, yet here was something clutched in a hand that had not straightened.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**‘The knight who found Irene said he arrived at the reward room and found her lying there dead.’**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**He also said the reward box had already been opened and was empty.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Therefore, it was most likely obtained from that dungeon.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**‘What is this?’**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**It did not matter what it was, in the end.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**What mattered was only that she had held it in her final moment.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Michael stood clutching the cooling urn, lost in thought, and idly turned the metal fragment in his palm.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**When he came to his senses, he was standing before the purifiers’ dormitory.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Unconscious steps had carried him there without knowing where he was going.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**He placed the metal fragment in his pocket.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**This was a keepsake of hers, after all.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**So he wanted to know exactly what it was.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**‘I should go find the Hand of Appraisal.’**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Perhaps it would reveal a fragment of Irene’s final moment on paper.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**If so, could he accept it and maintain the thin veil he had prepared to keep breaking?**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Swallowing his bitterness, he looked at the purifiers’ dormitory.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**He had expelled the count’s servant and taken her belongings, yet a nagging worry lingered that he had missed something.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**‘Just once more……’**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**He wanted to enter that shabby, cold room where she had stayed.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**If any trace of her remained, he wanted to gather even a single speck of dust and hold it to his chest.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**The dormitory that was now truly empty was left unguarded by even the watchmen.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Inside the building, only the maids moving to clean were visible.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**Cautiously slipping past their eyes, he headed toward Irene’s room when the maids’ conversation reached his ears.**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“What kind of blanket is that? New, right?”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**“Oh, this? There’s someone there. What was her name again? Anyway, the 10th-rank purifier who died last. They found it in her room.”**BACKTICK**
**BACKTICK**LT**BACKTICK**p**BACKTICK**At those words, Michael’s footsteps halted.**BACKTICK**