Chapter 169: Funeral (1)

“To erect a statue of Fabian-nim, what on earth are you talking about?”

“I met the Goddess-nim in a dream yesterday.”

Wolf replied that way to the nobles asking him his intentions. Everyone fell silent at the story of meeting the Goddess-nim. Wolf continued his explanation. The Goddess-nim was grieving Fabian’s death. She said a statue must be erected so his soul could ascend safely to heaven.

Wolf also had a detailed plan and blueprints. He had calculated how much time it would take and how many laborers would be needed. The blueprints made by Wolf, who had no knowledge of architecture, were so perfect that the architects were astounded.

This was no ordinary statue. According to Wolf’s blueprints, it was a structure where a pyramid-like building would be stacked, with Fabian’s statue placed on top. The inside of the pyramid was hollowed out in a cylindrical shape, and the entire rooftop functioned as a lid, which could be opened and closed by mobilizing dozens of people.

The bottom of the wide-open cylinder was structured to allow for fires to be lit. Because it was cylindrical, once someone fell in, it was difficult to get out, and the moment the rooftop was closed, the heat would spread evenly inside, instantly turning it into a sauna.

The architect looked at this structure with a puzzled expression and said,

“I’ve never seen a building like this before. Is this facility made for maintaining the internal temperature of the building? Or do you have some other intention?”

Wolf did not deny the architect’s question.

“Yes. There is another intention. That building is a statue to console Fabian, and at the same time, an altar. I heard stories about the beastman bastards from the North. They, who betray people as easily as eating meals, requested anything would be done as long as their lives were spared, didn’t they? I plan to use those bastards as laborers, then push them into that hole and burn them.”

“And then, you’ll place Fabian-nim’s statue on top.”

“Isn’t it symbolic? Currently, Drak-Sai’s corpse is also displayed in the capital. Once all the beastmen are burned, I intend to push Drak-Sai’s corpse into the cylinder as well. All the evil of the North will turn to ashes, and Fabian will stand upon it. This is also proof that we will continue to crush demons for the deceased Fabian.”

The architect nodded with a queasy look on his face. After hearing Wolf’s explanation, the cylinder looked even more horrifying. Wolf said,

“On the day Fabian’s funeral ends. We will break ground. Prepare the beastmen until then, and keep the specific details of the plan a secret.”

“Understood.”

The architect walked away. Wolf closed his eyes, picturing the Goddess-nim who appeared in his dream again. She looked exactly the same as before. A brilliantly white smiling face, surrounded by radiant light like a rainbow, and her hair also shone in rainbow colors. She hugged Wolf tightly, mourned Fabian’s death, and told Wolf what he needed to do going forward.

Wolf intended to do as she said.

New tidings arrived at Evan’s mansion every single day. The news that Fabian, one of the Hero’s party, had died reached Sophia first, bypassing the mailbox. She exclaimed the big news with a startled face, and Elena, who was nonchalantly dusting the window, asked,

“What’s wrong? Did a war break out?”

“Fabian died!”

Elena, startled by the words, dropped her duster. And she said, her eyes wide open.

“Really? Fabian?”

Sophia showed the newspaper and said,

“I’m telling you! That Fabian died!”

Elena, seeing Sophia’s enthusiasm, asked back with a slightly awkward face.

“….But who is that? The name sounds familiar, though.”

“Are you referring to that Fabian, one of the Hero’s party?”

Lumia, who came out of the drawing-room stretching, looked even more surprised than Elena. Sophia nodded, and Elena exclaimed as if she just remembered.

“Ah, so that’s who it is. How did he die?”

Sophia asked, surprised by Elena’s apparent lack of interest.

“Elena. You don’t seem very interested in issues like this.”

“I’m not interested unless it concerns our Madam. Who cares who Fabian is? If they’re part of the Hero’s party, they’re bad guys to us. Because our Madam was neglected thanks to a marriage with the Hero’s family in the Flancia main house. Well, good riddance.”

Lumia took the newspaper from Sophia’s hand. Scanning the newspaper, she stroked her chin and said,

“It says he died together with the Imp Drak-Sai in the North. In a way, it’s a good thing for us. One of our worst enemies, a member of the Hero’s party, is gone, and a demon causing trouble in the North is also dead. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone without lifting a finger.”

“Right. Right. I also think good riddance. Heroes are all bad guys.”

She said that, waving the letter she held in her hand. Elena, annoyed by the fluttering envelope, gently grabbed Sophia’s wrist and said,

“What’s this?”

“This? It’s a letter addressed to Master. The sender’s name isn’t written. Who could have sent it? Master’s mistress?”

“Evan!”

Elena screamed. Evan, who was enjoying his leisure in the early morning, scratched his head and got up upon hearing his name called. Isabel was fast asleep, holding onto Evan’s waist tightly, and the caretaker, Rat Trap, had already gone to work early.

Evan tucked Isabel’s hair behind her ear and gently covered her with the blanket. Isabel’s body was covered in traces of yesterday’s intense lovemaking, and the bed was damp. Evan pecked Isabel’s cheek and then said to Elena,

“What is it?”

“There’s a letter for you, Evan. And there’s big news too!”

“Big news?”

“Fabian died!”

Evan shrugged upon hearing that Fabian had died. In his hazy memory, the names of the Hero’s party flickered faintly. He blinked, nodded nonchalantly, and said,

“Good riddance. Motherfucking bastards. But why did he die? Did they fight amongst themselves?”

“They say he died together with Drak-Sai in the North.”

Hearing that, Evan covered his mouth with a perplexed expression. He thought he might have spoken too harshly about someone who died doing something supposedly good. Evan took the letter and said,

“But where is this letter from? Is it a funeral invitation?”

“I don’t know. Isn’t it from one of Master’s secret women?”

“Have you ever seen me keep women hidden? I’m a real man, so when I meet a woman, I screw her right then and there and bring her home.”

“Is that what being a real man means?”

Evan replied to Sophia’s question like that. Then he tore open the letter and sat on the sofa. Evan secretly hoped this letter contained a love letter or something equally seductive.

A faint scent of herbs emanated from the old, yellowed paper.

Evan began reading the letter aloud.

[Evan. I am heading to the North right now.]

Evan’s face hardened as he read the next part with his eyes after reading that far. He looked around with his lips turned down and moved towards the room where Taffy was sleeping.

“Master? What is it? What does it say?”

“I’ll tell you later. This is for someone who needs to read it first.”

Sophia nodded at his words and moved aside, watching Evan with worried eyes. Evan’s back looked much more dejected than usual.

Evan stroked Taffy’s coffin. When he knocked lightly once, the coffin wriggled, and Taffy poked her head out. She asked Evan with a half-asleep, drowsy face,

“Evan. What’s up?”

“A letter came from No. 5.”

That single sentence seemed to chase away all her sleepiness. Taffy pushed open the coffin lid and snuggled close to Evan’s side. Evan leaned against Taffy and began reading the letter.

[Evan. I am heading to the North right now.

As I board the carriage at this moment, I suddenly felt like I should send you a letter.

So I am writing this.

Since I never properly learned to write as a child, exchanging written words like this feels unfamiliar.

We never needed words between us. We always communicated with sincere words.

Your words that I would succeed held the certainty of actual success,

And your words about wanting to become a star held dreams as vast as the stars themselves.

Evan. Even now, I cannot be sure if I have lived my life doing the right thing.

Working under the Hero, I was never able to act with a clear conscience.

But you, even while facing me, spoke boldly of love and justice.

Evan. The moment I heard those stories. I felt ashamed of myself.

You, even as the kept man of a noble family, strive for those old tales,

While I was wielding my sword for injustice.

If No. 13 were alive, or if anyone else were alive, what kind of person would they see me as?

I grew afraid of that.

Evan. Forgive me for not being able to come to you because of misplaced loyalty and lingering attachments.

Since I was never educated, I cannot think of any solution other than this simple one.]

The letter ended there. Taffy, tears welling up, hugged Evan tightly. Evan also stroked Taffy’s hair and carefully folded the letter.

“You fucking idiot.”

Evan said that, holding back tears. His eyes turned red and his nose tingled, but he tried not to show his sadness.

“What am I supposed to say if you just show up? You idiot.”

Bright sky.

A morning star twinkled brightly, then disappeared, buried by the sunlight.