Chapter 410.3: Funeral and Distant Guests

Dawn rose in the distance, climbing the treetops, and the midday sunlight shone on the northern suburbs of Clearspring City. It was much quieter compared to the day before.

The day before, they celebrated their victory. Now... They were holding a funeral procession for the soldiers who sacrificed themselves honorably.

Since most of the creatures that have survived on the wasteland were not picky eaters, most survivor settlements burned the bodies to avoid attracting dangerous species.

Over time, cremation has become a custom.

The New Alliance continued this practice.

However, for those who sacrificed themselves for the New Alliance, the New Alliance would preserve a tombstone for future generations to visit, respecting the individual's wishes whether to bury the ashes under the tombstone or scatter them where they desired.

Moreover, players had more choices. They could choose cremation or lie in the Active Matter Extractor to refine their bodies.

The recycled active matter could offset the cost of revival.

The New Alliance's propeller aircraft stretched white smoke across the sky, and several ace pilots opened the funeral with exquisite flying performances.

The planes slowly landed on the runway.

Removing his cap, Falling Feather complained. "Why is my plane called the Laughing River?"

Mosquito, standing to the side, said with a grin. "You named it yourself, who else would fly it?"

Falling Feather couldn’t help but curse.

In the cemetery to the east of Dawn City.

On the lush green lawn lay gray stone tombstones, the atmosphere serene yet tinged with a faint sadness.

The formally dressed officiant read the eulogy with a long and steady voice.

Many people stood inside and outside the cemetery.

There were officials from Dawn City, officers from the First Corps, representatives from various industries, and soldiers from the ceremonial guard. Outside the cemetery, there were also people who had come on their own.

Including mercenaries who had fought alongside the New Alliance.

For most survivors on the wasteland, a funeral was a rare thing, especially one conducted so publicly.

Burning corpses in the wilderness was the usual fate of wastelanders.

Standing among the crowd, Chu Guang quietly watched the funeral proceed.

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The New Alliance's regulations for the ceremony did not require attendees to wear a specific color of clothing, only that they dress formally and appropriately.

The presence of the azure exoframe, ‘Order’, was undoubtedly the highest respect for the souls lost in war.

Standing next to Chu Guang, Luo Hua felt somewhat down, his expression heavy. Although he was still recovering from injuries, he had insisted on attending. He hobbled over even with a cane in hand. "Sorry... Sorry for causing you so much trouble."

Chu Guang glanced at him and said softly, "Don't blame yourself, this isn't your fault."

Whether or not Luo Hua was present, the Army would have eventually come after dealing with the troubles in Sunset Province.

The ambition of wolves knew no bounds. They wouldn’t know when to stop until they received a painful beating.

However, Luo Hua didn't think so. Still immersed in guilt, his eyes filled with complex emotions as he sank deep into his thoughts.

Midway through the funeral, Luca suddenly stepped up to Chu Guang and whispered softly, "The envoy from Boulder Town has arrived in Dawn City, the delegation's leader is the commander of the Boulder Town Militia, claiming to represent the city lord, hoping to discuss setting up an embassy, the Heart of Steel, and future cooperation matters with you in person."

Chu Guang quietly listened to Luca's report, nodding lightly before replying softly, "Let them come see me."

Luca asked softly, "Here?"

Chu Guang nodded. "Yes."

Without further questions, Luca respectfully nodded, turned, and quickly left the cemetery.

About half an hour later...

When Luca returned, he was accompanied by two guards and the delegation from Boulder Town.

The delegation consisted of six people.

Chu Guang glanced at the man closest to Luca.

Dressed in the militia's military uniform, with golden ribbons on his epaulettes, his brow exuding authority and sharpness, he had to be a general of the Boulder Town Militia.

If he remembered correctly, that person seemed to be named Zhao Yongxu, a confidant of Mr. House he called ‘Lord Fang Ming’.

Chu Guang's gaze lingered on him for two seconds before moving away, continuing to watch the officiant conducting the funeral.

The general’s expression was slightly surprised, then a hint of displeasure followed.

Noticing his expression, Luca said softly, "Our administrator is attending the funeral of fallen soldiers, the most important arrangement in his schedule today... Please wait a moment."

Zhao Yongxu's voice carried a faint displeasure. "Is there anything more important than our relationship?"

In his view, those people were just boxes of ashes. There was no need to bother with such an elaborate ceremony.

He would just find a place to bury them casually.

Normally, after the Tide, they would bundle up the mercenaries' bodies and send them over to be dealt with by the various corporations. They would never waste time on any funeral ceremonies.

Luca's expression remained unchanged as he still spoke calmly, "The administrator often tells us that respecting the dead is respecting life... You are in your prime. Surely you have plenty of time. Why compete with the deceased for every second?"

Zhao Yongxu narrowed his eyes slightly, a flicker of anger flashed through them but he quickly concealed it.

Making an unannounced visit was rude enough.

But even so, the attitude those people had made it look like they were brushing him off. It infuriated him.

He felt that they weren’t taking him seriously!

However, since he was under someone else's roof...

Signaling his subordinates and the other envoys to stay calm, Zhao Yongxu stood quietly outside the cemetery, deciding to see what kind of game the administrator wanted to play.

Before long, he heard the officiant say in a solemn and respectful voice.

"... In memory of the 2,934 residents of the shelters, 231 residents of Dawn City, 71 residents of Daybreak City, and 397 residents of Boulder Town."

"Your sacrifices have brought hard-won peace, and we will continue forward with your ideals."

The officer standing next to Zhao Yongxu raised his eyebrows, whispering to another envoy on the other side. "Boulder Town's residents? Is he talking about those mercenaries who traded their lives for money?"

The noble from the inner city who came with them nodded subtly with a peculiar expression. "Probably."

They actually buried the mercenaries with them?

The officer glanced around. Though he didn't speak, the disdain in his eyes was more apparent.

These northern barbarians can bury whoever they want, but calling those mercenaries Boulder Town residents is offensive.

If those cockroaches begging at the walls could be counted as Boulder Town's residents, then they had far too many residents.

Zhao Yongxu frowned slightly.

What bothered him wasn't the conversation of his subordinates, but the complex expressions on the faces of the mercenaries standing around the cemetery.

Those expressions made him uncomfortable, but he couldn't pinpoint why.

Standing in the cemetery, Chu Guang walked to the tombstone and placed a bouquet of flowers, read the prepared eulogy, and quietly returned to his place.

By then, the funeral was nearing its end.

Chu Guang didn't expect the envoy from Boulder Town to be moved to tears by the solemn funeral and make concessions in the negotiations... Such idealistic events were simply unrealistic.

But if their general had chosen to come forward and place a bouquet on the tombstone, it might have changed many people's perceptions of them.

Be it the members of the New Alliance or the mercenaries of Boulder Town...

Unfortunately, the man did not do so, not even willing to feign concern, feeling that every extra second there was a waste of life.

If it had been Dulong, he probably would have used the opportunity to make an impromptu speech announcing the friendship with the New Alliance... After all, talk was cheap. It was cheap and brought about great benefits.

"It seems he's a 'hawk.'" Chu Guang pondered quietly.

Calling him the highest general of the militia was out of respect, but the attitude of the delegation likely represented the city lord.

The negotiation was likely to be difficult.

But on the other hand, if they could blunt the hawk's talons, the south could turn into the New Alliance's sturdiest shield.

Perhaps this is an opportunity.

Already anticipating what the general would discuss next, Chu Guang was contemplating how to negotiate when he heard a soft whisper from Little Seven.

"Hmm... Master, there are planes coming from the east!"

Chu Guang raised his eyebrows slightly. “Planes?”

Little Seven started to buzz in excitement. “Yeah! There are a lot of them!”

...