Chapter 16: Soldiers Pyre.
The following two days went by pretty easily.
Well the first day not so much as I spent half a day going through, sorting, and then moving 20,000 corpses.
Well, not all of the bodies were intact. But that was the total number of corpses.
The amount of equipment was insane as Ulrich decided to help out of the blue, which was a little odd since he said he wasn't going to be in the blazing summer sun.
But I seemed to notice that the Goblin, Elves, and Drwarven-Orcs seemed to have one of each special item. Then Ulrich seemed to mention that they would have gained another when they reached Rank: Human 2. Said he forgot before but remembered now, blamed it on his old age.
Then there was the fun of turning the five hill sized meat pastes into a massive area for fertilizer. Ulrich recommended it, saying it would come in hand later. I just shrugged as I had no idea what he meant.
Then the rest of the first day was setting up the pyres for the soldiers. Cutting the wood and moving it was what took the longest. I didn't make them unique or anything. Just simple pyres.
Ulrich was confused by what I was doing but didn't seem to care as he just waved it off with an odd smile on his face.
He only said that I should take responsibility for whatever happens and that I won't regret what I'll do.
I was shocked for a second as I didn't expect that type of sentence to come from Ulrich. I could only nod my head in reply as I never did before as I thought it was normal to do.
The second day was easy as it was mostly putting all of the corpses onto the pyres in order to get them ready for a peaceful rest. Then came the process of placing stones upon their eyes.
I would have used gold if I had enough as it would have been more proper in my opinion, but the stones upon the eyes would work as well as it was part of an ancient northern practice.
I used the grass that I had cut from the plot of land as I stuffed it into the areas that it would help it burn.
I won't lie, it had been a while since I had performed this type of burial rite. Mostly because not many practiced it, but it was also considered improper. Yet they dropped bombs on people.
Siegbald didn't lie when he said he would see me in a couple days as he showed up just as the moon was starting to shine its silver light.
"You said that this would differ slightly from what we practice." Siegbald said with a look of interest as he continued. "But, this is completely different. What are they resting upon, why are there two of them, and what is with the stones on their eyes?"
Siegbald asked multiple questions as he continued to look and examine the pyres in front of him.
"Well they do still burn, so I guess that would be something similar." I said with a tired and exhausted smile. "As for what they are resting upon, it is called a pyre. It also has other uses as well but is perfect for soldiers I believe. I separated the two because of rank nothing more nothing less. And the stones upon their eyes is to help them find their final place of rest. I normally would have used gold instead of the stones, but unfortunately I didn't have enough."
Siegbald looked interested as he continued to look at the pyres in front of him. "It's simple, yet why not burn them in one massive pit. Won't that just make it quicker?"
"Because it's a form of respect for those that have given their life for the Kingdom. Sure you probably don't remember their name or maybe their face. But it's because of soldiers like them and their sacrifice that allowed the Kingdoms to survive." I said in a solemn voice.
Siegbald seemed to agree as he nodded his head as he pulled out two massive casks from the dark.
"You asked for a couple casks of liquor. Is it for them? Why?" Siegbald asked with slight confusion.
I started to laugh a little as it seemed like I sounded like a mad person to Siegbald as it looked like he thought of it as a waste of liquor.
"Yes, it is for them. And it's one of the things soldiers enjoy. Plus it's so we can also share with them that one last good drink before they can properly rest."
Siegbald's face seemed to change slightly as the look in his eyes seemed to deepen as his body started to straighten like a spear. "You would even go so far for enemy soldiers?"
I shook my head as I started to make a makeshift torch. "I have no enemies currently Siegbald. I'm just giving the dead proper rest. Well technically I have four enemies currently, but that's beside the point."
I finished making the makeshift torch as I headed over to Siegbalds direction as the look on his face changed back to normal but the look in his eyes seemed to clear slightly.
"I would like for you to finish the rite, Siegbald." I sighed slightly as I stood next to Siegbald and handed him the torch as he thought for a brief second before taking it.
"How do I begin?" Siegbald said.
"Well, I would recommend you say something first. It can be one word, two, or even a sentence if you wish. Just mean what you say." I said with a slight smile as I continued. "Pour your drink, toast to the dead, pour them their final drink, then light the pyre. Then normally a feast would proceed after as one should mourn for the dead, but they should also celebrate the life they had."
Siegbald only nodded his head as he proceeded to again reach into the dark as he pulled out two pure white drinking cups. The lids of the casks seemed to pop off as two perfect portions flew into the two cups as one of the cups floated smoothly over to me.
I accepted the drink as I nodded my head to Siegbald as he did the same before he looked at the two pyres.
"To those that have fallen I thank you for your sacrifice. Normally we would have just burned you without a care with no respect for what you've done." Siegbald said as he slowly raised his cup. "But know this before you properly rest. Know that your sacrifice will no longer be ignored."
Siegbald finished with a promising smile as he drank his cup.
I was surprised by Siegbalds statement as I smiled and drank my cup as well.
The two casks easily started to float towards the two mass graves before tilting slowly as the liquor started to slowly pour over the pyre.
"Hopefully they can have a few more drinks." Siegbald said in a deep yet clear voice.
After the casks finished pouring out the torch in Siegbalds hand started to burn with a deep and soft black flame. "It'll allow for the bodies to burn cleanly and evenly. Leaving only behind ash."
"I appreciate that." I said with a nod as the pyre started to burn with soft black flames.
It was an interesting site to see as the silver rays of the moon and the black flames mix. There wasn't even any smoke let alone any strong heat from the flames.
The pyre didn't take that long to burn as in thirty minutes everything was burned to ash.
It was a peaceful, silent, and yet simple rite.
{System Notification. Trait: Legion of the Buried gained.}
Trait Name: Legion of the Buried.
Trait Mastery: 20%
Trait Rank: F.
Description - I am Legion for We are many.
Legion of the Buried (Passive.): Gain plus 1 to all stats for every 5,000 bodies buried.
Thanks, of the Buried (Passive.): Gain a small chance to earn a skill with each Legion you bury.
{System Notification. Thanks, of the Buried (Passive.) activated.}
{System Notification. Skill: Bonk learned.}
Skill Name: Bonk.
Skill Mastery: 0%
Skill Rank: F.
Description: Bonk those who stand in front of you!
Bonk (Active.): Bonk your enemies with double your Strength.
'Status.'
Name: Bastion.
Age: 20
Race: Human/Unknown.
Title: Baron. (Primary.)
Class: Grave Digger. (Origin)
Job: Keeper of the Grave. (Beginning.)
Rank: Human - 1
Strength: 10
Constitution: 10
Dexterity: 9
Intelligence: 11
Wisdom: 11
Charisma: 11
Traits: Legion of the Buried (F)
Skill: Grave Digging (C), Shovel Wielder (C), Fishing (B), Bonk (F)
Items: Shovel (Requirement not met.), Letter (Common.)
I was stunned by the massive amount of information that the System was giving as even Siegbald seemed to notice as I noticed a small smile on his face as he kept quiet as he pulled out another cask and opened it.
"It seems as if you gained some power." Siegbald said as two perfect drops of liquor fell into the cups.
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