Chapter 54: The Last Words
“Neily? It’s a nice name, but I’ve never heard of her,” Lin Yan frowned, racking her brain, but the name didn’t ring any bells. “And I thought the Sharp Assault squad only had five members since its inception… Where did this sixth person come from?”
Uncle Lin, driving the carriage, added, “Miss Bai, I’ve never heard of a medic in the Sharp Assault squad, nor have I seen the name ‘Neily’ on any Garrison Knight roster.”
One of Uncle Lin’s former duties in the Garrison Knights had been managing the archives.
With his memory, remembering the names of nearly ten thousand knights wasn’t difficult.
“Perhaps I was mistaken,” Bai lowered her head, the faint, gentle figure in her memories flickering, becoming even more ethereal.
Even Neily’s face was blurring.
Her own lost past, Sister Neily, who existed in no one’s memory but hers…
Who was the ghost?
Was it her, or the Sister Neily only she remembered?
Perhaps both…
“Bai, where are you going next?” Lin Yan asked suddenly, looking at Bai with curiosity.
Weakened by [Bloodfire Ascension], she lacked her usual energy, looking more like a sheltered noble lady.
However, she didn’t suggest that Bai stay in Vikarn Port.
Everyone knew that Bai, in her demon form, couldn’t remain in Vikarn Port, or even within human territory.
Her appearance was too striking, too alarming.
Bai knew this as well, but she still wanted to search for answers about her past.
…And about the elusive Sister Neily.
Before Bai could answer, the carriage stopped.
“We’ve arrived at the cemetery,” Uncle Lin announced.
Bai and Lin Yan looked out the window. The Garrison Knights stood in formation, the air thick with grief and solemnity.
Magic cannons, used only for important ceremonies, fired a salute of ninety-six shots, one for each year of Lugner’s life.
After a pause, five more shots echoed, one for each fallen knight of Saint Noyes.
The burial ceremony, despite Lugner’s request for simplicity, was elaborate and befitting his status. The Empire wouldn’t skimp on honoring its heroes.
Lin Yan and Bai remained in the carriage, only Uncle Lin attending the ceremony as Lugner’s former subordinate.
Of course, with their status, no one would question their absence.
“I can’t believe Commander Lugner… just within a year…” Lin Yan sighed, watching the grand, yet somehow inadequate, ceremony.
Seeing Bai’s distant expression, she quickly stopped speaking.
This past year must have been difficult for Bai as well…
“What is it?” Bai asked, noticing Lin Yan’s sudden silence.
Lin Yan shook her head. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
It was all in the past. Bai understood why Lugner had made that decision.
Without the Sharp Assault squad’s sacrifice to buy time, the Saint Noyes garrison, comprising thirty percent of the Empire’s forces, would have been annihilated.
The Empire would have faced devastating losses, perhaps even losing several more defense lines, the demons reaching the densely populated cities.
As Lugner had said, he had abandoned the future and chosen the present.
But understanding didn’t mean she agreed with his decision.
“At least, let us know what we died for…”
Seeing Bai’s sadness, Lin Yan wanted to say something, but she held back.
She knew nothing about the machinations behind the scenes; she had no right to speak.
Just then, a knock came at the carriage door, followed by a calm voice.
“Commander Lin, Miss Bai, may I intrude?”
Lin Yan recognized the voice of Sirn, Lugner’s former adjutant and second-in-command.
“Come in, Sir Sirn.”
“Yes, Commander.”
Sirn entered, standing before Lin Yan and Bai.
Even though he was no longer the Garrison’s second-in-command, he still addressed Lin Yan with the respect due to his former superior.
“Please, sit. The carriage isn’t very spacious, and it would be rather cramped with someone of your stature standing,” Lin Yan said, surprisingly offering a lighthearted remark. Sirn nodded slightly and sat down.
Without preamble, he got straight to the point.
“Commander Lugner had prepared for his death a year ago.”
“Hmm?” Lin Yan and Bai looked surprised, but then, it made sense.
Lugner’s actions before his death had suggested he was ready to die.
In fact, after hearing Bai speak, his death seemed almost like a release, a blessing.
“He had arranged everything in advance,” Sirn continued, pulling out a document. “Including his successor.”
“Glaimond?” Bai asked, uttering the now-forbidden name, but Sirn didn’t deny it.
“Now, according to Commander Lugner’s final wishes, before he went to the Clock Tower, his position as Legendary Knight will be inherited by Commander Lin.”
As expected, neither Lin Yan nor Bai was surprised.
Glaimond might have had many rivals, but Lin Yan had none, not currently.
Glaimond, even in death, wouldn’t have realized that his elaborate scheme to obtain the position had been pointless. Lugner had chosen him as his successor from the very beginning.
“There’s another matter,” Sirn continued, glancing at Bai, but not meeting her eyes. “I need to speak with Miss Bai privately.”
“Is there something I can’t hear?” Lin Yan frowned, leaning forward slightly, as if to protect Bai.
“Don’t worry, Commander Lin. I wouldn’t stand a chance against Miss Bai alone,” Sirn said calmly. “And this is not for your ears, nor for mine.”
“Huh?” Lin Yan was confused.
“It’s a memory, entrusted to me by Commander Lugner, meant only for Miss Bai. Although it’s stored within my mind, I cannot access it,” Sirn explained.
He turned to Bai. “Is that acceptable?”
“Yes,” Bai replied, then whispered to Lin Yan, “Miss Lin Yan, don’t worry about me. And please trust Sir Sirn.”
Lin Yan hesitated, then nodded and stepped out of the carriage.
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