章 32: The Funeral - Part 2
As mentioned Leko's funeral lasted for a few hours, but eventually, it came to a conclusion. All the villagers decided to retire to their respective homes.
Ai, Darion, and Leo, however, remained there.
Ai was replaying bits of memories of Leko. She still could not believe that a close friend of hers had left so soon. She remembered the days when Leko and her would sit together and talk about the orphanage's future. Ai could clearly see Leko smiling broadly when he mentioned the orphans they were taking care of.
On the other hand, Darion repeatedly thanked Leko in his head. He was utterly grateful to Leko for all he had done to him. He mentally promised that he would do his best to continue to take care of the orphanage and establish many such orphanages around the world so that the orphans don't have to suffer and Leko could rest in peace.
After praying for some more time, Ai finally thought about leaving as it was already too late.
Ai frantically looked for Leo.
"Leo? Where are you?"
He was earlier, kneeling beside her but now, he was no more near her. She looked around but couldn't find him. She had no choice but to call out to him.
"I'm here.", Leo answered, peeking from behind Darion's back. He was behind Darion all this time. Because of his small stature, he wasn't being seen as Darion covered him.
"We're going back, Leo. Come on.", Ai said, relieved that Leo wasn't missing.
"Can I stay here for a bit more, Auntie?"
Leo had accepted the death of Leko for quite some time already, but he still felt his heart stung when he witnessed Leko's body being buried in the ground.
"But Leo-"
"It's okay. I'll take him back later.", Darion offered. "Besides, I also want to stay here for a bit more."
Ai hesitated for a moment. She wasn't sure whether or not to allow Leo to stay out so late. After all, Leo is still a child who needed rest, especially after he had traveled for a whole day to the village.
"Are you okay with that, Darion?", Ai asked.
Darion nodded his head.
"Are you sure Leo? The children might still be awake…", she still tried to bring him with her as she was going to return, but Leo seemed a bit stubborn.
"Yes, Auntie. Don't worry, I will listen to uncle. And I'm not worried about the kids as long as you are going to join them.", he said.
Finally, Ai agreed with him hesitatingly. She knew that he wasn't someone who would stir trouble. Also, she trusted Darion a bit, hence, she refrained from asking him to return with her.
"Alright, but don't stay here too late. You have traveled for the entire day so you need some rest too. Come home soon!", Ai agreed, adding a little advice to Leo.
Leo nodded in understanding.
Ai then left the graveyard after waving to Darion and Leo.
Leo and Darion stood together in silence. Darion had his guard up, just in case anyone were to attack them, but it was unlikely to happen that a human would attack them out of the blue.
He was thinking about the beasts nearby. In addition to Leko, Darion too had an idea about the Beast tools that were placed around to prevent beasts to come into the village.
However, the land where they were standing, had a strong bloody scent. Even if the weaker beasts would be scared away because of the tools, the stronger beasts would be attracted as this blood stench would be much more effective than some beast tool.
He didn't want Leo to die in his care.
Leo kept staring at the place where Leko's body was buried. He knew he could have done something to save him, but it was too late now.
'Don't worry, Father. I will continue to level up my beast soul ranks in order to avenge you.', Leo thought to himself, clenching his fists rather tightly.
He had three clear goals in front of him – one, slaughtering beasts as he hated them for some reason and two, avenging Leko. His third goal was rather very unique and the best out of all the three – taking care of the children in the orphanage and Ai.
Half an hour passed in a blink of an eye. Darion decided it was time for the both of them to head home.
"Leo, let's go back.", Darion instructed as he slightly nudged Leo's shoulder.
Slowly, Leo looked up to Darion and back to Leko's grave. Leo still felt a bit reluctant to leave, but he had no choice but to agree. He could always come and visit Leko anytime.
Both of them slowly left the graveyard together in silence.
However, Leo stopped in his tracks. In front of him, he saw an old lady limping toward him. It was the grandma who gave him the Void Lion's ring.
Leo remembered the talk with her very clearly. It hadn't been that long.
"Grandma?", Leo asked.
Without actually responding to his surprise, he just asked about Leko right away.
"Boy, is Leko really dead?", the old lady asked, her body visibly trembling violently.
Leo and Darion immediately rushed to the old lady to help her. The old lady looked very fragile now as if she would collapse anytime.
"Grandma, what are you doing here?", Leo held the old lady's right arm while Darion held her left arm.
"I saw and heard everything, son… So tell me the truth.", she said.
Although she was old, her hearing and vision were far greater than any average man in his prime. She heard Leo murmuring earlier.
Leo looked down, unable to form words to answer the old lady's question.
"If you don't tell me, I will find out by myself.", the old lady insisted as she tried to limp towards the graveyard.
"Wait, grandma. I'll take you there." Leo replied.
He could have told her, however, he couldn't find the right words. He felt a pang of weird guilt for lying to her earlier.
"Leo, we have to go back to the orphanage.", Darion reminded him.
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