My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 239

After placing flowers inside the coffin as decoration, I gently placed Paroco, wrapped in soft fabric, into the coffin.

In this world, it is said that burying a corpse in a coffin for a funeral is not common. Nobles might do so, but commoners do not.

In fact, my mother was buried wrapped only in cloth, not in a coffin.

“Say your last goodbyes. Once the lid of the coffin is closed, I don’t think it’ll open again.”

“…Are you okay, Teacher?”

“I…”

As I displayed my usual apathetic response, Iris, sensing the discomfort, cautiously asked. No one would remain indifferent when their parents have died, no matter how emotionless they had lived their life.

“…I don’t know.”

My words cast a somber atmosphere. Do they think I haven’t fully accepted this situation yet?

It’s not wrong to say that one has to shed tears to truly accept it, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only way.

Even now, I couldn’t grasp whether I should act as Praus or as the reincarnated being.

“Thank you. Still. For crying on my behalf.”

“N-no…”

With those words, it seemed emotions surged within, and I could hear sniffles around me.

I could feel the Heroes wanting to wail with all their might, but they probably restrained themselves knowing very well that I was the one who wanted to cry the most.

Feeling grateful for that consideration, I closed the coffin lid.

“Where will he be buried?”

“There’s a cemetery next to the Church. I was thinking of burying him… beside my mother.”

I knew that Paroco had suffered greatly because of his family during his lifetime.

I still remembered how he cried every night, longing for his wife.

I also recalled how he lived his life with a heavy heart, suppressing most of what he wanted to say and do with Praus after his wife died.

The last kindness I could extend to him was to bury him next to his wife.

“Let’s go.”

I gently patted the heads of the silently sobbing Heroes.

*

When we arrived at the church on the outskirts of the town, there were more people gathered than I had expected.

It was surprising that they did not flee, even in this situation. Perhaps they thought being not too far from the capital wouldn’t be an issue.

Regardless, it seemed that news of Paroco’s death had spread when we brought the coffin, as everyone looked at me with sorrowful expressions.

“It’s such a shame. Truly a shame…”

“There was no one quite like Paroco—noble in character.”

“Even the heavens are indifferent. Why take such a kind person?”

Listening to the villagers’ words, I slowly placed the coffin before the priest. Thanks to the Heroes carrying it, it wasn’t too heavy.

“I’ve heard the story. You brought Paroco in the coffin?”

“…Yes.”

I replied curtly to the priest. At this moment, I wished to converse warmly, yet my expression management skill wouldn’t allow it.

“I see. Then would it be alright to proceed with the funeral right away according to the protocol?”

“I was simply going to bury him. Why are you going out of your way to do this?”

“I owe Mr. Paroco so much. I believe it is only proper that I repay my debts to him in this way.”

“……”

For some reason, the priest’s words struck me, rendering me speechless.

“I will ensure that his farewell is not lacking, so may I take care of it?”

“…Please do.”

Under the priest’s guidance, I recited a prayer resembling a mass from the other world, comforting Paroco’s soul to find eternal rest.

The villagers quietly listened to the priest, sending their wishes for his peace.

Though he might have lost his wife due to a wrong choice, I realized anew that Paroco was not a bad man.

After the proceedings concluded, we moved the coffin to the cemetery.

As I was about to dig next to the grave where my mother was buried, I momentarily lost myself in thought upon seeing her tombstone.

Come to think of it, I had never visited this place.

It had remained an unpleasant memory in Praus’s mind, and I had never been here. Not to mention the fact that she wasn’t my real mother.

“…”

Paroco…

“Sigh.”

I couldn’t help but sigh at the confusion my identity brought me once again.

…Right. For this moment, let’s think of Paroco as my father.

At the very least, he treated me as his son. For this moment of farewell, it would be alright to consider him a father.

“Let’s dig here.”

“I’ll do it.”

Just as I was about to grab the shovel, Maria stepped forward.

If she did it, it would take less time, so there was no reason for me to refuse.

“Alright.”

Using magic, she excavated the ground in a perfect square. It seemed to be about 2-3 meters deep.

Not only did she dig the ground instantly with magic, but she floated the earth in place, shocking the villagers. It wasn’t common to see a magician at the village level, so it was only natural.

“Can I place the coffin in, Teacher?”

While sniffling, Maria spoke with maturity.

“Yes.”

She carefully placed the coffin into the grave. After looking at the coffin, she naturally covered it with dirt.

“Since this is a sudden funeral, I didn’t have time to prepare a gravestone. I’ll prepare it within a few days, so please wait a little longer.”

“I’ll pay for the gravestone.”

“That’s fine. This is for Mr. Paroco, so it should be taken care of by us.”

“…Thank you. And to everyone, thank you for coming here to help with the funeral despite having your own things to do. I truly appreciate it.”

Though my expression management skill made my tone rigid, I bowed my head and expressed my heartfelt gratitude. The priest and villagers smiled at my actions.

“Don’t mention it. We owe a lot to Mr. Paroco, so we should put everything aside and be here.”

“Of course! He helped us when we needed it most. He’s a benefactor. This is the least we could do.”

“……”

Listening to the villagers’ warm words, I felt strangely comforted.

Father, you did not live your life wrong.

People make mistakes and fail as they live.

Just as my negligence has caused my father’s death, just as it has prevented me from saving more people.

For me to resent my father would be like spitting in my own face.

So, I will definitely say this here.

[The skill “Expression Management” is temporarily released.]

A hologram appeared before my eyes.

Then, as if the emotions that had been pent up burst, tears began to flow. I felt a lump in my throat as I slowly opened my mouth.

“Father, I forgive you.”

Though it was too late for Paroco to hear, it was something I still wanted to say.

I… no, ‘we’ did not truly hate you.

As if my feelings had been conveyed, the Heroes, unable to hold back, began to cry. I was flustered and calmed them down until their cries subsided.

After a significant amount of time had passed and the Heroes began to calm down, they acknowledged one another and left the cemetery to return to their own duties.

Before leaving, I looked down at my parents’ graves and bowed my head.

“I’ll come by again. Father. Mother.”

I wondered if, one day, when a multitude of weeds grew over this mound of earth, I could finally be free from this bittersweet feeling.

Could I eventually reach a point where I could speak of my parents with a smile, without feeling sadness?

I didn’t know if that day would ever come, but I sincerely wished for it.

*

The funeral ended in a surprisingly subdued atmosphere.

Having buried him properly in the cemetery, I began my way home.

Tina, walking beside me, took hold of my hand.

“Tina…?”

“Teacher…”

Is she still struggling?

After all, even the Heroes weren’t quite old enough to be emotionally mature. In that world, they were still middle school students.

“Why is it that kind people leave us first?”

“I don’t know.”

“You won’t die, will you?”

“I won’t die. I have no intention of doing so.”

Even if I were to die, if Yggdrasil’s words are true, my life is guaranteed, so I don’t worry about death.

Though, there’s always the possibility that it may not be true, thus I wouldn’t take death lightly.

“I believe you. Stay with us for life, Teacher.”

“…Alright.”

I gently stroked Tina’s hair. It was also my job to soothe the other Heroes who were feeling a bit envious of her.

*

“……”

I tossed and turned in my bed a few times before getting up. Damn it, I couldn’t sleep.

“Is it another crescent moon…?”

What a coincidence. Both my father and mother passed away on the night of the crescent moon.

I sighed and threw on some clothes. I stepped out quietly, closing the door in case the Heroes would wake.

“Prau…s…? Where are you going?”

Upon hearing the sudden voice behind me, I turned to see Ariel sitting on the roof. Had she been lost in thought, gazing at the moon?

“……I just want some fresh air.”

“Is that so?”

She stood up and gracefully landed in front of me.

“Can I come with you?”

“……As long as you don’t chatter.”

“Eh~ I was planning to talk!”

I chose not to respond to Ariel’s words and began walking. She followed me, saying, “What a cold-shouldered person!”

Before long, we arrived at Secul’s famous hillside. Standing before the vast nature made my problems feel minuscule, and that’s why I came here.

“How do you feel? Are you okay?”

“……Neither good nor bad.”

Leaning against a tree, I welcomed the end-of-summer breeze. It felt quite chilly at night.

“I see you’re surprisingly composed. I wish I could live indifferently like Praus! Then I wouldn’t have any worries or anxieties~!”

“Then just live—”

“……I was just saying it.”

That was an unexpected curveball. Where on earth does her sincerity begin and end?

“Are you joking?”

“I’m joking, but it’s somewhat sincere too. That indifference gives you the ability to think rationally in any situation. Ah, but you’re too extreme, and it makes me feel a bit detached.”

“……Is that so.”

“But I still think you should show a bit of concern sometimes. Otherwise, will you suffer in silence?”

“Is that from experience?”

“……Yes.”

Ariel responded somewhat bitterly, taking a seat beside me. She leaned against the tree. After maintaining silence for a while, she slowly began to speak.

“You know, I’m trying to accept it.”

“…Accept what?”

“It really, really hurts, but I think it’s best to let Pasma go now.”

I thought it was a hasty conclusion, but it wasn’t my place to speak out since it wasn’t something I had to bear.

“I might never love anyone again, but in my memories, Pasma will always remain a precious memory. I’m sure I’ll be okay.”

While Ariel spoke with a hint of laughter, it gradually turned into a whimper.

Hearing her weeping beside me, all I could do was gently pat her shoulder. That was all I could do for her.

“Ah, for real… I didn’t want to cry. Here I am, receiving comfort instead from someone who just lost a precious person. How pitiful… I should be the one crying for Praus.”

After pouring out her feelings, Ariel seemed to feel awkward, wiping her eyes as she continued.

“It’s fine. All I’ve done is listen to your story. You must have been worrying about me.”

“……Then when you want to cry, tell me. I’ll listen. As your friend.”

When she referred to us as friends, I couldn’t help but smile slightly.

“Is that so? Friends.”

“Yes!”

“That’s quite comforting.”

I felt a lightness in my heart.

There were still things I needed to think about, but for now, I wanted to embrace this feeling wholeheartedly.