The weather on Sunday was very good, with a timely drizzle starting in the early morning.
Avalon's climate is warm and humid. Although it is winter, it rarely snows.
The rain was not heavy, and even if you stood under the rain for half an hour, your clothes wouldn't get wet. But even so, there were still many black umbrellas at the funeral site.
With Sherlock's current achievements, it is not enough to be stored in St. Guinevere's Chapel. Therefore, this is the dedicated family cemetery of the Hermes family, located in the metropolitan area close to the Red and White Queen.
Even Aiwass rarely wore a black suit. His legs were covered with thick black cloth with finely knitted white patterns, and he held a bouquet in his hands. He sat upright and quietly with his head lowered, and the upper half of his face was covered with Black umbrella and rain screen completely obscured.
Lily, who came with Aiwass and held an umbrella for him, was wearing a black dress with few decorations. She bundled up her thick and dense flaxen long curly hair and hid it under a large black hat. .
The priest on the stage was not Bishop Mathers, but an old bishop whom Aiwass did not know.
His hair and beard looked fluffy and gray, and his hair was very thick.
The old bishop wore thick glasses on the stage, struggled to read the words on the lectern in front of him, and read slowly. They were all Shylock's life achievements and pre-written scriptures.
As a priest who is devoted to the road, he can look so old, which means that his age is already very scary. It also means that he is very senior and has a high status. It is not something that ordinary people can hire.
But logically speaking, the Hermes family should invite Bishop Mathers. As a spiritual councillor, Bishop Mathers is also the supreme bishop of the Candle Cathedral and is the leader of the Church of the Nine Pillars in Avalon. As the top manager, he is the most senior cleric that can be hired.
But he obviously shied away. So it was the turn of this old man who was so senior that he even felt like he was walking like a scumbag to preside over Sherlock's funeral.
——But Aiwass thought that the real reason why Bishop Mathers did not come was probably because he was afraid that he would not be able to hold himself tight.
If he couldn't help laughing when he looked at Sherlock's "corpse", something would probably happen. So he didn't dare to come.
At this moment, the huge coffin behind the old bishop is open, with a lifelike "Sherlock" lying inside. There are three pillars standing next to it, with white flames burning quietly on them. Next to the "corpse" in the coffin, there is an exquisite A small silver box inlaid with fine rubies and emeralds.
Of course, the one in the coffin is not Sherlock, but it is not an illusion or a doll that Mycroft asked someone to make to look like the real thing. It is just an ordinary wax figure.
After all, Sherlock was involved in the bombing and died, and the miserable appearance of his death should be imaginable by the guests present. Therefore, the Hermes family decided to directly cremate Sherlock, and then asked someone to make a wax figure to use at the funeral to maintain the dignity of the deceased. It is also very reasonable behavior.
However, it only takes a day or two to create a lifelike wax figure. It is definitely impossible for ordinary wax figures to do it. Only the conservators of the Dusk Road can do this kind of thing. Finding a conservator in Avalon is a difficult task.
It is difficult, but it is not the case for the Hermes family - now the only "minister" of the Hermes family, Mycroft Hermes, the brother of Sherlock Hermes, is a
A conservator.
Queen Sofia is sensible.
Sir Arthur was framed back then and lost his position as minister, and his reputation has not been fully restored to this day. But he is obviously an innocent person... Because of this, the Queen chose to use Arthur's children as compensation and open a higher level to them.
authority. Just as Sherlock can walk on the path of wisdom, his brother Mycroft can also walk on the path of twilight.
In addition to being an arbiter, Mycroft is also learning the survival skills of the twilight road.
Preservation is a very broad mysterious skill. It is more of a concept than a technique.
Making wax figures, models, specimens, or keeping corpses and food fresh for a long time, or long-term preservation of contracts, evidence, wills, deeds, documents, paintings and other objects that are easily damaged over time, all require the use of preservation techniques. Even some
This includes techniques to quickly stop bleeding from a wound, or to help people who are close to death try to survive.
The ability to "ensure that the situation does not deteriorate further" is the extensive knowledge that a conservator must master.
The wax figure that now replaces the body of Sherlock Hermes was made by Mycroft himself.
It is said that he was so shocked when he saw Sherlock's body that it left a deep impression on his mind.
Therefore, it is possible to create a wax figure that will take the place of the corpse and attend the funeral using only the remaining memories in the mind without referring directly to the person.
If the guests stood a little further away, they would not even be able to tell whether the person in the coffin was actually him or not - the body was very different from the state when he was alive. What's more, it was still a pale version with eyes closed.
"...At this point, his spirit evaporates in the fire, and his soul returns to Si Zhu. He will drink Si Zhu's blood, and Si Zhu will bear his sins for him."
The old bishop's eulogy was coming to an end. He trembled and said unsteadily: "We worship the God whose holy number is three, the God who binds the body with sin thorns, and the God who burns the body to chase away the darkness - Sizhuzhi
Stag, please protect his spirit. Just as you protect the tiniest candle in this world, guard the faintest fire."
After saying that, he stretched out his hand and tapped his crown slowly three times.
The old bishop chanted in a low voice: "May the candle burn brightly in front of his tomb."
"——May his candle burn brightly forever."
All the guests present bowed their heads, chanted in unison, stretched out their hands and tapped their chests three times.
At this point, the main process of the funeral is over.
After that, we need to find someone to close the coffin and bury it in the soil. Then let the priest bless the land, and those who brought flowers can come and lay flowers. Those who just came to visit the funeral can leave now, and they can also walk around and talk freely.
.
Under the black umbrella, Aiwass noticed that not far away, Sherlock's mother finally couldn't help crying. His mother was also in a wheelchair. Unlike Aiwass, she looked haggard at the moment, with thin cheeks.
The middle-aged man wearing black-rimmed glasses and neat black short hair was whispering comfort from the side.
——When this thing is over, you have to let your mother give you a good beating to vent your anger. Aiwass thought to himself.
"Leave the flowers to me."
At this moment, a steady voice came: "You are not in good health either, Mr. Aiwass."
Aiwass raised his head, and the black umbrella above his head tilted back slightly. Then, a palm as wide and fat as a seal paw stretched out from under the umbrella, and gently lifted the bouquet in his arms.
Taken away.
"Mr. Mycroft."
Aiwass nodded slightly and greeted the visitor.
This person is none other than Sherlock's most trusted relative, his eldest brother Mycroft Hermes.
Aiwass visually estimated that Sherlock was about 1.83 meters tall, only half an inch taller than himself. But Mycroft was closer to 1.9 meters, not much different from Edward.
Mycroft is not only taller than Sherlock, he is even much stronger than him. The only minister of the Hermes family now is not just a big belly, but also visibly fat, and even his face is wider.
. Even the umbrella he holds is bigger than the others.
Despite this, the fat Mr. Mycroft does not look ugly.
Aiwass could clearly see traces similar to Sherlock's on his face - even though the fat on his face was so plump, he could still see the traces of his deep facial features. Mycroft had the same
He has black hair and wolf-like amber eyes. His eyes are bright and lively, and he seems to be deep in thought.
He looks fat, but his body is not bulky. The quiet steps when he walks give people a feeling of lightness and precision; holding such a huge umbrella in one hand can make it motionless, which reflects his balance.
And a stable force.
"I heard Sherlock mention you before."
Mycroft held a bouquet in his free hand and looked at Aiwass with deep meaning: "He trusts you very much."
"I am also proud of having such a friend."
Aiwass said softly, with no obvious sadness on his face: "He is a smart and upright man. Loyal to the kingdom and loyal to the queen... But I never thought that in the end it was his wisdom that harmed me.
.”
"I don't think so, Mr. Aiwass. I think wisdom is always right."
Mycroft said calmly: "Sherlock, as the victim, is completely clean and has no fault at all - the fault obviously lies with those hateful gangsters."
Although he also knew that Sherlock had faked his death, Mycroft did not act sad. He looked very calm, as if this was not his brother's funeral, but another person he had never met.
According to Sherlock's admiration for him, Mycroft should not have thought of this kind of thing. So it can only be another situation - Mycroft is always like this, and he is not in step with everyone else.
"Rather than silence, I prefer this to be a despicable revenge," Aiwass said.
"What do you think it comes from?" Mycroft asked.
"The Sweater Brotherhood."
Aiwass lowered his head and said softly: "To be precise, it was the alchemy bomb smuggling case involved in this matter. Sherlock, who was investigating the bomb, was killed by the bomb... I think this is a high-profile provocation. From
In this regard, maybe this is just the beginning.”
"——Yes, this is not impossible."
At this moment, a steady voice sounded from beside the two of them.
Aiwass raised his head, and Lily also raised the umbrella higher, allowing him to see clearly the appearance of the person coming.
This man looks to be at least in his fifties, with obvious wrinkles and nasolabial folds on his face. But even so, his hair has not turned white. The blond hair is oiled and neatly smoothed back.
The back of his head didn't look messy even on a rainy day. The person's pupils were not a tan color that was more amber, but a light blue that was close to light gray.
He was not holding an umbrella, and he looked so sad that he seemed haggard. Although he was wearing black clothes, Aiwass still recognized... this man was exactly the man in the white suit that he had seen at the award ceremony.
lawyer.
——Lloyd’s legal counsel, York Hermes!
"...Uncle York."
Mycroft glanced at Aiwass first, then turned around and hugged York deeply as if nothing had happened.
York also looked sad. He hugged Mycroft, who could not be hugged by him, and patted his back hard: "Sorry, kid.
"Sherlock was a good boy. It's such a pity that he died like this..."
Lawyer York sighed in a low voice: "I still want him to join Lloyd's. If he can join Lloyd's, someone will be able to protect him... Those people will never dare to do anything to him."
At that moment, Lily suddenly raised her head slightly.
She caught a trace of murderous intent in Mycroft. But the aura was fleeting, as if it was just an illusion.
And the fat man still looked gentle, generous and kind to others.
"Lloyd's?"
At this moment, Aiwass made a suspicious sound at the right time: "That's not from Lloyd's District..."
"——It's just an insurance organization in Lloyd's District. We are not a company. We only provide a place for talks. We are a purely private business organization."
Following Aiwass's words, York Hermes stepped forward and spoke.
Aiwass showed a puzzled expression: "But I heard that Lloyd's is an organization that provides usury..."
"It's not usury. Our loan interest rates are completely within the scope of the kingdom's laws."
Attorney York replied.
As he spoke, he handed Aiwass a gorgeous business card made of gold paper: "Although you may have heard some rumors, I want to say that they are not facts. They are just rumors spread by jealous people... I am Lao
Jock Hermes, the legal counsel hired by the Society, is Sherlock's uncle. We met last week - I'm a friend of Gordon's and I'm sitting next to him. That's the guy on your right... you still
remember me?"
"I remember, Mr. York. I also heard Sherlock mention you."
Hearing this, Aiwass suddenly understood, and his eyes became a little more friendly and convincing.
"What did he say?" York paused and asked.
But Aiwass' eyes were pure and serious, without any distracting thoughts: "He said that you are a good person who is kind to others and makes many friends."
"Sigh...Thank you for his comment. It's really a pity. Sherlock is also a very outstanding young man..."
Lawyer York sighed. He felt sincerely and regretfully.
In the middle of his words, he glanced at Mycroft beside him who was about to speak but hesitated. It was as if he had something to say, but it was inconvenient to speak at the funeral site.
Aiwass pretended to realize something, and nodded to Mycroft: "Let's talk next time, Mycroft. Please convey my condolences to Sherlock for me.
"I have something I want to talk to Mr. York about. I still don't think there's something right about Sherlock being attacked."
"Yes, Sherlock left some words for Mr. Aiwass before his death. It's not convenient here." Lawyer York nodded and greeted Aiwass enthusiastically, "Aren't you very interested in Lloyd's?
"——It just so happens, then I'll take you to see it. Let's go to the Lloyd's headquarters to talk."
After reading some of this chapter, I changed my stance and thought about it. It’s really not a good idea to ask for leave when opening a dungeon. It can kill someone.
But I'm also a little worried that my body won't be able to hold on when the time comes... This summer is so hot and muggy that I feel a little out of breath when I stay in an air-conditioned room every day.
But he just took one day off, and it would be awkward to take another day off, so the cat thought of a way to take two half-days off!
Forcibly speed up the cycle of work and rest!
I went to bed at 5:30 yesterday afternoon, but woke up at 1:30 this morning. If I go to bed at 7 or 8 tonight, I will wake up early tomorrow morning, and my schedule should be normal!
This is called turning from cathode to yang!
I’ll start with a single update today, which only has more than 4,000 words. But at least there are some updates that I can read! There may be a single update tomorrow, and the update should be resumed the day after tomorrow——
Also, Can Guan held an event in the book review area to promote it~