The gloomy sky was drizzling slightly, and even the Erdtree shine with little light. One after another, the corpses of the Erdtee soldiers were put into the coffin, their comrades slowly and carefully lowered with ropes the dead into the graves dug for each of them. On the side, Marika and the people of the Erdree stood silently, paying homage to these soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country.
Today, Marika and Siduri are holding a funeral for the twenty-four soldiers and knights who died in the defense of the city. The location of the cemetery was chosen in an open space not far to the north outside the city.
"May your souls return to the embrace of the Erdtree."
Corhyn folded his hands and prayed for them.
Achilles walked to Mark's grave, with a hint of sadness in his eyes, and said softly:
"Mark, although I haven't known you for a long time, I want you to know that you have been a true warrior to the end."
Siduri walked up to Achilles at this moment, saluted and said:
"Sir Achilles, please express your condolences, but our goddess will recite the dying prayer for the deceased later, please join the group."
"Got it." Achilles only replied softly, and after taking a last look at Mark's grave, Achilles joined the mourners.
Marika waited til everyone joined the mourners and stood up, walked in front of everyone and prepared to recite the suspense. Although there is a solemn sadness on everyone's face, they still show a brave face. A soul returning to the Erdtree is the best final destination for the people who believe in the Golden Order. And Marika's companions from another world paid silent respect for the dedication and sacrifice of these soldiers.
'These people died for me, so the least I can do is offer an elegy to you.'
Marika felt a heavy burden of guilt in her heart. These soldiers sacrificed their lives for her ideals, and unfortunately there will be more people who will join them in the future. Marika did not choose to remove death like her original self. Birth, old age, sickness and death are the normal state of life, once tampered with, it will lead to serious consequences such as undead curse and dementia caused by the constant cycle of rebirth caused by the Golden Order's grace. So although the burial ceremony is viewed as Returning to the tree for everyone else, only Marika knows it is impossible for these soldiers to be resurrected. So in order to change this cruel and violent world, and to live up to their sacrifices, Marika had to move forward.
With the power of the Intoners, Marika opened her voice and offered her last blessings to them.
[Recommended BGM: Nier: Replica ver.1.22474487139...OST - Emil's Sacrifice]
"I pray and beg for a star to light my night
dark and cold
Beneath this despair, there is no light
I long for the sun, warm promises hold me tightly
Gathering of dark clouds
They killed my last hope
How can I be confident? the
When my future is reduced to ashes
and dust? the
Scorched by fate's cruel tricks? the
fear has taken over my heart
i know what will happen
when i face the shadow
Please don't miss it
Me when my stars no longer shine. the
i dream and hope
For a taste of the sweetness of salvation
vine twine
drag me into the deeper edge
how long
Am I chained to a dreamless sleep? the
no longer sad
Only apathetic acceptance and determination
Faith is all I have left
my dreams and hopes
Now reduced to ashes, burned by fate's cruel trick
No longer afraid
All I face is a touch of sadness
the shadow
when i miss you
My star no longer shines"
The beautiful and sad soprano voice, which contains grief for the dead and hope for the living, infected everyone. Perhaps these soldiers shall eternally slumber but they exchanged their lives for a new tomorrow for the living, allowing them to continue struggling on with their will.
A week later...
The number of soldiers who died in the Battle of Uro Castle was replenished. Under Marika's continuous summoning, her manpower's total strength has reached 10,000 men. But thanks to the fact that Stormveil City is far larger than Uro City, these newly added soldiers can have their own residences.
During this period, she appointed part of the Godrick Army to maintain law and order in the city, and the exiled soldiers were responsible for patrolling the city walls and outside the city, as well as investigating any lands worth cultivating. Marika made this arrangement because the clothes of the exiled soldiers look far too menacing, which easily made the people nervous. That's why the Godrick Army, which looks more like a regular army, is in charge of law and order in the city. Meanwhile the Misbegotten are responsible for janitorial duties and helping the farmers in their farming, and of course the Misbegottens are paid a healthy salary for their hard work.
While the residents of Stormveil City live and work in peace and contentment, the Erdtree has also grown after absorbing the dead on the battlefield. Now the skyscraping golden tree can be seen in the center of the city from a great distance outside the city.
Marika also intentionally hired merchants and bards to sing about the deeds of the Golden Dynasty's victory at the city formerly known as Uro. By spreading words of the disastrous defeat of the Falkerhi empire and the Inrud kingdom, the reputation of the small Golden Dynasty defeating the two great powers at the same time can not only serve as a threat to any intentional invaders, but also affect the morale of the people of the empire and the kingdom, making them doubt their own country's military strength, thus triggering popular discontent.
Merchants and bards' tales extend in all directions, one spreads to ten, ten spreads to hundreds, and they can't be blocked. The news soon spread all over the continent, even as far away as the Elfson Kingdom of the elves.
Silver armored knights who control mighty storm magic, an iron cavalry brigade who are fearless in battle, mages with superb spells and highly disciplined soldiers have already aroused the envy of the kings of the surrounding countries.
But there is more.
Unparalleled loyalty, unrivaled swordsmanship, and the fierceness of a wolf, knight Artorius. A demigod with the blood of gods flowing in his body, driving a chariot as fast as lightning, the fierce general who rivals an army by himself, Achilles. These two generals made Nicholas IV, who is in desperate need of talents, champ with rage.
At this time, Nicholas IV was pacing back and forth in his bedroom. He kept replaying in his mind the prophecy his father said to him when Nicholas IV killed him during the rebellion to usurp his throne ten years ago. That day, the palace was on fire everywhere, and the palace guards were in panic. Nicholas IV surrounded the old king with his long sword and followers. But the old king was strangely calm, without the slightest anger of being betrayed. He just casually recited about the prophecy:
"My son! You took my throne today, but your rebellion is but a futile struggle. The Kingdom of Inrud has not much time left. The divine Golden tree will rise in the south, a golden goddess will carry the wrath of the sky, destroy our dynasty, and create an eternal prosperity on our bones."
Nicholas III was obsessed with prophecy and superstition in his later years, ignoring his duty as king, which angered the officials and made the people's lives miserable. Nicholas IV decided to overthrow the old king and establish his own government. But the prophecy from ten years ago is still like a barb in his heart, which he will never forget. Back then, he ordered people to search everywhere, but there was no clue at all, so he reluctantly gave up. Now the Southern Expeditionary Army that went to recover Uro City was completely annihilated, and rumors spread in the royal city, saying that Uro City is now under the rule of a goddess. She is as beautiful as a fairy, holding a divine bow in her hand, commanding winds and storms. And even more concerning, is that she transformed into a three-headed dragon to wipe out the armies of the two countries in one fell swoop. But worst of all, in Uro City, the golden giant tree that was no different from the prophecy stands erect in the center of the city.
How could Nicholas IV tolerate a woman who appeared out of nowhere to take away the kingdom and throne he won by cruelly killing his father!
The next day he vowed in court to defeat, capture and humiliate Marika, and let her know the price for angering the Kingdom of Inrud. He angrily ordered his officials that no matter what means they use, the Golden Dynasty must be completely destroyed!
But on how to defeat Malika, who has the ability to transform into a three-headed dragon, left the officials at a loss what to do, making Nicholas jump his feet angrily.