The Swordswoman’s Revenge Story after Rebirth

Chapter 424: Grieving for His Death

Everyone was ready to depart, and only Isolde’s tent remained unstruck. As soon as she got up, someone came to pack it up. The neighbors had also gathered to help, and slowly, members of the Langley family began to arrive to see Geoffrey off.

The Langley family was a vast clan, with many impoverished members. Most ignored family matters because they didn’t have a say. Regarding Geoffrey’s death, some harbored a sense of injustice but had kept silent—until now. Those who once respected Geoffrey had emerged, walking in silence behind the procession.

“Wait, wait!”

A weak, urgent voice came from behind. Isolde turned around and saw an elderly man, dressed in tattered clothes, being supported by two strong men. He was frail and looked sickly, wearing a worn-out coat, his face pale and yellowed—clearly a long-suffering patient.

Isolde didn’t recognize him, but Clark immediately did, rushing forward to help him. “Micah, what are you doing here?”

Micah looked stricken with sorrow, stomping his foot. “Those unworthy descendants didn’t even tell me! If it weren’t for the officials going door-to-door asking, I wouldn’t have known Geoffrey is gone! How cruel! He was so young, the pillar of the Eryndral Empire! Why did Heaven take him from us?”

Micah broke down into sobs, wailing uncontrollably.

A neighbor whispered to Isolde, explaining that Micah was an old elder of the Langley family, but because his family had no notable members, he was often disregarded. He had been bedridden for years, unaware of much that had been going on.

Seeing his grief, Isolde walked forward and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Micah.”

“Isolde?” Micah slowly approached, trying to focus on her. “Ah, you… You look exactly like your mother,” he said, his voice cracking again, tears flowing. “Your mother… she had such a tragic life…”

Two strong men around him hurried to console him, “Grandfather, please don’t be too upset, take care of yourself.”

Micah, however, roared in anger, “I’m old, I’m going to die soon anyway—what’s it to me? Why didn’t you all tell me? A huge event like this, and not a word to me? I’ll go to the church and demand answers. Lawson, that bastard, I’ve never liked him! What good has he ever done for the Langley family? Who is he to forbid Geoffrey from entering the church and from being buried in the ancestral grave?”

He yelled and, after taking a deep breath, shouted towards the crowd, “Lawson, come out here! I’m going to beat you to death! You good-for-nothing, you can’t do anything right except stir up trouble. Get out here, I’ll kill you—”

Micah’s face, once sickly yellow, now turned crimson with rage, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

Lawson wasn’t in the crowd—he had already been taken away by the officials for questioning. But his family members were present, and when they heard Micah’s furious outburst, none of them dared approach.

It pained Isolde that no family members had come to pay respects. Now, hearing Micah speak up for his father, she felt that at least something was right. Isolde shared the same sentiment. She had seen how cold and indifferent the Langley family had been. Geoffrey didn’t need these so-called relatives. But his roots were here, and sending him back to this place, even if they eventually decided to return to Argentum, the acknowledgment and farewell from his family were still important.

Isolde gently held Micah’s hand. “Thank you. If my father sees this from above, he will be deeply grateful. He… he was the Langley family. He needed their recognition.”

Micah, his anger slowly fading, patted her hand. His face softened with sorrow, and he turned away to wipe his tears.

With Micah’s farewell, more members of the Langley family came forward to see Geoffrey off.

As the procession reached the gates of Zrork City, Isolde turned and bowed to the people who had come to pay their respects, before stepping onto the road back to Argentum.

The funeral procession was pulled by eight horses, with Isolde, Oliver, Hattie, and Hazel in the carriage. Clark walked behind the coffin, accompanied by the soldiers, just as when they arrived.

Hattie, sensing Isolde’s lingering doubts, got off the carriage and went to speak with Clark. She returned and informed Isolde, “Micah was your paternal grandfather’s eldest son, but the family has been poor for a long time. Geoffrey used to visit them often. Your mother even sent them money and medicine. They’ve never forgotten the kindness.”

Upon hearing that her mother had helped this family, Isolde turned to Hattie. “Please go tell Anthony that I have it in mind to care for them, but I won’t give them money. If they need help, they should come to Argentum.”

Hattie replied, “That’s not necessary. If you want to help, just send some silver.”

“Money can only solve short-term problems, not long-term poverty,” Isolde replied.

“You’ve really become soft-hearted like a Bodhisattva,” Hattie teased.

“My mother helped them, so I must repay that kindness,” Isolde said, her voice firm. “They’re poor, but they have dignity. Micah’s angry words today redeemed my father’s honor. I must show my gratitude.”

To Isolde, anyone her mother had helped was a good person, and anything her mother had done was always right. She had often been scolded for lacking manners, but now, as she dealt with her mother’s affairs, she started to imitate her, just as her mother had taught her.

“Go ahead, do as she said,” Oliver said, holding her hand and exchanging a smile.

Hattie nodded. “I’ll ride back and tell Anthony.”

After giving the instructions, she set off to find Anthony, while Hazel was sent back to the estate. Though they had originally planned to have Anthony return first, Oliver held him back due to unresolved matters. Anthony was dealing with the legal issues in Zrork City, and Hazel would return to Argentum alone.

The carriage now carried just the two of them.

Oliver wrapped her in his cloak, holding her close. “Sleep for a while,” he murmured.

“I can’t sleep,” Isolde said, resting her head against his chest. “Oliver, we’ve become children without parents.”

Oliver’s heart tightened. “You have me. And many others who care for you.”

“I know, I know I’m loved by many, but… there are some people who can never be replaced,” Isolde replied, her voice thick with sorrow.

Oliver remained silent, his gaze heavy. Yes, some people couldn’t be replaced, but what could they do? He held her tighter, running his fingers through her hair.

“I’m fine, don’t worry about me. I just… I just need to grieve for his passing for a while. It’s the only thing I can do.”