However, Mr. Mischael told Colin in a very sincere tone that he had seen the sincerity and love in Mr. Gaiate’s eyes—that for so many years he had been running around for his grandmother Sophia, that his love for her was beyond words, and that he completely empathized with Mr. Gaiate’s loss of his beloved.
Therefore, he agreed to Mr. Gaiate’s request, with his only condition being to observe the autopsy.
Given that, Colin happily accepted their request and witnessed their signing ceremony in the sacred hall of the Church.
This made Old Ferrero, who hurried over upon hearing the news, exclaim in amazement, "I thought they were going to fight."
"Did you tell Malin?" Colin looked at Old Ferrero, also fearing trouble.
"I did, he should be on his way back, but he won’t make it for a while, he’s in the North’s Transmission Interference Zone." Old Ferrero paused for a moment before adding, "I thought Mr. Mischael would angrily refuse Gaiate, and then Gaiate would go to the graveyard to dig in the middle of the night, I know he’s just that kind of heretical man."
"That can’t be," Colin felt this was too outrageous, "That’s Mr. Gaiate’s beloved, how could he bear to do that?"
"You forgot that Gaiate is a Transcendent of the Truth Sequence, didn’t you? In pursuit of the truth, he would definitely do it. Truth would affect his mind... Fortunately, Mischael agreed to his request, otherwise, I don’t know what would have happened next. You keep an eye on them, and I’ll update Malin with the latest news."
"No problem, you hurry on your end, I’ll follow them to the cemetery right away, it’s hopeless, couldn’t they have picked a better time?" After speaking with Old Ferrero, Colin followed the two men with a sense of resignation.
Raising the coffin was a task for the Church’s guards, after all, a devout believer lay there—Ms. Sophia, a Church Apprentice. Colin had seen her file, and it read that had it not been for her bizarre death, escape from becoming the first female High Priest in red would have been inevitable given her talents.
Unfortunately, there are no ifs in life.
Colin stood at a distance, after all, the autopsy was Mr. Mischael and Mr. Gaiate’s affair. Colin was there as a witness, in case someone’s head got broken—it would be good to have a statement afterwards.
Of course, from Colin’s viewpoint, the two seemed to be cooperating perfectly. Together, they removed Sophia’s skeleton from the casket and confirmed that she hadn’t died from any external injury—her skeleton was intact, bearing no marks. There was only the theoretical possibility of assassination by a puncturing spike through the rib gap into the heart (which was impossible since Old Ferrero had performed the autopsy, and the meticulous elf remembered clearly there were no external injuries), or death by Spell Formation (but even that was unlikely since Old Ferrero’s autopsy report explicitly stated there was no reaction from any Spell Formation on her body, ruling out homicide).
But as Mr. Gaiate picked up the skull, a question suddenly occurred to Colin.
Wait a minute, that can’t be possible.
With his own heart in doubt, Colin saw a man-made chip being removed from the skull by Mr. Gaiate.
The next second, Colin noticed changes emerging on Mr. Gaiate’s body—his advanced age vanished as if he was reborn; his white hair turned black at a visible pace, his skin improved, and even his slightly hunched back straightened up.
He ascended, the owner of the Truth Sequence had discovered the ultimate truth of the doubt he had pursued all his life.
Colin wasn’t sure whether to offer congratulations, as it was clear the old man had ascended to the pinnacle of the Sequence, becoming a Legendary Transcendent. By all accounts, Colin should pay his respects to such a legend.
However, what Colin saw was the legend breaking into tears at this moment, clutching that skull as if it were the girl he had known in his youth.
What worried Colin more was the distortion beginning to manifest in the old man’s shadow—an onset of aberration. It’s over, Colin thought.
Malin would probably not make it back in time to see his father’s last moments.
When Colin wasn’t sure what to do, the unexpected happened—a young man appeared in the cemetery, stepping out from the void in one stride.
It was the Lord of Justice!
Who was the ghostly girl beside him?
While Colin was wondering, he saw her approach Mr. Gaiate.
She crouched down, looking at Mr. Gaiate, while a very pleasing Soul Voice echoed in everyone’s consciousness.
·Gaiate, raise your head and look at me.
Old Gaiate lifted his head upon hearing these words. He looked at her with an expression of surprise.
·I died, but the Lord of Justice preserved my soul. He said that one day you would need my redemption, so I stayed within His paradise, waiting for the day when I could see you again.
"It really is you... truly... I, I’ve seen you again..." Old Gaiate reached out, seemingly trying to caress her face.
But his hand passed through her Spiritual Body.
·Gaiate, I’m dead. I died that summer, have you forgotten? I came here today to tell you... I love you.
Gaiate’s shadow ceased its twisting as if he himself was unaware: "I... I love you too. I’ve always been unable to say it, I’m sorry."
This old man’s face was covered in tears.
·It’s okay, I’ve been watching over you. Every scar on you was made for me; the same goes for the wounds on your face and the marks upon your heart.
·I love you, thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Don’t become distorted, Gaiate. Survive. We once crossed our fingers, promising to grow old together... You must keep that promise, okay?
"I swear, I will keep it. I will die, but I will surely die of old age in my bed. When that time comes, will you come to see me again?" Gaiate looked at the young girl before him as if waiting for her answer, and so did his shadow.
The girl turned her head to look at the young man who had brought her there.
Colin also looked towards the great deity.
He nodded: "I will keep Sophia’s soul. She once guided Hoffman’s soul for me. In the future, he will come to guide you, Gaiate. Remember your oath. On the day of your death, Sophia will come to your bedside to guide you. Do not disappoint her, nor let her make the journey in vain."
"I swear!" Gaiate declared loudly, and then he opened his arms and embraced the young girl.
Colin took out a handkerchief and dabbed the corner of his eyes.
At that moment, the Lord of Justice steered Mr. Gaiate’s fate from death to life. His remaining life had a most beautiful vision, and though it held regrets, it seemed that Mr. Gaiate had been redeemed. He would not become a different kind... How wonderful.
After a kiss on Gaiate’s forehead, the girl left Old Mr. Gaiate’s embrace, as his arms loosened, seemingly alive as she was. She rose and returned to the side of Lord of Justice.
·Gaiate, wait for me.
"I’ll wait for you until that day... do not mind my aged appearance, okay?"
Old Gaiate said with a smile.
She waved to him as a farewell, then followed the Lord of Justice away.
Colin waited until Mr. Gaiate had placed Miss Sophia’s skeleton back into the coffin and, together with the Church guard and Mr. Mischael, had the coffin buried, before going over to shake Mr. Gaiate’s hand.
"Congratulations, you’ve achieved something legendary."
"I... I found redemption today, thanks to the Lord of Justice. I feel like I’ve regained the strength to live on. I will surely live well until the day Sophia stands before me... At that moment, I will tell her about every day I’ve spent without her, my longing, and love for her... Ah, I apologize, I’ve gotten a bit emotional," the old man said, smiling happily.
Colin shook his head: "No, what I’ve witnessed is the depth of your love. Please keep your oath, Mr. Gaiate."
"I certainly will," he replied.
His voice was firm and resolute, as if sealing the vow he had made.