Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 80: The Funeral
Before the funeral ceremony began, Owen had to fulfill the promise he made earlier.
“Do you remember what I promised during my speech? That the families of those who sacrificed themselves for Bianshu Town would receive food security and a compensation of four gold coins.”
In front of everyone, Owen took out four finely crafted gold coins, placed them into a pouch, and handed it to Mapel standing beside him.
“Lady Mary, please come and receive it.”
Taking the pouch, Mapel turned toward the far-left side where a woman in ragged clothes was standing.
Mary had a sleeping baby on her back. When she heard the knight call her name, she nervously walked over to Mapel, her hands trembling as she reached out.
Handing the pouch to Mary, Mapel continued.
“After the funeral, people from the Town Hall will come to your home to deliver this month’s food and firewood. This won’t conflict with the Church’s winter relief—moving forward, you’ll receive it monthly.”
The moment she received the money, Mary couldn’t hold back her tears. Her knees buckled as she prepared to kneel on the spot.
“My Lord… you are so kind! Sob My husband is gone, and I didn’t know how I was going to survive. Thank you, thank you so much…”
Mapel quickly supported her and gently consoled.
“You’re right—it’s important to be grateful to our Lord for his kindness. But your husband was also very brave. He died protecting Bianshu Town. Please take pride in him.”
“Sob… I will, I definitely will.”
It took quite a while before Mary was able to compose herself and return to her place.
With the money and guaranteed support, raising the baby to adulthood shouldn’t be a problem.
Still, it was likely that a widow like her would eventually remarry. Well, that wasn’t something Owen needed to worry about.
As for the lizardman who also died in battle, that was a trickier matter.
His parents had already passed away, he wasn’t married, and had no direct relatives. At best, only distant kin could be located.
Besides, monetary compensation was useless to the Sinking Sand Tribe—they didn’t need to buy things from humans.
After internal discussions, Lusha decided not to accept any compensation.
The Tribe had already gained plenty from this alliance and saw no need to ask for more.
Besides, the lizard warriors knew they were up against the infamous undead monsters and were mentally prepared for death. To receive such an honorable funeral after dying in battle was already more than they expected.
Next came the eulogy.
Owen gave a speech on behalf of the humans. It wasn’t long, but everyone listened intently.
Kadir was among them. The short-statured boy stood in the front row of the formation.
When the Lord said.
“Anyone who sacrifices their life to protect their loved ones and children, to protect Bianshu Town, deserves to be remembered by us.”
Kadir noticed that everyone around him unconsciously straightened up, their faces showing determination.
Even Kadir was moved. He straightened his back and stood in proper military posture.
He felt a warm surge in his chest—an honor and sense of accomplishment he had never felt before. In the past, he worked only to feed himself. But now, he realized he had a new purpose.
To protect his homeland.
That was a phrase the beautiful instructor often said during their training sessions.
Since the beginning of winter, everyone had successfully repelled two large-scale assaults through their own efforts, ensuring the safety of Bianshu Town.
Looking back now, Kadir still found it a bit unbelievable.
The lord truly valued every individual—his willingness to hold a funeral for an ordinary militia member proved that. In the past, such a thing was simply unimaginable.
Bianshu Town was incredibly fortunate to have such a good lord.
Of course, Kadir didn’t mean to belittle the former lord.
As for the lords before that, he didn’t know much. But at the very least, the previous lord had governed Bianshu Town earnestly.
Unfortunately, under the curse of Kazitu, the town inevitably fell into decline, and the population steadily decreased. Those who left really had no other choice.
For some reason, Kadir suddenly felt a strange sense of anticipation—as if the current lord truly had a way to save Bianshu Town.
After all, if he could lead everyone to repel the attacks of the undead, what couldn’t he accomplish?
Once the speech ended, Owen stepped down and reminded the person at the front of the lizardmen:
“Chief Lusha, it’s your turn.”
“Oh! Alright.”
Since one of the deceased being buried was from his tribe, Lusha, as the chief of the Sinking Sand Tribe, was duty-bound to say a few words.
Walking to the front, Lusha swept his eyes over the crowd and slowly began:
“Our tribesman also fell in battle. Lord Eisen did not treat us as outsiders but honored us with the same burial rites. On behalf of the Sinking Sand Tribe, I express my gratitude…”
It was believed that after this funeral, his tribesmen’s opinion of Owen would become even more positive, their favorability greatly increased—laying the groundwork for what was to come.
Indeed, Lusha had already made a major decision, one that would undoubtedly benefit the Sinking Sand Tribe.
Next came Bishop Flynn, whom Owen had specifically invited.
In front of everyone, he read aloud the sacred texts about the soul’s return to heaven. After finishing, he offered the church’s blessings to the two deceased.
Finally came the burial itself. The coffins of the two departed were lowered into the graves that had been dug in advance.
Under the direction of Viscount Jarvis, the attendees quickly lined up into four orderly rows.
Owen was the first to pick up a shovel and begin. This also served as a gesture of leadership and example. He scooped up a shovel of dirt and slowly poured it into the grave, then handed the shovel to the next person.
Seeing this, the first people in the other three lines also picked up shovels and mimicked Owen’s actions.
The entire process was solemn and quiet. Each person handled the shovel with great care, and as they passed it on, they passed on the weight of this moment as well.
Once the funeral ended, people gradually left the public cemetery.
On the way, Viscount Jarvis suddenly said,
“Marquis Eisen, I didn’t expect you would hold a formal funeral for a militia member and even a lizardman.”
“You think it wasn’t the right thing to do?”
“Not at all.”
Viscount Jarvis shook his head.
“It’s just that this is the first time something like this has ever happened. No one has ever treated commoners this way before—let alone lizardmen. After the funeral, I could feel a clear change in the militia, though I can’t quite put it into words.”
“That’s their strengthened sense of identity and belonging to Bianshu Town.”
Owen said with a smile.
“Once they return, they’ll spread everything they saw and felt today. When that happens, this militia will exhibit tremendous collective combat power in defense of their home.”
“I see…”
Viscount Jarvis rubbed his chin and fell into thought.
In truth, all of this had been taught to Owen by Winston.
If you want to build a strong people’s army, you can’t rely solely on lofty speeches. You must help them understand who they are fighting for and why.
Once those questions are answered, a dramatic transformation takes place.
And as their lord, Owen also needed to respond to their devotion—strengthening their collective sense of honor. Today’s funeral was one such method.