BXBX NOVEL Chapter 204 Old Man's Wish
26th of Sunt, 5018.
It was a rather cloudy day today, in the city of Hoverdam. The large grey clouds prevented the sun from brightening up the city. Though many suspected it would start to rain soon, not a single drop of water had fallen on the streets, keeping the city dry.
Many people have been seen wearing all black, walking down and up the streets, through the trams, to arrive at a particular house. This house, made of stone and wood, appeared to be any ordinary home of a slightly wealthy peasant.
At the front, the visitors were greeted by a particular blonde maid with a ponytail, going by the name 'Cora'. She thanked the visitors for coming to the funeral and pointed to where they needed to head to see him.
In the middle of the living room, was an open wooden casket, holding an old geezer within it. He was wearing a black shirt with 12 brass buttons on it, with pants and his finest pair of leather shoes. Many come up to the old man's body, give their respects, and take a seat on one of the many chairs laying around.
This man was none other than the leader of the Salvator Humat organization operating mainly in the kingdom. It had worked with the sister groups located and operated in other cities, which also bore the same name.
Many cried and wept in the light of his passing, while the others comforted them. As for the organizers of the funeral, there had been a general feeling of uncertainty as to how his funeral will be carried out.
Ever since the absolute destruction of the Angelisist church, there had been a lack of direction on how one should take to hold the funeral of someone, especially for someone like him. Thankfully for them, their dear leader had already planned out how he would want his funeral to be like.
"Has everyone arrived?" Silverstone asked Cora.
"Hm... I think so. All we need is a priest-standin' of some kind. You sure he is coming?" she asks Silverstone. He nods with certainty.
"Yes. I am sure of it. This was what he wanted, and so, we will provide for him what he needs," Silverstone answers. Just then, the door opens once again, revealing a strange man. He was wearing a long-sleeved white shirt, with a blue tie and beige pants.
"Hello there! Is this Mr. Millerton's funeral? I was ordered to come here," he asks.
"Yes. This is it. You are just in time. They are waiting for you." Cora pointed out. The man smiled, and walked up to the living room, straight to the podium. The others, upon seeing the man, all shut their traps as they watched him walk up to the podium.
He then placed the bible down on the top of the podium, before flipping a few pages. Once he had got to the correct page, he looked onward at the people and introduced himself. Once that was out of the way, he started to read out from the bible, while everyone listened.
This goes on for 30 minutes, as they receive a session on how one could cope with the loss of a loved one, in this case, the old man who went by the name Millerton. Once it is over, he subtly advertises to the crowd of visitors about more of their services, before taking off.
Once Silverstone pays for the man, he himself walks up to the podium. Upon taking a deep breath, he takes out a piece of paper from his pocket, before placing it down on the podium. He then scanned the room, to look at the people around him, before starting to speak.
"On the 21st of Sunt, 5018, Mr. Harvy Millerton tragically passed away in his sleep after having lived for 78 years. Many consider him to be a great leader, a great husband, a great father, and a great friend.
Our lives, which includes everyone in this room, and anyone who had settled in the city, had drastically been affected and changed for the better, all thanks to this man. We will not forget the great contribution, the great amount of work and pain he went through, to secure us a better future."
Silverstone then picks up the paper and raises it for everyone to see. The men and woman all concentrate their eyes on it, curious to know what it is.
"This right here is the last will and testament of Mr. Harvy Millerton. He wanted everyone, including those who he deemed the most trustworthy, to listen very carefully. I shall start reading it now."
He lowered his hands and holds the paper with both his hands. The people around the room all focus on Silverstone, who begins reading the last will of their deceased leader.
"If you are reading this, then it means I have already passed. I would first like to address my family, my wife, my daughters, and my sons.
For any of you that are currently weeping upon my demise, Please, do not cry, as it would bring me much pain to see your suffering. Death is a part of life. Death comes for us all. It is best that we move on quickly.
As for my sons, I hope you both take good care of your mother as I am gone. I have entrusted both of you with many requests, with this being my last.
Now that my family matters are out of the way, I would like to address the members of the Salvator Humat organization. I would first like to thank you. Thank you so much for putting faith in my leadership.
Together, we had managed to accomplish many things over the decades, with our primary goal of getting the royal family to do right by us, to treat the common man with respect, and to bring reform to the corrupt institutions to increase our prosperity.
Over the last few months as the new king had come to power, I have concluded that we have accomplished exactly that. Reform has come to many institutions, as well as the birth of new institutions.
The city is becoming much safer, while the wealth of the average man is much higher. Although it is not perfect, I deem the current state satisfactory, and our objective complete.
This is exactly why, I request you all one more thing. I wish for you all to cease further operations of Salvator Humat, to break up, and live your own lives, as the South has.
I had planned to address this by the end of the year. However, due to my passing, I was not able to conduct that. So, I will address my reasoning here.
I fear that our presence may be used by outside forces as a tool, like the Imperial queen, to cause a ruckus in the continent and to gain more power. I also fear that the organization that we have made could be corrupted once I am gone, causing more chaos and disorder in the process.
Although I know this is too much to ask, and that you all have made so many wonderful friends along the way, please, I beg you to consider, letting this old man rest in peace." Silverstone spoke out.
The room enters silence, as everyone processes what they just heard. Once they did, there was a little bit of chatter among everyone, wondering whether the organization would actually disband.
In situations like this, Silverstone knew exactly what to do. He keeps the list down, and bring it to a vote, as almost everyone in the organization in the room was here.
"For anyone who wants to agree of disbanding the group and splitting apart, please raise your hand."
At first, a few did, but soon, as they think it through, almost everyone in the room agreed. It was decided them. The organization, operating in the city and kingdom of Hoverdam itself, will be disbanded, while the others outside it, continued to operate, who also may or may not come to the same fate as they did.