NOVEL NEXT Chapter 71: Burial
"This is the Tailor area where you will be spending most of your time." Geth informed the young mother. "Would you like to choose a site somewhere near here?"
The woman nodded and looked around the area, choosing a location that was surrounded by a bed of large flowers. Geth nodded and headed towards the center.
'Albus, upgrade State Change please.' He still had the 14 SP after conquering the Dungeon, 3 points were used to bring State Change to level 3.
After the additional page finished forming in Albus' bindings, Geth could feel the Rune in his mind growing a stronger foundation. He raised his staff and created a rectangular puddle that was close to 4 feet in length, 3 feet in width, and a bit more than 6 feet deep.
Concentrating, he forced the mud to seep down into the dirt. After many moments, the once rectangular puddle became a smooth-walled hole in the earth. Geth then gestured to Farris.
Farris walked over to the young woman and her daughter, gently laying the body on the ground. "If you would like to say your goodbyes, you can do so." He and Geth then backed away to let them have their moment.
As they did so, every other resident slowly started walking out of the woods. Everyone stood quietly at a distance, wanting the woman to know that she wasn't alone.
When the young family finished saying their goodbyes, Farris carefully dropped into the hole with the body. He lay the boy's arms across his chest and brushed the hair from the kid's eyes before jumping out.
Geth filled the hole with the surrounding ground, mud pooled up to the brim of the grave where he soon solidified it. At the head of the grave, Geth created a small earthen pot to act as a marker, along with something the woman could plant flowers in.
Everyone present stayed silent. The silence persisted until the woman stood and looked around at everyone present.
"Thank you. It really means a lot to me that you decided to be here." She then walked over to Geth and Farris. "I am grateful. Anything that I can do for either of you, I would be happy to do so."
Zolis quickly came up from behind Geth and took the woman by the hands. "You don't have to worry about anything like that right now, take as much time as you need to grieve. Why don't you two follow me? There is a resting quarter in the Tailor workshop that can give you some privacy."
She led them off and gave them a place to be alone together. Farris then turned and spoke to Geth.
"Thank you for doing all of this, it means a lot to me. Not many people know, but my wife and son died in a car accident 7 years ago. Seeing that family like that..." His voice quivered a bit and he stopped speaking.
Geth reached over and patted the man on the shoulder. "There's no need to say anything, just make sure that you take care of them and all of the other families here."
Farris nodded, Geth could see that a fire had lit in the man's eyes. It was obvious that he would do everything he could to protect those around him.
"The three of us will be leaving soon." Geth continued. "Before we do, I want you to sit down with me and tell me everything you know about these Blade and Thorn characters."
Even if he hadn't shown much, Geth was furious. Though the agreement still hadn't been made, he had agreed to take these people in. Acts like this were something he wouldn't stand for.
It would also be a good opportunity for them. From what Harris had explained earlier, these ass holes were staying in a Dungeon.
'I wonder how comfortable the others here will be with killing another human.' Geth sighed. It was something everyone would have to get used to.
Filthy, Harris, and Hulk were already waiting for them at the base of the Barracks area. Words didn't need to be said, the five men took the long climb back up to the surface.
Harris led them back to the clearing that had once been their encampment while Harris repeated everything that happened, not skipping any details. Geth was a bit impressed with his intimidation tactic, not many would be too comfortable handling a human head.
With the group running at a light jog, they soon came to the clearing. Just as they were about to continue, a rustling noise came from the brush behind them. Their weapons were unsheathed before they could make a full turn.
Zolis walked out of the tall grasses red-faced and angry. "Don't you dare think you can leave me behind just because I'm a woman!"
Geth scratched the back of his head while the rest all looked in random directions. Zolis wouldn't let them off the hook that easy.
"You think that I can't handle it? What if that had been one of our children? I won't let you do this without me. Every one of them will die before I let them have their way this close to our own kids."
Geth let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. But don't go weak in the stomach on me, and don't make any mistakes. These guys aren't the same as the unintelligent creatures we've faced so far."
"I can handle myself, thank you."
Geth shrugged, there was nothing he could do. He turned back to the others and had them scout the area while he had a word with Albus.
'Albus, how many points to upgrade Inspection?'
'You have 11 SP available and it costs 3 SP to upgrade Inspection. You still have 11 TP as well.' Albus responded.
'If I upgrade Inspection, what's the best way to utilize the last 8 SP?' Geth asked.
'For the current situation, I believe the best route would be to upgrade Inspection and Mass Blessing. Then use 2 SP to bring Barrier and Curse to Level 1. For the last 3, you should choose between taking Barrier or Curse to Level 2.'
Geth trusted his Grimoire and didn't hesitate. 'Then we will go with what you suggest, and upgrade Barrier to Level 2.'