Number One Dungeon Supplier

The sound of a slow lone horn was heard during the rise of dawn from the east. The flags of Ress were being placed at half mast when they were being raised.

The preparations were made as officers all in formal attire waited patiently at individual homes as their family members performed their last moments of mourning in private.

Only when it was at the allocated time, did the officers knock on their doors and request that they had to move the coffins out. The family members nodded their heads as they ushered the officers dressed in pure white to carry the coffin as per military protocols. From their respectful carry and slow formal march, the officers took pride in holding the coffin of the deceased.

This was especially grave as Jin and Gara had decided to be part of the first coffin bearers for No.4. After the first 100 metre march then the other Commando Mages would take over their shifts to carry the coffin of No.4 to the military cemetery.

The rest of the coffin bearers from various districts also continued their solemn walk to the military cemetery as their family members and relatives followed at the back. Those who wish to partake in this particular ceremony who have also worn white can follow behind the march as well or await the funeral ceremony at the military cemetery.

As morning came, the lone distant sound of the horn continued to play in a slow tune until everyone had reached their destination and the coffins were placed in a systematic way. It was segregated in battalions and naturally, No.4 was lying there alone.

However, the remaining leaders of their battalions were present at the edge of the coffins and that was the same for No.8 who had temporarily assumed the responsibility of the leader in the Commando Mages until Jin appointed her.

And even though it was not necessary, the rest of the Commando Mages also stood side by side along No.4 coffin to represent the camaraderie that they bear among each other. Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire

It was 8 am and the edge of the military cemetery had already been filled with hundreds of sympathisers all to support the family members who lost their loved ones to the surprise demon attack that came two days ago.

Tough as it was, many held their tears behind as Jin walked up the pedestal and gave his speech. "To be honest... I have too little words in my heart to express my sadness for the loss of these brave soldiers who had fought toe to toe against the many foes that had tried repeatedly to take our lands."

"Sending my condolences to the affected families would not bring those people back. But I can assure you that your dear ones did not lose their lives in vain. They all had valiantly performed their service with great valour and bought back safety to the people, knowing that their loved ones would be protected with their efforts."

"Of course, their family members would want them to come back home too to celebrate the peace and safety they won but life is cruel. They paid their lives for such a sacrifice and it was not in vain.

The fact that we are able to mourn their deaths in peace had shown that they had succeeded in making their hope and wishes as reality." Jin said as he clenched on the piece of script and turned to rows of coffins to salute them.

Many followed suit and they all quietly saluted their fallen comrades while Gara gave the command to fire a 21 gun salute. As the guns were fired, tears began to fall among the soldiers who were right beside their friend's caskets. Jin went down the pedestal and an officer came out to read the post mortem promotions.

The King personally went to each and every coffin and gave the fallen ones their deserved ranks.

However, it was the last one that had the most impact for Jin since it was none other than the fallen leader of the Commando Mages. "For the commander of the Commando Mages, Major Strife also known as No.4 had been posthumously been promoted to Colonel.

At the same time, he would also be knighted royally by King Jin for the achievements he had achieved, a rare occurrence as there were no Royal Knights in the past century and Colonel Strife had been given such an honour."

At that point, Jin was presented with a sword while the other Commando Mages move a step back and saluted as the King of Ress began the ceremony of knighting No.4. for the efforts he had made not just for the kingdom but for the safety of his King and comrades.

No.4's family cried and wailed as Jin knighted Colonel Strife for his services and subsequently his close colleagues simultaneously used magic to bring No.4's coffin into the allocated spot. As the other officers covered the grave, a military band had started to play all the formal funeral songs in hopes to send and soothe the spirits in hope that they can rest in peace.

Meanwhile, Jin noticed that at the far end of Ress military cemetery, there were Star Foxes hiding in the shadows of the buildings, saluting to No.4 for they all had worked as a team too. He knew that this was a blow too big not just for the kingdom but also the Commando Mages.

Nevertheless, it did provided them the renewed obsession to hunt down the Celestials but the one who was actually affected the most was Jin. He thought that he had improved significantly with all the consistent achievements and stat upgrades the new System had provided him.

But it was just not enough.

He now understood why even the Demon Kings were so afraid of the Celestials. They were simply another level of beings and if Jin could not protect this world from Celestials, there is no way in heaven that he can conduct an assault against the Celestials in the future.