System vs Rebirth

Rose started going around the village, finding all the bones and clothes lying on the ground. She picked them up and gathered them in one place. She didn't know whose remains they were, so she gathered all of them in the center so that they could build a simple memorial for all of them.

Unfortunately, there was no telling which one was her father. Rose felt dejected, but there was nothing she could do.

She ended up gathering everyone in that one tomb.

Noel was helping her by digging the soil for all of them, cutting some wood, and bringing some stones for the grave.

While paying his respect, Noel couldn't help but recall what happened in his parents' execution.

…

One year ago.

"Father, Mother!" Noel was running into the city's plaza while being chased by the soldiers the Royal Family had dispatched.

There was a wooden platform in the plaza. They only erected it when they were about to execute a dangerous criminal.

But this time, the ones kneeling on the platform were none other than his parents. Their appearance wasn't a mess. There were some wrinkles on their clothes, but they didn't seem to have been tortured.

The townspeople surrounded the platform. Most of them had sad expressions as if they didn't want this to happen. Some couldn't even bear to watch the execution.

It showed a lot about what kind of leader Luke Ardagan was. He was kind to people and his people loved him.

Yet, it didn't change his fate. He had to be executed.

wooden stocks and their feet had been chained to the platform,

two executioners, both

a helmet, so no one could see their

pushing away the

were slowing him

and slammed his body to the ground while the

the sole heir of the Ardagan Family, they couldn't help but slightly back away as if trying to let Noel

pinning him down, he couldn't do anything but watch his parents

"Start!"

to no avail. To his surprise, his parents didn't

and gave their best

was the first time Noel felt the excruciating pain in his heart. He had been doing everything at his own pace, so he enjoyed most

memories about them resurfaced in his mind, making him realize he hadn't done anything for them before they left

the sadness, pain, and regret were swelling in his

word exchanged between them. The only thing Noel realized was the soldiers were dragging him away so that they could send him

avoid making people notice the change in their voices. They might have the same face, but it was with the help of cosmetics. And cosmetics didn't change their

recognized them as his parents at

happening at

couldn't help but take a few peeks at her face to see

and focused

they finished giving them a proper burial, Rose took a deep breath as if trying to push away all the matters in the