The Bloodline System Chapter 1684: Funeral Procession

Phil stood beside them, having grown taller, yet he still possessed the gentle eyes of a young boy.

He embraced his parents softly, struggling to maintain his composure.

However, the moment his gaze fell upon the statue—

at the familiar horns,

at that kind smile,

at the posture that had always sparked his laughter as a child—

his heart shattered.

He recalled her waking him up for school.

He remembered her pilfering his snacks, claiming "grown girls need energy."

He remembered her chasing him through the backyard.

He remembered the stern lectures she gave when he played hooky.

Every memory came rushing back.

His breathing became erratic.

His hands balled into tight fists.

And before he could stop himself...

He was weeping as well.

Yet, there was no malice in him.

No bitterness.

Because he understood—

deep within his soul—

that his sister would never wish for him to hold a grudge against Gustav.

She had sacrificed herself for the man she loved.

She had died for a greater cause.

She had given her life so the universe might endure.

Phil breathed a soft word to himself, "I hope you’re smiling, sis..."

Then, drying his eyes, he pulled himself upright.

Once the ceremony concluded, a swarm of reporters descended.

"Mr. Vilandrobadia, do you have a statement?"

"Mrs. Vilandrobadia, what was Angy like during her childhood?"

"Phil, what kind of person was she?"

"Is there any message you want to send to Gustav?"

"Do you consider him to be responsible—?"

Security immediately silenced that reporter.

Walking alongside Angy’s family were Gustav’s companions.

Endric.

E.E.

Aildris.

Elevora.

Falco.

Ria.

Sersi.

Xanatus.

And many others who had stood by her side in battle or shared their days at the MBO academy.

Clad in black with mourning badges pinned to their chests, their faces were masks of profound sorrow.

The press corps ambushed them instantly.

"Endric, as Gustav’s brother, can you tell us how he is coping?"

Endric pressed his lips together, remaining silent.

"Aildris, do you have any words for the public?"

"Elevora, what should the world remember about Angy?"

"E.E, are you aware of Gustav’s current location?"

"Will he be showing up for the funeral—?"

They pushed through the crowd without a word, their grief far too intense for the media's prying eyes.

E.E’s eyes were bloodshot.

Sersi appeared as though she had sobbed until her chest was raw.

Falco rubbed his temples repeatedly, fighting to stay composed.

Aildris left flowers at the pedestal of Angy’s monument.

Elevora offered silent prayers.

Even the stoic Endric was seen wiping his face once when he thought no one was watching.

They all recognized the truth.

They all felt the void.

She was gone.

And the one individual who should have been present above all others...

Was nowhere to be seen.

---

From the start of the memorial

To the laying of the final wreath

To the moment her statue was revealed

To the grand intergalactic salutes

To the very second her symbolic casket was lowered into the earth—

Gustav never showed up.

There was no sighting of him.

Not a single ripple of Qi.

Not even a fleeting shadow.

The entire universe waited.

Global leaders waited.

Her parents waited...

Her friends waited...

But Gustav stayed away.

Those unfamiliar with him might have labeled it a sign of disrespect.

However, those who truly knew him...

They understood.

The man who had rescued the universe

had lost the center of his own universe.

How could he possibly face the world and act as if he weren't broken?

---

Following the end of the ceremony, the Vilandrobadia family issued an invitation.

A ritual.

A cultural tradition.

A final wake to honor the one they lost.

Anyone close to Angy was invited to share a meal with the family.

And so, the group gathered—

Endric,

E.E,

Aildris,

Elevora,

Falco,

Ria,

Sersi,

Xanatus, and the others—

at the Vilandrobadia residence.

The home was filled with a gentle warmth, adorned with photos of Angy from her youth and teenage years.

Her bracelets were still hanging on the wall.

The medals she won in high-school track were lined up in a cabinet.

Her old sneakers remained by the entrance.

The familiarity was agonizing.

The very scent of the house hurt.

Her favorite meals had been cooked—light soups, seasoned rice, and pastries filled with fruit.

Her mother was unable to speak while preparing the food.

Her father kept polishing his glasses for no reason.

Phil handed out drinks in silence, fighting the lump in his throat.

The atmosphere in the room was heavy with sorrow.

Falco muttered, "This... it doesn't feel real."

E.E looked down at his full plate, motionless. "She would’ve been gorging herself right now... teasing me for being a slow eater."

Elevora let out a sigh. "The meal would have been burnt if she were the one cooking it."

Endric leaned back, rubbing his brow. "Big brother used to tease her about that constantly..."

Aildris gave a nod. "She possessed such a kind heart. No matter how grim things got, she always searched for a reason to smile."

Sersi sniffled softly. "Especially when Gustav was nearby..."

The mention of that name caused the room to go rigid.

Even Angy’s father stopped what he was doing.

Phil swallowed with difficulty.

He asked in a voice that was barely a whisper:

"Does anyone have any idea where he is?"

A long silence followed before E.E opened his mouth to speak.

But he closed it again without making a sound.

Finally, Endric let out a breath and said quietly:

"No.

We have no idea where my brother has gone.

He disappeared the moment the restoration was complete."

Aildris added, "...He requires time. More so than the rest of us."

Angy’s mother began to tremble, hiding her face once more.

Her father’s jaw tightened.

"I... I truly hope that wherever he's hiding... he understands that we don't hold him responsible."

Phil nodded intently as new tears began to fall. "Angy would never want that."

E.E whispered, "He's aware... he just isn't ready to face us yet."

Falco added in a low voice, "Can anyone really blame him?"

No one found an answer.

The meal went on, but it was devoid of the usual laughter or conversation.

It was a dinner of remembrance.

A meal shared by those who remained.

A silent oath that Angy’s memory would never fade.

...

...

(( Two Years Later ))

A quiet Earth street was bathed in the amber glow of the late afternoon. Most citizens were inside, watching broadcasts of the memorial or reminiscing about the woman the whole universe had gathered to honor. Today marked the anniversary of her sacrifice since the universe was saved two years ago.

Only a handful of children remained outdoors, kicking around a worn soccer ball and chasing each other, laughing with a pure joy that only children could find after the terrors they and their families had endured.

The ball came to a halt as a man walked into the street.

He moved with the silence of a whisper, carrying a deceptively tranquil aura. He was dressed in a long red jacket, the hem of which swayed slightly with every stride. Beneath it, he wore a black shirt with several buttons left undone, as if he couldn't be bothered to fix them.