Restart:Untalented Man-Chapter 458: Small Funeral
News of Johann being chased out of the Duke's mansion spread like wildfire throughout the estate. It ignited a flurry of gossip among its residents.
Conversations buzzed in every corner. Every single one of them wants to be the first to tell the latest rumours they heard. Each rumour is more exaggerated than the previous one.
Many speculated that Johann had lost his mind, causing him to make irrational decisions and went to pick a fight with Percival.
All of them shook their heads. They are lamenting the reckless behaviour and hasty move made by Johann.
Some said it was because he suspected Percival's daughter was behind the death of his grandson. Adding the past feud into the equation, it was no wonder Johann reached this conclusion.
However, Johann didn't bring any evidence to support his claim. The old man was naturally on the losing end of the battle from the get-go. His opponent was the Duke of Klover. Although Percival is younger and less experienced than Johann, it doesn't mean he is easy to bully.
Anyway, many rumours about Johann are floating everywhere. Nobody knows which is the truth and which is made up.
It is safe to say that this incident has completely ruined the image of an old and respectable noble Johann maintained for years.
While people are discussing about him, the old man doesn't pay much attention to it. It is not the first time people have talked bad things about him.
Johann had his attention fixed on the matter at hand—the funeral of his beloved grandson, Adam.
The thought of the poor boy lying in the cold cellar for days gnawed Johann's heart. He couldn't bear to treat his grandson like that and hurriedly ordered the butler to prepare the funeral.
At the very least, Adam deserves to receive a proper burial.
Arrangements were swiftly made. Every detail was done with meticulous care. All left is to bury the body.
Unfortunately, bad news came in at the critical moment. The butler approached him with a grave expression. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
"Say it again!" Johann raised his voice.
"The duke said we are not allowed to bury Young Master Adam in Klover's cemetery due to his ambiguous origin. He said that the Klover's reputation would be tarnished if they let outsiders be buried there."
A rage that has considerably cooled down reignited. Johann's face contorted with anger. His fists clenched tightly at his sides as he struggled to contain his emotions.
"That bastard!!" Johann roared. "Does he not have a shred of compassion?!"
Percival is heartless enough to wait until they finish digging a grave before giving his order.
If Adam could not be buried in the Klover cemetery, the only alternative was the graveyard at the outskirts of the city—a desolate place reserved for commoners.
Once Adam is buried there, he will forever branded as an outsider and forgotten by the Klovers. Not to mention, only the duke possessed the power to put the name of a deceased person into the family record.
Percival clearly wants Johann's side of the lineage to end.
"What should we do?" the butler inquired.
"Go and tell the men to dig a grave at the commoner cemetery," Johann helplessly said.
He had no choice but to comply with Percival's cruel decree. His hand was tied.
No amount of argument or pleading would budge the Duke from retracting his decree, leaving Johann with no option but to accept the harsh fact about Adam's final resting place.
"As you wish," Looking at his master, the butler can see that Johann has aged considerably due to this incident. He couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.
....
As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows over the outskirts of Klover City, a crowd of people began to form at the graveyard.
A sight that, under normal circumstances, would have been met with little interest by many. After all, death is an inevitable eventuality that everyone will experience, and funerals are a common occurrence in any community.
However, what caught the attention of passersby was the fine clothing worn by the mourners.
From a single glance, everyone could tell that the quality of mourners' clothing was far superior to that typically seen on the streets of Klover. Even wealthy businessmen and their families will look like beggars when compared side by side.
It made people curious about their identity.
Johann however pays no attention to the curious onlookers or their whispers that swirl around him.
Although he is slightly annoyed, he decides to swallow this humiliation. He is angrier at Percival.
Not only did that bastard forbid Adam from being buried at the Klover cemetery, but he chose to go even further, decreeing to the Klover family members not to attend the funeral.
Johann's anger flared at the thought of his beloved grandson being denied the respect he deserved even after he was dead.
Never in the recorded history of Klover a case where someone was denied like this.
As his grandfather, Johann who knows Adam doesn't have many friends was furious. He realises not many people will attend the funeral. Therefore, he used his influence to force a lot of servants working in the estate and also weak nobles near Klover Duchy to come and add the numbers.
That way, Adam's funeral will not look so deserted.
Their presence would help increase the air of dignity and respectability at the ceremony. That way, Adam will be treated like a noble even if it is only for a brief moment in time.
Johann's influence might have dwindled. He may have made a joke of himself at Duke's mansion, but that doesn't mean he has become a weak person.
He still has a few tricks under his sleeves. Not to mention, he knows a lot of dirty secrets about these people. Making them abide to his wish should be easy.
As for his grudge with Percival, Johann would push this matter aside. He plans to pay back the disrespect he received today.
