Chapter 312
Chapter 312
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 312
Chapter Title: Wedding Ceremony
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The wedding itself was quite small.
Though they were nobles, the two had always lived modestly.
That was partly because both had spent time essentially abandoned by their families.
They weren't particularly fond of extravagance.
And so, Krash and Bianca held their ceremony in the chapel at Raheln Academy.
"Man, you're getting married awfully fast."
Aslan, who had come as a guest, flashed a teasing smile at Krash along with his congratulations.
"Yeah, we promised we'd do it this year."
It was a small wedding, so Krash had only invited a handful of close acquaintances.
"Congratulations, Krash."
"Thanks, Pelay."
Pelay was there too, as a friend.
"You sure you're okay with this?"
Just then, Biolein, who had also come as a guest, sidled up and asked Krash quietly.
Having watched Krash closely all this time, Biolein worried the wedding might not go smoothly.
And understandably so—the women around Krash didn't seem like the type to stay quiet.
"I can't say it's all smooth sailing."
Krash briefly recalled yesterday.
"I'll handle it."
After he'd proposed, Bianca had suddenly left to talk with the other women.
He'd felt uneasy about what she might say.
But knowing Bianca as he did, he decided to trust her.
"I left it to Bianca."
"...You're leaving that to your wife?"
Biolein grimaced, imagining a messy catfight.
Though he doubted it would go that far.
That was when it happened.
The chapel doors burst open with a loud bang.
Everyone turned toward the noise, and there stood a woman with dark blue hair identical to Krash's.
She met his gaze and curled her lips into her signature smile.
"Little brother, getting married before your big sis? You've got some nerve."
Charlotte Valheim.
Krash's older sister.
Krash smiled faintly at the sight of her.
"At least there's one thing I can beat you at."
"Cheeky brat."
Charlotte approached Krash, rummaged in her pocket, and handed him a small gift box.
It was the first time she'd ever given him anything like this, leaving Krash wide-eyed.
"It's a little dagger embedded with a gem that symbolizes eternity. Keep it as a home decoration, and your marriage will last without a hitch."
True to the Sword Saint, even her gift was a dagger.
"I'll treasure it."
"You'd better. You'll pay dearly for marrying before me."
Krash chuckled at her words.
In his previous regression, she had married first.
He wondered what her husband was up to these days.
But Krash figured Charlotte could handle herself and pushed the thought aside.
"Ugh, you're really something, you know that?"
Just then, Krash heard a familiar voice.
He turned to see the former saintess, Astraia Stigma Freeman, standing there.
Dressed neatly in saintess robes, she glared at him with clear displeasure.
"Asking me to officiate? That's the worst."
"You're the one I know who can give the best blessing."
She had come here to officiate the wedding.
When she'd first heard the news, Astraia's mind had gone blank.
She'd half-expected it, but hearing the man she liked was marrying someone else... well, she couldn't complain about freezing up.
Krash had felt bad for her and suggested she officiate.
But Bianca, who had come with him, had abruptly dragged off the dazed Astraia.
"...I'll do it."
Astraia had returned later, agreeing to officiate.
When Krash asked what Bianca had said, she refused to answer.
"Hoo, I'm only putting up with this today."
Astraia let out a long sigh and turned away with a huff.
Even as a former saintess, her blessing would surely ensure a happy marriage.
"Congrats on the wedding, Krash."
"Haring, you made it."
Soon, Haring and a few others arrived one after another.
"You actually went through with it."
The empire's fourth imperial princess, Sizrili, shook her head worriedly about his future.
"I'm not giving up yet!"
Poiseus's ninth princess, Karandis, burned with unyielding determination.
"Wooow, congratulations!"
Dorma, disciple of the world's greatest sea master Rak Road, brought flowers and offered enthusiastic cheers.
"Congratulations."
Glen Diana, brother of the Divine Spear, gave a straightforward well-wish.
"Take good care of Bianca."
Dalea, from the Juon family and Bianca's peer-turned-friend, added her blessing.
They were all connections Krash had built at Raheln Academy.
He smiled and thanked each one for their congratulations.
"The bride is entering."
A voice called from the chapel entrance.
Krash turned that way and froze.
There stood Bianca in a pure white wedding dress.
Paired with her silvery-white hair, the flowing gown accentuated her beauty to the fullest.
Krash stared, entranced, as Bianca slowly walked into the chapel.
Behind her, Krash's maid Alicia lifted the long train of her dress to help her move.
Following discreetly were Darling, future lord of the Alchemy Castle, and Aslan's maid Lirina, slipping into the chapel.
It looked like the dress and makeup were their handiwork.
"Lord Krash."
Bianca had quietly come to stand beside him.
Her face, made up differently from usual, bore a soft smile.
"You look beautiful."
Krash blurted it out, and Bianca smiled shyly.
Even that was like a painting.
"Ahem. Then we shall now begin the wedding ceremony for groom Krash Valheim and bride Bianca Hardenharts."
Astraia, unable to bear their flirting any longer, quickly started the proceedings.
Considering her usual personality, that was quite restrained.
As the ceremony progressed, Bianca stood beside Krash.
He gently took her hand, and she intertwined her fingers with his.
Astraia's expression shifted to that of a benevolent saintess.
"May the gods' blessings light your path. I, Astraia, pray for it with all my heart."
She truly blessed Krash and Bianca's union from the heart.
It was just like her—the one most suited to the title of world's greatest saintess.
"Now, please exchange vows with a kiss."
Though her saintess mode cracked a bit at the end, she held it together somehow.
Glancing aside, Krash spotted a black crow and a corpse rat.
Crimson Garden and Evelask had come in their own way.
He could thank them later.
Krash turned back to the front.
Bianca met his eyes, her face faintly flushed as she slowly closed them.
It felt a bit embarrassing to show such affection in front of everyone.
But he couldn't keep her waiting forever, so Krash cupped her cheek with one hand.
Then he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
"Congratulations on the wedding!"
"Congrats!"
Cheers erupted from the guests as they kissed.
When Krash pulled back, Bianca's eyes glistened softly.
They shone with happiness, as if she'd been waiting for this day forever.
Meeting her gaze, Krash felt the same.
"With this, you are bound by eternal vows. May only blessings lie ahead on your path."
Astraia brought the ceremony to a close.
Thus, Krash and Bianca were married.
Though many problems remained unsolved, at this moment, their union was filled only with blessings.
After the ceremony, Krash enjoyed a simple party with the guests.
Just catching up and sharing a meal.
Yet it filled him with a profound sense of fulfillment.
Like fueling the drive to move forward.
Krash looked at Bianca, leaning against him.
A gentle autumn breeze tousled her hair.
He reached out to smooth her slightly disheveled bangs.
"Lord Krash, you'll be heading off again for a while now, won't you?"
Krash couldn't deny it.
Problems were piling up behind him.
Once he resolved the inner core issue with Aura, he'd need to master the Creationless Divine Martial Arts perfectly.
On top of that, Sigrin in the empire, Arthur who vanished again, and issues with Abella and Ixion.
Plenty to handle.
'The Worst Seeds are starting to grow in earnest too.'
The world pretended peace even as it slowly veered off course.
Fixing it would take more than one body.
"No matter how far you go, I'll follow."
Krash turned to Bianca at her words.
Her resolve was firm.
"I'll go wherever you do, Lord Krash. As your wife."
A reliable wife.
"I won't go too far."
"Good, then."
His goal was to pave the way for others to follow.
Of course he'd make it possible.
"Krash."
After a quiet moment with Bianca, Krash looked up at the voice calling from inside.
He was on the chapel terrace.
Haring stood there, beckoning him.
"Sorry to interrupt your time together."
"No, it's fine."
Haring wasn't the type to miss such cues.
If she'd called him out, she had something important to relay.
Krash nodded it was okay, and Haring cautiously spoke.
"Father says he can help extract the inner core from your body."
Poison King Hauran Lagren.
Haring's father.
They'd met once this regression, and he doted on Haring immensely.
Given his expertise in inner cores, Haring must have reached out to him.
"That's good news, but..."
Krash caught why Haring was hesitant.
"He attached some condition."
"Yeah."
Haring avoided their gazes, looking awkward.
Having met Hauran, Krash could guess.
But he asked directly from her.
"What condition?"
"Well, um."
Haring glanced at Bianca before speaking carefully.
"Come alone. With me."
Her voice trailed to a mumble at the end.
Silence hung for a moment.
She'd said it here to inform Bianca directly, no doubt.
No one would have batted an eye if she'd told him privately.
True to form—prioritizing her own desires.
Bianca glanced at Haring.
Then she turned to Krash and said,
"Go ahead."
Bianca gave her permission.
Krash looked at her with slight concern, but she straightened proudly.
"It's the lady of the house's role."
Such an adorable wife.
Krash ruffled her hair affectionately.
Then he turned to the fidgeting Haring.
"Alright. Let's go."
Time to head to the Lagren family.