Chapter 297
Chapter 297
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Story of One Escort Knight (2)
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Made diplomatic ties with the warring nation of Bacal and reconciled with the Southern Kingdom Alliance.
The monsters in the border regions had vented their rage against humans, and the Emperor had regained his strength.
As the Emperor recovered his vigor, those harboring dark intentions slunk back into the shadows.
With national power strengthened, jobs overflowed throughout the Empire.
Young people who had been on the verge of turning to the underworld found honest work, and improved public order brought prosperity to the nation.
Thus, the Empire ushered in its second golden age.
「――――――」
The northern imperial palace city of Noston, lined with beautiful stone buildings.
Originally smaller in scale than other cities within the capital, today it bustled with crowds.
Numerous citizens flocked to a small cathedral with excited hearts.
Imperial events had never before been open to the public.
However, Veil had specifically requested that this one be held in this small cathedral.
This was none other than.
「St. Estina Cathedral.」
The cathedral where Irina's mother, Second Imperial Consort Estina, had resided.
A small gesture for her, excluding the other two princesses with Vanessa and Rosanna.
「Here, here—!! Please sign the guestbook right here!!」
Turning toward the booming voice of a man.
Amid the throngs of citizens filling the area in front of the cathedral, beneath an arch-shaped flower bed made of beautiful blooms.
One man sat at a table, recording the names of visitors.
We knew his name.
Well, it might be a bit fuzzy after so much time, but I could never forget.
My one and only friend, Cain.
“Hehey…!! Orn, what am I gonna do if you break another pen?”
“Sorry about that. I thought I was being gentle, but it just snapped…”
The hulking man facing him was Orn, leader of the Torrman clan.
Ah, though now the title of Torrman Merchant Company owner suited him better.
“But is it really true? The lord you served is today's groom?”
“Of course. Even though he set me free, I always remember.”
Married to a noble lady, he spoke in a steadfast voice.
Afterward, they slowly entered the cathedral together.
“Veil, you bastard said it was a small wedding, but what's with all these guests…?”
Even Cain, who had worked in command, scratched his head at the overwhelming stacks of guestbooks.
Grinding his teeth, he hurriedly flipped to the next page.
“You've got your work cut out for you.”
A man's voice came from behind Cain.
Turning in response, the man who had once dreamed of becoming an imperial knight was startled.
It was none other than Richard approaching him.
“Ah, Richard…? You're here too…?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
The two still felt awkward around each other, clearing their throats frequently.
Then, Richard spoke first.
“Want some help with that?”
“Be my guest.”
Richard gladly sat down next to him.
Suddenly, the Light Knight Order Captain became part of the wedding, greeting guests alongside him.
Thanks to this, the small wedding grew even more splendid.
“Waaah—!! Is this really it? Where big bro's getting married?!”
“So many people!!”
Children poked their faces over the table in front of Richard.
His eyes, which hated kids, twitched beneath dark circles.
“Sorry about that. We have a lot of children, haha…”
A middle-aged man gathered the kids with practiced hands.
Dressed in simple formalwear, he took a quill and signed the guestbook.
“Hans Clevery… Wait, aren't you Veil's father?”
Cain, staying in the same Cornell region, widened his eyes.
“Ah… Yes, that's right…”
“Then no need to sign. Veil's inside, so please go ahead.”
The orphanage director politely bowed to the much younger man.
The children followed like dominoes, bowing their heads.
The sight was so endearing that a faint smile tugged at Richard's lips.
“But where did Aunt Margo go?”
“Dunno. She headed to the back of the cathedral with the short-haired knight lady.”
The middle-aged man led the children calmly into the cathedral.
Next, a noble couple in refined attire approached and silently signed.
“The wedding's smaller than I expected, dear.”
“Like ours, right? This cozy atmosphere is even nicer.”
On the white page appeared the names Earl Taylor and Northern Archduchess Lynn.
“Looks like Irina made it in the end. She finally got the man she wanted.”
“Got him? Ahem…”
The burly man cleared his throat.
Lynn stared at her husband, then poked his side with a mischievous glint.
“Eek…!!”
Startled by the sensation, Baron Taylor hurried ahead, and the Northern Archduchess chuckled softly.
They gracefully entered the cathedral.
Next came a massive carriage freshly arrived from the south and one from the northern provinces.
The Northern Archduke and Southern Archduke disembarked side by side, exchanging glances and light nods before heading to the cathedral entrance.
“Didn't expect you to come all this way, Archduke Coldman.”
“What choice did I have? I'm a vassal of the Empire too.”
An ambitious man from his past life who had plotted to topple the Empire and found his own duchy.
But he too had come to his senses and decided to follow the Empire like Rosetta.
“Go on in. His Majesty will be pleased to see you.”
“I hope so.”
Once even the archdukes entered, the guests at the cathedral entrance began to wrap up.
Cain and Richard stretched and prepared to head inside themselves.
Long rows of pews filled the cathedral interior.
Various nobles and acquaintances sat in neat rows, awaiting the ceremony.
Not everyone sat primly, however.
Two women perched on the railing of the uppermost gallery, looking down at the proceedings.
The red-haired knight lady Ekina and Black Knight Order Captain Lynn were there.
The two, who had arrived separately, glanced at each other.
“Captain Lynn, you're here too.”
“Didn't know Captain Ekina had ties to Sir Veil.”
At the name 'Veil,' the red-haired knight shuddered.
As if the mere thought chilled her, she hugged her shoulders.
“Don't get me started. It's a thoroughly cursed connection.”
“Yet here you are as a guest, and you've even passed along all sorts of information.”
Lynn, who knew about the secret intel Ekina had sent him.
A true expert in shadowy dealings, she was aware of Ekina's surprisingly meticulous espionage.
“Well… He's not a bad person, I suppose.”
The red-eyed woman gazed intently at the stage where groom and bride would soon stand.
“I'd say he deserves blessings like this.”
“Agreed.”
The Black Knight Order Captain nodded slowly and gazed down at the cathedral comfortably alongside her.
Her single black eye reflected the great doors where the groom would soon appear.
“Wish we'd met a bit sooner.”
Ekina glanced at Lynn at her murmur.
But the crimson knight had no choice but to look back down soon after.
An elderly man, officiant of the ceremony, was ascending the podium gracefully, signaling it was about to begin.
「Ahh-.」
The imperial prime minister's gentle voice filled the cathedral.
To check if the telepathy magic was working, Tau and Batsch emerged to inspect the podium.
"I'll handle it. Eastern Captain."
Camilla, captain of the imperial knights guarding Mosian, waved them off, saying she'd take care of it.
She deftly adjusted the prime minister's magic, and the ceremony proceeded smoothly.
「The groom and bride will enter shortly, so guests, please take your seats.」
The Empire's number two, excluding the Emperor, standing as officiant.
The mere thought was astonishing; orphanage director Hans pulled the children close.
“When's Veil bro coming out—?”
“Is he really marrying the princess sisters—?”
“Yes, yes. So let's wait a bit more quietly.”
But one restless child poked the hulking figure seated nearby.
The man, face shrouded in a hood giving off an eerie vibe, glanced down at the boy.
Instinctively frightened, the child jumped in alarm.
“Shh—.”
What peeked from beneath the hood was no human face…
But the muzzle of a silver wolf.
“Eek…!! Daddy, there's a wolf over there…!!”
“A wolf? What on earth do you mean?”
The orphanage director sighed deeply and wrapped an arm around the child's shoulders.
He apologized to the figure who pulled his hood even tighter.
“Sorry about that. Our kids are full of energy…”
“It's fine. I had children myself once, so it's heartwarming.”
The elderly man's seasoned voice replied.
With that, the cathedral fell silent once more.
「Thank you all for coming to Noston. You've had a long journey.」
Mosian slowly eased the mood as he opened his remarks.
His gaze first pointed to Leonhardt and his wives seated in the imperial box at the front.
「Many have joined us today to bless this occasion, from the distant southern frontlines to the northern provinces.」
A boyish, innocent smile played on the old man's lips, mischief sparking.
「While His Majesty, who lives closest, arrived first thing this morning and has been waiting ever since.」
「Ahem…」
Laughter rippled softly through the cathedral.
The grumpiest in pretense was the one who had arrived earliest: Leonhardt.
「Such is the affection of a kind father who loves his daughters and his people.」
The old man's skillful words freshened the grand cathedral's air.
Even the Emperor relaxed his stern expression, exchanging glances with his wives beside him and gradually melting into the atmosphere.
――――――.
Noon bells tolled from the cathedral's summit.
In response, Mosian smiled and began the ceremony.
「The time has finally come.」
The imperial prime minister indicated the grand cathedral doors.
At that moment.
The massive doors, firmly shut, swung open, and brilliant light began to pour forth.