Lord of Disease (JP-GL) 378

378: Rings and Vows

A [Fireball] exploded.

Pop, pop… Though not as beautiful as in the night sky, the flowers of fire, which bloomed and disappeared under the blue sky, were quite beautiful. A type of [Fireball] with its power suppressed and its light enhanced—mainly for ceremonies, and occasionally for harassment or as a signal flare. Since it didn’t require offensive power, there were many who could use it at a practical level, more so than a normal [Fireball].

And above them, a dragon flew.

The sight of the Dragon Mother’s white, massive body, soaring on the wind against the clear sky, was a picture. She had offered to attend in this manner, as the venue was probably too small. The sight of her, with a few other dragons in tow, was both divine and an element that enlivened the wedding, just like the ‘fireworks.’

A red carpet, which hadn’t been there before, was laid out, and its destination was the center of the venue.

On the stage, which had been raised with a mound of earth, a white cloth was laid in several layers, and in the center stood a gazebo, its wooden frame decorated with white cloth, vines, and flowers.

Surrounding the area were knights in the matching black armor of the Dark Knights. The heavy security—the reason being ‘you never know what will happen’—was a safe and reasonable choice, though it lacked a sense of humor.

“The bride—and the bride have arrived! Everyone, please welcome them with a round of applause!”

Elisha-san, who had gone ahead and was on the stage, announced our arrival in a clear voice, amplified by magic. This time, since she had no combat ability, our vicinity was quite dangerous, but she had offered to manage everything as an attendant, at the closest possible distance.

Liz and I, hand in hand, slowly walked down the red carpet, towards the stage.

Applause, and words of praise, mainly for Liz. A gasp of admiration, which seemed to have escaped unconsciously.

Even through the veil, there was no way that anyone would not be moved by Liz’s beauty, which was enhanced by her dress.

—My Liz is the cutest.

We came to the front of the gazebo, on the white cloth that had been laid to hide the bare earth, and we let go of our hands and faced each other. I gently leaned my staff against one of the four pillars.

“Now, the exchange of rings!”

The venue fell silent, and I took one of the rings from the ring pillow, which Elisha-san had offered.

A simple gold ring. The engraving was also extremely simple. In consideration of me, who had no ‘name,’ only the emblem of the Sixth Army was engraved on the inside. A matching set of rings, of different sizes. Liz’s was one size smaller.

I took the hand Liz offered and slipped the ring on. It slid onto her ring finger, as if it belonged there. I was glad I had asked for fingerless gloves. I didn’t have to fumble here.

I, too, was without gloves today. Liz took the hand I offered and, in the same way, she slipped the ring on.

A matching emblem. A serpent and a dagger.

I squeezed my hand into a fist, and the ring was hidden. And when I opened my hand, I was happy to see the golden ring still shining on my ring finger. Though we had exchanged words and our hearts. It was as if we had been acknowledged by something.

Liz seemed to feel the same, and she was looking at the ring from all angles, turning her hand over.

“The vows…”

In Earth terms, it was a civil ceremony.

“—I am the Lord of Disease. I do not intend to say much. But I would like to thank you all for being here on this happy day, to witness our vows. To her, who has supported me, both publicly and privately… Lizlit Finis, I pledge my all. …Liz, I vow to love you for the rest of my life.”

I turned to Liz and said the last part. Liz, her scarf fluttering, smiled back at me from behind her veil.

“—I, too, Lord of Disease.”

I reached out and lifted her veil. Elisha-san’s voice was filled with anticipation.

“Now, the vow ki—”

I heard the sound of a sword being drawn.

“That’s enough of this farce.”

The ‘Dark Knights’ in the venue had all drawn their swords. Of course, the blades were not blunted. Listrea was a country that valued etiquette and honor, and was also a rational country. They would not bother to prepare a ceremonial sword. In other words—they were real swords.

And on the city walls that surrounded the courtyard, archers were deployed.

The archers on the city walls, and the Dark Knights below. And the gazebo, where I, Liz, and Elisha-san were, was also surrounded. A triple encirclement.

In the midst of the murmuring crowd, the owner of the voice from before stepped forward. A male dark elf, in expensive clothes, who was approaching old age, his hair and beard white. And two others, a man and a woman, also in expensive clothes, followed, and the knights who had been scattered throughout the venue gathered and surrounded the three high-ranking officials.

I had memorized the names of the ringleaders, but since they had been an enemy on paper, I didn’t match the faces and the names.

“Let me declare, before all of you. On this day, in this place, we will strike down the venomous serpent that has made light of the glorious traditions of the Listrea Demon Kingdom!”

He declared, his voice filled with confidence, backed by his own forces.