Chapter 373 – Between Shame and Pride
It is human’s turn, not God’s.
What that meant was simple. With God’s blessing, the ceremony to celebrate the couple’s engagement began.
“How beautiful will the princess show off today?”
“The social trends may change completely as of today.”
From now on, with the guests invited to the engagement ceremony.
“Oh oh… !”
“It’s finally starting.”
“I can’t believe I can so vividly watch the engagement ceremony taking place from far away. “The world has become so much better.”
The people of the empire will be watching the engagement ceremony from afar.
“Do we really have to do this?”
“Sure! “It’s my master’s engagement party, so it needs to be staged like this!”
“No, that’s not the problem. “I don’t think it would be a little dangerous though.”
“Uhuhu… Are you okay! “You’ve already finished rehearsals, right?”
“…”
And the event for today’s protagonists, a man and a woman, has come to an end.
[I hope God blesses all the guests attending this event]
Contrary to everyone’s expectations, Cardinal Malleus was accustomed to leading society.
If it was natural, it was natural.
It was Malleus, a Heretic Inquisitor famous for being merciless towards demons and heretics, and a Grand Inquisitor equivalent to the rank of leader.
Moreover, the impression is so bloody that people might feel afraid. In the first place, he was clearly just a priest.
Presiding over weddings and engagement ceremonies was one of the main duties of a priest.
Moreover, he is an acquaintance of the groom-to-be’s family. If you think about it, there is no other person as qualified as him.
“An engagement ceremony with the Grand Inquisitor himself officiating… “
“After all, it’s something you will live to see for a long time.”
[With the grace of the Heavenly God, we will now hold an engagement ceremony for the couple.]
The moment when the official event begins.
—Grin
A gentle smile appeared on the lips of the old man, roughened by the blood of the pagans and traces of time, and his face looked very benevolent to anyone who saw it.
Wolfgang and Alicia’s engagement seemed genuinely exciting.
At this moment, he is celebrating them both as a priest, not as the head of a group of inquisitors crazy about doctrine and blood.
And it creates a stark contrast with the shocking first appearance.
“Surprisingly. Did you know how to make an expression like that? “
“Even if you are an Inquisitor, a priest is a priest.”
“Indeed… “I heard you cherish General Wolfgang like your own nephew.”
“I guess he wasn’t that cold-hearted again.”
The atmosphere, which had become chilly for a moment, became cheerful again, befitting an engagement ceremony.
Eventually, the moment when everyone’s eyes focused on the brilliant golden emblem located at the edge of the square.
Cardinal Malleus shouted powerfully.
[Then, here is the position of today’s protagonists, General Wolfgang von Schwarz and Her Royal Highness Princess Alicia von Diana Solaris!]
“Waaaaa!”
The sound of applause exploded like thunder.
Alicia was the royal family member who was loved by the widest range of people, regardless of likes or dislikes. As it was her engagement ceremony, it was a natural reaction.
The atmosphere within the empire was quite chaotic due to the competition for successor that had begun.
This engagement ceremony was solely to celebrate the union of a man and a woman.
Even though there may be other intentions behind it, at least for this moment.
Everyone is as one, applauding and cheering with all their might.
“I’m so glad that my youngest has a good companion.”
“What… “Let’s see how far the two of us can go.”
Even the 1st and 2nd princes competing with Alicia for the throne.
She is celebrating her sister’s engagement by clapping her palms together with an odd expression on her face.
And, the moment when half of the veil was lifted.
—Spot… !
“Uh… ?”
“W-what… ! “Is it an attack, an attack?”
The world turned off for a moment.
The Plaza of the Sun lost all light in an instant and was engulfed in pitch black darkness.
Considering that this was in the middle of the open air with no ceiling, it was like experiencing a sudden total solar eclipse.
—Paat, paat!
“Damn it! “Magic!”
“Hmm, I definitely started a fire. I can only feel the heat, but I can’t see the light. How in the world can this happen… !”
The vast majority of guests were nobles.
Those who sensed something unusual instinctively tried to restore the light by generating mana, but all their attempts ended up being useless.
Being deprived of light was the biggest shock of all to humans.
“Ouch! “My feet!”
“Aaaaah?! “Is there anyone there?”
Some people even screamed and were on the verge of panic.
“Joy! Anyway, everyone is making a fuss… “
“An attack on the royal family’s engagement ceremony. “Will the country be ruined?”
“Did you say that Marquis Theodosius had a hand in preparing the engagement ceremony? As expected, no one can match him when it comes to stage direction.”
In contrast to the economy class, the VIP section was still calm.
Can we really say that this is the boldness of the key figures who support the empire?
However, they also could not hide their interest, as if they had never heard of a type of magic that completely blocks all light.
“Huh, the very concept of light is completely denied. This is a phenomenon that can never happen in the material world. “It was a truly precious sight.”
“This is by no means a trick. “If not for the extremely powerful influence of imagery… Could it be that the imagery itself has formed the domain?”
“A monster has appeared in the empire. “One more transcendental person may appear soon.”
In total darkness, even the smallest spark would shine as brightly as the sun.
Red eye lights suddenly began to flutter in the air.
“Hey, look at that!”
“Hehe… !”
—Grrr… !
The shape of a threatening monster quickly took shape and began to lunge towards the audience.
When everyone is holding their breath in tension and unconsciously squirming.
-Sparkle!
A ray of light twinkled in the pitch-black darkness.
Tiny starlight twinkling like the Milky Way in the night sky.
The number of stars was increasing one by one, but now it has reached 12, and it is now more appropriate to call it a cluster of stars.
A cluster of stars hanging in the sky lightly falls to the ground like misty rain.
—Woe… !
The moment when a cluster of stars transformed into the shape of a woman gently embraced the shape of a black wolf with red fangs exposed.
The world regained its light.
“Well, did you come back…?” !”
“I’ve been invited to many events, but this is my first time on a stage like this.”
“I agree. “I thought my heart was pounding.”
Only then was the crowd able to breathe properly again.
And, at the place where the wolf and the starry group stayed.
“Oh oh… “
“That can’t be possible…” !”
Today’s protagonists, a man and a woman, were finally showing themselves to the world.
Black and white.
Male and female.
Strength and vulnerability.
They were two men and women who looked in stark contrast.
Rather, they were a pair that suited them very well.
[I introduce myself once again to all the guests]
Light is dazzling in the dark, and darkness can only exist if there is light.
Wolfgang and Alicia’s engagement goes beyond a simple wedding.
They seemed to complete each other.
[This is General Wolfgang and Her Royal Highness Princess Alicia!]
Wolfgang in a jet black tuxedo and Alicia in a pure white dress.
As it was an important occasion, more care was taken than usual, but the image itself did not seem to be any different from usual.
Of course, that only applies to people who know the two well.
“Wow, indeed…” “
“You look strong just by looking at it.”
“Umm… “Are you saying that only a man of that caliber can obtain the flower of empire?”
“Once again, I feel fortunate that he is a soldier… “
Although Wolfgang was already quite a celebrity in the empire.
Those who saw Wolfgang for the first time here reacted with a mix of admiration and fear at his uniquely large size and overwhelming intimidation.
“Oh my God, look at Her Royal Highness!”
“Your beauty seems to shine even more today.”
“Is it because you’re smiling so brightly? “You look so happy.”
“A woman in love is the most beautiful.”
The sight of Alicia smiling brightly while holding Wolfgang’s hand made viewers exclaim in admiration.
Soon, Cardinal Malleus’s voice rang out softly throughout the square and he began to briefly introduce Wolfgang’s life.
[About 20 years ago, there was a boy who was alienated from his family]
There is no one here who does not know who Alicia, the princess of the empire, is.
In the case of Wolfgang, the man who would become her companion, his name and activities were widely known, but what kind of person he was was not even known to those close to him.
To begin with, Wolfgang was the type of person who didn’t like to talk about himself to others, and he never felt the need to talk about it until now.
[I was recognized for my talent directly by the great transcendent general of the empire and became his disciple… ]
However, from today onwards, he is destined to become the princess’s companion both in name and reality.
The voice of Cardinal Malleus reciting his biography in a low voice as if reading a biography.
“Hmm… “
Just a little, but Wolfgang felt ashamed.
