Published: August 2, 2025
The Next Day
"Hey! Are the bride and groom ready!?"
"We're ready! We can enter anytime!"
"We don't have enough flower bags for the flower shower!"
"They were moved to a new place yesterday! Check again!"
"Eighty percent of the food has been served!"
"Almost all the morning guests have arrived!"
"Less than 20 minutes left! Hurry up!"
The mansion had been bustling since morning, but just before the ceremony, the final preparations made the commotion even louder.
Glancing aside at the noisy mansion, I dressed in a suit and headed to the wedding venue.
Fortunately, the weather today was clear and sunny. As I passed through a wooded path in the warm sunlight for this season, I saw a large crowd gathered at the venue we had all worked together to create. As I got closer, I felt the presence of mana, followed by a change in temperature.
I had heard that on the day of the ceremony, to ease the cold from the outdoor party and prevent rain or other weather changes, volunteers had cast barrier magic to shield from rain and cold. That must be the reason.
But those volunteers were the Duke's household guards. More precisely, they were the Duke's exclusive barrier mages, so their skills were first-rate or even top-notch. Since they had cooperated, the barrier cast was naturally a high-level one covering a wide area. I can also use barrier magic, but seeing this in person made it clear how much stronger and larger their barrier was compared to one cast by an individual.
"Ten minutes to scheduled time!"
Oh, I shouldn't just be watching the magic.
Weaving through the crowd, I made my way onto the wedding stage.
"Ryoma-kun!"
"Good, you made it in time."
"We were wondering if something happened since you were late."
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
On the stage ahead of me were Mr. Kamil, Mr. Jill, and Mr. Zeff—the three of us had drunk together yesterday.
Also present were the Duke and Duchess, along with head maid Mr. Alone and head chef Mr. Bats.
The four of them stepped onto the stage to watch the ceremony from either side as the families of the bride and groom.
...Though I was surprised this morning to learn I was to play the role of family on the groom's side.
I'm glad I had a suit that could serve as formal wear... and, of course, how convenient the cleaner slime is.
"Hmm... It seems it's about to start."
Mr. Jill murmured as the bell in the bell tower rang out loudly once.
The gathered crowd fell silent, splitting left and right to clear the path to the stage.
Then the bell rang again.
This time, an elderly man in white robes slowly walked out from the woods, leaning on a staff.
He was the oldest resident in this mansion and played the role of the priest for today's ceremony.
In this world, marriage is considered something "acknowledged by the gods." The bride and groom solemnly vow before the gods in the presence of third parties to formalize their union. Those who witness the ceremony are not necessarily clergy; depending on the place and occasion, it could be the village chief, the forge master, or respected elders or leaders among the common folk.
The man chosen to play the priest this time, I heard, is an Elf aged 198 years. He is the Duke's household's pharmaceutical engineer, and due to his long life, he is versed in many fields beyond pharmacy. He holds advisory roles in various departments.
Accompanied by someone to support him should he fall, he ascended the stage.
As he passed by, we exchanged bows before he reached the center.
When they each presented their status boards,
"I hereby... conduct the marriage ceremony for groom Fuse and bride Luluneze."
In a voice not loud but clear and deep, the start of the ceremony was declared.
"Groom and bride... please come forward under everyone's blessings."
First came the procession of the bride and groom.
"Heh... haha, what's that?"
"Mr. Fuse is stiff with nervousness."
"His movements are clearly rigid."
"The audience noticed too and is laughing."
Amid loud applause and a shower of flowers, groom Mr. Fuse came out first. He wore a tuxedo-like outfit neat as I'd never seen before, walking alone to the front of the stage... but he looked like a rusty robot.