202. Cudang Tang Tang Wedding (2)
* * *
“Did you hear the news?”
Two merchants were gathered in the corner of the pub in Centralban, ‘The Sleeping Giant’s Dream’. Merchant Bruce lowered his voice and looked around.
The bar’s staff were laughing and chatting in their own way, so no one paid any attention to them.
“I hear His Majesty announced the marriage this time?”
“Ah, I heard about that too. Marriage partner… .”
Indeed, among the chatty citizens, the story of the palace has always been a good topic of conversation.
“It’s Ethan. The hero among heroes who defeated six demons alone in the past year. He is a national salvation hero.”
“If it’s Ethan, it’s acceptable. But what are you so surprised about? Isn’t it natural for His Majesty the Emperor to marry a hero and solidify his position?”
Not only was Empress Arlia famous for her beauty, but she also had a good heart and a great personality to the extent that she gave grace to everyone.
For such an empress to marry Edan, a hero of national salvation, was a wedding ceremony for a good man and a beautiful woman, as well as a celebration of the empire.
Bruce looked worried at Wilton’s question.
“That’s why His Majesty… . He said he gave four wives to Ethan Seong-woong.”
“… You said you put four on it?”
“The Lady of the Lognes class, Lady Sylvia, the best knight from the Linchester family and professor of Nadia Academy, Tia Erze, the only daughter of the Grand Council, and even a beautiful girl named Vivian.”
At that, Wilton laughed.
There were ten heroes in all who defended the empire from the demon king. Among them, there are three official heroes: Lund, Klein, and Neith.
All of them were warriors from the 1st to the 3rd ranks.
However, the person who got the most word of mouth, overtaking such a formal hero, was Ethan. Rumor has it that he was resurrected from the dead despite the wounds he received in the decisive battle with the demon king.
“As expected, His Majesty the Emperor! What a great political movement. Giving four wives to Ethan, the hero of national salvation.”
“Right! I too admired His Majesty’s political power. The Lynchester and Lognesvan families have only daughters, so His Majesty gave Seongwoong the only daughters from both families in a situation where he couldn’t marry a woman.”
It wasn’t like that, but the two merchants were admiring His Majesty’s political power.
“The two families will be even more loyal to the imperial family.”
“Nothing! In addition, His Majesty the Emperor made the only daughter of the Ergé Grand Chamber to be Edan’s wife, so now even the Grand Chamber is in the hands of the Empire.”
Bruce put down his beer mug and nodded.
“Ethan Seongwoong-nim saved the country. I saved the country, and I met His Majesty the Emperor well.”
“The romance story between the two is a hot topic in Jangan. Did you say you first met at the academy? ?”
Everyone focused on the romance between Edan and the Emperor.
Love that transcends status, the romance between the princess who cheated on her status at the academy during her days as a princess and Ethan, a hero who saved the country, was definitely full of elements that citizens would like.
Is that all?
It was Edan who led two hundred mercenaries to rescue the princess in the battle against the church.
Many people were interested in Ethan who appeared like a comet. Due to its popularity, Edan’s autobiography was even written.
“I’m curious, but I’m thinking of buying the autobiography of Ethan Seong-ung. The person who compiled it is Yoon… , did you say Ahyeon? Am I right?”
Bruce took a piece of newspaper from his backpack.
It contained information that Edan’s autobiography was to be written. The charity exhibition, which began to be written with Ethan’s permission, is said to have been started by a rather unfamiliar writer named Yoon Ah-hyun.
“By the way, what does a writer Yoon Ah-hyun do?”
“What a lot of talk. what the hell… . There are stories that say he came from the East, and there are also stories that he is actually a demon.”
Eastern region across the wilderness.
There is a story that there is also a country there, but it was a place that was not well known to the common people.
Recently, there was a story that there was an attempt to divert trade with Eastern countries from the Ergé Merchant.
“Anyway, Seongwoong’s autobiography will be the bestseller of the century.”
“But is that also what His Majesty ordered… ?”
It is said that he wrote the autobiography of Edan, a holy hero, so I wondered if this was also the result of the influence of Her Majesty Arlia, the Empress.
“Your surname is deceptive.”
“That’s right.”
Bruce and Wilton laughed and tilted their beer glasses. His Majesty the Emperor completed the subjugation of the Demon Realm, which could not be achieved even 300 years ago, in a short period of time.
Along with that, he showed generosity and pioneered trade routes with the demon realm.
Basically, the Makai is a society based on the rule of thumb.
They valued steel more than gold, and valued force more than knowledge.
Compared to the Empire, in such a society, it was natural that the culture did not develop.
Thanks to this, as trade routes with the Pandemonium were pioneered, the Pandemonium’s personnel immersed themselves in the Empire’s culture. In addition to job creation, gold from the Pandemonium flowed into the empire.
“I’m just wondering… . If Edan’s power is compared to the hero Luke Amos from 300 years ago, who is stronger?”
Bruce laughed as Wilton lowered his voice.
“I heard that Ethan rose from the dead in three hours.”
“I heard it too. It’s not that famous. That’s really, it’s no different from God… .”
“Hey Wilton, this is high-level information. There is also a movement to worship Edan as the Sword God.”
Sword body.
It was no different from a title given to Luke Amos, the hero who saved the world 300 years ago. Speaking of the Sword God, everyone first thought of Luke Amos.
For 300 years, only the hero Luke Amos was given the title of Sword God in the Empire.
In addition, Edan has the title of sword god?
“The Swordsman? That title seems a bit weak… . It is said that the hero of Luke sealed the seven demon lords, but Edan captured the eighth demon lord who inherited all his powers… .”
Wilton murmured, thinking of what he knew.
“Heh heh, Wilton… . Ethan Seongwoong is a god. Titles are just modifiers to him.”
“I think so too.”
“Cheers or join us. How can traders like us know the will of His Majesty and Ethan Seong-ung?”
At that, Wilton nodded eagerly and raised his glass. Soon the two beer mugs collided.
* * *
mid-June.
A clear sky floated overhead, as if announcing that summer was now in full swing. The sky was dyed purple not long ago.
I watched the spacious wedding hall in the imperial garden.
There were times when it was hard to feel that Sepia or Tesya were the main figures in the Empire.
It was because I mostly lived at the academy, but maybe it was because they were my friends.
However, looking at the wedding hall, I was able to realize it clearly.
Its size and invitation seats alone were enough to seat thousands of people. I realized it when I saw it.
‘Ah, Tesha was the empress, and Sepia was the only daughter of the 10th most prestigious family in the empire.’
Is that all?
Tia is the only daughter of Erze, the top tier of the empire, and Sylvia is the daughter of Lynchester, the top family in the western region.
What about Vivian?
Vivian is a descendant of the clan of swords, and if things go as they were originally told, she is bestowed with a knighthood by Tesha. And she is revered as a saint for holding the holy sword.
‘I’ll have really great women as my wives.’
Tesha’s wedding was like a state event. Thousands of knights had already been deployed around the imperial palace.
Inspections were also more intense than ever.
“Hey, what are you thinking about Ethan?”
I looked back at Sepia’s voice. Sepia, smiling hehehehe, grabbed my arm and dragged me.
“Are you bland because you’re getting married?”
“No, just… . Do you want my lovers to be amazing?”
“At what point?”
“Tesha is the emperor, and Sepia, you are the lady of the Logness class and come from a great family… . When I saw a large-scale wedding hall, I suddenly thought of that.”
In my mind, I wanted to have a modest wedding.
This is all because of my individualistic tendencies. I prioritize individual freedom over collective freedom.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy to be a hero, but thanks to that, interview requests poured in from all kinds of media.
After defeating the demon lord, Vivian, who had a talent for the secretary position, was directly managing my schedule. I had to ask Vivian to reject all incoming calls.
Unlike me, Arthur, who is not good at rejecting himself, tried to participate in the interview whenever possible.
In almost all interviews, Arthur did not confess that he had defeated the demon king, but gave all the credit to his teammates.
‘I don’t think I brought world peace by defeating the demon king. All of this was possible thanks to the help of my colleagues.’
It was an Arthurian remark, famous for being humble.
It would have been nice if it had gone that far, but Arthur went one step further and mentioned my name. When I looked through magazines and newspapers, it seemed that I had never missed it.
‘If you could pick one person who contributed the most to defeating the demon king, who would it be?’
Yeah, that was a stupid question… .
‘This is Ethan. If you pick one person that even the Lund Hero recognizes, yes. Without Edan, it would have been impossible to defeat the demon king.’
Thanks to that remark, questions poured in about who Ethan was.
And all kinds of speculative articles and various truths combined to produce more various rumors. Thanks to this, the curiosity of citizens was further increased.
From the speculation that I was actually the strongest warrior who had defeated Vassago alone, who had even missed Lund, there were rumors that I was actually a warrior sent by the Goddess to save the world.
There was even bullshit about him being the son of a goddess.
I intentionally avoided bothersome things, which all served as mysticism.
Even when dealing with Gamigin or church affairs, there were requests for interviews from here and there, but most of them announced their position through the Lynchester family.
Thanks to that, I was able to avoid trouble… .
This time, thanks to Arthur, he was reevaluated as a mystic.
And when it was revealed that the princess’s marriage partner was me, more public attention was poured out.
Thanks to that, numerous eyes followed him even if he just walked around the academy.
Will I be able to go back to my normal daily life?
Then Sepia pinched my forearm. It didn’t hurt. In the first place, it was a kind of aegyo because it was slightly pinched.
“ah… , Yes why?”
“Ethan! Haven’t you heard anything about me?”
“ah… . sorry. I was lost in my thoughts for a moment.”
“Then, I will say it one more time… .”
Sepia took a deep breath, then paused. Soon, he continued talking again and again.
“Even though Tesya is the emperor, and I am the only daughter of the great aristocratic family Lognes, Ethan is a hero who saved the empire, or even the world. You are so much more awesome than me.”
As if to ask, Sepia pointed at me with her finger.
“I didn’t do it alone, so what… .”
“Pi, aren’t you being too trembling?”
A smile broke out at that question.
Well, even though Arthur landed the last blow, everyone assumed that I had made a big contribution to defeating Helya.
“Ethan, try it once.”
“What?”
“I am a hero who saved the world.”
“I am a hero who saved the world.”
I was told what to do, and that was it. Sepia continued with a grin.
“And I’m Sepia’s only boyfriend.”
“And I’m Sepia’s only boyfriend.”
I wondered why this was happening, but it’s definitely true. After following that, Sepia smiled happily in the world.
“I love sepia the most.”
“I love all my lovers equally.”
“Oh, why! Aren’t you going to follow this?”
why don’t you follow
If I said that, when talking to girls, Ethan said he loved me the most! Because it’s obvious
As long as he is determined to start a harem, he must love all the women.
That is my conviction, and it is the fate of a man who walks the path of a harem.
“By the way, the wedding dress is pretty.”
“Pi, turning the horse is also an athlete.”
“What about the other kids?”
“I don’t know. find out for yourself I hate you for not paying attention to me.”
I shrugged and walked ahead. Soon, Sepia followed with quick steps.
“Hey, Edaan… . Aren’t you mad?”
“I’ll look for it myself. Where is the crystal ball… .”
I rummaged through my pockets and found the crystal ball.
As expected, the round crystal ball was inconvenient to carry around in a pocket. It would be nice if it was a bit flat like a smartphone.
“They are all in the bridal preparation room! I won the rock-paper-scissors game, so I’m the first to get ready! Hehe… .”
Maybe I was offended, Sepia confided in meekly.
“okay? Everyone seems to be busy preparing.”
“Anyway, they’re all new brides.”
“I’m already looking forward to it.”
“Hey, Edaan… . I also wore a wedding dress… .”
It was a word to praise her for being pretty.
“Because sepia is always beautiful even if you don’t say anything.”
I’m not lying, actually, sepia is inexhaustibly pretty. It’s not that I’m covered in bean pods, but looking at it objectively, it’s like that.
Sepia looked up at me with sparkling eyes.
“Praise me anyway. Come on, tell me you’re pretty.”
“Wearing a pure white wedding dress makes me feel like I came down from heaven.”
“and? and?”
“It is so beautiful that it is counted among the five fingers of the empire.”
Sepia, Sylvia, Tesha, Tia, and Vivian would be counted among those five fingers. And from today onwards, they will all become my wives.
“Why all five… . ah… .”
Sepia smiled. I leaned down and whispered into Sepia’s ear.
“I feel like a goddess today. Lady Sepia.”
At those words, Sepia bit her lip to hold back a laugh. Anyway, in Sepia, the mood at that time is revealed through the facial expression.
“Let’s go prepare for the wedding soon.”
“yes! I am really very excited. A wedding with Ethan… !”
Sepia, who responded bravely, followed me.
The outdoor wedding venue was packed with people. My intention to pay modestly was reflected a lot, so there were hundreds of people even though I reduced it and reduced it.
Why are there still hundreds?
That’s because he has five wives.
It meant that there were five of them even if it was only the mother’s family.
Even most of them are figures who hang out in the Empire. The lord of Lognes, the lord of Lynchester, and the resident of the Erze Corps… .
And on one side of the ceremony hall, Sepia’s father Halion and Sylvia’s father Benek were facing each other.
“No, who is this? Isn’t that the Wild Dog of the East, Halion von Logness?”
“Long time no see. The Lion of the West, Beneck von Linchester.”
Rogueness and Lynchester, the anti-Mine families of the East and West, respectively. As such, the war of nerves between the two families continued unknowingly.
Besides, one side is a family of wizards, and the other side is a family of knights.
However, the two families do not fight like the families of Romeo and Juliet… . Since ancient times, this kind of war of nerves has been regarded as a tradition.
“I asked when Sylvia, who was your troublemaker, was getting married, and today she is.”
“hahahaha! No matter how urgent you are, you can’t get Mine to marry you.”
When Halion criticized Sylvia for putting off getting married, Benek counterattacked after shedding it flexibly like tai chi.
Sepia asked if she almost married Mine.
“Actually, did you ever think that the marriage was a strategy to entice Mine?”
Halion von Logness replied as if nothing had happened.
“Heh heh, yes? You’re using your daughter as bait… . A family of wizards without blood or tears.”
“What about the family that always drives their daughter to the Demonic Realm?”
The two father-in-law were laughing and fighting nervously. They smiled politely, but sparks flew from each other’s eyes.
I felt like I knew where the daughters’ personalities came from.
At this point, I felt like I had to stop.
“Halion-sama, Benik-sama. You have worked hard to come this far.”
I approached the two father-in-law and bowed my head.
“Ah, isn’t that my son-in-law Ethan!”
“My proud son-in-law!”
Benek and Halion spoke simultaneously.
“You got married and united the two families.”
“Thank you both for giving me your daughter.”
To be honest, I thought it would be difficult to convince the two of them because they came from a high-ranking family. However, when I went to see him in person and asked for his understanding, he readily agreed.
‘Originally, a brave man has many wives.’
This was the opinion of Halion von Lognes,
‘Well… . His Majesty the Emperor also singled out you as a marriage partner, but Sylvia said she likes you too, so I’ll give her special permission.’
This was Benek von Lynchester’s will.
The fact that the wedding was going to be held under the supervision of His Majesty Tesya, the two families seemed to have bowed down to some extent.
By the way, I haven’t told my father yet that Sylvia is pregnant. Because it was Sylvia’s opinion to hide it and get married first.
No matter how young I am, I think it will take me even if I insist… .
Anyway, time passed and the wedding was approaching. I saw the crystal ball ringing, and Tesha was looking for me.
– Ethan! where are you?
I have to go ahead with the wedding soon, but are you preparing well? ٩ᐛ
Well, Ethan always prepares well by himself! ۶ ̀ᴗ ́)۶
You can’t keep the five brides waiting! (๑•͈ᴗ•͈)
“Come on, let’s go. The old craftsman.”
“Let’s go. The groom has to go up on the wedding stage, so if he’s like this with the craftsmen here, it’s used?’
I nodded at Halion’s words and headed to the wedding stage.
Standing on stage, I felt nervous for some reason.
I’m not usually nervous, but maybe it’s because I think I’m really getting married today… .
Soon the moderator’s calm voice was heard.
The host of the wedding was Tia’s uncle Seian Erze.
In the guest seat, Arthur, Anya, Reus, Sonny, Ariane, and other members of the academy could be seen.
As our eyes met, Arthur gestured for something.
Anya hesitantly took out something and lifted it up. When I did something, it was a large placard.
-congratulation for the wedding! Ethan, the national salvation hero!
Anya smiled and waved the card. Soon, Seian’s voice echoed through the microphone in the wedding hall.
“Gentlemen in the audience, welcome to the wedding of His Majesty the Emperor and Edan, the hero of national salvation.”
He tapped the microphone and smiled politely.
“As you may have seen in the wedding invitations, there are a lot of new brides, right? It’s because the national salvation hero is greedy.”
At that, laughter was heard from the audience. I also laughed out loud. It was a joke with permission to say this in advance.
Well, actually, it’s not a joke, it’s the truth. It’s because I’m all greedy.
“Surprisingly, at this wedding, everyone said that there was no concubine or concubine. Also, the way heroes think is unique. What’s even more surprising is that His Majesty the Emperor also allowed this. Let’s applaud His Majesty’s generous generosity!”
Applause erupted from the audience.
When I said that I wanted a joint wedding and even asked for permission from His Majesty the Emperor, the atmosphere seemed to pass.
Rumors had it that it was all Tesha’s political move.
Soon, Seian skillfully proceeded with the wedding.
“Then, the bride and groom will enter!”
The wedding song rang and the entrance ceremony began. Loud applause was heard. I laughed and walked up the carpet to the stage. For today, the smile never stopped.
