99 – 99. Wedding Ring (2)
—-
The ultimate cause that initiated the end of the world was the disappearance of the innocent elixir responsible for humanity’s destruction, leading to the establishment of the sole deity system.
Tyranny and famine had turned into a puppet.
Death had met eternal rest by the hands of the saintly party.
There was no longer an ’emblem of evil’ to continue the next chapter.
Gaël, who had become the ultimate cause, surely hadn’t anticipated this turn of events. Even as the supreme being on the deity’s throne, he was ultimately just a character in the narrative. Therefore, he was now moving Sanghwang Kingdom in a belated attempt to prevent the end of the world.
“So, how many have gathered?”
“Slightly less than forty people.”
“It’s way too few… It’s not even half of what I expected.”
“I-I apologize!”
Was it because he had been constantly betrayed by the cultists?
He had thought there would be at least a hundred lurking in the shadows, whispering and conspiring.
But less than forty?
It was insufficient to shake the deity’s throne. Engaging in a full-frontal battle with Sanghwang Kingdom was almost suicidal.
“In three days, gather at the meeting place.”
“Yes, understood.”
It was quite an ironic situation.
To have to call forth creatures more repulsive than pests with one’s own hands.
The Summoner.
That vampire called me that way.
As he gazed at the vampire exuding strong anticipation, he pondered. He questioned himself whether he was truly ascending to become the leader of the cultists.
“When you command, all apostles will prostrate themselves and worship! The false deity will eventually be devoured by the innocent elixir! The rise of evil is imminent!”
“…”
There was no grand purpose to it all.
My goal was simply to topple Gaël from the deity’s throne.
The rise of evil?
The damn cultists’ world, characterized by slaughter and human sacrifice, surely desired it. Hence, even if I managed to push Gaël from the deity’s throne, I had no intention of participating in the rise of evil.
“It must have been quite challenging… Well done.”
“Ah, no! It’s an honor to answer your call!”
The beautiful vampire with flowing black hair blushed and hurriedly replied.
Admiration and awe,
Numerous emotions directed towards me were felt.
I couldn’t understand why the vampire believed in me so steadfastly, calling me the Summoner.
As I gazed into the vampire’s gleaming black eyes that never rested, I felt a sense of unease. Whenever I witnessed the vampire unquestioningly following me, I sometimes felt perplexed.
I heard the news that the Sun Warrior has been selected as a new hero of the Shining Kingdom! Indeed, it is the Sun Warrior! Even deceiving the only god! It seems the foolish people of the Shining Kingdom can’t even distinguish between right and wrong!
“Well, that’s… foolish people indeed. Choosing me, who worships the essence of war, as a hero. They will regret their decision eventually.”
“Ah! The great Sun Warrior!”
“……”
In response to the vampire’s admiration as he reached out his hands, he smiled ominously and spoke.
At that moment, Ariel shivered all over, her face turning red.
‘Being imprisoned for days, only eating stale candy, has finally driven me mad. Should I feed on blood now?’
Madness.
Or perhaps just pretending to be mad.
Looking at the vampire chanting with fingers crossed, she thought.
“Ariel, come closer.”
“Y-yes!”
Ariel approached with a tense expression.
Reaching out, he grabbed the black choker encircling the vampire’s white neck with his fingers.
It will activate once a certain distance is exceeded.
Even if one tries to remove it forcibly, the bomb necklace will activate.
Recognizing her faithful completion of the mission, he eased the constraint placed on the bomb necklace. The killing power of the bomb necklace remained the same, but the distance was significantly increased.
“I’ve extended the range. It should be fine to leave the Valtaria Empire now.”
“To repay the Sun Warrior’s trust… I will do my best in the future as well!”
Even rejoicing while being bound by the bomb necklace.
Truly mad.
Is this waking up to the restraint play?
It couldn’t be anything but a sinister, unique wall of a vampire.
“Step back and wait. I will give orders in due course.”
“The plan to overthrow the only god will now proceed in earnest! Yes, understood!”
The vampire, with the severe bomb necklace on his neck, responded confidently in a clear voice. Like a pet dog waiting for its master’s command, he raised his head and dispersed his two eyes.
Soon, turning into a crimson mist, he dispersed.
Confirming Ariel had flown far away, he let out a deep sigh.
“I thought she was just stubbornly trying to survive… But it seems she really considers herself the Sun Warrior.”
Truly, it was an undeniable regrettable misunderstanding.
How did this misunderstanding come about?
It’s truly astounding.
If she shows such unwavering faith, she should feel the weight of her conscience.
In the future, the aristocratic faction will be made to exist strictly as a necessary evil. Gathering disciples starting with Ariel and then enforcing submission seemed entirely possible.
***
Jeblinne was hell-bent on getting a marriage ring from Edanthe by any means necessary.
A marriage ring.
The proof of a formal union between a man and a woman.
Instinctively, the white dragon’s protection she obtained through the baptism ceremony seemed to shout, “Love is supreme!”
Acknowledging that she was falling behind the unmarried maidens of the Valtaria Empire, Jeblinne took determined steps, exuding a sense of urgency. The humiliation and discomfort of being surpassed by her rival and enemy were palpable.
“Hello, First Saint.”
“I heard you are leaving today? You have truly worked hard in caring for His Highness.”
A girl with flowing auburn hair approached.
Dressed in pure white robes as proof of being a prospective maiden of the Saintess Temple.
She must have come to bid farewell.
As a senior, it was appropriate to offer words of encouragement to the junior.
Jeblinne suppressed her jealousy bubbling like lava with an effort, smiling brightly. It was an official smile suitable for such occasions.
“Oh, by any chance… may I request a handshake?”
“Of course.”
A handshake.
Truly a cute request.
There’s no harm in it.
It’s just holding hands.
Gazing into the auburn eyes filled with a mix of expectation and anxiety, Jeblinne nodded.
“……”
“…Junior?”
The prospective maiden, having clasped her hand, suddenly fell silent.
Perceiving her confusion, Jeblinne chuckled and spoke.
“Oh! I-I’m sorry. I was just very nervous…”
“It’s okay. It happens.”
Jebline smiled faintly at the appearance of the prospective maiden, who seemed deeply tense. It was because she saw her own past reflected in the disheveled appearance of the prospective maiden.
When she was chosen by the sacred white dragon,
The moment when her original appearance drastically changed because of it suddenly came to mind.
A memory she wanted to forget.
Back then, she was endlessly disheveled like a country maiden.
“Someday, I will definitely become a great maiden like Lady 1st Maiden!”
“Yes, I’ll be cheering for you.”
After exchanging handshakes, the prospective maiden conveyed her confident aspirations and quickly stepped back.
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Ah.
I forgot to ask her name.
As Jebline watched the impressive figure of the prospective maiden with her crimson hair, she muttered as if feeling a tinge of regret.
‘This must be fate. Maybe we’ll meet again when I return… I don’t even know when that will be.’
Indeed, as befitting vessels prepared by the Glorious Kingdom for the great land, they had a remarkably cute and beautiful appearance. They must have been cared for like delicate flowers in the sanctuary of the Maidens’ Residence.
Phew.
It’s fortunate that all the prospective maidens have left.
I didn’t like how they showed interest in Edanthe.
Where are they looking?
Turning her back to the dark-haired prospective maiden, Jebline faced Edanthe. It was to deliver the final warning from Lady 1st Maiden, demanding that she transfer the marriage ring to herself.
—
After the alliance conference ended, kings from each country began to return to their homelands one by one.
And finally, the Glorious Boern, who was the co-leader of the alliance conference, set off on the journey home with the priests. As the carriage carrying the Glorious started moving, the knights dedicated to his protection moved briskly.
“Is something good happening?”
“Well, sort of.”
Boern asked.
At that moment, the prospective maiden sitting opposite looked out the window and replied.
“Rudmila Drayg Baltaria. Jebline Albion Russell. I saw the two children up close.”
“The vessels chosen by the protection of the red and white dragons. So, what were your impressions?”
“They were as beautiful as amethyst and turquoise. It was so sad to see them chosen as vessels to seal innocent souls.”
“I see.”
The disdain and vigilance directed towards the vessels sealing the innocent souls had gradually turned into sympathy.
The souls of tyranny. The souls of famine.
To seal them forever, vessels were needed.
They were the users of protection granted by the red and white dragons.
The vessels, now protectors of the Baltaria Empire and the Gaell Glorious Kingdom, had suppressed the demon army and the sorcerer factions with great authority. They had defended the throne of the sole god by summoning the lifelong enemies who had fallen into puppets.
“Surprising, isn’t it? I thought that the Glorious would be wary of Lady Jebline and the 2nd Princess of the Empire, Edanthe, as if holding a grudge against them…”
“Totally different! Rudmila and Jebline are children born under my blessing!”
It wasn’t because they were vessels chosen for innocent souls that they were disliked.
If that were the reason, Gaell would have harbored malice towards Rudmila and Jebline as well.
Foreign substances flowing in from the outside.
An anomaly where the souls of the outer world and the flesh of the present world were combined.
The girl with her flowing crimson hair grimaced as she expressed contempt. The aversion towards the wandering foreign substances emitting an unpleasant odor was palpable.
“But it’s a bit strange. The children chosen as vessels to seal innocent souls were given a supreme destiny as a sign of pardon… Why hasn’t Rudmila gotten married yet? And why is Jebline still a virgin?”
Strange.
What could be wrong?
As the Sole God pondered, scratching the back of his head, he continued to delve into his thoughts.
