Chapter 66

66.

Once again, without fail, the day broke.

With less than ten days until the grand festival’s proclamation, they needed to receive envoys from foreign lands while also entering the final checks for the festival preparations.

Normally, there wouldn’t be much to worry about in festival preparations, but this one was both a grand festival and the official royal wedding ceremony for the imperial couple.

It wasn’t a small, intimate affair; it was a grand event with foreign guests. Naturally, they had to prepare meticulously without the slightest flaw, and essential to minimizing errors were rehearsals and prior inspections.

All personnel of the Imperial Palace were bustling about, shouting in joy at the additional tasks added on top of their usual duties.

I was no exception.

“One-Sword Formation! Your ranks are off in the middle! Align yourself so that you obscure the person next to you!”

“Yes, Acting Commander!”

“Novice Knight Russell! The banner is lowering, isn’t it? Is this due to a lack of basic training as you’re pretending to demonstrate?”

“N-No, it isn’t!”

Shocked by Milene’s reprimand, the novice knight vigorously raised the imperial banner.

The Falenberk flag fluttered proudly high. The knight squadron’s armor, lined on either side and reflecting the sunlight, created a rather magnificent scene.

“Hmm. Good! Moving on! Adjusting the harmony of the practice swords. First line, prepare!”

“Prepared!”

“Following Knight Luniya’s movements, commence. Everyone, draw your swords!”

Clang!

Without the slightest deviation in sound, the knights drew their swords. Watching Milene’s side profile as she enthusiastically directed them, sweating despite the practice, I moved toward the Grand Plaza.

The grand festival festivities would be enjoyed throughout the capital, but the wedding would take place in the Grand Plaza located in the west.

The Royal Road, stretching from the inner defenses to the Grand Plaza outside, was guarded by the Imperial Guard for close defense and ceremonial duties. The outer areas were overseen by the guards.

Considering it was a location where the imperial couple and key figures from various countries would gather, the alert level was set to maximum. More than half of the guard units from other districts were deployed to the west, while the empire’s army and the knights of the noble houses covered the security gaps in the other districts.

With the capital’s full attention focused on the western district, the event venue itself was the safest situation one could imagine. But naturally, with the forces concentrated in one place, the other districts were relatively less secure.

A perfect environment for spies to operate had been created.

‘No issues on the guard side.’

The next focus would be the management of the venue.

At the stage of selecting the venue, the inner palace was excluded due to its lack of open space, narrowing down to the Grand Plaza outside. Among the four capital districts, the plaza in the west was deemed the most suitable.

Judging by the cleanliness of each district, the west was the neatest by far. The east was cluttered with commercial activity, the south was complex due to the market, and as for the north… it didn’t need mentioning.

The west district, where skilled artisans lived, could also provide technical assistance for the preparation.

“Raise it a bit higher! Higher! A little lower!”

“Is… is this good enough?”

“That’s it! That way, it doesn’t draw too much attention and looks natural!”

Following the craftsman’s instructions, the workers installed the decorations.

A heated debate unfolded between the Inner Palace official and the artisan over budgets and materials, while workers decorating the streets were approached by women and children offering refreshments and drinks. Just watching exuded energy.

‘Seems like there aren’t any major problems.’

Leisurely observing the bustling atmosphere of the west district, I eventually arrived at the center of the Grand Plaza.

“Hmm…”

In truth, I hadn’t wanted to come to the Grand Plaza.

The overall progress could be confirmed verbally, and even from sight, it was clear that there were no issues.

The rehearsal with Iris could take place on another day, so there was no pressing need for me to personally come to the Grand Plaza.

Still, I had to make a quick appearance there because…

“Is this okay?”

“Very good! With the Holy Maiden present, the world truly feels brighter. This must be the grace of the Sun God, right? Haha!”

“Hehe. Thank you for your kind words.”

The pink-haired priestess, Saint Myna of the Bright Sect, smiled gently from the elevated platform.

“As for me, I’ll begin. As the green of spring returns and flowers bloom in abundance…”

Myna, reading from the paper in her hands, was busy preparing for the ceremony.

As in the Grand Duke Enthronement Ceremony, the sect had taken charge of the wedding blessings and hosting.

It wasn’t for an ordinary noble but a joyous occasion for the highest level of imperial society, so the Bright Sect had informed that the Holy Maiden herself would attend the wedding.

Thus, the sect provided generous support for the festival, and the Holy Maiden, as a participant, enthusiastically participated in the rehearsals.

They were putting in genuine effort. We couldn’t stay idle either.

Iris was busy with various internal tasks for the festival, and the other two dukes were no different. Being assigned to accompany the Holy Maiden was regrettable but a natural flow of events.

“Phew… it seems I’ve memorized it all. Was there any problem anywhere?”

“An extremely impressive speech! The warmth in the Holy Maiden’s voice truly inspires faith!”

“The words indicate no problem. Luckily.”

The overenthusiastic reaction of a devout believer from the Inner Palace and those around them. Myna gently deflected the indiscriminate praise and turned her head.

“…”

Her eyes met mine.

For a moment, I felt a flicker in her pink irises, as if she had just spotted a good excuse.

Sure enough, Myna quickly wove through the gathered crowd.

“Excuse me, Holy Maiden?”

“What is it?”

“The person you were waiting for has arrived.”

She drew a holy symbol with a soft smile.

“A good morning. His Highness the Duke. I was waiting for you.”

“…Thank you for your hospitality, Holy Maiden Myna.”

We exchanged simple greetings, and then a commotion arose among the group following her.

“Th-The Duke?”

The startled noble and officials scattered on the spot.

Others, who had been watching the scene, also turned their heads at the sound and quickly moved away upon confirming my presence, leaving the area deserted in the blink of an eye.

“Nice and quiet, isn’t it?”

Leisurely glancing around, Myna opened her mouth with a pleased expression.

“Thank you for your help. Are you here inspecting the Grand Plaza? As you can see, everything is well-prepared.”

“Indeed, I’ve dropped by to conduct a brief spot check.”

Though, judging by the preparation, there didn’t seem to be an urgent need to confirm it.

Under my small mutter, Myna laughed softly and gestured with her hand.

Turning my eyes to where she was pointing, I saw a makeshift desk and chair set up in the corner of the plaza for rest.

Nodding at the invitation to sit, I moved to the chair.

Amidst the energetic workers, I enjoyed a light tea served by a clergyman from the sect and exchanged casual conversation.

As the conversation was winding down, Myna asked with curiosity.

“By the way, Your Highness? I heard we had guests arriving from the south today.”

“A delegation of the Human-Beasts is expected this afternoon. They should be arriving in the capital soon… likely at the south gate within two hours if they’re on schedule.”

“Aha, the Human-Beasts.”

The sun midday was slowly passing. Checking the time, it would be about 3:00 p.m. Considering the distance between Barhen and the capital, they should arrive at the south gate within two hours.

‘Speaking of which.’

Myna’s attitude towards the Human-Beasts seemed composed.

Within the Bright Sect, the stance towards Human-Beasts was sharply divided. In comparison, she seemed indifferent, almost unconcerned, beyond mere preferences.

“Holy Maiden Myna. I have a question.”

“Yes? What is it? Except for personal questions, it’s alright. Hmm… If it’s you, Your Highness, it might be fine?”

“…Nothing of that nature, so please be at ease. It’s about the Human-Beasts.”

Tilting her head curiously, I asked Myna.

“What are your thoughts on the Human-Beasts?”

This question wasn’t merely about personal preferences.

Understanding the meaning, Myna’s soft smile relaxed.

“…”

The treatment of Human-Beasts in Altain could not, by any measure, be considered good.

There’s a strong tendency to see them as no different from wild beasts, which can be traced back to the long-term suppression of the Human-Beasts.

Long before the establishment of Altain as a nation, the Human-Beasts had ruled the eastern continent region.

Outstanding physical prowess and heightened senses far surpassing humans.

Yet, it’s not as if their intelligence was low either.

In every aspect, the Human-Beasts naturally reigned supreme.

The only drawback was their smaller population compared to humans, and their strong independence and closed-off nature made them resistant to cooperation.

Humans crushed these weaknesses with mana wielders and overwhelming numbers.

The scattered Human-Beasts could not withstand the united humans.

Their formidable bodies fell to the enchanted steel, their scattered resistance crumbled before superior military units.

The Human-Beast alliance was hastily formed later,

But by then, the eastern lands had become human territory under Altain.

The fate of the defeated is largely predetermined.

The Human-Beast alliance was classified as a special threat and tightly controlled, one of the outcomes being the widespread hatred towards Human-Beasts across Altain.

At that time, there might have been plans to drive the Human-Beasts to extinction.

However, with the Human-Beast coalition taking severe blows, the emergence of provincial dukes, and even Swordmasters, contact between both sides diminished.

Time passed, leaving behind only the instinctual rejection.

Due to its doctrine, the sect’s opposition to Human-Beasts was somewhat moderate.

Ultimately, to incorporate the Human-Beast coalition easily into the empire, the sect’s help was needed. The person representing that sect, endowed with divine revelation and performing miracles, was the Holy Maiden.

Future steps would depend on the Holy Maiden’s intentions.

Serious discussions required a proper setting, so this was just a casual sounding-out.

Myna turned her gaze upward to the sky.

Then she spoke softly.

“Beings who follow the faith are all considered the children of God. God’s word is not discriminatory based on appearance. They shine their light equally.”

Our eyes met, and her pink irises briefly sparkled.

“Follow your purpose.”

“…!”

A foreign noise mixed with Myna’s voice. Her eyes faintly glimmered with a white light, and for a moment, the world seemed enveloped in gray.

Looking around, it was evident that everyone except Myna and me had stopped moving.

The silence was so profound that even the faint chirping of insects was absent—like an unreal scene where time stood still.

I quickly turned my gaze back to Myna.

“Are you… the Goddess of the Sun?”

Upon hearing my question, Myna—or rather, whoever was manifesting through her body—softly smiled.

“Chart your own course. We merely observe.”

Rising from the chair, the Goddess gracefully moved.

A warm sensation spread across my shoulder where she placed her hand, bowing slightly.

“Ugh…”

A burning sensation coursed through my neck as I instinctively grabbed her. Like a marionette whose strings have been cut, she collapsed.

The world regained its colors, centered around Myna cradled in my arms.

Was the one who brought me into this world You? Is this truly the real world? Why have I been reincarnated?

For a moment, various thoughts raced through my mind.

“Move the waste materials to the south district!”

“Please gather here! Let’s have a drink!”

The world returned to normal.

People moved around busily, preparing for the festival.

“…”

I touched my neck where Myna’s lips had been.

The warmth I felt in my hand confirmed it hadn’t been a dream.