241. Childhood Friend – Wedding

“This is my second time meeting you. Isn’t that right, Apostle of Barbatos?”

The plain red carpet was soft, and in the audience room where only chairs faced the Holy Woman without a table, Rev and Leo Dexter were at a loss for words.

I didn’t expect there would be anyone besides us remembering the last meeting. The Holy Woman smiled brightly at them.

“You’re surprised. I can tell you have many things you want to say… Please, have a seat.”

Rev and Leo Dexter sat down.

Rev fumbled with his words, not knowing what to say, while Leo grit his teeth and asked.

“Did you know everything?”

“About what?”

“Our…”

Leo gripped the armrest of the chair tightly. He barely restrained himself from slapping the Holy Woman’s smiling cheek.

“Our miserable state, worse than a dog.”

“That can’t be true. I don’t know everything. God only tells me what I need to know in the moment. You said your name is Leo Dexter? This is my first time meeting you.”

“Then please ask God why we’re in this situation.”

“Hm…”

The Holy Woman slightly raised her beautiful eyes as if looking at the ceiling, then opened her mouth.

“It’s because Todler Akiunen is paying for his sins.”

“Why do we have to…”

Leonel and Leisia.

With something coming to mind, Leo shut his mouth. The Holy Woman shrugged.

“I don’t know either. Since it seems to be God’s will that we meet like this, would you tell me what happened to you?”

A pretty long story unfolded.

Once he regained his senses, Rev calmly began to explain what had happened. From the first event to now. The Holy Woman occasionally teared up, listening intently—it didn’t seem like she was just hearing Rev’s story. A few times, she sighed, staring into the void.

“…So this time, you will become the king of the Orun Kingdom, and next, you’ll place Sir Leo on the throne.”

“Yes. That way, we can make Leah and Lena Ainar into princesses. Could you help us?”

“…That Leah is here, right?”

“Yes. It’s been about a year since she entered the Monastery Church’s educational facility.”

“I see…”

The Holy Woman fell silent for a while. She seemed to be on the verge of saying something, her mouth moving slightly as she stared intently at the two young men before finally speaking.

“What do you want me to do? There’s not much I can do for you. You don’t need my help anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

You say we don’t need help? Leo Dexter asked. But Rev nodded as if he had anticipated this, and the Holy Woman answered shortly.

“God is watching over you.”

That answer should have been enough, but Leo had a look of confusion. So the Holy Woman added an explanation.

“It means that whatever you need has already been given to you. I don’t even understand why God led you to me.”

“Who led us? I came here of my own will.”

“True. That’s not incorrect. Then could you tell me why you came? Then maybe I can help.”

Leo spilled out everything he wanted to know, unlike Rev, who was calmer.

“I’m going to marry my fiancée, Lena, here. I would like you to officiate the ceremony.”

“That’s not a difficult request. I’ll check the schedule.”

“Thank you. So… Rev, hand me that for a moment. What is this?”

What Leo received was a blue necklace that belonged to Lean’s mother.

It was a bound item he hadn’t yet possessed. However, unlike the sword of Leo’s mother or Rev’s mother’s mirror, its purpose was unclear. A pretty necklace? It wasn’t a joke or anything. But the Holy Woman…

“It’s a beautiful necklace.”

She said it just as it was written in the necklace’s description, with an attitude of having nothing more to explain.

“How did you know it was a beautiful necklace?”

“I just said what I saw?”

“…Do you see the square window too, Holy Woman?”

“What do you mean by that…?”

The Holy Woman looked at Leo with a puzzled expression. Feeling like a fool, Leo returned to the main topic.

“I want to know the purpose of this necklace.”

“By the way you speak, it must be a very special item. Just a moment, let me ask… Ah, sorry. God Binard says it’s unnecessary to know.”

“Why not?”

“Please wait a moment. God Binard tends to talk too much… You’ll know in due time, so keep it safe. It’s alright to give it to that fiancée of yours, Leah.”

“…Understood. Then…”

Leo grabbed Rev’s right hand, which was lost in thought. He opened his palm, showing the mark of Oriax stamped there.

“Do you see the mark here? Please erase it.”

Rev thought, What’s gotten into this selfish guy, who only knows about this Leah? But then he realized that this mark would go to Leo in the next event, and it made sense.

The Holy Woman intently examined Rev’s palm and said.

[ Debuff: Oriax’s Footprint – Provocation, cannot escape. Fixed for 11 years 11 months 11 days 11 hours 11 minutes 11 seconds. ]

“A distorted 17-gon. Impressive. You seem to read God’s language quite well. Erasing it wouldn’t be difficult, but…”

Maryel shot a glance at Rev.

“It’s probably better not to erase it. Don’t worry. It will disappear soon.”

Leo asked again if it couldn’t be erased right now, but the Holy Woman shook her head. Her eyes sent a meaningful smile toward Rev.

“Leo, stop. The Holy Woman says it’s better not to erase it.”

“…What are you planning to do to us…?”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Never mind, let’s go Holy Woman.”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“Please tell me our true names, mine and Lena’s.”

The Holy Woman’s eyes widened.

She realized why God had led this man to her and smiled lightly.

Even though a punishment was given, God truly cared for them. He was even trying to take care of such trivial matters.

Maryel shook her head.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you. However, I understand why you are here. Leo Dexter, please show me the mirror you possess.”

What is she planning to do?

But Leo also shook his head. It wasn’t a rejection; he didn’t have the mirror with him.

“That mirror belongs to Lena. Why do you need it?”

“I will let you use that mirror as well. Make sure to bring it on the wedding day. Haha. Now that important matters are settled, any further conversations are just extraneous. You may take your leave.”

“Wait! I still have many questions…”

Leo Dexter shouted, but it seemed the Holy Woman was done with her business, sinking back into her chair.

As the Holy Knights urged the two young men to get up, Rev, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

“Holy Woman, I have a request.”

“What is it?”

“There is a tribe called ‘Uena’ to the west. There, an elderly woman serves God and will meet Cardinal Michael. Please stop that.”

“…Is that all you wish for?”

“Yes. I can handle the rest myself.”

The Holy Woman laughed lightly.

“I think I understand why you’re the ‘first.’ I will grant your wish. From now on, Cardinal Michael will not go on pilgrimages. Well then, I’ll see you on your wedding day.”

Soon, Rev and Leo were leaving the Cross Church. Leo Dexter grumbled.

“Tsk. I had so many questions. In the end, it was no help at all. They say you’ll find out everything later… I could say that too, you know? Don’t you think?”

“…”

“Huh? Why are you… Oh! Isn’t that Leah? Yup, it is!”

Leo’s eyesight was quite good. In the distance, Leah was walking with some apprentice, and Rev stared at it blankly. Leo Dexter nudged him.

“What are you doing? Go on. I’ll wait, so go greet her.”

Rev didn’t move at all.

It was due to a warning from Ashin, Ceres. Leo Dexter asked in disbelief.

“Aren’t you going to contact Leah once you become king? Please tell me you’re not going to finish without even meeting her while crowning her as a princess?”

“……Let’s go.”

“What? You dumb…”

Rev strode ahead, trying not to look back. Leo sighed in disbelief.

Rev’s characteristics are indeed characteristics.

Rev, who didn’t assert himself much, listened well to others. He accepted Minseo’s thoughts frequently and had a gentle personality.

But isn’t this related to Leah and his life? Self-absorbed Leo couldn’t help but mutter, “Ugh, that idiot.”

*

Next month in winter. The wedding of Leo Dexter and Lena Ainar was held.

Though hastily prepared, the ceremony in the Monastery Church was graced by guests that would leave anyone’s mouth agape.

Prince Cleo de Frederick attended on behalf of the Frederick Royal Family.

Recently, his romance with Count Oscar’s daughter led nobles to rush in their reservations, making the scale of the wedding uncontrollably large.

I may not know who Leo Dexter and Lena Ainar are.

Just like that, the wedding almost became overshadowed by the Frederick Royal Family, of which the marriage drew attention from the great nobles of the Jerome Holy Kingdom and Count Oscar; however, once it was known that Maryel the Holy Woman would officiate, it became the center of interest among the nobility and society alike.

As Leo and Lena were lovey-dovey, Rev prepared for their wedding.

As the only known figure publicly, the great Swordmaster personally welcomed guests. Among Rev’s female apprentices were lovely bridesmaids, while muscular men became the impressive groomsmen.

“Thank you for attending my best friend’s wedding. Yes, yes. I understand. I’ll visit you at any time. Please come inside. The prince just went in a little while ago.”

After countless handshakes, honestly unnecessary but filling the guestbook with unfamiliar noble names, Rev could finally breathe once the ceremony started.

The previously bustling lobby calmed down. The music played. Rev, unable to miss his friend’s wedding, casually got up and peered beyond the entrance hall of the ceremony.

He missed the highlight.

After the Holy Woman’s officiation and blessing, Leo and Lena were sharing the marriage declaration.

It was a sight he had never seen before. Having been married several times, it always ended with the priest’s declaration, “…I declare that one couple has been formed before God.”

Those two were indeed a charming couple with an admirable height difference. ─ as he thought and smiled, Rev suddenly became bittersweet.

He realized he could never have a wedding like that. Even if he married Leah, it would probably be after the ending, and this would be his final event.

Only at that moment did Rev empathize with Lean de Yeriel, who had begged for just one more opportunity. No matter what, if he cleared it, getting to do it again wouldn’t negate his clarity, so he wanted to live just a little longer. He didn’t want to disappear after only mumbling the post-ending story in text.

But that was Minseo’s authority.

Minseo swore to leave after making us all happy, but it was uncertain whether he would delay his departure after decades of not meeting his beloved partner and family.

Moreover, since Minseo’s standards for a happy ending were rather vulgar and low, Lean, despite being a prince, had begged for this. He knew that once the Childhood Friend scenario began, both his and his kingdom’s dire future would change.

The difference between experiencing something firsthand versus just watching is indeed vast. With a deep sigh, Rev turned around.

Inside the ceremony, Leo was not kissing Lena as he was told. Instead, he was rubbing his nose against hers, clearly making her anxious.

Lena Ainar blushed brightly and laughed genuinely, something that twinged Rev’s heart since he hadn’t seen Leah.

And a few days later, Rev and his group left Lutetia.