Chapter 176

Chapter 176 - Great Lord of the South (3)

The southern nobles of Britannia were deeply influenced by the Elven royal family. Therefore, there is a custom of decorating a sanctuary as a small artificial garden at one's residence.

Haven was also the same. At the top of the rocky mountain within the city, a forest sanctuary existed. Commensurate with its wealth and breadth, it was of a quite large scale.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

"No. This is entirely a task the bride has to do."

Valda, who climbed the sanctuary with Eugene, strolled through the garden gathering tree branches and leaves.

"I heard it's a matching custom of Louisamor and the Ancient Kingdom? Wearing a corolla made of natural materials."

"Right. For those yearning for the 1st Era and those yearning for the 2nd Era. It will establish your authority to both sides."

It's not that only a king wears a crown on his head. Great nobles enjoying sufficient power also wore various ornaments on their heads.

In Valda's two hands, there is already a corolla taking shape to some extent.

"I like it. It looks light first of all."

To Eugene, who was a natural-born soldier, weight reduction is a value more important than anything else.

"It is not merely light. A crown made in the Elven way is special."

"In what way?"

"It is alive. Just like your Moving Castle."

As delicate fingers tapped it, the tree branches moved on their own and adjusted their shape. So that it would fit Eugene's head well. To foster his dignity even cooler.

There was no need to measure head size. Since she has touched Eugene's face, cheeks, and head countless times.

As her friendship with Eugene gradually turned into affection, the areas Valda touched also ascended upwards. Now she knows even minor characteristics well.

"Every time the season changes, this crown will also change its appearance. In spring and summer, it will be light green announcing a new start, in autumn it will beautifully tint with autumn leaves, and in winter it will shine in a noble silvery white."

"I think I'll be able to properly feel the passage of time every month."

Even while slacking off, seeing the crown's color changed at some point would snap his mind awake.

"Oh..."

Valda, who was picking up materials, stopped. In her hand is a chrysanthemum that hadn't bloomed yet.

The flower she had intended to pin on Grace before leaving the Emerald Forest. However, it was a flower that ultimately didn't see the light.

As Valda's lips parted slightly, the chrysanthemum flower bud overcame time and bloomed radiantly.

"Let's decorate the crown with this. So that she can watch over us from the sky."

"Yes."

Eugene embraced Valda from behind. Although she is one who normally looks like she would fly away if blown on, in this moment right now she looked even lighter.

And Eugene's mother also liked chrysanthemums.

* * *

Around the time the corolla was completed, the wedding schedule was announced across all of Britannia.

"Hang the tapestry here. So that people can naturally see the Lord's life story while entering."

Cassandra led the therianthrope servants and maids from the front, tending to the banquet hall entrance.

Overflowing with political ambition, she had enjoyed debating with Eugene about propaganda frequently since the past.

- Would you support the funds for producing a tapestry? It would make the process of how you started as a knight in Kingdom's End and reached here into pictures.

In the past, Cassandra wanted to make decorations to make Eugene's banquet even more special.

- It's a good idea, but wouldn't it take too long?

- That is why it has value as a luxury item. It will overawe all the noble spectators.

- Hmm.

A tapestry is a work of art made by embroidering using colored threads. A few years is basic, and it sometimes takes over decades at the longest. Much less to capture Eugene's journey, it would have to be woven over several generations.

- There is no need to worry.

Cassandra winked while sophisticatedly wagging her index finger.

- Because there is a secret method to compress a 300-year job into 3 months.

- Cassandra as expected! There's no way you would make an unrealistic request.

- Fufut! Look! These kids are the secret!

- ...

Eugene, who was clapping, stiffened. Because in front of him was a barrel swarming with hundreds of spiders.

- Among our clan's witches, there is an expert in insect familiar usage. Spiders fed special potions can spin colored threads. Since one hand cannot match ten hands, before embroidery collaborated on by hundreds of spiders, there is no impossibility.

- I-I see.

Like that, the tapestry to be hung at the entrance of Eugene's wedding was completed.

"No, how on earth did they weave something like this?"

"You're saying the Lord defeated all these monsters that appeared here?"

Starting with the giant wild boar to Wendigos and Bugbears, the anecdote of sinking a ship with a javelin, the Codon Castle bulldozer incident, taking over the Moving Castle, and so on.

Before a life story unimaginable as one person's achievements, the nobles entering the banquet hall could not hold back their admiration.

To the extent that the entrance was blocked and congested with the crowd spectating the tapestry.

"Everyone's reactions are fantastic. It's truly excellent. Cassandra."

"Thank you for the compliment, but I feel like I cooked porridge only to give it away to others. My feelings are somewhat complicated."

Cassandra sighed. She thought it was a competition with low odds of winning, but Valda indeed obtained the honor of the first bride.

However, she merely lost just once now. The future blueprint Eugene envisions includes countless uncharted territories.

To encompass all of those, he would need much family. Whether that becomes wives or children.

Right now she takes a step back and bestows a blessing, but clearly her day will come someday. The day Cassandra becomes the protagonist and gets blessed by everyone.

* * *

"There are far more guests than expected, right?"

Although it's the wedding of a great lord, he expected only the southern nobles to visit. Since up north they are fiercely fighting right now.

However, let alone the central region, there were quite a few guests visiting even from the northern region.

"Excellency. It is a union between human and Elf recorded as the 4th in history. On top of that, with a princess of the 1st Era royal family. To someone, it will feel like seeing a fairy tale in reality."

Baron Foster spoke with a deeply moved face.

"If I knew it'd be like this, I should have dressed in the Britannia style."

"It does look a bit bizarre, but it doesn't seem like it will be a problem."

Eugene is wearing the gold leaf traditional clothing worn during the great festival of the Dark Elves in the past. It was because the Blackhand tribal members, starting with Rex, strongly hoped for it.

- Sir Knight! By any chance, what will you wear on your wedding day?

- Well, I plan to comfortably wear something recommended by the city weaver guild, though?

Normally for events like this, they wear clothes passed down through generations in the family, but naturally, Eugene had no such thing.

- If that's the case, please definitely wear this.

- Uum.

- D-Do you hate it?

Because they begged so earnestly, it was awkward for Eugene to refuse as well.

"When it comes to nomads, isn't it strength? In turbulent times, there is no existence more reassuring than a strong monarch."

Baron Foster comforted Eugene, who was scrutinizing his attire this way and that.

"It is proof that you are loved by a warrior clan whose prestige resounds across the continent. It will rather serve as a good show."

"What a truly smoothly rolling tongue you have."

"Hahaha! To survive as a Cornwall noble, it was troubling just wielding a sword well."

The banquet decorating the wedding was luxurious. As Haven city itself is wealthy and a strategic point for transportation and trade, there were many supplies that could be mobilized. Furthermore, the Moving Castle was also accompanying.

"E-Excellency. Suddenly my head..."

"It's originally like that if you scoop up and eat ice hastily. Eat a bit slowly."

Shaved ice made by combining honey, milk, sap, and fruits drew incredible popularity among the invited nobles.

"Is this a jewel? To be this brilliant."

"No, it's ice. It's a mermaid sculpted by carving ice!"

The nobles spectated the large ice sculptures carved by Walker and his disciples as if amazed.

Eugene was always able to use a large amount of ice and put it to good use for various events.

Of course, a noble's banquet rises in dignity and is praised the more luxurious it is. Here, luxury is determined by how expensive and how unique it is.

And Eugene was a monarch who could satisfy both to the maximum, no, beyond that.

"Wargots! Where did you catch these precious things?"

A vassal noble living in a mountainous area trembled with emotion looking at the monster mountain goats.

"I had a matter of going on a subjugation to the Shield Mountains when I participated in the Gord tournament. I was lucky enough to capture them there. They really are growing noticeably day by day."

"But they are very gentle? Wargots are on the mild side for monsters, but not to this extent."

"Because I have the world's best tamer."

At the animal experience corner on the outskirts of the banquet hall, Homi and the Blackhand tribe tamers were waiting standby.

They prepared special beasts obtained from past hunts and subjugations, and exotic animals purchased in Samur and Sicily.

Young boys and girls of noble families flocked there, laughing cheerfully while spectating.

"U-waat! Awat! Wawaat!"

A certain young master riding on a Wargot holding its horns couldn't close his mouth. He wanted to laugh because it was so fun, but occasionally got surprised and made strange noises.

"Heueung. It's soft."

There was also a girl burying her face in the fur of a muzzled Direwolf and hugging it.

"Cute."

A red panda raising both hands high staring down fighting a battle of nerves with a kid trying to touch it.

Uhuhung-!

There are also eagle owls and black eagles used by tribe witches as delivery birds.

However, whatever anyone says, there was a separate existence enjoying the highest popularity.

"This guy is the divine beast His Excellency rides!"

Might, who was resting in the stable, was also forcibly dragged along by Eugene saying, 'It's a total mobilization order. You work too!'.

"It's too big."

A certain kid noble looked up at Might, who was high like a castle wall, with sparkling eyes. But soon became tearful because of the adults blocking his view in front.

Although it was fundamentally a corner packed with children, for the World Charger, brawny knights also flocked and were spectating.

Keureureung-.

Perhaps uncomfortable, Might bared his teeth, but no one stepped back. Because their trust in Eugene and Homi was that firm. Rather, they were even more excited by that viciousness.

"Its teeth are longer than my finger?"

"Look at this massive mouth. Biting and popping a Barcia warhorse's head wasn't a joke."

"Just a warhorse? At this size, even a bear is on a one-way trip to the netherworld in one hit."

The absolute majority of knights ride horses, but an extremely small number of lucky ones rode even more special creatures. The likes of Wargots, unicorns, or the two-legged lizards Eastern nobles are said to ride.

Actually, such mounts often fall behind warhorses in practicality in terms of stamina, speed, or obedience.

Yet the reason they are coveted is one thing. That they display immense combat power even independently.

Even if the mounted knight doesn't strike directly, the mount can ram with horns or bite to kill enemies if need be.

In front of that thrill, nitpicking efficiency is meaningless. It was what all knights thirsted for next to an aether sword.

"What about a Bugbear? I feel like even a Bugbear is worth aiming for."

"No matter what, I think a medium-sized monster would be tough."

The VS game is a festival for all men transcending era and age. The gathered knights and nobles held a debate on up to what class Might could defeat a monster.

Kyareureureu-!

"It surprised me!"

"You rascal. No matter what, comparing such a divine beast with a Hobgoblin is a bit..."

Might, who had been unenthusiastic, also threw a temper when compared to a monster whose class was too unmatched.

The broadly set banquet hall also included a spa. Thanks to the water source existing inside the city, the VIPs could soak their bodies in a clear and wide bath.

Haven. It got the name 'Heaven of the Human World' not simply because the city is wealthy.

Because in Britannia, where there is a lot of limestone water, it is one of the few cities where clean water can be used infinitely.

The nobles came to congratulate Eugene and Valda and show their faces, but soon completely immersed themselves in the banquet itself.

Those ostentation effects led to loyalty.

"Excellency. Please, accept my sword."

"I thought your family had declared neutrality all along?"

"I think eternal neutrality is impossible in turbulent times. If I must serve someone anyway, I want to offer my sword to the most noble person."

'This is why nobles force themselves to be extravagant.'

Eugene's hospitality did not simply end with showing off the Meyer family's wealth.

Power that exceeds those. Power that cannot be bought with money or authority. It implied the powerful strength only destiny could bestow.

"I have always wanted to serve a rightful monarch. Please my loyalty..."

Throughout the banquet, Last Autumn was constantly drawn from its scabbard.

Those who intended to become vassals from the start, those who were pondering whether or not to become one, and even those who had no thought of becoming one.

All knelt before Eugene as if drawn by an unknown force.

* * *

The wedding proceeded closer to a monarch's coronation rather than a typical matrimonial ceremony.

Valda's bloodline and Eugene's power. The birth of a leader combining the two. Because that is the core of this event.

This was also a ceremony comforting the countless southern Britannia people. Because it means declaring that their home is now safe.

Clang! Clang!

The large bell of Haven's spire announced it was the promised time.

From small fallen nobles commanding a few servants to nobles owning a city on the large end. Over 100 flags fluttered in the wind.

"Protectors of southern Britannia and the rightful masters of Haven! The Lord and flagbearer chosen by the final legacies of the Ancient Kingdom! He is the great monarch who will lead you all!"

Marbas, wearing ceremonial dress uniform, shouted. The voice imbued with a Summoner's power contained a strength that shook the guests' souls.

Holding hands, Eugene and Valda knelt on one knee and bowed their heads.

"Gods. Please protect this noble couple."

Marbas placed the corolla he held in his hand on Eugene's head.

With this, Eugene and Valda. It was proclaimed to the whole world that the two people became husband and wife forever.

Thunderous applause poured towards the couple turning toward the guests holding hands.

Nobles and commoners, knights and foot soldiers, farmers and serfs, merchants and laborers. Everyone who came to see the wedding yelled cheers caught up in overwhelming emotion.

* * *

The bridal room after it became night.

"Excellency! Earl Excellency! The witness's prayer is a sacred tradition!"

The priests grabbed by both arms by Dwarf warriors shouted.

In the Apennine Peninsula, Britannia, and a few other regions, a special ceremony is added to a great noble's wedding.

When the bride and groom consummate their marriage on the first night, chaste witnesses pray outside the bedroom all night long.

"Excellency! The couple on their first night must take off everything both physically and mentally and share love. Only by buttoning the first button like that can they be truthful to each other for a lifetime."

The priests being dragged away used all their strength to bring the Dwarves to a halt.

"However, to that extent, they become vulnerable to the temptations of evil demons! Faithful ones must pray on their behalf to protect them!"

"I am aware too. At first, I thought it was embarrassing, but after knowing it, it really was an excellent tradition."

The priests came wanting to protect this noble couple with pure faith and blessing hearts.

"The Summoner has set up a mighty barrier of protection that no evil spirit can invade. Therefore, return home at ease."

"..."

However, they didn't imagine a case circumventing it like this. Everyone was flustered and didn't know how to respond.

"Take them out."

"Excellency! Excellencyyy!"

The priests appealing earnestly were dragged away by the Dwarves and chased out.

Click.

Eugene, who closed the thick door, turned around.

On top of the luxurious bed, Valda sat formally. Both hands were neatly overlapped over her knees, and her golden eyes looked at Eugene shyly.

"Is it okay to chase away the priests like that? There might be some who take issue with this."

"It's not like we ignored them entirely, and I made excuses for it, so it will be fine."

"...Honestly, I hated it too. Letting them hear our sounds."

Valda wiggled her toes tucked under her bottom.

"Our sounds?"

"Hm?"

"No, it's nothing."

"..."

Eugene, who approached the bed, took off his slippers and climbed up.

Thump thump.

Even though they hadn't started anything yet, Valda's heart pounded as if it would burst. Sitting on the same bed with a man is the first time in her life.

Valda knows the weight tonight carries. It would be a union with a deep political meaning that can be counted on one hand even searching the entire continent.

- I only saw the person who would become my husband after entering the wedding hall.

- You are lucky. My marriage was decided during wartime, so I only saw his face when spending the first night. Oh my god! There was a fat pig 30 years older than me.

Most marriages in this world are like that, but the nobler the blood, there is absolutely no room for personal feelings to intervene. There were no exceptions among the many noblewomen Valda met during her days touring Roman.

Everyone thought of it as a matter of course. Because they received education befitting that as daughters of nobles.

However, even Grace, who was a strict educator, taught this part sloppily.

- Our lady, choose a living entirely as your heart desires. Spending a lifetime together with an unwanted person. Isn't that too sad?

- Grace. But I am a daughter of the royal family, aren't I?

- A royal family commanding a single vassal, indeed.

- Uuu...

- I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your pride. It's a story that if you just cherish your pride well, there is no need to be bound by painful duties. The late king would permit it too. Do not be bound by duty.

Ironically, Valda chose a spouse most faithful to duty. However, that was by no means a painful thing.

Because right now in her heart, neither kingdom nor sense of duty existed. Only the happiness of being united with the one she loves was possible.

That it is not a selfish act. Fulfilling the duty to the royal family was in fact incredibly sweet...

Swoosh.

Valda bowed her waist as if bowing respectfully to Eugene.

"Please take good care of me."

Her voice is full of courage and trust. Even though the two emotions were pressing down like rocks, it was faintly trembling.

"You take good care of me too."

Eugene, answering calmly, approached Valda. He crawls on his knees over the bed without standing up.

"..."

Valda somehow felt that appearance to be erotic. Eugene's knees approaching parting the bedsheets. Because it looked like a conqueror trying to spread her closed knees.

As the final daughter of the royal family, she has regarded chastity and purity importantly.

That conviction continuously commanded Valda to step back. But she compromised by pressing her knees closer together more firmly, and curling her soles as much as possible.

Before long, they got close enough to the distance where they could feel each other's breath.

Smooch.

A short kiss shared while holding each other's shoulders.

Rustle.

By the knight's hands, the princess's hem was lowered.

Rustle.

By the princess's hands, the knight's hem was also lowered.

"...Aeu."

"Ho."

Brown eyes and golden eyes directed toward each other's naked bodies.

Valda turned her gaze away due to shyness breaking past her limit. Only Eugene appreciated his wife's blindingly naked body with a beaming smile.

Supple two hands were covering the Elf lady's private parts and breasts, but there were many places to look at.

First, the curved waist tempted Eugene's hands as if saying, 'hurry up and grab'.

A sack full of gold and Valda's waist. If one must grab only one of the two, anyone would choose the latter. Of course, any hand reaching out like that, Eugene would cut off in a single stroke.

A sexy vertically indented navel almost gives the feeling of tempting him to hurry and bestow a kiss of loyalty.

There are also a large buttock where Half-Fairies will be born in the future and snow-white thighs like an ocean of milk.

"Somehow, I'm frustrated."

"What is?"

"Because it seems only I am intensely tense."

"It's a difference in practice."

"Practice you say?"

Eugene's hand stroked Valda's thigh.

At the kind of physical contact allowed for the first time, she flinched but stayed still. Because the man in front of her eyes is now her husband.

"Since becoming friends with Valda, I've imagined this kind of situation hundreds of times."

"Hundreds of times?!"

The brain of the brilliant Elf magician paused for a moment in shock.

"Then since when on earth...?"

"Well."

The hand enjoying the sensation of the wife's taut yet soft thigh moved upwards. Seeking a greater softness.

"I have wanted it to be like this all along. That's a creature called a man."

Squeeze.

Valda's eyes trembled at the man's touch wrapping around her buttocks.

This too was a contact permitted for the first time since she was born. She realized she was truly married and approaching consummation.

"I-I never felt any such indication while we stayed together."

"That's because I hid it earnestly. Purity. Chastity. A noble lady prioritizing those virtues. I didn't dare sully that value."

Eugene brought his lips to Valda's ear.

"Just how hard it was to hide being a wolf."

Chomp.

Eugene's lips bit the Elf's ear. At the sensation of massaging as if caressing, Valda's breath heated up.

Her two knees that had been firmly pressed together had slid open at some point softly.

In a corner of Valda's brain, the commander of chastity was invariably issuing commands.

'Quickly close them!'

'Quickly curl them!'

It said.

However, not a single messenger reached her legs.

Because Valda's blazing lower abdomen intercepted all of them in the middle.