Ch.358358. Wedding… Ceremony…? (Complete)

“…Is this really something that needs to be rushed?”

Indeed, such a question would be natural in this situation.

It’s only been two days since we suppressed the chaos within the Holy Empire, where even the Luminary had gotten involved.

But.

“Couldn’t the wedding wait a little longer? It’s not like it’s that urgent—”

The words trail off as I close my mouth.

If there’s one sense I’ve developed to the extreme throughout this journey, it’s my survival instinct.

In that regard, the killing intent I feel from Elnore’s hand as it gently rests on my shoulder is enough to make every hair on my body stand on end…

“—On second thought, today seems perfect. Strike while the iron is hot, as they say.”

“Hmm.”

With just that sound, Elnore pats the back of my neck and disappears, leaving me with cold sweat running down my back.

A gesture filled with the intention of “behave yourself from now on.”

[Can’t even squeak anymore, huh?]

‘I’ve already lost control of the Grey Demon, what else can I do?’

[…That’s true.]

In the past, I had the Seal of Descent and other means at my disposal, so I could resist to some extent.

Now I truly feel like my life is completely in her hands.

Look, she might not want to show it, but it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she’s already approaching the realm of demigods.

‘…No, thinking about it, that is an exaggeration.’

She’s not a demigod.

She’s just a living, breathing omnipotent deity.

[You’re the object of her life-or-death obsession, you know?]

“…”

[…Hang in there.]

Thank you, Calivan.

Instead of mocking me with Valkarsus like before, you’re genuinely concerned now.

As I’m glumly contemplating this, I notice my father trudging over from the side.

“…Quite the impressive guest list you have, son.”

Looking at my father’s haggard face as he utters those words, I can’t even begin to imagine how much he’s been through.

“Oh, are there really that many?”

Looking around, it doesn’t seem particularly crowded to me.

To my eyes, it looks like a normal wedding crowd.

“There are people responsible for entire nations packed in here, and you’re saying what…?”

“…”

“If Astrid hadn’t helped, I swear I would have died…”

My father, who has never spoken harshly or unkindly to me.

Looking at his condition, I think one wrong word might earn me my first beating.

“—Anyway, it’s almost time.”

I stand up as I say this.

I see Elnore, dressed in a much more dazzling dress than before, walking purposefully toward the waiting room on the other side.

“…”

Come to think of it.

It took a long time to get here.

Some cynics say marriage is the grave of life, while others call it a new beginning.

For me, both are wrong.

Because this means everything is truly over now.

It means that I too can have “my life” from now on, rather than grand stories about the fate of the world.

I’m not usually one to feel emotions deeply, but at this moment, how should I put it?

I’m overwhelmed.

To the point where I wonder if I’ve ever felt this way before in my life.

“Bride and groom!”

And before I could fully immerse myself in such reflections, the coordinator’s voice suddenly rang out.

“Get ready! We’re about to take off!”

“…?”

Huh.

Is this the normal order of things?

Isn’t the bride and groom supposed to enter separately with their parents, followed by congratulatory speeches and such?

What am I supposed to prepare?

Take off what?

Before I could continue that train of thought.

Elnore, who had been facing me from the waiting room across the way, rushed over and grabbed me by the collar.

“Um, Elnore…?”

“We don’t have time for this, Darwood!”

As I was about to question her, Elnore cut me off decisively and began dragging me by the collar.

What is this all about…?

And simultaneously.

A hovercar that had been hidden in the floor revealed itself, shattering materials in all directions—I have no idea when it was prepared.

It’s the same one we used at the Demonic Spire before. The one with over-the-top technology by this world’s standards.

When and where did she hide this…?

“What did you prepare this for?!”

“Oh, to rub it in their faces.”

A sardonic smile spread across Elnore’s face as she said that.

And before I could ask what she meant, the situation quickly escalated.

-!!

-!!!!!

The walls of the venue shatter into pieces.

And through the large hole in the wall come rushing in Demonic Vessels and their original entities.

What’s clear is that most of the former group have their eyes rolled back in anger.

“Ah! There they are!”

“This damn woman! Giving us all the wrong information about the place and time…!”

“Damn it, to think we’d lose in an information war…!”

“…”

What does an information war have to do with a wedding?

And it wasn’t just an information war—they must have prepared for this invasion in advance, as they broke through all the barrier walls that my mother had set up around the venue, just like at the previous wedding.

“…”

What is this? It’s not like they’re a zombie horde.

The guests were murmuring in confusion, but even more concerning was the number of women barging in.

No.

There were already quite a few women around me to begin with.

Now, including the demonic entities, their number is extraordinary.

And seeing that many of them screaming with venom and rage is enough to send chills down my spine.

“Don’t make me laugh–!!”

“Grey Demon or whatever, come down here! Let’s settle this, you bitch!”

“…”

Why are they so angry…?

You’ll all get your turn eventually, can’t you just wait a little…?

[No. I don’t think that’s what matters.]

‘What?’

[It’s human nature—you can do what you want, but you can’t stand to see others doing well.]

‘…’

Is that it?

As I held my dizzy head, unable to follow this psychology, Elnore, who had already boarded the hovercar, nodded readily.

“Well, I already knew you would all come to disrupt things around this time.”

“If you knew and still proceeded with the ceremony, I guess you’re ready for a fight, huh!”

“I deliberately waited for this. To make you all more miserable.”

With those words, Elnore.

Grabbed my head and kissed me.

“…!”

Before I could express my surprise with wide eyes, her tongue invaded my mouth. She teased and stirred inside my mouth wildly.

“-Mmm, mmm-“

This wasn’t a light kiss meant as a greeting, but clearly one asserting “ownership,” deeply imbued with sexual meaning.

Saliva dripped like threads, and our lips parted with heated breaths.

“…”

“…”

Even the other Demonic Vessels who had been spewing rage moments ago were stunned by the intense kiss. Elnore wiped her mouth and turned toward them.

What hung at the corner of her mouth was a smile signifying “victory.”

“Get in line. This man is mine exclusively for the time being, so if you’re desperate, go comfort yourselves.”

With those words.

“We’ll enjoy our honeymoon. See you later.”

That sentence dropped onto the stunned venue below.

“That fucking—!”

“I’ll skin her alive and tan her hide—!”

“I’ll strangle her with her own intestines—!”

“…”

As I heard these savage curses from those I could almost call comrades, the hovercar shot violently into the air.

This is my life, alright.

Nothing ever goes smoothly, right up to the very end.

●

And so.

After fleeing to some villa somewhere.

I was trembling with fear.

“…”

While I don’t have multiple marriage experiences, I at least have some notion that a honeymoon should be romantic.

I mean.

Even if not deeply romantic or melodramatic.

Surely it’s not an event where chains, handcuffs, knives, and shackles should appear, right?

“Um, Elnore?”

“Hmm?”

And seeing Elnore casually rattling and organizing such items, I can’t help but ask cautiously.

“…What are you planning to use those for…?”

“Oh, don’t worry. These aren’t things I prepared to use seriously.”

“…What?”

If not seriously, then how does she plan to use them?

“I have more than a few plays I want to try.”

“…”

“You’d better prepare yourself.”

No.

Hey.

Hey…!

Before I could speak out in desperation, a window suddenly appeared before my eyes.

< System Message >

[ Special Ending – “Fate of Being Obsessed Over by Evil” has been unlocked. ]

[ Special Ability – “King of the Night” is now available. ]

[ You won’t die no matter what play you endure while captured by the villain! ]

[ Good luck! ]

“…”

…Won’t die?

What kind of ordeal am I about to face that they’re giving me this kind of ability now?!

“It can’t be helped.”

And before me.

“You, from the moment I first laid eyes on you-“

Elnore approaches with handcuffs and a smile.

With a spine-tingling gaze, she utters those words.

“-were destined for this.”

Without a doubt, it was the face of a villain.

●

-The End

Continues in the side story.