episode_0046

“What wedding? Why would Krisha go there?”

“She, she has to go…”

Linde said.

“What?”

“The royal weddings in Brigal have a tradition where the king personally appoints high-ranking knights, priests, or monks to attend. Of course, once someone has been appointed, they cannot be called again…”

“Knight Krisha hasn’t received an invitation to a royal wedding yet. This time, she was honored to receive that invitation directly.”

“If she doesn’t attend? Krisha is now a resident of this city, isn’t she?”

“Hmph. That would probably be seen as disrespecting all of Brigal’s temples and gods. It’s a very ancient and sacred tradition.”

“…What will she do there?”

I frowned, but there seemed to be no other way.

“As I mentioned before, she will take on the duty of guarding the royal wedding venue. That’s all, she won’t directly participate in the event.”

If that’s really the case… then it’s somewhat fortunate.

Although these guys don’t seem likely to show up like that…

But I have no grounds or ways to refuse.

It’s solely up to Krisha to decide.

“Wait. I’ll go ask Krisha about it.”

“Hurry as much as you can. The wedding is next month.”

“Then they’ll call her early. His Majesty Slon must be taking his time.”

“What?!”

“Oh, sir!”

Horanze and even Linde were surprised and exclaimed.

What am I supposed to do?

I don’t care about some king living on the other side of the continent.

Ignoring them, I went to Krisha’s room and knocked on the door.

“…Did you go?”

Krisha peeked her head out from the door crack and asked.

She looks oddly like Linde.

Did she see Horanze coming?

“No. But there’s a bit of a problem…”

“What problem?”

“There’s a wedding at the Slon royal palace, and you’ve been named. They’re asking you to come quickly.”

“What? A wedding? …Ah, I knew something like this would come someday.”

Krisha sighed and stepped outside.

“I know. I’ve been thinking of it as something I have to do anyway. It’s better this way. Once this is done, I won’t have any more dealings with the Brigal royal family.”

“Really? So after this, you’ll settle down here and live?”

“Yeah… Why? Do you want me to keep living together in the future?”

“Are you saying that seriously?”

I put my arm around Krisha’s neck and ruffled her hair lightly.

“Alright, alright…”

“How could Linde survive alone without you?”

“…Enough!”

Krisha pushed me away with a stern voice.

“Tell them I’ll go soon.”

“Okay.”

I turned around and went back downstairs.

“…Was I too harsh?”

Krisha is now part of my family, of course.

But the feeling of her being more attached to Linde still lingers.

If she really cuts ties with the Brigal royal family and settles in this city… things might change then.

“Krisha will be here soon.”

I told Horanze as I descended to the first floor.

Linde had already fled towards the dining area, feeling uncomfortable.

“After this is over, how about you all just go back? Your plans have already failed anyway.”

“…Hmph.”

I don’t know what the Brigal people who immigrated in large numbers were planning.

But if the immigrants settled in the Labyrinth City and got proper jobs, their plan would have failed.

Horanze just wrinkled his face and snorted, not saying a word.

A little while later, Krisha came down.

She was wearing the same hood she wore when she first arrived in this city.

“Let’s go right now. But… where is the Dragon’s Flame Sword?”

It’s sudden, but I guess I shouldn’t use titles for Krisha anymore.

It’s probably better that way.

Now, I should think of her as a woman, not as an ally or a chess piece.

But does Brigal’s King Slon know that?

And the Dragon’s Flame Sword?

Was that the name of the cursed magic sword?

“I entrusted that to the lord of this city.”

Krisha said.

In front of Horan, the renowned knight exuded an imposing aura, much like when she was first seen.

“…?”

Horan blinked momentarily, perhaps not fully grasping her words.

“What? …Entrust? To the lord here? …The Dragon’s Wrath Sword?”

“Yes. Instead of paying the fine for causing chaos in this city, I left it as collateral.”

“Ah… Wait, wait, what does that mean? Do you understand what kind of sword that is?”

“It’s a cursed blade.”

I interjected from the side.

The Dragon Heart embedded in that sword harbors such deep-seated resentment and anger that it can cloud the user’s mind.

Handing over such a cursed item to Krisha under the flimsy pretext of collateral also seemed like an attempt to cloud her judgment.

“What! Even so, that sword is Briagal’s treasure!”

“So, does that mean the royal family owns it?”

“Well, of course…!”

“Speak plainly. You’re talking about a diplomatic disaster if it truly belongs to the Briagal royal family, right?”

…”

Telling a shallow lie.

It is indeed a shocking story.

To entrust a treasure made from a dragon’s heart and bones, obtained by killing a dragon, as collateral for a fine is beyond common sense.

“However, the fact remains that the Briagal royal family undoubtedly created that sword. From extracting the bones of the wicked dragon Trapholka and the dragon heart to the final tempering, it was all overseen by the royal family.”

“Even so, why leave the curse intact? Don’t beat around the bush. You said there’s no time to waste, right? Shouldn’t we really be setting off next month?”

Briagal is precisely on the opposite side of the continent from this labyrinthine city.

It would take quite some time to get there.

“Even so, we still need that sword. I will personally speak to the lord.”

“Hmm…”

I felt somewhat relieved.

Using such a dark sword at a wedding is probably unlikely.

It’s likely just for show.

Given that a sword made from a dragon’s bones and heart holds astronomical value in itself.

Ultimately, calling Krisha is probably just to elevate the authority of the royal wedding.

If that’s the case, there’s probably nothing to worry about.

Horan and the Edgeblade Warriors went to the lord’s castle, asking us to wait for a moment.

“…So, what should we do?”

I gestured for Rinde to come over and asked Krisha.

“What?”

“You know, what you’ll do while you’re in Briagal. Rinde, what about you? Will you come along?”

“I-I…”

Rinde hesitated, looking at Krisha.

“…I guess I have to go too…”

“What about the task you were given?”

“That… ”

Rinde needs to research to rescue Pratia from the labyrinth.

Considering the importance and urgency of the matter, Rinde cannot be taken to a place like a wedding.

No, she wouldn’t even be allowed in the first place, let alone being taken.

In Briagal, Rinde is despised as a witch.

“You don’t have to come with force. I can handle it alone.”

Krisha, who knows this fact, smiled reassuringly at Rinde, placing a hand on her shoulder as if to say not to worry.

“But still…”

“I’m really okay.”

“Ugh…”

However, Rinde couldn’t give a definite answer, clearly worried about Krisha, whom she had raised like a daughter.

It can’t be helped.

“Then I have to go.”

“What?”

“What did you say?”

Rinde and Krisha looked at me simultaneously.

“I’m going too.”

“But you…”

“I’m useless when it comes to magic or research. All I know how to do is make money.”

I shrugged.

“That’s important enough. This is ultimately a matter of whether you’ll be imprisoned in the labyrinth for ten years or not, right?! What will happen if you get caught up in this?!”

Krisha raised her voice, looking slightly angry.

“Y-yes… The gold coins Lashwood brings back are quite helpful.”

Rinde intervened.

“Fortunately, that’s the case… But still, it feels like a missed opportunity. How long does it take to prepare for the Briagal royal wedding?”

“If you consider pre-ceremonies and receptions, about three hours.”

“That’s fine. Booking a round trip for about two months should be fine, right?”

“Even so! Absolutely not! Find a way to make yourself free here. It’s no problem if I go alone.”

“…Really?”

I stared intently at Krisha.

“…Yes, really.”

“Haah… If you put it that way, I can’t help it.”

Shortly after, Horanse returned with a magic sword wrapped in crimson silk and clinking iron chains.

“How did you manage to bring it back so well.”

“Hmph.”

Ignoring my words, Horanse handed the sword to Krisha.

“This should solve any issues. We’re leaving for Briagal immediately. It’s tight to make it in time for the wedding.”

“Got it.”

Krisha nodded.

“Oh, by the way.”

I spoke just before they left.

“Specifically, who is marrying whom at the Briagal royal wedding?”

Once a knight is named as the guardian of the Briagal royal wedding, they cannot be called upon for the same reason again. Considering the status of Dragon Slayer that Krisha holds, one must view this wedding as uncorking cherished wine saved for a special occasion by the Briagal royalty.

The significance of this wedding is paramount, but who could it be?

Isn’t it the wedding of King Slon?

But doesn’t he already have a wife?

“Oh, I see. I haven’t heard that story. Who exactly is performing the nuptials?”

Krisha also asked Horanse.

“It’s King Slon’s third wedding. Consider it an eternal glory.”

“Wow, a royal wedding. But the third? Did he marry even after his first and second wives… passed away?”

“…That’s not it.”

Linde interjected seriously.

“Then?”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Horanse cut in.

“What’s wrong? Why?”

“Stop the useless chatter and let’s go quickly!”

“Wait, I forgot one important thing.”

Krisha said.

“What now?!”

“The royal decree, I haven’t properly seen it with my own eyes yet. Isn’t it a sacred duty that I should bear?”

“That… Check it on the way. We don’t have time to look at it here.”

“What…? Are you calling that a mere detail?”

Krisha furrowed her brows.

“I will confirm it right here. Show me the scroll quickly.”

…”

Hesitating, Horanse eventually handed it over.

After reading the scroll, Krisha rolled it back up and handed it back to Horanse.

“I have seen it clearly. Knight Krisha, I will uphold the honor of the royal family and fulfill the duty of guarding the wedding venue.”

“Alright then. Let’s go.”

“Just a moment.”

I blocked their path with a strange and dark premonition.

“Rashwood, step aside. I must perform my official duties now.”

Krisha said.

“Before that, tell me who Slon’s marriage partner is.”

“Why can’t you move out of the way!?”

Horanse tried to draw his sword.

“Just a moment, there’s no need for that!”

Surprised, Krisha stopped him.

“The partner is the Baroness of Loreldia.”

She hurriedly said.

“And her name is…?”

“Steria Loreldia.”