Volume 7 - CH 6.2

Part 2

The time was one hour past noon──

It was the plaza in front of the large tree.

Decoration strings of various colors hung from up in the trees. Maybe there were glass beads tied to them as they sparkled and shined.

Flowers bloomed as if encircling the area. They weren’t lined up in flowerpots, but bloomed from the ground as if from flower beds. However, this was a wedding ceremony that was decided on yesterday. Since there is no way they bloomed with great timing, they were probably transplanted.

Benches were lined up, and were covered in velvety cloth.

Those with noble positions even among the Elves took those seats. The others stood as if to surround the venue and watched.

A great number of Elves, enough to make one feel amazed that there were this many of them with in the forest, had gathered. A majority of the people that were in Greenwood had probably come here. Since the enthronement of a king concerned the forest’s continuance, it was only natural that their interest would be high, and that they would think that they want to see the celebration.

A carpet stretched out at the center of the place of ceremony.

It seemed to be a carpet that used golden thread.

Although it preserved harmony with nature, an important point was that it also adopted a design that made one feel its extravagance. It was something quite splendid.

Rem sat down at the end of the front row as a guest.

Next to her, Rose was there with an open seat in between them.

She was restless.

「……Diablo, it looks like he hasn’t come yet, doesn’t it?」

「He cannot be sensed even with this Rose’s sensor. It is due to there being too many people……Kuh.」

Without Diablo around, the Magimatic Maid was restless.

The ceremony was going to start soon.

However, the figures of Diablo and Rafleisha weren’t there.

「……The two of them left separately, right?」

「Yes. The Dark Elf had left before dawn.」

「……With Rafleisha-sama’s body, could something have happened? Even though she was asked by the Queen to attend……To think that the side that wants the promise to be kept, would be the one to break the promise.」

「Data is insufficient. A conjecture is impossible.」

「……Could it be that she was attacked by a wild animal or something?」

「I do not know, but wild animals able to injure people of the Races, I cannot sense any of them in the vicinity.」

「……It does seem like Elves do patrol the area after all.」

「Yes.」

Rem breathed a sigh.

「……Diablo seemed to have some sort of idea. I think it would be fine if he talked at least a few words about it to me though.」

*Jyaーn!* A string instrument rang.

The orchestra that was at the edge of the venue started a musical performance.

From a quiet sound that seemed like the warble of a songbird, the instruments steadily increased, and it changed into a magnificent composition.

Maybe due to doing nothing but that sort of thing all year long, the Elves’ musical performance was done with superb competency. Even Rem who was not all that knowledgeable about music was able to understand that their skill wasn’t common.

The composition completed its first stage.

The master of ceremonies announced the start of the marriage ceremony.

「Ooh, Gods in heaven, Your Majesty, Queen, everyone in attendance, citizens of the Greenwood Kingdom, give your blessings to the wonderful day known as today!」

It was a clear tone that seemed like he was singing at the top of his voice.

A verse of the scriptures was read aloud.

And then next, Durango the bridegroom appeared from the right. They say that the clothes make the man, but even if a pig-faced man wears a pure white dress suit, the ambiance is……

「……As I thought, it’s questionable.」

「I am of the same evaluation.」

「……It’s rare that our opinions match.」

「Yes.」

Durango exchanged bows with the priest that stood on the altar. And then, he also lowered his head to the Queen who was at the front row of the attendees.

“Choosing a partner that can bless those around you right now is for the best──that is how I feel.”

Even now, she felt that was the correct opinion.

However, Rem’s chest hurt from seeing the submerged in despair expression that Shera was showing for the first time.

──I, might have made a terrible mistake.

Didn’t she misjudge what it was that she truly should be protecting?

Her hands trembled.

Shera slowly advanced down the golden carpet.

Once this wedding ceremony finished, Durango would obtain Shera, and become the king of the Elves.