The events of that day later spread far and wide through various books and the songs of wandering minstrels.
To sum it up briefly, it went like this.
『The bouquet thrown by the bride, Knight Noie, flew straight toward the dragon hovering in the sky. And everyone present witnessed the origin of her two famous titles.
The moment the bouquet touched it, the dragon let out a cry of agony, twisting its body as it was sucked into a small black hole, vanishing completely.
At this bizarre sight, all the guests held their breath in stunned silence.
Then the voice of King Univance rang out. “The enemy has been splendidly slain by Knight Noie.”
Released from their tense paralysis, the people erupted in joyous cheers, praising her power with all their hearts.』
That’s how the whole story… officially went.
My vision is spinning from sheer hunger. Both my legs are trembling uncontrollably, and it hurts so much. Honestly, staying on my feet is pushing my limits.
But Noie is right beside me, supporting me gently, so somehow I’m managing.
In front of her stretches a long, endless line of guests.
Huh? When is this going to end? We’ve already done the farewell greetings, so just go home already. Seriously.
This is bad. At this rate, I’m the one who’s going to collapse first.
Nobody told me about side effects like this!
『You’re lucky to even be alive. Pouring every last bit of your power in like that… of course it turns out this way. It’s basic knowledge for anyone with a blessing.』
You should’ve told me sooner, idiot! And just disappear already!
『Fine, fine. Then from now on, I’ll watch over you from the closest possible place.』
…If you can, maybe give me a tiny bit of recovery?
『No way. I really hate you, after all.』
Just vanish for real!
-0-
General Kishara of the Broidwan Empire stood with her arms crossed, glaring at the distant bride.
「That power… just imagine what kind of military asset it would be on the battlefield.」
「I couldn’t say, General. There are simply too many unknown factors.」
「But it seems she’s unbeatable against dragons.」
「Yes.」
「…I want her.」
「As you say, General.」
「Yeah. Yajue.」
「Yes.」
「You have permission to use rough methods. Do whatever it takes to make that girl ours.」
「As you command.」
With a soft huff of laughter, the general turned his back on Univance Castle.
It’s a plain castle with no fancy decorations, but its solid, sturdy construction means it won’t fall easily.
If that’s the case, it’s faster to break the people who use it instead of the castle itself.
His tactics are extremely simple. He’ll use every means possible to avoid defeat. That’s all.
-0-
Finance Minister Hartzen of the Selswin Republic sighed and brushed back his forelock as he watched the far-off bride.
「What do you think, Hartzen-sama?」
「I want her. With someone like that, all sorts of business opportunities come to mind.」
「I see… but the Empire will move first.」
「They’re always so impatient. That’s why they fail in the end.」
The Empire rushes to victory too quickly, a temperament that doesn’t suit merchants.
That’s why we watch and wait for the right moment.
「First, we gather information. Thoroughly, on that woman… and on that prince.」
「Yes, sir.」
「If possible, I’d love to make her mine.」
「…That’s unusual coming from you, Hartzen-sama.」
Even his long-serving secretary was surprised by the remark.
「Ahaha. It’s just a matter of personal taste. I love taking a woman who never changes her expression… and thoroughly, completely breaking her down. No matter who she is, in the end they all twist their faces in the ugliest way and writhe in pleasure.」
「……」
「Kufu… ahahaha… Come on, let’s head home and start thinking up some new business ideas.」
His thinking is always simple.
When he wants something, he carefully assesses it and buys it at the lowest possible price.
If there’s a rival bidder, he ruins them completely… then steps on them as they fall.
Born never knowing defeat, he harbors perhaps the cruelest personality of all.
-0-
From a distant spot, another man glared at the bride with open hatred.
His tightly clenched fists dug nails into his skin, drawing drops of blood.
That’s bad. That existence is nothing but an enemy to them.
That power they’ve never seen before… it might be some wicked force summoned from another world.
「Then we kill her.」
He muttered softly, resolve hardening.
「If her existence gets in our way, we eliminate her.」
That’s how “they” have survived until now.
「Savor your fleeting moment of happiness while it lasts, child of man.」
The man clad entirely in black left those words behind as he walked away.
-0-
It’s finally over～
By the end, we were so far behind schedule that it wrapped up just as the sun was setting.
I had to be carried home on the muscle prince’s back. Noie washed every inch of me, fed me dinner, and even scooped me up to carry me to bed… Wait, that’s way over the line in so many ways!
I try to sit up, but my body won’t move an inch.
Total burnout. Ahaha… I’ve burned out completely. Nothing but white ash left.
「Arg-sama」
「……」
She settles into a neat girl’s sit right by my pillow and gently places my head on her lap.
「Sorry… my hands…」
She shakes her head softly from side to side.
I really wanted to pet her a whole lot, but my arms feel like lead and won’t budge.
She just stares at me quietly, saying nothing.
This is bad. I’m about to fall asleep.
「Arg-sama」
「Hmm」
「That power… what was it?」
「My blessing.」
「Arg-sama’s?」
「Yeah.」
「……」
No good. Even if you stare at me like that, I’m not telling anyone.
This power is a secret I’ll take with me to the grave.
「It’s better if no one knows about that power. So, it’s a secret from everyone… even from you, Noie. The only time I’d ever use it is for you. So please keep it a secret too, Noie.」
「…Why?」
She tilts her head a little as she asks. That’s obvious.
「Because slaying dragons is your job, Noie. My mission is just to support you and protect you… that’s all.」
「…Yes.」
Her lap gently slides away, and my head settles onto the pillow.
Without making a single sound, she straddles me… and slowly brings her face closer.
「Arg-sama」
「Hmm?」
「Close your eyes.」
「Right, yeah.」
It seems in her mind, the one receiving the kiss is supposed to close their eyes.
The moment I softly shut them… a warm, tender sensation pressed firmly against my lips.
-0-
「Captain… they suddenly gave us tomorrow off too!」
「Ahahahaha! Bring it on! I’m not losing to anything～! Not to dragons, and definitely not to marriage～!」
「I feel like you’ve already lost overwhelmingly to one of those.」
「You’re wrong, Lutte. With that one, the match never even started in the first place.」
「Drop dead! You already-have-a-fiancé jerk～!」
In the darkness after sunset, watching her senpais start swinging at each other, she quietly thinks to herself.
『I should absolutely never copy them.』
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