I Don’t Want To Be the Main Character

144. Wedding of the Century (9)

1.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the entire continent was focused on the wedding. And finally, the wedding was just one day away.

Even though it was a wedding that turned common sense upside down, to put it nicely, it was like a heavenly wedding, and to put it badly, it was so unexpected that you couldn’t even imagine what the intentions behind it were.

First of all, since it was a wedding that was receiving attention from all over the world, many guests gathered. Of course, even though they came to congratulate the couple on the outside, their inner feelings were all different.

“The ambassador has arrived too. It’s nice to see someone with such a busy schedule here.”

“Haha, even if there’s a lot of talk and trouble, it’s the wedding of the Second Princess. Even if you’re busy, you have to make time.”

“It is also the wedding of His Highness the Grand Duke of Nord. Our kingdom has had a long history with the Duchy of Nord, so shouldn’t we attend?”

However, for the sake of the two names, Elena and Eileen, dignitaries including ambassadors from each country gathered in the Esgelant Empire to congratulate them.

The media, having bitten a tasty prey, competed to churn out articles even the day before the wedding, but the corners of Sylphia’s mouth showed no sign of going down.

“They told me to keep talking as I pleased. You’re such a filthy human being. There’s a saying that humans cover up an issue with a bigger issue, right? Even if a dragon that likes to make a fuss like that were to show up in person tomorrow, I wonder if I could make a noise with its noisy mouth.”

It was a cynical ridicule.

Dragons have appeared in many forms in folk tales, myths, and legends since ancient times. Sometimes as helpers to heroes, or as corrupted and absolute evils that must be defeated. They are one of the common subjects of storytellers.

However, dragons are just familiar characters in stories, and when asked if they actually exist, most people would react with bewilderment.

In fact, when it was announced that Ludrick had defeated the dragon that was said to be plotting evil beyond the northern wall, people reacted with mixed feelings. They believed it because it was something that the imperial family, which was extremely thorough, had handled directly, but they had fundamental doubts about whether the dragon actually existed.

“That’s totally like the Loch Ness Monster. It’s something that doesn’t actually exist, but you think it would be nice if it did. No, this is something that actually exists, but you think it might not exist – so isn’t this a bit different?”

As Ludrick said when he heard the full story of this conspiracy later, even now, somewhere on the continent, there were actually several more dragons enjoying themselves besides Sylphia.

Of course, they were living like normal humans, blending in with humans while keeping their identities completely hidden, but the fact that Sylphia appeared in her true form at the wedding would have caused quite a stir and shock.

And since dragons still strictly draw the line between themselves and humans, most of them do not consider marrying a human to be a sin or taboo, but rather cannot even think of such an idea.

On the day of the wedding, Silphia’s appearance as she lifts the polymorph spell and appears as her true self in front of the numerous guests gathered will cause shock, fear, and astonishment not only to humans but also to her other compatriots.

Of course, this was also a story for tomorrow, after the wedding ceremony began.

2.

The morning that some people had hoped for and others had not finally dawned.

wedding ceremony.

Some people were cynical, saying that in the end, someone is getting married, but marriage is essentially a union between families. If you are an ignorant person who has no reason or time to care about such things, then you may not understand, but if you are someone who is proud of being born with blue blood, then you cannot help but ask for additional conditions that come with marriage.

But the reason the world was so interested in this wedding was simple.

The ‘additional condition’ mentioned above is, so to speak, common sense. Even if you don’t bring up a dizzying formula for deep reflection to prove it, if you add 1 to 1, the result is 2. No one would question this obvious common sense unless they are born with a rebellious nature.

Why? Because it is common sense that everyone in the world has reached an implicit agreement on under the name of ‘common sense’.

“That crazy guy… He’s my little brother, but he’s really crazy…”

But, because he went against such common sense, he was the center of attention. It was none other than my younger brother.

Serilla clearly remembered the way her boss had looked at her and the conversation he had had with her yesterday.

‘Sir Serilla, there is a procedure, so why are you suddenly coming to me and asking me to take a vacation and swap shifts with someone tomorrow?’

‘……sorry.’

‘I’m sorry, but if you keep whining like this and asking for a vacation tomorrow… … Phew, okay. Well, do you plan on going on a date with some handsome gentleman tomorrow? Just listen to my reasoning.’

‘Tomorrow is my younger brother’s wedding.’

‘Your little brother’s wedding? No, where on earth have you been keeping your wits about you that your little brother’s wedding is tomorrow and you’re only doing it now… …! No, if it’s tomorrow’s wedding… … .’

‘… … .’

There was a heavy silence for a while. Her superior was not the kind of person who would give Serilla a break just because she was from the Weiss family. He was a man of principle who sometimes valued his principles to the point of being considered excessive. However, the silence of his superior, who had guessed what was going on, made her feel ashamed.

Serilla sighed with a sallow face. Normally, she would never set foot in the Hall of the Sun except for guard duty, but today was an exception.

When I was a rookie in the Order, I had envied the veteran knights who were called up to guard important events such as the Hall of the Sun, but that was not the way I wanted to get my foot in the door.

“This day has finally come…….”

Serilla muttered lamentingly.

The cute youngest brother, Ludrick, who had followed his older sister around since childhood, is no longer around. Now, only Ludrick, a bundle of troublemakers who has a brilliant and smart mind, is left, and you have no idea what he is thinking.

… … And also, while Serilla was walking weakly, Ludrick was sitting peacefully in the waiting room.

It was after the palace servants and famous designers from the capital had already gathered in the morning breeze.

“I’m shaking.”

Ludrick muttered briefly.

“That’s right.”

It wasn’t exactly a soliloquy intended to seek agreement, but Silphia, who was getting her hair styled to the end, also gave a short answer.

Although it was Ludrick’s choice, he was still nervous about the wedding that was coming up. On the other hand, Sylphia wasn’t nervous in that sense.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime wedding – and it was the first wedding in Sylphia’s long dragon life – so it was an event that she would be nervous about. However, what was taking hold of her now was not such nervousness, but excitement and anticipation for the moment to come.

The wedding of your dreams with Ludrick?

Of course I’m happy. It’s a dream come true, and I can be sure that if I pinch my cheek right now, it won’t hurt, so how could I not be happy?

But more than that joy, I was even happier that I could help those rascals who had been slandering and slandering Ludrick without even knowing what their subject was, understand their subject. Now that the ceremony had not been completed, I was still a wife who had to add the two letters “scheduled” to “wife,” but since ancient times, where is there a wife who wouldn’t get angry when someone provokes her husband?

‘Not yet.’

Sylphia licked her lips. It was a wedding that was almost perfectly prepared, but there was no way she could open the dessert lid before eating the main dish.

Yes, for example, dessert is the thing that humans who have forgotten the absolute awe that comes from the existence of a dragon by incarnating into the main body are in awe of. Needless to say, the main dish is the wedding. And in a way, it was the perfect wedding created by Elena’s obsession that bordered on paranoia.

Preparations were thorough and complete. Elena’s near-mad obsession with this day alone prepared for every possible variable, and she did not neglect the preparations for the wedding itself.

“It’s noisy outside.”

Likewise, Eileen, who was getting bridal makeup applied to her face, muttered softly.

For Aileen, the strongest swordsman in the North and known as the Black Lion of the Empire, the noise in the hall was something she could hear naturally due to her developed senses, even if she didn’t necessarily want to hear it.

“So what time does the meal start?”

“There’s still a little bit left before we start, so just wait.”

“Hey, isn’t the person officiating the wedding a Cardinal? This ridiculous wedding is an imperial marriage, it’s an imperial marriage. This is…”

“Actually, I don’t even know why it doesn’t make sense. If only the genders were reversed, wouldn’t this marriage be possible? They say that if a woman is capable, it’s not strange for her to have multiple husbands.”

“Eric, that’s because you’re a man. Your arms are bent inward.”

You can’t blame your hearing for easily picking up even the commotion of numerous guests.

Eileen, who had been quietly listening to the noisy commotion outside, let out a small sigh. How could the guests outside who had other ulterior motives be happy about her? If she could just shut that mouth, she would have stepped forward and shut it up a long time ago.

Eileen glanced around, scanning the rest of the brides except for her.

Although they didn’t show it, Elena, Racil, and Arwen, who were getting their hair done or makeup done, showed similar thoughts on their faces.

There were many complaints, but on the other hand, there was also some anticipation.

What kind of expressions will the people who just a moment ago looked at me with suspicious or even judgmental eyes make when they see a dragon appearing in the middle of the palace?

While Eileen was suppressing her current anger for the sake of later pleasure, the moment finally arrived for the wedding to begin with the passage of time passing by without warning.

The cardinal who officiated today’s service stood at the podium, which was under a voice-amplifying spell, and coughed.

“Adventure… So, let’s start the ceremony now. First, I will pray without any doubt that the Goddess in Heaven will bless the groom and bride gathered here today, this couple who are making a new start.”

As soon as the cardinal finished speaking, the guests, each with different thoughts, closed their eyes and observed silence.

And the cardinal who officiated the ceremony could not hide his feelings of bewilderment.

This was not the first time that he had officiated at a wedding for a high-ranking noble or royal family member. However, this was the first time that a cardinal had used the expression “bride” rather than “groom” at a wedding he had ever attended.

After a short moment of prayer to the goddess to bless the newlyweds, the cardinal slowly opened his mouth again.

“……Then, the groom will enter first. The heir of the House of Count Weiss, and the court magician of the Esgelant Empire. Marquis Ludrick Weiss will enter first.”

As soon as the Cardinal finished speaking, Ludrick slowly walked out from the back of the hall.

Take a quick deep breath.

It must have been nerve-racking to stand in front of so many guests who were giving him unfavorable looks just because he was Ludrick. However, since it was the path he had chosen, it was Ludrick who had to take full responsibility. At least that was what Ludrick thought.

This world he was reborn into did not demand so much responsibility from him, but he still couldn’t help it because his way of thinking was deeply rooted in his previous life.

In the place where the groom and bride should have been receiving congratulations, unkind gazes swept over Ludrick.

A stylish black dress, neatly tied brown hair, and a calm expression despite being the subject of numerous stares from the audience, even though she was a guest at the wedding of the century.

“……The court magician is a tricky one. If I were in that position, my bones would tingle.”

“After all, isn’t he just a son of a country count who suddenly rose to fame? What’s a marquis? It’s just an honorary title that isn’t even hereditary.”

“Just because you defeated a dragon is reason enough to be respected. What kind of mythical age is this? How can you treat a wizard who accomplished such a feat so poorly?”

“He’s handsome. He has a face that would make many women cry. Who spread false rumors that he’s just ordinary?”

“It depends on the person’s perspective. He’s not ugly, but if you ask me if he’s really handsome, I guess everyone’s opinion will be different.”

The sound of muttering penetrated my ears without any filter.

‘I never defeated it… … Should I count it as having defeated it? Strictly speaking, it was a 2-on-1 battle with Sylphia. How does that count as defeating a dragon just because I succeeded in casting a spell, you brats?’

Thanks to that, Ludrick’s face turned slightly red as he suddenly became a dragon slayer, having defeated a dragon he had never defeated before.

‘I should have told you not to make such ridiculous fabrications back then.’

But it was too late to regret. Moreover, at the time, I thought that if Ludrick had fought for a long time, he would have defeated Abel. It was all retribution. It was what I sowed.

And as Ludrick stood before the Cardinal’s podium, the Cardinal spoke again.

“……Next, the bride will enter. First, Her Highness Princess Elena Esgelant, the Duke of Vowel, who has received the grace of the Goddess, and the second princess of the blessed Esgelant Imperial House, will enter.”

As soon as the cardinal finished speaking, all the guests stood up. It was a show of respect for the royal family.

Even though she was the party to the wedding of the century, the fact that Elena Esgeland was the leader of one of the largest factions in the empire, who had been fighting with the crown princess for the succession to the throne until recently, still remained. It was a good title, after all, now that she had given up the succession to the throne in front of the crown princess.

Finally, Elena appeared, signaling the start of the wedding ceremony.

“Next, we will enter with Her Royal Highness Archduke Aelin Nord, the rightful master of the Duchy of Nord and the Black Lion of the Esgeland Empire.”

As Eileen also belongs to the collateral royal family and is the current Archduchess of the Duchy of Nord, the guests stood and applauded.

And, compared to Elena and Eileen, who had high status, the introductions for Rashid, Sylphia, and Arwen, who entered after them, were shorter than the previous two. The guests who had been paying respect to the noble blue blood of the royal family by standing and applauding, sat down again when it came to that part.

But that kind of introduction wasn’t important. There was something that all five of them, or rather, six of them including Ludrick, had in common.

nobleness.

As the nickname of this wedding, the wedding of the century, suggests, this wedding was likely to remain as the greatest scandal of the century. Perhaps an unprecedented scandal that will be talked about for a long time, not only in this century but also in the next century.

But the six of them were consistently confident even in front of guests who gave them unkind looks. It was as if they had nothing to be embarrassed about.

That is why, with a somewhat embarrassed look on his face, the Cardinal opened his mouth in front of the six brides and grooms who had gathered here.

“……Groom Ludrick Weiss.”

“yes.”

“Oh, and… bride Elena Esgeland, Eileen Nord, Rashiel Reppert, Sylphia Andress, Arwen.”

“yes.”

The cardinal sighed inwardly. What kind of wedding is this with five brides? It was a lot of work to call out their names one by one, so he took a deep breath and asked for confirmation before tying the knot.

“……Do the brides love their groom, Ludrick Weiss?”

“yes.”

Consistent answer.

There were small exclamations here and there as all five of them answered without a moment’s hesitation. It was the power of love. If not, there was no other word to describe this wedding of the century. If the eyes were not properly covered with bean visors, then why would they have this wedding?

“Groom, does Ludrick Weiss love brides?”

“……Um, yes.”

On the other hand, there was a momentary delay, but Ludrick soon nodded and answered.

If you ask if it was really a blind love where you thought you couldn’t have anyone but this person, then it wasn’t. However, since Ludrick is human, it’s only natural that he would develop some level of affection for you if you rushed at him like that.

Of course, he didn’t decide on this marriage just because of that little bit of affection and impulse. In a way, this was a kind of karma that the current Ludrick had to endure for the part of Ludrick before his return. He didn’t decide on such a big deal as marriage just because of that shallow sense of debt, but Ludrick thought to himself.

Perhaps he himself likes them.

“……Good. The oath you just made will be guaranteed by the Goddess in Heaven. I dare to bless you on behalf of the Goddess, even though I am weak, so that your faith and love for each other may continue unbroken for the rest of your lives.”

The ceremony of a ceremonial wedding. The cardinal made the sign of the cross and held my hand in prayer.

The wedding ceremony in this life was simpler and different in many ways compared to the previous life, but the most unique aspect was the rule that the officiant must be a person from the religious community. According to the doctrine, the answers that the six people just gave in this wedding were a kind of love oath sworn before the goddess.

Since I had just promised in front of the goddess that the oath I had made would not change, there was no need for a second ceremony.

The main wedding ceremony ended even faster because Elena shortened the many small details that required the parents of both families to attend, taking into account the unique nature of this wedding.

And finally the time was ripe.

Sylphia glanced around. The rest of the group, except for Ludrick who hadn’t heard about it beforehand, were looking at Sylphia sideways, not knowing when she would come out.

“Hmm.”

Sylphia, realizing that the time had come, gave a short cough. And that was the promised signal. Standing in front of the podium of the cardinal who was in charge of the ceremony, Sylphia looked at Ludrick with eyes that seemed to drip with honey for a moment, and then she whispered softly.

[Break.]

It wasn’t that I was spitting out language or sounds through my vocal cords.

Verb.

A magical transfer that only dragons can perform.

Let’s make a realistic assumption here. Sylphia’s main body, that is, the giant body of the red dragon, would not be able to fit into the Hall of the Sun. Abel, who had manifested as the main body, filled the space up to the ceiling with his huge body, which could fit two or three vertically placed annex buildings of the Imperial Palace.

On the other hand, the Hall of the Sun itself was spacious enough to accommodate thousands of people, but the ceiling itself wasn’t that high. Naturally, if Sylphia were to release her polymorph magic and materialize as her true self, the ceiling would collapse and a catastrophe would occur. And only one dragon head with an ignorant look in its eyes would stick out like a sly thing.

That’s why.

“Gyaaah!”

“The ceiling collapsed!”

It was not surprising that Sylphia blew away the ceiling of the Hall of the Sun with her words.

The spoken words were magical and physical powers that tore apart the ceiling of the building into large chunks and shattered it. The debris that was pouring down as if it would collapse on your head at any moment was disintegrated by mana at some point and disappeared without a trace, but the fact that there were no casualties was comforting, so the current situation was a bit serious.

Whew.

The wind blew.

Sylphia laughed heartily as the wind blowing through the open ceiling tickled her hair.