WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈

Chapter 118: The Black Wedding (4)

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5.

Stage Clear.

This signifies that the world of [Tales of Sormewin Academy] has been officially integrated into our Tower.

Hunters can now travel to and from this world.

Of course, that doesn't mean they can enter freely. They must undergo the scrutiny of the major guilds. For example, a general hunter needs a permit to enter the Aegim Empire.

What I mean is this.

Flash!

Shortly after the stage clear was declared, a bright light flashed. Flash! Flicker! Lights burst here and there around the wedding venue. It was a scene familiar when hunters are teleported.

"King of Death! No, Kim Gong-Ja! You!"

As the light faded, familiar faces appeared.

"How could you marry without discussing it with us?!"

Those who could move freely between floors without a permit. Leaders of the major guilds. One of them, the 2nd ranked hunter, Black Dragon Master, was red-faced with anger.

"I oppose this marriage!!"

"......."

"The King of Death is the representative hunter of our Tower! Of course the wedding should be held not here, but in Babylon City on the first floor of our Tower! It should be broadcast live to the entire world! Invalid! This wedding is completely invalid!"

Voices were raised not only by the Black Dragon Master.

"Ahem. King of Death."

The top-ranked hunter, Sword Saint, also spoke up.

"First, congratulations on clearing the stage. Truly... it was a swift romance. Not that it's my place to say here, but if I may, as an elder-"

"Don't."

"Um."

Sword Saint closed his mouth, fitting of someone who's been reforming his old-fashioned mindset.

"While you were conquering the Tower, there was a commotion. Everyone wondered why you two fell for each other. But I staunchly defended you. Love at first sight is only understood by those who have experienced it. Don't worry. I understand. I'll handle the Black Dragon Master."

And for some reason, the Paladin looked sternly proud, her gaze seemingly saying, 'I understand your love.' I couldn't grasp the meaning.

I turned to Raviel.

"Hmm."

Raviel was expressionless, at least at first glance. But I loved her, so I could read her blank expression.

Raviel was... observing the Black Dragon Master's group with great interest. Her red eyes were brimming with honey.

"My dear Gong-Ja. My love."

"Speak, my love."

"It seems there are many people you need to introduce me to."

"Yes..."

It's late, but.

The meet-the-family session begins now.

6.

Naturally, I thought the formal meeting between the families happened before marriage. But there was a cultural difference here too. In the Empire, it was customary to hold that meeting after the wedding.

"Isn't that obvious?"

Raviel tilted her head.

"Many in the family live far away in the provinces. The wedding is the occasion to gather and invite them. It's on the night of the wedding that the bride and groom, along with members of both families, meet."

"Ah... that makes sense."

I immediately understood.

Right. A marriage is also a union of families. For hunters like us, who fled from the outside world, there's no family to consider... but the Empire was different. They valued family much more than individuals.

Moreover, this marriage wasn't just a union of families.

It was a national marriage, no, a world marriage.

Raviel representing the Empire. Me representing the Tower. The marriage of us two.

"Hehe..."

The chief chamberlain, who was also my foster father, wore a bitter smile throughout.

"I never imagined such an occasion... I don't even know how many messages I've sent to His Majesty the Emperor today. I'm at a loss for words."

"Yes. This was unintended for us as well."

Black Dragon Master began to speak. She was remarkably calm, as if her earlier agitation towards me never happened. The Empire's and the Tower's power players sat side by side at the table, wary of each other, yet equally perplexed.

"But this is an unexpected stroke of fortune, not an unexpected misfortune. Your Excellency, we consider ourselves fortunate that our first encounter with your country should take place on the auspicious occasion of a wedding."

And they began to converse, overcoming their apprehension and wariness.

"You say that you have crossed here from another world? It is not only a strange occurrence that will be difficult to explain to His Majesty, but also something we cannot readily announce to his subjects."

"Yes, you're absolutely right. We fully understand the situation of your country."

Black Dragon Master nodded. She seemed adept at such diplomatic occasions, knowing how to navigate between grace and competence.

"However, you must have witnessed the invasion of beings from another world. Denying something that exists can lead, eventually, to existence denying us. I'm worried about such a future."

"Hm. That's a valid point."

"Thank you, Your Excellency. What we must work toward from now on is mutual understanding. Five years. Ten years. Twenty years. Perhaps even longer..."

Both sides calmly exchanged words.

Raviel had a firm grasp on the Empire's representatives, and I was fully trusted by those from the Tower. Our marriage was a great fortune for both sides.

The fact that power players from both sides were gathered in one place was a difficult feat, but Raviel's and my wedding made it possible from the start. There couldn't have been a better beginning.

"......."

I sat at the head table with Raviel. I reached under the table to hold her hand. Squeeze. Raviel naturally intertwined her fingers with mine.

"......."

Just that gesture was reassuring. The night deepened. Stars shone brightly. Candles flickered on the table, and people exchanged words across the flickering lights.

Suddenly, everything seemed beautiful.

"Raviel."

"Speak."

A soft whisper.

"There are a few people I'd like to introduce you to."

"Apart from those here?"

"Yes."

"Then I must see them."

Raviel stood up from the head table.

Everyone from the Empire's side immediately fell silent.

"The night is long. Continue your discussions at leisure. I will go and meet my wife's people for a while."

"......."

No one could stop Raviel's departure. Indeed, the Duchess of Ivansia. If the ability to leave when one wants is a sign of power, then my wife held absolute power here.

I took Raviel to where the members of the Demonic Cult were gathered.

"Oh. Vice-Lord! Now the honeymoon begins!"

Sword Demon laughed boisterously, holding up his cup. The cult members were all drunk on the wine served at the wedding. They tried to stand and greet me when they saw me, but I waved them down. They promptly gave me a fist-and-palm salute while still seated.

"Congratulations!"

"Congratulations, Vice-Lord!"

"The wine here tastes unique and is truly good!"

"Long live the reign of the Demonic Cult!"

"Wow! You two really match well!"

The wedding venue instantly became noisy. With nearly a thousand cult members raising a commotion, it could hardly be helped. I smiled wryly.

"Sword Demon. Come here."

"Yes?"

Sword Demon blinked in surprise, not expecting to be called. His face went blank as if caught off guard, while his drunk companions giggled around him.

"Look at that! I knew he'd get scolded by the Vice-Lord someday!"

"He always forgets to add 'Lord' when he calls for the Vice-Lord. Such a blockhead."

"Give him a good smack on the butt, Vice-Lord!"

"Uh... uh..."

Sword Demon put down his glass and hesitantly approached. His brazen attitude when he beheaded the ghostly general had vanished. He seemed to shrink, like a child who had done something wrong.

"So-sorry, Vice-Lord. I'm not good with formal speech. But in my heart, I really admire our Vice-Lord..."

Rambling his excuse, Sword Demon.

I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Raviel."

And spoke to my bride.

"This is the Sword Demon."

"......."

"He served under the person I revere as my master. My master led a place called the Demonic Cult and selected four exceptionally capable people from among its members. They were called the Four Demonic Lords, and Sword Demon is one of them."

"Oho."

Raviel observed the Sword Demon carefully. The Sword Demon flinched.

"A guileless man. His speech is harsh and his manner rough. That proves your master did not judge people by harsh speech or rough manners. Having sought people in harsh and barren places, your master must have been a noble and exalted person."

"......."

"I am Raviel Ivansia, Duchess of the Empire, and the wife of the Vice-Lord you serve. I ask for your cooperation."

"Yes, yes. I humbly ask for your... favor."

I turned my head.

"Moon Shadow Demon."

"......."

"Come here."

One of the cult members stood. They bowed respectfully.

"Yes, Vice-Lord."

An eerie silence descended under the night sky. The chatter and laughter of those drinking and chatting died down. I called each of the Four Demonic Lords, and with each call, they showed utmost courtesy.

Then I called the next person I had to introduce.

"Preta."

"…Yes, my Lord."

"Come here."

"Yes."

Preta, who had been mingling with the disciples, stood up. It seemed she had been waiting for my call, already having tidied up her appearance.

"This child's name is... Preta."

I said.

"Preta was originally born as a nameless monster. A doppelganger. She could imitate whatever she devoured. At first she swallowed beasts such as frogs and snakes, and then one day, by chance, she ate a human. And then..."

Preta quietly bowed her head. Occasionally, her shoulders trembled slightly. An uncanny silence prevailed in the hall.

I introduced their lives, and by doing so, I introduced my own life.

One person spoke about their life to another, gently, under the night sky. It was sacred, just by being that.

"Also… Ah. Right."

I undid my holy sword from my waist.

"This is Shiny."

"Shiny?"

"Yes. Her original name was a little more impressive. But a bad man deceived her and sealed her inside a sword. The true name [Goddess of Protection] was far too good for her, so I simply gave her the nickname Shiny. Because she shines... very brightly..."

"Indeed."

Raviel let out a small laugh.

"Your naming sense has a rather severe side to it. How stingy. I would at least have named her Hui (輝), 'Radiance.'"

*Eleanor means ‘shining light’ in greek.

[Shiny pledges loyalty to the spouse of the brave hero!]

Shiny quickly changed her allegiance.

"Um."

And then.

"There's one friend I can't show you here now..."

Guardian Spirit.

"Raviel will probably never be able to see him. You cannot meet him either... This friend's circumstances are unusual. He cannot appear before other people."

My partner.

"He also speaks incredibly crudely. His mouth is about thirty times filthier than Sword Demon's. But he is tremendously strong. Incredibly so... He was the first person to teach me swordsmanship, and he taught me Aura too."

"Oh, a person of great significance."

-.......

The Guardian Spirit remained silent.

Wearing a shabby martial arts uniform. Arms crossed.

Instead of running his mouth as usual, the Guardian Spirit merely watched Raviel and me in silence.

"...Without him, I probably would not have been able to endure my time alone."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Then I must offer that friend my thanks."

Raviel bowed her head.

Towards the empty air where nothing could be seen.

"I have become happy by meeting Gong-Ja. If that friend hadn't helped Gong-Ja, my happiness wouldn't have been possible. I express my gratitude to everything that allowed Gong-Ja to be here at this moment."

The Guardian Spirit slowly opened his mouth.

-This guy is a crazy bastard, so take good care of him.

I relayed the message for him.

"If that friend had heard Raviel's thanks, he probably would have said that I was a crazy bastard and asked you to take good care of me."

"A wonderful friend indeed."

I took a deep breath.

"Raviel."

This is.

"This is all of me."

Everything I cherish.

Everyone who opened the door to my heart and came inside.

My family.

"......."

Raviel gripped my hand tightly.

"My dear."

"Yes."

"Let's dance."

In Raviel's eyes was an intense desire. I hesitated. Whenever Raviel looked at me like this, when she strongly wished to do something with me, I couldn't refuse.

"I've never really danced properly."

"Some of the butler's memories should still remain with you. Use them as a guide."

"What if I make a mistake and step on Raviel's foot? I would kill myself."

Instead of answering, Raviel showed me with her actions. She bent down and took off her black shoes. Soon, she stepped onto the grass and soil of the lawn with her bare feet.

White feet.

Just by taking off her shoes, she seemed as light as the wind.

"Come."

"......."

I hesitantly removed my white shoes and socks. Then, Raviel immediately took my hand and led me.

One step. Two steps.

Raviel stepped on petals fallen on the grass with her toes. Magnolias, cherry blossoms, white petals turned whiter as they were trampled.

"......."

No one spoke. No music could be heard. There were no chandeliers adorning a ballroom; only moonlight settled like frost over the flower garden.

Our own ball.

"…See."

I stepped through the dance, smiling.

"What a mess. I've already stepped on Raviel's feet three times. Dancing is definitely not my forte. Are you trying to embarrass me to death?"

"It's fine. I will just step on your feet as much."

With a firm step, Raviel immediately stepped on my foot, her weight fully transferred to me. She smiled playfully.

"See. Fair enough."

A smile that she showed only to me was there. My red jewel. My heart. My music.

The moonlit chandelier cast our shadows.

Our dance wasn't about not stepping on each other's feet. Even if we did step on each other's feet, it was about not letting go till the end. About facing each other and smiling, no matter the misfortune.

I belong only to Raviel.

And Raviel is mine alone.

Yes, we danced. Every place touched by the moonlight was our ballroom. With just the two of us, any world could be transformed into our stage.

On this day, we were married.

Our next story will begin on a slightly higher stage than before.

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