Chapter 266

Words : 1854 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

The sight of people praying to the rising sun on the first day of the year could be seen anywhere on the continent. However, the atmosphere in the MacLaine Kingdom this year, particularly in the capital, Grand, and the royal castle, was markedly different from other places. Nobles who would normally have leisurely welcomed the New Year in their own manors had begun to gather at the royal castle before dawn had even broken. “Really... impressive.” “How much is all this...” “Wow...” Nobles, who would be considered wealthy by continental standards, all clicked their tongues in astonishment. The royal castle of Grandpia was always beautiful, but today, it truly dazzled the eyes. The pure white statues and crafts in the garden shone under the gentle magical lighting, reflecting light at exquisite angles and enhancing their beauty. The path leading to the main hall was studded with jewels that gleamed like a river of stars in the night sky. This sight alone was enough to drop jaws, but the most breathtaking feature was the wedding venue staged in the broad space in front of the main hall. “Wow!” A noble couldn’t help but let out an exclamation of astonishment at the splendor, hastily covering his own mouth, although there was no need; the other nobles were all staring ahead with entranced expressions too. Walking along the jeweled path felt like walking above the Milky Way, then a space filled with brilliant white light unfolded before them. “What is this...” “Incredible...” “Haha...” The only sounds that could be heard amongst the gathered hundreds of nobles were exclamations of amazement. Someone amidst the nobles, who looked like they were bewitched by the setup of the wedding venue, asked, “...Is this really made of clouds?” In front of the entrance of the main hall, the space that should have been filled with cold marble was now covered with a cloud-like mist. Stepping onto the soft, fluffy mist, it felt as if you were truly standing on clouds. Above the cloudy floor that seemed to glow, where there should have been plain pillars, there were walls decorated with multicolored flowers. “Ah, the scent is really good.” The spontaneous praise wasn’t an exaggeration. The fragrances of hundreds of different flowers intermingle, creating an unusual harmony. The perfume added to the softness of the cloud floor brought a sense of vitality that made one feel elated. Nobles who had stayed up all night to come out looking clean and splendid felt revitalized just by looking at the venue. When they lifted their gazes and looked ahead, they saw murals depicting the ascension of gods carved vividly across the walls of the main hall demonstrating their overwhelming presence. “O Divine...” One by one, the nobles made the sign of the cross. The mural depicted the ascent of the gods, who had received the Creator’s light and their divine powers, just as it was painted at the beginning of the Nine Great Gods’ sacred text. Simply looking at the mural inspired reverence. Even those who rarely visited temples were moved to cross themselves. Above the animated mural of gods, a jewel representing the Creator’s light, though it was still dark with dawn approaching, shone brilliantly, illuminating the wedding venue. “Does anyone know what kind of jewel that is?” “I’m not sure...” “It looks like the Eye of the Continent, doesn’t it?” “Uh?” “That... the gift that the deceased king received from the Empire.” “Ah...” The whispering voices made the imperial envoys, including the Second Prince, frown slightly, but they all agreed that the venue was more extravagant than anyone had imagined. The exterior walls of the secondary palace were so ornately decorated with angels that it had taken a while to register. The overwhelming sight of pure white light and fragrant aromas. Even the feel of the soft cloud floor. “It’s as if we’ve ascended to the heavens. It’s enchanting.” “Indeed...” “A fitting description.” As someone uttered these words in delight, earning vehement agreements here and there, a stout dwarf standing where the MacLaine region’s dignitaries were gathered smiled proudly, and the nobles had already begun to conjecture the inspiration behind this magnificent work. “Who could have created all this...” “It must be thanks to the Empire’s assistance.” “Indeed. The Empire’s capability is impressive. How did they achieve this...” Crackle. “Who are those guys! It’s all the work of me and my kinfol—ump!” “Lord Hamarr. Please keep quiet. It’s about to start.” “Ump?!” Hamarr’s mouth was covered by Clayton’s hand, and as he widened his eyes and looked ahead, the doors of the main hall opened, and a priest clad in a white robe appeared. “Huh? It’s not the Archbishop?” “A female bishop... Who is she?” “She’s the Bishop of Amunda, Priestess Illya.” Amidst the murmuring of the nobles, Illya opened her mouth with a gentle smile. “The wedding ceremony that will be a joyous occasion for the MacLaine royal family and the kingdom under the blessings of the Nine Great Gods shall now begin.” With her words, everyone at the venue stood up. “First, the ruler of our kingdom, the guardian of all the citizens of this land. His Majesty Logan MacLaine will now enter.” As Bishop Illya finished speaking, Logan entered the wedding venue clad in pure white ceremonial attire. “Oh, truly.” “It’s the first time I’ve seen him wear anything other than armor?” “He bears an air of grandeur befitting a superhuman.” The opulent ceremonial attire, woven with gold thread on white silk, accentuated Logan’s solid physique. By usually hiding his aura master’s presence, but now, fully releasing it, he drew everyone’s attention with each step he took. ‘Hiding his overwhelming presence yet naturally garnering focus, he has reached the pinnacle even among the mid-tier. – The swordmaster smiled contentedly, and Jerome’s expression hardened further when suddenly, Logan, who had reached the altar in front of the main hall, stood before Illya. As Logan and Illya met each other’s eyes, she smoothly recited the next introduction. “Next, I will introduce the lady who will become the mother of our kingdom. The Countess of Floyd... ahem, rather than Countess, this suits her better. The kingdom’s first lady knight and the symbol of the MacLaine female forces, Lady Eileen Floyd.” The crowd stirred all at once. Addressing the bride as “Lady” in a wedding ceremony? Amidst the unfamiliar introduction, the MacLaine nobles frowned slightly, but Logan let out a chuckle. ‘Really...’ He spotted a familiar handwriting with emphatic marks on the introduction letter held by Bishop Illya. In that moment— “Wow!” An unexpected cheer burst out. Startled, Logan turned around to see, and he too momentarily lost himself. The first thing that caught his eye was a brilliant white veil. Beneath the veil beautifully embroidered with golden threads, red, luscious hair flowed tantalizingly. Eileen’s slim, well-toned body was draped in a pure white dress that perfectly blended with the striking red, adding to her elegant allure. As she crossed the glowing cloud floor with her sweeping skirt, it was as though a goddess from myth was approaching upon the clouds. At that moment, dawn broke. The brilliant sun rose and scattered colorful rays of light throughout the wedding venue via the Eye of the Continent. “Ohhh.” “Eileen was truly beautiful...” “Huh...” Among everyone’s admiration, Eileen approached gracefully. Logan, who had been stunned by her appearance, quickly regained his composure at a sign from Illya and reached out his hand to Eileen. As Eileen carefully laid her hand in his, he felt her tension, which thawed his own nerves. Relaxed and aware that she had frozen with a faint smile on her face, he thought: ‘You write your own introduction so boldly, yet here you are...’ Logan smiled faintly, squeezing her hand tighter to ease his companion’s stiffness. Then a small shiver passed between them. Even that felt dear to him, and as he entertained that thought, Bishop Illya began her words of blessing. “It brings me boundless joy to commence the New Year with such a festive occasion. In this place, I am...” During the extended blessing— Logan gazed at his partner. In the venue bathed with light, she was the most radiant of all. The thought of spending a lifetime by the side of this person stirred all sorts of thoughts in his fluttering heart. Although they married for strategic reasons, she had become irreplaceable. Moments shared with her flashed through his mind. He felt a pang of guilt realizing he had focused too much time on other matters. As he watched Eileen with complicated eyes, Illya’s blessings drew to a close. “In the hope that, like the newly risen sun, you both will become the parents of this nation and embrace all its citizens, I conclude my blessings.” “Wow!” Unlike Logan, who had seemingly lost track of time, the guests, having barely endured the stretch, applauded while yawning. As Logan watched them with a dazed mind and laughed without realizing it, he locked eyes with the Second Prince, who was looking at him with a blank expression. The reminder that the real catastrophe had yet to begin. When Logan saw him, his elation chilled. ‘...Without overcoming the Empire, all of this will be nothing but an illusion.’ Do not get intoxicated by reality. As if to receive some revelation, images of his fallen family and his brother being dragged away momentarily flashed before his eyes. A chilling sensation ran down his spine as his teeth clenched involuntarily. “Your Highness?” Suddenly hearing a flustered voice, Logan’s head turned once more. There, Illya was gesturing towards Eileen, who blushed and bowed her head. What were they talking about while his mind wandered? “Eh?” What was he to do? Flustered for a moment— “Your Highness, please make your vow of love now.” “Ah...” The vow of love. With that, Logan promptly recovered his senses. The MacLaine, unlike the lengthy proceedings of the empire, would culminate in a simple ritual, signaling the end of the ceremony. It was time to share a kiss of commitment. He immediately understood why his partner was embarrassed. The sight of Eileen blushing mingled with memories of a previous life, reinforcing his resolve. In the past, she had perished in a civil war. Logan had already changed the fates of many. Even if much of it depended on luck. ‘I will overcome.’ Logan focused away from the future adversary in his peripheral vision and kissed her, thinking of the fate he was about to forge. “With this kiss under the governance of the Nine Great Gods, I declare that this marriage is established.” With the declaration, Illya bestowed a sacred blessing. Festive light added to the already splendid venue ignited a clamorous cheer. “Wooow!” The first royal marriage of the MacLaine dynasty concluded thus.

Chapter 266

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