Visanya neither looked happy nor sad.
She simply stared blankly into space.
Eventually she asked me,
“…What should I do from now on?”
“You have talent, so focus on mastering spirit arts for now. After that, decide for yourself what you want to do.”
“Decide for myself…”
Visanya looked troubled.
She had lived a purely passive life until now, never once doing anything of her own free will.
Whether it was her childhood spent learning the basics of spirit arts under her family’s expectations or her boyhood after being kidnapped by her father and treated as a drug manufacturer, the pattern had been the same.
The Visanya of Part 4 in the original story had been slightly more sociable than the girl here, but that was only because the world’s hardships had tempered her.
In terms of inner strength, the young her was actually far stronger. Unlike the original history where she had been led around solely by Epio’s hand, she still retained enough spirit to ponder what she should do next.
Watching her lost in thought, Aiden smiled faintly.
…Looks like I’m stuck playing therapist now, of all things.
The executives of the great powers that oversaw the continent had recently grown deeply worried.
‘The Blispiel Clan bastards… it looks like they’re planning to expand into the Wiblet Empire.’
‘Ha… Their growth is so ridiculous it’s beyond words. In terms of reputation alone, they’re already on par with one of the Five Major Clans.’
‘Judging from the circumstances, there’s no doubt they mobilized the Holy Nation’s forces to crush Praszkeak. They must have some extraordinary connections.’
All because of the Blispiel Clan, which was rapidly expanding its influence in the central region.
And now the leader of that much-discussed clan was about to hold a wedding. The reaction from everyone was the same.
“A perfect opportunity to make an impression. Let’s depart!”
Countless congratulatory delegations headed toward Elanore.
Camillo suggested,
“It would be good to relocate some of the clans currently active in the Glicia Kingdom to the Wiblet Empire.”
“Who should we send?”
“Established clans would face backlash, so let’s focus on newly formed ones when sending proposals. If we promise sufficient benefits, they’ll seriously consider the move.”
The Wiblet Empire was a successful centralized state.
But long-term infiltration by demon worshippers like the Praszkeak Guild had left holes in its solid public authority. This was the perfect chance to dispatch a few subordinate clans and expand influence smoothly.
Camillo had sharply pointed that out.
Aiden glanced around the conference room. The number of participants had grown nearly several times compared to one or two years ago.
Blispiel now handled not only clan duties but also trading companies, factories, and administration.
Thanks to the craftsmen and apprentices assisting Bailey the National Treasure Forger, the merchants led by Camillo, and the administrative staff managing internal affairs in Elanore and the Glicia Kingdom, Aiden had laid the groundwork early. Now he was basically just a machine that signed off on documents.
Curious, he asked,
“How are our finances?”
“Three thousand eight hundred and thirty percent better than half a year ago.”
“…Excellent.”
Money begat money.
The massive seed capital entrusted to Camillo had snowballed, and the clan’s vaults were now piled high with platinum coins.
For example, upon hearing of war in the west, he had bought up war supplies in bulk. He had also made full use of every scrap of information Aiden provided, raking in money with a rake.
Once the mass-produced Processed Yin-Yang Tea distributed through the Proxy of the Guardian Tree (S-) trait entered full circulation, few forces on the Prima Continent would be wealthier than them.
At most the Gray Caravan Wandering Merchants derived from the Alpanium Library, plus three or four others?
“Hmm… The Gray Caravan Wandering Merchants.”
Aiden thought of the black market they operated through the mobile fortress Talos. It had been nearly four years since his last visit, and with the original story’s beginning approaching, there should be plenty of useful items by now. He would have to stop by soon.
After the meeting ended, Camillo said to him,
“You seemed distracted during the meeting. Your mind must be on the joyous occasion right in front of you.”
“You all handle everything so well even if I leave you to it.”
“Haha, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Camillo smiled with satisfaction.
Despite his words, if Aiden were honest, he was quite preoccupied. After all, he was about to get married—something he had never done even before possession.
Time flew by.
Carriages carrying congratulatory delegations arrived one after another, and the Holy Nation’s envoy who would officiate—none other than Dorothy Mirvana, Estriel’s wife—also set foot in Elanore.
She said to him,
“This is a token of gratitude for the Wiblet Empire matter. After a meeting of the ten major churches, it was decided to permanently grant you a national treasure.”
“A national treasure?”
Aiden narrowed his eyes slightly as Dorothy held out a small box. When he opened it, a pair of rings radiating extraordinary power lay inside.
“They are artifacts called the Pact Rings (A+) that allow contact at any time within roughly thirty kilometers. There could be no better wedding gift, could there?”
“Hmm…”
Communication was already covered by Nano Eater and Plebelziam, so the function itself was not a huge advantage. But the Pact Rings had two additional abilities.
Originally Aiden had planned to use the marriage ring of Nevia that Foden had given him, but a practical item like this changed everything.
“…I will cherish and make good use of them.”
“If you put them to good use, His Holiness the Pope who gave final approval will be very pleased as well, Aiden.”
The wedding was to be held at the temporary royal palace in the Glicia Kingdom, following standard custom for such celebrations.
Aiden wore a crisp tuxedo in accordance with northern wedding etiquette.
“Excuse me, Young Master.”
Linia inspected his attire even more meticulously than usual, checking whether the collar or tie was out of place.
When he finished preparing and reached the entrance, Chesa was waiting for him in a pure-white dress.
Her face was more elegantly made up than usual, her lips glossy and moist, her platinum-blonde hair—normally in low twin tails—now completely loose and wavy, and the white dress that emphasized her pure yet feminine lines left him momentarily speechless.
An angel?
Whether she knew the cheesy thought crossing his mind or not, Chesa held out her hand and said,
“Aiden, let’s go.”
Unlike standard wedding procedure, the two of them would enter the hall together.
Neither set of parents was present today. Elvio’s attendance would have been worse than none at all, and Foden, as a grand duke of a nation, could not casually travel such a long distance.
“…Right.”
Aiden smiled awkwardly and linked arms with her. The soft sensation of her arm wrapping tightly around his made his head spin.
His mind had been hazy, but in this moment every doubt vanished. All that remained was the thought of simply enjoying today’s celebration.
“Bride and groom, entering!!”
The attendants’ loud announcement.
At the same time, the doors to the hall swung wide open.
Aiden walked arm-in-arm with Chesa down the carpeted aisle. A quick glance at the guest seats revealed both familiar and unfamiliar faces.
His younger brother Ridle who had come from afar, Sotiros as the Utland family’s representative, Kirianejial the patrol knight of the Great Forest, Kache of the Dearside School… By the time he finished scanning the guests, they had already reached the dais.
“Ahem.”
Dorothy, serving as officiant, gave a playful cough before adopting a solemn demeanor and placing her hand on the scripture.
“The God of Circulation governs fate and causality, eternity and flow. In the name of the great god, I shall test the two who have come to share the same fate here today.”
Dorothy’s body began to glow brightly. Several guests gasped.
“Hup!”
“Th-that’s…”
Saints occasionally received oracles from the gods they served. It was not a power that could be activated at will; it was granted unilaterally by the god.
For a divine blessing to descend at a wedding celebration was nothing short of the god himself blessing their union.
The nameless god… NonameC’s arrangement, perhaps.
For this one moment, Aiden offered his gratitude.
He recalled the setting of Reca Chronicles. Saints of the Circulation Church could glimpse keywords summarizing a person’s fate, right?
Dorothy, now in a divine trance, asked with dreamy eyes,
“Aiden Stroke, seeker of hidden history who changes the fate of Daelasirk. Do you swear to love your bride Chesa Utland for all eternity?”
“I swear.”
The answer came reflexively.
He felt an inexplicable sacredness.
“Chesa Utland, bearer of remnants from an ancient world. Do you swear to love your groom Aiden Stroke for all eternity?”
“I swear.”
Chesa answered with visible tension. She did not seem to dwell on the unusual phrasing Dorothy had used.
Soon light returned to Dorothy’s previously clouded eyes. Her previously expressionless face broke into a faint smile as she declared,
“In the name of the God of Circulation, I, Dorothy Mirvana, offer my blessing and pray that the love between these two may never end.”
Clap clap clap clap clap clap—
Thunderous applause erupted from the guest seats.
Afterward, as previously arranged, they slipped the Pact Rings (A+) onto each other’s ring fingers. The stiffness in Chesa’s expression melted away, replaced by a shy, ticklish smile. Aiden’s face was probably no different.
Suddenly Dorothy spoke mischievously.
“Ahem. The bride and groom may now share the kiss of their vow.”
“…!”
Chesa flinched at the unexpected declaration.
Aiden asked Dorothy,
“That wasn’t in the procedure I was told about.”
“Hehe, such things are entirely up to the officiant’s discretion.”
It was a rather pleasant technicality.
Aiden pulled the flushed Chesa into his arms.
“Mmph?!”
A cheer immediately filled the ceremony hall.
The reception lasted a long time.
He exchanged pleasantries and made the usual polite promises with delegations from various forces.
When they finally returned to the privately purchased mansion, it was already close to midnight. After this and that, they did not fall asleep until the early hours of the morning.
“…Mmm.”
Pushing aside heavy eyelids, Aiden opened his eyes to find the sun already high in the sky. Chesa lay beside him, still sleeping like the dead.
“…<Link Sense> really is amazing…”
「Master. I didn’t have a chance to advise you last night, but the Firebird (S-) trait has reached maximum activation. Digest it before the mana dissipates, Spare Master.」
Following Nano Eater’s words, Aiden carefully rose from the bed and sat cross-legged. He then activated the Alabur Vision Mana Cultivation Method (A).
[Firebird (S-) trait 99% manifested.]
[Growth correction applied according to partner’s potential level.]
[Potential level increased by 4.]
[Mana increased by 2.]
[Chesa Utland’s Sense increased by 1.]
“Haa…!”
A quick glance at his own character sheet showed his potential level had easily broken through 70 and reached 72.
At this point, calling his potential lacking would be an outright lie.
…No, more importantly, his level was now 48. He could probably fight and win against the lowest-ranked members of the Twelve Heroes. Against his great-uncle in the original story—who lacked Slugger (U)—he might not win, but he could at least fight on equal footing.
After checking his growth, Aiden unfolded a map.
“…Time to prepare for the honeymoon.”
Defeating the Praszkeak Guild had bought them some breathing room. For the time being, he could focus on reorganization.
The first destination would be the Lilliac Magic Kingdom.