Chapter 2 The End Of The Vacation (Revised Edition)
I, Ceres, sat pondering on a tree at the edge of a cliff.
I've definitely been goofing off too much.
On the other hand, there's almost nothing left to do.
The world is at peace, and Kohane's politics are all handled by the magistrate.
After all the hardships I've endured, I want to take it easy from now on.
That's what I thought... but this "taking it easy" feels different.
"How is it different?"—honestly, it's hard to explain, but the current state feels more like aimless loafing rather than relaxation.
Right now, I have unlimited money and power.
Everyone would say I look happy when they see me.
But happiness means something different to me.
I don't need such enormous power or vast amounts of money.
Just tending a field... living a simple life with my beloved wife and children.
The life of a couple in Jimna Village.
That is the ideal.
But it's pointless to dwell on that now.
The past cannot be changed...
I feel like I've been slacking off too much after all.
It's about time to go back; this is getting pretty dull.
Hopefully, Shizuko-san and the others' faces won't turn into masks of rage after I leave.
Well, surrendering to the inevitable is key.
Yeah, I expect to get scolded.
* * *
When I returned to the hotel,
Several letters had arrived at the reception desk.
Using a communication crystal to send a letter probably shows consideration.
One was from Demon King Luciferard, saying he scouted Zect to be one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
But... why is there a Demon King in Kohane?
He was supposed to return to the Demon Realm when he took on the Great Demon King role, but... why is he there?
Is it okay for a Demon King, as a ruler of a country, to be away from his nation?
Well, Demon Kings are strong, and in a world where Heroes and the church aren't fighting demons...
Since the world is at peace, there shouldn't be a problem.
Two letters arrived from Zect.
The content is typical of him.
'I will came to Kohane, so let's drink alcohol.'
The other one is...
'I also took responsibility and decided to marry them.'
That was the content.
Princess Marin, my childhood friends Lida and Maria, Mel—and a girl I don't know, Luna—totaling five people... are they all going to be his brides?
They've returned to their proper place.
That's how it is.
If Zect defeats the Demon King, then
Marrying Princess Marin as the main wife and taking Lida, Maria, and Mel as concubines is common, so they just returned to the original situation.
A girl named Luna joined them—that's the way it is.
He's made up his mind.
That's a good thing.
Originally, those three were Zect's lovers, and they'd almost crossed the line physically.
Of course, since he's a Hero, he didn't go all the way... but I don't think that can be called pure.
To put it simply, except for "the final line," they did quite extreme things.
Moreover, Zect has a bad habit with women, and since he wanted to show off to me, he did so.
Not to mention, he stood naked with the three of them, and when I passed by, he made a V sign as he made eye contact.
Lida, in particular, is my close friend.
Not a romantic relationship, just close friends.
A girl who looks like a "boy" who enjoys fishing and catching beetles—seeing her doing *those* stuff was very uncomfortable.
Honestly, when Zect left the three behind, I was troubled.
I mean, I saw all my childhood friends as step-daughter, and I don't know what to do...
Honestly, these three have no settled place unless Zect takes them.
It's well known that Zect is flirting with them everywhere.
At this point, there are unlikely to be good marriage prospects.
Worst case, I was planning to keep them as my nominal step-daughter for life.
"Thank goodness, really thank goodness..."
I truly thought so from the bottom of my heart.
The other letter was summarized by Shizuko-san, acting as the representative.
The content is almost the same as Zect's.
That Zect! He getting married with his childhood friends?
I have to make sure to celebrate properly.
I'm looking forward to the wedding now.
* * *
"Everyone, after thoroughly enjoying today, I plan to leave here tomorrow."
I gathered Marianne and the others and talked about Zect and the others.
I'll discuss it later with Shizuko-san and the others, but for now, I need to settle things here.
We're on the return flight now by flying dragon ship.
Almost all the parties involved are here, so it's just right.
There's plenty of time for discussion before we return.
"As I just said, what do you think we should do?"
"My little sister Marin is getting married, and as the first princess, and as her sister, I want to celebrate properly~desuwa."
"Yeah, I need to celebrate as the princess of the empire too!"
I keep forgetting, but both Marianne-san and Frey-san are royalty too, aren't they?
"Me too. Since the former saint Maria is getting married, I might get scolded by the church if I don't celebrate. Of course, I doubt there's anyone who would dare to complain to Ceres-sama, but I should still ask the church what form my celebration should take, don't you think?"
"Formality, Cecilia-san?"
What do you mean?
"Well, the greatest honor at a church wedding is usually performed by Pope Romalis, but since Ceres is a god, wouldn't it be even more prestigious if Ceres-sama, who is the most noble being in this world, were to perform it instead of Pope Romalis?"
Am I supposed to do it!?
All right, sounds tough.
"Indeed it does... Since Ceres-sama, the most magnificent being in this world, exists, it might seem ridiculous for Pope Romalis to do it."
"But couldn't Ceres just declare the blessing?"
"Frey, that might be true, but... that definitely wouldn't satisfy everyone around. Generally, a royal wedding is a two-week celebration, right? We can't do anything less for a wedding conducted by Ceres-sama, who is a god, can we?"
"Yes~desuwa, and the guest list will be a hassle~desuwa. Since Ceres-sama will be conducting the wedding of the former Hero Zect, all the royalty and popes around the world are a given, but since Ceres-sama is also the Great Demon King, we must invite the powerful demons as well. And the Dragons—are they really going to be fine with a church-style ceremony?"
"The church style may be unfashionable when it comes to demons. Maybe we should talk with the demons through Pope Romalis. Depending on the case, it might be necessary to seek a divine oracle from Goddess Ishtas-sama. And there are beings greater than Ishtas-sama among the dragons, such as the Netherworld Dragon Bauer-sama... Honestly, I don't know what to do. Even the former saint doesn't understand."
Do I also need to consult with Bauer-sama? I feel uneasy.
"Then, Cecilia-san will handle the church matters, Marianne-san and Frey-san will talk about the royal affairs... and I will deal with the dragon matters and organize Zect's wedding. Is that the plan?"
"I think that's fine."
"That seems to be the only option."
"I think that's good... but it will probably take a considerable amount of time to organize everything from there."
Huh!? A considerable amount of time?
"Cecilia-san, how long does 'a considerable amount of time' usually take?"
"Normally, preparing for a royal marriage takes several years. If you think about it that way, it would require even more time."
That's true.
But if we wait too long, Zect's resolve might waver.
And Lida and the others would feel sorry.
They are of an age where, if they were just living normally in a village, they would already be married and living their lives.
'What should we do?'
If we miss this chance and Zect's feelings, which were finally decided upon, waver again, it would be a problem.
What should I do?
In my past life, the method was to declare 'irreligious,' but in this world... I wonder how that would work. I need to think of something, but in a world with a goddess, that's difficult.
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