We’re finally at the finish line, I commented over the Network.
::Y-Yes. That took longer than I expected,:: Shutola replied.
We were moving slowly along our route through the last section of the capital. The parade was reaching its end, with the great cathedral as its destination. This trial was finally close to ending, but I was already exhausted in both mind and body. Everybody’s intense stares were boring into me like drills, riddling my supposed iron spirit with holes. Their reviews were merciless—it made me doubt if they had a human heart at all.
But now, the parade was finally coming to an end. Trycen’s grand cathedral was right in front of us. Neither my mind nor my body could take much more; I was at my limit in a variety of ways. I wouldn’t say what varieties, since we were in public, but I really was exhausted.
“Heh! I can’t believe they made it to the end without any major notes. Trycen’s future is bright. Points for the rosy future.”
“They are great people, but they are still young. I thought they’d show some cracks somewhere down the line, but they were impressive. Points for being one in body and soul.”
“Well I believed in them. This is as far as regular citizens can go. That’s actually a lie, so don’t lose focus even during the ceremony, you hear?! Points for being on guard!”
Man, Trycen’s people really judge even the smallest details up until the very end. I have no idea how or why they all turned into eccentric experts or what point of view they were commenting from, but...well, I guess this is a form of celebration too. It’s a bit intense, but their feelings for Trycen are true. I’m marrying Shutola, so I’ll have to deal with these feelings head-on, I thought.
Once the parade is over, it’ll finally be time for the ceremony, I commented over the Network.
::Indeed. But I think it’ll be over quicker than you think,:: Shutola replied.
Looks like it. In my opinion, the ceremony is the main event, but... Oh, actually, before that... I prompted her.
::Yes. I believe it will happen soon,:: she agreed.
Normally, at this point when the long and intense parade was ending, it would be the moment to finally breathe a sigh of relief and relax. However, we didn’t do that. If we did, it would be a waste. As Shutola mentioned, this was the best chance for an attack.
And by that, I refer to the biggest attraction of these proceedings: the objection system. In regard to that, we hadn’t been told beforehand what time it would happen. Our opponent for this ceremony would be Sylvia, and it was up to her when and where to make her move. Of course, she’d been told to prepare properly so as not to cause any harm to bystanders or damage to our surroundings. Our opponents would likely have myriad approaches, from creating an advantageous arena to setting a barrier to requesting a change of venue.
They have the freedom to choose where we fight, but now that we’ve come this far, the timing is obvious, I commented.
::Thinking back to the origins of objecting to marriages, the best timing is just before the kiss. I was on guard before the parade, but she didn’t show herself. As expected, this next opportunity will be it,:: Shutola replied in agreement.
With our opinions aligned, we turned our thoughts to what was to come. With a fight before us, my exhaustion flew out the window. I’ll be enjoying this thoroughly, so I can turn my exhaustion into joy, I thought privately.
“Mm. I object,” I heard Sylvia say.
Neither of us replied. As soon as we stepped off the carriage in front of the great cathedral that was our destination, her familiar voice reached my ears. Large snowflakes suddenly fell from the sky, accompanied by something else—and that something was obvious: It was Sylvia.
Hey, wait a second!
“Erm, Sylvia-san? I get the feeling your entrance was a bit early...”
Sylvia returned a confused look.
Ah, she definitely doesn’t know what I’m talking about. Look how her head is tilted.
“Erm, I was thinking that the best timing would be just before we kissed to seal the deal, that’s all. I know we’re opponents, here, but...”
“Mm, I still don’t get it,” Sylvia replied. “This timing provides the biggest advantage, which is why I called out to you. That is all.”
Yeah, thought so. I mean, sure, in terms of exhaustion levels, we’d be at our peak just after the parade. Personally, I give your greedy attitude full marks, since it covets victory above all else and doesn’t care about the mood or give any consideration to the situation, but I have to wonder if that’s really the right move during a wedding. Look, the crowd that was acting like professionals before are all flabbergasted now. Hmmm...Shutola, please give your verdict!
✦ ✦ ✦
✦ ✦ ✦
Shutola sighed. “Lunoir’s always been like this, so I don’t think there’s anything we can do. And no matter the result, it looks like Ashley did her best.”
As soon as she said that, someone else came from overhead at high speed to land next to Sylvia.
My word, using your fire sword as an afterburner to speed yourself up and make an entrance sure is flashy.
Of course, this newcomer was Ashley, or rather, Ema.
“Jeez, Sylvia! Didn’t we just agree that we would be objecting a little later?!” she shouted. “You went off on your own again!”
“Ah, Ema’s here,” Sylvia responded.
“Of course I am. It’d be a mistake if I didn’t chase after you!” Ema shouted again.
I see. Judging from the way Ema is acting, their original plan aligned with what we were expecting. They would follow the basics of objecting and butt in right before the kiss. However, Sylvia doesn’t understand the reason for that, so she took action when she saw the opportunity.
“Thanks for all the hard work, Ema.”
“You seem to have it just as hard now as you always have,” Shutola said, agreeing with me.
“Huh? Ah! Shutola, Kelvin, congratulations on your marriage— I mean, no!” Ema interrupted herself. “Uh, I apologize sincerely for this after the terrible display you had to see just now, but we would like to object...erm...” She seemed really apologetic.
“I already said that, Ema,” said Sylvia. “Our request for a duel is already perfect.”
“No, no, no! We should have done this inside the church, when it would have been most dramatic! But you’ve changed everything!” Ema yelled.
That only confused Sylvia again. “But would not fighting inside the church make it hard to maneuver? There would be guests inside too, so it would cause many problems. Out here, there is a lot of space, and we won’t be bothering anyone. It saves a lot of trouble.”
“That’s not the point,” Ema replied. “There’s an order to things. Like...the meaning behind the challenge, or setting the mood...”
Once again, Sylvia tilted her head, confused.
Ema paused for a beat before saying, “I’m sorry, Kelvin-san and Shutola. It’s too late at this point, so can we please object right here and now?”
“Yeah, I don’t mind.”
“Hee hee! I am also fine with that,” Shutola agreed. “It actually makes me relieved to see how little you two have changed.”
“I... I’m glad to hear you say that, I think?” Ema replied. “I know it’s not my place to say this as the lieutenant, but I’m amazed Sylvia was made a general at all.”
“It was because she produced results, regardless of how she got those results,” Shutola explained. “And she had you to keep an eye on her, just like you’re doing now, Ashley.”
Once again, Sylvia looked confused; she still didn’t get it.
Yeah, um...I would actually prefer you to stay as you are.
“Uh, ahem,” Ema cleared her throat. “Let’s start over. We object to your marriage, Kelvin-san and Shutola!”
Sylvia stood there, silent.
After a moment of waiting, Ema said, “Sylvia, your line! You need to say the line!”
“Ah, it’s my turn?” Sylvia asked. “Er... Ah, this one.” She’d fished out a cue card with no hesitation. She wasn’t even trying to hide that this was all scripted as she read the card out in the open. “Um... We request a two-on-two tag team battle. I will team up with Ema, while you, Kelvin and Shutola... Hey, is all this necessary? Wouldn’t Kelvin get it from the context?”
“Just do your best and read it, Sylvia,” said Ema. “I’m sure Kelvin would get it, but this is important for the pomp and circumstance of it all.”
“Mm, okay,” Sylvia replied.
Man, Ema must have had it hard back when she worked in Trycen.