Volume 3 Chapter 11 Surprise
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Hah, I’m so nervous. Why are so many people gathering here…”
Today, I was sitting on a special podium set up in the square to attend the ceremony organized by Arbalest.
Next to me were the lord Arbalest and members of the subjugation team led by Milly, all sitting in a row.
”That’s because the residents of Abyss Vena want to see Kent, the one who hunted the beast monster, in person. Right now, Abyss Vena is buzzing with rumors about Kent. For example, how you overpowered S-Class Hunter Milly with one hand and forced her to become your wife, or how you repeatedly used high-level magic to shred beast monsters. And the masterpiece are that you have over a hundred wives and concubines, and has built a mansion for their families at the eastern garrison. I must admit, I had a good laugh at that.”
Arbalest chuckled at the memory and patted my shoulder vigorously.
”That’s the privilege of the Hero who kills beast monsters! Hahaha. Well, now Kent is a celebrity!”
”Everyone must have agreed to say that I was the one who defeated them because they didn’t want the rumors to spread, right? That’s the only explanation I can think of.”
”No, no, for BeaBea’s happiness, I need Kent to rise in status; otherwise, it would be a problem. I can’t have my precious daughter’s husband be some nobody.”
Matthew, who was nearby, was laughing in amusement, but Thelma lectured me, saying that I must be respectable as Beatrice’s husband, who is like a daughter to h22er.
As rumors piled upon rumors, it seemed like I was being treated as some amazing person.
It’s me who was overpowered, not Milly, and I would really like to ask the person who spread the rumors how I could repeatedly use high-level magic that I can’t even use.
Besides, I still have only a dozen or so wives and concubines.
There’s no way I have 3 digits.
I felt disheartened when I heard the rumor about the tail fin from the Arbalests.
”Rumors are completely unreliable. From now on, I’ll take them with a grain of salt. The reality is too far from the rumors.”
”Well, that’s how rumors are. More importantly, I told you to dress up, but that outfit is a bit too flashy. Is it Milly’s taste?”
Being pointed out by Arbalest about my outfit today further lowered my mood.
Yes, as Arbalest pointed out, my outfit today is indeed flashy… If Milly and the others hadn’t begged me, I would have firmly refused to wear it.
First, the essential item: Illusion Glasses.
I can tolerate the white gakuran and white enamel-like leather shoes.
However, the large, flashy gems on the shoulder epaulettes and the cloak with a black exterior and crimson lining are pushing my patience to its limits.
At this point, my endurance was already at its limit, but Milly and the others made further demands.
They handed me a flamboyant hat with large decorative feathers sticking up like horns.
And, of course, it also had gems adorning it.
I definitely refused, but since Milly said it was a once-in-a-lifetime request, I reluctantly decided to wear it.
So, if I attract too much attention, it seems like another misunderstanding might occur.
”Sigh. Since Milly and everyone insisted, I reluctantly agreed. I would have preferred to wear the same armor as everyone else.”
”No, no, it’s just right for making an impression. It’s impactful and looks good. Heh…”
”Sir Arbalest, you’re laughing… Sigh, by the way, where did Milly go? The ceremony is about to start.”
”Milly seems to be running late. So, I’ve been told to start without her.”
Late?
I thought she left before me?
Does she have some other business to attend to?
The ceremony began without Milly.
The musicians hired by Arbalest started playing to announce the commencement of the ceremony.
This ceremony is also being held with a festive spirit, so drinks and light snacks are being provided by the lord.
I discussed it with Milly and we are also providing some food and drinks from our side.
Therefore, the residents’ excitement is already close to MAX, even though it’s morning.
When the performance began, a roar of cheers erupted like a rumble.
Just being in the square, about 5 thousand people have gathered, more than during the public exile of Silver Wolf.
With a population of 50 thousand in Abyss Vena, that means one-tenth of the population is gathered in the square.
As a result, the square is so crowded that there’s hardly any room to stand.
In case of emergencies, part of the guard team and Arbalest’s private soldiers have been dispatched for security and crowd control.
As the ceremony began, the host, Arbalest, stood in front of the microphone to give the opening address.
”Dear citizens, today, as you may have already heard, I must inform you that the garrison of Abyss Vena has been annihilated.”
The residents in the square began to murmur.
The fact that a total of 5 thousand troops stationed at the eastern and western outposts, which were crucial for the defense of Abyss Vena, were wiped out by beast monsters had spread throughout Abyss Vena along with my tales of beast monster hunting.
Of the 5 thousand who went out to hunt, only a little over a thousand have returned to Abyss Vena as of today.
The confirmed deaths have exceeded 2500.
The remaining 1500 are either those who fled to Felward Fortress or are missing.
This failure to exterminate the beast monsters at the garrison has brought a serious defensive crisis to Abyss Vena.
Originally, there are many who become Monster Hunters in Abyss Vena, so very few join the military.
Because of this, there were few from Abyss Vena in the garrison.
The garrison has historically been composed mostly of people from the royal capital and the northeastern regions, so surprisingly few of the participants in this ceremony were relatives of the deceased.
Because of this, the residents were not very shaken, and some were even happy that the garrison, which had been disliked, was annihilated.
After all, in Abyss Vena, there are over a thousand registered Monster Hunters who fight monsters themselves, and more than 5 thousand people with some kind of combat profession, which exceeds ten percent of the population.
One reason for the residents’ calmness is likely the unusually high ratio of people who can fight monsters compared to other cities.
”I would like to introduce to everyone the Heroes who saved Abyss Vena from the crisis of the beast monster that destroyed the garrison. First, the members of the hunting party. They stood up against the beast monster. Let’s honor these brave individuals.”
As Arbalest introduced the members of the hunting party, everyone except me and the absent Milly stood in front of the podium, responding to the cheers of the residents.
Eventually, when the cheers of the residents subsided, Arbalest turned to me and began to speak.
”Now, among these individuals, I must introduce the one who possessed the most courageous power and defeated the beast monster Silver Wolf. Soon, he will marry my niece Miriallia and is set to inherit the Blackdagger family: Kent Blackdagger.”
Prompted by Arbalest’s gaze, I reluctantly walked to the center of the podium.
At that moment, whispers spread among the residents like ripples.
They were probably trying to gauge who I was by looking at my extravagant outfit.
It seems the rumors had spread quite a bit ahead of me.
However, my expectations were betrayed.
Standing in the center of the podium, I was enveloped in thunderous applause.
The residents of Abyss Vena seemed to recognize me, dressed in my dazzling outfit, as the new Hero of beast monster hunting.
I waved back at the cheering residents.
I recalled what Milly had told me.
In Abyss Vena, those who can fight monsters are the most respected.
Whether noble or royal, those without the power to fight monsters are respected but not truly honored.
And so, by killing the beast monster, a top-class monster, I seem to have gathered the respect of everyone in Abyss Vena.
As the voices quieted down, Arbalest began to speak words of praise for me.
”I must award this young Hero, Kent Blackdagger, for his achievement in defeating the beast monster. I pondered long and hard about how to reward Kent for his tremendous contributions. Therefore, I have decided to grant Kent Blackdagger the eastern garrison and the surrounding lands, promote his rank, and appoint him as the noble Baron of the Blackdagger family.”
The residents murmured in surprise at Arbalest’s announcement.
The eastern and western garrisons are small fortified cities that can accommodate 2,500 people, built by the kingdom’s army expelled from Abyss Vena, funded entirely by their own resources for living infrastructure and facilities.
Arbalest said he would seize that and give it to me along with the land.
The murmurs about my appointment as a noble were not settling down.
In the midst of this, Arbalest threw in the next surprise for the residents.
”Additionally, I would like to announce a new urban development project in the area, including the eastern garrison, by the Blackdagger Baron family, the Magician Guild, the Hunter Guild, and the merchant guild. The final development scale is expected to be equivalent to that of Abyss Vena, so the current housing issues should be resolved in 3 years.”
The murmurs among the people grew louder.
I could feel that the land surrounded by walls for 4 kilometers is limited, and the issues of land and housing are a matter of life and death for the residents.
Hearing that new urban development was about to begin, the residents turned to me with sparkling eyes.
”Now, let me share the words of the Baron Blackdagger. My dear citizens, hush and listen closely.”
As Arbalest declared this, the murmurs quieted down, and a silence fell that was so profound you could hear a pin drop.
After Arbalest stepped aside, I decided to stand in front of the microphone and speak.
”Uh, I have been appointed as a Baron by Sir Arbalest. I am Kent Blackdagger. The honor of defeating the beast monster, despite my still being inexperienced, is thanks to the strong members of the hunting party led by my fiancée, Miriallia. I would like to express my utmost respect and admiration for them, the heroes. Next, as announced by Sir Arbalest earlier, I believe that we will need the support of various people to complete the urban development that my family plans to undertake, so I humbly ask for the assistance of the residents of Abyss Vena. As a small token of celebration for my appointment, we are providing some light snacks and drinks, so please enjoy them.”
I had asked Nannie to help me come up with a greeting in advance.
I tried to write it myself, but after seeing what I had prepared, Nannie kept making corrections with a red pen, so I gave up and let her handle it.
That speech is what I just delivered.
The residents who heard my greeting raised their cheers even louder than when I first appeared.
Then, a chorus of residents began chanting my name.
The musicians also started playing in time with the chorus.
Arbalest, who had pushed me aside, spoke into the microphone.
”Today, there are no formalities! Everyone, sing and celebrate!”
With Arbalest’s declaration, more places in the square were opened up for distributing drinks and snacks.
Amidst the stirring music played by the musicians, the square had already turned into a festival venue.
On the platform, a performance of songs celebrating the recent beast monster hunt by the bards had begun.
While exchanging words with the nobles residing in Abyss Vena who had come to greet me, I sipped the offered drinks slowly.
Eventually, when the bards’ performance ended, the music played by the musicians turned into a fanfare-like tune.
A red carpet was laid out on the platform, and Arbalest, who had been out of sight, came up the stairs to the platform, arm in arm with a woman wearing a veil and a deep red dress.
As I focused on the woman, I realized it was Milly.
As Milly and Arbalest stood together in front of the microphone, Arbalest began to speak.
”Everyone, I apologize for interrupting your enjoyment with personal news, but I would like you to listen. I have received my niece Miriallia from my brother Gwain and adopted her as my daughter. This means that Miriallia will become the heir of my title, the Baron Haydon family. And here, we have decided to hold the wedding ceremony with her fiancé, Kent Blackdagger.”
The residents, who had been enjoying the festive atmosphere, erupted in cheers.
I had been planning to hold the ceremony with Milly soon, but I had no idea it would be in front of such a large crowd.
I realized that Milly’s tardiness and my extravagant outfit were part of a plan concocted by Arbalest and Milly to turn this ceremony into our wedding.
I was deceived.
Seriously?!
A wedding in front of so many people…
”Now, Kent Blackdagger, who will marry my daughter, please come forward.”
”Y-yes.”
Prompted by Arbalest, I walked nervously to the center of the stage, stiffening my hands and feet, and as I approached Milly, I muttered a small complaint.
”This is terrible. If you had just told me, I could have prepared myself mentally…”
”I’m sorry. Master… My uncle insisted that this ceremony be held on this day…”
”Kent, do you plan to have a small ceremony with just family when marrying my daughter? As I said before, a lord must make a name for himself. A wedding is a perfect opportunity.”
”But, uncle, you had a small ceremony with aunt, right? That’s what my mother told me.”
”W-well, I was a soldier back then, so it was just a simple affair. I wasn’t even a noble yet. More importantly, Milly, you should call me ‘father’ now. I am no longer your uncle.”
”Oh, I apologize for that. Father.”
”First of all, what is a wedding ceremony? I haven’t researched it yet, so I don’t know what the format is.”
”Ceremony? All Kent has to do is declare that he is marrying Milly and give her a kiss, and that’s it.”
”Huh? That’s all?”
”Don’t overthink it. This is the frontier of Abyss Vena, so just declare that she’s your wife and no one else can touch her.”
I was pushed forward by Arbalest and stood in front of the microphone.
The residents’ eyes, filled with expectation and curiosity, were focused on me.
Well, there’s no helping it now; I have to brace myself!
I pulled Milly close to me and spoke loudly into the microphone.
”I, Kent Blackdagger, vow before you all to take Miriallia as my lifelong partner! So, don’t make any advances on Milly! Anyone who does will be forced into labor on my land!”
Hearing my declaration, the residents burst into laughter and applause.
”Kent… is it really okay for me?”
”Yes, Miriallia… I’ll say it again. I want to live together with you as my lifelong partner in this Grimoire. It has to be you. The answer is… mmm.”
Milly, who was next to me, removed her veil, tossed it aside, and pressed her lips against mine.
I want to believe that the tears flowing from her eyes were filled with joy.
As the long kiss ended, the musicians, who had stopped playing, began to play a lively tune.
Cheers of “Yeah!” started to spread throughout the square.
”Long live Abyss Vena! Long live the Blackdagger family! Long live Sir Kent!”
I waved my hand in response to the cheers.
Of course, Milly was smiling next to me, waving back.
Then, the members of Annabella and the other concubines came up to the podium.
Everyone was dressed in the same bright red dresses as Milly.
”Milly, is this another surprise?”
”Yes, even though they are concubines, they are comrades supporting Kent. So, I proposed that we hold the wedding together. Annabella, Helga, and Nannie wanted to decline, but I used my authority as the legal wife to make them participate. They should also be introduced to the residents.”
”I see, if Milly wishes for it, then I will comply.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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