Epilogue
The Couple’s Goal
Two months and sixteen days later.
Morning, in the bedroom of Red & Rit’s Apothecary.
“Done.”
I was standing in front of the mirror, making sure my brand-new white suit was on just right.
“…Is it really okay like this?”
I got a little nervous when I stepped away from the mirror.
It feels like my tie isn’t quite straight. Maybe I should double-check…
“Big Brother.”
Ruti opened the door without knocking and quickly came over, walking around me in a circle.
“Mhm. Perfect.”
“Ah… You could tell I was a bit unsure?”
“I expected it. You often doubt yourself, Big Brother.” Ruti smiled.
She saw right through me, even the lame parts.
Feeling a little embarrassed, I looked away, scratching my head.
“Let’s go.”
“Y-yeah, we better.”
Ruti pulled my hand, leading me out of the room…
“Oh, just one sec.”
“?”
It looked like…there was a wrinkle in the bedsheets. It might upset Rit when we got back…
“Big Brother, you won’t make it in time if we don’t leave soon.”
“All right.”
I’d been scolded by Ruti.
Pushing down the restlessness bubbling up inside me, I finally left the house.
Side by side with Ruti, I walked down the same Zoltan road I always did.
Winter had passed, and it was a nice day that felt like spring. A cat was sleeping comfortably on top of a fence. I could feel Ruti’s warmth holding her hand.
“Even after today, I want to hold hands like this while we walk,” she said.
“Of course. You’re my precious little sister.”
“Mhm. And you’re the most important person to me.”
Ruti smiled, her cheeks slightly red, as we walked through the neighborhood.
On that day, Ruti’s blessing had disappeared along with the Sacred Avenger. The first Hero had finally been freed from his incredibly long fight.
Ruti still had the demon lord power New Truth, though. She couldn’t use the Hero’s skills like Healing Hands any longer, but she was an even stronger fighter than before and was still active as Zoltan’s strongest adventurer, working together with Tisse.
Needless to say, their herb plantation was running smoothly as well. Word was that the Merchants Guild and the Adventurers Guild were eyeing her for a leadership position. Ruti wasn’t on board yet, saying it was still too early, but she wasn’t as opposed to it as Rit had been. I had a feeling she would eventually do what she could for Zoltan from a position of authority.
Ruti had become able to love the world she lived in.
We arrived at the chapel, and I saw that our Zoltan friends were already there.
“The leading man takes the stage!!” Gonz said with a whistle.
Tanta and Mogrim cheered and celebrated.
“You’re awfully early, aren’t you?! The ceremony hasn’t even started yet!”
“On a happy day like this, there’s no way I could sit around the house waiting!”
“No alcohol until the banquet starts, Brother!” Nao warned, her arms crossed.
“I—I know! Ain’t that right, Storm?!”
“Y-yeah!”
Gonz and Storm responded hurriedly.
Just then, a man with the glasses of an alchemist and a portly fellow walked over carrying a bag filled with bottles of wine.
“Hey! Gonz, Storm, Mido. We went and bought the wine you asked for! They even gave it to us for free when we said it was for Red’s wedding, just like we planned!”
“D-dumbass! I told you, not now!”
“I’ll have you know I was against this!”
Gonz and Mido argued frantically.
I knew it… They were just planning to drink and party.
“You two! This is Red and Rit’s special day!”
Gonz and Mido slumped, scolded by Nao.
The two arrivals were the Alchemist Godwin and the ax demon Frank, Habotan’s attendant, who had returned from trading with the zoogs. Apparently, the two of them had become friends somewhere along the line.
It was a strange feeling, seeing the two former Bighawk underlings smirking together like that.
“Hey, Boss! You’re really popular, you know that?” Godwin called out to me.
The two of them were in high spirits, and Frank grinned as he showed me the bag filled of wine and all sorts of other things.
“The whole neighborhood’s in a festive mood for your wedding.”
“Hehe. Thanks to that, everyone’s a lot more trusting when I say I’m a friend of yours, Boss. Makes business a lot easier.”
“It was only a short while ago that I was living in hiding. Now people are even waving me down and asking me to come check out their shops,” Frank said, his large belly shaking happily.
“But if you do anything bad, I will destroy you.”
“I—I know. You don’t have to remind me, Ms. Ruti.”
“I would never do something so stupid as try to commit a crime in a town with you in it, milady.”
The two of them hurriedly shifted into an obsequious tone at Ruti’s warning.
Thinking about the fight with Bighawk sure took me back.
“Mr. Red!!” a cheerful voice called out.
“Al! You came, too?!”
“Yes, sir! This is you and Ms. Rit’s special day, so I wanted to celebrate with you!”
Even the hero of the Bighawk incident had come—Al the Weapon Master. The timid half-elf boy living in Southmarsh was now a rookie adventurer sensation known in all the surrounding countries.
“They’re even talking of promoting me to B rank.”
“B rank already? That’s incredible!”
“It’s all thanks to you and Ms. Rit teaching me the sword that I could grow this strong. So I brought a few gifts to celebrate your wedding!”
“I can’t wait to see them!”
“I’m glad!”
There was a strength in his words. He wasn’t just a child anymore.
And speaking of growing up, there was one other person there as well…
“Al!!”
“Tanta!!”
Tanta rushed over from where he’d been with Gonz and the others.
“It’s been ages!!”
“Yeah, it really has!!”
“I finally connected with my blessing, too!”
“Really?!”
Tanta had started working as a carpenter, and his boyish face had grown sharper and more masculine. He’d also put on a bit of muscle. It seemed like he had a good handle on the impulses of his Cardinal blessing, and he even stood out when working with first-class craftspeople.
The two of them had been best friends, but now they were living completely different lives far apart. Yet even now, they were able to laugh and smile together without reserve when they saw each other. Their friendship hadn’t faded at all.
I smiled at their reunion and quietly slipped away.
“Red.”
“Dr. Newman!”
It seemed like even Dr. Newman had come.
“I thought I should come early, but it seems everyone’s already here. It really would be nice if they put this much effort into their normal jobs.”
“Hahaha. That’s asking too much for Zoltan.”
“I suppose so.”
The Asura crown disease, which had been causing Zoltan so much trouble, had been safely eradicated. Taraxon and Shisandan had completely eradicated the flowers causing the sickness and freely shared all the cure they’d had.
After that, it seemed like the two of them had departed from Zoltan.
Annoyingly, though, they had left all the Hero’s artifacts in our home. In their own way, it was the logical conclusion before setting out on their own journey again, but it was a hassle for a guy content living as an apothecary out on the frontier.
…Is some future Hero going to end up coming to my store to search for the legendary gear?
Maybe now was the time to work out what to say to them if that ever happened.
“Big Brother, it’s almost time.”
“Whoops. Right. Thanks for coming, everyone, and I’ll talk to you all more later.”
The small church in our downtown neighborhood was normally so plain and tranquil, but today it was splendidly adorned with a huge number of flowers. We didn’t enter the magnificently decorated chapel, though. Instead, I turned right in the hallway just before it and went into another room.
“Red! You’re finally here!”
“You kept us waiting.”
“We thought you would be here earlier.”
“You look wonderful, Mr. Red!”
Yarandrala, Tisse and Mister Crawly Wawly, Torahime, and Habotan were all there. Not to mention…
“Rit…”
Rit was there in her white dress, sitting in a chair with her back to me. When I said her name, she slowly stood up and turned around. Madam Offler’s pure white wedding dress was truly wonderful…but it was all there just to emphasize Rit’s own beauty.
Everything and everyone else paled in comparison. Eyes like the sky. Flowing blond hair. A mouth that conveyed the strength of her will. Her toned, shapely physique. Lithe, supple legs…
She was gorgeous.
“What do I do?” Rit said, quickly covering her mouth.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You look so handsome I can’t help grinning, but I don’t have a bandana to hide it.”
Seeing Rit blush, I couldn’t help blushing, too.
“The preparations are complete, so we will all go to the hall.”
“Yes. All that’s left is for you two to go over the schedule together.”
“Let’s go, Ms. Ruti.”
Torahime and Tisse smiled as they guided Habotan and Ruti out of the room.
“This one still wishes to speak with Ms. Rit, but…all right. We’ll talk more afterwards!” Habotan said with a wave of her hand, doing things in her own time as always.
“Big Brother.”
Ruti looked me in the eyes.
“Ruti…”
“Big Brother, Rit… Congratulations on getting married!!!”
Her smile was as wide as a flower in full bloom.
“Thank you, Ruti… I’m happy. From the bottom of my heart.”
Once Ruti had also left…
“Here.”
Rit had a kind look on her face, and she passed me a handkerchief.
“Thanks.”
I took it and covered my eyes as I cried a few tears of joy.
Now that it was just me and Rit left in the room, we sat down without speaking. All we had to do now was wait until Father Talin came to get us and stick to what we’d done during the rehearsal. Unlike a noble’s wedding with countless rules and procedures, we would just listen to Father Talin say a prayer, exchange jewelry—rings in our case—then share a kiss to seal our vow of love.
After that, we would move the celebration to a nearby venue, where we would also be able to enjoy a buffet-style meal.
“The day’s finally here.”
“My heart’s bursting.”
Neither of us particularly seemed to start the conversation, but we ended up talking about everything from the day we’d met up till now:
The fight in Loggervia and our farewell.
Being kicked out of the Hero’s party.
Our reunion in Zoltan.
Starting the store together.
The Bighawk incident.
Fighting to save Ruti.
Traveling to the Wall at the End of the World to make the engagement ring.
Protecting Zoltan by fighting Queen Consort Leonor of Veronia.
The trouble caused by Van the Hero.
The secrets of the world we saw in the ancient ruins.
Watching Tanta grow up.
Our odd friendship with the daughter of the demon lord.
Running a stall at the Harvest Festival…
“We really have made so many memories together.”
“Yeah, we really have.”
“…I love you, Red.”
“I love you too, Rit.”
It had been a long journey. There had been lots of detours to get here. Still, because we’d known what our goal was all along—because we knew we would be happy—it had been fun.
Extra chairs had been set out in the chapel, but even then, every seat was filled. Everybody we’d sent an invitation to had come. There were so many people who wished for our happiness, it almost felt like a miracle.
I’m getting emotional.
“You may now exchange rings.”
While engagement rings were connected to the legend of the winter demon, exchanging jewelry was more of a regional custom. In Zoltan, a place founded by pioneers, it was left up to the wishes of the couple as to whether they exchanged jewelry or not. In our case, we’d decided we wanted to.
After all, for such a joyous event as this, it would be a waste not to, wouldn’t it?
“Hehe, does it suit me?”
Rit showed off her silver ring. Unlike her engagement ring, it was a simple design that could be more easily worn on a daily basis.
“Of course it does.”
“Thank you. Yours looks good on you, too.”
I had never worn a ring before, so I was a little worried…but if Rit said that, then I should just take some confidence in it.
“Thank you,” I said with a smile.
My hands naturally reached out to Rit’s shoulders.
“Red…”
Her sky-blue eyes wavered.
“Er, I guess I’ll keep the prayer short.”
Out of consideration, Father Talin gave an abridged version of the prayer leading up to the kiss.
Everyone in the chapel was smiling.
Rit and I both blushed…
“I love you.”
And with that vow, I felt Rit’s soft lips against mine.
The ceremony ended without issue, and we went outside the church. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and a pleasant spring breeze was in the air.
“And now, the bride will toss her bouquet. All those who are hoping to get married, please step forward!”
There was a belief that the next wedding would belong to whoever caught Rit’s bouquet.
“Here I go!”
Rit had fun adding in a few feints before tossing the bouquet high into the air.
“What? It’s coming down near us.”
“Haha, looks like things are finally goin’ my way.”
The bouquet was falling right toward Godwin and Frank.
That would’ve been unlucky.
“Hm? The wind’s picking up,” Yarandrala murmured, a quizzical expression on her face.
The next moment…
““Whoaaaaa!!!””
Godwin and Frank were blown away, and black clouds descended from the skies.
“Wh-what?!”
Everyone froze in shock as a fairy leaped out of the black clouds and caught the bouquet in both hands.
“Rit! Congratulations on your wedding!”
“Lavender?!”
It was Lavender, the archfay of calamity.
“You should have told me if you were getting married!”
“There was no way to contact you all the way on the other side of the continent…but you still came. I’m so happy!”
“Of course I did! This is a new start toward your goals for love! Someday, Van and I will also…”
The next moment, I heard people chattering.
“Is everyone all right?”
“That was rougher than a ship in a storm. My legs are still wobbly.”
Those voices…
The black cloud enveloping Lavender’s body dissipated to reveal…
“Van! Esta! Albert! Cardinal Ljubo! King Salius and Lilinrala!!!”
It was Van the Hero’s party and the two leaders from Veronia!
“Lavender brought all of you?!”
“Of course I did. A wedding is such a wonderful thing! So it should be celebrated by all your friends!”
They’d traveled across the entire continent just to be here…? A warmth surged through my chest.
“We couldn’t catch Danan, though. I have no clue where he went.”
“He disappeared as soon as the war was over… We couldn’t even give him his reward.”
Esta and Albert sounded disappointed.
“That’s a shame… Danan already gave us a gift, though, so it’s fine.”
“Danan did?”
Esta and Ljubo both looked shocked.
Danan had given us a handmade bell when he’d left Zoltan. He had explained that in his homeland, there was a custom of giving bells to children to ward off evil.
How nostalgic. I hope we meet again someday.
“It’s been a while. Congratulations on your wedding.”
“King Salius. It is truly an honor. Thank you very much.”
“You were my friend and benefactor even before I was king. There’s no need for you to be so formal with me.”
Prince Salius was now the king of Veronia and a hero who had greatly contributed to the victory of the allied forces of humanity. It would be more appropriate to call him King Veronia, but he didn’t like such formalities and insisted on being called King Salius.
“For your wedding to Rit, I would have liked to provide at least one of the kingdom’s treasures as a gift, but unfortunately, we departed quite suddenly.”
“By that, he means we were dragged out of bed in the middle of the night,” said the high elf with a patch over one eye—Lilinrala—shaking her head. “It was lucky I had spare clothes in my item box, otherwise I’d be showing up at a wedding in nothing but my underwear.”
King Salius and Lilinrala both laughed.
This whole turn of events was on a scale normal people couldn’t really grasp. The people of Zoltan had moved away in surprise at the sudden storm, but when they recognized the newcomers as heroes who’d come to Zoltan before, they ran over happily.
“Red!” Lavender glared at me. “You better come when Van and I get married, too!”
“Yeah. I’ll come running, wherever in the world it is.”
“You said it, so that’s a promise!” Lavender smiled.
A pleasant chatter filled the surroundings at the sudden arrival of our new guests.
“I’m so happy,” Rit said, coming up next to me.
Yeah, it really is a joyful sight.
There were so many people there celebrating our happiness. How could any goal be more splendid than this?
“Rit.”
“Hm?”
“Let’s make each other happy.”
“Yeah.”
Rit nodded, her cheeks red as she thought about what I’d said.
“Now then,” I said cheerfully, “where should we go for our honeymoon?”
“Wh-what? I don’t know! You can’t ask me so suddenly like that!”
True, that wasn’t really the sort of thing we should be deciding in the middle of our wedding.
“In that case, I’ve got the perfect spot for you two!”
Without delay, the people who’d overheard us started talking about interesting places they knew about.
It was fun, noisy, and lively, and everyone around us couldn’t stop smiling.
Nor could Rit and I.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login