Chapter 752 - First Story: Saxburg's Wedding Reception
In April, I attended Saxburg's wedding.
Since the ceremony itself was a marriage between a member of a nation's royalty and a noble of their own country, there was no attendance from the royalty of other nations. Mostly, they were ambassadors stationed in Northern Gram as proxies. Only Finis sent the Crown Prince and his wife. This is because it was his sister's wedding. Therefore, the guests were mostly domestic nobles.
I attended as an assistant to the Archbishop of the Northern Gram Royal Capital Great Church, who served as the officiant.
I had wondered what would happen given her usual childish behavior, but they are royalty and high nobility after all. It was a wedding between a young knight and a princess straight out of a picture book, and both were quite dignified.
Three days after the ceremony, a private reception hosted by the newlyweds was held, attended by members of the meeting, the Henry Party, and the Class of 175. The location was the villa where we are always invited when having a banquet in Northern Gram.
This villa was owned by the Crown Prince Eowyn-sama and his wife, but it seems the ownership has now transferred to Saxburg. This is because Eowyn-sama has made the former royal palace of Old Gram his official residence. Lately, he has been leading the extermination of the two-headed creature in the wetlands—or rather, the tidal flats—that form the border between Gram and Morandine, so the Old Gram Capital is more convenient in many ways.
The villa also has an attached herb garden and an isolation ward. The herb garden contains a clone of the Dryad, and Alraunes and Goblins come and go, and even the Dullahan visits. It was said that this was the result of Duke Hexham being able to adapt to such things and being seen to empathize with the spirit of coexistence and co-prosperity aimed for by Eowyn-sama and Saxburg.
The role of the newlyweds also includes the agricultural reform of Northern Gram. Vast orchards and forests were also allocated to them, and Duke Hexham, who loves raising animals and cultivating plants, was apparently quite pleased.
The reception was a lavish affair, as one would expect of royalty. Especially in terms of food and drink. After all, multiple bottomless big eaters and heavy drinkers were attending. They might not get full, but they should be satisfied, and that determination was fully evident on the tables.
Perhaps it was for those who couldn't attend the ceremony. The newlyweds came wearing their wedding attire. Both had changed into flashy clothes early on at the royal palace after the ceremony, so I thought it was extravagant, but it seems they had saved these for this day. They didn't look worn out and were crisp.
Eowyn-sama and his wife were acting as the introducers themselves, and the sight of royalty from the Henry Party lined up—starting with Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama, followed by Gwyn-sama, Roberts-sama, and Edward-sama—was spectacular. In the meeting-related category, there were the Queen of Finis, Magdalena-sama, Aira, Sianya, and even Miana, so it was actually more lavish than the main event.
And all members of the Class of 175.
Furthermore, the group was diverse, including the Margrave and the Queen from the border, the ghost group of Fiona and the Wetlands Priestess, spirits led by the Dryad, and the monster group of the Dullahan and Difodor.
"Thank you all very much for gathering here today for the two of us."
Normally the groom would give the greeting, but Saxburg was doing it. Duke Hexham was accepting it as a matter of course. In fact, seeing that her biological brother and sister, as well as her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, were listening as a matter of course, perhaps that is what rank is all about. It's certain that Duke Hexham will be under her thumb.
"They finally got married, those two."
The Alraune... who takes care of the Harpies... muttered as if to say 'at last.'
"Did something happen?"
I asked, feeling worried.
"I was worried because nothing happened."
"Eh?"
"Humans, why do they make such a fuss? Since it's already decided they're getting married, they should just hurry up and make offspring. They're getting all happy just from holding hands or making eye contact."
Ah, yes. That's enough. I'm sorry.
This reception is, of course, for celebration, but it has other purposes as well. Practicing magic with the ghosts. Since there's the Vow of Silence, I can't talk about it. Without it, I can't practice dark magic, the voiceless method, and the simultaneous activation of multiple spells. At the moment, I can't activate multiple spells simultaneously by myself even with chanting, so I have to combine to grasp the image. Fortunately, Fiona is here, so I can do as much as I want of reinforcing elemental magic with simultaneously activated Holy. That part has become convenient.
"It has been a long time."
First, I greet the Margrave and the Queen of the border. They are with the Wetlands Priestess and Fiona, who are effectively their apprentices. The ghost group, so to speak.
First, I greet the Margrave and the Queen. Since it's been a while, a greeting is only natural.
"Oh? Jeanne, you..."
I was stared at intently. She noticed. Well, this was the aim.
"Is something wrong? Jeanne?"
The Wetlands Priestess hasn't noticed. This is probably the difference between the Priestess and the Queen. By the way, I told Fiona that I couldn't talk about the details because of the Vow of Silence, but that I had powered up.
"Just a bit. I can't talk about the details because of the Vow of Silence, but I did some training and powered up."
"Heh~? What kind of training... oh, you can't say."
"That's right. I'm sorry."
I can only have them guess, but there's nothing I can do.
"Hmm. The people who should know, know, right?"
"Yes. The Grand Archbishop knows."
"Oh, that's impressive. He's the top of the current church, right?"
"Yes. That is correct."
"Then, there's nothing for me to say."
She grinned. People who understand are a blessing.
"The Grand Archbishop... the South?"
The Wetlands Priestess cut in. She probably wanted to confirm.
"The North."
"The North?"
"Yeah."
"Understood. I won't ask anything more."
"Thank you."
This part is typical of the clergy. I'm grateful.
"Actually, I wanted to practice with everyone..."
"Combining, right? You're doing the reinforcement of elemental magic with Fiona, aren't you?"
"Yes. If possible, I want to know the sensation of activating various spells. I would be grateful if you could activate them while combined with me."
"I don't mind. Is it okay with just me? I think it should be the Priestess if anything..."
"Eh? Me? I don't mind, but what should I do?"
"You combine with me and activate various spells. Then, I'll activate magic together with you."
"I don't mind. We've been doing that until now, haven't we?"
Here, I felt a sudden chill in my body. At the same time, the Priestess and Fiona looked at the Queen.
Time passed as if I could hear the rustling of people's voices, yet not. It's the ghosts' small talk. It must be a near-perfect Mute for anyone other than ghosts.
Fiona's eyes widened for a moment as she looked at me. The Queen probably told her that I can use dark magic. Since there's the Vow of Silence, I couldn't say it myself.
When I apologized with my eyes, she smiled at me. She seemed to understand.
On the other hand, the Priestess was flashing while her face went through a kaleidoscope of expressions. She seemed quite surprised.
After a while, the Queen looked at me.
"Practicing while combined is to cultivate the sensation of a certain specific magic."
"Yes. I want to keep the sensation of activation in my left hand."
"What I'm about to say now is a monologue. Jeanne, just listen."
"Ah, yes."
"Then, come close because I'm going to apply Mute."
The Queen, the Wetlands Priestess, Fiona, and I formed a circle.
"Mute!"
The Margrave was a short distance away. He was drinking wine with an indifferent face. He must be outside the range.
"A long time ago. When I was still alive. There was a story I heard from the central part of the island. That there is a way to release magic without vocalization. And that if you use that method, you can release multiple spells of different systems or attributes, let alone the same magic, simultaneously."
So the Queen did know. I don't know exactly, but she's from an old era. I thought she might know something.
Since I could neither deny nor affirm, I decided to listen while looking down at the ground.
They must have heard it during the discussion among the ghosts earlier. Neither the Wetlands Priestess nor Fiona showed any reaction.
"I didn't know how it could be done, but you probably need an image of the sensation of simultaneous activation and what happens as a result, rather than an image of the activation of each individual spell. And Jeanne has grasped that. And I think one of the methods of training is to grasp that sensation by combining with us ghosts. So, if we combine with a ghost and activate various spells regardless of whether Jeanne can use them or not, Jeanne will be able to imagine the activation of those spells."
Incredible. It's almost perfect. However, I don't really know how to do it either. I have experience activating Testament together with the Priestess, so I just happened to hit on one of the right ways by trying things out. Even from the words of the self-proclaimed evil spirit of the monument, I don't think combining is the original way to learn. It might be fundamentally different, and that might be why even a user as skilled as the Queen couldn't learn it.
"So, Fiona shall release elemental magic, and the Priestess shall release dark magic, while combined with Jeanne. It might even be fine with the three of you simultaneously."
Um, I've never done it with three people simultaneously.
Having gained the Queen's understanding, I had Eleanor-sama come over. I have to practice the voiceless method and simultaneous activation with the Wetlands Priestess for a year. I need to produce some results by next March, when I'll have the self-proclaimed evil spirit of the monument look at me again.
I stepped out of the Mute range, and Eleanor-sama took my place. In short, she's explaining my training based on the Queen's conjecture to Eleanor-sama. Since I haven't said anything, there's no problem.
Once the talk involving Eleanor-sama was over, I was beckoned to join. Instead, the Queen and Fiona stepped out. This part is due to the Vow of Silence. I really understood why the first King didn't say much.
"Jeanne and the Priestess need opportunities to practice together."
She must have received the Queen's explanation. Eleanor-sama began talking only about the future.
The Wetlands Priestess currently visits the Queen of the border once a month for about three days and two nights. Since she's a ghost, the small crystal she possesses is transferred via the magic circle for sending letters. It's the same as Fiona. Similarly, I'll have her come to Nakanohara as well. Since this is a request from our side, we will pay. The amount is to be negotiated. This is because Germana is involved. The Priestess will learn dark magic from Germana. I want her to learn Mold as a priority. That Priestess will combine with me and release dark magic. The spells the Priestess will release are Dark and Undead. It would be better to refrain from Necromancy. Once the Priestess learns Mold, I'll have her release it. And Germana will stay in my room at the Ghost Mansion. Previously, Germana said ten gold coins a month, which is quite expensive. If we can somehow manage that through negotiation, then lo and behold. Everyone will end up not having to pay. Of course, Germana's living expenses are necessary, so the Sertorian Royal Palace will cover that.
Naturally, this talk didn't end here. As a result, we ended up going to the Southern Church in a hurry on the way back. First, we went to the Sertorian Royal Capital and dropped off Magdalena-sama and Mary. After that, we went to Nakanohara and the other members of the Class of 175 got off. This time Will and Bonnie also got off. Then we flew to Medioland. We can't just barge into the Southern Church. So, Price-sama was dragged into it.
(Has it already been found out?)
Since I had contacted him in advance, we met at his private residence, but after hearing Eleanor-sama's explanation, I was called to a corner. Since using a Mute scroll would be a waste, I applied Thought Communication.
(Um, I am keeping my silence, but there are ghosts in the north with strangely good intuition.)
(I see. If it's those people, it can't be helped. However, it might also be found out by Erikson-sama or Germana. Very well. I shall go too.)
We went to the Southern Church at ultra-high speed and finally got to talk with Erikson-sama and Germana. Since I had borrowed the Wetlands Priestess's stone from Sianya, all the relevant parties gathered together.
At the Southern Church, the relocation of the magic circle and the construction for its storage were already finished. The room next to the Church Head's office had become Erikson-sama's room. The magic circle leading to Testament and Erikson-sama's tombstone had been brought in there.
"You have come to fetch me."
"We have kept you waiting. The Henry Party had unavoidable business in the north, so we are a bit late."
It seems it had finished by the May Festival. However, thanks to the Church Head's consideration, they were able to see the village's May Festival. Erikson-sama as a ghost, and Germana disguised as a female priest. Both seemed to have enjoyed it.
"Then, is it time to move?"
"Yes. Before that, I would like to confirm the rent and living expenses..."
As a result of Eleanor-sama starting negotiations, things were settled as planned.
"Then, Jeanne. I shall be in your care for a while."
"Yes, likewise. Since Germana is a roommate, she will be an Associate Class of 175 member, so let's have a banquet when we get back."
"Oh, I look forward to that."
Germana laughed, "Ufufu."