Today is finally Zect's wedding day.
Planning the seating and everything else was really hard work.
All the guests are very important people—even more important than the Demon King, the Pope, or royalty.
"Zect, Marin, Luna, Lida, Mel, do you promise to love and respect each other, in sickness and health, richness and poverty, until death separates you, for as long as you live?"
Zect is wearing a tuxedo, and everyone else is dressed in wedding gowns.
The person taking the marriage vows is Goddess Ishtas-sama and I am the one making the arrangements.
He looks calm, but I can tell he's nervous.
""""""I do""""""
"I declare your marriage valid before Goddess Ishtas."
"Now, you're all officially married... Since you made this promise to Ishtas-sama, don't break it. If you do, I won't recognize you anymore."
"Ceres... sama, is there anything else you want to say?"
"Yeah, Zect, you might seem carefree and make mistakes, but deep down, you're a good person. If you're really in trouble, I'll help you too, so please everyone, support him... I'm asking you."
"""""Yes"""""
"Hey... I'm the one taking care of you, you know."
"Yeah, lately you're become a better man. Hero, that title suits you now. You're married, so keep working hard, my best friend. Sorry, I couldn't think of a better speech. Please forgive me for that. Marin, Luna... thank you for giving Zect your strength. Probably, Maria, Mel, and Lida will cause trouble again, so... please help. Everyone, deep down, they're good people."
Haha, for some reason, I was so happy that tears blurred my eyes.
""Yes""
"Maria, Lida, Mel... Be happy with Zect."
"""Yes"""
"Well... really do your best..."
"""Yes"""
"Hey... Ceres... why are you crying?"
"It can't be helped, my childhood friend has grown up and got married..."
"Well, it's like us, so it's okay... but this is being broadcast all over the world."
This is a wedding celebrated by many different races, each with their own style.
It's being broadcast worldwide using magic and magical tools.
"Well, whatever... I'll support you, so be happy."
""""""Yes""""""
Amid all the chaos, Zect's wedding ended.
Honestly, I never thought I'd be doing this while the Pope is here.
I wanted someone else to take charge, but with 'Ishtas-sama and Ceres-sama here... someone like me' said the Demon King, and everyone declined. It's a mess.
If I'm called Ceres-sama, I'd want help if I were in trouble.
Bauer-sama and the Dragons also ran away...
Though the ceremony ended like this, I tried my best... didn't I?
* * *
The ceremony ended, and now it was time for the banquet.
To encourage mingling, a standing buffet was arranged.
After Zect and the others gave their greetings, my job as host finally ended.
Ishtas-sama appeared briefly, and after the ceremony, she immediately returned to the divine realm.
Greetings with important people, including Demon King Luciferd, were done... finally, I could enjoy a relaxed meal with my wives.
Shizuko, Haruka, Misaki, Sayo... they're truly beautiful.
And Marianne, Frey, Cecilia too──just as expected of princesses and saints of their countries... I couldn't help but be charmed.
"Ceres-kun, I never thought I'd wear a dress at this age... how do I look?"
"It's a little embarrassing, what do you think, Ceres?"
"Ceres-chan... what do you think?"
"Ceres-san... it's a little embarrassing."
Seeing I was alone, the 4 ladies, including Shizuko-san, quickly came to my side.
"Everyone is beautiful... I couldn't help but be captivated."
"Ceres-sama, how do I look?"
"What do you think?"
"How do I look?"
Now it was Marianne-san and the others.
"You're so beautiful it's hard not to be charmed."
The number of my wives is greater than Zect's.
I can no longer call Zect a 'harem guy.'
Come to think of it, though I had a guild wedding, I never wore a wedding dress or had a church ceremony.
Someday I want everyone to wear one.
After a while, my figure was projected onto the ceiling of the venue by magic.
This was something we had planned in advance after discussing with Shizuko-san and everyone.
'Everyone, I think the world is very peaceful now... Don't you agree?'
The crowd started to stir a bit.
'The Pope and the Demon King have become tea-drinking friends, playing chess together in the same country. The Demon King recruited the Hero to the Four Heavenly Kings. Greeting intelligent monsters and demons in the forest and parting without incident. It's truly something that couldn't be imagined in the past. Don't you think the world has become peaceful now?'
Zect, Maria, Lida, and Mel all looked over here with surprised faces.
Furthermore, the images continued... here comes the real surprise.
'Zect... I want you to receive it. The Four Heavenly Kings haven't replied yet, right? I'm planning to leave most of the fortune to you, so do your best. I appoint you as the second Kohane King.'
How is it? Are you surprised?
This is my gift to you, Zect and the others.
Zect wanted royal status during the Hero era, so the whole country is a gift.
"Hey, Ceres... this—"
Surprised, the face of surprised.
This is what I wanted to see.
'Allow me to introduce: Former Pope Rothman, Pope Romalis, Demon King Luciferd, Zanmark the Fourth, His Imperial Majesty Caiser. Though youthful, his intentions are pure. Might I ask for your patronage?'
The images ended here.
The leaders of each country responded to that image.
"A request from the god—Rothman cannot refuse."
"This Romalis will make sure to keep an eye on him."
"Ceres-sama is our Great Demon King and a god. We will definitely fulfill that wish."
"If it's him..."
"I've accepted."
"I'm relieved now, everuone! Thank you very much. I'm counting on you."
I answered everyone's words with gratitude.
"Hey, Ceres... what does this mean?"
Zect, surprised, ran up to me.
"Zect, you wanted to become a king, didn't you? When we traveled together, you said so, right? You did, didn't you?"
"Yeah, I did."
"A lot of things happened along the way, but now, Zect, you're becoming a king. I think you have the qualifications. So I'll let you have it. Do your best!"
"Ceres... why..."
"I became a divine dragon, but I really liked my life in Jimna Village. I don't suit royalty at all. I'll leave it to those who want it. We'll enjoy a quiet life somewhere."
"I see. Finally, we can be friends again. I want to drink with you more."
"Zect... being friends remains unchanged, just like when I left the party. We'll visit whenever we feel like it."
"Got it... if you say so, I'll accept it. Thanks, Ceres!"
'Yeah, do your best! Maria, Lida, Mel... work hard to support Zect.'
"Yeah, I'll do my best."
"Leave it to me."
"Yeah, I'll try."
"Luna, Marin... thank you for supporting Zect! Even if peace continues, I'll give you a small blessing from the Yellow Dragon... here you go."
I gave Luna and Marin a small blessing from the Yellow Dragon.
I wanted to thank them for helping Zect recover.
"Thank you."
"Thank you very much."
"Well then, everyone, it was fun! Goodbye."
After greeting everyone, we left the venue.
Thus, we decided to disappear from the public eye.
(End of Arc One)
Next, Ceres's new story begins.