2nd Rank Has Returned

313 – Epilogue

When Leonardo and Ariaspil woke up, an hour had passed according to outside time.

Recovery of damage to the empire progressed so quickly that it was beyond imagination.

The great magic of regression, which restored the world from extinction in the first place, caused not only countless people but also the Demon King’s Castle in the middle of the continent to disappear like a mere mirage.

What was actually done was to quell nationwide panic, so although the task itself may not have been easy, it was bound to be resolved faster than expected.

People quickly returned to their usual daily lives, as if waking up from a long night’s nightmare.

And

“Father, you are entering.”

Some people faced a new daily life.

The sound of the organ playing in the lobby and a calm tune were played, praising peace and love.

The main chapel was located in the center of the cathedral, and in a temple that was originally frugal and moderate, it was decorated with splendor unprecedented in history.

But no one here thought it was excessive. There were even people who thought that less was less.

“…Wow…”

As they looked at the bride coming in, everyone’s judgment turned into admiration for the whole group.

Her beauty, which looked like an angel even on the battlefield, shined more purly than Reinhardt’s white hair in a white wedding dress.

Ariaspil’s off-white color, which could not be concealed even with a veil, made even the fancy wedding hall look plain.

“The groom is entering.”

The groom must not have been easy either.

The Pope’s soft call echoed through the cathedral, and the groom also walked through the gate. Leonardo, who showed composure and cool-headedness even in any fierce battle, walked toward the bride with a nervous look.

Although it was black, the flashy tuxedo accentuated the stiffness of Leo’s unnatural body.

“Why are you so stiff?”

Bride Aria hugged her groom and whispered softly into his ear.

Although he was lovely enough at other times, it was a rare and lovely thing to see Leonardo, who was always skilled, act so fresh.

“…Because you are so pretty. “It feels good to be this nervous when we’re together.”

Leo also took it in stride, as if he wasn’t going to get caught there. It was a compliment meant to ease tension, but you could tell just by looking at Aria’s blush that it was sincere.

Leo passed Aria’s veil and was able to closely admire her flushed face in front of her.

“…Ugh…”

Her skin was as clean as a pure white dress, and her cheeks were filled with color warmed by love. Her composure from just now was gone, and Aria desperately had to cool down her blushing face.

“There will be an officiating ceremony, but… I’d like to wait a bit.”

The Pope, who was about to officiate, smiled happily as he saw the two having such an open conversation. So did other people.

Ordinary people may not know this, but the people here were all heroes who protected the front lines from demonic beasts.

Even ordinary people could see how ridiculous the idea of secretly talking was at a wedding where everything from the magic tower lords of each tower to the continent’s greatest warriors had gathered.

“…I…I think I was really lucky to be born.”

“Me too. “Uncle Rios.”

The conversation between the two had already spread to the guests.

Perhaps, since it was a wedding with the person they loved the most, both the bride and groom might have been more nervous than fighting the devil.

Especially at the moment when I witnessed Rios Reinhardt preaching the Order of Pure Love in a cathedral, shedding tears like a waterfall, and Ain, the couple’s daughter who was born at an early age, fleshed out the story.

“Should we stop talking…?”

“Oh, it’s better to do it later.”

This was because both of them realized it too late, with their faces looking as if they were on fire.

Seeing such fierce love, the Pope soon prepared marriage vows.

“Do you, Leonardo the groom, and Ariaspil, the bride, pledge to always love and respect each other and protect each other’s happiness no matter how difficult the hardships may be?”

It was definitely a serious officiating ceremony.

It was a common vow, but it was also an important question for any couple.

But the Pope also knew.

“…But it’s rather embarrassing to ask you that question.”

Everyone else felt the same way.

To ask such a question to two warriors who acted for each other and saved the world was, even if it were normal, an embarrassing and awkward question.

Nevertheless, the Pope’s sharing of such a formal question was probably a high-class joke to break up this tense atmosphere.

The warrior couple, who were stiff at their first wedding, were able to relax and smile like that.

“Yes, I swear.”

Leonardo ended the beginning of his oath with ambition.

“…Yes.”

Ariasviel shyly concluded the oath.

“With everyone watching, the two warriors vowed to become husband and wife.”

Now all that was left was the kiss of vows.

Even though it was a kiss they had always had since confessing their love, the two decided to focus on each other’s gaze for a moment as many people were watching.

As if they were having a duel, all they could see now was each other.

Our lips touched deeply and briefly.

It was not about ending the vow of love.

Not a demon king or a hero.

It was simply a token of continuing the vow of endless love as a woman and a man.

***

“…But… What is the situation now?”

The former head of the family certainly remembered that it had not been long since her heart-warming wedding ceremony.

She took pictures with everyone smiling brightly, and she clearly remembered enjoying the bountiful banquet as much as she worked hard.

“…Don’t ask me. “You’re at an age where dementia is suspected.”

Marken was truly doubting whether he had become senile.

“…I’m not that surprised anymore.”

It was no longer a surprising sight for Silica, who had been living as Reinhardt’s mistress.

However, the two people standing in that training hall were not acting within common sense. Rather, I was wondering whether it was possible to summarize that bizarre reception in words.

“…It looks like they’ve decided on a honeymoon…”

It was just as Lumine said.

Just a few minutes ago, the two were having an in-depth discussion about their honeymoon.

I was dreaming of a future so sweet that the expression “Spreading honey on gold” Would be appropriate.

“So the winner decides, right?”

“Yes, clearly, without changing words.”

This is the future.

The couple, who had clearly exchanged rings and pledged their love, pledged to duel without a single day, pointing their swords at each other.

You could say that they fought so childishly just over the honeymoon location, but those two had their own reasons.

“No, no matter what, it’s too much to stay in a hotel for a week on your honeymoon!!”

The honeymoon lasted approximately two weeks, and Ariasviel strongly insisted that half of the honeymoon be spent in the hotel.

Of course, the purpose of staying at the hotel was very controversial, so Leonardo had no choice but to desperately push his opinion.

“I like Leo too, why are you doing this!”

Ariasviel responded loudly as well.

I had already figured out that Leo was planning to speak loud enough for others to hear, thereby dampening their opinions out of shame.

That’s why we wanted to push even harder.

He thoroughly revealed his desire to drive a wedge.

“Good…But…”

Leonardo was definitely the one who suffered the most. Leo himself, as much as the people around him, felt embarrassed by the situation.

“But you did a lot there!”

From now on, whatever happens, happens.

The battle of revelations continued from the start of the duel.

“What, what?! “You promised not to say that!”

This time, Aria suffered an even greater blow.

As the two Aria were combined into one, her memories of that time were bound to be even more intense than Leo’s.

“I don’t remember anything! You know there are a lot of things you want to show when you travel!? “I cannot compromise on this matter!”

“There are so many things I want to do! “I can’t give in either!”

In some ways, it was a controversial argument.

It is now a new problem that the viewer is more embarrassed than the person doing it.

“…What do you think? “It was a happiness that would have been difficult to imagine not long ago, even now that we are able to pour out our energies like that.”

It was a heavy voice, but Chris’ words that day made everyone nod their heads.

From the people around you watching closely to the people fighting directly.

It was probably thanks to him that I burst out laughing even though I was embarrassed.

“So who do you think will win? Personally, as a member of the Pure Love Order, I hope my younger brother wins.”

Rios, who was chewing popcorn in his mouth, looked satisfied even though he had not eaten properly yet.

Honestly, it was obvious that I would be happy no matter who won, so I was able to enjoy this moment even more comfortably.

“In my personal opinion, I hope my mom wins.”

At those words, everyone’s eyes turned to Ain. Unlike other times, Ain, who was expressionless, slightly raised the corners of her mouth to express her thoughts without hesitation.

“Both of you are healthy, but pregnancy can have many variables depending on the case, so I decided there was no harm in increasing the opportunity to see my sister.”

I didn’t think it was really what the child would say.

“I thought it would be much better for the two of us to enjoy our honeymoon alone.”

As proof of that, Rios was the only one who responded brightly to this story.

“Start…start!”

Deacon Alfred loudly shouted the start of the duel with a nervous smile on his face.

This decision will determine the direction of their honeymoon.

The holy sword and the demonic sword clashed, and the first and second men collided.

The sword fight became so heated that even the embarrassing air heated up with enthusiasm, and a passionate battle took place under the blue sky.

[Leo.]

The swords clash and voices are transmitted. Just like the moment I first confessed, the aura was conveyed as a sound.

[Are you happy?]

A quiet voice that does not fit the fierce battle between the first and second men.

A returnee who had made this journey answered with a grin.

“I’m happy.”

Whether we win or lose, it won’t mean farewell.

“Because I love you.”

The number one and number two people, who had gone through a long and difficult time, ended their competition by sharing a common love.

Winning or losing doesn’t really matter.

Because I love you.

[The second person returned (complete)]