Five days have passed since we defeated the Catastrophe Species, Ocean Howl Grand, in Retisencia and had the meeting for the wedding reception at Amagi Castle.
Today, we have come to the Priests’ Guild in Esperanza.
The reason is to hold the wedding ceremony with Mako.
Mako had intended to marry after Athena, but Athena’s birthday is in August, so there are still about two months left.
However, Athena is also scheduled to attend the upcoming wedding reception as my wife.
Besides, there is no particular hierarchy among wives other than the first wife, so it doesn’t matter when one marries.
Therefore, because Athena said that if I could marry her, it would be best to get married before the reception, the marriage with Mako was decided.
Originally, I intended to hold the ceremony in Feel or Float, but for some reason, it will be held in Esperanza.
Although the headquarters of the Priests’ Guild has moved to Float, Esperanza is still a sacred place for Priests and Facers, and above all, the Treasure Tree itself is the Priests’ Guild, so I wanted to perform the wedding ceremony there at least once.
Originally, it should have been used for the ceremony with the Priest Aria, but since her marriage to me will be at the same time as Yuri’s, if I miss this opportunity, it will probably be impossible.
Although it is the Esmeralda Baronetcy, which consists only of Feel and Prada Village, if it is the lord’s marriage, it should be held in the capital.
By the way, Athena’s ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Crystal Palace on Mount Wilness.
“It’s always an amazing temple, isn’t it?”
“A building made entirely of plants doesn’t exist on Earth.”
“There might be similar exteriors, but not the real thing.”
After all, Earth does not have giant plants large enough to contain entire buildings.
However, Helios Orb has the Heavenly Tree, Treasure Tree, and Fusang Tree, which are giant trees, and the Heavenly Tree and Treasure Tree closely resemble giant cherry trees, so I was overwhelmed when I first saw them.
Come to think of it, I haven’t seen the Fusang Tree yet.
If I have time later, I might consider going to Gagun Great Forest.
“Welcome, everyone. The Grand Priests Master is also waiting.”
“Thank you, Conform Priests Master.”
The person who greeted us at the Priests’ Guild was the male Elf, Ryuga, who serves as the Conform Priests Master.
Originally, there were two Associate Priests Masters in the Priests’ Guild, but since Esperanza is a sacred place for Priests, one person, either the Grand Priests Master or an Associate Priests Master, will be stationed there on a six-month rotation.
While the Grand Priests Master is in Esperanza, the Associate Priests Master will act as the highest authority. However, the role of an Associate Priests Master is to assist the Grand Priests Master, and the absence of the Grand Priests Master is not well considered.
However, now that the Grand Priests Master is also stationed in Esperanza, a responsible person will be needed at headquarters in Float, even if it’s an acting role.
Therefore, like the Ritter’s Guild, Ryuga was appointed Conform Priests Master.
Guided by Ryuga, we were led to the ceremony hall, which will also be used for the wedding ceremony.
The statue of Father God has been moved to headquarters in Float, but the twelve statues of goddesses are still enshrined, and the ceremony will be conducted under their watchful eyes.
Originally, Ryuga was supposed to witness it, but since the Grand Priests Master also knows about the marriage with Mako being held in Esperanza, Grand Priests Master Idea will be witnessing it.
I’m nervous, but this is my sixth time, so I’m used to it.
The ceremony also ended without a hitch.
Oh, Mako will now be known as Mako Katagiri-Fraydlancia.
I have become a Heavenly Noble of Fraydlancia, and that has become the family name, so Mako wants her children to use the Katagiri surname.
Also, she doesn’t seem to intend for her children to inherit the Fraydlancia Heavenly Noble House.
I don’t know when I’ll have children with Mako, but it’s possible it will be sooner than with Prim or Flam.
Maybe Gaia would know, so I should ask her sometime?
Be that as it may, after the ceremony, we were summoned by Idea and entered the innermost part of the Great Temple of Esperanza.
It is said that the Treasure Tree, like the Heavenly Tree, has a labyrinth inside, and the Labyrinth Core is enshrined there.
Originally, Labyrinth Cores are placed at the feet of a nation’s monarch to prevent Labyrinth floods and expulsions, but the Great Temple of Esperanza seems to be an exception.
Well, the Great Temple of Esperanza was also the center of the Kingdom of Bacion, and even though it is a labyrinth, no monsters appear, so there is no problem with it being as it is.
“Lord Yamato, Lady Mako. Congratulations on your wedding once again.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you, Idea.”
Idea’s visit to Esperanza was not just for my wedding ceremony with Mako.
Rather, what follows is the main topic.
This is because the topic concerns a new oracle that Aria has also received.
“Recently, I also received an oracle. You may have already heard from Aria, but it seems that all towns and villages in Retisencia, except for the Imperial Capital Kobaldia, have been destroyed by monsters, and the residents have lost their lives.”
“That seems to be the case. Even Kobaldia, the only one remaining, has its army half-destroyed, and many demons have lost their lives.”
This is the content of the oracle received by Aria and Idea.
The Order’s Guild had also dispatched Scout Orders to gather information, but they judged it was dangerous when Catastrophe Species invaded Kobaldia and retreated from Retisencia.
Since then, the Ancient Orders, Rex, Rosemary, Muse, and Miranda, have been using Traveling to check on the situation every few days.
However, since Rex and the others have no experience in espionage, their information gathering was limited to observing Kobaldia.
There was consideration to conduct a thorough investigation, but at that timing, an oracle was received, and its content has already been conveyed to Emperor Reinhardt and Rex.
It was also at the timing when Mako and I decided to get married, so it can be seen as meeting the conditions.
I’m not sure why my marriage with Mako was a condition, but I feel it’s because we are guests and fellow Engravers.
“Yes. However, the demon attacks seem to have subsided, so Kobaldia will probably hold out. I don’t know if they can be restored.”
That seems unlikely.
“We have also hunted monsters several times, so I suppose the number of Abnormal Species and Catastrophe Species is decreasing. Well, it’s entirely Retisencia’s own fault.”
“But Idea, the problem isn’t there, is it?”
“Yes. The oracle this time is to convey these words to you, Lord Yamato and Lady Mako.”
I don’t understand that at all.
The oracle that Aria received was to hold the wedding ceremony with Mako in Esperanza and to hear it from Idea at that time.
However, since Aria is also the oracle’s priestess, if Idea appears, Aria’s raison d’être will be questioned.
Despite that, being told to hear it from Idea in Esperanza makes no sense at all.
“The reason I also received the oracle is that only Grand, Conform, and Associate Priests Masters are allowed to enter this place. Even as the oracle’s priestess, you cannot step foot inside.”
Ah, I see.
Indeed, since the Labyrinth Core is enshrined there, unnecessary people coming here would be a problem.
“Excuse me. So, Idea, what did the gods say?”
“Yes. ‘Shingo’.”
“‘Shingo,’ you say?”
What the heck is that?
No, it must have meaning, but I have no idea what it is. Signal… it’s definitely not that.
“Is that all?”
“I’m sorry, but that’s correct. Recently, the oracles have been interrupted, and it seems to be due to the magic power of the demons, so the gods are struggling just to maintain the current situation. However, it was indicated that this oracle, even if not understood now, would eventually be understood by Engravers.”
Demons again here.
They are such a nuisance, affecting even divine oracles. And that oracle also says that Engravers will eventually understand it.
I received a ridiculous oracle before, but this time it is undoubtedly meaningful.
In that case, I should think carefully about it.
“One more thing: if you are to defeat the Abyssal Emperor of Abaricia, you must truly unite the Philia Continent.”
“Unite the Philia Continent… does that mean we have to destroy Retisencia?”
“That would be the case. But why does destroying Retisencia lead to defeating the Divine Emperor?”
“Who knows?”
I don’t know either.
The current Philia Continent has all countries except Retisencia participating in the Amister-Philias Federation Heavenly Empire.
It is a federal state composed of many countries, but the countries that make up the federation are like autonomous regions with vast territories, governed by kings.
Solemne will still take time, but recently it has begun to stabilize, and I hear that some regions may become independent countries as early as next month or the month after.
We had planned to annex Retisencia eventually, but due to a severe lack of manpower, we had postponed it for several years.
Given that such an oracle has been received, does it mean we should destroy Retisencia quickly?
“That is probably the case. I cannot predict it, but the gods also do not tolerate demons. It is also a matter that concerns the survival of Helios Orb. Therefore, should we not consider defeating the Imperial King as soon as possible?”
These are words from Idea, which are unusual for a clergyman, but that problem certainly exists.
The existence of the Divine Emperor and demons is nothing short of a disaster that threatens the survival of Helios Orb.
After all, the gods themselves have stated so directly.
This is such a significant issue that only Idea and Gaia, who directly received divine revelations, were informed, but now the information has spread not only among us but also to the kings of each country.
It has undoubtedly become one of the reasons for the establishment of the Amister-Philias Federation Heavenly Empire.
However, I don’t know how many people have transformed into demons, and since the Divine Emperor is on the Gradia Continent, he cannot be easily defeated.
I will surely defeat the Divine Emperor someday, but defeating the demons seems quite difficult.
“While I will vaguely consider the meaning of the word ‘Shingo’ later, the problem is what to do about Retisencia. For now, reconstruction and development are prioritized, but once things settle down, we can do something then, can’t we?”
“I suppose so. However, even if it’s early, it will be winter, so if we move, it will be next year.”
“I expect so.”
Reconstruction is underway in many countries, and development is also being carried out in Amister. The port of Prada Village is being developed with tremendous effort because it can be used without going through Retisencia.
This is essential because Abnormal Species and Catastrophe Species have appeared in Retisencia.
Furthermore, since we are also being called upon, it is undeniable that we will have difficulty acting this year.
However, since it is a divine oracle, and the atmosphere around Idea indicates that it is an important matter, vigilance will be further strengthened than ever before.
We should also prepare ourselves to be ready to move at any time.
Well, I guess I’ll enter a labyrinth for a few days.
