Black Summoner – Chapter 959

After a fierce battle with Maou, I was filled with tremendous fatigue and satisfaction, but even though the “Wait a moment” had ended, the ritual was far from over. Though the suspicious breathing was a little concerning, together with Colette, who devotedly supported me, we somehow managed to obtain the proof of the ritual.

Then, we returned to the surface. Usually, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but in my current state, going up and down was quite tough. I briefly considered using magic to recover, but both of us were critically low on magic power, so any further use could lead to us spitting rainbows. As for Mel’s healing potions— I decided not to use them because Colette’s excitement level would have gone through the roof the moment I produced them. Well, even so, I think I can manage monsters with my bare hands, so this is where we, husband and wife, need to put in the effort. …But from now on, I should keep some commercially available healing potions in Kuro’s “Storage” as well. You never know what might happen.

At any rate, our efforts paid off, and this trial of courage-like ritual was safely successful. Cardinal Sai greeted us as we collapsed into the goal.

“Excellent work, both of you. We have prepared changing clothes and recovery items in the lounge, so please go there to rest and recover your strength.”
“Ah, thank you, Cardinal Sai. Yes, that will be a great help…”
“Gasp, gasp… I-I managed to hold on…!”
“…Did something happen in there? You took a rather long time, considering Lord Kelvin was with you, and you seem utterly exhausted. It’s not like you to struggle against an S-Rank Monster.”
“Ah, well, you see—”

I explained that Serge had physically celebrated with me on the way.

“—And that’s what happened.”
“Wh-What did you say!? Serge? Is that *the* Serge!? She was in the underground catacombs until just a moment ago!?”

Ah, no. I forgot he was a long-time fan of the ancient Serge. I might have given him unnecessary information.

“Did you just say Serge’s name!? My ears definitely registered those four syllables! Ah, Serge, you have finally come to claim me. I, Solondir, feel just like a girl who has seen a prince on a white horse! The pounding in my chest, it feels like it could reach the ends of the earth!”
“…How lovely.”

Oh no, I’ve added two more ancient Serge fans. Where did these people even come from? They weren’t here a moment ago.

“Lord Kelvin, you just said Serge’s name, didn’t you? Come now, tell your father-in-law the truth? If you do, you’ll be saved for all eternity, I, the Pope’s servant, guarantee it.”

What do I do? The last ancient Serge fan is talking to me through telepathy. Wait, Father-in-law Philip, how can you send me a telepathic message? I haven’t given you Kuro’s doppelganger, so you shouldn’t be connected to the subordinate network.

“Lord Kelvin, please answer honestly. I still… I still care about her…!”
“Indeed, you should speak up quickly. While we’re talking, the shy her might run away.”
“…I want to know.”
“I know you’re being exasperated. But you see, even now in my old age, father-in-law lives for love. As Pope, with little entertainment, even God would forgive me for that, wouldn’t he? So, won’t you talk?”

The ancient Serge fans pressed closer without mercy. Let me clarify, I’m the one who has an important ritual coming up. Frankly, at this timing, I felt a little annoyed that they were being so selfish.

“…Ah, geez! Even though it’s in the form of a ritual, today is my wedding ceremony with Colette, you know!? Stop hitting on me during such an important time! If anything, you should do it in a way that doesn’t involve us! Colette, let’s go, leave them!”
“Eh? I-Is it really okay?”
“It’s fine! Today, our needs come first!”
“Ah, wait!”

Holding Colette, I fled from the scene at full speed. Even in my exhausted state, I could still outrun the ancient heroes. I could hear them calling out to stop me, but I ignored them! Now, my destination is a place of peace, the lounge!

“Lord Kelvin, I’m sorry~? I’ll speak sternly to Cardinal Sai and the others as your father-in-law, so please forgive them. But at the same time, I hope you understand. Just as you are serious about Colette, we are also sincerely facing Serge—”

—I don’t know how they’re using telepathy, but I can cut ours off. Yes, I’m blocking calls for a while. Father-in-law, you should reflect on this too.

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

After all the rituals were completed, the ancient heroes, including Father-in-law Philip, came to apologize anew. They looked truly remorseful, a stark contrast to their strange excitement earlier. They were so changed that I even ended up apologizing to them.

Furthermore, feeling that words alone wouldn’t convey their apologies, they even gave us various gifts as tokens of their regret. I tried to refuse many times, saying they didn’t need to go that far, but in the end, I accepted them. Hmm, the ancient heroes are quite pushy.

…However, the apology gifts being aphrodisiacs, amulets for safe childbirth, a baby-naming dictionary, and an expensive baby bed— are the choices really appropriate? Isn’t the message a bit too strong? Especially this aphrodisiac, with a portrait of Father-in-law Philip attached, saying “I made this!” It’s handmade, no less. And it seems to be of the highest rank— Oh, for crying out loud! They haven’t reflected at all, have they!?

“Well, ordinarily, I would be scratching my head at this point, but I won’t. Because from here on, it’s just Colette and me. For now, I’ll put aside Father-in-law and the others! Time is precious!”
“L-Lord Kelvin, forgive me if I am being impertinent… b-but you value your time with me that much…!”
“Of course. It’s not impertinent, and you’re not mistaken.”
“Hwaaaa~~…”

Ever since we became alone, Colette has been overcome with emotion. We’ve repeated this conversation several times already, and it seems we won’t be moving to the next phase anytime soon. However, I am prepared to go on like this forever. It’s a husband’s duty, of course, but more than anything—

“—Colette’s wedding dress is a feast for the eyes.”
“~~!?”

Ah, she’s reached her limit and is bleeding from the mouth… Well, that’s how it is. Colette is currently wearing a blue-themed wedding dress, not her usual shrine maiden attire. I didn’t have a chance to wear a dress during Delamis’s ritual, so this is a special sight of Colette that only I get to see. It seems Colette herself prepared this as a surprise— Ah, just looking at her, I could spend the entire night. In short, I am very satisfied.

“Huff, huff… L-Lord Kelvin, I actually have one request…”
“Ah, I’ll listen while you recover the blood you coughed up, so tell me slowly. What is it?”
“Um, for our first night as a married couple, I’d like it to be with Lord Mel…! You know, Lord Kelvin, you must be tired from these recent days and nights…!”

Immediately after, she said it! Colette then hunched over on the bed, flustered. To summarize, is she asking me to wait until the night of our wedding ceremony with Mel, the night after tomorrow?

“It’s quite difficult to wait with Colette in front of me… but if Colette wishes for it, I don’t mind. Yes, I understand.”
“Lord Kelvin…!”
“But, have you spoken to Mel about this? It would be bad to do it without her consent.”
“… (Smile!)”

Eh, which meaning does that smile have?