Ranker Who Lives Twice

Side Story Chapter 57 - Wedding Ceremony of Blood (2)

『…This isn’t going to end with an “everything was a dream” or “this guy’s not dead yet” right?” If it is, I’m gonna destroy this library.』Shanon growled at the silent Heavenly Demon and Jeong-woo, both of whom looked at each other inquisitively.

“…They’re memes for bad endings that were once popular on Earth. I think he’s asking if this is all a dream. No, how do you even know that, Shanon?” Jeong-woo asked. He was surprised that someone who’d never lived on Earth knew such trends.

『Is that what’s important right now?! Say something! Is this really a dream? Did my damned master completely assimilate with the Black King and start to play the dream?』

The currently developing universe was all the Black King’s dream and technically, the Black King was always asleep. However, Yeon-woo was able to roam around freely because the dream’s owner was identifying himself with an ego in his dream. That meant the Black King was traveling in this dream with the identity of Yeon-woo, and that dream was the original worldline.

So technically, Shanon was right. However, that wasn’t what he was asking. He was demanding to know if Yeon-woo had been fully synchronized with the Black King and turned back the dream to make all the events they were watching something that had never happened. Then, it made sense that the Heavenly Demon and Jeong-woo weren’t able to observe them happening and that only Yeon-woo’s records were the ones missing.

Emperors were distinctly separate from the dreams of the Black King. Even if dreams were wound back to never have happened, they would never suffer the consequences. But…

“I think…so. Mm. How do I put this?” Jeong-woo scratched the back of his head and smiled wryly. “I think it’s a bit different. Right?”

The Heavenly Demon nodded.

『So what’s going on?! By the look on your faces, you obviously know something is going on!』

Pft. Smirk.

However, the Heavenly Demon and Jeong-woo just made mysterious smiles. Shanon scowled at the foreboding atmosphere―although he didn’t really have a face.

“Well…”

“It won’t be fun if we tell him already, would it?”

“Of course. The wise men of the past once said you shouldn’t give fish to hungry people, but teach them how to fish instead. So figure it out on your own! Heehee!”

『…!』Shanon looked back and forth between the two in disbelief, but they had no indication of telling him the answer easily. Still, they were talking bullshit about fishing or whatever, perhaps it actually wasn’t that grave a situation.『…Damn it. How did I get involved with these people?』

Shanon was flabbergasted, but he knew he would only be made fun of if he asked again. ‘I guess I’ll know if I finish this book.’ As of this moment, there were only two things he could do. One was to finish reading this book until the end, and the second was to desperately hope everything really was fine.

* * *

The wedding ceremony of the One-horned tribe was further divided into more steps.

First travel.

This was the groom’s first time going to see his bride, and this step described the procession of the groom’s side traveling to the bride.

Actually, the palace was a place Yeon-woo was well-acquainted with, but everything felt foreign today. It felt like he was walking this path as a different person.

‘…So that’s what this means.’ Yeon-woo finally realized the meaning of the word “first.” No matter how familiar this path was, it felt different because his mindset before marriage and after marriage wasn’t going to be the same. Until now, they were lovers, but they were going to become a real couple now. His mindset and steps as he walked down the path were naturally different.

First travel was the first step Yeon-woo’d take toward becoming a couple. And when Yeon-woo finally arrived at the palace…

“Woooooh!”

“What a good-looking groom!”

“He’s super tall too!”

“Kya! I was wondering who would take our lofty princess…but she really did have a pair! Well, even shoes come in pairs, I suppose. Of course.”

“But why don’t you have one?”

“Are you picking a fight with me? Do you want your teeth to be knocked out on a fine day like this?”

“Can you even do it?”’

“What?”

“What, you punk?”

The noisy tribe members, guests, and onlookers are cheered at the top of their lungs. It was truly a festival.

Congratulations★Emperor Temper’s Marriage!

When will he return~ if he goes now?~ He’ll come right away~ when he’s ready to stab people in the back~?

Oppa yesterday, honey tomorrow?

Banners with strange messages flapped in the wind above the guests’ heads, but Yeon-woo pretended not to see them. Nothing good would come out of paying attention to them. No, to be exact, he didn’t even have the mind to pay attention.

Gulp! Yeon-woo swallowed in front of the door to the palace. The nervousness he’d managed to ease was starting to come back up again.

After taking in a few deep breaths, Yeon-woo opened the door with a newfound resolve. Creak. The large door was opened wide, and there was a red silk carpet down the center, with guests filling the seats on the carpet’s left and right. At the front, the parents of both families were proudly looking down at the scene.

However, Yeon-woo saw none of that. The only thing that entered his vision was Edora, who was in front of a traditional wedding table. Her face was slightly covered by the luscious sleeves of her clothing. It was the first time in days he’d seen Edora. Now, she was dressed as the main character of this festival.

Beautiful, stunning, amazing… That was what Yeon-woo thought he’d think of when he saw Edora, but standing here, none of those thoughts came to mind. He was just…happy. She was shining so brightly, so he was just happy.

『Ohohoho. The groom is obviously very nervous! Now, we’ll invite the groom to the front. Then… Groom, please make your entrance!』Laplace, who was officiating the wedding, shouted into the microphone.

Bam ba ba bam. Yeon-woo began to walk forward like he was possessed.

* * *

“Hohoho.”

“Hahaha! It seems he doesn’t know what kind of face he’s making right now.”

“Right?”

The guests burst out laughing.

Yeon-woo had tried to fix his expression, but his face as he walked down the silk path was still quite a sight to see. The man who was always indifferent and merciless in front of enemies had a face that was stiff as stone, and his movements were jerky and awkward. His hands and feet both moved out at the same time. He looked like a machine that would start creaking because its joints were oiled. The people who knew Yeon-woo well couldn’t stop laughing.

“Well, he probably can’t even hear us laughing.”

“Good times, good times. He doesn’t even know what’s in store for him after today. Whew…!”

“Oh my, what are you talking about? Are you saying you regret marrying me?”

“N-No, wife… that’s not what I meant…!”

The guests took trips down the memory lane and bickered. But Baal, who was with the demons of L’Infernal in the guest seats, frowned. “…It’s strange how it’s so quiet.”

Metatron, who was clapping enthusiastically next to him, turned to Baal and tilted his head. “Is there a problem?”

“No, it’s just weird.”

“…?”

“I thought that bastard Odin would try something.”

“Ah, that’s what you mean.” Metatron nodded in understanding. As Baal said, Odin was definitely strangely quiet these last few days. He should’ve been searching for opportunities to get on Yeon-woo and the Martial King’s nerves.

“Do you think he’d try to make trouble during the ceremony?”

“I don’t think so. Although Odin is reckless, ruining this ceremony means he's declaring a war of life and death to the tribe, and the other guests won’t just stay still either… He probably knows better than anyone it’ll just be an act of suicide.” Metatron glanced at where Asgard was. Aside from Olympus, they had the greatest numbers, so it was easy to find where they were.

Odin must’ve felt the gaze on him because he turned his one eye to where Metatron was. He looked at Metatron as if asking what his matter was. He even exuded a murderous intent, ready for a fight. It was so very fitting of this title as the Father of the Battlefield. His aura didn’t lack anything compared to a demon’s.

Metatron shook his head, signifying it was nothing. Odin’s eyebrows twitched in displeasure, but he didn’t make a scene.

“Look. It doesn’t look like he’s going to make a fuss. If he does pick a fight, it’ll probably be after the ceremony.”

It was true Odin was pompous, but if that was all there was to him, he wouldn’t have created the society that was Asgard today.

“Well, that’s true.” Baal nodded, pulling out a cookie and taking a bite. Crunch!

“I’m more worried about a certain demon, actually, ” Metatron said as he politely denied a cookie Baal offered him.

Suddenly, Baal paused eating his cookies, and glared at Metatron with narrowed eyes. He looked like he was telling Metatron to stop speaking immediately, but Metatron wasn’t as benevolent as he looked.

“A—!”

When Metatron opened his mouth again, Baal clapped his hands over his ears and began to make bizarre noises. “Blah blah blah! Blah blah blah!”

“—gares….”

“Blah blah! Blah blah blah! That’s weird. Hm? Huh? Why can’t I hear anything? There must be a ringing in my ears. I don’t hear anything! Blah blah blah! Bah bah bah bah!”

“When is he coming?”

“I don’t hear you! I said I don’t hear you! Bah bah bah bah!” Baal firmly resisted thinking or hearing of the demon.

“Isn’t it about time for him to appear now? Niflheim actually asked if we knew anything about their first lord.”

“I don’t know! I don’t want to know! I don’t!” Baal was just about to shout at Metatron, who just wouldn’t let the subject go, when he frantically turned around at the ominous feeling that made chills run down his back. “Did this punk…”

Metatron also turned around in amusement.

On the wall that was surrounding the garden of the palace, which was currently habited by onlookers, something suddenly dropped from the sky. Thump!

“Ahhhhhhh!”

“W-What is this?!”

The people around the spot of landing fell from the impact, and all the guests in the vicinity looked toward the crash. The being in question had an aura that stood out among all the gods and demons, so they wondered who it was. No, the beings, were…

“…A puppy?”

Woof! Fenrir, who was panting with a cute smile, and Agares, who was transformed into a five-year-old boy.

“You dare! Getting married without my permission! I objeeeeeeeeeect!”

At that moment, the only thought in Metatron’s head was to go hide in a hole.