Final Chapter: Townsman A is United with the Villainess

Months had flown by since the battle in Luluden, and autumn had arrived. I’d been keeping busy with the liberation of the people Amy brainwashed and the peace negotiations with the Sentlaren Kingdom, but it was just one trouble after another. It was exhausting.

The first headache started during the de-brainwashing process when they demanded we send Ana to The Church. From their perspective, maybe they needed her to help dispel the distrust lingering after they had backed The Witch, but for us, the idea was out of the question.

Since the churches within the Kingdom of Ramslett were originally pro-Ramslett anyway, we took the opportunity to resolve the issue by making our domestic branch independent from the one in Sentlaren. Given that the basic rule of the faith was one nation per diocese, I suppose it was only natural for it to turn out this way.

Then there were the peace negotiations with the Sentlaren Kingdom. They grumbled and balked so much that Gerhardt-san eventually lost his temper and stormed out of the room, which led to some minor skirmishes.

They were obviously trying to secure the most favorable conditions possible, but we eventually settled the matter by having them cede a portion of the granary region in the southwest and a mountainous area in the southeast. It was a lucky break for us; because they ceded that mountainous region, the entire area around the Valley of the Flying Dragons—where Melissa-chan and Jerome-kun live—is now our territory.

As for the Sentlaren Kingdom, they ended up losing a little over forty percent of their land, and on top of that, their wheat production took a massive hit. Originally, we’d intended to keep the borders exactly where they were as per our prior agreement; that’s why I’d repeatedly warned Duke Schlestien about his behavior.

Well, since they chose to keep complaining anyway, I suppose they reaped what they sowed. Besides, if we hadn't taken a firm stance, the other neighboring countries would have started looking for ways to take advantage of us. It was unavoidable.

By the way, regarding the Crown Prince—no, the former Crown Prince—who messed things up so spectacularly... that soft-hearted sap of a Second Prince who took the throne gave him a ridiculously lenient sentence. He merely stripped him of his succession rights instead of executing him.

From what I hear, the former prince suffered such a mental shock that he refuses to leave his room. He doesn't seem to have any influence on politics for the time being. Though I don't know if he won't come out, or if he just can't.

Furthermore, the previous King was only sentenced to imprisonment. Between the two of them, that country still has a massive spark smoldering in its heart, but that’s none of our business anymore. Neither Ana nor I have any interest in what becomes of the former Crown Prince or the old King.

Digging up the past now just to get revenge would be a total waste of time. We’ve worked so hard to find this happiness; I want to share it with Ana, and with our family. If I’m going to spend my time on anything, I’d much rather spend it on the people we need to protect.

Ah, and you might not be interested, but a rumor floated by that Claude, one of the members of Amy’s reverse harem, is "recuperating from an illness" in the countryside. In short, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Personally, I don't have any feelings on the matter.

Now, today is the long-awaited day: my wedding with Ana. I stood there in a sharp tuxedo, ready for the sacred ceremony. Since this is the wedding of Anastasia, the First Princess of the Kingdom of Ramslett, many guests have come from both inside and outside our borders.

From the Zaus Kingdom, His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, and Her Highness the Second Princess; from the Est Empire, His Highness the Third Prince; from the United Kingdom of Northorne, His Highness the First Prince; and from the Westadale Kingdom, Her Highness the First Princess. Even the Sentlaren Kingdom sent representatives: the young King Ludwig and his fiancée, the daughter of Duke Schlestien, along with Oscar and a fully recovered Marcus.

After narrowly escaping death, Marcus had apologized to Ana, and she chose to accept it and forgive him. However, his standing within his family is quite precarious now, and he’s apparently on the verge of being disinherited. He’s been working himself to the bone as if he were a changed man to redeem his honor.

I walked the virgin road of Wiechen Cathedral alone, passing the rows of distinguished guests until I reached the altar. I turned back toward the entrance. In the front row, my mother sat next to Elizaveta-san and Friedrich-san. She was already weeping uncontrollably.

No, you’re too early, Mom. Really. But... thank you.

A moment later, the church doors swung open, and Ana appeared in her wedding dress, escorted by Gerhardt-san. I couldn't see her expression behind the veil, but I had a feeling she looked like a mixture of joy and bittersweet nostalgia.

The two of them walked slowly down the path toward me. Small children toddled along behind her, lifting the hem and veil of her gorgeous gown. It was a heartwarming sight.

When they reached me, I exchanged a glance with Gerhardt-san and took over as her escort. Together, we stepped up to the altar.

The attendees stood as a hymn was sung to the accompaniment of the pipe organ, and then everyone took their seats again. The priest read a passage about love from the Bible and offered a prayer. Then, he turned to me for the confirmation.

"Groom Allen, do you take Anastasia to be your wife? Do you vow to love her, honor her, comfort her, and help her, in health and in sickness, in joy and in sorrow, in wealth and in poverty, and to be faithful to her with all your heart as long as you both shall live, until death do you part?"

"I do," I answered without a moment’s hesitation.

"Bride Anastasia, do you take Allen to be your husband? Do you vow to love him, honor him, comfort him, and help her, in health and in sickness, in joy and in sorrow, in wealth and in poverty, and to be faithful to him with all your heart as long as you both shall live, until death do you part?"

Anastasia paused for a heartbeat, took a deep breath, and spoke.

"I do."

The priest then asked us both, "Do you give yourselves to one another?"

We looked at each other and, without needing a signal, answered in unison.

""We do.""

The rings were brought forward. They were made of precious Mithril—special rings that Ana had begged that "pervert" to have the spirits grant their Blessing upon.

"Then, the exchange of rings. Groom Allen, do you give this ring as a sign of your love for Bride Anastasia?"

"I do."

"Bride Anastasia, do you receive this ring as a sign of love from Groom Allen?"

"I do."

"Bride Anastasia, do you give this ring as a sign of your love for Groom Allen?"

"I do."

"Groom Allen, do you receive this ring as a sign of love from Bride Anastasia?"

"I do."

"Then, exchange the rings."

I slid the ring onto Ana’s finger, and she did the same for me. It was the same hand I always held, but perhaps because she was in her wedding dress, my heart was racing like crazy.

"Now, lift the veil and give the kiss of vow."

Prompted by the priest, I gently lifted Ana’s veil. There she was—the woman I love most in the world. She looked incredibly beautiful, her expression soft and her cheeks lightly flushed. She was, quite frankly, irresistibly charming.

"...Allen?"

"Sorry. I was staring."

"...Stupid."

After that whispered exchange, I gently kissed her.

"Now, please sign the marriage certificate."

Ana and I each signed our names, and finally, the priest added his signature.

"Everyone, here and now, a married couple who has made their vows to God is born. No man shall put them asunder. With this, I close the wedding ceremony."

And just like that, Ana and I were husband and wife.

Escorting my beloved, I walked back down the virgin road. Now that the tension had broken, I finally noticed all the familiar faces. Margaret, Isabella, and in the back, my Master, my senior adventurers, and even Monica-san had come.

Monica-san looked fine, but Master and the seniors looked like they’d borrowed suits that didn't fit them at all. I couldn't help but let out a little chuckle.

As we passed through the crowd, the cathedral doors were thrown open. Outside, a roar of cheers loud enough to split the sky welcomed us. I never imagined so many people would be here to celebrate us.

"Allen-san, Ana-chan, you’re finally married! Congratulations!"

"A-Allen-san, Ana-san, congratulations."

Stationed firmly in the plaza in front of the cathedral were Melissa-chan and Jerome-kun. Melissa had a ribbon tied to her tail, and Jerome was dressed up in a necktie. Both were custom-made items embroidered with the crest of the Kingdom of Ramslett.

"Thank you, Melissa-chan, Jerome-kun."

As we thanked them, a small dragonling poked its head out from between the two of them. Her name was Ciel-chan, the beloved daughter of Melissa-chan and Jerome-kun. She had a beautiful, pure white body like her mother, but her eyes were gold just like Jerome’s.

"Kyuu~"

Ciel-chan trotted over to us, let out a pampered little chirp. We’d visited her so many times that she had become quite attached to us. As we gently petted her, she narrowed her eyes in contentment.

I picked Ciel-chan up, and we climbed into the basket prepared for us. Normally, there would be a parade through the city in a horse-drawn carriage, but Melissa-chan had suggested that Jerome-kun carry us through the sky instead.

Melissa-chan probably just wanted them to be able to participate, but I imagine the sight was quite a shock for the foreign dignitaries.

Our basket floated softly into the air, maintaining a height of about five or six meters as we proceeded down the street. The roads were overflowing with people waving at us. As we waved back, my eyes met Ana’s.

We shared a smile, and I decided to tell her exactly how I felt.

"Ana, thank you for marrying me. I promise I’ll make you happy. I love you."

"Yes. Allen, I feel the same. Wait, no... the ceremony is over now, isn't it? Right."

Ana took on an expression of firm resolve, and then she gave me the most brilliant smile I’d ever seen.

"Allen, I love you, too. And it is I who will surely make you happy."

Melissa-chan, who had been listening, muttered in an exasperated tone, "What are you two saying? You're supposed to work together to be happy, right?"

I looked at Melissa-chan, then Jerome-kun, then down at Ciel-chan squirming at my feet. Finally, I looked back at Ana and gave a firm nod.

"You’re right. Ana, let's be happy together."

"Yes, Allen. My husband."

We gazed into each other's eyes, and enveloped by the never-ending cheers of the people, we shared a passionate embrace and a kiss.

Ding-dong, ding-dong.

The bells of the cathedral rang out solemnly, echoing through the streets of Wiechen as the town celebrated in a frenzy of joy.