Epilogue 4 (1/2)

Ending Maker Chwiryong 124430K 2022-07-25

Jude and Cordelia had returned.

The crazy – no, the fantasy couple.

Demon Slayers.

The guardians of Pleiades.

It was not a lie to say that the entire continent was shaken by the return of the two.

It was an undeniable fact.

Few people knew that Jude was now the guardian god of Pleiades when he opened the ninth door of the Ninth Heaven’s Nine Doors, and that Cordelia was now an archangel after completely inheriting the power of Solari. But even for those who did not know that the two became gods, the return of the two was a huge shock.

Especially for the empire and the demon followers.

“That’s crazy! Are you saying that we’re completely overpowered?!”

The empire had lost a lot of asymmetrical forces due to the Calamity War.

However, new asymmetrical forces were added to the Sälen Kingdom.

The strongest asymmetrical forces in the continent.

Everyone knew that Jude and Cordelia played a decisive role in the fight at the imperial capital.

Some argued that most of the work was done by the five heroes of Paragon especially Landius because no matter how great those two were, they were still teenagers. But few took this hypothesis seriously.

Because the group who were involved in the fight, that is, all the five heroes of Paragon, proclaimed the contributions of Jude and Cordelia first.

“He has transcended the Sword of the Sky.”

He had not only reached the horizon, but had gone beyond it.

It was as the Sword God had said.

Jude had reached a point that no one ever had since the birth of Pleiades.

Even if he did not use the Ninth Heaven’s Nine Doors, Jude had the Absolute Truth of the Sword.

Defeating him in swordsmanship was impossible.

He was the strongest swordsman in the world recognized by the Sword God, Iron Man Landius, and Ghostblade Kamael.

The one who killed the mad goddess and saved Pleiades.

But what was crazier here was the fact that it was not only Jude.

“The Explosion Witch…”

In the Sälen Kingdom, she was called the Explosion Angel.

Either way, the return of Cordelia August Chase, who had the word ‘explosion’ in her nicknames, was like a disaster for everyone who was hostile to the Sälen Kingdom.

If Jude was the strongest swordsman in the world, Cordelia was the strongest wizard in the world.

Unlike Jude who had potential rivals such as Iron Man Landius, Ghostblade Kamael, or Sky Sword Saint Lucas Hræsvelgr, Cordelia had no rivals at all.

She possessed an immense magical power that even a few archwizards could not surpass.

An ability to control magic that was beyond common sense, a transcendent spatial perception ability, and so on.

The existence of her signature move, Golden Storm, was a mystery itself among wizards.

“144,000 magic missiles? And she can control all of that?”

It was meaningless to discuss it further.

Rather, it was a bit more productive to discuss on who between the two was stronger, Jude or Cordelia.

“There is no way.”

When there were two such powerful people, it was normal to try to somehow make those two alienated, but that was impossible against those two.

Because the reason the two became initially famous was truly extraordinary.

Even though they were already engaged, the two ran away at night.

The two had gone on a honeymoon trip after running away from home several times despite their families and everyone around them recognizing the relationship of the two.

The fantasy couple.

The couple of the century who loved each other to death.

It was impossible.

It was absolutely impossible for outsiders to force the two to separate, unless those two break up after fighting each other.

“There’s no such thing as absolute! If you try to seduce one of them by putting a handsome man or a beautiful woman in between them…”

Count Matoa, a loyal follower of the emperor, shouted in an exasperated voice, but the end of his words trailed and he sat down.

Because he recalled the other nicknames of Jude and Cordelia.

The most beautiful woman in the world.

The most handsome man in the world.

The most beautiful and handsome people in the world became a couple, so was there anyone else who could seduce them?

Obviously, being physically beautiful was not everything that dictated what was beautiful, but there was still something called degree.

“Aren’t their love filters amazing in the first place?”

Crown Princess Daphne was right.

Jude would only see Cordelia regardless of anyone who comes in between them.

And so was Cordelia.

“We can only hope that they won’t be active.”

“Haa… That’s the only way.”

Defeating them in the field of beauty was impossible, but it was also unfeasible to bribe them with money.

Because both of them were incredibly rich.

Human greed definitely had no limits, but there was no one in the empire who had enough wealth that could tempt the two who were already very rich.

They could not even do that, so it was better to just leave those two alone.

If the people of the empire knew of one more truth, that is, if they had known that the two had already became gods who were forever immortals, they would have seriously considered exile to the Sälen Kingdom, but fortunately, no one knew of that fact.

“At least the empire is fortunate.”

Fran giggled and continued.

“Because the empire has nothing to do with the two unless they touch the kingdom. But there are groups who are hostile to the very existence of the two, right?”

The demon followers.

Those two who had invaded Hell and returned after beheading an overlord could not be left alone.

From the perspective of the demon followers, it was like the two suddenly became ‘gods who kill demon followers.’

“It’s somehow amazing. What’s good is good, but it’s a bit disappointing…”

The reason for Velkian’s sentiments was simple.

Because the Devil’s Mouth that had been constantly harassing the eastern part of the empire had began withdrawing to the eastern nations the moment they found out that Jude and Cordelia had returned.

“Even the five heroes of Paragon fade in the presence of the guardian gods of Pleiades.”

Fran spoke with a bit of self-scorn, and Velkian had a bitter smile as he nodded his head.

“So, what are we going to do now?”

Lena nodded her head at the question of Kamael.

Because the archangel and overlord problems had both been solved.

Peace had now come to Pleiades.

“We have to continue.”

We have to do our job.

We have to show this peace to everyone in the world.

“Don’t you think so?”

At the question of Lena, Landius responded with a chuckle like usual.

***

“I’ll cut it short. Get married.”

“Yes, father-in-law.”

“Yes, father.”

Jude and Cordelia politely replied to the order of Count Chase, and everyone who were watching them smiled happily.

Everyone in the world knew that they were the couple of the century, but they still had to do that.

When the marriage between the two was decided, the location became a problem.

Because it was not something that could be resolved quietly(?) in the family like what happened to Gaël and Adelia.

“The wedding must be held in the royal capital. I will lend you the royal palace.”

Henry II’s bombshell declaration was something that would shock many people.

Because it was a situation where the royal palace was rented for the wedding of ‘mere vassals.’

“Is that really okay?”

When First Queen Justina asked a test-like question, Henry II firmly nodded his head and replied.

“It’s okay. Because… that’s the right thing to do.”

Because he had to do this much for them.

At the words of her husband and king, First Queen Justina eventually burst out laughing.

“Your words are cool, but it has become awkward.”

Because that’s the right thing to do.

Because doing that was the right thing to do.

It sounded really cool the last time she heard it, but she could not help but laugh out loud now.

“Because that’s also the right thing to do.”

Henry II laughed cheerfully, and First Queen Justina kissed his cheek.

In any case, the will of the king was strong, and surprisingly, no one expressed opposition to the decision of the king.

It was definitely a bombshell announcement, but it did not feel like a bomb.

“They’ll stay in our kingdom if we do that much.”

Jude and Cordelia had become too prominent.

Even if the 12 northern families and the 6 southern families were strong, they were vassals of the kingdom in the end.

They had an obligation to be loyal to the kingdom.

But when it came to loyalty, one must also pay a kind of price when receiving something.

In other words, it meant that the giving and receiving part had to be balanced to some extent.

Jude and Cordelia had already done too much for the kingdom.

And the power of the two had already surpassed the power of the kingdom.

So they had to be given special treatment.

They had to be given more.

So that they would continue to feel a sense of belonging to the kingdom, cherishing and loving it as their own country.

“The wedding will be held in the royal capital. Declare this fact throughout the continent and gather the guests!”

The whole kingdom moved at the spirited command of Henry II.

It was like the kingdom were the ones watching from the side of the to-be-married couple and not the families of the couple, but no one was offended by this.

Everyone just laughed and enjoyed this national – no, this world-level celebration.

Time passed and people gathered.

The imperial side also officially sent envoys while finding all those who had any relation with Jude and Cordelia in their country and sending them to the royal capital where the wedding was to be held.

Because of that, Kaplan did not have to worry on how to cross the border, and Leon and Sarah were able to head to the royal capital without garnering much attention.

Many people headed to the royal capital even within the kingdom.

Both the 12 northern families and 6 southern families sent people to the royal capital, so naturally, Sylvia and Viola who were close friends with Cordelia were also among those people.

“Can people like us go?”

“Why not? The king and everyone is going. And we’re pretty close, right?”

Fabian, an unauthorized transport dealer in the Hræsvelgr county, laughed out loud, but what she said was true.

After all, she had kept in touch with Jude and reported on the movements of the Devil’s Eye.

“Finally, the love between the two have borne fruit!”

When Princess Darianne spoke with a face of a girl who admired romance, Duke Spencer warmly smiled and Sir Cornwell, who was the escort leader this time again, brightly smiled.

“Of course, we have to go.”

Princess Leica who had already left the Forest of Eternity to participate in the expedition decided to continue staying in the royal capital, and so did Elune.

And there were more people.

“We can’t help but congratulate you.”

Siren Queen Iliana led her vassals ashore.

Fairy queens from all over the continent gathered in one place after a hundred years – no, a thousand years.

“Chocolate is delicious.”

“You’ve never tried this, haven’t you? It’s Fairy Chocolate.”

“What? What’s that? There’s something like that? Give it to me. Give it to me too!”

Fairy queens were still fairies after all.

Moreover, they were with the other fairy queens rather than their subjects, so they acted like fairies.

“We must not be late. Hurry up!”

Violent Avalanche said as he walked in toddling steps, and Great Storm sighed once before moving his finger to turn the wind around Violent Avalanche into a strong wind. Gentle Snow Breeze watched from the side and softly laughed as she made the wind of Great Storm stronger.

Everyone gathered.

At the royal capital.

To bless the marriage of the two.

“Finally, I’m not looking after the house and can come this time!”

At the words of Edward Chase, the good-natured Gaël applauded in moderation while the bride and groom were facing their precious people in their respective waiting rooms.

“Dahlia.”

“Maja.”

They were in different places, but they spoke almost at the same time.

Dahlia cried and laughed, and so did Maja.

“It feels like yesterday when you asked permission to go on a carriage date near the cliff…”

The cheeks of Cordelia turned red at the words of Dahlia.

Because she remembered the time when she jumped off the cliff after the carriage date.

‘I’m the only who had to say those embarrassing things!’

It was also Cordelia’s task to carry Jude at that time.

But it was fine now.

Because Jude had said much more embarrassing words.

Because he carried her a lot like he promised back then.

Cordelia spread her arms, and Dahlia hugged her.

Jude also hugged Maja who could not hide her tears.

“The time has come.”

The voice of a palace attendant was heard from outside.

As he had said.

The time had now come.

***

The wedding was held in the Grand Plaza.

The Grand Plaza was already full of people from all over the continent as well as from the royal capital.

If even the people who filled the buildings were added up, perhaps hundred of thousands, or even a million people were present.

Jude and Cordelia were scheduled to hold the ceremony on a high and large balcony connected between the Grand Plaza and the royal palace.

Henry II and First Queen Justina stood together and waited for the two.

Royalty such as Crown Princess Daphne, Prince Dion, and Princess Darianne were present, but there were also people who were allowed to stand on the balcony.

Count Bayer and Count Chase.

Gaël Bayer and Adelia Chase, and Edward Chase who somehow succeeded in sitting between the two.

And even Dahlia and Maja.

“Why? Are you nervous?”

“Yes, I’m nervous.”

At the whisper of Jude, Cordelia honestly answered with a stiff expression.

Because she was originally a shy person.

[It’s okay. You’re the prettiest. Everyone is happy. Even if you make a small mistake, no one will say anything.]

At Melissa’s encouragement, Cordelia swallowed hard and Jude tightly held her hand.

[We defeated the archangel and overlord together, right? This wedding is nothing to that, so don’t be nervous. You can do it.]

Jude smiled at the cheerful remarks of Valencia.

He wanted to mischievously ask if Valencia had ever been married, but held himself back.

‘And I roughly know what answer will come back.’

She was a woman who loved the sword so much that she became one with the sword itself.

Just then, the music changed.

Henry II shouted again, and the sound of trumpets and other musical instruments spread throughout the Grand Plaza.

It was now time.