第４０１堀：処刑執行 祝ってやる (Part2)
Not only because of the Demon Lord campaign, but also due to Hifi’s own actions and the cover-up operation in Ex, it had happened three times over.
However, I couldn't say that out loud.
It wasn't my place to say it.
"……Ah, well. I understand the intent behind this 'settling of accounts.' However, as I seek nothing more than this, would you please find it in your heart to forgive Lady Hifi?"
When Noble said this, his subordinates also looked at Hifi with pity and nodded.
Good. I had secured their word.
As Luna and Comet released Hifi from her restraints, she didn't try to struggle. Instead, she collapsed on the spot, covering her face with both hands and sobbing.
"It’s cruel. Th-this is... it’s just too much..."
Well, if it ended like this, it would leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.
But there was no way it would end here.
We already knew the content of the situation; there was no way we wouldn't have brought the person in question along.
"Hey, what are you crying for? Comet thought this through desperately just to give a push to a coward like you."
"Eh?"
"If we go this far, you can't back out anymore, right? Come on, don't just look at the records—pour your heart out to the person himself."
"Sniff... the person himself? The person himself!?"
As Hifi finally grasped what Comet was saying, she looked around, and a single figure approached her.
"Ah, well, I see. That’s what this was about, Lady Comet."
To us Japanese, the man wearing the old-fashioned military uniform was Taizo.
He had come here in the capacity of a cook and the person in charge of the "punishment games," but he was the real main event.
"That’s right. As for the 'settling of accounts,' we’ve properly received forgiveness. The rest depends on how you two feel. I’m not so rotten that I’d enjoy seeing my friend sacrificed and ending up miserable."
"And don't try to use that 'different species' excuse anymore. You can have children just fine, so don't worry about that!!"
"“……Ahem.”"
At Luna’s remark, the two involved blushed and gave exaggerated coughs.
Well, that useless goddess is to blame for that.
"Well, Hifi has been put through enough shame, so you aren't going to say you'll leave things to Hifi from here on out, are you? Yamato man?"
Luna stared at Taizo with a smirk.
Can you really never keep a straight face?
However, Taizo didn't complain about Luna’s irritating expression. He simply nodded, knelt on one knee before the Hifi who was slumped on the floor, and reached out a hand.
"……Lady Hifi. I am well aware that I am a stubborn, thick-headed fool. I have no excuse, as I didn't realize it until it came to this. To be honest, before I could even harbor feelings of love or affection, I was engulfed in the flames of war and summoned by you, Lady Hifi."
"……"
Hifi listened intently, saying nothing.
No, it was just that everyone was so quiet, and Taizo was speaking in a clear, loud voice that I could hear perfectly well.
"……I do not know if these feelings are love, affection, or merely loyalty, but I intend to die for your sake. That feeling remains firm even now. You are the only woman who has ever made me feel this way."
"……Lord Taizo."
"I can only offer such an excuse-ridden answer, but if you are willing to live with me, I would like you to take my hand."
Honestly, I thought that was a straight-shooting, direct confession.
Taiki and I had been probing them, but I didn't expect him to be so clear.
I had anticipated the possibility of failure. In that case, more sympathy would have gathered for Hifi, and since she’d be incapacitated for a while, it would have been a matter of nursing her back to health. But that turned out to be a groundless fear.
Now, all that remained was for Hifi to take Taizo’s hand...
Everyone felt that moment stretch on forever.
Just reaching out and taking the other’s hand.
It was such a simple act, yet it felt incredibly long.
If the onlookers felt that way, the two involved must have felt it even more intensely.
The sensation of time seemed to stretch into eternity, but in the end...
"……With pleasure. I am a clumsy woman, but I look forward to being with you."
When Hifi’s voice reached us, applause slowly spread through the room.
Luna and Comet were naturally clapping, and we, along with Noble and his group, joined in, feeling that we had witnessed something beautiful.
So, it all wrapped up nicely, didn't it?
Ah, I’m exhausted.
But in a sense, the real work starts now.
"Alright!! Everyone, prepare for the wedding!! Everything is already set, so get to your stations immediately!! Bride and groom, go change!! Labyris, take care of Hifi!! Taiki, Yuki, take Taizo!! We’ve put them through enough shame, so we’re going to make this a wedding so happy and grand that they’ll forget all about it!!"
Everyone responded to Luna’s most spirited command yet!!
"““Ooh!!””"
For some reason, even Noble and his men shouted back, rushing off to the Ex royal castle to change and bring wedding gifts.
Well, I suppose it’s fine since they accepted the designated protection so easily.
Let’s just call this a total victory and a joyous occasion.
The fine details can wait for another day.
For now...
"Don't collapse the cake!! Hang the chandelier above it!! Move the church ten meters back!! Get the candles ready!!"
Damn it, wedding preparations are a pain.
And then there’s the cleanup, right? You’ve got to be kidding me.
I feel like my personal workload is just increasing.
Plus, I have to give the friend-of-the-groom speech, and Taiki is the representative for the relatives.
Since there are no other Japanese acquaintances here, everything ends up falling on us.
Ah, what a drag.
Oh, what am I supposed to do about the wedding gift money?
How much is the right amount to put in an envelope? Given my current position?
Someone tell me!?
Yes. With that, the Ex arc and the New Continent arc are temporarily concluded.
I plan to post the after-story next, reporting on things like what Mauve and the others were doing while preparing in vain, and other topics I haven't covered yet.
For now, just celebrate.
In this way, by shaming Hifi, gathering sympathy from Noble and his group, and further forcing them to participate in the wedding to foster a sense of solidarity, I’ve managed to install Noble as the leader of the New Continent and assign Hifi and her group the "punishment" of supporting him—a compromise that minimizes dissatisfaction.
Anyway, I’m going to a friend’s wedding in November, and I’m worried about how much to give.
I guess something standard is fine, but I have no idea how much to give if it were, say, a company boss.