How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom

All the chapter listed is only after-story of main story line. The chapter is not following any time sequence.

…Well, the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago style is like this. What do you think? The bridal attire is very gorgeous; you can choose between the Shiromuku (all-white kimono) and the Irouchikake (colored wedding kimono). The groom here is well-built; wouldn’t the montsuki hakama suit him even better than it did Ichiha-san?

…Hmm, hmm. You prefer something simple rather than something so eccentric. I see. The bride prefers a wedding dress, then. In that case, I recommend this plan: ‘Hold your ceremony in a historic temple in the Republic of Turgis.’ A friend of ours just had her wedding with this plan recently…

—Some time ago.

This was the Sapur Temple in the Republic of Turgis. Resembling the Parthenon Temple from Souma’s original world, this temple existed before the Republic’s founding and was one of the oldest structures in the world. Kou held his inauguration ceremony here, and his wedding to Taru and Reporina also took place in this temple. Today, a couple was about to be married in the Sapur Temple.

“Halbert and Lady Velza. Congratulations on your marriage.”

“Congratulations.” “Congratulations!”

The people offering their congratulations were Kou Taisei, the head of the nation, and his wives, Taru and Reporina. Receiving them were Halbert Magna, dressed in a white tuxedo, and Velza, who was to become his wife today. Velza was wearing a pure white wedding dress; the white contrasted beautifully with her dark elf skin, enhancing her beauty.

Halbert scratched his cheek, looking somewhat embarrassed. “O-Oh. Thanks, Kou. I never thought I’d be congratulated by the head of another state.”

“Ooh-kyah-kyah! Don’t sweat it. We’ve known each other a long time, right?”

Halbert and Kou. Though they belonged to different countries and had different statuses, they had many opportunities to fight alongside each other—such as suppressing the mutated ogres in the Republic and providing reinforcements when the Eastern Nations Union was attacked by the demonic wave—and considered each other battle comrades. It was Kou who had suggested that Halbert and Velza hold their wedding ceremony at Sapur Temple.

“Sapur Temple is the most famous historic site in our country. We have to use this opportunity to appeal to people abroad that there are still many attractive places in the Republic besides leisure skiing, hot springs, and seafood, and attract tourists!”

“So that’s your goal. Is our marriage just secondary?”

“It’s about fifty-fifty, I’d say. It’s for the country, and I also want to celebrate my friend’s marriage. Two birds with one stone.”

“Fufufu, I’m happy. To be blessed in such a wonderful place,” Velza said, smiling.

Hal felt, “…Well, that’s fine.”

Incidentally, Halbert and Velza’s wedding was broadcast live in the same set of former Maritime Alliance member countries as Tomoe and Ichiha’s. Because it was the wedding of the hero who defeated Fuuga Haan, the “Red Ogre Hal” (which is quite an exaggeration, as he only cut off his wing), it garnered high attention, especially within the Kingdom of Friedonia. Kou used this for promotion. Consequently, the cost of the ceremony was split equally between the Kingdom and the Republic.

Then, Hal’s first wife, Kaede, and second wife, Ruby, approached the five of them. Both were dressed in formal gowns to attend the ceremony.

“It looks like you two are ready… That is wonderful.” Kaede said.

“Oh, Velza. What a cute bride you are.” Ruby added.

“Lady Kaede, Lady Ruby, thank you!”

The first, second, and third wives gathered and chatted happily, ignoring the husband completely. Both Kaede and Ruby had accepted Velza becoming the third wife even sooner than Halbert himself. This was due in part to Velza’s hard work.

(Before I knew it, the moat was filled, the walls were breached, and the gate was left wide open with a ‘Welcome’ sign hanging on it…) Halbert thought as he watched the three women.

Halbert’s feelings for Velza were initially just those of a fond younger sister figure. He thought she looked up to him because he had saved her life and never imagined their relationship would become anything more.

Velza, however, had been working to become his wife from the very beginning. I heard that she had already requested to be accepted as his third wife even before he married Kaede and Ruby, and she properly met the condition of ‘Academy Graduation’ that Kaede had given her at the time. She had even studied at the academy with the intention of becoming Halbert’s secretary and helping the Magna family someday.

She looked after Bill, the child of Halbert and Kaede, was devoted to his future in-laws, Grave and his wife, and even established ties between the Magna family and the Forest of the Divine Protection through her father, Sur. She had, in effect, won over everyone in Halbert’s periphery before she even attempted to win over Halbert himself.

Before he knew it, he was being urged by Kaede, Ruby, and his parents to “Just marry Velza already.” And when he heard about all of Velza’s efforts, although he was astonished by her tenacity, the thought that she was so devoted to him was both endearing and adorable. He had no choice but to immediately wave the white flag and surrender.

As Halbert was lost in thought, Lucy, the coordinator, came to call them. “Vel-chi. Halbert-san. Please get ready.”

“O-Oh.” “Understood, Lucy-san.”

The attendees for this wedding were relatives of the Magna and Foxia families, the Dark Elves of the Forest of the Divine Protection, and academy friends like Tomoe. Souma had wanted to attend, but due to scheduling and security issues, it was impossible for him to travel all the way to the Republic just for a retainer, even if he was a friend, so he had reluctantly given up. Well, the ceremony was being broadcast live, so it was being seen by a huge audience anyway.

Cou grinned and gave Halbert a thumbs-up. “Ooh-kyah-kyah! Look forward to what happens after the ceremony, too. Besides the accommodation prepared for the attendees, I reserved a small hot spring inn exclusively for you and Lady Velza. You should enjoy your wedding night to the fullest!”

“Hey, why would you say that at a time like this?!” Halbert exclaimed, turning to look at Kaede and Ruby, who were both looking at him with fixed, beaming smiles.

“…Well, it would be uncouth for us to interfere tonight. It can’t be helped.” Kaede said.

“Make sure you give her proper instruction, you heartbreaker?” Ruby added.

“…”

Halbert couldn’t stop the cold sweat from running down his back due to the aura radiating from the two smiling women.

Velza, on the other hand… “F-Foolish though I am, please be kind to me.” She put her hand to her cheek, perhaps having imagined (or fantasized?) various things in that instant, and looked at Halbert with expectant eyes.

Halbert could only look up at the sky, unable to say anything.

Afterward, the wedding ceremony itself was successfully and solemnly carried out. Blessed by many people, including Tomoe, Ichiha, Yuriga, and Lucy, Velza finally became Halbert’s wife that day, fulfilling her long-held wish.

And after the ceremony concluded:

“I wanted you to accept this, Lucy-san.”

“Eh, me?”

Velza offered the bouquet she had prepared to Lucy. “The one I received from Tomoe-san and the others, I’m giving to you now. May happiness come to you.”

“A-Ahaha… Thank you.” Lucy received the flowers, smiling shyly.

—And now, back to the present.

“…Well, the ceremony in the Republic was like that. I feel like I might have talked about some unnecessary things, but what do you think? It will be a very wonderful wedding.”

Lucy said this to the couple sitting before her who planned to marry. However, the two only smiled awkwardly and didn’t seem enthusiastic. Sensing this, Lucy moved on to the next plan.

“Hmm. If both the Republic and the Nine-Headed Dragon Kingdom are out, the next plan is ‘Hold your ceremony in a historic church in the Kingdom of Euphoria and have the couple walk under the Triumphal Arch,’ but…”

“Um, excuse me…” The bride suddenly interjected timidly.

“Yes? What is it?”

“I’m sorry, but we have actually already decided on the country where we want to hold the ceremony…”

“Oh, is that so? Then I apologize for my rudeness. And which country do you wish for?”

“The Kingdom of Lastania.”

Lucy was briefly taken aback by the bride’s words.

“The Kingdom of Lastania? It has recovered quite a bit, but I don’t recall there being any specific spots for weddings. I apologize, but we don’t have a plan that covers it…”

“No, we don’t need a specific plan. It’s just… my father-in-law, Lord Hain, is buried in that country.”

The bride, Sami Chima, said this with a small smile. The quiet groom sitting next to her, Günther Lail, gently drew her close to his shoulder, perhaps showing his sympathy.

“Since I am marrying Lord Günther this time, I want my father-in-law in the next world to see me in my bridal gown. However, both Lord Günther and I currently belong to the Kingdom of Euphoria, and securing a location, personnel, and food for a ceremony in another country is difficult. So, when I consulted Ichiha, he suggested I seek out you, Lucy-san, since you have connections in various countries.”

“I-I see… So that was the situation. I apologize for jumping to conclusions and for suggesting all those other options.” Lucy lowered her head.

Sami quickly shook her head. “No, the reason was that I am not very articulate and found it hard to bring up. Lord Günther is also a man of few words.”

Günther, sitting next to her, tightly pursed his lips, looking embarrassed. Despite his stern face, he seemed to have a sensitive personality, like a gentle giant dog.

Lucy cleared her throat. “I’m relieved to hear that. …Very well! Our company will put forth our utmost effort to ensure that you can show your father-in-law in the next world your happy bridal figure and give him peace of mind!” Lucy said, pounding her chest.

—After Sami and Günther left.

After business hours, Lucy was organizing the remaining paperwork in her office when the door suddenly knocked, and a young man entered.

“Good work, Representative. I brought you some tea.”

“Thank you. Since it’s after business hours, you can speak normally, you know.”

“…Is that so? Then… How were the customers today?”

“They had a slightly complicated request, but I think we can manage. We need to put on a splendid ceremony for the bride.”

The man who offered Lucy the tea was the number two at ‘E.H.W.’ and Lucy’s right-hand man. And…

“That goes without saying, but… are you sure about this?”

“Hm? Sure about what?”

“You’re proposing splendid weddings for other people, but you want ‘our ceremony’ to be modest.”

Yes, he was also the man who would be Lucy’s lifelong partner. He was originally an employee at Lucy’s family business, the Evans Merchant Guild, but Lucy, impressed by his business acumen and sincere nature, brought him over to ‘E.H.W.’ They bonded while tackling this new business together and eventually became engaged.

“But as the Representative, you have ties to the Royal Family. Couldn’t we have had a more splendid ceremony? …Well, if I start saying that, then I’ll worry about whether you really should have gotten engaged to a commoner like me.”

Lucy laughed heartily at his words.

“What are you talking about? This is one hundred percent my ideal wedding, and you are my husband. My friends are mostly in the upper class, and they have had some dramatic stories… but I want to marry a normal person, have a normal wedding, and build a normal, happy family more than anything else. …Well, since royalty will be attending the wedding, it won’t be completely normal, but still.”

“I-Is that how it is?” The man, who couldn’t quite grasp a woman’s heart, tilted his head.

Lucy chuckled at his honest reaction. She adored that straightforwardness about him. Lucy stroked the engagement ring he had given her and said with an adorable smile, similar to the one worn by the Wise Fox Princess she respected:

“Let’s be happy together, Darling.”