Never Die Extra

Evan D. Sherden, Finishing a Long Year (4)

January passed, and February arrived, ending the cold winter breeze. Then, March arrived, the month of Evan’s thirteenth birthday. Just before that day arrived, it would be Bernard and Iloin’s wedding.

“Evan, do I really have to wear this?”

“It suits you well, grandpa.” Bernard and Iloin’s wedding was held in the grand hall of the grand priest of the Earth Church. In the waiting room, Evan was talking to Bernard, who was dressed up awkwardly in formal clothing.

“No, doesn’t it seem like I’m just pretending to be young?”

“You are very young now. It looks like you’re in your thirties, so don’t worry.”

[It’s funny to talk about age for a human that has only lived for decades. What will you do, living your whole life with me in the future?]

Bernard, after forming a contract with the hand-sized Rose Queen that he was now ignoring, looked like the handsome man that was in the heyday of Yo-ma Great War 2. Evan gave him a thumbs up without hesitation.

“My grandfather is really handsome! I’ll fall in love too!”

“Oh, stop it boy. How embarrassing.”

[Ah! Be more confident, Bernard Garcia; you are the human I have chosen to be my master. Undoubtedly, you are the most perfect human in the world.]

“So noisy, Rose. Stay quiet with Evan during the ceremony.”

[Cheh.]

The Rose Queen immediately quieted and jumped over to Evan’s shoulder while sulking. It seemed that Bernard had given her a nickname in the meanwhile.

“Bernard, you’ve gone so far!”

“Congratulations on your wedding!” The door of the waiting room opened, revealing Leo and Aria. Leo was wearing a suit for the occasion, but he was so big that the buttons on his shirt seemed that they might burst at any moment.

“We came to see, but it’s really happening…”

“Bernard, even if there are difficulties, I hope you can work together to overcome them wisely.” Aria blessed Bernard while Leo slapped him on the back. Bernard gently accepted it; he couldn’t run away now.

“Thank you so much, Aria. You too, Leo. You’ve been staying here for this long because of Iloin and me, right?”

“No? Isn’t it because of Evan and the other dungeon knight kids?” Leo guffawed, but those were just reasons that had been added along the way. Bernard laughed at the sight of his close friend, hiding his embarrassment.

“Hah, you really are the same.”

“What, you’re really different, Bernard.”

“Well?” Aria nodded as if she agreed.

“Yes, completely different.”

“Hmm?”

“Agreed.”

Evan also jumped in, leaving only the Rose Queen, who seemed to disagree. She couldn’t respond, however, as Bernard’s order was still in effect.

“It’s been a long trip.” Aria had a smile on her face as she reminisced.

“No, why are you acting like it’s suddenly over?”

“That’s what marriage is like. Bernard, your journey alone is over.”

“…Traveling alone…” Hadn’t Bernard relied only on himself, even when he had traveled with colleagues before? Aria had a kind smile, like a mother welcoming her son back after a long trip.

“Or do you still think you’re alone?”

“No…” Bernard avoided her gaze, embarrassed.

“…I know I’m not alone anymore.”

[Of course not! Bernard Garcia, you will always be with this Rose Queen…]

“Be quiet, Rose.” Bernard closed her mouth again, then glanced up at the others. The events of the past few months passed through his mind. He had reunited with old friends, confronted Iloin’s feelings, and even had created a new drug to cope with the Mahwa with Evan’s help…and he had calmly accepted the curse that had affected him for decades. He had faced his own heart in preparation for death.

“No…it certainly is that way.” Indeed, he was different. All of his travels until now, often foolish as they were, had their own meaning. The result of them was the way he was now.

“It starts now, Bernard. It’s going to be an enjoyable trip for you, together with Iloin.”

“From the perspective of my senior who had taken the journey first…how is it?”

“Hm, you mean now?” Aria’s expression changed subtly at Bernard’s question.

“The road is often hard, and tiring…and annoying, and sometimes I want to beat him…”

“No, there’s no need to say things like that, Aria. How terribly I love you, no matter what I’ve seen. I don’t sell my eyes to other women, I’ve only ever looked at you.” Leo, who was talking nonsense, eventually backed down from Aria’s gaze. She then turned back to Bernard with a bitter smile.

“The downsides don’t end. I’ve wondered over and over why I married him, but…”

“But?”

“You asked what it’s like for us to travel together? It’s very fun. Even if I were reborn a hundred times, I would marry Leo again.” That’s marriage, Aria had said with a bloody smile. Bernard shook his head.

“I dare say anyone I know would envy such a wonderful journey.”

“Oh my.”

“But if possible…I want to live better than that, with Iloin.”

“…Let’s tell Iloin about that.”

“Ah, please don’t.” At the point, the door opened once more as the priest entered.

“Sir Bernard Garcia, please prepare. The ceremony will begin soon.”

“Oh, yes.” Bernard practically turned into a robot as he moved to ready himself. Evan, Leo, and Aria all burst into laughter as they watched him move stiffly as they shuffled into the grand hall. Evan went to join Shine and the others, but there were so many people that it took him a while to find them.

“A lot of people have shown up.”

“Bernard has become an important figure in this city.” Of course, it wasn’t only that. Leo Arpeta was also known to be his friend, and Iloin was a beautiful elf. However, it was clear the vast majority that had gathered there wished for Bernard’s happiness.

“From now on, a sacred marriage ceremony will be held in the name of all Gods and Mothers of earth.” The priest’s voice resonated throughout the hall, quieting those murmuring. Lin and Ran tried to snoop around, but Evan and Shine each grabbed one of them.

“The bride and groom will now enter. We hope that everyone will welcome them with cheers and applause.”

“You both, come in at the same time.”

“Do they come in together, or separately?” Evan laughed, but Shine was confused. He had learned here that the common etiquette was for the bride and groom to enter at the same time, which was different from Korea.

‘I’ve known it for a long time, but all of a sudden, it hit me again.’ Perhaps it was because he had not yet experienced a marriage ceremony in this world. The venue overflowed with cheers and applause as Evan tilted his head.

“So pretty!”

“She’s an elf, too!”

“My God, so pretty. I think I’m in love.”

“Give up.” In particular, the voices were cheering the bride’s beauty. With green hair and pale green eyes, she matched well with her pure white dress. She looked like a forest fairy straight from the pages of a fairy tale book.

“Bernard has grown younger in the meantime.”

“Tsu, you idiot. He was pretending to be old.”

“What the…”

“He’s handsome.”

“I knew it, but he really is!” Bernard and Iloin walked in harmony with each other to the center of the ceremony hall.

[…Strangely, I don’t feel so good.]

Rose was mumbling fatally while she looked at the two of them arm-in-arm. Evan scoffed at her.

“It can’t feel good to see the man you love marrying another woman.”

[Love is a human emotion; it is not of the Mahwa.]

“You’re still saying stuff like that.” A little further away, Hannah and Serpina, who had returned from the dungeon a while ago, watched Bernard and Iloin with a similar expression as the Rose Queen.

“Eventually, we will get married too…”

“…I want to as well, quickly with Raihan.”

“Well…”

“Please face each other. I will perform the oath ceremony.” The priest hurriedly spoke, noticing the lovely atmosphere between the bride and groom.

“Then, the bride and groom…” The bishop soon appeared to recite an oath based on the Earth Church’s doctrine, but it wasn’t very important. Bernard and Iloin didn’t stop staring at each other as they followed along with the ritual. The two’s feelings were practically overflowing.

“…All I see is two lovers.”

“That is love…that’s marriage.” All of a sudden, Belois was holding onto his sleeve. Did she like the idea of marriage too? Evan smiled a little as he looked back at her.

“Yeah. It’s a special love and a special marriage.”

“Special…” Belois leaned on him very lightly, lowering her voice.

“Young master, would you accept me even if I ask you for a little too much?”

“Lua, I already said that I’d accept your request. Do you not remember?”

“…I do. I’m so glad you didn’t forget.”

“I can’t forget it.” Belois gripped his sleeve harder.

“If so, master, please hold a grand wedding for me. One grander than this.”

“Leave it to me…did you have someone in mind?”

“I will try to from now on. I’ll do my best.”

“What?” Evan laughed at her words, but he wasn’t so dull that he didn’t have a rough understanding of what she meant. He wasn’t so foolish to miss such a blatant sign. Rather, he had been ignoring it so far.

“So, master…it’s a promise.” Sometimes love didn’t come true, but Belois was only eleven years old. Such affection couldn’t last forever.

“…Okay, I got it.” However, it made her happy to hear this. He knew what happened to Evan as a result of their relationship, but he hoped her heart might change.

[Humans are also fun.]

“Quiet.” Evan quieted Rose, who had overheard their conversation. All of a sudden, Bernard and Iloin were kissing. Seeing the bishop’s embarrassment, it looked like this wasn’t planned.

“Now the bride and groom are finishing the rest of the ceremony…”

“Then, at this point, the priest of Gongsin, Aria, will take over for the ceremony! The groom will hold the bride and offer a prayer of thanks! Out loud!”

“Wait, what?!” If the intention were to stop the kiss, it worked. Bernard fell away from Iloin in embarrassment, but Aria raised her voice as if she had been waiting for it.

“Oh my, it’s not that you can’t do it, right? Can’t you? Everyone, it looks like the groom isn’t ready yet!”

“No, what?”

“Such an unpleasant thing!” The men who were envious of the groom stood up at Aria’s words, being led by Leo.

“I can’t pass over my precious colleague Iloin to a man without spirit!”

“Ms. Iloin, though we met for the first time today, I’m confident that I can do better than Bernard!”

“Oh, that’s it.” In an instant, the hall became a mess. Bernard was hugging Iloin and running away as people cheered or chased him. A couple seemed to be swinging at him, sincerely.

“Come on, come say a prayer of thanks, Bernard! Of course, there is no guarantee that this situation will end even if you pray now!”

“Aria!”

“Catch Bernard! Let’s free the poor bride!” Evan shook his head at the scene, and Belois mumbled quietly.

“Young master, I don’t need this.”

“Yes, I think so too.” As Evan and Belois nodded at each other, Iloin landed on the ground and pulled out her bow. Several wind arrows were knocked askew in an instant.

“Everyone knows that Bernard can’t lift a finger!”

“No, worry about the bride!”

“No one can take Bernard away from me!”

“The bride is having a misunderstanding! No, she’ll really shoot, run away!”

That day, Bernard and Iloin were married. The path they had walked until then was different, but the path they would walk would now be one. Blessing their union, Evan paid for the grand hall repair fees as a gift.