#458 Among the Ambush of Tigers

I, Lord Dalkish, am fully aware that I am no more talented than, say, a cat.

What, then, would happen if I were to join an ambush of tigers?

This was the day I knew the answer.

***

Varlina and I arrive at Lord Saint’s wedding dressed up in our best attires.

That’s when I realized that although we made the greatest preparations imaginable, it still wasn’t enough.

“Long time no see, Lord Dalkish!”

The ceremony has yet to start, so it’s idle time for us right now.

And the person who approached me...

...was the Demon King.

He... He remembers my name?

“It has been a while, Your Majesty. I’m honored Your Majesty remembers me.”

“But of course! You rule the territory where Orkubo’s Castle is located. I’ve never completed the course, though. I’ll be sure to make it to the final obstacle next time!”

...

He doesn’t remember me in a negative way, does he?

It has been quite some time since the Human Kingdom was taken over by the demons.

I’m aware and have accepted that their ruler, the Demon King, is now our ruler as well.

But... why does he interact with me so sociably?!

Wait, I know. Because this place is special!

“I see you were invited to the wedding too. Well, I suppose it’s obvious. You’re good friends with Lord Saint.”

“D-Does it appear that way?”

If it looks that way to the people around us, should I be pleased or scared?

As I thought, Lord Saint is terrifying.

I didn’t anticipate that the first person I’d interact with at the wedding would be the Demon King, the ruler of the earth!

I, a puny feudal lord, am never allowed to talk directly to him!

The reason I can is all thanks to Lord Saint’s connections!

“Oh, yes. Since we’re here, let me introduce someone to you.”

“Who, Your Majesty?”

“The recently crowned Mermaid King, Lord Arowana.”

Whaaaaaaaat?!

First, the ruler of the earth, and now, the king of the seas?!

“Lord Arowana, come here for a moment!”

“What is it, Demon King?”

He’s here!

This young man, who looks as dignified and easygoing as the Demon King, is the newly enthroned Mermaid King?!

“Lord Arowana, meet Lord Dalkish of the Human Kingdom. Orkubo’s Castle is situated in his territory.”

“Oh! I remember you! We were on the winners’ podium together after clearing the entire course!”

Huh?

Does that mean he was a player this year?

Oh no, I don’t remember him at all.

There were so many winners that I couldn’t remember all their faces.

But he remembers?!

What an amazing memory he has!

“Lord Dalkish here governs his domain with sincerity, and his work is always without delay. Truly a brilliant administrator.”

His Majesty started to speak highly of me out of nowhere!

“I thought the same way when I went there during the event. If you think about it, the three of us here are representing the three major races in the world, aren’t we?”

“Indeed, shall we take the oath to be in mutual perpetual harmony?”

Stop!!!

Don’t put me on a par with you big shots—the oath’s weight will crush me!

Help me, Varlina! Unfortunately, she looks like she also has her plate full by mingling with the queens from other nations.

I can’t keep up with this place.

***

Lord Saint’s Farm is nothing short of amazing.

The Demon King and the Mermaid King’s double attack at the beginning was enough to sink my ship, but the other attendees were also astounding in their own ways.

First, there’s Silver Wolf.

He’s one of the prized S-class adventurers of the Human Kingdom. I had seen him at Orkubo’s Castle, but to have such a celebrity present at the wedding... just wow!

There are even dragons and Lifeless Kings.

...Lady Letasreit, the former princess of the Human Kingdom, is also here.

So, my eyes weren’t fooling me when I saw her during the rebellion!

Then, there’s Bacchus and his Maidens.

Huh? Is that the dwarf king over there?

I knew it. I’ve come to a place where I stick out like a sore thumb.

“I want to go home already...”

But the one that takes the cake is the gods of the earth and the sea announcing their one-to-one fight to see who’ll receive Lord Saint’s vows.

The fact that Lord Saint himself is scolding two gods is out of this world.

No one else can do that except him.

Oh, I spoke too soon.

Alexander, the Grauglintz Dragon, took over the scolding.

“...Are you not ashamed of yourselves as gods?”

The gods sit a little apart from each other after Lord Saint’s wedding ceremony begins, with Alexander supervising them.

I’ve heard he is the strongest dragon, but I never thought I’d see him in person.

My brain was already at its limit when I saw the gods, so please, no more!

“As lords and rulers of the world, you are the ones who should have more dignity than anyone else. How unseemly of you to be caught up in spontaneous greed! Did you want an offering from the saint? Well, you’re going too far by fighting for it.”

“But...!”

“Stop, Poseidon! Doth not talk back! The gent shall beat us up!”

Is that what the power relationship is between the chief deities and the mightiest dragon?!

Good heavens! The fact that such a powerful dragon is attending a wedding without a care in the world is also scary!

I knew we shouldn’t have come here!

This place is too out of place for a humble feudal lord and his wife!

“Oh, hello, Mr. Dalkish!”

“Ahhhhhhhhhhh!”

Since when was Lord Saint behind me?!

Oh! The ceremony was over while I was being tossed about by the shock! And the banquet is already underway!

I had made a terrible mistake once again by being absentminded during the ceremony!

“It’s understandable to be shocked by all this. My brain would’ve stopped functioning if I were surrounded by such important figures.”

...Aren’t you an important figure yourself?

Or is this some kind of Lord Saint-level sophisticated joke?

“Aaah! Um, Lord Saint! Today, we, um...!”

“Please calm down. I’m happy you’re here with your wife today. You two are my dear friends, after all.”

We don’t deserve such words from you.

But please, allow me to apologize for not inviting you to our wedding and explain the situation...

“You don’t have to fret over not inviting us to your wedding. I’m sure you had your obligations as a feudal lord. Rather, it’d be tougher for me if you were bothered by it.”

He already patched things up himself!

What a thoughtful person.

“Oh, and thank you so much for the gift. I guess when you have kids around the same age, you share similar thoughts.”

He’s even thanking us for the wedding gift we gave him...

“Now, if you’ll excuse me... You can stop scolding them now, Alexander. I’m sure the gods have reflected on their actions enough.”

“Hm, if you say so, saint.”

“Sorry for making you do this when you originally came here to attend the wedding. We’re having the reception now, so I hope you can enjoy yourself.”

Lord Saint faces the gods and talks to them kindly

“I hope you also enjoy the feast, Hades and Poseidon. We’ve prepared all kinds of food.”

“Really?!” “Marvelous!”

He even tolerates the gods who caused a ruckus!

Is Lord Saint perhaps the ultimate god?!

==========

(Author's) P.S.: Even if Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus, the three main deities, joined forces, Alexander could defeat them without breaking a sweat.