#436 Oath Before God

I, led into the ceremony hall, was overwhelmed by the crowd.

“Wow, this place is packed...”

With mermaids, to be exact.

As expected of a prince’s wedding; everything is so grandiose.

The ceremony hall’s floor is filled with water so that the mermaids can swim around freely.

I, as a terrestrial, am able to walk on its surface with the help of Platy’s potion.

Every merfolk present here must be people in high positions.

There’re too many of them to count.

Royal weddings are on a whole ‘nother level!

“I hope I’m not sticking out like a sore thumb here...”

“Don’t worry. Of all the people here, you are without a doubt the greatest and the most powerful, Lord Saint.”

Who was that?!

I turn around and see Lampeye, the Witch of Hellfire, with her spouse, Hendra.

“Oh, congratulations on your marriage!”

“Thank you. Our ceremony was held quite reservedly.”

She left the farm and returned to the Mermaid Kingdom before Puffer to be with Hendra.

I thought Hendra had taken up a huge position after getting married, but it seems he’s still a controversialist.

Lampeye also kept saying with pride she’d protect Platy for the rest of her life, but clearly, that’s not the case now.

Love takes precedence over everything else, I guess.

But things seem A-OK since her apprentices, Veiltail and Crowntail, have taken over.

“I see you guys are here too. Or maybe that’s to be expected. You’re important friends of the bride and groom, after all.”

“Oh, no, no. A couple like us doesn’t deserve to attend a royal wedding. It’s all because of the prince’s mercy that pardoned our presence here,” humbly says Hendra.

But won’t you be given a role with heavy responsibilities at Prince Arowana’s request sooner or later?

“Forgive me, Princess Platy. I have resigned my post as bodyguard, but I haven’t been able to get an equivalent duty...”

“It’s okay. I’m just delighted to hear that you prioritized love over a soldier’s mission. I’ve already heard what happened at the Betta’s. Once my brother and Puffer assume the position, you will be given appropriate tasks, so this idle time won’t last for long,” replies Platy.

Time passes as they make small talk.

Finally, the ceremony officially begins.

“Here comes the bride and the groom.”

The huge door opens with a loud creak, and a radiant man and woman emerge from it—Prince Arowana and Puffer.

They’re dressed up for the most glamorous day of their lives.

Of course, Batemy also made their clothes.

Her fashion taste is known beyond borders.

A round of applause greets them, congratulating the newlyborn couple.

“Boohoo! Congrats! Chongratshhhhh! Sniff!”

“Wait, what?”

I was surprised to see someone crying hard next to me.

And I was surprised again because it was someone I knew.

It’s Zoth Syra, the Witch of the Abyss.

“You were invited too?!”

“Of course! I am Puffer’s mentor! Naturally, I’m qualified to be invited... Waaaaaaah!”

Again with the tears?!

Is she moved by her pupil appearing in her hour of triumph?!

I don’t remember this fiendish witch acting this way!

“...You see, Puffer lost her parents when she was young and was left to fend for herself. I happened to find her by chance. She was so pitiable that I took care of her until she could stand on her own...”

She suddenly starts talking about their past!

“I trained her in the art of witchcraft to make her independent. Neither of us is the type to feel indebted to the other, but...  I can’t stop crying when I see her looking her happiesttttttt!”

Sure, whatever.

But I’m surprised. I didn’t know she was easily moved to tears.

She’s surprisingly good at looking after others. Even Angel and her friends idolize her.

...No, no.

Today’s main characters are Prince Arowana and Puffer.

We must pay attention to them.

They’re gracefully moving down the aisle.

Puffer looks so ladylike as she leans close to her groom.

“She has this unique charm to her now that she’s getting married.”

“Shush, Dear...!” whispers Platy to me.

They continue walking down the aisle toward the altar.

They will probably pledge their eternal love there.

“...So, will they be exchanging their vows in front of Poseidon?”

“Of course. He’s our creator.”

The first time I met Poseidon, I had the impression he was rather lax.

I wonder if the couple’s future will be all right?

Why don’t they vow to Hades instead?

At least he doesn’t cheat.

Well, I guess a priest will see to it that the couple’s vows are made on behalf of God...

...Huh?

That’s strange.

I recognize the priest at the altar!

“Isn’t that Sensei?!”

Sensei the Lifeless King!

Why is someone who lives in a terranean dungeon at the bottom of the sea?!

“I asked him for a favor.”

“You did, Platy?!”

“Anyone would want their brother and close friend’s wedding to be the best. Who better than the god himself to witness their vows?”

“No one!”

She makes a good point, but has she never thought about how she’s bothering Sensei?!

You made him come all the way here, even!

“I’m filled with emotion to see a couple starting a new life together. I wonder if this is how parents feel?”

Oh, Sensei himself is pretty enthusiastic about this.

Man, he’s as kind as ever!

“Well then, let’s set the stage for the two of you to make your vows. Hyuppy.”

As Sensei recites his spell, space distorts, and a gigantic being appears on the altar.

Poseidon, the god of the seas, is here.

“He summoned a god againnnnnnnnnnnnn!”

He’s making them exchange their vows of love right in front of their god!

I’ve never seen a wedding like this!

“Wait, I have... I remember the Demon King also swore before Hades...”

Just because it has happened once doesn’t mean we can repeat it two or three more times!

Some of the attendees have fainted from the shock!

“On this auspicious day, I am pleased to has’t the honor of congratulating the hero and heroine of the mermaid race.”

“Truly, congratulations to thee both!”

There’s a goddess next to Poseidon.

Who is she?

That’s not his wife, Amphitrite...

“That must be Medusa, the sea consort. She’s Poseidon’s other spouse.”

His other spouse?

So, he’s a polygamist?!

“Amphitrite, the Mother Sea Goddess, deals with parturition, while weddings are Medusa’s domain. Puffer also received her blessings from Medusa.”

“My blessed child...”

Goddess Medusa begins to speak.

She has deep black hair like the sea illuminated by moonlight.

“I am overjoyed thee has’t followed the path I thought thee wouldst chooseth. Continue to fulfill thine responsibility to support those around thee.”

“Yes, I pledge that I will support him as his wife for the rest of my life,” reverently says Puffer.

With this, the couple’s vows are witnessed by the gods.

“Huh? But what about me?!”

Please keep it down, Poseidon. You’re ruining the mood.

Meanwhile, more than half of the attendees, with the exception of a few determined people, are floating on the water.

Prince Arowana and Puffer’s wedding would be so memorable it’d be talked about for years to come.