Chapter 13.5: End
**Kuro, a few months later, the Holy Palatial Gardens…**
The gardens that comprised the personal territory of the Human Saint, Madelaine Ann Rubinforth, was filled with lively crowds once again. Thousands of colorful banners and banderitas filled every pillar and trees high enough to display it, and the bells of the Saint's Cathedral rang almost every hour. Outside the palatial ramparts, tents of many well-wishers were pitched, where every race that walked on Chersea mingled with one another.
"Come and buy now! These are the official merchandise to celebrate the grand wedding of the Duke of Maverny, the Lord Kuro! The Rock of Chersea! The Eternal-King of Cherwind! The Great Scholar of Cherflammen! The Wise Advisor of Cherwoods! And the Heaven's Representative of Cherhom!"
Honestly, I'd really like to ask the vendors outside the gardens to just sell their stuff without mentioning all those cringe-ass titles given to me. I mean, while I appreciate the feelings of people for what I did, I was never one to bask in glory before the eyes of everyone. And certainly, I didn't like those labels that would give the people with chuunibyou a run for their money. However, there were more pressing matters I had to attend to…
"Chief, please hurry!" Gero never hid his annoyance as I took time to adjust the clothes I wore. Honestly, I was just nervous; after all, I never once thought this day would come…
"Chief!" Tarou flung the doors of my room open, helping his fellow rabbit-brother to pull me out. "You fought against every army sent against you, and yet, you're getting scared on your wedding day?"
"Sorry, guys…" I could only scratch my head. "I mean, up until now, I think of myself as some random dude. It sure is a different feeling when you're already here, and an army of beautiful ladies await you at the entrance of the Saint's Cathedral."
"You're not some random dude, chief!" it was Luka. "To me, you're like my father, and my brother. Annoying, but reliable at the same time."
"I don't know if I will be honored or pissed at that," I countered. Nevertheless, we had a good laugh, which took away some of the tension in me. Then, when everything settled down, the Orphans escorted me out of the guest manor and into the path that led to the Saint's Cathedral.
Along the way, people lined along its stretch, screaming like they saw some handsome celebrity. I wished it was true; though I knew my looks were average on the positive estimate. Ah, well, now was not the time to take self-pity at myself. I mean, Maddie, Lily, Eris, Jessica, Lady Sylvia, Ruro, Ursura, Minahaba, Salis, Rishnu, Lady Margarette, Sebastenerva, Missy, Lady Konka…
God…the list is too long…
…Natasha, Noir, Shevaun, Srexe, Nari, Tama…
Shucks, this is just 75% through the list…
…the Lady Hinwe, Meanor, the Lady Helgath, and Seirna were all waiting for me at the entrance of the Saint's Cathedral. I wouldn't question their decisions; they knew what they were getting into. Well, that goes to me as well. In any case, whatever happens, I swear to the heavens I would make sure these ladies who loved me would be happy throughout their lives…even when I'm gone as a mortal.
As we neared the Saint's Cathedral, the throng went even more restless, excited at the sight of they were witnessing. And I couldn't blame them, for at the end of the road stood the beautiful ladies, all in their respective wedding dresses…with some made just for the occasion (as some of them didn't have marriage customs). Maddie was the first to see, and she flashed a gentle yet the loveliest smile I saw in my whole life up to that point.
"Kuro!" she waved at me, which was followed by the others. "You're awfully late!"
"I'm sorry, Your Holinesses, lovely ladies," I bowed, "It's just that, I still can't believe this reality, so I was nervous. But I'm alright now…I've returned from the dream."
"Welcome back!" Eris grabbed my hand, and Lily took the other side. Together, they pulled me to the entrance of the Saint's Cathedral, and into the multitudes of people waiting for their hero to appear. Never once in my life did I dream for this to happen, but now that it did, I guess it was not bad to indulge myself sometimes.
On that day, I was married, and there was a year-long series of celebrations in Chersea, Cherwind, Cherflammen, Cherwoods, and Cherhom. Finally, I could bring my story to a close.