Chapter 350: The Grand Wedding (Part 2)

After the wedding ceremony, everyone exited in order according to tradition, which was followed by a grand banquet.

Approximately sixty percent of the guests left immediately, many due to urgent business or rushed schedules, or because they were not close acquaintances of Ryan or Sulia.

The remaining three hundred or so guests proceeded to the banquet. At this time, whether they were wood elves, dwarves, imperial citizens, or people from Brittany, all past grievances were temporarily set aside. Everyone enjoyed the drinks and delicacies, and the hall was filled with laughter and conversation.

Such banquets are indeed an excellent way to strengthen relationships among people, but unfortunately, they cannot be held frequently and require good reasons.

Inside the Cathedral of the Lake Fairy, two types of tables were prepared: the Round Table, where only the Grail Knights and their families could sit, and long tables for the various forces, with open spaces thoughtfully arranged. Dwarves and elves were seated far apart to prevent any conflicts. The wood elves were seated in the far corner, followed by the high elves, then the long tables of the Imperial forces, the round tables for the people of Brittany, and small tables and benches for the dwarves.

Besides the main feast, there were also two smaller round tables, one of which seated Ryan and Sulia's close friends and family, including the Norman family, the Francois family, Duke Ivan of the Griffon and his legitimate son Anton, Ryan's subordinates—the four Kingdom Knights Olivier, Hex, Lops, and Armand—as well as Boris, the Elector Prince, and Axel, the Grand Master.

The atmosphere at the other small table was rather odd. The Garon Witch Veronica, the sorceress Teresa, the Dark Elf Olica, the maid Emily, and the Lake Fairy Witch Morgiana all sat there, none looking particularly pleased. Besides them were Ryan's close friend, the recently ennobled half-elf Estel, his childhood friend Alfred, and his business partner Oliver.

Anglang and the five prototypes had left after the ceremony, except for Anglang, who planned to return to Terra the next day. Zongsen privately informed Ryan that the prototypes were too busy to accompany him on his honeymoon. Having them attend his wedding was already an incredible gesture.

Before leaving, Zongsen pressed the red button forcefully, and Volgan carried away the unconscious Magnus.

"Tohru, you really took your time." Ryan, arm-in-arm with his new bride, turned to Alfred, dressed in a white suit with blond hair and blue eyes.

This friend of Ryan's childhood had left Ryan's domain two years ago to undertake an ascetic journey, only returning to Brittany recently. Now thirty, the once young paladin had grown a short beard and matured significantly. Alfred smiled at Ryan, "Adversity and trials make us stronger, my good friend. This long period of asceticism has tempered my spirit."

Nobody knew what Alfred had experienced during his expedition, but the scars on his face and body spoke volumes. Ryan could not help him with this; Alfred's pilgrimage and the quests of the Grail Knights were similar in that they emphasized independence and minimal external assistance.

"May the light of the God of Justice bless you, Alfred. No need for more words, drink up." Ryan filled Alfred's glass with red wine.

"To your wedded bliss!" Alfred nodded. They had been youths together a decade ago, and now, Ryan was a count and a Chosen Champion, and Alfred a seasoned paladin, both stepping into mature manhood.

"And to your finding your beloved," Ryan added with a smile.

"Mr. Alfred, please drink this glass to the full." Sulia, dressed elegantly, also smiled.

"Heh, let fate decide," Alfred responded with a bitter smile.

The paladin seemed to have gone through something during his pilgrimage, and Ryan felt it too, but it wasn't the right time to inquire further.

"I'll toast to everyone." While Ryan and Alfred were conversing, Sulia approached Veronica and the others, her face beaming as she raised her glass, "To your health, please drink this glass to the full."

Everyone stood and drank a glass of wine.

Sulia then toasted Veronica separately, "Miss Veronica, please."

Veronica, dressed in a white flowing gown, was the first to stand, raising her glass filled with red wine, her face adorned with a sweet smile, "Thank you, for granting me this mercy, Lady Sulia."

"We are different, but I respect you." Sulia graciously accepted Veronica's "loser's declaration," drinking the red wine, "I only defeated you in birth. Later, you may choose one from nine sets of jewelry, my gift to you."

"No, Lady Sulia, that you can speak to me this way means you have defeated me in more than just birth." Veronica sighed deeply, "In the future, I hope you can give me some space

."

"I will." Sulia continued her toasts, "Miss Trevik?"

"Lady Sulia, hello, congratulations on your wedding." Teresa, wearing a dark brown lace long dress, also stood up, her expression somewhat downcast but forced a smile.

"I admire your courage, and I have seen what you have done for Ryan. You may not be good at expressing your feelings with words, but that's okay, I acknowledge you. You too can choose a set of jewelry from the nine, my gift to you."

"Thank you, thank you." Teresa, though still somewhat reluctant, had to admit that she could not be as generous and composed as Sulia if their roles were reversed. Now that the die was cast and Sulia had semi-publicly acknowledged her position, it was already very good. With no more grievances in her heart, she raised her glass, "Let us drink this glass to the full."

Olica and Emily also received Sulia's toasts and the privilege to choose a set of jewelry. As for Morgiana, Sulia simply toasted her, and the Lake Fairy Witch responded calmly.

Meanwhile, Ryan was toasting with his godfather, Duke Ivan of the Griffon, and his sworn brother Anton, "Godfather, thank you for attending my wedding despite your busy schedule."

"I really don't know what kind of monster I've raised." Ivan chuckled, feeling that Ryan's strength was now equal to his, with his only advantage being his experience.

Frankly, Ivan knew that if he faced the Skarlin King "Red-eye" Egil, although he wouldn't be defeated immediately, he also had no assurance of victory. Ryan's ability to defeat Egil spoke volumes.

This left Ivan with mixed feelings. As a godfather, he was naturally happy to have such an outstanding godson, but as a significant noble who controlled military power in the Empire, he was unavoidably cautious about Ryan, a key figure in a neighboring ally. Thus, his expression was complex, "I hope we never become enemies. If that day comes, I will fight with all my might and then hang you behind my griffin."

"I will do the same, godfather. I promise I will defeat you and then tie you to my saddle!" Ryan responded without hesitation.

"Hehehe, anyway, happy wedding." Duke Ivan nodded, pulling Ryan aside to speak privately, "I heard from Lord Tigris that you'll be visiting the Empire after the Winter Veil festival?"

"After the honeymoon, I'll set off." Ryan whispered back.

"I'll wait for you in Brunswick then."

"Good."

After toasting with those at the inner tables, Ryan and Sulia slowly came out to toast all the guests seated outside.

The first to be toasted was Tigris, the highest-ranking, most renowned, and strongest among the High Elves. Ryan and Sulia proactively raised their glasses to toast, "The Supreme Archmage of the High Elves~"

"Welcome, Lord Tigris, your presence at our wedding is a great honor." The female knight also spoke.

"Happy wedding, Ryan Macado." Tigris stood with his glass, his expression impassive but his eyes showing a trace of wariness, "I will be heading to the King's Forest in Asoloren next. After you finish your honeymoon, we will prepare to travel to the Empire."

"Of course."

Then came the wood elves and dwarves, who actually had little in common with Ryan. They simply offered their congratulations, and after toasting, the wood elves quickly left, while the dwarves indulged in eating and drinking.

"Lord Count Ryan Macado, on behalf of Emperor Karl Franz of the Empire, I congratulate you and Lady Marquise Sulia on your wedding!" At this moment, Imperial Royal Wizard and Grand Alchemist Byershalzer-Gaertner took the initiative to toast.

"Thank you, Grand Alchemist, for attending my wedding." Ryan was somewhat surprised; he had planned to first seek out the representative of the Knight King, Duke Laon, but since Gaertner had approached him first, he did not refuse.

"Without Him there is nothing, The Emperor knows, the Emperor is watching!" The Grand Alchemist whispered strangely, his voice like metallic friction, in Ryan's ear.

Ryan initially nodded subconsciously, then realized something and widened his eyes, "Have you already met 'Him'?"

"His greatness is undeniable, only His existence is our only salvation." After saying this, Gaertner turned and walked away, no longer engaging with Ryan.

"What is he talking about? The Emperor of the Empire?" Sulia, dressed splendidly, curiously asked her husband, "Or Charlemagne?"

"He said, he and we stand on the same ground, all for the sake of fighting against all external enemies, for the sake of humanity." Ryan replied.

"Why would he say that at our wedding?" The female knight was somewhat displeased, thinking it was their wedding

 after all, and the Grand Alchemist really didn't choose the right moment.

"Clearly he also only had this opportunity to talk to me." Ryan smiled, but did not continue.

"Ryan, in the name of the Lady, congratulations, and happy wedding, Sulia as well." Duke Connacht Laon-Leo Cornwall approached Ryan with a glass, "Please forgive King Richard for being too busy to come personally, but I bring his blessings."

"If he really came, I would be surprised." Ryan responded with a laugh, "Leo Cornwall, you don't mind if I call you that, do you?"

"Of course not, hehehe~ Ryan, you have to understand, it's not easy being a king, many things are beyond his control." Laon shook his head helplessly, "Regardless, the order to send Ulysses to reinforce Lyonsnass was signed in the name of the king, he must take responsibility for it, so recently, King Richard has locked himself in the prayer room, atoning to the Lady."

"I understand." Ryan fully understood; he originally didn't like Richard because Richard was always too conservative, but after actually becoming a count, he realized how difficult it was for the Knight King to manage a country's internal affairs.

Laon was a noble of high rank and a Grail Knight, so Ryan spoke with him a bit more, "A few months ago, you attacked Mousilon. How strong are the Black Grail Knights?"

"Very strong, incredibly strong. I don't know what secret techniques the Lich King Arkhan used, but the strength of the Black Grail Knights is stronger than that of ordinary Grail Knights. I narrowly defeated one, and my hasty retreat was not only due to the constantly attacked supply lines and severe vampire corruption but also because of the formidable strength of the Black Grail Knights." Laon looked around the grand banquet and sighed, "If the Black Grail Knights were to act collectively, I might even be defeated. From the current situation, recapturing Mousilon still requires long-term planning."

"I also want to recapture Mousilon." Ryan whispered, "I have a plan…"

(Private whispering)

"If you can recapture Mousilon, of course, that would be best. I believe you have a way. Mousilon is a thorn in the heart of the kingdom; it should be removed as soon as possible." Duke Laon looked around and whispered to the groom, "If you can recapture Mousilon, I support you becoming the Duke of Mousilon."

"Good." Ryan was pleased with the outcome, and before he could say more, Duke Boldro Bodrick approached with a glass, "Praise Manann, the guardian of the sea, and the Lady of the Lake. Ryan, the Lady's Chosen Champion, Lady Marquise Sulia, happy wedding."

"Thank you! Let's drink this glass to the full." Ryan and Sulia raised their glasses again, another glass of red wine downed, and Sulia was already a bit tipsy, leaning softly against Ryan, her cheeks flushed.

"In the name of the Lady, in the name of Arthur, I represent the Red Dragon family to wish you a happy wedding, Ryan, Sulia." It wasn't over yet; Duke Bastonne Berchemond along with Duke Gisoreux Hagen and Duke Montfort Vercand came up to Ryan to toast, congratulating him on his happy marriage.

Ryan's relationship with Duke Hagen and Duke Vercand was not good; these two dukes were also conservatives and disapproved of many of Ryan's actions. However, it wasn't the time to tear their faces apart; they all drank a glass to show their congratulations.

"Let me introduce you to my granddaughter, Eva, Eva de Bastonne," Berchemond led his granddaughter to Ryan. She was a beautiful countess with slender eyes and a coldly beautiful appearance, appearing to be in her twenties. She had just caught the bouquet thrown by Sulia, which seemed to predict her upcoming marriage.

"Hello, Miss Eva." "Hello, Eva." Ryan and his wife shook hands with the young countess.

Rumors suggested that this countess might become Sulia's sister-in-law, but that was just speculation; Ryan had heard from Francois that there was no such intention yet.

After toasting everyone at the banquet, the final cake-cutting segment began. A five-tiered giant cake was rolled out, and the bride and groom cut the cake together for everyone to share, bringing the grand wedding ceremony to a close.

Ryan and Sulia would spend their honeymoon in their domain's Lake Fairy Tower, celebrating their wedding night.

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