Merchant Noble is out (3/3 chapters for today)
Wedding Day
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After weeks of preparation, Arc and Marie’s wedding took place in Mikanda.
As expected, considering the current circumstances, the ceremony was far simpler than one might expect for a noble and royal wedding. No nobles or influential figures from across the kingdom were invited. While Arc, as the host, had his reasons, Marie’s side only invited someone like Casablanca.
“Is it really alright to have such a modest ceremony, considering we are receiving the sister of His Majesty the King?” (Minerva)
Minerva said with concern.
Minerva was feeling quite lonely about her beloved brother getting married. However, since Marie was coming to live with them, Arc would remain nearby as the lord of Mikanda, and life would continue as usual. This eased Minerva’s anxiety to some extent. The only person who could host a royal wedding and manage the related ceremonies was Minerva, who had learned various customs as the daughter of a merchant. She was busy running around preparing for her brother’s grand day as the person in charge of the event.
“Given the current situation, both the nobility and the common people are exhausted. It would be inappropriate to hold a lavish wedding.” (Arc)
Arc responded while also showing a trace of regret at how the wedding had become so small-scale.
He wanted to boast proudly about marrying Marie, such an honorable thing. The Warden Household, which had been looked down upon by nobles, was finally making its entrance onto the kingdom’s main stage. His late father must be rejoicing in heaven. Although Casablanca had forbidden the use of Marie’s royal status for such purposes, Arc still wished to show off a little.
“If we invited the nobles, they wouldn’t come anyway. We’re disliked. A ceremony like this is just fine, don’t you think?” (Yanna)
It was Yanna who said this. Thanks to her efforts in managing the internal affairs of the Third Town, it was growing rapidly as an industrial hub. However, since she was stationed there permanently, she had little presence compared to the other four siblings, Arc, Tyr, and Minerva, who managed military affairs, and the university, respectively.
Yanna was wearing a black dress. Usually, she dressed in a rather careless manner, nearly half-naked, but this time she was unusually neat and formal. Perhaps she understood the importance of the day.
“Arc-sama! The guests we invited from Mikanda have arrived! They’re your subordinates, so perhaps it’s not urgent to meet them right away. What would you like to do? Shall we meet them, or not?” (Mia)
Mia, who had been handling the guest arrivals, rushed in. Since this was a major event for Mikanda, the host had a mix of soldiers and adventurers working together.
“Now is the only time we can take it slow. Let’s meet with them now. Minerva! The ceremony preparations are in your hands.” (Arc)
“Yes. Understood.” (Minerva)
Arc decided to meet with the guests first. Although they were technically guests, these were the mayors and vice-mayors of various towns, as well as university professors. Arc, as the lord, held a higher rank than any of them.
“Please, Arc-sama, this way. We’ve gathered everyone in the reception hall.” (Mia)
“Thank you, Mia. That hair ornament looks great on you.” (Arc)
Normally, Mia was covered in dirt and had stained clothes like an adventurer, but today she was dressed up. Her bangs were down today, and she looked even more adorable than usual.
Arc brought up the topic because the ornament Mia had stuck in her hair was beautiful.
Her face instantly brightened. “The switch has been flipped,” Ark thought, but it was too late. She began to talk at a furious pace.
“You really do have an eye for things, Lord Arc! This hair ornament was given to me by an adventurer from the royal capital when I was still just a naive girl. Back then, Mikanda only had three villages, and it was nothing but a large rural area. There were no shops selling accessories like this, and my only entertainment was taking care of horses. Then, one day, an adventurer from the royal capital appeared. He seemed to have been sent by the kingdom to inspect various places…” (Mia)
Arc had started the conversation due to her unusual mature appearance, but Mia was still as she always was. As they made their way to the reception hall, she began talking nonstop. Residents they passed by tried to approach Arc to offer congratulations, but Mia didn’t seem to notice and continued talking.
“Aah, Mia, we’ve arrived at the reception hall.” (Arc)
“Oh, what a shame. It was such an interesting part of the story. Well, we’ll pick up where we left off next time.” (Mia)
After hearing Arc’s words, Meer realized that they had arrived at the guest house and returned to the ceremony hall with a look of deep regret on her face.
“Is there more to the story…?” (Arc)
As always, he can’t get used to his machine gun talk. Arc said with a wry smile as he entered the guest house.
“Congratulations on your wedding, Arc-sama!” (??)
Inside the reception hall, the mayors of various towns were waiting for him.
“Ah, thank you, everyone.” (Arc)
The mayors stood in front of Arc, each holding a congratulatory gift.
The mayor of the second town, Guselb, brought a large cart full of goods. The smell of earth wafted from the sacks of potatoes piled high.
“Congratulations! These are freshly harvested potatoes from all the residents of the Second Town.” (Guselb)
“Oh, thank you. I’ll use them at the banquet after the ceremony. It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Guselb? How’s the Second Town doing?” (Arc)
“Yes, people have been coming from all over, and the population is growing rapidly. Before, most of the crops were taken by taxes, but thanks to Arc-sama lowering the tax rates and allowing us to sell the surplus food, the morale of the residents has greatly improved.” (Guselb)
“That’s good to hear. Keep up the good work. It’s a valuable export for the Warden Household.” (Arc)
After lowering the taxes in the Second Town as a lord, Arc hadn’t been deeply involved in its affairs, but it seemed that production had been steadily increasing. Fertile soil and a shrewd mayor had provided a solid foundation for growth even without Arc’s direct involvement.
The mayor of the Third Town, Ragonne, presented a shining sword. Its beautiful gleam spilled out of its sheath. Arc, who had seen many swords as a merchant, had never seen one so bright. It was an exceptional sword.
“This is a sword crafted by the kingdom’s best blacksmiths. It has a high purity and can even cut through rocks.” (Ragonne)
“Beautiful. I didn’t know such skilled craftsmen existed.” (Arc)
Arc unsheathed the sword slightly, and immediately, its rainbow-colored gleam illuminated the room. The blade reflected Arc’s face like a mirror. Even the captain of the king’s guard probably didn’t wield such a magnificent sword.
“Exiled followers of the Nature Faith, who were driven from their homes by other faiths, have come from all over the kingdom. Thanks to them, we’ve been able to produce these high-quality items.” (Ragonne)
“Yes, it’s wonderful. I will cherish it. Thank you, Ragonne.” (Arc)
The sword was a testament to the quality ores from the Third Town’s land and the high craftsmanship of the artisans who had moved there. It was the perfect symbol of Mikanda’s aspirations, blending quality materials with fine craftsmanship.
The vice-mayor of the Forth Town, Hausar, looked slightly embarrassed by the extravagant gifts from the previous mayors and awkwardly presented his own offering. Arc was unsure how to react at first. It looked like an ordinary axe.
“This is a steel axe from the fourth city. The port has finally been completed, and this axe is our first export.” (Hausar)
“Oh!” (Arc)
Contrary to Hausar’s apologetic tone, Arc’s excitement skyrocketed.
The long-awaited trade from the Fourth Town had finally begun. Although Arc had been focused on politics as a lord, his merchant blood stirred within him, and he was eager to engage in active trade. Mikanda had been surrounded by mountains, and trade had been difficult until now. But now that the port city, the Forth Town, was fully operational, it was fantastic news.
“The purity is high, and the quality is good, so I believe it will increase.” (Hausar)
“Thank you, Hausar.” (Arc)
Finally, the mayor of the Forth Town, Rishu, stood at the end of the line.
Rishu approached Arc with a quiet smile, and something about her felt unsettling.
“Hehe, I brought you this flower.” (Rishu)
“Ah, thank you.” (Arc)
Rishu had handed Arc a single flower. She approached Ark with a quiet smile.
It is kind of scary.
“Do you know the meaning of this flower?” (Rishu)
“No… I don’t know…” (Arc)
Rishu was wearing a beautiful black-based dress, but depending on how one looked at it, it could resemble mourning clothes.
What an eerie outfit.
Adding to the strange feeling was her smile, which was pleasant but seemed distant, as though her mind wasn’t fully present.
“Hehe. You’re a sinful man. Getting married without telling me first.” (Rishu)
“No, Rishu, that’s…” (Arc)
Suddenly, Rishu hugged Arc. The speed was so fast that Arc couldn’t even react.
Her face was right in front of his, so close that their noses nearly touched.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I was just infatuated with you on my own. Who you marry is up to you. However, after I came all this way to this rural place, worked hard as a mayor on your orders… this is how you repay me… this… this…” (Rishu)
At such a close distance, Rishu whispered resentfully, her voice beginning to break into tears.
Indeed, Rishu had come all the way to Mikanda for Arc. Her skills had impressed him so much that he had made her the mayor of the fourth city and entrusted her with its development. Certainly, reflecting on it now, from Rishu’s perspective, it was an awful situation. Perhaps when it came to his marriage, it was Rishu, not Minerva, that Arc needed to soothe. But this was an unexpectedly intense emotion to confront.
“Rishu-dono, it’s a joyous day today. Let’s remember that, all right?” (Hausar)
Hausar tried to calm Rishu somehow.
At that, Rishu easily released Arc.
What has just happened to that tearful voice?
Her face was back to normal, as if nothing had happened.
“Hehehe. So, be sure to greet your fiancée for me, won’t you?” (Rishu)
Is that a joke? Could it really be settled as a joke? The heart of a woman truly is a mystery.
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