Chapter 49

**The Demon King's Wedding. Today. Now.**

"Are we really doing this right now!?"

I understand that we need to hurry, but isn't this a bit too rushed!?

"There's no choice. As long as there are forces trying to interfere, the only way to silence them is to finish this as quickly as possible! The sooner, the better!"

"That might be true, but...!"

The Demon King couple, Zedan and Astaris, are left standing there, overwhelmed by the rapid developments.

"Normally, marriage should only require the consent of the parties involved, but in this case, it's not that simple!"

"We need to make the fact that they are married so solid that no one can deny it! Only then can we silence those who plot against them!"

Viel is even getting into the spirit of things.

What is driving them to such a fever pitch? Do they enjoy political struggles?

...Or is it just fun to cheer on others' love lives without any responsibility?

"Okay! Princess Plati, question time!!"

"Sure, Belena! Go ahead!!"

There are still some who are hyped up.

Girls really do love talking about love.

"Specifically, what is the proper way to get everyone to recognize a marriage? What is needed!?"

"Great question! I'll tell you! What is needed...!!"

She pauses for effect.

"What is needed...!"

She pauses again.

"Witnesses!!"

"“Witnesses!?”"

She repeats it for emphasis.

The main ones getting excited are Plati, Viel, Bati, and Belena. The Demon King and Astaris, the parties involved, are just standing there, stunned by the situation.

"Witnesses are living proof that the ceremony was indeed carried out! The higher their social status, the more credible the wedding will be!!"

"High enough that no one can interfere!!"

Is this to establish the fact of the Demon King and Astaris's marriage?

"I see! Then this place is the perfect spot for top-tier witnesses!"

"Lord Viel the Dragon, Lady Plati of the Mermaid Kingdom! And most importantly, the Holy One is here too!"

Bati and Belena cheer, and Plati waves her fingers.

Why?

"That's too sweet. We need the strongest, most unassailable witnesses!"

"The strongest!?"

"Is there someone even more prestigious than them!?"

The situation is getting bigger and bigger.

Who does Plati plan to have as a witness?

* * *

"…Me"

The No-Life King, the teacher, deflated after hearing the request.

He was called out suddenly, and after bracing himself for something serious, he was asked to witness a wedding. It's no wonder he ended up like this.

"N-no-no-no-no-no-no-no, No-Life King…!?"

Next to him, the Demon King is overwhelmed by the teacher's presence.

It's natural for a first meeting to be like this.

"I had heard that the Holy One not only commands dragons but also the No-Life King, but seeing it in person is different…!"

He doesn't command them.

They're just good neighbors.

"But Plati, to specifically ask the teacher to witness this. Is it really that important?"

This way of speaking might seem disrespectful to the teacher, but the sudden summoning of someone completely uninvolved in this situation is…!?

"It's important. Because the teacher, in life, was a high-ranking bishop of a major church, right?"

"Ah, yes."

"St. Priests are absolutely necessary for a wedding! They need to get the two people who are pledging their love recognized by God! What kind of wedding would it be without this!?"

Now that you mention it, that's true.

From that perspective, the teacher, who has been a priest for over a thousand years after becoming an undead, is the most authoritative representative of God!

Why not have a proper ceremony with the teacher as the witness!?

"Ah, um, I hate to interrupt your enthusiasm…!"

The teacher says hesitantly.

"I'm fine with officiating the wedding, but the bride and groom are those two, right? They are demons, right?"

He points to the Demon King and Astaris.

"I was a human before becoming an undead…"

"Huh?"

"The god I worship is Zeus, the sky god who created humans. For demons, it's Hades, the god of the underworld, right?"

"Yes…!"

There's a fundamental difference!

So, is it like asking a temple to perform a wedding for the Demon King?

"Well, I'll give it a try."

The teacher waves his sleeve.

"Is it possible!?"

"Living for over a thousand years, you learn a lot. Even though our beliefs differ, I know the rituals to communicate with Hades."

With that, the teacher makes a gesture with his hands and starts chanting.

"…Grant your blessings, bestow your favor, take them to the underworld, and share the grace of the goddess."

The air suddenly feels heavier.

It's getting darker even though it's midday.

The atmosphere is becoming intense!

"Let this place become a sacred domain, and purify it as you will…!"

As if the teacher's prayer has been answered, a god appears.

The god of the demons.

Hades, the god of the underworld.