Chapter 42: Celebratory Banquet

Tina and I got married.

We didn’t hold a formal ceremony. Apparently, in this world, a marriage is official as long as the Spirits acknowledge it. In our case, the Wind Spirit King herself gave her approval, which is considered a big deal.

The Elf King also promised to give his blessing on our marriage.

I can’t stop grinning from ear to ear.

After all, a gorgeous Elf is now my wife! I glanced at Tina, only to find her blushing furiously.

‘Halt, everything went according to plan!’

Sylph came flying towards us, speaking in a voice only Tina and I could hear.

“S-Sylph-sama, what do you mean by ‘plan’?”

Tina didn’t know I had a contract with Sylph. She looked surprised when Sylph spoke to me so casually.

‘Halt predicted that even if he won the tournament, the nobles wouldn’t concede easily. So, we planned for me to appear in the arena and ‘acknowledge’ him, just to prevent things from escalating. Ah, and that murderous aura earlier was just an ad-lib.’

“You were pretty serious about killing them, weren’t you?”

‘Of course! They tried to break a promise made with me, the Wind Spirit King and personification of Yggdrasil. I couldn’t let that slide!’

That’s right.

“Excuse me, did Halt-sama and Sylph-sama form a contract?” Tina asked.

‘Yes, we did.’

“Sorry for keeping it a secret. The truth is, we formed the contract yesterday.”

I pulled the Leaf of Yggdrasil from my breast pocket and showed it to Tina.

“T-That’s...!!”

Tina instantly understood.

“I see now. There was no way I could have won against Sir Halt,” said Sarion, the butler.

‘Eh? You can hear me?’

“Yes. Though I’m not as attuned to the wind as Her Highness Leaffa, I am also favored by wind mana. I can sense Sylph-sama’s presence more clearly than most Elves.”

Apparently, Sarion could hear Sylph, though faintly.

‘Is that so... Can you keep my connection with Halt a secret from the other nobles and ministers?’

If it became known, the nobles would probably create trouble.

“I wish only for Lady Tina’s happiness. I would never do anything to jeopardize that.”

“Thank you, Sarion,” Tina said warmly. So, Butler Guy’s name is Sarion.

The tournament chart listed participants’ names, but since they were written in Elvish, I hadn’t known who I was up against.

“I wish to congratulate you on your marriage, Lady Tina. Sir Halt, please take good care of her.”

“Yes, I’ll make sure she’s happy.”

Later, Tina told me Sarion had once served her aristocratic household when she was a noble daughter. He was her educator and caretaker. After various events, Tina set off on a journey with the Heroes, while Sarion was sent to serve the Elf King. Tina’s parents had passed away, so Sarion’s blessing was like that of a parental figure.

“I’ll take my leave now. The marriage celebration will be held at the Royal Palace, so I need to oversee the preparations.”

Wait, it was decided just like that?

“The King is sponsoring the feast. He knew Sir Halt would win the tournament, so preparations were made in advance.”

You mean this guy fought me knowing the outcome? Wasn’t that unfair?

The Elf King assumed Sarion would lose, so he planned ahead. But Sarion still fought with everything he had, right?

“I fought seriously.”

He read my expression and answered my thoughts before leaving.

──＊＊＊──

I took Tina’s hand as we stepped off the stage. Luke and the rest of the class greeted us.

“Halt, congrats on winning the tournament and marrying Teacher Tina!” Luke said.

“Both of them are officially married since the Wind Spirit King recognized it. Is that right?” Luna asked.

“Yes, at least here in Alheim,” Leaffa confirmed.

Hearing her response made everything finally sink in.

By the way, marriage in this world can happen at any age. Since it’s a world filled with danger, it’s customary to marry whenever you find someone you want to be with.

“Never thought my classmate would marry a teacher…” Ryuushin muttered.

“Ryuushin, don’t tease them! Halt, Teacher Tina, congratulations!” Ryuka added.

“Thanks, Ryuka.”

“Thank you very much, Ryuka.”

“I offer my heartfelt congratulations!” Youko chimed in.

“Congratulations, Master!” Mai and Mei said in unison.

“Thanks, everyone!”

“Thank you very much.”

Tina and I bowed to the group.

Afterward, a Palace Maid led us to the Royal Palace.

──＊＊＊──

“Excuse me, but when did you prepare all this?” I asked, now wearing a perfectly tailored tuxedo.

“This is a simple task for a butler,” Sarion replied, having prepared the suit on the King’s orders.

I never even got measured!

Apparently, Sarion has a talent for gauging measurements just by looking at someone’s clothes. This doesn’t seem like a skill, just sheer ability.

‘It suits you, Halt,’ Sylph remarked.

For some reason, after the tournament, Sylph remained visible.

‘I need to be at the feast to celebrate with you two!’ she said cheerfully.

Can a Spirit even eat human food?

Oh well, since a Spirit King has never attended a human feast before, I’ll let her stay.

By the way, only Sarion, Sylph, and I were in the changing room, so she could speak freely. Sarion finished setting my hair, and the preparations were complete.

“You look so handsome, Halt!” Sylph praised.

“But of course, it’s perfection by my hand,” Sarion added.

When I glanced at the mirror, I saw a stunningly handsome man.

Wait, is that me!?

The Elves’ makeup and hairstyling skills are terrifying.

“It’s time. Let’s go,” Sarion said.

“Alright.”

We headed towards the banquet hall.

──＊＊＊──

I stood waiting in the front room. Since there wouldn’t be a formal ceremony, Tina and I were going to meet here. Sylph would bless us again before we entered the venue.

Suddenly, a door opened.

Tina stepped in, dressed in a pure white gown.

I was speechless. She looked stunning.

“Come on in!” Sylph beckoned Tina forward.

“…”

“...”

We just stared at each other, lost for words.

“Halt, do you swear to love Tina until the day you die?”

Sylph, imitating a priest, was clearly having fun.

“I swear!”

“And you, Tina?”

“I-I do!”

“Alright, now hurry and kiss!”

I thought Sylph would keep playing around, but she was quick to wrap things up.

“I love you, Tina.”

“Halt-sama…”

I kissed Tina.

Even though we had kissed in the arena, doing it now, with Tina in her wedding dress, felt completely different.

I really married her.

As I gazed into Tina’s eyes, my heart swelled with happiness.

“Done? Okay, time for the feast! Let’s go!” Sylph shouted, pulling us toward the banquet hall.

“Wait, don’t pull me!”

“Kyaaah!”

Sylph dragged both of us towards the wedding banquet hall.