Chapter 414 - Celedony Wedding (Patreon)

Two days after Alice’s surprise marriage announcement, Mary visited Viers. She knew where to find him, at lunch or dinner at the Glutton Whale.

“You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders,” Viers said while eating noodles with chopsticks.

“And you look like you’ve no burden at all. It makes me hate you a little. May I?”

Mary sat in front of him after receiving permission.

“My good chef, can you please bring a drink for this weary lady? The most potent and expensive thing that you have.”

The chef did just that. Mary protested but she was too exhausted to argue for long.

“Drink. My treat.”

“...My gratitude.”

Mary drank her drink and sat in silence for a time while Viers was finishing his big meal. It took a while but she didn't seem to mind the wait. She welcomed it. Viers asked if she wanted to order some food but she refused. She said she had no appetite.

“I want to ask you a favor,” Mary placed a letter on the table. “From Alice for Jonah.”

Mary asked him because Viers was closer to Jonah. Her position as Alice’s friend made the Geneb family refuse her visit earlier.

“I’ll deliver this to him personally.”

“Thank you. It brings me great relief to hear that.”

Viers ordered a drink and a refill for Mary. She drank it all before saying more.

“Yesterday night, Jonah snuck into the Fioret manor to see Alice. I fought and stopped him.”

“Really? There’s no word of that incident on the streets.”

“Both houses kept it under wraps because it’s more convenient that way.”

Mary stopped him… Hm.

“Alice hates me now. I can see it in her eyes,” Mary sighed tiredly.

Viers didn't reply.

“Do you think I’m a horrible person?”

“I think you’re human, with all the charms and imperfections of being one.”

To Viers’ blunt response, Mary silently sat there for a while. She thanked Viers for the drink and left.

Alice’s wedding was only six days away.

***

Viers visited the Geneb and was welcomed with honor. Not because he was Jonah’s new friend. Like Mary, he was refused at the door at first but after he produced an introduction from Countess Grace Weiss, the Geneb Patriarch met with him personally.

The Countess needed something from the Geneb house and she sent Viers as proxy. It was also in Viers’ interest for this deal to succeed so he wouldn't leave Celedony without the deal going through. Within the hour, he received signed documentation from the Geneb Patriarch, ten cattle delivered to the Shore via air transport, a chest full of special cultivation resources, and a silver key.

The Countess only needed the documents and the key but Viers got his own business enterprise on the side. No reason not to strike more beneficial deals while he was here.

The Patriarch was all smiles and treated Viers with respect. ‘Avel’ was like an ambassador after all. With that business concluded, Viers asked to visit his good friend Jonah. Not wanting to risk the displeasure of the ambassador, Jonah’s father agreed.

“Yo, it’s me. Avel.” Viers knocked on the door.

“...Go away. Leave me be,” Jonah replied with a sullen voice.

Viers kicked the door open, hinges and all.

He had several reasons for this: He was an ambassador with diplomatic immunity, sort of. The Geneb would have to be very careful to touch him. He was also not afraid of the Geneb. Their strongest was a Level 4 peak, the guy he had just met earlier. Viers was still weaker, but not to a hopeless degree. Lastly, he was here to make a point to Jonah.

“Wha-!? Are you mad?” Jonah was surprised. A perfectly normal response.

The sound made the guards come but Viers took a seat on one of the room’s nice chairs and paid them no mind. Jonah sent the guard away.

“From Alice. Mary asked me to give this to you,” Viers gave him the letter.

The sad and brooding man perked up and slowly took the letter. He opened it and read it in silence. When he was done, his hands hung down powerlessly as he looked to the ceiling with empty eyes.

“What did it say?” Viers picked one of the opened bottles of wine. One that still had its contents. Many empty ones were in the room. He took a sniff and drank straight from the bottle without asking permission.

“She said… It is over between us. Thank you for the dream, she said… For both our sakes, we should grow up and leave our childish self behind.”

The letter fell to the floor and Viers glanced at the last line.

Please forget me.

Signed, Alice.

“I heard Mary stopped you from seeing Alice.”

“Alice’s parents asked her to. Can't have them soil their hands directly, can't they? They’ve got a reputation to uphold.”

“So, what are you going to do now?”

“...I don't know.”

Jonah sat lifelessly, hung his head low, and Viers heard a sob.

Viers grabbed Jonah’s lapel and forced him to stand up before delivering a slap most crisp to his cheek.

The slap was as epic as the Batman Slap, very meme-able.

Jonah’s confusion persisted.

“Who are you?”

“What are y-?”

Viers slapped him again, on the other cheek.

“Who, are, you?”

Slap!

Confusion made way to rage.

“Stop it!”

Jonah tried to stop Viers and retaliate but Viers was more skillful and landed his slap again. After another three slaps and three questions, Jonah finally answered.

“I’m Jonah, Jonah Geneb!”

“Jonah Geneb, do you love Alice Fioret?” Viers didn't slap him.

“I do!”

“Then why are you not going after your girl? Are you a man or not!?”

Slap!

“B-But-”

“No buts!”

Slap.

“If you’re a man, even if the whole world is against you, you’ll overcome it to get your girl. What the hell are you doing wallowing in your room in misery? Hoping someone will pity you? To save you? Well, it won't be me! Take action, damnit. Where’s your balls!?”

The last slap sent Jonah to the floor. His cheeks burned and were swollen but there was a clarity in his head that wasn't there before.

“...It’s that simple, isn't it?”

“Who are you?” Viers asked again.

“I’m Jonah Geneb and I’ll marry Alice Fioret. No one will stop me in this,” Jonah stood up and hit Viers’ chest lightly with his fist.

“Thanks, buddy.”

“Will you make her happy?”

“With Goddess as my witness! I’ll make her the happiest girl in the world!!!”

“Fuckin’ A! Go get’em, tiger!”

***

The two youth’s outbursts could be heard by many people in the mansion. Naturally, some were not happy. The guards pleaded to their young master to come to reason, to think of the house, to calm down, and many more.

Excuses all. Jonah’s love and passion burned strong like the sun. Viers lit a fire in him that couldn't be doused. His steel resolve was answered by his cultivation. His Victa roared with vigor and purpose.

The two made their way to the Geneb’s treasury, swatting down pursuers. Out of courtesy, Viers didn't kill any of them.

Jonah’s father stood in their way.

Jonah punched his father senseless.

Viers gave a little help but the credit was mostly Jonah. The man in love was very strong right now.

After breaking into the treasury, Jonah decked himself in the family’s heirloom armor and sword. The armor was very shiny. The knight in shining armor perfectly depicted Jonah right now.

As the last Pathseeker vassal crumpled on the floor like all before him, the two left the mansion; it had more wear and tear compared to the time Viers entered. They power-walked out of the front door. If this was a movie, Viers would make sure this scene was in slow-mo. A woman called Jonah from the window of the third floor. It was Jonah’s mother.

Unlike his father, his mother gave her blessing and wished him the best.

Jonah shed a tear and thanked his mother before heading off to his battlefield. With Viers suggestion, the two took two mighty horses from the stable and raced to the streets of Celedony under the sunny sky.

The commotion in the Geneb estate wasn't missed by the people. Some people wondered what was going on.

“Make way! Jonah of House Geneb is on his way to propose to Alice of House Fioret. Shame on those who get in the way of their love!”

Viers shouted from the top of his lungs. He said a few different variations of this.

Geneb and Fioret were famous for being enemies but a couple wanted to marry?

“Is this an event?”

“Geneb and Fioret? Is this true?”

“Hahah! I’ve got to see this!”

The crowd followed in Viers and Jonah’s wake. No matter which world, people wouldn't want to miss an interesting drama. With so much commotion, it would be strange if the Fioret missed the news of a brazen Geneb boy.

The vassals of the Fioret blocked Jonah’s way.

“Move it!”

Viers thought he would have to interfere, but the crowd took care of that. Some random Pathseeker defeated the human roadblocks.

“My thanks!” Jonah said.

“Go, my boy!”

“Hahaha! I wish I was more like you when I was young.”

“Good folk of Celedony, onward!”

Just like that, Viers raised an army. With the public sentiment on their side, Jonah and Viers finally arrived in front of the Fioret estate.

Beneath the entrance's arch, Mary was waiting for him, ready for battle. Her Level 4 might was fully manifested.

“I am Alice’s best friend. Because I’m her best friend I must act in her best interest. The path forward is a thorny one. If you want to take her with you to that life of hardship, you mustn't be weak. You must be able to protect her, to provide, to overcome life’s challenges. Demonstrate your strength by defeating me!”

Mary drew her sword and Jonah dismounted.

“I’d gladly oblige. I’ll show you my worth as a man!”

The crowd cheered, including Viers. It was a duel with one’s love on the line. The crowd drank in this entertainment like ambrosia. It was a battle between Level 4 and Level 3, a mighty clash of power. Some Pathseekers in the crowd raised protections so the common people wouldn't be injured.

Guards shortly arrived by the dozens, trying to impose order, and broke up the duel. Viers saw Alice’s father and a noble youth with his own bodyguards.

Was that guy Alice’s fiance that her family designated to her?

“Brave people of Celedony! Here comes the enemies of love most pure! The father whose heart has been soaked by hatred and the bride-snatcher-to-be! I say they shall not interrupt the shining knight’s quest to prove his love, what say you!?”

The mob was most eager to follow Viers’ narrative. With Viers in the lead, the local Pathseekers, or those who were only here by chance, began a righteous last stand against the vile forces of evil. It was chaos. The Idlers began to feel the heat and retreated. This was not their arena, only superhumans could stand here.

“VIVA LA REVOLUTION!!” Viers shouted like a patriot ready to martyr himself. He wished he could wave a flag right now.

While the street of Celedony turned into a battlefield, the duel between Mary and Jonah was uninterrupted. Mary split her attention because of the latest developments, making sure nobody was hurt. Meanwhile, Jonah focused wholly on this duel.

It gave the Level 3 a good chance… but it was not enough. Mary’s Level 4 power was not so easily surmounted, no matter how hot the passion inside Jonah was.

“It’s your defeat.” Mary swung her sword down.

“Not yet!”

Alice came between Jonah and Mary.

“Alice!” Jonah gasped.

“Got for it! Will you be my hero or not?” Alice smiled.

“Damn right I will!”

With the opening Alice provided, Jonah struck a decisive blow on Mary. She had a knee on the ground.

“Well… done,” Mary said. She tried to hide her smile but was unable to.

The crowd roared. The cheers went up to the sky.

Alice and Jonah hugged, she didn't care if her dress became dirty with dirt and blood.

“Alice Fioret, will you marry me?” Jonah slid a ring on her finger.

“Yes, Jonah Geneb, I will marry you,” Alice shed tears of happiness.

Other than a deluge of cheers, some of the Pathseekers who were in battle were able to give their blessing by launching pretty Artes above their heads, making impromptu fireworks.

With the two love birds conjoined, Jonah activated a magic item of teleportation that he got from the treasury he pillaged earlier. Something that he saved for this moment.

Before it activated, a malicious Arte was shooting towards Jonah. It came from the guy that Alice dumped.

Alice realized first. She tried to shield the drained and tired Jonah with her Arte and body. It wouldn't be enough. Jonah wasn't going to let her and tried to switch positions with her.

In the end, it was Mary who shielded them both, even if she got hurt in the process.

“I wish you two all the happiness in the world,” Mary smiled at them.

“Thank you. Thank you!” Alice cried. “You’re the best friend I can ever have!”

“I’ll protect Alice. I swear on my life,” Jonah said to her.

At Viers who casually stood behind Mary, Jonah gave a nod of understanding and gratitude, from one man to another.

The next moment, the teleportation was activated and the couple was gone. As per the plan, the two would then enter the fairy ring and teleport again far farther this time. Viers had negotiated the deal with the Celedony Fae that they helped a few days past. After that, Jonah and Alice were truly on their own.

That was the signal that the party was over. The last one to leave would be stuck with the bill and cleaning up the mess. Every Pathseeker in the area who was on the side of the young couples understood this and scattered to the four winds. Naturally, the villain Viers was not interested in staying.

“I’m going. Do you need help?” Viers asked Mary.

“I’ll be fine,” Mary looked tired but satisfied. “Thank you for everything. May we meet again.”

“It was fun. See ya.”

Viers ran like a speed demon. Some people from the Fioret side tried to catch him as the one responsible for the riot but he was too fast. He didn't even use special Artes to shake them off.

With all his business in Celedony concluded, he went back to the nearest teleportation point in the wilderness and went back to Viridis. His precious vacation was over.

He didn't stay in the Biome long. The next day, he already went through a teleporter to the Crimson Capital.

Boram, Paina, Croix, and the others. The whole gang would be there for the Emerith Grand Ball that would begin shortly.

Viers looked forward to seeing them again.