A week has passed since I became the 'White Mark Demon Hunter'.

　In the meantime, the appointment of the new "Gold Marked Demon Hunter" was officially announced and was a hot topic of conversation.

''Illtimina Wong.''

　The name was all over the pages of the newspaper.

　An extra issue was published, and I keep a copy of it in my desk in my room for safekeeping.

　

　And so, the new 'Golden Seal Demon Hunter' will be presented for the first time before the people at the inauguration ceremony held today at St. Shrien's Cathedral.

''It's.......spectacular.

　Solstice muttered at the scene from the window of the anteroom on the third floor of the cathedral.

　People, people, people.

　The square in front of the cathedral was filled with many Shumurian citizens.

(...........Great.

　I'm a little stunned.

"Well, it's a big event with the whole country. And everyone wants to see their new hero.

　One of the heroes, Kilt-san, said so.

(.........Illtimina-san will be a hero too?

　I'm happy, but I feel a little sad because I feel like I've become a distant presence.

　I know it's selfish of me.

　In the anteroom where the three of us are, there is no sign of the much talked about Illtimina herself.

　To tell the truth, she's out of the room right now to change for the ceremony.

　Incidentally, Kilt-san, the current 'Golden Seal Demon Hunter', was also on the side attending, so she was in a jet black dress.

　Her beautiful silver hair stood out against the black background of her dress, giving her a slightly bewitching look.

　Quilt-san's change of clothes lasted about 20 minutes.

　But since Ms. Illtimina is the star of the day, it's already taken more than 40 minutes.

(How will she look?)

　I'm a bit hopeful.

　Concon.

　And then there was a knock on the door of the waiting room.

(Oh, is he back?)

　The three of us looked at each other and I rushed to the door.

　Gacha.

Welcome back to Illtimina... hmm?

　A different person was on the other side of the open door.

　We were surprised.

　Kilt-san quickly got up from the sofa he was sitting on.

　Soltis hurriedly followed suit.

　The ladies in the anteroom also bowed their heads in unison.

''Oh, Mahr-sama?''

　She spotted me with her blue and gold odd-eye eyes and smiled happily.

　The third princess of the Kingdom of Shumuria, Princess Reclear was standing there.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


Well, don't be afraid.

　Princess Reclear laughs graciously.

　She's participating in the ceremony as one of the royals, and she went out of her way to congratulate me before the ceremony opened.

　Unfortunately, Iltimina-san wasn't there, but

Well, that's too bad. Your timing is terrible.

　And the princess is forgiving.

　Then, while enjoying the tea that's been prepared.

'Oh yes, Mr. Merle, thank you so much for the fourth one.

　He utters.

　The fourth person, that is, Poe, would be the divine dragon Nagaia.

'But I didn't expect to find you back in Shumuria in three days.
..........
When I heard about it, I blew my tea out of my mouth.

　He held his fingers over his mouth and smiled mischievously.

　I chuckled, not knowing how to respond.

　Then.

You're a lucky man.

　Honestly, I'll tell you.

　Princess Reclear looked surprised.

　But then she smiles at me.

Well..... Surely this was meant to be.

(...what?)

''For the past few months, Master Marle easily found someone that the tens of thousands of soldiers in the kingdom couldn't find, even though they were looking for him. I'm sure that's what happened.
..........
Truly, Mael is a mystery to me.

　The odd-eyed eyes staring at me had a sparkling light in them.

　.........I'm a little embarrassed.

　And that gaze turned to Kirt-san.

''Kirt Amandes.
Yes, sir.
You mentioned it before, right?　Master Marr's real power is not the power to fight, but 'the power to connect with people.'
Yes, sir.
I think this whole thing... has made a lot of sense to me.
Well, goodbye.

　Kilt-san smiled serenely.

(............)

　I, the person in question, don't understand as if.......

　Noticing my expression, the two of them looked at each other and were smiling very funny.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


Speaking of which, your father did give you a compliment.

　As if she suddenly remembered, Princess Reclear spoke up.

(Eh.........the king?)

　To my surprise, she says, imitating my voice.

"'Ho?　Did you get one result? Then tell them well done'........
..........

(Is that a compliment?)

　Princess Reclear chuckled at my delicate face.

''Your father is not an honest man,''
Huh.
But I feel like this has changed the way I look at Mahr-sama a bit.

　...........

(Well, if my beloved daughter, Princess Reclear, says so?)

　It's a mixed feeling, both happy and incredible.

　And then.

　knock-knock

　There was a knock on the door of the anteroom and the lady in the anteroom informed me.

'Lady Illtimina has returned, sir.

(!)　

　We look in that direction.

　Then the door opens, and the person slowly emerges.

"Well!
"Huh?
My sister Irna, beautiful.

　Three surprised voices.

''...........''

　But I couldn't even speak.

　Standing there was Ms. Illtimina, dressed in a pure white dress.

　Her long, beautiful dark green hair was gorgeously tied up and adorned with a jeweled golden hairpiece.

　The bosom and back of the dress were wide open, and her smooth white skin was radiant.

　Her graceful beauty is enhanced by the application of make-up, which she does not usually wear, making her look even more radiant.

　She is truly a pure white lady.

(............)

　However, in his hand is a beautiful white-winged spear as if it were a work of art, just like the Golden Seal Demon Hunter.

　It's like a beautiful warrior maiden.

　The contrast between them is also wonderful.

　Illtimina-san's cheeks are shyly stained with embarrassment as she meets our gaze.

　She looks up at me with her eyes.

What do you think, Merle?

　I asked.

　...........

"Ma'am?
..........
Um...?

　Finally, my mouth moved.

"...beautiful.

　A dumbfounded word.

　Illtimina-san turned bright red and slumped down.　

(.........Ah....)

　When I noticed, I too was blushing.

　Princess Reclear saw that we were blushing.

Oh, my God, is that right?

　He covered his mouth with his hand and gave a small smile.

　And then, behind Princess Reclear, the maidservant, Fedonia, whispered into her ear.

''Princess, it's time to go,''
Oh, yes.

　The Third Princess nodded.

'Iltimina Wong.

　She looked at the new 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter' with her odd-eyed eyes.

''Please, don't be ashamed of that new golden glow and live for the rest of your time.
Yes, sir.

　Miss Iltimina nodded.

　Princess Reclear's smile deepened, and she left the anteroom with a large group of attendants as it was.

　The air in the room became a little lighter.

''Huh~, good grief.''

　Solstice, who is surprisingly petulant, lets out a sigh.

　I chuckle.

　And.

Lady Illtimina, it's time for you to enter the hall.

　That's what the female officer told me.

　Ms. Illtimina nodded, "I understand," and took a deep breath, holding her large chest in her hands.

'Well, take it easy.'
Good luck, Ilna.

　The two of them encouraged.

　Illtimina nodded.

　I hold her hand, wrapped in a glove.

　I press it to her forehead and close my eyes, praying for her to be brave.

　Then I look at her with my blue eyes.

'Go ahead, Miss Illtimina,'
Yes, sir.

　Ms. Illtimina smiled happily.

　Then she bent down.

　kiss

　He kissed me lightly on the cheek.

　A few traces of red lipstick (rouge) remain.

　To my amazement, she shyly scowled at me.

I'm out, Merle.

　I say forcefully.

　Then we see the new "Golden Mark Demon Hunter" walk out of the anteroom, and see him off at the start.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　It was getting close to opening time, and soon we, too, were making our way to the cathedral.

　The last time we came to the Cathedral was for the 50th anniversary of the King's birth.

　At that time, we were seated in the general section, but this time, as relatives and friends of Ms. Illtimina, we were ushered into the related section.

　We were seated on the third floor with a great view.

　The couches are high quality and very soft.

'So no.'

　By the way, Mr. Kilt is no longer saying that because he is the one attending the ceremony.

　So it's just me and Solstice sitting there.

　Hissing and whispering.

　Curious glances and whispers can be heard from the other officials' seats at the two children.

　I'm a little uncomfortable.

(...ah...)

　But then I found Mumpa-san's figure in the officials' seat a bit farther away.

　Maybe it's because he's the head of the guild that Illtimina-san belongs to.

　He laughed and gave me a small wave, which made me feel somewhat relieved.

　There were a great number of ordinary customers as well.　

　Thousands, or maybe even more than 10,000 people.

　The seats are full.

　I heard that people who couldn't get into the cathedral also gathered in the square in front of the cathedral.

I heard that they use a speaker called "Heavenly voice machine" so that only the voice inside can be heard in the square.

　After a while, the lights in the cathedral went dark.

　It's the opening ceremony.

(...........I'm nervous.

　I pressed my chest.

　The assembled band began to play live music, the priest who was to be the host of the event gave an address, and the Archbishop declared the ceremony open.

　Finally, it began.

　First, greetings were given by the various guild officials and nobles.

　There were guests and congratulations from the Arun Divine Empire and other countries as well.

(............)

　I am reminded that I am truly going to represent a country.

　Soon, the generals and great nobles also greeted him.

　And the current "Golden Seal Demon Hunter", Kirto Amandes, also gave a speech.

　He seemed to be used to this kind of situation and spoke with an imposing manner.

(As expected.)

　Also, I was greeted by "The Golden Mark Magician", Colón Chudo Resta.

　This one was very short.

　During the greeting, she stood tall, but it was funny how sometimes she would get distracted and almost hunch over and hurried to fix it.

　As a member of the royal family, Princess Reclear also greeted her.

　Even in front of a lot of people, she looked calm.

　It's hard to believe that she's the same age as us.

　Then the ceremony proceeded to the cathedral, where there was a large statue of a goddess.

　At the height of its bosom, there is a semi-circular corridor, and the front of the corridor is like a balcony.

　The priests lined up in that aisle.

　An air of anticipation rose in the cathedral.

　And then.

I'm here!

　Through the path blessed by that priestess, the new 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter', Iltimina Wong, appeared.

　A pure white noblewoman with a white spear in her hand.

　She stands in the front balcony area with an imposing expression and poise.

　A cheer went up in the cathedral.

　A thunderous applause.

　The new "Golden Marked Demon Hunter", which is new to many people, seems to have made a surprising and positive impression on me because she is younger than I expected, and has a finely honed sense of beauty.

　I, too, applauded as much as I could.

　The same goes for Solstice next to me.

　Crackle.

　Eventually, the applause ends.

'Ladies and gentlemen, it's nice to meet you. My name is Iltimina Wong.

　A well-passed, slightly low voice.

　It was the usual voice of Illtimina-san.

　I don't know what was going on inside, but there was no sign of nervousness on the surface.

　The greeting, with formal language, ended in a matter-of-fact manner.

　Illtimina-san bows.

　Crackle.

　There was another round of applause.

(Oh ... he looked at me.)　

　Suddenly my gaze met with Illtimina-san and I thought she gave me a small smile.

　Was it my imagination?

　I don't know, but I clapped my hands together again, full of eyes.

　Finally, the King appeared.

　With solemn words, he gave his blessing to Illtimina-san.

　Then he raises the magic ball that the priestess beside him was holding in her hand.

　The king-sama put his hand on the magic ball.

　Iltimina-san also puts her right hand with her gloved off on the other side.

''In the name of the goddess Shurian, I acknowledge this person as the new golden warrior that the Kingdom of Shumuria has ordained.

　Pah!

　The magic ball shines.

　And the magic emblem on Illtimina-san's right hand changes the color of the glow from silver to gold.

(Ugh, wow...)

　A golden light.

　It illuminates the interior of the cathedral and the people gathered there.

　It was so dazzling.

　The figure of Illtimina-san holding up her right hand high was truly divine, and I was on the verge of tears.

''..........''
..........

　Solstice was crying as she looked at her sister.

　...........

　I felt like I had become a distant person.

　Our Illtimina-san.

　Maybe that's no longer our own existence.

　But it's something to celebrate.

(............)

　I continued to smile and stare at her distant figure, happy, but a little sad.

　Thus, the ceremony went off without a hitch.