By Zephyria 
June 20th. The first day of the Imperial Conference dawned.
If one were to fill a lake with people, would it look like this? The last time thirty thousand spectators had gathered, I had focused all my attention on the Imperial Knights and hadn’t truly grasped the scale, but seeing the surging crowd of people now, I felt a renewed sense of emotion.
In front of everyone seated were small desks for taking brief notes during the conference. Because the seating was uniform and packed, the already large number of people seemed to double.
The same Crystal Orb Artifacts seen during sparring circled in the air, drawing large circles.
Today’s hosts were Ruben’s aide, Theodore Grand, and Dorothy Colonial. The two stood on either side of the podium, ensuring that the titles of each agenda item displayed on the large screen were clearly visible to everyone.
“…With that, we will now proceed with a show of hands for agenda item 3-0228-025, the ‘Amendment to the Marriage Law Regarding the Allowance of Same-Sex Marriage,’ proposed by Rubel Anti Sieron. Those in favor, please raise your hands.”
As Theodore finished speaking, there was a rustling sound as sleeves brushed against each other. Perhaps it was the elevated vantage point, but the scene appeared even more majestic. Without needing to count, Dorothy spoke immediately.
“Those opposed, please raise your hands.”
Those who had raised their hands lowered them in unison. A silence as profound as a dead mouse pressed down on all sides. While some glanced at their neighbors, no one else raised their hand.
After counting the rows of hands, Dorothy Colonial declared in a solemn voice,
“Agenda item 3-0228-025 has passed unanimously. Consequently, starting July 1st of this year, marriage registration will be possible under the amended marriage law, and same-sex spouses will be able to exercise all rights as spouses guaranteed by the existing marriage law.”
Thump, thump, thump.
The sound of a wooden mallet striking a wooden board echoed three times.
“Then, we shall move on to the next agenda item. Item 3-0127-011…”
How should I describe the feeling of my heart swelling, my palms and throat itching simultaneously? And what expression must Ruben be wearing as he watches this conference now?
Ruben is right. It’s a sorrowful thing that my child isn’t by my side at a moment like this.
I casually shifted my gaze to the VIP seats, situated far above. However, no matter how sharp my eyesight, I couldn’t see through the walls to discern their expressions.
From the next agenda item onwards, the proponents and opponents were evenly matched, and those with opinions would stand to give speeches, persuading those who were unfamiliar with the matter. In agenda items where opinions clashed fiercely, people would often stand up abruptly and point fingers.
I had heard that the Imperial Conference usually concluded within a day when there were few agenda items, but hadn’t they allocated three days for this one? It seemed plausible. Still, it was fortunate that the aides were so skilled at cutting things short, ensuring no single agenda item took more than 30 minutes.
Unfortunately, Benjamin’s proposed item, 3-0415-001, had far more opposing votes than favorable ones.
The succession of titles was the most common method for inheriting them. Most nobles wished for their titles and authority to pass to close blood relatives in the event of their sudden death without having designated an heir.
Ruben and I had acted as proposers for this agenda item, but very few people had read through everything, including the proposer section for an item that had been hastily established two months prior to the conference. Consequently, the majority of titleholders voted against it, resulting in a glorious defeat.
Benjamin stood up abruptly with a look of indignation and left the conference hall.
Worried about him, I also stood up and followed his presence. Fortunately, Benjamin was nearby. Outside, not far from the entrance to the conference hall, several tents were set up offering chilled and warm teas for visitors to rest. Benjamin was waiting for a drink in front of one of them.
Standing beside Benjamin, who was gulping down kiwi juice, I accepted a cup of warm quince tea. Noticing me, he let out a long sigh.
“I wish I could be Emperor too.”
“What are you saying? If you’re planning a rebellion, you should keep it a secret from me.”
“I’m just speaking metaphorically. Metaphorically.”
How stifled must he have been to say such a thing?
Come to think of it, he’d dressed up nicely today too. I hadn’t paid attention before Marianne mentioned it, but now I noticed. His hair, which looked thicker and coarser than Ruben’s, was styled to stand up in the front and lie flat against the back of his head.
He then got a fresh lemonade and gestured for me to walk with him, so I readily followed.
“Well, getting a job comes before dating, doesn’t it? Take your time.”
“…”
“When was the Imperial Knights’ exam? Marianne said it was sometime this month. How did it go?”
“…I don’t know.”
“What?”
He grumbled, crunching ice in his lemonade.
“Even if I passed, I couldn’t start working right away, so I didn’t even submit an application. If I falsely list my name multiple times, it could be disadvantageous when I truly need a job later. I at least remembered the date for the last exam, but this time, I was too preoccupied.”
“…What do you mean… Why can’t you join?”
“Initial assignments for the Imperial Knights may involve dispatch on expeditions.”
My jaw dropped. He hadn’t taken the exam all this time because he didn’t want to be dispatched on an expedition without having established a relationship with Marianne.
So, this guy was doing something like Walter Orgen? Is this normal? Have I been cruel to Ruben?
So dumbfounded, I nudged his shoulder as he stared blankly into the distance. He nudged my shoulder back. Even with his silent expression, it was obvious he was sulking, which I found quite amusing.
We were bickering when suddenly,
“Hey, you two young men! Why are you out here during the conference?”
It was Marianne. It looked like she had come out to comfort Benjamin, so I left him to her and slipped away. Watching the two of them look back at me, then turn to each other and start laughing and chatting, I felt a great sense of contentment.
Leaving them behind, I turned down an alley and headed for the walking path behind the stadium.
I wasn’t worried about having to return to the conference hall immediately. I had already registered my name with Ruben for agenda items that required my vote. The items that would pass without me would pass on time.
However, I didn’t want to be caught casually strolling around. Naturally, I walked while cloaked and stopped when I heard a suspicious sound.
Who’s slaughtering a cow here? I sensed a familiar presence in a secluded spot behind the stadium and peered in. Indeed, familiar figures were there in a strange state.
“Hooorrr… Hoooong. Eeong, eeoong…”
“Stop crying, what good will it do…”
“Hooorrrroooong!”
“No, on such a fine day…”
“Hooorrrnaaadooo anjjeoaaheooorrr…”
“I’m going crazy, really.”
Beside a bench near the bushes, Shayden Rose was patting the broad back of a man as large as a house.
Even with his face completely covered by his hands, I couldn’t fail to recognize someone with a Dantian as misshapen as that. Bill Brown. He had been the one trailing me around during our Academy days. He was already large back then, but now he seemed bigger than Baroness Vikoff.
“If, hoo, hooong, if I had just, passed the Knights’ exaaam, I would have cast at least one vote against.”
“You’re completely lost now. The Emperor’s wedding preparations are already finished, what are you trying to say?”
“Right, hoo, but, this time, this time…”
“Even if it’s not unanimous, it’ll pass with over 80%, so it’s just delayed by about a month? Young Master Brown, you should be thankful you don’t have a title. If you mess around, you might end up being the sole keeper of the Yuil Mountains for life.”
What?
Why would he oppose my wedding?
Seeing Shayden’s distressed face, I took a step forward to intervene, but the words of the two men made me jump back two steps in surprise.
Bill Brown, his face a mess of tears and snot, continued to mumble something.
“Kroong, but, my hyungnim, uh, sodomy.”
“Uh-uh, no. That’s a word even my grandfather doesn’t use.”
“This dunce, I can’t stand it,”
“No. You’re not Peng Joo-hyuk, you’re Sir Brown. Snap out of it, snap out of it.”
“I’ll immediately go after that fox bastard…!”
“Wow, I can’t hear you. I hear nothing. Hey, save me too. Let’s live sane lives. Okay? Come on. One, two, three, and you’ll wake up from your dream. One, two,”
“Oh, hyungnim!”
“…The sound. The sound is too loud. Come on, let’s be quiet.”
“Hooaaang!”
“…Sigh.”
…Who?
Bill Brown, sobbing like a cow, babbled incomprehensible things about his hyungnim, who had never even held a woman’s hand, being foolishly bewitched by someone, and that while others might be fooled, Namgoong Hyung shouldn’t be. Standing there blankly, I found it utterly baffling.
Come to think of it, I had heard something like that. While I was crossing over to this continent, the Ninth God had stolen a few extra souls at random.
It was also said that when something bad comes over with the Oasis, something good also follows. If two Demonic Cult members came over, it was natural for one Orthodox Sect figure to come over as well…
No, even so. Why bring him here, of all people, and make him suffer like this?
Moreover, didn’t he act as if he had no memories of his past life during his Academy days? Seeing him crying like this after everything was over, I was bewildered and didn’t know what to do. And Shayden, why did he get caught up with the Peng family and have to suffer patting his back so hard?
After pondering for a moment, thinking I should help somehow, I sent a Sound Transmission to Shayden.
[Shayden.]
He then lifted his head. But as I was cloaked, he couldn’t possibly see me. Shayden looked around, laughed in exasperation, and waved his free hand.
[Go away?]
He nodded once and turned his gaze back to Bill Brown. Shayden’s pale profile caught my eye. Indeed, he had looked tired for a while now.
“Yes, yes. Still, lovers who love each other are unstoppable. Your hardship is your hardship, but…”
“Hooorrrroooong…!”
[…Right, it’s better to talk later. Keep up the good work.]
Did that Peng family member cry because I was getting married? Not at all. For a grown man to weep on a wedding day, instead of bringing a wine jug, was truly bizarre.