486 Chapter 486 – Engagement Ceremony [2]
Such trouble…
I couldn't help but let out a sigh. Why did this kind of thing happen when I was in a happy mood?
"For now, let's talk about the details inside."
"Yeah, I agree with that."
Following Juriel's suggestion, we entered the room. Sana excused herself almost immediately to call a nun to prepare tea for us.
I believed that she only let us talk alone without getting disturbed. This room was just like when I visited before; it was covered in white walls and had some nice potted plants.
Juriel sat on the bed and patted the space beside her.
"You may sit here, Arthur." She smiled gently at me. Then, her expression changed into that of realization, "Ah, or do you prefer me to sit on your lap? My apologies, but I can't do that. Fufufu, maybe in the holy city?"
Did she just tease me? She giggled playfully while patting her thighs.
"Do you not want me?" She tilted her head cutely.
For someone older than me and could as well be called virgin milf, this Pope was too mischievous. Where did she learn such a thing?
"It's strange. Holy mother told me that you would like it." She continued, sounding confused.
Holy mother…
There would only be one existence in this world that she would call with that title.
'So it's the Goddess' teaching?! How terrifying. She almost made me lose control of myself on the day of my engagement ceremony.'
There was probably only an hour left before my girls arrived. We did not have enough time for such a thing.
"Please don't tease me, Juriel." I sighed and sat next to her. Of course, I kept our distance this time because… Well, let's say that thing would get dirty if I didn't. "Please tell me the details about what happened on the west border."
"A shame," She pouted slightly, "Still, some need priorities. Let's talk about the border now and proceed to your engagement ceremony. Fufufu, we will get dirty in the Holy City in a few days."
"Hahaha…" I laughed dryly.
With that, the serious atmosphere from before disappeared, and Juriel told me the details about what exactly happened and the result of the Cardinals' investigation.
The explanation was over 30 minutes long because Juriel kept dragging and talking about other stuff. I didn't know she had this side of her. Thanks to that, I needed to keep steering her in the right direction.
However, when I found out that all of that drailing was thanks to a certain Goddess, I couldn't help but stay quiet. No matter what kind of Goddess she was, I was only her Paladin and actually grateful to her. Nothing good would happen if I cursed her too many times.
Was this her payback for me calling her many times to deal with Hell's entrance? That wasn't my fault, though. She didn't give me any skill to deal with them.
Sana brought the tea in the middle of the explanation but left immediately to welcome the guest for me. I thanked her while reorganizing my thoughts.
In short… The explanation was like this.
"Something from the south border, the fog, has stirred the monster and forced them to move back. Or rather, the monsters are afraid to leave their nest and actually hide to protect their boss. Isn't that right?"
"That's correct." Juriel heaved a sigh of relief after I managed to make out her long explanation. "Fufufu, I am side-tracked too much. My apologies."
"It's not a problem," I answered. "Now, should we prepare in the hall? I believe many people are trying to greet me now." I said.
"Oh, right. It's time already." She gasped and stood up, "Well then, let's greet the guests together and prepare for your fiancees' arrival on the aisle together. Have you prepared their ring yet?"
"Obviously." I grinned so wide that it must have looked funny, "I have the best of them."
"Fufufu, your fiancees are truly lucky."
I didn't need to answer her anymore. We moved to the hall that was used for the morning prayer yesterday. It was big enough to hold more than a thousand people, and those who would attend inside probably were just a few people.
'There are Prince Thomas and Edison, accompanied by Grand Marshal Garland and a few knights. Well, Duke Blacktomb and Naya are also here. Alesia has arrived earlier and is now with Sana. It's not strange, considering both of them are headmistresses. Then there are Oliver and Karin. Those are familiar faces.'
In just 30 minutes, the hall was almost filled with people. Some were nobles whose identities I didn't know. Some faces were familiar because I met them once before. Even the other headmasters and headmistresses from the rest of the academies were also here.
I greeted them one by one, starting from the Princes. They congratulated me innocently and asked me to teach them again soon. They told me they were almost reaching Lv 3 in <Swordsmanship> and that we could do the real training.
I promised that I would do that when I had time again. For now, I left them with some tips and let the Grand Marshal supervise them.
Garland also congratulated me in a knightly way. He also apologized that Queen Eve was unable to attend due to her business.
I told him I didn't mind and greeted the other guests. Duke Blacktomb secretly gave me an invitation letter sent by Queen Ariel and apologized that it must be done this way.
At that moment, I told him that there might be a terrorist spy among his entourage and told him to be careful. Well, it was just an information exchange.
Naya told me she was a little jealous and wanted the same kind of engagement. I didn't really know what this girl was thinking so I answered her with a smile, saying that you would have one soon.
The rest of the greeting was just formality, thanking their attendance in this ceremony. Pope Juriel just stayed on the aisle all the time. I could've just done that, but I wanted to show them my appreciation.
And then, the time arrived, and she called me on the aisle to wait for my fiancees to arrive. The guests sat down on the long benches, focusing on me.
"Are you ready, Sir Arthur?" Pope Juriel asked me with a sweet voice.
"Yes." I answered, "Anytime."
Nodding, Pope Juriel looked at the large door at the end of the hallway. She muttered something to Rania and Sophia, who stood right before it.
They understood their task and saluted. Then, slowly, they opened the door to reveal the girls I was waiting for.
At that moment, the world seemed to stop as my eyes widened in pleasant surprise.
