Chapter 1080: 67. The Wedding
A quiet space. A lonely chair.
This appeared to be a fairly decent room. Although it lacked any gorgeous decoration or careful arrangement, the large bed in the center was soft and comfortable, perfectly suited for sleeping properly and easing the exhaustion of travel.
Aside from the magic-sealing chains on his hands and the guards outside the door, nothing about this place suggested it was actually a prison cell.
Yet inside this room, the blond man did not rest at all. He had not even touched the corner of the bed. Instead, he remained seated in that chair, fingers interlaced, chin resting atop them, like a marble statue as he pondered the difficult question he had spent an entire day and night thinking about without sleep and still failed to understand.
What crime had he committed?
Of course, for most people in the world, even most criminals, this was not a question worth thinking about.
But for Muen at this moment, it was as difficult as someone who had just learned Illumination being told, all right, now go beat up an Evil God.
“Could it be...”
After long, intense contemplation, Muen suddenly raised his head. The glow of the magic stone divided his face, carving his handsome features into unusually deep lines.
“Without me knowing, Belrand has become this strict about selling erotic magazines? Strict enough that even I, a duke’s son, have to be severely punished?”
“......”
Obviously, that wasn’t right either.
Muen once again opened the erotic magazine the interrogator had secretly given him.
In this single short day, he had flipped through this magazine so many times he had already lost count. Some pages were even worn nearly bald. He had conducted an in-depth analysis of every section inside, every seductive beauty, and even every single word printed there. The meaning of those words and the cup sizes of the beauties were already engraved into his memory.
Yet he had still obtained no useful intelligence.
The only thing that could barely be considered useful was...
The date at the end of the magazine.
“This is the newest issue. It was released two days ago. If Belrand were really cracking down this hard, there’s no way a magazine like this could be sold!”
Or perhaps...
Private transactions were forbidden, but official ones weren’t?
Muen shook his head and rejected that idea as well.
Nonsense. There was no official newspaper in existence that would publish something like this now. Especially after Celicia became Emperor, the only ones bold enough to do this were shady little workshops with no credentials whatsoever.
So after thinking it over, the most likely possibility was still the one he had guessed earlier.
The most terrifying possibility...
That bastard Pink Bear had really mixed pictures of the Pope into the erotic magazine!
It wouldn’t be nude pictures, would it?
Damn it. With his personality... that was actually possible!
That bastard. Corrupting the Former Saintess was one thing, but now he wouldn’t even spare an old man like the Pope? If something like that spread, of course it would be a grave crime of blasphemy!
He should have checked before selling them. He knew that guy was perverted, but he hadn’t expected him to be that perverted!
Muen’s expression was full of grief.
But regret alone was useless after causing a disaster. Just as even if he found all those erotic magazines now, he couldn’t erase the fact that people had seen the Pope’s “delicate body”...
Even if that “delicate body” had been synthesized by Pink Bear through special means, the mere fact that the person in the magazine had the Pope’s old face was already outrageous enough.
“Don’t panic. It isn’t time to panic yet.”
Muen forced himself to calm down.
After all, even for a major crime like blaspheming the Pope, it still couldn’t possibly be the death penalty. At most, it concerned the Church’s dignity and therefore needed to appear severe on the surface...
“Young Master Campbell.”
While he was comforting himself like this, the door suddenly opened, and a guard walked in.
“The time is almost here. Is there anything you’d like to eat?”
“Something to eat?”
Muen froze.
“You came here specifically to ask me that?”
This prison was this humane? Good accommodations were one thing, but he could even freely choose his meal?
“Of course I had to ask. After all, this is your final meal here.”
The guard smiled.
“After this... you won’t have another chance to eat.”
“???”
Final meal?
No chance to eat after this?
That wording...
Could it be...
Only now did Muen notice that the guard’s expression was gentle and kind, extremely approachable. It was as though he were not facing a prisoner in jail...
But a gravely ill patient with little time left.
Muen focused.
Sure enough, deep in those eyes, he once again saw a trace of...
Pity.
Familiar pity.
He was perfectly healthy. There was no way he was some patient.
So there was only one reason this person would show such an expression right now.
“A last meal before execution?”
Muen jolted and stood up directly.
“No way. According to procedure, this isn’t right. We’re already at the final step?”
“Well... I also feel the procedure is a little fast. After all, this is such a major matter. But judging from the news from that side, there’s no other choice.”
The guard sighed.
“After all, it’s you, Young Master Campbell. Many people are dissatisfied with this outcome and may even attempt to cause trouble. To prevent accidents, it can only be settled quickly.”
“T-That still doesn’t mean you can just skip straight to this... this last meal!”
Muen said indignantly.
“I haven’t had time to do anything yet!”
“Haven’t had time to do anything?”
The guard froze. Then his peripheral vision landed on the erotic magazine on the table, nearly worn to pieces, and realization dawned.
“Ah, I understand. So what Young Master Campbell wants isn’t delicious food, but that sort of thing! Well... for you, I suppose that really does count as a final meal. After all, you won’t have another chance in the future...”
A playboy wanting one last romantic indulgence?
That did fit his character.
“But I’m sorry.”
The guard spread both hands.
“No matter what, this is still a proper prison. We can satisfy food requests, but actually bringing women in here, especially for you, Young Master Campbell... that puts a lot of pressure on my entire family line.”
“...That’s not what I want.”
Muen slumped back into the chair and waved a hand.
“Forget it. I doubt you can decide anything anyway. There’s no point talking to you. I don’t need anything fancy. Bread and water are fine.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
The guard looked grateful.
“Is that really all?”
“I’m not interested in any delicacies right now. Compared to things that might affect my senses, I’d rather have time to think at a moment like this.”
“I understand. Young Master wants to reminisce about his old debauched life, right?”
The guard sighed emotionally.
“As expected of a playboy like you. Even at a time like this, you maintain your usual elegance and romantic flair. What a pity... the world is about to lose one famous playboy.”
“What a pity...”
The guard shook his head as he left.
Only Muen remained behind, feeling suffocated.
The world was about to lose one famous playboy...
About to...
“So he, just like that interrogator earlier, thinks I’m dead for sure?”
Muen suddenly slammed the table in anger.
“Damn it. Am I that easy to kill? I refuse to believe that I, the son of a duke, can just die this easily. Even Evil Gods couldn’t kill me. Am I supposed to be afraid of some petty crime?”
That’s right.
There was no need to be afraid.
Judging from the guard’s form of address earlier, his current identity was still Young Master Campbell.
In that case, Father would never abandon him. The fact that there had been no movement from him until now must mean he was outside, running around, looking for an opportunity to rescue him...
“My son! I have wronged you!”
Muen had just finished eating his simple bread and been led out of the prison by the guard when a broad, powerful figure immediately pulled him into a tight embrace.
It was the Lion King.
And also the savior in Muen’s heart.
Yet at this moment, he did not descend on auspicious clouds as Muen had imagined. Instead, tears filled his eyes, his expression brimming with self-reproach.
“I have wronged you!”
Lorne slapped Muen’s back forcefully. His stiff beard stabbed painfully into Muen’s cheek.
But Muen had no attention to spare for such minor things.
“...Huh?”
He only felt a huge question mark rising above his head.
“Father, what do you mean?”
“You’ve suffered, haven’t you?”
Lorne pulled away and carefully examined Muen, rubbing his shoulders and arms.
“Look at you. You only just went through such a dangerous adventure in the Kingdom, and the moment you came back, you had to encounter this kind of disaster. You’ve gotten thinner! My heart aches for you, but... sigh!”
“F-Father, aren’t you going to save me?”
Looking at the duke sighing heavily, Muen was dumbfounded.
No, boss.
I was counting on you to save me. Why do you look like you’ve already started grieving?
I’m still alive, damn it!
“I want to save you too!”
At the mention of this matter, Lorne’s expression clearly became even more sorrowful.
“I know you have grand ambitions. Unlike your old man, who was satisfied being tied to one tree for a lifetime, you still have dreams and plans far beyond anyone’s imagination! But... this little ducal household of mine can shelter you from some wind and rain, yet it truly cannot withstand such terrifying pressure!”
“???”
Muen’s eyes widened, his voice trembling slightly.
“Even you can’t do anything, Father?”
“Sigh!”
Lorne forcefully turned his head away, as though he couldn’t bear to see the disappointment in his son’s eyes.
“It’s your old man who is too weak. I’m sorry.”
“Wait... I think there’s a huge problem here. How did this suddenly reach the point where even you can’t solve it?”
Muen began struggling again.
This was too strange. Everything about this was strange. He absolutely could not continue being dragged along by the nose like this!
Muen tried to break free from the shackles on his hands.
“Young Master Campbell, please stop struggling.”
Facing Muen’s resistance, the guard did not stop him. Only the pity in his eyes became even clearer.
“The higher-ups already predicted that you might resist to some extent, so these magic-sealing shackles were specially made. Even you cannot break free from them.”
“No, wait. I think we can still discuss this matter... Right, the last meal earlier. I didn’t eat enough of my last meal!”
“There’s no time left...”
The guard shook his head.
Muen’s struggle was clearly futile.
Aside from making the pity in everyone’s eyes deepen, it served no purpose whatsoever.
To save time, he was directly carried by the guards and taken forward.
“Muen Campbell.”
Suddenly, a deep voice called out to him.
Muen raised his head. The moment he saw that familiar old-fashioned face, hope immediately burst into his eyes.
“Professor Prang!”
It was Professor Prang!
Professor Prang from the academy.
That’s right. Professor Prang was also a Truth-Rank Grand Mage, a towering authority in the Empire’s education world. He would definitely be able to save him.
Definitely!
“Save me, Professor Prang!”
Muen was so emotional he nearly shed tears.
“...Sigh!”
But Professor Prang struck the ground heavily with his staff and shook his head with a sigh.
“I always knew this day would come for you.”
“Eh?”
“I suppose this is karma.”
Professor Prang patted Muen’s shoulder and sighed emotionally.
“You must bear the consequences of the trouble you caused yourself. How could I save you from that?”
“No, leaving aside what trouble I supposedly caused, isn’t this consequence a little too—”
Before Muen could finish, he was dragged forward again and separated from Professor Prang.
But not long after moving on, he saw another familiar face.
“King Indra! Save me!”
Beside the road, a thin old man in plain clothes stood quietly with an innocent-looking little girl. When Muen approached, the old man pressed his palms together.
“I cannot save you.”
“You’re an old Crowned powerhouse who can fight three enemies by yourself, and you can’t save me?”
Muen panicked.
“Don’t forget you still owe me a favor!”
“No matter how strong I am, how could I make up for the sin you have committed? This bitter fruit can only be tasted by you personally.”
King Indra lowered his head.
Beside him, the innocent little girl raised her hand and shouted at Muen excitedly:
“All done! All done! Big brother’s all done!”
“......”
No, even a little girl knew he was finished?
Muen’s vision went dark, and he nearly collapsed.
But before everything could go dark for long, he saw a flag waving not far away.
“Mr. Muen!”
The familiar trio of fan girls was mixed into the crowd. In their hands were round fans printed with his chibi face, and on their heads were headbands printed with his name. Behind them, on the flag, a blond handsome man with an ostentatious smile had his clothes half-open, looking extremely seductive.
“Don’t go! If you go, what are we supposed to do? What about our Blond Support Association? Will anyone still love an idol who has lost his soul?”
The trio rushed toward Muen, tears streaming down their faces, utterly grief-stricken, as though they might faint from crying at any moment. Behind them were many more people dressed the same way, all women, including quite a few aunties in their fifties and sixties.
They seemed like the people most eager to save Muen so far.
Unfortunately, their strength was far too insignificant at this moment. They were easily stopped by the people maintaining order on both sides.
Only Senior Fanny stood off to the side, shaking her head at Muen with a helpless smile.
“......”
Muen’s vision went even darker.
So it wasn’t just the little brat beside King Indra.
The entire city knew he was dead for sure!
How had he somehow become doomed? Fine, even if he had to die, at least let him understand why! Was there anything more outrageous than dying without knowing what happened?
“Ladies and gentlemen, please look! Please look!”
Several merchant-looking fellows stood on higher ground. While shouting excitedly toward the people in the back who couldn’t see anything due to the huge crowd, they used image-recording magic to preserve Muen’s current appearance.
“What we are recording for you now is... the fall of a legendary playboy, the most famous scumbag on the continent, the man whose highest record was stepping on twenty-three warships at once and who has only capsized once so far... Muen Campbell! He is now being sent to the newly built chapel, where his career of flirting with flowers and teasing grass shall come to its end! Everyone, everyone! For only ten Aimier, you can buy this extremely collectible recording! Only ten Aimier!”
“......”
Muen was completely despairing.
His end seemed to have already become a nailed-down final conclusion.
And after his seemingly legendary life came to an end, he would merely become a joke in other people’s mouths.
How pitiful.
How tragic!
Soon, a chapel appeared within Muen’s sight.
Although this chapel was not as magnificent as Belrand Cathedral or Saint Blancfazesiya Cathedral, every decoration was exquisitely and delicately made. The colorful glass glittered so brilliantly that Muen almost thought it was not glass at all, but actual huge gemstones of various colors.
“So it really is... a church?”
Muen felt his guess had been confirmed.
Sure enough, he had committed a grave crime by blaspheming the Pope.
Who could have imagined that he, the son of a duke, the inheritor of the Eternal Clock, the owner of the Black Sun, the man even Evil Gods could do nothing to...
Would ultimately fall because of a mere erotic magazine?
He...
Refused to accept this!
The suppression remained, but Muen began secretly gathering strength.
Even knowing the gap was enormous, he would make one final resistance!
Creak...
As the chapel doors opened, Muen’s heart grew even calmer and more resolute.
Come!
Let me—
“Quick, quick, quick! Change Young Master Campbell’s clothes! Do his makeup!”
Before Muen had time to erupt and fight back, a group of palace maids suddenly rushed over. Without another word, they stripped Muen clean.
They began putting complicated formalwear onto him. At the same time, another group of maids gathered around, taking out bottles and jars of various powders and patting them onto Muen’s face. Perfumes were sprayed everywhere as well, leaving Muen dizzy and dazed.
His ambition and anger from moments earlier were both replaced by complete confusion.
In just a few minutes, dressing and makeup that normally would have taken at least half an hour were finished together.
Muen stared blankly at the completely refreshed version of himself in the mirror.
Before he could say anything, someone suddenly placed a bouquet of flowers in his hands and pushed him from behind.
“Go, go, go!”
Muen staggered forward, dazed, arriving onstage beneath the spotlight.
Clap clap clap!
Noisy applause rang out.
Muen discovered that the spacious area before him was already filled with people, including all the people he had run into along the way.
Only their expressions had mostly changed.
For example, his father, who had clearly looked full of grief earlier, was now watching him onstage with a smile so wide his face seemed ready to split.
“My son is handsome, isn’t he?”
Lorne, wearing a flamboyant white formal suit, was chatting enthusiastically with Professor Prang beside him.
“...Where is this?”
Muen asked blankly.
“A chapel.”
At the head of the stage, a kindly old man dressed as a priest answered with a smile.
“What is happening here?”
“A wedding.”
“Whose wedding?”
“Yours, of course.”
The priest pointed at Muen, then pointed to the side.
“And our great Emperor of the Empire, Miss Celicia Leopold.”
“My wedding? Marriage? With Cia?”
A huge amount of information flooded into Muen’s mind all at once, directly crashing the brain that had just been making an entirely different guess.
He looked around.
Looked below the stage.
Then looked at the priest.
Finally, he asked blankly:
“Then where is Cia?”
“Her Majesty?”
The priest continued smiling.
“She said she needed to handle a few insignificant little problems. She’ll be here very soon.”