I am back – Chapter 181

The elven ceremony is splendid.

While it doesn’t employ magic more dazzling than that of humans, the forests where elves dwell are home to countless animals and plants.

Elves were well-versed in ways to harmonize those animals and plants without using magical power.

There was a round, open plain in the middle of the forest.

Of course, it wasn’t always a forest here. Even the elves living among gigantic trees need a space like this to gather.

And that round plain was a beautiful place the elves took great pride in.

An endless expanse of colorful flower fields.

The atmosphere was different from the artificially vibrant flower fields found in theme parks back on Earth. It’s not that a flower field unified by a single color isn’t beautiful; it’s just that such fields don’t exist where I come from.

Colorful flowers sprawled across the plain without any particular order. There was no structure to the layout, yet it was incredibly beautiful, much like the stars in the black night sky that are stunning for their apparent randomness, revealing a natural beauty in this plain.

…Of course, upon closer inspection, this space was indeed curated.

The plain itself was carved out of the forest, and amidst those colorful flowers, not a single weed could be found. Surely, if there hadn’t been continuous weeding and planting of flowers along with sowing of seeds, such a beautiful place couldn’t have existed.

Furthermore, the presence of this space right along the largest road leading to the elven capital was quite significant.

The path leading to the capital city of Irrelaysia from the outside. It was a road all outsiders must pass.

While the flowers are blooming like this now, it was a space that could create anything when needed. According to Arna, that is how it was described.

Now that the war had ended, only those who are welcomed would enter here, so that might explain the upkeep.

“It’s beautiful…”

My older sister spoke as she gazed out the window.

I thought so too.

It was a space so delicately crafted to appear natural, but that very ability to create such an atmosphere clearly indicated that this space was managed by the elves.

A kind of warning known only to those who are aware.

At the same time, a delicately crafted space of illusion.

The fact that visitors must traverse this place instead of just the entrance was also quite meaningful.

*

Of course, we had no need to worry.

The elves had never instigated a war throughout their long history.

By nature, elves are not fond of abrupt changes. In fact, Arna, who had been with our party throughout the war, was truly an exceptional case. Perhaps it’s because she moved to our side, but Arna showed no particular aversion to experiencing new things.

However, war shatters all that peace.

The state of the battle changes constantly, enemies perpetually experiment with new tactics, new weapons, new magic, ever-shifting territories, and the noise disrupting all thoughts… Not to mention the deadly magic wielded against the lives of elves.

War was laden with everything the elves despise.

Of course, if the opponent were humans, the elves would not be the ones to suffer, but even so, the elves’ engagement in war would only occur when the elven council was extremely wary of the situation. Most elves are indifferent to areas beyond their territories unless it’s the council’s periodic need for interaction with humans.

Well, news that the demon king’s army is intruding was enough to frighten even the elves.

That’s why I’m being welcomed like this.

“…But you know.”

This time, my sister spoke with an overwhelmingly burdened expression.

No, that expression was not just about the burden; it was suffused with a significant amount of embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed red as she glanced down at herself with her arms slightly spread apart, looking immensely shy.

In truth, I felt the same way, so I couldn’t bring myself to tease her this time.

Among elves, those in exceptionally rare positions sometimes wear outfits made of flower petals.

Of course, it’s not something just anyone can wear. Typically, those donning such garments are women. The elven society does categorize into ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’, so it’s quite rare for men to adorn themselves with flowers. Even if one were to dress in traditional fashion, they would embellish with flamboyant, colorful flower petals, never something so modest as pure white.

I had no idea where or how these flowers were cultivated, but besides the small and thin petals resembling scale armor, there were also large, white petals that could be draped like a cape.

On top of that, a floral crown was placed upon her head.

Well, even when I was a man, I wore a crown… but it wasn’t something made of white petals that would seem fitting for a wedding. As I mentioned earlier, it was rather a crown of vividly mixed colors like bright yellow, red, and blue, evoking a feeling more akin to participating in a festival than any formal ceremony.

“The preparations are about to—oh, it looks like they’re nearly done.”

Arna, who had stepped into the preparation room, nodded her head.

Seeing us dressed in dresses delicately designed with white petals, Arna walked fully into the room.

Arna wore a dress similar to ours. It seemed this petal dress was a remarkably precious material used to welcome distinguished guests. After all, it could withstand being touched without falling apart or tearing, indicating it had been intricately crafted.

Compared to a silk dress, it certainly didn’t feel rough at all.

“You both look exceptionally good. Truly beautiful.”

Arna said with a genuine smile.

A floral crown rested upon Arna’s head as well. However, its color was different from ours. Arna’s crown was pink. Like cherry blossoms… or perhaps it really was cherry blossoms. There are so many unique creatures here that it’s hard to say, especially when back on Earth we still need to wait for cherry blossoms to bloom.

The dress Arna wore had the same quality.

Yet, it wasn’t a very bright pink but rather a gentle pink that exuded an air of sophistication, not making it look tacky.

Well, considering Arna is renowned for her beauty in this world, she couldn’t help but look splendid in whatever clothes she wore.

“By the way… what does the white of this dress signify?”

“Um?”

Hearing my sister’s question, who had maintained a somewhat shy expression until then, Arna tilted her head in confusion.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing special, I guess.”

Upon hearing Arna’s puzzled voice, my sister’s face turned a bit red. It seemed reasonable since we had all been looking at it the same way without knowing.

“No special meaning? Can it not be recognized by sight?”

But it seemed Arna thought differently.

“Uh… is it to make us stand out?”

“Well, that’s part of it.”

After my answer, Arna squinted slightly as if genuinely unsure.

“The fact that a white dress is the attire for a wedding bride must also hold true in your world, right?”

“…”

At Arna’s words, we both fell silent for a moment, before exclaiming in unison.

“What!?”

“I have no idea what you mean when you come riding in on a white carriage pulled by a white deer! Both are symbols of purity.”

Arna’s tone implied it was the most natural thing in the world, causing my sister to turn her head stiffly toward me.

I shook my head vigorously at my sister.

Of course, I didn’t know. I’ve never attended a wedding in this world.

No, more than that, even if I did attend a wedding, there was no chance I would ever be present at an elven wedding. For elves, who generally live for a thousand years, getting married is an exceptionally serious decision, akin to witnessing a rare event that occurs once every few years.

Furthermore, their weddings are lengthy processes, and certainly, it was not something that could be attended during the war.

…Why do I have this information while having no clue about the white deer and the carriage?

“Are we… getting married?”

“Ah.”

Only then did Arna seem to understand what we were talking about, bursting into laughter.

“No, it’s not like that. To be precise, the only judgment made was that you two are ‘just married newlyweds.’ Given the customs are remarkably different between the Earth you came from and this place, the elven council seemed to assume you wed during those few months you were in your realm.”

Arna finally managed to compose her laughter to explain.

“So… to put it strictly, this isn’t a wedding, it’s more akin to a celebration of that. The formality might resemble a wedding closely, though.”

“…”

“Sorry, I thought you knew.”

Seeing us utterly silent, Arna awkwardly added.

“Should I prepare different clothes even now?”

Then she cautiously inquired.