Stranger’s Handbook Chapter 151

TL: Dragox

"... It will start soon... Hahh~, various hards.h.i.+ps come with this marriage ceremony."

I was stuck in doing a greeting like event with each of the elven security guards.
I have not even arrived at the venue yet.

"... Like this, we express our heartfelt pleasure."
"I'm grateful for your feelings."

The elven security guard leaves the room while bowing deeply his head.
I should have heard his name, but I can't remember it anymore.

"Hey Suu, this is the waiting room right? Since we are waiting for the marriage ceremony, this must be the waiting room, right?"
"That's right, master. I'm certain that the elven wedding will last for 10 days. They are being polite... too polite."

That's right... too polite.
Since our arrival at the waiting room, I began greeting all the people that will we aiding this time. Finally, the last guard greeting was finished.

"They told me that this would be such a joyous event, but this is not the case."
"I was also surprised. You might as well ask lady Kachua to make an elf handbook."

"By the way, what is Kachua doing?"
"She is in a separate room. A woman needs arrangements. It is different from master that just wears his military uniform."

Is that so, men and women are different... I'm grateful to be spared from such arrangements.
Why does the woman take so much time to prepare?
If I could unravel that mystery, I would get a n.o.bel prize.

"Master, please don't make that kind of face in front of madam or the ladies. It's too easy to read. Men and women move with different timeflows. So you just have to come to terms with it."
"... It can't be helped if the flow of time is different."

It's an explanation that on can't possibly deny.
But, if I thinks so, I can understand a little... It took three hours just to choose clothes, that was torture to me.

"Excuse me. Grun empire amba.s.sador ・ First royal magician, His Excellency the archduke Zest Gaiyus.1 The bride and groom are ready. Please come to the venue."

I almost can't tell my tongue twister-like t.i.tle said in one stroke, this maid is quite... You, aren't you from the maiden corps?!

"We infiltrated to act in case the worst case happens. That person's subordinates are around His excellency and lady Kachua. Since lady Tsubaki is getting royalty treatment, that's why..."
"It can't be helped. Conversely, make sure the preparations are ready in my surroundings."

"We made sure that only the bravest and most beautiful are around His Excellency. If we can't do it, the dragons may come to play during the ceremony."
"...My preference for beauty shouldn't spread any further..."

"Besides, the executives of elves are in the venue. It is a good opportunity to eliminate hindrances."
"Let's deal with that while looking at the situation. I want to disturb Tsubaki's wedding as little as possible."

"I am aware. I will clean up quietly, so do not worry."
"Tell Media and Tasel to do things gradually."

I will leave the work behind the scenes under the control of those two.
I'll have to give them a reward next time.

"Certainly. Well, master, let's head to the venue."

Like this, the nightmare-like wedding began.

"It is very pleasing to unite both bloodlines. By her being the adopted daughter of His Excellency who also achieved spiritification, it make

s this extraordinarily wonderful."
"Really."
"I've lived for four hundred years, but I haven't been this happy."
"I see."

The elders' greetings continues for a long time.
I would like you to spare me from giving a proper reply.
There is a reason for this.

"Then, I will excuse me. Congratulations."
"Oh, thank you for your kind words."

He looks like a twenty years old youth bowing his head after the greeting.
But he's an elder elf. Their longevity is really terrible.
And there's something else.

"From a little while ago I felt like I've greeted repeatedly with the same person... the same slender build, the same silver hair, the same way of speaking..."
"His excellency thinks so too? I was actually feeling the same."

While making this exchange with Suu, the next person appears from the waiting queue.

"Congratulations today. It is a pleasing event... Recently it is hard to see elven kids. I wonder if one will come soon."
"Are you a midwife? Did you have the feeling of emptiness by the lack of children?" 2

"Huh, How did you know? Have we met before?"

It's bulls eye... there's no mistake.

"Suu, aren't they faint?"
"There's no mistake. The attendance was supposed to be arranged by the prime minister, so this might be  sort of hara.s.sment."

Three hours after the wedding ceremony started.
I was underestimating the opponent with them being elderly people... It is simple, but the damage is considerably big!

"I'm going crazy... Can something be done about this?"
"Even if you ask... They are elders, giving a rude response will affect your prestige."

d.a.m.n it! It is quite a troublesome trap... this isn't so simple after all.
From the opening of the wedding that lasts ten days, this might cause a mistake later if I'm not careful.
Bring it on, prime minister.

"However, my mental strength is going to decrease with this as it is."
"Lady Kachua should arrive soon. Let's leave it to her."

I guess that's the only option... I have to give up and wait for her appearance.
I drink a thick-looking black tea, let's endure it somehow.
Yes, I decided in my heart.

...

"Papa, what do you think about this clothes. It's been a long time, I wonder if I look cute?"

Soon I heard a voice that sounded like a G.o.ddess to me that was drove to the limit.
I am saved ... After complimenting her clothes, lets push everything else to her.
I think so and look back on the direction of the voice.

"Oh, Kachua. You... really... look good."

It was unavoidable for my words to be stuck up.
This granny, appeared with an outrageous appearance.

"Right, right. Does papa likes it too? This is a costume that the refrigerator's owner liked too. He was saying something like it's a 'magical girl'"

Pink mini skirt, and fluttering accessories.
Thoroughly equipped with knee-high socks.

"It is nostalgic. That guy who was delighted to see me dress like this died, it's already hundreds of years ... I remember it as if it was yesterday."
"Oh, did you get acquainted with people from the other world?"

"We were more than acquaintances, that man and me, together with the refrigerator, traveled along. In those days, I was young, so I wore these clothes, and devoted myself to magic. It's nostalgic."

Sitting on my lap, the granny starts nodding.
Does that mean, that is an old costume? It looks in really good conditions...

"Hmmm? Papa, are you wondering about my dress? Since I just made this one, I can make one with a different color if you like, what color do you want?"
"O-oh, pink is fine... That's not it, I would like if you'd tell me such important things sooner. You only told me that you can't decline Garbera's words."

"I wasn't going to hide it, but I didn't find the chance to say it. It is the first time you ask me about it too."
"Well, let's hear it in detail later .... But for now can you do something about this?"

That's it, I point the long queue with my chin.
When Kachua looked over there, she said while sighing.

"Foolish youngsters! Return home and count your tree rings!! Who thought this was a retirement! Take them home quickly!"

The elven maids that heard Kachua's shout began moving at once.
Prince Mars who was looking at the state of things was trembling with his face turned away
You b.a.s.t.a.r.d, aren't you laughing? Taking it easy because it's someone else's problem... Later, I will take him to Albert for training.

"I'm saved, Kachua. Listening to the same greeting endlessly was draining my spirit dry."
"Papa is too polite. Since you're an archduke, it doesn't matter even if you act a bit haughty."

Kachua who sits back on my knees, starts eating the food served.
There are various dishes arranged on my table.
Definitely not the amount of meal meant for one person.

"By the way... Is it okay to leave your seat midway?"
"Papa, were you planning to keep sitting for ten days? If you do such a thing, your hips will break."

My a.s.s was probably broken before beginning.
Is this an elf joke? or else, are elves' rears broken already?
There is no way to ascertain... If I tell her to show me her a.s.s to check, I will be killed by Bea.

"Th-that's right. I thought it was strange."
"It's free time while the bride and groom are changing. It will be tough if you do not take a break in the meantime."

... Wait, what about the rest?

"Well, this time it's short and easy for the bride guests. If both sides were already friendly with each other, the marriage ceremony would last for a month."
"Hey, Kachua. Is it bad unless you sit here other than that?"

"Isn't it natural? Today is meant for relatives and local guests. Tomorrow we welcome international guests. There is still a long way to go."
"Wait wait, are only the princ.i.p.als and relatives to partic.i.p.ate today?"

Kachua continued while laughing at what she saw as common sense.

"Because of that it was difficult to get married with a different race. Papa can partic.i.p.ate while using healing magic, so there's no problem! In addition..."
"Is there still something else?"

"Since this time it is a royal wedding ceremony, there is a celebration ceremony even in the barracks. Soon the queen will interact with the honor guest, alternating afterwards. The ball will begin at night, so you will go over there as well. Oh, there are officials' banquets... Afterwards there are meetings in the city and meetings where the influential people gather. Well, there's no problem since dad is one. It's worrying since fatigue sometimes results in someone's death... Dad? What's wrong?"

It is exactly a fatigue feast, I understand.
Why, stupid elves, doing this event every once in a while...
While holding down my pained head, I thought it was pretty serious.

This time I might really end up dying...3 
 

1. I had already forgotten Zest's surname.
2. For the first time I'm completely lost on the possible meaning of a sentence. I can only guess that whatever he said was something that another 10 or more elves he just greeted alreay told him. what's written is just my guess of something they might say, and nothing actually close to what the author meant, whatever that was.
3. I feel good just by translating this phrase of his for the first time :p