tora’s wedding ceremony is about to begin, though, in truth, dragons have no real customs or traditions for weddings.
When it cos to marriage, they may only announce it to their families with casual remarks like, ‘I thought so,’ or ‘Finally,’ so formal announcents are rarely valued.
After all, even if parents choose a partner, it’s ultimately up to the individual’s choice.
So dragons even rush to their destined partner the mont they’re born.
For dragons, the birth of children or the hatching of eggs is celebrated with much more enthusiasm than marriage.
And so, this is how dragons handle weddings.
Since there’s no particular ritual, the format is free.
Furthermore, since dragons can take human form, they might as well follow human traditions.
In the royal capital or the village built with Tiselle’s kingdom, their weddings were and will be conducted this way.
But what about in the Big Tree Village?
Of course, they’ll do it in dragon form.
…
One might question why they do it in dragon form, but it can’t be helped; their true forms are dragons.
Only those born in human form, like Hiichirou and Rananon, can insist that their true form is human.
The wedding venue has been set at the racetrack south of the village, so there’s plenty of space.
And so, the wedding has begun.
The ti is just before noon, with clear skies above.
-0-
The groom, Guinel, and the bride, tora, enter side by side in their dragon forms.
They proceed slowly toward the dragon forms of Dors and Raiiren, who await at the front of the venue.
Male dragons line up on the right side of the path the couple walks, and female dragons on the left.
This arrangent was the result of everyone finding it too troubleso to decide seating.
There’s no set order, but closest to Dors are the ancient dragons like Girar, Guronde, Hakuren, and Doraim, while further back near the entrance are the younger, impure dragons.
tora’s younger sister, Toshira, stands at the boundary between the ancient dragons and the impure dragons—a thoughtful placent, it seems.
For the villagers who can’t take dragon form, they stand safely beside Dors and Raiiren to avoid being accidentally stepped on.
I thought I’d join them, but for so reason, I’ve been seated on an extrely tall chair positioned between Dors and Raiiren.
It might be because I’m the village chief, but they didn’t need to go to such trouble for .
Well, I was told I only need to sit quietly, so I’ll do just that.
-0-
The dragon-form groom and bride reach Dors and Raiiren in dragon form… right in front of , actually.
Looking at them now, Guinel and tora in their dragon forms look truly impressive.
They seem powerful.
Of course, they likely can’t match Dors or Raiiren, nor the ancient dragons Girar, Guronde, Hakuren, and the others lined up on either side.
-0-
The ceremony proceeds without issue.
The groom and bride make their declaration of marriage.
「We… we’re getting married!」
「We’re getting married!」
It sounds a bit like a sports declaration.
In response, Dors confirms the union.
「If anyone objects to the marriage of these two, speak now.」
A brief silence follows.
This is the usual routine… Ah, Toshira is speaking up.
She’s calling out, ‘Don’t get married!’
What will they do about that?
「…Hmm. It seems there’s no one.」
They’re ignoring her.
Great.
「Then, I hereby recognize their union. Everyone, raise your voices in blessing. If you cannot speak, clap your hands. If you have no hands, stamp the ground with your feet.」
All the dragons begin to roar in unison.
The trendous sound makes the air tremble, but strangely, it doesn’t hurt my ears.
This is how dragons offer their blessings.
The bride and groom look embarrassed.
Hmm?
The atmosphere around Dors and Raiiren has suddenly shifted.
I knew they usually held back their power as if in a conservation mode, but…
What’s happening?
Have their feelings of blessing intensified, making them unleash their full power?
They appear even more divine than during the spring procession last year.
The ancient dragons around them have also changed, as have Hiichirou and Rananon, who joined in dragon form.
The younger, impure dragons have fallen silent, lowering their heads.
The groom and bride, frozen in awe, stand before the divine aura of Dors and Raiiren.
The villagers who cannot take dragon form, who stood beside Dors and Raiiren, are equally motionless.
Ah, one of them is moving.
The ice monster, it seems.
Could it be more powerful than it looks?
Its wide-eyed gaze doesn’t exactly give that impression, though.
The ancient dragons, Dors and the others, continue to roar, oblivious to the surroundings.
It’s almost like they’re in a collective trance.
Yet, watching the dragons like this, I feel no concern.
For so reason, I’m certain they’ll return to normal once the roar ceases.
As if it’s only natural.
Even though this is my first ti witnessing such a sight.
Why is that?
Perhaps the roars are purifying the air.
There’s no sense that anything bad will happen.
The air gradually clears.
I can feel a sacred space taking shape.
Dors and the other ancient dragons’ presence shifts once again.
It’s as if they’ve ascended to an even higher level.
As their roars continue, a voice echoes.
In my ears?
No, the roars aren’t interfering with it.
It feels as if it’s speaking directly to my mind.
「New couple among the dragons in this land. Bless you.」
Whose voice is this?
No… I understand whose voice it is.
I know it instinctively.
I can’t comprehend it imdiately, though.
Before I can understand, I find myself wondering why.
The voice belongs to a god.
A god I’ve never known, but undeniably a god.
I simply understand this.
There is no room for doubt.
「I also acknowledge what the male of the couple is attempting.」
Ignoring my confusion, the god’s voice continues to resonate.
「There are many things I could say, but hold on. Hang in there. Do your very best. I’ll be watching over you! 」
And with that, the voice fades away.
-0-
How much ti has passed?
Before I realize it, the roaring of Dors and the other ancient dragons has ended.
All the ancient dragons look dazed, the bride and groom stand unmoving, and the younger, impure dragons keep their heads lowered.
The villagers who can’t take dragon form are still motionless.
The only ones moving are… myself and the ice monster?
Ah, the ice monster is waving at and calling out.
Not sure what to do about that.
Ehto…
For now, I call out to the dazed Dors and urge the ceremony to continue.
All that’s left should be the exit of the bride and groom.
Let’s properly finish the ceremony.
Co on, don’t just stand there.
Impure dragons, raise your heads.
Send off the newlyweds with applause.
Toshira, calm down—they won’t be heading off on a journey.
You’ll see them at the reception shortly.
And, of course, everyone will be in their human form in the reception.
After all, we can’t prepare a feast that would satisfy dragons in their dragon forms.
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