Steel and Mana

I have died once. Then I got reborn... Then I invented some things, both big and small... I got myself a wife, then three more, and even had kids despite some difficulties with that part. I raised a city into probably the smallest yet most influential empire... I faced monsters and even created a union of the strongest empires in this world.

And yet… none of that compares to organizing a wedding. So I was out of the picture the moment it started. If anything, I know when to step back and let others take the lead. So... here we were, watching Avalon in full chaos, mainly because everyone has an opinion on the supposed order of a wedding. Which, if you ask me, is harder to navigate through than the battlefield or some political bullshit. Sasha, for the most part, took the lead and now runs the whole thing like a general. She had made schedules, lists, and timetables that would make Oleg, Lucca, and Seltana blush. As the lead of my harem, her word is law, and no one argues back. Not even Yuri, as she shares my opinion that putting together a wedding is way too hard. So, she was happy to let Sasha organize everything from the guest list to the seating to the order of the procession, and just be responsible for security.

Although... at the start, Yuri had some outrageous ideas.

"We should paint the walls with murals of his victories!"

And when Sasha asked what victories, she suggested the panoramic image of him and Jila doing it. Sooo... that part was quickly shut down, and Yuri was kicked out of the first meeting.

As for Mikan, she will be officiating the ceremony as the priestess, of course. She's already preparing the rites, the blessings, and the vows, with a bit of modification as she will leave the Gods out of it and mostly replace them with more universal motifs... Like being loyal to Avalon and whatnot.

Lastly, for Luna, she was in charge of preparing the decorations, the food, and ensuring that the supposed guests who were coming would be housed and taken care of.

So yes, the four of them were running the show, and I was just being dragged along, nodding where appropriate, carrying things when ordered, and pretending I was important. All things considered, I was the stamp-boy, allowing everything to go as planned and paying for it. Easy.

Of course, there was a secondary group parallel with us, working just as hard, right on Jila's side. Rashira, Seltana, Tarsine, and Meyli were all busy, fussing around her like hens with a chick, annoying the girl to hell and back.

Tarsine has practically locked herself in a sewing room, sketching and cutting, looking like an artist on a deadline, one who had done nothing but slack off until the last week or so. She was utterly determined to make Jila's gown the best of her works yet, so much so that she was muttering about fabrics, colors, and trims even when it was dinner time. Curious, I've peeked at her sketches... Hmm... No wonder Dorian told me she will bring in a ton of money for the city... They were indeed impressive, and this will be just another massive advertisement boom for her brand.

Rashira, on the other hand, was preparing herself as she would be the one walking Jila down the aisle, so to speak, and handing her over to Lancelot. She was both thrilled by the position but also extremely nervous... Which I can understand. Seltana tried to be supportive, but I don't think it was working, especially when she mentioned that the main square where the wedding is going to be held is supposed to be full of people on that day.

As for the last of the siblings, Meyli was the happiest of all of them, no joke. She was even more shiny than Jila, bouncing at her side, clasping her hands together, and exclaiming how wonderful it is that there will be a baby. I think she was more interested in the fact that she will be an auntie than the wedding... She even came to me one afternoon, asking me for a list of baby names. Not even the two lovebirds did something like that, so I gave her a few. And I had to hold back from pranking my future grandson with some special names.

Like... Anakin... Lelouch... or Ripley. Aaaanyway... I managed to keep it narrowed down to what I remembered, following this Avalonian theme that I found myself stuck in. But the choice will be theirs, not mine, to make.

As for Jila herself? One word could summarize her state: impatient. She was boastful at the start, but at the end of the first week? Oh, she had had enough, trying to hide and escape from all the rehearsals, trying to undo Tarsine's dress to let her see what she needed to adjust, and angry about the fact that she barely had time to spend with Lancelot.

Speaking of him... His siblings were just as 'bad.'

Arthur, Leyla, and Morgan were still teasing him to no end, even when the group decided to have a bachelor party, hearing the idea from me, of course. It ended up with the massive news that the inn where the deed had happened now had a special guest room where people could retreat... To have the same kind of blessing that fell on Lancelot and Jila. Heh, some of my people have a wicked business sense, eh? In the end, the kids made Lancelot officially acknowledge the truth, giving proper, undeniable validity to the claims that it happened there, in that room. By then... Even Galahad had nothing to say to try to stand with Lancy. It was just... too funny, even for him.

It's strange to experience something like this, really. My first child's wedding... Huh. I never imagined attending something like this. I never thought this far ahead... Time flies this quickly, doesn't it? I am a bit... sad about it. I still feel as if I had just been reborn here, as if it were yesterday that I met with my wives. As if barely a year or so passed... not decades. Where did all those years go? I am already a grandfather, or will be soon... I had already lived longer here than in my previous life. What a weird concept! And I sometimes wonder... how much time do I have left here? Did I already pass the halfway line? Or am I still on it? Before it? Well, it is no good to think about these things, as whatever will happen, will happen... And no matter what...

I was proud of all that I achieved. And I wouldn't change anything if I had to start over...

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When the day of the wedding came, the main city square had been remade into a proper ceremonial ground. There were even carpets of vibrant crimson stretched from the palace steps to the altar erected at the center, draped with our banners in purple and gold. Wherever one looked, flowers lined the walkways, and I could see petals swirling in the air. Even if it was late autumn and winter was just around the corner, somehow we had a sunny day, warmer than usual... A sign? I hoped so.

Stolen story; please report.

As for the most notable guests, they had begun arriving about two days before the big event, which was essentially a kind of pre-marriage parade for the city.

First to arrive was Mirian, dressed up as an actual Empress, with Milan on her right and their kids coming behind them, dressed just as royally. I'd expected it, but Galahad had not, because I didn't tell him Fila was coming back so soon. I almost laughed out loud, watching as he was standing stiff in his new white uniform, made for the occasion, when he saw her disembark next to his brother. Poor little Galahad nearly stepped out of line to go to her. Heh, my boy tried to hide it, but the joy in his eyes gave everything away at first glance. Maybe a second wedding was in order by spring? I will have to ask Mirian about that.

A day later, Attila also arrived from Geth, bringing even some grand-looking gifts in the form of jewelry and an honest blessing in the name of Goddess Orsi, which I gladly accepted, respecting their customs. Just on mark, Ahnud V from Sar followed suit, arriving the same day, only in the afternoon, also bringing gifts, this time in the form of wine. A fuckload of wine... Hah! Now we are talking.

As the third to arrive that day was Elliot, already into the night, finally bringing over his wives to introduce them, and damn... They were a loud bunch when no one was looking. He wasn't lying when he told me they were vying for the position of being the first, as they were constantly shuffling around each other to stand with him. Watching his face... Uncle? You are enjoying the attention, aren't you? Heh... If he ever tries to complain again, I'm going to simply ignore him.

As for the last big name on the guest list, it belonged to Chairman Alvor, rolling in from Atuvia with gifts of his own, collected from all over the continent, including some exotic, raw materials, trinkets, and drinks. But, as far as I could tell, he was more interested in the dresses, made by Tarsine, finding her privately, already talking about business... Haah... Merchants.

And then… There was a surprise that I never expected.

It was the arrival of a Khulmani delegation. When I heard the reports, I thought that some newly appointed person would come, their nose held high in the air... Instead, it was Bakhi. It wasn't hard to see why, after speaking with him, reading the letter he handed over. It was telling me that Khulman wishes the best for Jila and Lancelot, while also asking me to accept Bakhi into the city... As a permanent envoy to Khulman. They are throwing out the old, as far as possible, including the girls... I see. Oh well, I'm fine with that, so I accepted, of course.

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By the morning of the wedding day, the square was filled to almost maximum capacity. Soldiers on leave, citizens of Avalon, visitors from Atuvia, Sar, Geth, and Ishillia... it didn't matter. All of them pressed in, thousands of voices overlapping, right until the horns blared from the Camelot above the city as a wing of our airplanes flew over the city, drawing colorful smoketrails behind them, giving a proper military salute on the side.

As for us, we were already on the podium, standing at our designated places, watching. When the music began playing, I had to realize... This was real, huh? Damn... I felt proud of my son. More than creating Avalon.

I watched with a smile as Lancelot, straight-backed and dressed in a black dress with gold and purple accents, appeared first. He wasn't alone as Yuri walked at his side... It had been some time, but... tears were constantly spilling down her cheeks as she led our son forward. Even though Lancelot looked like he wanted to melt into the ground, he held his head high and proud, arriving first at the podium, looking at us, and finally forming an honest smile as I nodded back at him.

Then, it was time for Jila to appear. Rashira walked at her side, looking solemn, carrying her younger sister's hand, ready to hand her over to Lancelot. Behind them, Meyli scattered petals, smiling shyly, enjoying being a little busybody. For some reason, her eyes were searching for Morgan, who was standing with Mikan, serving as her little helper during the ceremony. Behind the youngest Khulmani girl, Seltana and Tarsine followed them, their dresses matching each other perfectly, their designs mirrored. I think the latter was more proud of the dresses than the whole wedding thing. Oh well... It was… immaculate. As for the clothes she made, they were mainly crimson with a silver trim, their personal embroidery woven into it, shining when the sun fell upon her body. Honestly, Jila looked like a warrior queen and a bride all at once, fierce and beautiful.

Finally, as they arrived on the podium, Lancelot and Jila could stand together, facing Mikan, watching as she raised her hands, and the crowd quieted down in an instant.

"Before Avalon and Khulman, before the Union and the Sovereign, we stand witness for these two young souls to be forever linked," she began, "This is not merely a union of two hearts, but a promise: that strength and love can bind people together. It is a connection that may never shatter or falter, last from this day on, until the end of the world."

With that, she gestured, and Rashira placed Jila's hand into Lancelot's, while Yuri kissed his cheek, then, grinning from ear to ear, she stepped back, letting her tears flow freely, no longer ashamed or weirded out by it.

"I, Lancelot, third child of the Sovereign," he began, and despite his stage fright, his voice was steady as a rock, "take you, Jila, to fight with me, to walk with me, to live with me, until my last breath leaves me."

"Better be!" Jila mouthed without speaking as she winked up at him, utterly unashamed, before giving proper power to her voice, "I, Jila, daughter of no throne, but of freedom, take you, Lancelot, as mine. To fight with, to live with, to love with, until the world breaks apart!"

Well... that wasn't rehearsed. I could tell. But it was her... so it was the best kind of oath. Even Mikan smiled softly, raising her hands once more.

"Then let it be witnessed by everyone present and before your Sovereign! You are bound, not only by words, but by Avalon's unbreakable will." She smiled at them as she spoke, "You may seal your union with a kiss."

Of course, Jila didn't wait. She yanked Lancelot down and kissed him fiercely, enough to draw a roar of laughter and applause from the crowd. The moment it happened, the square erupted in a wave of cheers, whistles, and applause that washed over the city. Next, even more petals rained from above, dropped from the Camelot, showering the entire city, as not just here but in all taverns, inns, homes, music began playing, and a multi-day-long celebration just began.

I just stood there, watching my son, my new daughter-in-law, my wives gathered together, my father and mother coming to gratulate the two, followed by Merlin and Elena, my ministers, the guests, everyone laughing and clapping... Haah... This was it. This was why I worked...

"Hey," Mirian leaned toward me, murmuring, pulling me out of my thoughts, "We need to talk about Galahad and Fila after this..."

"Mhm." I nodded, glancing at her, "I'm fine with it if they are too."

"Fila is." Mirian whispered, "She looked like she was wilting away. Even though she was complaining about Galahad bringing her into battle, she kept talking about him, nonstop. It was starting to annoy me."

"Spring?" I asked simply, chuckling to myself.

"Sound about right."

"Deal." I hummed, making Mirian smile too, leaning back to find the two in question, already standing together, watching Lancelot and Jila. "Don't you have more kids?" I asked suddenly.

"Huh?" She tilted her head, "Sorry, it's not that easy... A third kid... Haaah. I would if I could. Why?"

"Nothing." I shrugged, looking at Leyla and Arthur, "It's just my twins are... falling behind."

"Heh," She patted my shoulders, "My Veron is still free."

"Too young for the twins." I spread my arms, "As for... I don't think Morgan would be interested in him."

"Aw," Mirian shrugged, but didn't take offense to it, "Too bad. I would have bagged one of your kids to live in my Ishillia with that... Still, think about it."

"Sure, sure," I joked, shaking my head, "Haaah, we will see it in the future. For now, let's enjoy the moment. It is time I tasted those drinks that had been brought over! Otherwise... Yuri will slurp all of them up before I can have a swing at them."