After several rounds of toasting, all the formal rituals were complete.
From here on, the atmosphere loosened. The guests were free to drink however they liked and enjoy the banquet to their hearts' content.
The members of the Resistance immediately dragged Kael down from the main table.
"Captain! You promised last time that when we reunited, we'd drink properly! With Lady Kokomi and General Gorou here, we're not leaving sober tonight!"
"That's right! Lord Kael, let me toast you first!"
Seeing everyone so fired up, Kael laughed boldly and raised his cup.
"Alright! Drink! I'll make sure every last one of you ends up under the table!"
Sangonomiya Kokomi watched the Resistance soldiers' antics from her seat with a calm smile.
Her usual authority made everyone too intimidated to drag her into the chaos. Gorou, however, wasn't so lucky. He was immediately pulled aside and forced to chug several jars of sake.
Fueled by alcohol, the Resistance members dared to do all the things they normally didn't dare do. They swarmed Gorou, aggressively rubbing his ears and tail.
Teppei was another favorite target. His face was bright red, his eyes glazed, and he was holding Gorou's tail while giggling, "Hehe… doggy… doggy…"
Veins popped on Gorou's forehead. He kicked away the rowdy soldiers who had overstepped their ranks.
"Hey! You little punks…"
In the middle of all this chaos, Kaedehara Kazuha approached with a handsome young man beside him.
The moment the youth saw Kael, his eyes lit up with pure admiration.
"Lord Kael! It's an honor to finally meet you! I'm Kazuha's friend. Thank you so much for inviting me to your wedding… I've admired you for so long, I—"
Before he could finish, the drunken Resistance members hauled him in and shoved a bottle into his hands.
One of them slung an arm over the boy's shoulder, slurring loudly, "Hey, kid, there are tons of people who admire our captain. You wouldn't even make the line!"
"Drink the whole bottle first and prove your determination…"
They were completely out of their minds.
Kael stepped forward to push the bottle away from the boy.
But the boy's expression hardened with resolve.
"So that's how it is? Alright! I'll show Lord Kael my resolve!"
Before Kael could stop him, the boy tipped the bottle back and chugged hard.
"Uh—"
Kael reached out too late, watching helplessly as the kid drowned himself in alcohol.
Kazuha, realizing things were going south, tried to quietly step back to escape, but Gorou cut off his retreat with sharp reflexes.
Gorou smiled a very unfriendly smile.
"Kazuha, where are you going?"
Aren't we good friends?
Shouldn't you stay and help me take some of the hits?
Kazuha read the meaning beneath Gorou's pleasant tone. Cold sweat formed on his brow.
"I…"
"Enough talking. Drink."
The tipsy Gorou wrapped an arm tightly around Kazuha's neck and poured a cup of sake straight into his mouth.
Kazuha was knocked out instantly, collapsing on the floor.
Gorou nudged the unconscious Kazuha with his foot. "So weak."
…General Gorou, your gentle big-brother image just shattered.
Kael used the commotion as an excuse to slip away from the drunken chaos.
But it seemed the Resistance wasn't the only group that had lost their minds. Over by Kamisato Ayato, a crowd had gathered as well.
The Yashiro Commission's retainers surrounded him, taking advantage of this rare chance to drown their strict boss in toasts, venting every grievance accumulated through the endless work he'd forced on them.
"Lord Ayato, thank you for your guidance at work…"
"…and because of you, I haven't seen my wife for a whole week…"
"Lord Ayato, the Yashiro Commission is my home now. I've practically moved into the office…"
"Ha… ha…"
Ayato's voice cracked as he forced out a laugh, his eyes pleading desperately for Kael's help.
Kael walked past him without looking.
Sorry, brother.
The wrath of overworked employees is not something I'm willing to die for.
Good luck.
---
Kael stepped over a battlefield of fallen bodies until he finally reached Ayaka's side.
Ayaka covered her mouth as she giggled, whispering into his ear, "It's been so long since I've seen my brother look that terrified…"
Kael took her hand. "He's the head of the Yashiro Commission. He can handle a tiny storm like this."
They sat together at the main table, watching the joyful chaos unfold below.
Life in Inazuma had been far too suffocating. People had been bound by burdens they couldn't escape.
A night this free, this happy, hadn't appeared in Inazuma for a long time.
But now, because of Kael and Ayaka's wedding, everyone could loosen up. Laugh freely. Look forward to a new beginning.
Smiles lit every face in the hall.
Ayaka looked out at everyone, her voice soft. "It's wonderful…"
Not only had she gained happiness…
Even all of Inazuma was starting to feel happy again…
[Corruption Value of Kamisato Ayaka: 0.]
[Host will now return to the real world.]
---
Sorry, yesterday's bonus chapter will be uploaded by tomorrow...