Chapter 262: The Wedding Begins
Chapter 262: The Wedding Begins
The royal wedding hall of Glimmereach was grand beyond imagination.
Crystal chandeliers floated near the ceiling, casting shimmering light across polished floors. Nobles from countless kingdoms mingled in luxurious attire, merchants discussed wealth and trade, servants moved elegantly with trays of food and wine, and music filled the vast palace like a celebration of peace itself.
On the surface—
Everything looked perfect.
But Zane knew better.
Disguised among the guests as Urn Silva of the Silver Shine Merchants, he moved calmly through the hall, his sharp gaze observing every detail while maintaining the appearance of an ordinary wealthy merchant.
Yet behind his composed expression—
His mind was calculating.
Interesting…
His eyes scanned the crowd.
Nearly sixty percent of the servants and guests carry traces of corrupted mana.
His smirk deepened slightly.
This isn't random infiltration.
They have a coordinated plan.
He continued walking, casually taking a drink from a passing servant while analyzing the room.
If neither I nor Zayne were here today…
This entire gathering could become a slaughterhouse.
No one here could truly stop it.
Especially not…
His gaze shifted toward one particular figure.
Priest Paul.
Standing near the ceremonial platform, calm and composed, his mechanical arm partially visible beneath his robes.
That one…
He's quite strong by this world's standards.
Far stronger than most here realize.
For a brief moment, Zane's eyes narrowed.
Then—
A flicker of awareness crossed his expression.
Wait.
His perception expanded.
Ron and Lia are being moved.
Toward this location.
His gaze sharpened slightly.
And my students…
They're almost there.
A faint sigh escaped him.
This is getting messy.
His eyes shifted again—
Toward Dex.
Toward Maya.
Both were beginning to move as the wedding is about to start....
The older siblings have begun as well.
The atmosphere of the wedding suddenly felt far more fragile.
Zane slowly smiled.
A dangerous smile.
Looks like…
The real event is about to begin.
Then—
A royal guard stepped forward, his voice amplified through magic.
"Announcing the arrival of…"
"Prince Dex Volkov, groom of Glimmereach!"
"And Princess Maya Isolde, bride of Thesmeris!"
The massive ceremonial doors slowly opened.
All eyes turned.
Dex and Maya entered side by side.
Hand in hand.
Dex wore an elegant black royal wedding suit, embroidered with gold lining that emphasized both his noble blood and future kingship. His broad frame, sharp features, and composed confidence made him appear every bit the ideal ruler.
Beside him—
Maya wore an extravagant wedding gown of white and silver, layered with precious embroidery and royal gemstones. A delicate veil partially covered her face, adding both mystery and elegance to her already breathtaking beauty.
Together—
They looked like the perfect royal couple.
The hall erupted into applause.
Many guests were genuinely mesmerized.
Some admired their beauty.
Some respected their political union.
Some feared what this marriage represented.
Step by step, the pair walked toward Priest Paul, who stood waiting at the ceremonial altar.
Dex's hand tightened slightly around Maya's.
Maya's smile beneath the veil remained calm.
But deeply pleased.
Once they reached the platform, Priest Paul raised his voice.
"Today…"
"We gather on this most blessed occasion…"
"To witness the union of Prince Dex Volkov…"
"And Princess Maya Isolde."
His mechanical hand gleamed faintly beneath his robes.
Then his voice deepened further.
"Following the grievous passing of the King of Glimmereach…"
"And the Queen of Thesmeris…"
"This ceremony shall also mark their coronation."
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd.
But Priest Paul continued.
"And through this sacred union…"
"Glimmereach Kingdom…"
"And Thesmeris Kingdom…"
"Shall become one."
A deliberate pause.
"The birth of…"
"Glimmeris Kingdom."
Silence.
Then—
Shock.
Many guests widened their eyes.
Even powerful nobles looked stunned.
This wasn't just a wedding buts also be the creation of a superpower.
A merged kingdom with wealth and trade of Thesmeris kingdom andn military might, and magical resources of Glimmereach kingdom—
One capable of rivaling the six greatest kingdoms in the world.
Then the cheering began.
Louder than before.
Some of the voices were of Celebration...
Some were brimming with excitement
Some had fear in their eyes calculating how will this affect them...
Across the hall, Valeriana stood beside Zayne, her expression filled with surprise.
"This…"
"…This would create a power equal to one of the Six Great Kingdoms."
Zayne's expression remained calm.
But his eyes were sharp.
Meanwhile—
Dex smiled as he looked over the cheering crowd.
Everything was unfolding exactly as planned.
He held Maya's hand tighter.
Maya, equally pleased, smiled beneath her veil.
Today—
Their ambitions were finally within reach.
The wedding ceremony continued beneath the countless crystal lights of the grand hall.
Priest Paul led every step with calm authority.
The ceremonial wine was brought forward.
Dex and Maya drank from the same cup.
The vows were spoken.
"Do you accept?"
"Yes."
Rings were exchanged.
Blessings were declared.
To the guests, it was elegant.
Historic and grand.
To Zane—
It was unbearably dull and boring .
Standing among the gathered nobles in disguise, he let out the smallest yawn.
This is so fucking boring.
His sharp senses remained active even while his expression stayed calm.
Dex and Maya are exactly where they should be.
Ron and Lia have almost arrived.
Maera, Selene, and Drevin finally catched up too… still disguised.
Good.
A pause.
But seriously…
These Vassel people are disappointingly incompetent.
They can't even proceed their evil plan a bit faster....
Soon enough, the wedding concluded.
Then came the coronation.
Dex and Maya were officially crowned as King and Queen of the newly formed Glimmeris Kingdom.
The hall erupted once more in applause.
But Priest Paul raised his hand again.
"Lastly…"
His voice echoed through the hall.
"A special event."
The atmosphere shifted.
"Today…"
"We also carry out the execution of former prince Ron Volkov and former princess Lia Isolde."
The hall exploded into murmurs.
Guests whispered rapidly.
Many had heard rumors.
The deaths of the former King and Queen had never been publicly explained.
Only speculation existed.
And now—
The blame was being publicly placed.
Priest Paul continued,
"The core perpetrators behind the deaths of the former rulers…"
"Traitors."
"Murderers."
Dex clapped once.
The large gates opened.
Two knights in dark golden armor entered, escorting Ron and Lia in chains.
Both wore prison garments.
Both were wounded.
Both were visibly restrained.
Behind them followed three ordinary knights.
But hidden beneath those helmets—
Maera.
Selene.
Drevin.
Their hearts pounded.
Priest Paul looked upon Ron and Lia with open disgust.
"Come forward, criminals."
He turned dramatically toward the audience.
"These are the true monsters…"
"The ones who mercilessly murdered their own blood."
"The true faces of evil."
"And that's why they—"
"Wait."
The voice cut through the hall instantly.
Clear and calm.
Yet carrying undeniable authority.
Every eye turned.
It's Zane while still in disguise.
Walking forward openly.
Priest Paul frowned.
"…What?"
Dex's expression darkened.
"Who dares interrupt?"
Maya's eyes sharpened.
Meanwhile—
Behind their disguises—
Maera, Selene, and Drevin were equally stunned.
Professor…?
What is he doing?
Even Zayne blinked.
Boss…?
Valeriana looked at him sharply.
"What is your brother doing?"
But Zane give no explanation to anyone..
He simply kept walking.
Straight toward the two golden knights escorting Ron and Lia.
Then—
Without hesitation—
He grabbed both knights by their helmets.
And began crushing them.
Slowly and violently.
Metal caved inward.
Blood spilled.
The sound of cracking bone echoed horrifyingly through the hall.
Gasps filled the room.
Blood splattered across Zane's clothes.
Across his face.
And then—
A suffocating wave of dark mana exploded outward from him.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
It reeks with fear and death.
Zane's voice came low.
Cold and absolute.
"You're going too slow."
He crushed the helmets completely.
Blood dripped from his hands.
Then—
"I'm taking over now."
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