Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint - Chapter 548



Marriage is the Grave of Life

Immortal Rash. The Toin I met when I fell into Tantalos. At first, only his right arm was found, and he was used here and there, but later he was resurrected, and we spent several months together. He had spent quite a long time in prison with me before escaping Tantalos, managing to tag along.

The land inhabited by those called the barbaric tribes is known as the realm of nations. So we must have parted ways when we left for the military… but to think we would meet here.

Wait a minute. This is too coincidental. Could this be the saint’s blessing? At this rate, I might end up believing in the saint!

Surprisingly, the regressor welcomed Rash warmly.

“What a strange fate. I never expected to meet you here.”

“Oh, boy! You seem to have changed quite a bit during this time! Are you in your growth period?”

“That’s a misconception. My growth period has already passed.”

“Boy. A man continues to grow even after turning twenty! You need to eat well and build your body; how long will you live with that frail and delicate frame?”

“I’m already eating plenty. That’s unnecessary meddling.”

“You’re still as prickly as ever!”

Of course, the warmth of the reunion was only from the regressor’s perspective. Nodding at Rash’s sharp retorts, I was greeted heartily.

“It’s been a while, Teacher! Hmm. From your prayers, it seems like many changes have occurred!”

“Even a teacher can learn something. But Rash, you haven’t changed at all.”

“Well, I’ve grown up! I’m just not one to change much by nature!”

—

It’s still refreshing to talk. Nothing has really changed. If I were an immortal race that doesn’t die, I wouldn’t feel the need to change at all.

“By the way, about the marriage… Rash, are you getting married?”

At my words, Rash laughed heartily and replied.

“Haha! How embarrassing! It seems so!”

“With Calis?”

“Hahaha! It’s the greatest thing I’ve gained from my studies in the military nation! There were many good encounters, like with teachers and boys, but bringing home a bride is truly a great fortune!”

I had a feeling it would be like that, and in the end, he succeeded. Good for you, Calis. You may have escaped the military nation, but being the wife of the immortal Rash might be a better life than being a military colonel. At least you won’t have to worry about being used and dying.

The reincarnator, who had completely forgotten about Calis, tilted his head and asked.

“Calis?”

“That colonel. The one who was a pawn of General Ebon.”

“Ah, that one? I was wondering where he went.”

“I spent a few days with him in the Abyss, so please remember…”

“Do I have to?”

‘It’s a hassle. He’s just a minor character I didn’t even encounter in the previous cycle. If I remember his face and name, and then have to kill him in the next cycle… it’ll just be uncomfortable.’

He doesn’t even plan to remember at all.

Well, I suppose the reincarnator can’t help it. Memory isn’t infinite, and he probably didn’t want to keep an ordinary human like Calis in his head. Especially when he’s already short on capacity.

“To be honest, I was curious if the two of you could get close since you’re so different. But it turned out well.”

“Haha. She’s a much better person than I am. Smart, knowledgeable, kind, and good-hearted.”

“Really? Kind and good-hearted?”

Being smart and knowledgeable is one thing. Although she climbed the ranks, Calis is a magic officer from the military nation. She was educated in a rote manner to learn magic and how to apply knowledge.

But what? Kind and good-hearted? Someone who wouldn’t hesitate to join a secret organization for her own advancement?

Hmm… Is he under a spell? Or is Calis wearing a mask?

Rash brushed aside my skeptical gaze and boasted.

“What kind of barbarian like me would ever meet such a gentle and devoted woman? Hahaha! A woman who can count and read, it’s more than enough! There are plenty of men in my tribe who envy me!”

“Now that you mention it, it does sound appealing.”

A tribe where counting and reading can be seen as advantages. Perhaps that tribe is truly happier than the desolate military nation?

“Calis said she would follow me because she has nowhere else to go, but I too am of humble means. If I can dedicate my life to making her happy, that would be more than enough. That’s why I made a vow and came all the way here!”

“A vow is a wonderful thing. Congratulations. But…”

I suddenly spoke up with a thought.

“Are you going to have the marriage ceremony officiated by the fallen nun Yegcheria at the Blood Monastery?”

“Indeed! We do not believe in the divine spirit, but we do believe in her power and authority. Moreover, she shares a special bond with the great witch! If the nun vouches for it, then Calis will be at ease!”

“Why is that? Mr. Calis is a military man. There’s no need for a sacrament to get married, is there?”

Of course, even in the military, there were cases where one would go to a church to receive a priest’s blessing or even hold a wedding ceremony. Though the country had changed, people had not, and among them were many believers who held the conviction that a marriage could not be completed without a religious ceremony.

The military did not particularly care whether one went to a church or had a presiding officer, as long as the marriage registration was done properly. Many are unaware, but the military is not an anti-religious state; it is a nation that champions extreme efficiency. It did not endure the inefficient labor of forcibly changing and correcting all customs that had been passed down since the kingdom era.

However, due to the taxes imposed on religion, the churches rebelled and left the military, and the common people, having lost their leisure in their bleak lives, naturally saw grand weddings fade away. If this was intentional, then it was indeed intentional.

In any case, Calis was a military mage officer to the core. There was no way he would come all the way to this remote monastery in the vast wilderness to hold a wedding in such an inefficient manner.

“Ah, um. You are sharp, teacher. That is correct. My lord advised against it, saying it was unnecessary. But this was my stubbornness. I persuaded Calis to stay behind and arrived here alone.”

Rash, struck at the heart of the matter, smiled bitterly and revealed the truth.

“To avoid the tribal wedding ceremony, I had to hold a wedding according to the customs of the bride’s side. If possible, it was better to borrow the name of that powerful and fearsome nun.”

“Why the tribal wedding ceremony?”

“I won’t go into detail. It would be inappropriate to speak ill of my tribe to an outsider. Just remember that I am an immortal.”

Rash is an immortal. He can resurrect as long as the essence of the earth remains, even if he is stabbed, burned, or cut.

He is generally hard to kill and has a generous disposition, but perhaps because of that, he is also generous in harming others. Rash, who would tear someone apart for a slight provocation, is still considered polite and gentle.

The marriage customs of such an immortal race are…

‘To be buried together until the moon wanes in a land where not even a ray of light shines. For beings like us, it doesn’t matter, but for Calis, he would surely perish from exhaustion. I cannot allow that.’

The genres are too different. To the Toin, the embrace of the Earth Mother would be as warm as a bed, but to an ordinary person, it would be a living burial. They say marriage is the grave of life, but what if one is truly buried?

“No matter how stubborn a tribesman may be, they would acknowledge a wedding held in the blood monastery. The name of the nun is widely known. However, the biggest issue is whether they will believe my words…”

As Rash muttered, he suddenly spotted Aji and Remm in the distance. Recognizing the Beast King, he seemed to have a good idea and spoke.

“Teacher, could you perhaps help me?”

“How so?”

“If the Beast King is present, it would be easier to persuade the elders of the tribe. We have ties with beasts, after all. Moreover, if someone like you or the boy speaks of life beyond the plains, my tribesmen would not be able to remain obstinate.”

“If our paths align, I might be able to help…”

I wonder if the reincarnator will agree. Glancing at the reincarnator, he shrugged and said casually.

“Sure. I’ll help.”

“Pardon? Mr. Shea, are you alright? Didn’t you say you had to defeat some ancient evil?”

“That ancient evil might be related to the immortals. Perhaps this is part of the flow. Let’s just try it.”

‘The immortals have also fused with the corpses beneath the abyss to become monsters. That horrific existence instilled a fear greater than any actual harm. Perhaps the ancient evil is connected to that clue.’

You weren’t that kind of person.

It feels like a flow that is both natural and contrived. I sense a slight discomfort, but the reincarnator seems aware of it and is trying to ride the current.

It must mean he intends to follow the blessing of the saintess. Hm. There’s no helping it. There are no other clues at the moment, and since I haven’t seen Rash in a long time, perhaps I should go. I’m curious about the appearance of the immortal tribe as well.

—

“Alright. Shay’s permission has been granted. Interfering in someone else’s romance is only acceptable when it’s taken away, but this time, I’ll help you out neatly.”

“Thank you!”

Above all, I must go to see if this is truly the power of a blessing or not.

The next destination is decided. The tribe of the immortals.