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Chapter 46 Part 3 – Meeting Again

「…… Why …… you should be able to deflect my arrows ……!!」

Arnold was at a loss for words, then at that time, he finally noticed the pool of blood at Matzo’s feet.

「…… What’s with that bleeding …… That blood is not from the wounds caused by my arrows ……!! …… You were seriously injured from the start ……!! …… Why didn’t you tell me? …… This …… this can’t be considered as a battle ……!!」

Arnold’s whole body trembled and tears welled up in his eyes.
Matzo smiled at him as if looking at his son.

「…… Don’t cry …… It doesn’t change the fact that …… your skills are great …… Be proud of it …… It was my fault for deceiving you …… That’s right …… While we’re on that topic ……」

Matzo jangled the chains in his hands.
He strongly pulled it. The end of the chains was connected to two pillars.

「To tell you the truth, I also lost my iron ball …… These chains are meant to be used in this way …… Watch carefully and see ……! The captain of the Imperial Guards has been using the iron ball with chains as their weapon of choice for generations …… and the reason for that is ……!!」

Matzo had a demon-like facial expression as he squeezed every ounce of strength in his body.
His steel-like muscles conspicuously swelled up.
Blood gushed from his wounds, dying his body red.
The chains were pulled taut, a creaking sound echoed, and the pillar to which the chains had been bound snapped at the base and collapsed.

Having used up all his strength, Matzo smiled with satisfaction and collapsed onto his back.
The chains fell from his hands and clanked sadly on the floor.
The ceiling and floor rumbled, and cracks ran through the walls of the entire room.

「…… With this, I’ve fulfilled my duties. …… Once the two pillars are broken, this room will collapse …… and will hold back the pursuers …… This is the duty of the former captains of the Imperial Guards …… Scarlet-sama …… didn’t know about this though …… Please, that person ……」

A chain reaction occured one after another. The other pillars also began to collapse.

Arnold closed his eyes and let out a deep breath.
Arnold closed his eyes and exhaled heavily.
He had his reservations.
But he couldn’t turn his back on Matzo’s wish, especially since someone as great as him actually wagered his life.

「…… I got it!! You win!! If the queen is found, not just me, but no one else will be able to lay their hands on her!! I’ll listen to her again without prejudice!! I swear to you on the pride of a warrior!!」

At Arnold’s shout, Matzo raised his face and grinned, but his eyes were half-blank.

「…… Thank you. Then …… leave quickly …… this place is already falling apart …… I …… the last thing I should …… do.」

Matzo muttered and with difficulty he took the embroidered veil from his pocket.
His trembling hands no longer moved properly.
He was able to protect his loved one this time. Matzo was proud of his hands.
But when he noticed the veil stained with blood, he feebly clutched it and laughed bitterly.

「…… This is bad. …… I thought …… you would accept this veil in the afterlife, but …… it’s been stained …… I’m still a …… boorish man after all …… and since that moment, all I’ve done is age …… I wonder if Mary will recognize me ……」

With a thunderous rumbling, a section of the ceiling collapsed.
Perhaps because the flames that had been burning somewhere gained air, there was a blast of wind and it stripped the veil from Matzo’s hands and lifted it into the air. A pillar is about to fall down, as if trying to crush him as well.

Three arrows pierced the pillar like a bolt of lightning.
Cracks ran through the solid marble pillar and it shattered into tiny pieces.
The power of the arrows did not stop there, as they obliterated every broken piece of the pillar that is above Matzo’s head.

「…… No matter who or what, I won’t let you get in the way of the warrior I respect ……」

Arnold stared ahead with his golden, slitted eyes and nocked another arrow in order to be ready to clear the falling pieces.

But Matzo did not see the shattered pillar.
He saw only a veil silently descending.
Matzo saw a vision of Mary in her bridal gown, wearing a veil.

「…… Sorry …… You came all the way here to pick me up …… what …… are you crying …… Will you …… smile at me like you always did ……」

There were tears in the eyes of the woman he loves the most.

「…… This is because …… I finally saw you again …… the joy of our reunion cannot be expressed by a smile alone, so it overflows in tears. …… So it’s okay no matter how much I cry. You’re really reckless …… but also stronger and kinder than anyone else, and a little bit clumsy …… you haven’t changed a bit …… You’ve worked hard. …… Welcome back.」

Tears began to well up in Matzo’s eyes as he heard the nostalgic voice that he always yearned for.

「…… I see …… the tears from the joy of our reunion …… Then is it okay with you …… if I, too, cry miserably ……」

Mary nodded gently.
Mazzo reached out his trembling hands.

「…… I’m so pathetic, and by the way …… this time …… marry me ……」

Without letting Matzo tell everyone, a smiling Mary with her eyes full of tears jumped into his chest with her arms outstretched. That was her answer. Matzo’s heart was bursting with happiness and he hugged Mary’s slender waist. He did not even notice that the arrows that had pierced his body were missing.

「…… I love you. Matzo-sama …… words are not enough to express my happiness …… so hug me with your big hands with all your strength ……!! …… From now on …… we will always be together. And it’s not just me. Look ……!!」

Matzo’s eyes widened as he looked in the direction the blushing Mary was pointing at.
He was so surprised that he stood up with Mary in his arms.

「…… Captain!! Congratulations on your marriage!!」

「Good grief, the captain has such a big body, and yet he’s a late bloomer …… Well, that’s just like the captain.」

「…… I’ve been waiting for this! Let me make a toast to your marriage soon!!」

The deceased members of the Imperial Guards were waiting for him with smiles full of affection.
The nostalgic faces that could not be forgotten surrounded Matzo with shouts of joy.
Confetti of blessing danced in the air.

「You guys ……!!」

Matzo’s throat choked with sobs as he was at a loss for words.

The old soldiers who had fallen to defend the castle were smiling and clapping.
And …… three bearded old warriors glared at him with bitter faces.

「…… Hah, well, I acknowledge that you’ve become a splendid warrior. Come on, I’ll congratulate you on your growth and marriage, so get your ass over here.」

「You’re such an old monk, yet you’re trying to look cool …… I don’t like it, so I’m going to smash you with alcohol.」

「I can’t believe you made such a nice girl wait all this time …… We must punish you with alcohol. Don’t expect to be released in just one night.」

The white-haired warrior with white beard, black-haired warrior with black beard, and brown-haired warrior with brown beard mumbled in a moody manner, but their gazes were warm. Tears fell from Matzo’s eyes as he looked at the three stern and nostalgic instructors.

They were not the only ones.
One after another, the important people he had lost in a faraway place in time appeared and joined the circle of blessings.

「Cheers to the lovable idiot!!」

The three old warriors led the toast and the clinking of cups rang out.
Cheers, smiles, and applause abound.
Surrounded by these people, who previously only remained in his memories, Matzo stood still and wept.
In his arms, Mary wiped his tears away with her fingers.
Hugging the smiling Mary, Matzo cried and smiled happily.
He choked up with tears and a feeling of excitement.
Petals danced around in the surroundings.