Wedding Wars: For the May Bride · Chapter 4

White Avalanche

Civilian B

So they're saying... the May Bride gets to do a special ceremony with the Journey Captain?

That's... marriage, isn't it? It can mean nothing else!

Civilian A

Let's see... What I'm seeing is, Omega needs a mommy...

And a single dad Captain needs a wife!

Civilian C

A man prominent enough to hold private meetings with Lady Alicia, who holds sway over NOA's governance...

To top it all off, he's a looker! *Giggle*

Civilian B

So, how do they choose the bride?

Civilian C

The people hosting the festival told me!

All you need to do is get inside the church with the Captain when the bell rings!

Thug A

...Did you hear that?

Thug B

Yeah, clearly.

When the bell tolls, she who receives the wreath from the Captain claims him.

Thug A

As smart as ever. Summed it all up in one line...

Thug B

Heh, I went through basic education in NOA, you know!

Thug A

Hey, you. Round up every girl you can.

Tomorrow...

We're going on a groom hunt.

???

...Is this the ceremonial dress I requested?

Yes, mistress.

???

I see. This must be a trial my other half has set for me.

As the successor of the Celestial Art, I gladly accept!

???

Th-the C-Captain's getting married?! To who? His fiancée's standing right here!

It makes no sense! This is an outrage!

???

Lies... They're all lies...

LIES! There's no way Captain would betray me!

Fueled by a backdrop of increasingly absurd tales...

The rumor that claiming the Captain as a groom would make one the May Bride spread like wildfire!

On the day of festival...

Before the opening remarks, I was waiting with the staff inside the main building.

I hear a commotion...

Is something happening outside?

Frey

You're saying there's a whole horde of people wearing wedding dresses?

Knight A

Pretty much. A third of the crowd are wearing one.

Frey

Hehe, my plan is going smoothly! They must all be here to enter the bridal selection!

Audience engagement was lackluster during the announcement...

But the festival has gone viral! It's a resounding success! Hooray!

Knight B

L-Lady Frey!

Frey

Yes, what is it?

Knight B

A fight broke out among the brides!

One of them drew a rifle and opened fire! Even some town guards trying to break it up got caught in the crossfire...

Frey

A shooting?! Where on earth did someone get a rifle?!

Knight C

Lady Frey! Lady Carmen!

A... *Pant* A mo—!

Carmen

Slow down. Take a deep breath.

Now tell us what happened.

Knight C

A mob of women in wedding dresses is headed our way!

Frey

This has to be the first and last time I'll ever hear anything like that!

Can anybody tell me what's going on?!

Knight C

So, if you would take a look at this article...

Frey

The Bellaskiver Times' extra...?

This is...!

Carmen

Not a single lie... technically.

But this is loaded. It's clear they're trying to sell the readers on an idea.

This isn't part of your viral marketing campaign, is it?

Frey

Of course not! Who do you take me for?!

D-Don't panic. This is all a simple misunderstanding...

As the festival's host, I will take responsibility and calm the crowd!

Monastir Knights! On me!

Should I go with you?

Carmen

As your security officer, I advise against it.

Showing your face to the crowd will only fuel the chaos.

Frey

Hmm, you do have a point.

Very well! Then it will be just me and the Knights.

Please stay put. We'll be back in a few minutes!

Carmen

There's no need for concern, everyone.

I am confident Lady Frey will get through to them.

All we need to do is stay calm and wait until—

Knight A

L-Lady Carmen!

Lady Frey is down!

Carmen

Down? What exactly do you mean?

Knight A

W-while we were on our way to the site of disturbance...

Knight B

Heavens...

Snow... in May. An avalanche in the middle of a city...

Frey

...

All units! Single line formation!

We must not let that... thing... reach the Captain.

We hold the line here!

Knight A

W-we can't hold it back! It's impossible!

Frey

You. Did you just join the Knights?

Knight A

M-ma'am? Y-yes, I'm a recruit...

Frey

You are dismissed! Leave the line!

...Survive. And tell our story.

Knight A

...

*Sniffle*

Knight A

And that's how they fought valiantly to the end...

I'm really sorry to interrupt, but is this really the right time for theatrics?

Seriously, I don't know!

Carmen

Captain, wait. Do you feel that?

The floor is shaking.

I looked outside the window.

Then I saw it: a wall of white pouring down the boulevard like an avalanche.

Snow? In May?

Carmen

No... It's people.

People in veils and wedding dresses.

Crowd

Captaaain!

You! The guy staring with his mouth wide open!

Yeah, I saw you! Stay where you are!

Hey! No cutting in line!

Ow! You stepped on me!

Carmen

Captain, stay back!

Carmen drew the curtains and bolted the door.

Soon, a loud banging followed.

Crowd

I know you're in there! I saw you through the window!

We need to smash our way in! Anyone got a battering ram? Or maybe explosives?

Carmen

So... remember when I said we should stay calm and wait?

I believe a change of plan is in order.

Let's keep our distance until we figure out what's going on.

Captain, to the rooftop.