As the Wedding March played by some unknown symphony orchestra gradually reached its climax, Shun and Ana's steps perfectly blended with the melody of the instruments.
Shun tightly gripped Ana's hand and unconsciously tightened it a bit more. Even when he was severely injured by the Thunder Herrscher in the Ashina world bubble, or when he was hit on the head by a falling meteorite during the Second Honkai, he hadn't been this nervous.
Finally, under everyone's gaze and blessings, Shun and Ana, hand in hand, walked across that long red carpet symbolizing the starting point of their new life.
When they arrived at the center of the wedding and stood in front of the priest Otto, at this moment, it seemed as if time had stood still for them.
At this time, he had also taken off his usual purple luxurious bishop's robe and changed into a low-key yet solemn black priest's robe. Although the tailoring was simple, it exuded a kind of simple elegance.
Five hundred years ago, the last time he wore it, he was probably holding a simple wedding for a newlywed couple in that small rural church.
At this moment, the smile on his face was extremely sincere. As a friend, he was genuinely happy for his friend. However, thinking of his granddaughter whose thoughts were always written all over her face and couldn't hide anything at all, for a moment he didn't know whether to be happy or not.
But no matter what, he had to smoothly get this wedding through. As for Theresa's matter, he would deal with it later.
First, Otto began to recite the prayer words. Although he hadn't done it for a long time, the basic skills of being a priest for more than ten years—even after five hundred years—he had not forgotten.
"Bless you two to guard the way and walk the way for a lifetime, complete the journey in the world, and finally be welcomed by the Lord in the glorious Kingdom of Heaven to enjoy eternal true blessings. May your love be more beautiful than fine wine; more fragrant than ointment; sweeter than honey dripping from the honeycomb; and more precious than the most valuable jewels! May your home be as beautiful and harmonious as the Garden of Eden, on earth as it is in heaven! May God's love, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit always be with you and all people! May Jehovah bless you from the Most Holy Place, and may you see the benefits of the holy city Jerusalem all your life!"
Otto guided Shun and Ana to stand facing each other. First, he posed that classic and sacred question to Ana: "Ana Schariac, are you willing for this man to become your husband and to sign a marriage contract with him? In sickness or in health, in poverty or in wealth, and so on. And for any other reasons to love him, care for him, respect him, accept him, and remain faithful to him forever until the end of life?"
Without hesitation, almost taking advantage of the pause after Otto finished speaking, Ana's firm voice came through.
"I do."
Then, Otto turned his head to look at Shun and asked: "Shun, are you willing for this woman to become your wife and to sign a marriage contract with her? To love her, care for her, respect her, accept her, whether in sickness or health, poverty, wealth, or any other reason. Will she remain faithful to her forever?"
At the same time, a voice that couldn't distinguish between male and female entered Shun's ears. "You should care for your wife with gentleness and patience, love and respect her, and dwell only with her. You should respect her family as your own family, fulfill your duties as a husband for life. No longer develop feelings for others, and maintain chastity toward her? Do you promise in front of everyone that you are willing to do so?"
At that moment, Shun seemed to fall into a brief daze, but soon, his voice rang out clearly and firmly: "I do."
However, in stark contrast to the polite and restrained applause from the surrounding guests, a burst of laughter abruptly pierced through this solemn atmosphere and struck deep into Shun's soul. That laughter seemed to carry some indescribable power. It not only broke the silence of the wedding but almost made Shun lose his balance at this moment, nearly falling over. This laughter seemed to come from another world. Its existence was out of place in this venue, yet it was so real that it couldn't be ignored.
Shun tried to find the source of that laughter, but now he was bound by the wedding process and couldn't do anything else. But the laughter was like a phantom, disappearing in an instant, leaving only a trace of doubt and unease in Shun's heart.
"Now, the bride and groom may exchange rings with each other." Otto's gentle and composed words rang in his ears, pulling Shun's spirit back to reality.
Shun slowly took out the gift box containing the ring from his pocket. The ring prepared by Ana was brought over by Kiana.
In this sacred moment, the exchange of the two rings was not only the transfer of material but also the blending of two hearts and the union of two souls.
Shun opened the gift box. A nearly pure white ring was exposed under the sunlight. This was the "White Flower" short dagger that he had finally gotten the Abyss Flower to spit out from its mouth, which had been recast.
As long as Ana kept it on her, no matter how severe the injury, she could recover in a short time. Now he no longer needed it. Using it to give to Ana to protect her safety was perfect.
Using the Herrscher Gem from the Herrscher of Domination, the smaller one, to replace the diamond on the ring could only be said to be just right.
The ring exchange ceremony was completed. Next was signing the marriage certificate.
"Then, everyone present, is there anyone who opposes this marriage?" Otto's amiable yet undeniable words spread throughout the church.
"I'm standing…" Theresa muttered, and silently moved to a corner.
"Seele… what's wrong with you?"
"Sorry, Sister Fu Hua, Seele is picking up something…"
This scene was simultaneously playing out on the field.
After waiting a while longer and finding that indeed no one without eyesight came out to oppose, Otto also continued to speak and moved the wedding to the next stage.
"Now, the groom may kiss the bride." After he finished speaking, warm applause and cheers immediately erupted on the field.
Just kidding, these Valkyries had come all this way from afar to watch the excitement precisely for this scene. A wedding without a vow kiss was like Honkai Impact 3rd's 3D zone losing the Great Duck Duck, or the West losing Jerusalem.
"This time, even if I die, it's worth the ticket price, woof!"
Shun seemed to be outside the clamor. The noisy sounds in the church like a vegetable market gradually faded away. His world at this moment once again focused only on Ana alone. His gaze penetrated the surrounding disturbances and only stayed on her, like the light of a constant star penetrating the dust of the universe.
He extended his hand, his movement gentle and solemn, slowly and softly lifting Ana's veil. In that instant, time seemed to stand still. That long-missed, peerlessly beautiful face, like a dream, once again appeared before his eyes. Every detail of hers was deeply imprinted in his heart.
In that instant, it seemed as if the entire world had stopped turning, and time had also frozen at this moment. Without any verbal communication, but they had a tacit understanding with each other. The two of them leaned their bodies forward slightly in unison.
As the distance gradually closed, the surrounding air seemed to become restless. Finally, their lips gently touched together, like two soft flower petals gently leaning on each other in the breeze.
This moment was as brief and dazzling as lightning streaking across the night sky. However, for them, it was an eternal memory. This kiss was not merely a simple touching of lips but also a deep promise and vow.
"I love you, Ana."
"Mm, I love you too." Tears glistened at the corners of Ana's eyes. Under the illumination of the lights, they were like shooting stars streaking across the night sky—brief yet brilliant. These teardrops were symbols of happiness and the release of emotions. They quietly slid down, recording the emotion and eternity of this moment.