>BOOOOMMM!!!<

A wave of black sand burst in several directions as I unleashed my Mana.

The ground shrunk, heaps of the sooty material scattering across the area. Still, I saw nothing but more sand underneath.

"Guess we'll keep digging... and quickly." I smiled at Maria.

My partner nodded at me with determined eyes, even though her face remained stoic.

She undulated her Mana too, sending a different feel into the air.

The both of us began using our respective energies to blast away the sand until we created a massive crater in the middle of the desert.

It took us very long to reach the very bottom.

At this point, a sheer amount of sand had already covered us from the top, but thanks to Maria's Mana field, we weren't buried by their overwhelming quantity.

'I've lost count of how long we've been digging... and how deep we are.' My mind echoed as we were surrounded darkness.

It was enough to make me doubt whether I truly had the right idea of where I was going. However, the moment I had those thoghts, I realized that we were most likely on our way to the exact location.

With Maria's Mana Field providing illumination, and our constant blast of Mana sparking in the blackened ground, we kept pushing.

Until... finally...!!!

"T-this is—!"

As we dug further, a bright light—like a precious gem—glowed and nearly blinded me.

The sound Maria gave told me it was most likely the same for her.

"We're probably there already! Let's push forward!" I told Maria, and she nodded.

With one final push, me and her burst through the remaining black sand in our path.

>BOOOOMMMM!!!<

More of the gleaming white light greeted us, and it was almost as though we were shrouded in diamonds.

"A-ah, so this is what they mean...' I reached out my hand for the light, and I spotted my partner do the same thing.

'... When they say there's light at the end of the tunnel.' With broad smile, I felt the warmness of the light, and for a moment, my entire body was consumed by it.

Everything went blank afterwards.

**************

"—red!"

I turned, a bit drowsy for some reason.

"Ja—!"

Someone kept shouting something in the background, but it really wasn't my concern. I simply wanted to relax.

"Jared!!!" Accompanying the voice was a stinging sensation to my face.

"A-ah!?!" I sharply rose from whatever position I was in, invigorated by the slap on my cheek.

My eyes scoured the area for the culprit, and I could only find one person.historical

"M-Maria...?" My eyes widened as I looked at her.

She was standing right in front of me, looking rather nervous or uncomfortable.

Her skin was as lovely as usual, and their pale glow was especially accentuated in the glow of the surroundings.

However, what made her stand out the most was...

"What are you wearing?"

... The unique outfit she had on.

Maria was currently in a pure white gown, having a very loveable design and it also stretched back for a long distance.

There was an unveiiled fabric handing on her face, and a crown was locked in her hair.

She wore lovely jewelries and looked magnificent, but... I couldn't explain why I felt uncomfortable.

"I don't know. I woke up like this a few moments ago. Besides, you're dressed a bit strangely too."

"Eh?" I looked at my outfit and realized that I was in some form of tuxedo.

The suit was exquisitely made, no doubt, but it was too fancy for me. Plus, the design on my outfit matched the one Maria had on.

Instinctively, I looked around, and J was met with yet another shocker.

'What... is this...?'

It appeared we were in a completely different place than I expected.

I could see a very large hall in front of me, with pews nearly arranged in two sides—right and left respectively, with a broad walkway separating them at the center.

The red carpet was amazing, and I looked at the beautiful floor designs as well.

The ceiling and walls were pure white, as though made of marbles, and I saw strange murals all over them.

The windows and everything were all luxurious.

It was an amazing sight.

'But where is this place? Why are we dressed like this? Also... what's with this setting?'

Maria and I were currently on the altar of the hall, and I had no idea why she was hoding flowers as well.

'Hold on, were those flowers there a few seconds ago?' As my mind wondered, I felt a presence suddenly appear in the room.

Maria's facial expression also changed, telling me I wasn't the only one who felt it.

"We gather here to witness and celebrate the union between Jared Leonard and Maria Helmsworth."

The voice came from in front of us, so I instantly glanced in the direction.

In front of us was a man, exquisitely dressed.

He was covered in white linen, having gold jeweleries all over him, as well as certain designs of rubies and precious stones around him.

He had an aged look, but a youthful smile remained plastered on his face.

"Shall we begin with the vows?" He added, his eyes closed behind his glasses as his lips parted.

'Who is this person? I didn't sense him before. Where did he come from?'

As if that wasn't enough, I felt seevral presences suddenly pop up all around the room.

'What is this?!' My mind rang as I looked all around.

The pews were filled to the brim with people. They were all seated, and the glows in their eyes—smiles on their faces too—showed they were excited to witness this scene.

'What? These are—!'

I could see several people that I knew... both from my past life and current reality.

People who were meant to be dead, and those who were still alive.

I saw Karlia, Emilia, Gerard, Ford, Dom, Ralphael...

... And then—

'They're here too?!'

—I saw two people seated at the back.