Rex Nova furrowed his brow at the suddenly changed schedule. The cybernetic threading etched into his skin contorted along with his expression.
Who is he, you ask?
The professional CCO of Resurrection Corporation, the main host of “Rex Nova Show Live,” a famous influencer boasting millions of followers.
That is Rex Nova.
He vented nervously towards his manager, who had changed his schedule without a word.
“…Do you really think that makes sense?”
It was a manager he had worked with for years. Typically, the relationship between celebrities and their managers is either familial or downright chaotic. For Rex Nova and his manager, it was clearly a ‘digital’ relationship.
“You know very well what this live show means to me. Since it’s a live broadcast, I can’t make time if it isn’t now…!”
Under normal circumstances, Rex wouldn’t have said a word. But this time, the schedule his manager canceled was none other than his trademark “Rex Nova Show Live.” True, he had been embroiled in various issues—recently, a megacorp chairman came into the picture—but those elements had only increased his NCB24 ratings recently.
The hay needs to be dried while the sun shines, and iron must be struck while it’s hot.
Rex continued explaining for quite some time. His manager’s actions were incomprehensible, even if the mayor of Neon City (missing, by the way) had suddenly called him.
‘…Having worked in entertainment for years, he should know better—’
Suddenly struck by this thought, Rex fell silent.
That part felt strange.
For sure, Rex Nova’s manager wasn’t the type to make such a mistake. Rex knew that better than anyone after years of working together.
On the contrary, it was reasonable to think that something ‘significant’ must have happened to cancel Rex Nova’s “live show.”
Like some calming agent was injected, Rex’s head quickly cooled down.
“…So, what’s the schedule?”
It was a question he didn’t want to ask.
His manager awkwardly smiled at Rex’s inquiry. The look on Rex Nova’s face turned to worry at his manager’s response.
The manager’s mechanical eyes gleamed roundly.
“The secretary sent it directly…”
Secretary?
The manager shrugged, looking a bit defeated.
“Should I tell you to refuse? I can’t. I still have a long way to go on my cyberware installment plan, you know.”
Rex checked the content of the message his manager sent.
It was an invitation to some ‘wedding.’
“…Ah.”
—
An entertainer with a familiar face.
I greeted Rex Nova.
“…I must be busy, but thank you for coming.”
“Hahaha…”
Rex looked like his soul had gone on vacation somewhere. There was no spirit in his laughter.
Come to think of it, today was the day of Rex Nova’s show live.
Wait, he still came over despite that?
What a wonderful person.
“…Congratulations on your wedding.”
“Ah, thank you.”
He received my handshake and continued speaking awkwardly with a smile.
“I sent you a message when you got engaged, did you happen to see it…?”
I nodded at Rex Nova’s words.
I opened the visual interface to check the message he had sent again.
Sender: ‘The Yes Man of the City, Rex Nova’
– You said there was no relation, right…
– You said you were an ordinary person…
Right, that came through.
“Of course. Ah, I’m sorry for not replying separately. I was quite busy back then…”
“No, no, no, it’s really fine.”
Rex quickly waved his hands in denial.
He seemed to be acting as if he were standing in front of a megacorp chairman.
“As I said back then, I really am just an ordinary person. Please treat me comfortably.”
“……”
He shot me a look of disbelief.
Since he worked in entertainment, his emotional expressions were quite rich.
I really was an ordinary person.
It was just the people around me who were great.
Well, I would have a chance to clear up misunderstandings later.
I bowed my head and continued greeting Rex Nova.
“Anyway, I look forward to your hosting.”
“…I will do my utmost with my life on the line.”
That level of commitment wasn’t necessary though.
I smiled lightly, thinking he was just saying that.
I escorted Rex Nova, whose back was disappearing from my view.
Now, I had greeted the host…
Soon, the wedding ceremony was about to begin.
In fact, it should have started by now, but for some reason, there were still no women coming out of the bride’s waiting room.
“When will the preparations be done?”
[In about 10 minutes… no, 15 minutes should be enough.]
A time even a super artificial intelligence couldn’t confirm….
By the way, when I asked earlier, it was also “10 minutes.”
Should I go see what they’re up to?
As I thought about it, I turned towards the bride’s waiting room.
“……”
Then I stopped in front of a suspicious person right by the bride’s waiting room.
A small figure with pointed ears, flowing green hair cascading down to her shoulders, and deep dark circles under her eyes.
“…Hah, hah. Andrea is here….”
It was the fan of Andrea I saw last time.
I called to an employee standing in the corridor.
I wasn’t sure if he was an employee of Monolith or the hotel, but he promptly responded to my call with a composed posture.
“How can I assist you?”
“I think there’s a stalker over there.”
“…I will check it out.”
The employee approached Emily, the elf woman, who was tightly pressed against the waiting room door, after hearing my words.
Upon suddenly approaching, Emily’s ears flopped up and down in surprise.
I couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but the employee took Emily away somewhere.
I shook my head and sighed.
Then, five minutes later.
Emily came running toward me with an angry expression.
“…Th-this is unfair!!”
She raised her fist like it was made of cotton. Unable to actually hit, her fist kept trembling in the air before dropping down.
“I came here by invitation, you know!”
“Ah.”
She looked so suspicious that I didn’t think so.
This was indeed my mistake. I bowed my head in apology to Emily.
“I’m really sorry about that.”
“What on earth did I do that made you call someone?!”
“No, you just looked too suspicious…”
“……”
Since I wasn’t wrong, Emily couldn’t come up with a response.
Seeing her carefully avoid my gaze, it seemed she was aware of that part too.
Seizing the opportunity, I quickly changed the subject.
“So, I guess you were invited by Andrea?”
“…Yeah.”
As soon as Andrea’s name came up, Emily’s face broke into a smile. She looked perfectly normal being an elf if she just stayed quiet.
“Hehe…, Andrea….”
Still, she genuinely seemed happy for her.
I wouldn’t need to call security again.
“…Huh?”
Emily, who was lost in praising Andrea, stared blankly into space.
“…Why are those children acting like this all of a sudden?”
Looking at something, her eyes contained something I couldn’t see.
At that moment, someone approached from behind Emily.
I realized something was going on by watching how the ‘spirit’ responded.
“There you are.”
Golden slit pupils fixed on me.
My first and true master, the dragon.
Coincidentally, I had seen her coming with Teddy earlier.
Strangely, no tail was visible behind her.
So she could hide it like that.
Noticing my gaze, the dragon painted a charming smile on her face.
“Hmm…, you seem curious.”
From behind the dragon, the translucent silhouette of her tail revealed itself. It was invisibility magic! If you looked closely, traces of mana remained.
Then, the dragon’s sharp gaze shifted towards Emily.
“And this one?”
Hmm….
How should I explain this?
Andrea’s stalker? Malicious fan? Cyber-shaman?
While I was lost in thought, Emily’s eyes widened in horror. She looked utterly shocked.
“Is that… a spirit…?”
Then, like someone who couldn’t see in front of her, she waved her hands around her surroundings.
Emily began flailing her hands in the air.
Her hands eventually touched the dragon’s chest.
“?”
Surprised by the sudden soft feeling, Emily lifted her head.
Just then, she locked eyes with the dragon, who had been looking down.
“Nice to meet you.”
“……”
Then, just like that, Emily fell backward.
– Thud!
Her eyes were spinning.
It was only natural that the staff around would carry Emily away. I scratched my head as I watched Emily disappear.
…What was that?
The dragon, who had knocked Emily out with just a look, showed no reaction.
“There were kids like that in the past. They were too visible, you know.”
The dragon smiled sweetly as she explained.
“Don’t worry; she’ll be fine soon.”
Even among elves, it seems there’s a bit of a difference in how they appear compared to Andrea.
Anyway,
That left just me and the dragon.
Maybe it was because of what happened earlier with the heart’s demon, I felt a strange tension in the air.
“…Ah, thank you for coming to congratulate me.”
“For what? It’s my disciple’s wedding. It’s only natural.”
I felt like the air had gotten closer than before.
I didn’t show it much.
This was the wedding hall for the ceremony. It wouldn’t be polite to be swayed by the dragon in front of others.
Having left the spare ring at home, my mental defenses were thick.
The dragon looked at my face and spoke. Her sharp fangs glinted as her red tongue flicked.
“Once again, congratulations on your marriage.”
“…Yes, thank you.”
Still, if we stayed like this, the atmosphere would become a bit awkward.
I calmly suggested to the dragon.
“The wedding is about to start soon. Let’s move to where others are.”
As I attempted to move with the dragon towards where people were gathered, she suddenly grabbed my shoulder from behind.
“Huh?”
I was swept away by her strong force. When I regained my senses, her face was right in front of mine.
Those eyes shining with arrogance stared me down more than anyone in this world.
“There’s no need to hurry, since the dragon’s time is long.”
“…Huh?”
“I mean, there’s no need to rush.”
…….
No matter how I thought about it, that wasn’t something a groom about to get married should hear.
