Chapter 45 – Yes, I do

Toshiro woke up in a place flooded with bright light.

Ugh… I sure like to wind up in places with bright light…

Before him, suddenly, and old man with an eye patch and two big crows on his shoulders appeared.

"Welcome, Toshiro."

"Do we know each other? You seem damn familiar…"

"And what is familiar about me, hmm?"

"And old man with an eye patch and two crows… Odin, like from a picture book."

"Indeed," the old man smiled.

"Nooooooo waaaaay… But why you?"

"I'm the king of gods of this world, Toshiro. Do you know what happened?"

"Uhhh… Methinks I destroyed the Neuroi Matriarch…?"

"Yes you did."

"Wait, but how did that even happen? I have a hole in my memory the size of the Grand Canyon…"

"Maybe it's just shock after expending so much energy. But we can't detect the Matriarch's presence nowhere, and the Neuroi Hives all over the world have disappeared, along with the Neuroi themselves, and that's for sure."

"So I succeeded…"

"Yes, Chosen One, you did."

"But what about me, my body? I believe I was damn weak and falling from a hundred kilometers…"

"Let me fill him in. okay?" he heard a familiar female voice.

Toshiro turned to his side and saw Amaterasu, smiling at him.

"Oh, hi, Ami!"

"Yes, yes, hi Toshiro. So, after you blacked out, and when the altitude permitted it, your friends caught you. Yoshika managed to heal you while rushing you to the nearest fully working hospital like a maniac."

"And that would be?"

"Bern in Helvetia."

"Oh look… So she finally managed to get there, hahaha!"

"Yes. You are lying in the hospital, waiting for your body to recuperate."

"How long?"

"Won't tell," she stuck out her tongue slightly.

"So what the flying fuck actually happened?"

"You somehow gathered a mind melting amount of energy from the Allgod. I guess you've hit the mother lode…"

"And how the hell did I do that?"

"I think that has to do with you being his Champion, but nobody know to be honest…"

"So anywho, why am I with Old Man Crowshoulders and you here?"

"You have succeeded in your quest, Toshiro," Odin said. "Thus, your mistress, Amaterasu, will now be promoted to the position of the queen of gods."

"Talk about making career on somebody's back…" Toshiro mumbled. "But you don't have a queen right now?"

"No. I'm the only king, but now, Amaterasu will rule by my side."

"And if it wasn't Amaterasu, but for example… Jehovah?"

Suddenly, a transcendentally beautiful redhead woman appeared before him.

"Jesus!" Toshiro shouted surprised.

"Now, now, thou shalt not shout the name of my son in vain, Toshiro," she replied calmly.

"That's the only thing you're good for…"

"Suit yourself. But to answer your question, if I was your master, I would replace Odin."

"Oh how fucking convenient that Amaterasu succeeded…" Toshiro said with sarcasm almost dripping on the floor below him. "Well anyway, where's the rest of you guys?"

"So you wish to see all the gods of this world?" Odin asked.

"Well, yeah…"

All of a sudden, Toshiro was literally surrounded with countless figures, all gods and goddesses from various faiths and mythologies.

"Too many, didn't count…" Toshiro murmured. "But I must say, the goddesses are truly a sight for sore eyes."

The various goddesses' giggled, but suddenly the Moirais popped up.

"No, fuck you, I don't want to see you!" Toshiro shouted and turned to the side, ideally beholding Venus. "Much better."

Toshiro felt a hand on his shoulder, and he saw Amaterasu on his side.

"Now, Toshiro, I have bad news."

"What kind of bad news can you have now?"

"This is a precedence, as you are the first Chosen to perform such a feat, but nonetheless, it is necessary," Odin said.

"What is necessary?" Toshiro asked with furled eyebrows.

"That your memories of the gods, including Amaterasu, will be erased. Also, your familiar will be given a similar treatment, and the both of you won't be able to visit Amaterasu's realm again."

"What?! What horseshit is this?! Amaterasu, what the fuck is that old coot talking about?!"

"It's true…" Amaterasu said with a voice full of guilt. "I didn't tell you about this, because I couldn't…"

"Wh…."

From thin air, Kye appeared beside him

"And what the hell are you all trying to do right now?" she asked with a cold voice.

"Stay out of this, Kye," Odin demanded.

"Oh no I won't! Toshiro just defeated the Matriarch, enabling your pathetic existences to continue, and you want to rob him of his memories just like that? I won't stand for this!"

"And why do you oppose our will?"

"Because Toshiro is my friend, and I won't let him suffer unnecessarily. But okay, you won't have to deal with me," Kye turned her back to them. "But have somebody else instead."

Kye disappeared, and suddenly, the whole place stated rumbling, and Livy appeared amidst them, with her Celestial Aura fluttering around like a monster from another dimension.

"You won't dare to lay a finger on my Master…" she said with a cold voice.

"And why is that?" Odin asked.

"Because he is the Champion of the Allgod!" Livy yelled, sending everyone beside Amaterasu and Toshiro off their feet. "You will treat him with his due respect, or I promise that I will rewrite the whole universe so you sorry excuses for gods won't have the tiniest purpose to exist!"

"Uh, Livy…" Toshiro said carefully and extended her hand towards her.

She looked around to him, but all he could see was a warm smile.

"Master, don't worry, I'm just taking care of your case," she said softly.

Odin sighed and said, "As you wish… We won't affect Toshiro's life anymore."

Everyone disappeared, beside Livy and Amaterasu.

"Thanks…" Amaterasu mumbled.

"You did what you had to, Ami. I don't believe Master Toshiro here would agree so easily if he knew his brain would be bleached after he's done, right?"

"I didn't agree to anything, that's first. And Ami, seriously, that was fucking underhanded. If you tell me you did all of this just to become the queen of gods, then…"

"No, I promise I did it for the good of humanity! Really!"

"She's not lying, Master."

"Well, I guess the good that came from Ami just outweighs any shady machinations… So I guess I need to return to my body or something?"

"Yes, Toshiro."

"So this means goodbye…" he sighed.

"What are you saying, Toshiro? My realm is always open for you, really!"

"I don't want to have anything to do with the supernatural anymore, Ami… Really, I'm just damn tired of it… Remove the Godly Particle from me, I'm done…"

"Oh…" Ami looked sadly to the side. "I kind of thought this would be the case… Won't you make Akiko sad with this?"

"She has you," Toshiro smiled. "Please take care of her, Ami."

Amaterasu walked up closer to him, and patted him on the head.

"Sure I will, dumbo… Oh, and just in case, Yuki will still be with you."

"Ah shit…" Yuki said, making all of them laugh

"Okay. Back to my body. Bye Ami, bye Livy."

"Goodbye, Master. We will meet again when the time is right."

Both waved to his with warm smiles on their faces, and his vision faded to white.

He opened his eyes and saw an unfamiliar ceiling above him. He slowly looked to his left.

So I'm still in the hospital, judging by the interior décor… Look nice though…

Toshiro then looked to the right, and saw Yoshika lying down on the side of the bed while sitting on a stool.

Dawwwww… My sweetie… I guess it's a bit late, since its dark outside…

"It's… Hummm... 1745…"

"Oh, hi, Yuki."

"Hi, Toshiro. Nice to have you conscious."

"Heh… My body feels a bit sore…"

"Well, maybe let's leave the info dealing to Yoshika, okay?"

"I guess it would be good to hear her voice after so long."

"Definitely! But you know, I've heard her voice all the time…"

"Yeah, yeah…"

Toshiro carefully moved his hand and gently placed it on her head. Almost immediately, she opened her eyes and jumped on him with her whole body.

"Toshiro… Welcome back…"

"I wasn't going anywhere, heheh... So, what happened, and which year is it?"

"Well… After I caught and healed you, we brought you in here to Bern to be hospitalized. Your uncle is paying all the bills, so don't worry."

"As if I don't have enough money to care for my own…"

"Heh… So anyway, today is the first of February."

"I guess it's still 1946, right?"

"Hmmm… Well, see for yourself."

She got on her knees and lifted her uniform up. The usually flat, and even a bit muscular after the recent training, belly of Yoshika was now slightly rounded.

"Gods…" Toshiro whispered surprised and placed his hand on the baby bump.

Oh shit… Triplets… I wonder if Yoshika knows?

"It appears that your cannon really isn't shooting blanks," she winked. "And that my ovaries went on overdrive…"

"Hummm?"

Yoshika leaned over and whispered something to him.

"As I detected… Damn, you sure ovulated hard…"

"Heeheehee, you cheater you… Just don't tell anyone."

"Lemme guess… They're right behind the door?"

"Behind the door, you only have guards. But only one word, and the gals will swarm in from the hospital lounge."

"Maybe we shouldn't get them yet, huh?" Toshiro said with an alluring voice.

"Well… Maybe not…" Yoshika followed up and they made up for a month of not kissing.

After that, Yoshika ran out of the room, and Toshiro sat straight on his bed.

"So Yoshika's pregnant… Heh."

"No denying that, T-man. And it seems you hit the jackpot…"

"Well, no shit, Yuki…"

He heard loud footsteps in the corridor, and the door burst open.

"Bro!"

"Toshiro!"

"COUSIIIIIN!

Erica and Francesca, and an unexpected guest cheered wildly and jumped on him

"Oooooof… You three really could show some restraint… And what are you doing here, Mami, you little rascal?"

"Who you calling little, you damn ogre?!"

"Bahahahaha! At least I know you're okay!"

"Heh… I'm just visiting my beloved cousin, savior of humanity, blah blah."

"Daaaaaaaaawww!"

"Hey, Toshiro, how are you feeling?" Adolfine that just entered asked.

"A bit sore, but I'll manage, Adi."

"Okay, should be enough. Yuki was right again on the ETA to your recovery."

"She knows my body better than me myself… And hey, you're not pissed off by calling you Adi!"

"Things changed," Adolfine smirked.

"Get out of here! Really?"

"Yup. Me and you-know-who got together, heehee…"

"Well, congrats, Adi. Wedding when?"

"Hey, hey! Don't be so fast! I still haven't heard the date of your wedding, and Yoshika is starting to get round!"

"Hummmmm…" Toshiro pondered. "You know, there might be the ideal date…"

"What date, hmm?" the entering Minna, leading the rest asked.

"I'm thinking about the wedding," Toshiro answered honestly.

"Oh, really?!" Perrine asked. "When?!"

"Hey, let me know first!" Yoshika protested.

"Hahaha! What a commotion!" Mio laughed aloud. "So, how is it, Toshiro?"

"Felt better, but meh."

"Well, you should feel good after defeating the Neuroi Matriarch!"

A sudden surge of pain snapped through Toshiro's head, making him grimace.

"What is it, cousin, you okay?" Mami asked concerned.

"Yeah, it's just that a memory returned to me."

"Oh?" Francesca asked. "What is it?"

"Neuroi Matriarch is just a title we gave her. Her last wish was for me to pass down her name, so she wouldn't be forgotten."

"Well, fuck, I wonder how that could happen…" Trude mumbled.

"What is it?" Adolfine asked.

"Xadea... Her name was Xadea."

"Xadea… Okay, I'll have to add that info to what I got from debriefing the girls…"

"And what exactly did you get out of the girls?"

"Everything, Toshiro," Minna said. "I believe nothing what that Xadea said wasn't truthful. But whether anything will get to the public…" Minna looked wryly at Adolfine.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it…" she sighed. "Especially that stuff about Mars. No damn way is that reaching the ears of civilians…"

"I guess so."

"Anyway, now that you all are here, I'm announcing that in two days, a ceremony will be held on the HIndenburger Platz. All of you are, except for Mami, HAVE to be there."

"What's gonna happen?" Toshiro asked.

"My limited knowledge on that topic enables me to produce one answer – something epic."

"I just hope Uncle won't abdicate or something. That would be unnecessary…"

"No, no…" Adolfine calmed him down. "But I guess stuff will happen."

"Two days you say… Well, I guess I can manage to walk straight in two days. And I really appreciate you all visiting me."

"My cousin is the savior of humankind, why wouldn't I visit?" Trude said proudly.

"Hey, he's my cousin too!" Mami shouted.

"I'm closer!"

"I have a nobler bloodline!"

Both shot daggers at each other with their eyes, but Toshiro just said, "You're both my cousins, you numbskulls. I appreciate your affection towards me, but I disapprove of this bickering."

"Okay…." the two mumbled looked at each other with sour faces.

"What do you say?" Toshiro asked.

"Sorry..." they mumbled and shook hands.

"How cute," Erica said with a venomous smile.

"You three could finally get off my bed, I'm the sick guy here."

"We haven't seen you a month, Toshiro, come oooooooooooon…" Francesca said with big, puppy eyes.

"Well… Ah, yes! Yoshika, what have you been doing this whole month? I forgot to ask."

"And what do you think I was doing, hmm?" she asked innocently.

"You were protecting your betrothed day and night?"

"Heehee, no, not that extreme, but I was beside you for a few hours a day, even on Sundays!"

"Still better than nothing. And when did Yuki cough up a prognostic on my health?"

"Took her some time, to be honest," Adolfine said. "We only knew last week for sure when you'd wake up."

"My dear Yoshika… So, leave me be, everyone, I have to rest to be fit for the event in two days! And what will come afterwards, heh."

"Bye, cousin!" Mami cheered.

"Yeah, bye Bro!"

"Bye, Toshiro!" Francesca cheered along.

"See you in two days!" Shirley shouted.

"Or earlier," Trude smiled.

The rest went away, and only Yoshika was left.

"So, Toshiro, about that wedding…"

"What do you say about thirteen days from now?"

"You mean on Valentine's Day?! Toshiro, brilliant!" Yoshika hugged him quickly.

"Best date for a wedding ever. I guess we should start our preparations…"

"Oh, I'll take care of that! You rest!"

"Sure, so…"

Two days later, dead noon, on the Hindenburger Platz, the ceremony ensued. Everyone was given the highest possible orders of their respective countries and promoted one rank, however, with some exceptions. Shizuka was promoted to Secont Lieutenant, skipping the rank of Warrant Officer. Yoshika was promoted to the rank of Major, skipping the rank of Captain.

And of course Toshiro was the biggest exception.

"Toshiro Lucas von Edelweiss, step forward!" Keitel said loudly.

Toshiro approached him and the Kaiser.

"My dear nephew… How long have I waited for this day… First and foremost, you are hereby promoted, effective immediately and forever, to the rank of Reichsmarschall."

Toshiro was simply stunned.

"But… That rank wasn't in use in the Karlslander military for ages…"

"True, because there was nobody truly worthy to bear it. But now, you are here. And now, the next thing…"

The Kaiser took his sash, to which the highest level Knights Cross was pinned to.

"Reichsmarschall Toshiro Lucas von Edelweiss, I hereby present you with the Stern zum Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, in lieu of your outstanding service for your Vaterland."

"T-Thank you, Uncle!" Toshiro shouted.

"And now your final award. Keitel."

"Jawohl," Keitel said and presented a small wooded case. The Kaiser opened it and pulled out a platinum edelweiss with a diamond two centimeters in diameter. A small platinum arc was fastened to the top of the order, with "Unus Salvus Omniam" engraved onto it.

"I don't recognize this…"

"Because this is a new award, a one of a kind award might I add. This is the proof that you, one man, has saved everyone. This is the Order of the Edelweiss."

The Kaiser pinned the order to Toshiro's sash.

"By the way, I couldn't secure you that absurd rank of Supreme Commander of the International Anti Neuroi Contingent," the Kaiser whispered as he was pinning the order. "There are already power struggles going on in the military and the UN… People are already talking about the dissolution of the contingent, now that the war is over; there are some radical movements in Orussia… Ehh…"

"It's okay, Uncle," he smiled. "Five stars in one army are enough, heheh…"

Toshiro briskly saluted, and the crowd gathered to view the event started wildly cheering and clapping.

"Well, Toshiro, I guess you finally surpassed me," Adolfine said.

"Looks like it," Toshiro smiled. "And I have my first order ready for you."

"Oh really now? Let's hear it."

"First, the people will hear it," Toshiro winked and approached the microphone. "Dear people, I have an announcement to make."

The crowd went silent immediately.

"As some of you may know, I am already engaged. The name of the lucky girl is Yoshika Miyafuji, the daughter of the renowned researcher, Professor Ichiro Miyafuji. We've both agreed that we would marry after the war would and, and thus, it's time to step up to that promise. The wedding will be held on the fourteenth of February. Further information will be released to the press at an appropriate time," Toshiro said with a small smile.

The crowd renewed their cheers with doubled intensity. Yoshika approached him from the side and said, "Toshiro, how do you feel?"

"Damn happy… But I can't just cry in front of the people, right?"

"But can I?"

"If you want…"

Yoshika's eyes watered immediately and she hugged Toshiro tightly. The crowd roared even louder.

Using the commotion, Toshiro waved in Adolfine, and he whispered to her ear, "I'll promote you to Generalfeldmarschall, what say you?"

"B-But Toshiro… I…"

"You deserve it, Adi. Trust me. You're the hardest working Karlslander I know."

"Well… If you manage to pull it off, I'll bite."

"Don't worry, I will," he winked and waved back at the rabble.

On the destined day, Toshiro was sweating in his black tuxedo, despite it being only about ten degrees in the St. Peter's basilica. By some weird stroke of luck, the tie that Minnie gave him in Britannia not only fitted physically, but also in terms of appearance.

"Herr Reichsmarschall, please, calm down," Joachim said to him.

"Can the officialities, Joachim, I didn't pick you for my best man and ring bearer to hear that for you."

"So, Toshiro will do?"

"Yup. Did you triple check the rings?"

Joachim reached into his pocket and pulled out two gold plated titanium wedding rings.

"Here they are."

"Good, good. By the way, Adi sure looks nice in that black dress."

"Yes… I'm so happy we're starting to be on the same page…"

"Protip from me, Joachim – start working out, and plough her hard. She loves muscular men that can plough her hard," Toshiro winked.

"I may take that into consideration…"

Toshiro looked around and saw his uncle sitting beside Sayaka and Grandma. He also spotted all the girls he befriended in Neue Karlsland, the 31st, the 502nd, the 504th, the 506th A-Group, the former Isle of Wight Detachment and the NJG 1 4th Division.

"I wonder where that Yoshika is…" Mio muttered angrily from behind him.

"Wait for her; she probably is dressing up accordingly. Oh and by the way, damn you all look elegant in these beige dresses."

"Right?" Minna asked with a smile. "Sure was a nice idea from Yoshika."

"And it cost a ton of money…" Toshiro sighed. "But the twelve of you as bridesmaids? Sheeeeesh…"

"Heh, Yoshika said that she would be guilt-ridden for the rest of her life is she didn't pick all of us." Shirley grinned. "And who was that other guy you invited again?"

"My name's Red, miss," Doran said with a cheeky smile.

"Oh, nice name… And that accent, a Liberian! Saaaaay…"

"I'm married, sorry."

"Boooooooo…"

"Hey, Shirley, are you so desperate as to use a wedding to hook up with someone?" Trude asked with a wry smile.

"You know why…" she mumbled.

"Yeah, yeah."

"You wanted to severe your ties to the supernatural, but you invited me to your wedding. Make up your mind, Toshiro."

"You're an exception, straight and simple. How can I not invite you, especially that you're living in this world already?"

"Welp, sure is nice of you."

"They're coming!" Goldman, who was the scout shouted from the door of the cathedral.

Everyone looked at the entrance, as Goldman and Kowalski were opening one part of the door. And then, the two came in, accompanied by two cute pages. The melody of Treulich geführt blared from the cathedrals organs.

Ichiro was wearing a dark tuxedo like almost all the men present, but Yoshika was something different. She wore a traditional white wedding dress, with a white veil, and white, elbow length satin gloves. She had more jewelry on herself than Mussolini's shop window exposition, and certainly worth more. The train, five meters long, was carried by Chris and Mami, both dressed in white. Toshiro could almost hear Trude squeal from joy behind him.

Suddenly, a hand landed on his right arm. Toshiro looked around, and saw the minister that would carry on the ceremony.

"Ah, welcome, Holy Father."

"Good morning, Toshiro. I'm very humbled by the fact that you have chosen me as the marriage officiant."

"Please, I'm ever more grateful that you have agreed."

"My higher ups gave me such an order," Pius XII winked understandably.

"Oooooooh, heh…"

Toshiro waited until the bridal procession came to the altar. Ichiro lifted Yoshika's right hand and placed it on Toshiro's left.

"Take good care of her, Toshiro."

"I will… father."

"That's the spirit," Ichiro answered with a smile and went to his seating place.

The groomsmen and bridesmaid dispersed evenly around Toshiro, Yoshika, and the Pope.

"Dearly beloved…" the Pope said. "Today, we have gathered to witness something, that won't be witnessable any more in our lifetimes. Today, the man that has saved humanity from the great evil of the Neuroi will join his beloved in holy matrimony…"

The Pope continued his speech, and then he proceeded with the whole ceremony. After some time, the most important moment came.

"Now, the bride and the groom will exchange their vows."

Joachim quickly ran up to the two with a small pillow, and on it the two rings.

Toshiro took a deep breath and started, "Yoshika, you have brought light into my progressively darkening life, and you stood by me in the darkest times. You are the torch that lit my path forward, and the woman who opened her heart towards me unconditionally, despite the many flaws I have exhibited. Do you accept me as your husband, so you can continue to be the sun shining over me every day?"

"Yes, I do," Yoshika said and nodded.

Toshiro took the ring and put it on the ring finger of her right hand.

"Toshiro, from the first moment I met you, you have conquered my heart. You saw me as a woman, and accepted me as a whole. You were always there to protect me, to comfort me, and to make me laugh. Please, do you accept me as your wife, so you can protect me for the rest of my life, if the need arises?"

"Yes, I do," Toshiro said and nodded.

Yoshika put the ring on his ring finger.

"Under the watch of witnesses and God Almighty, with full consequences I announce Toshiro Lucas von Edelweiss and Yoshika Miyafuji a lawfully wedded couple. Toshiro, you may now kiss the bride."

Toshiro lifted the veil off Yoshika's face. Her glittering eyes were corresponding to the wide, bright smile she gave off. Without waiting for an invitation, she jumped up on Toshiro and kissed him. The organs roared and played the Mendelssohn's March. All the guests started clapping and cheering. After the kiss, they turned around and walked towards the main aisle. The orphans from the Pescara orphanage were showering them with flowers.

They exited the cathedral, and walked through a gauntlet of riflemen in parade uniforms. After that they waited for the traditional bouquet throw. Toshiro saw as it soared towards the girls, and surprisingly, two people caught it – Mio and Adolfine. The girls around started laughing heartily, making the two blush heavily.

The two made their way to their "carriage"

"Toshiro, seriously…" Yoshika mumbled. "I wanted a horse carriage…"

"Hey, it's one of a kind, damn it!"

"You mean there's only one of these?"

"Especially turned into a cabriolet so to speak."

"Heehee, oh well…"

Toshiro hoisted her up, and then he himself jumped on the top of the now turretless Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus.

"Michael, to the reception, full speed!" Toshiro commanded.

"Jawohl!" Wittman responded and the Daimler-Benz 517 V12 engine roared.

So this is how I have married Yoshika… Now, there's a second Edelweiss in this world, and soon… Hah, no, I'll keep that as a secret…

Yeah, one more left! And you're all in for a little surprise...