From Narsha's perspective

"Marriage, huh..."

I flopped down on the bed and aimlessly twirled my hair. My life would soon undergo a drastic change as I was about to marry into a neighboring village. It didn't quite feel real—it felt as though it was happening to someone else.

"I wonder how Akira is doing..."

While thinking of my friend who had gone off to a distant magic academy, I cast a spell to check the news. Right now, I wanted to distract myself by thinking about anything but my own situation.

"There's a military conflict with the demon tribe. About fifty casualties have been reported among the human soldiers."

War news again. It's not entirely someone else's problem; war could reach our village of Amina at any time. A sense of tension was palpable even here.

Would my husband and I eventually be drafted?

The news soon escalated into an argument between commentators.

"There's an urgent need to develop new weapons. We have high hopes for the magic doctors currently working on innovations."

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"If this arms race with the demon tribe continues, civilian casualties will only increase. We should negotiate with the demon tribe to reduce arms..."

"Such idealism doesn't operate the real world. Look at the reality; there are bodies lying in the streets and on battlefields. We should annihilate the demon tribe with the latest weapons. Only the victors get to speak such pretty words. Only they can make history."

Recent intense warfare seemed to have marginalized those who argue for disarmament.

It seemed to me that humans could easily discard any grand causes when they're desperate enough.

"Well, what can I do about it? I'm just a powerless village girl with no influence," I muttered sarcastically to myself.

Ding-dong.

The intercom rang. It was time for my fiancé to come fetch me.

"Coming!"

"You kept me waiting, Narsha."

There stood my fiancé, Felt, smiling with his bright white teeth.

"You're late!"

Yes, I was about to become a newlywed bride, determined to seek happiness for myself and my family.

The bright summer sun and the sunflowers seemed to bless me.

"Newlyweds, eh? I remember being like you when I was young."

Neighbors gathered around to celebrate with us.

Today, at least, I could forget about the war.

That's what I thought until a distant explosion boomed, and clouds of dust rose into the air.

An enormous roar followed, and a magical weapon approached.

It had a machine gun in its hands, caterpillar tracks for feet, and a body made of metal, clearly artificial yet seemingly with a will of its own.

A design resembling a speaker was fitted on its abdomen, from which a voice boomed.

"Hold that wedding!"