Inside the church hall, the guests saw that the man officiating the Great Angel's wedding was actually one of the Blue Sea People.
Was this a sign that Babylon was opening up further to the outside world?
Some of the guests speculated as much, while the clever ones exchanged knowing looks.
The reality, however, was far more whimsical than they imagined.
"Guardian of Heaven's Gate, King of Babylon, guide of light, merciful savior, benevolent Great Angel, Lucifer Sephiroth, do you take Elegia Uta as your wife and swear to cherish her for the rest of your life?"
Shanks put on an act that more or less resembled a priest. He even recited that long string of titles in a singsong chant, as though rattling off a menu.
Although the guests below found it a little strange, they accepted it.
Some even thought that this Blue Sea man, having been "honored" with the role, was being shamelessly sycophantic. No wonder he had been chosen to officiate the wedding. He certainly knew how to get ahead.
Hey, you're using your position to settle a personal score, aren't you?
Sephiroth's big toes twitched inside his knight's boots. Uta held back her laughter, struggling to keep both her eyes and the corners of her mouth in check.
"I do."
For now, Sephiroth could only endure it.
Listen here, old man. Uta's going to pay dearly for this tonight.
"Then, Elegia Uta, do you take Lucifer Sephiroth as your husband and swear to love him forever?"
Shanks looked at his "daughter," speaking in his usual tone this time. But his eyes were bright and earnest.
"Yes-I do!"
For the first time since she had been "abandoned," Uta gave Shanks the smile she had worn as a little girl.
That smile seemed to cross the years,