The worse you are, the stronger you become: My summoned beast is a photographer.

"Master! Madam! Something terrible has happened!"

The butler, Addison's voice boomed from the manor gate, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake. A leaf still clung to his old antlers; he had clearly run too fast and hadn't even bothered to brush aside the branches by the roadside.

Valerius was sitting in the living room drinking tea when he heard the shout. His hand trembled, and scalding hot tea splashed onto the back of his hand. Without bothering to wipe it off, he jumped to his feet: "What is it?"

"The church...the church..." Addison gasped for breath, bent over with his hands on his knees. "They sent someone to say...that someone...someone is opposing the wedding at the church!"

"What?" Marina's handkerchief fell to the ground, her face turning deathly pale.

Aura burst out of the inner room, the sound of her horse's hooves thundering like drums, her face drained of all color: "Who? Who objects?"

"The messenger didn't explain clearly... only saying... it was from the Thorne family..."

Thorne's family.

Rurik Thorne.

Aura's mind went blank, as if something had exploded. She instinctively gripped the doorframe, her knuckles turning white.

Ming Luochen followed her out, his brows furrowed, but his expression remained relatively calm. He reached out and grasped Aura's wrist, whispering, "Don't panic, let's go check first."

"Yes, let's go see!" Valerius strode out, sparks flying from his horse's hooves on the cobblestones, his voice filled with barely suppressed rage. "I want to see who dares to cause trouble at my daughter's wedding!"

Marina picked up the handkerchief, clutched it tightly in her hand, and followed. Her pace was much faster than usual, her skirt fluttering at her feet, but her expression was surprisingly calm—the more critical the moment, the calmer she became.

The family left the manor in such a hurry that they didn't even have time to change their coats. The carriage was already prepared, and as soon as Valerius got in, he urged the driver to whip the horse faster. The driver's whip cracked loudly, and the wheels rolled over the gravel road, kicking up a long string of dust.

Aura sat in the carriage, her hands clasped together, her knuckles white. Her heart was pounding so hard she could hear her blood surging in her ears.

"It's alright." Ming Luochen sat down beside her, placing his hand on the back of her hand. His palm was warm and dry. "You need to have a reason to object. His reasons are not respectable."

Aura looked up and met his calm eyes. The panic in her heart subsided a little, but the tightness in her chest still lingered.

"I know," she said softly, "but I just... don't feel well."

"Pinch me if you feel uncomfortable." Ming Luochen stretched out his arm. "You're used to pinching me anyway."

Aura was taken aback by his words, glared at him, but the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved into a smile. The tense atmosphere was mostly dissipated by his words.

When the carriage stopped in front of Herma Cathedral, a large crowd had already gathered around it.

The church entrance was packed with people—passersby, nearby vendors, and a few minor nobles who had rushed over after hearing the news. They craned their necks, whispering amongst themselves, their murmurs buzzing like a swarm of bees, making the church entrance resemble a bustling marketplace.

"Have you heard? The Thorne boy is objecting to the wedding."

"Why are you causing trouble after the engagement has been called off? What grudge do you hold against me?"

"Who knows? I heard that the kid got dumped by the marquis's daughter and tried to get back to Aura, but she didn't want him anymore, so he's in a panic."

"Tsk tsk tsk, he has completely disgraced the Thorne family."

Aura and her family made their way through the crowd, the people on both sides of the cobblestone path automatically parting to make way. Those gazes felt like needles pricking their backs—some sympathetic, some curious, some gloating. Aura bit her lip, her back ramrod straight, without pausing for a moment.

The church doors were wide open, and the morning light poured in, illuminating the long corridor. The stained glass windows reflected a kaleidoscope of colors in the morning light, scattering them across the stone floor like shattered gems.

Aura took a deep breath and stepped over the threshold. Ming Luochen followed beside her, his hand held tightly in hers.

The church was already quite crowded. The front row seats were empty, clearly reserved for the couple. On the benches on either side sat some members of the public who had come after hearing the news, as well as a few noblemen, probably lords or stewards from nearby territories, who were scrutinizing the family who had entered with curious and appraising eyes.

Valerius and Marina stood on the left side of the front row, while Aura and Mingluochen stood side by side in the middle. The high priest stood in front of the platform; he was an elderly goat-orc with a white beard that reached his chest, wearing a golden-red priest's robe, and holding a thick book, the "Book of Marriage."

He lifted his gaze from the book, sweeping it over the crowd in the church, his voice aged yet resonant:

"Today is the third Sunday of the marriage announcement. According to the sacred law, if anyone objects to the marriage between Aura Raven Crest and Ming Luochen, they must state their reasons publicly at this time. The reasons for objection are limited to close relatives, existing betrothal, minority, or having made a vow of non-marriage to God."

His voice echoed in the empty church, as solemn as the tolling of bells.

"Now, one last question—does anyone object?"

The church was completely silent.

Aura breathed a sigh of relief and loosened her grip on Ming Luochen's hand slightly.

Everyone waited solemnly for the high priest to announce the final verdict.

however--

"I object!"

A voice came from the church entrance, clear and sharp, like a knife slicing through the quiet silk.

All eyes turned to the doorway.

The sunlight was blinding, and a figure walked against the light. A slender centaur body, crimson fur gleaming in the sunlight, his posture upright, his steps unhurried. His features were fairly regular, but the expression on his face at that moment was repulsive—a smug smile played on his lips, his eyes holding a hint of triumph, and a touch of desperate madness.

Rurik Thorne.

Behind him followed two more people. A man and a woman, both centaurs.

The man was burly, with brownish-gray hair and a face somewhat resembling Rurik's, but much older and gloomier, with a downturned mouth that gave him an air of hostility. He wore a dark aristocratic suit, and the Thorne family crest—a silver cloud—was pinned to his chest.

The woman was voluptuous, with meticulously groomed crimson hair, thick makeup on her face, bright red lips, and eyes that, like those of a snake, held a cruel and calculating look.

Rurik's parents—Viscount Thorne and his wife.

Aura's pupils contracted sharply, and her fingers tightened instantly, her nails almost digging into Ming Luochen's flesh. Ming Luochen winced in pain, but did not pull his hand away; he simply frowned and looked at the family of three.

The church erupted in a cacophony of whispers:

"Here it comes, here it comes."

"Is he here to oppose the wedding? What gives him the right?"

"Even his parents came; this is going to escalate."

Rurik walked leisurely into the church, his horse's hooves making a crisp "clack-clack" sound on the stone floor, each step resonating with the heartbeats of those present. His parents followed behind him, and the three of them stood in the front row on the right, facing the Aura family directly.

"I oppose this wedding," Rurik repeated, his voice louder than before, his tone carrying an undeniable certainty.

The high priest frowned, his goatee twitching slightly. "Rurik Thorne, on what grounds do you object?"

Rurik didn't answer the high priest directly, but turned around, his gaze falling on Aura's face. Her eyes churned with complex emotions—resentment, bitterness, and a hint of almost desperate pleading. His voice suddenly softened, as if he were speaking to himself:

"Aura, are you really sure? Marrying an F-rank summoned beast?"

A forced smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, his tone carrying a nauseating sincerity: "I don't mind. I don't mind you playing around with your summoned beast... It's not uncommon in noble circles, is it? You still have a title to inherit, and the Raven Crest family needs an heir."

He paused, then raised his voice a few decibels: "I'm willing to marry you and have your children, Aura. This is the greatest sincerity I can offer you."

The church was quiet for a moment, then erupted into an even louder uproar.

"Is he crazy?"

"Is this something you can say out loud? You don't mind your wife playing around with other people?"

"He has completely disgraced the Thorne family."

Valerius's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, his hands clenched into fists, his knuckles cracking. Marina grabbed her husband's arm, shook her head vigorously, and gestured to him not to act rashly—this was a church, they couldn't fight.

Aura was so angry that she trembled all over, clenched her teeth, and her eyes turned red.

At this moment, Rurik's mother—Baroness Thorne—spoke. Her voice was sharp and biting, like fingernails scratching a blackboard:

"Valerius, what kind of person did your daughter marry? An F-rank summoned beast, not even a Grassian. Our Rurik is S-rank, and his summoned beast is a Flame Raven. He's already doing your family a huge favor by being willing to marry her, putting aside past grievances."

Valerius could no longer contain himself. He stomped forward, his four hooves slamming heavily on the ground: "Say that again?"

Baron Thorne stood in front of his wife, his face grim, his voice low: "Valerius, my wife is right. Your daughter's marriage concerns the reputation of both families. You want to sever your own bloodline and force Aura to marry a summoned beast?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Ming Luochen with undisguised contempt: "An F-rank piece of trash, Aura and he can't even have offspring. Who will inherit your family's title? After your daughter passes away, who will inherit the territory? Think it through."

These words were like a knife, precisely stabbing the Raven Crest family in their most vulnerable spot.

Valerius's face turned bright red, his lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a rebuttal for a moment.

Marina avoided the gazes of the Herma residents, clutching her handkerchief tightly, her nails digging into her palms.

Aura stood there, her body trembling slightly, her lips pressed tightly together, tears welling up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

Just then, Ming Luochen stepped forward.

He showed neither anger nor panic. He released Aura's hand, walked up to Rurik, and looked up at the centaur youth who was half a head taller than him.

"Rurik, right?" Ming Luochen's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear. "You said you don't mind Aura playing around with me? Then let me ask you—does Aura mind you?"

Rurik was taken aback.

"Would Aura be willing to marry you?" Ming Luochen continued, his tone as calm as if he were reciting a textbook. "How much did Aura like you before? When you broke off your engagement with her, did you care about her feelings?"

He took a step forward, tilted his head back, and looked directly into Rurik's eyes. "Do you love her father's title, or do you love her?"

Rurik's expression changed, and his lips moved slightly, but he didn't say anything.

"Who do you think you are?" Ming Luochen's voice finally gained cadence, like a long-suppressed volcano finding a crack. "Do you think you're some high-quality stallion of the Grass race? Or some great figure? Aura is a human being, she has her own feelings, she doesn't need your charity, and I will protect her. She chose me, I chose her, that's enough. Who do you think you are, making decisions for her?"

Baroness Thorne sneered, "A summoned beast dares to bark in the church? You're not even human, what right do you have to speak to us?"

Ming Luochen turned to her, his gaze as calm as a still lake: "I am a summoned beast! And what about you? Besides a title, what else do you have? Hypocrisy? Harshness? Or shamelessness?"

His voice wasn't loud, but every word struck the heart of everyone in the church.

Baroness Thorne's face turned a deep purplish-red, her lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a single word.

Ming Luochen turned around, facing everyone in the church, his tone suddenly becoming solemn:

"As for the reasons you gave—close relatives? Aura and I are not related by blood. Already engaged? Aura has already broken off her engagement with you, and there is no other engagement between us. Underage? We are both adults. Have we made a vow of non-marriage to the gods? No."

He turned to the high priest and asked, "Which of his objections complies with the regulations?"

The high priest remained silent for a long while, then opened the "Marriage Bible" in his hand, his aged voice uttering each word slowly and deliberately:

"Reasons for objection are limited to close relatives, being engaged, being a minor, or having made a vow of non-marriage to a deity."

He looked up at the Rurik family, his gaze carrying a hint of sympathy, but mostly a cold, businesslike indifference: "Rurik Thorne, your objection does not meet any of the above criteria. Objection overturned."

Rurik's face turned completely pale.

Baron Thorne's face was extremely grim. He clenched his fists and stepped forward: "High Priest, this is against the rules. He is merely a summoned beast—"

"Rules are rules." A deep and authoritative voice came from the church entrance.

All eyes turned to the doorway again.

A tall figure strode in. His golden mane was neatly groomed, his physique was imposing, and his face was dignified. Two guards followed behind him. Every step he took carried an undeniable aura of authority.

Lord of Herma – Karen von Herma.

Duke.

The church fell silent instantly, even the sound of breathing became quieter.

Karen entered the church, her gaze sweeping over the Thorne family before finally settling on Rurik's face. Her tone was calm yet authoritative: "Rurik Thorne, you broke off your engagement first, and now you're opposing someone else's wedding. Do you think the laws of Herma are just for show?"

Rurik's legs were trembling, and his lips were shaking as he stammered, "Lord, Lord, I just..."

"Just what?" Karen walked unhurriedly to the front row and stood in front of Baron Thorne. "Baron Dylan Thorne, the fine son you raised. When the engagement was broken off, your family was so arrogant, but now that they've received the blessing of the goddess and been summoned by the royal family, you want to come back and take advantage? There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Baron Dylan Thorne's forehead veins throbbed, but he dared not contradict the Duke, and could only lower his head: "My lord, please calm your anger, my son was just confused for a moment..."

"A moment of folly?" Karen sneered. "You three causing trouble at the church, and you call that a moment of folly? Should I report this to the royal family and let His Majesty judge?"

Viscountess Thorne's face turned deathly pale instantly. She quickly grabbed her husband's sleeve and whispered, "Never mind... let's go..."

Viscount Thorne gritted his teeth, gave Valerius a deep look, then glared fiercely at Ming Luochen before turning and striding out. Rurik followed behind his parents, staggering as if he had lost his soul.

As he reached the door, Rurik suddenly stopped, turned around, and glared fiercely at Ming Luochen: "You'll regret this."

Ming Luochen shrugged: "Thanks for your concern, we don't regret it."

Karen stood in the center of the church, looked around, and said in a loud voice, "The marriage decree is valid. The wedding will proceed as scheduled in seven days. Anyone who dares to cause trouble again will be an enemy of the Herma City Lord's Mansion."

The church was quiet for a moment, then erupted in applause and cheers.

"good!"

"Well said!"

"Ola, you have a good husband!"

Valerius grinned from ear to ear, his earlier stern face gone. He slapped his thigh and cheered repeatedly. Although Ming Luochen was short, his protective stance and aura towards his daughter were incredibly resolute.

Marina wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, smiled, and shook her head.

Aura stood there, tears finally falling, but the corners of her mouth were turned up high. She looked at Ming Luochen, her amber eyes filled with tenderness and pride.

Ming Luochen turned around, walked up to her, reached out and wiped away the tears on her face, grinning, "Why are you crying? Didn't I say I'd win?"

Aura chuckled at his antics and slapped him on the shoulder with such force that he stumbled back a step: "Who's crying! I'm not crying!"

"Okay, okay, you didn't cry, you just got sand in your eyes." Ming Luochen rubbed his shoulder, which was sore from being slapped, and grimaced.

The high priest stood before the pulpit, cleared his throat, and his aged voice rang out once more:

"No one objects. The marriage is valid."

He closed the book "The Marriage Bible" in his hand, his gaze falling on Aura and Ming Luochen, a slight smile appearing on his lips:

"The wedding will take place in seven days. May God bless you."

The bells rang out from the tower, one after another, loud and melodious, spreading throughout the entire city of Herma.

Aura and Ming Luochen stood side by side in the church, hand in hand, their fingers intertwined. Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting a golden glow on them.

Pigeons outside the window fluttered up and took flight, drawing white arcs across the blue sky.

Karen walked over, patted Ming Luochen on the shoulder, and laughed, "Not bad, kid. I'll have to have a couple more drinks on the wedding day."

"Enough is enough," Ming Luochen replied with a smile.

Karen laughed and turned to leave the church with her guards.

Valerius walked over, looked at Ming Luochen, and rarely showed such a serious expression: "You performed well today and are qualified to be the son-in-law of my Raven Crest family."

Ming Luochen scratched his head: "Of course, Dad."

Valerius paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, the sound of which made the church windows vibrate.

Marina smiled and shook her head, saying to Aura, "You have good taste."

Aura blushed, but gripped Ming Luochen's hand even tighter.

Outside the church, on the streets of Herma, people were discussing in small groups what had just happened:

"That Thorne kid is shameless."

"Who says otherwise? They're about to get married, and he comes here to cause trouble, saying things like 'I don't mind if you play with summoned beasts'—how can he even say something like that?"

"But that summoned beast was quite powerful, not at all intimidated, and left the Thorne family speechless."

"That's right. With the city lord involved, the Thorne family is completely finished this time."

In the crowd, Rurik clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, leaving deep bloodstains.

"Ming Luochen... Aura..."

"You wait."

His voice was so low it sounded like it was being squeezed out between his teeth, filled with a deep-seated hatred. His eyes burned with an almost insane light, like a wild beast driven to the brink of despair.

But he didn't turn back. He turned and walked into the depths of the dark alley. The sound of hooves gradually faded away and eventually disappeared into silence.