The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

18 – Dangerous Invitation (2)

Emperor Barbarosa boasted robust muscles and indulged in carnivorous delights to the point of seeming ecstatic.

A thick steak with only salt and pepper added.

A Flondre Viscount’s red wine that stimulated the flavor of meat.

Barbarosa, gleefully cutting and devouring meat while sipping wine, seemed to showcase the aspect of a hearty hero. As a meat enthusiast and a glutton at the same time, he displayed a new steak as attendants made repeated round trips.

“As expected, veal is the best. Especially the veal under four months is tender due to its delicate muscles, making the texture smooth and enjoyable. So, whenever I have guests, I always serve veal steak.”

“It is indeed delicious.”

The veal steak, served as the main dish by the top-notch chefs of the Valtaria Imperial Palace, was a delicacy never tasted before.

What kind of food does the Emperor eat,

I had wondered suddenly, and now the question was being answered.

I glanced discreetly at Barbarosa, who was stuffing a large piece of meat into his mouth. Then, I looked at Rudmila, who elegantly cut her meat beside the boisterous emperor. Even her manner of eating steak overflowed with grace, befitting a beautiful princess.

Rudmila and Elizabeth both resemble the empress.

If only she had inherited just 10% of the boisterous emperor’s traits, it would have been impossible to handle.

Ah.

Indeed, it was impossible to handle.

The second daughter is a spinster, and the third daughter experienced a broken engagement during her marriageable age.

“Here.”

“Ah-.”

I offered a small piece of sliced meat to Rua with a fork.

When Rua opened her mouth, she accepted the meat.

“Edanant Kyeong.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The emperor, sporting a well-groomed mustache, put down the fork and knife he used like an extension.

Then he spoke.

“Undoubtedly, the foolish masses who love to gossip like a flock of crows will begin to doubt the authority of the Holy Maiden’s party as a result of this incident. They have relied on the Holy Maiden’s party every time until now. Naturally, if there are continuous rumors without any news, suspicions will snowball, won’t they?”

“The masses will be approached by anticipation and dependence, wrapped in despair and betrayal.

Forces plotting the rise of evil were about to commit frequent and brutal atrocities in the days ahead.

Death will blanket the sky.

The land will be filled with agony and screams.

Yet, the Holy Maiden Party will not appear. If they genuinely cared for the powerless and feeble crowds, they wouldn’t embark on a silent disappearance.

Soon, the masses will think:

– The Holy Maiden Party has turned away from the world!

– The heroes who defeated the Demon King have betrayed humanity!

– The divine sanctity of the goddess has fallen to the ground… Ultimately, wicked societies will rule the world.

Furrowing his brow, he anticipated the worst outcome that would unfold.

Then, the emperor nodded.

“It will be a damnation. It’s bound to happen soon.”

“….”

The ruler of the dominant nation representing humanity prophesied.

No, it wouldn’t even be considered a prophecy.

In fact, the chaos caused by the absence of the Holy Maiden Party was inevitable. With the rise of evil, numerous disasters would sweep across the entire continent.

“Your Majesty, prolonged conversations during meals are not a sign of courtesy toward guests.”

“Cough!”

The responsibility of the Hoenvberg family, which expelled the hero Maximilian, weighed heavily. Maximilian’s disappearance ultimately signaled impending doom.

Representing the family, he intended to convey an apology to the emperor,

But at that moment-.

Ludmila deliberately interrupted with a deep sigh, breaking the atmosphere.

In response to her beloved second daughter’s jab, Barbarossa nodded with a forced cough. As the imperial daughter, she quickly showed a humble and submissive demeanor when Ludmila sent a sharp glance her way. Then Ludmila looked at me and conveyed an unspoken apology.

“We are aware of the seriousness of the situation. If it is for the Empire, we will assist to the best of our ability. Please prove the Hoenvberg family’s loyalty to the imperial family.”

“A commendable attitude.”

Why did the emperor foresee the near future during dinner?

The answer was simple.

‘Fight for the imperial family, and I will use you.’ That was originally Maximilian’s role. The reason Barbarossa, in her affection for her youngest daughter, tried to establish a strategic marriage with the warrior’s family, creating a pseudo-kinship relationship.

“Attempting to take me as Elizabeth’s new fiancé, isn’t it?”

The likelihood of that happening was slim.

It had been just a month since the divorce.

Hadn’t the relationship between the Valtaria Imperial Family and the Hohenberg family already ended in ruins?

Moreover, if the Valtaria Imperial Family were to pull in a new fiancé for Elizabeth in place of the son who had declared the divorce, the Valtaria Imperial Family would forever be tainted with the infamous title of “bean paste.” Furthermore, as this involved Elizabeth’s honor, the doting father would never allow it.

“It’s not like there’s a new fiancée from the Imperial Family to present, right? There is Princess Carolina, the imperial eldest daughter, but… she’s already a married woman who rang the wedding bells long ago.”

Surely, they weren’t suggesting volunteering for service without pay?

Oh.

Then maybe a revolution was in order…

Or perhaps, they could at least reduce the compensation for the damages suffered by the Hohenberg family.

The word I despise the most is precisely ‘passion pay.’

“Ahem…!”

“….”

Suddenly, Ludmila started coughing.

Had she swallowed the wine incorrectly?

Judging by the reddening of her face, it seemed so.

“The Hohenberg family is in a position to have committed a serious offense. But how can I, as the family’s youngest son, dare to expect compensation? Your Majesty graciously responded with a reward… I will simply accept your merciful words.”

“Saying it to that extent, I can’t force you any further.”

The reason Ludmila signaled with a cough was probably this.

The Hohenberg family was not in a position to ask for compensation.

She seemed to be subtly conveying that through her continued sidelong glances.

He nearly earned the wrath of the Emperor with that mustache again.

Sighing with relief inwardly, he offered Ludmila a faint smile. However, for some reason, her face stiffened when he smiled.

—

The envoy of the first saintess, who had departed from the Gaël Prosperous Kingdom, arrived in the territory of the Valtaria Empire.

Upon entering the border city,

Saintess Jéblinne heard about the disaster that had occurred in the Empire’s capital.

Over 400 casualties had resulted from a bomb terror attack.

Surprisingly, the mastermind behind the tragedy was the Gaël Dohér and the Explosives Unit, whom the Gaël Prosperous Kingdom had been pursuing.

Was it due to resentment against the Empire?

Perhaps it was hatred that fueled the words directed towards the Holy Maiden Party.

The infamous Poking Legion, which had shaken the continent with numerous bomb attacks, finally targeted the Baltaria Empire.

If Bombma Gale had successfully escaped, she would undoubtedly have set her sights on the prosperous kingdom as well. After all, Bombma Gale was a depraved lunatic who had murdered countless priests. Upon hearing the report that Bombma Gale had been killed on the scene, Javelinne let out a sigh of relief.

“Who killed Bombma?”

“A figure named Edanant von Hohenberg.”

“Hohenberg…? I’ve heard that name before.”

“He’s the younger brother of the hero Maximilian.”

A name Javelinne had never heard before.

It was strange.

If this person was formidable enough to defeat Bombma, she should have at least heard his name.

Who on earth was he?

Edanant von Hohenberg.

Javelinne, unfamiliar with the name, raised an eyebrow and pondered.

“Surprisingly… he used the Golden Aldebaran! The sage of the Hohenberg family wielded the Sacred Sword!”

“Really? No, that can’t be true.”

Only Maximilian was known to be a suitable candidate for the Sacred Sword, according to public knowledge.

Javelinne, having learned the truth, continued to mutter, “No, that can’t be true.”

‘And, of all things, it’s the Golden Aldebaran. Is this just a coincidence?’

The saint, with silver hair flowing like droplets of dew, swallowed her saliva and lowered her head.

Did she sense something?

Her dazzling blue eyes trembled.

Javelinne dismissed the Paladin guards and contemplated the new figure who wielded Aldebaran while pacing in place. However, no suitable conjectures came to mind, and she frowned, licking her lips.

“Truly an extraordinary event! Isn’t Maximilian the only one chosen by the Sacred Sword of the Holy Seal among the wielders of the Excalibur of Destruction?”

“Well, you see…”

There was only one.

Not publicly revealed,

An unknown existence known only to me.

Despite not receiving the baptism of the prosperous kingdom, there existed a figure who wielded the Holy Sword. Moreover, peculiarly, while being rejected by other Holy Swords, he was the sole chosen one by the Golden City Aldebaran.

Is it truly a coincidence?

Or…

Could there be a hidden secret that has not been revealed so far? Even if it ends up being a wild goose chase, there was a need to confirm it.

“Ivan.”

“Yes, Lady Paladin.”

Javelin, who had been biting her nails while contemplating for a while, spoke.

“Immediately go down to the Hohenberg Viscountcy and gather information.”

“It’s the hero’s hometown. Understood!”

“No, the target for collection is Edanant von Hohenberg. Clearly and comprehensively gather his activities over the past three years… and find out everything without missing a single detail.”

“What? Edanant, the sage of Edanant…?”

The first lady of the prosperous kingdom had a warm and compassionate personality, but at the same time, she possessed a temperamental aspect akin to neurosis.

Especially –

She despised repeating the same words twice.

The sub-priests serving under her command were well aware of that.

When confronted with her sharply shining azure eyes, they promptly responded without hesitation.