The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

79 – 79. Resentment (2)

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The arrival of Geomseong, who had fallen as the king’s assassin.

The appearance of Maximilian, the greatest hero of all time.

The sudden entrance of the war fanatic, previously recorded as an unknown ghost.

The shocking news that the heroes who led the Third Race War to victory had fought fiercely to turn the immortal fortress into ruins struck the Empire and the Holy Kingdom.

It was simply unbelievable.

Numerous nations expressed astonishment at the successive events that unfolded.

However, the ruined immortal fortress indicated the truth of the internal strife within the Saintess Party. Due to the battle between the strongest of the strong, the Valemont Kingdom suffered almost fatal losses.

“Maximilian…! To think Maximilian appeared!”

Ludmilla clenched her fist while swallowing her anger.

Maximilian.

The greatest hero in history.

The hero clashed with the war fanatic in the immortal fortress.

The intelligence department of the Baltaria Empire reported on the situation that erupted in the immortal fortress. Ludmilla, who obtained the information, furrowed her brow at the fact that the hero and the war fanatic… the brothers of the Hoenberg family had engaged in a conflict.

“Why on earth did a battle break out in the Valemont Kingdom? Is there no detailed report yet?”

“We haven’t been able to uncover that part.”

The situation where the Saintess Party’s disappearance could not be explained. However, the fact that the missing Saintess Party suddenly appeared in the immortal fortress and caused internal strife was evident.

It was natural for many nations, including the Baltaria Empire, to be bewildered.

They needed to uncover the truth.

And find out why the Saintess Party had split.

Ludmilla’s first concern was for Edanthe’s safety. If they had faced Maximilian head-on, they would undoubtedly have suffered serious injuries.

“Even if they didn’t get injured… the mental shock must be immense.”

Although Edanthe always complained about Maximilian as if it were a habit, Ludmilla had never seen her genuinely show hatred towards him.

Aren’t they siblings and comrades?

That’s why she couldn’t bring herself to sever ties.

Despite driving the Hoenberg family into a pit of destruction through the annulment of the engagement with the Baltaria Royal Family, Maximilian still remained as the legitimate heir, indicating that he was still an enemy.

“Edanthe….”

Expressing her complicated emotions, Ludmilla sighed heavily and tousled her hair.

She wanted to rush to the Valemont Kingdom immediately.

She wanted to embrace Edanthe, who was engulfed in resentment, and comfort her.

But at present, Ludmilla was entangled in weighty responsibilities, unable to break free. Thus, despite her anxious restlessness, she ultimately couldn’t leave the palace.

“Mila, my dear!”

Clang!

The door swung open with brisk footsteps.

There would be only one lady-in-waiting who would dare to barge into the Second Princess’s office without even knocking. Except for the Saintess who had burst into the office recently, that is.

“You may leave now.”

“Understood.”

The officer of the intelligence department bowed and withdrew.

Simultaneously, a woman with alluring blonde hair approached, slamming the table.

“Maximilian has appeared! What on earth is happening?”

“I was just hearing the report on the rebellion that broke out in the Valemont Kingdom from the intelligence officer.”

The city was abuzz with the news of hero Maximilian’s appearance.

Naturally, Elizabeth must have rushed to Ludmilla as soon as she heard the news.

“She must still feel attached to Maximilian… It’s not easy to cut off a one-sided affection nurtured for over ten years.”

Ludmilla thought that her younger sister had barged in to find out about the whereabouts of her ex-fiancé.

However, Elizabeth showed a different side than expected.

“Does Edanthe know the truth? She said she was going down to the barracks!”

“She probably knows.”

“I have to go down and see Edanthe! She must have been greatly surprised to hear that Maximilian appeared!”

“….”

While still feeling attached to Maximilian, Elizabeth was genuinely in love with Edanthe. She jumped up with worry.

Quite a determined appearance.

It seemed like she would take the first train at dawn and head down immediately.

Seeing this, Ludmilla crossed her arms, looking puzzled.

“Should I tell Lysa the truth that Edanthe is the war fanatic of the Saintess Party? No, it’s better to decide after consulting Edan later… it’s an issue for Edan, the party involved, to decide.”

If Elizabeth found out the truth, it wouldn’t just end with her being upset. She might even faint.

Contemplating deeply, Ludmilla chose to remain silent.

* * *

She couldn’t bring herself to say it.

“I will take your place,

Become the symbol of evil to prevent the end of the world.

Coward.

Even though there were enough chances to speak, he kept his mouth shut.

At the moment they declared they would sacrifice themselves, he hesitated.

‘My father came to mind. Ludmila and Jevelinne… The faces of Rue and Elizaveta came to mind. Because of the thought of possibly severing all the connections made so far… I hesitated until the end.’

It was nothing but an excuse.

He was afraid of parting, so he couldn’t step forward.

He cursed under his breath, hitting the table in frustration.

“Ethan, can I have a moment?” “…Yes.”

With a brief knock, a cheerful voice was heard.

As permission was granted, the girl with flowing silver hair entered with a faint smile.

“Rue is still asleep.”

“I see.”

Jevelinne asked about Rue’s condition, as expected, like a crab, and immediately spoke. Nodding in relief, she breathed a sigh.

There were many events today.

For Rue, everything must have come as a provocative shock.

As the guardian responsible for childcare, she felt guilty. It was only fearful to think that in the innocent and naive heart of the little troublemaker, an unhealable restraint might have been created.

“I apologize to you as well. You got caught up in a sibling fight.”

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“I’m fine. If something happens, Ethan will protect me.”

In her apology tinged with concern, Jevelinne responded with a playful smile. Then she approached and gently embraced her.

Excited breaths were heard.

The distance was so close that even the sound of swallowing dry saliva could be heard.

And each time the silver hair flowed down lightly, a soft scent stimulated the senses.

“After parting ways with the hero, you have been feeling guilty all along, right? Blaming yourself for not reaching out until they left.”

“……”

“Just by looking at Ethan’s lingering expression of regret, just by looking at Ethan’s guilty gaze, I can tell.”

“…You are truly kind. Do you have peace of mind, Lady?”

Asking in a bewildered voice, Jevelinne burst into a playful laugh.

It must have been a dry joke.

But the lady’s laughter continued, quite in line with her taste.

“Trying to resurrect the calamity god of death is nothing but a suicidal act doomed to fail. I will somehow stop them. Even if I… become a demon wielding war.”

“……”

To become a demon.

To become a new threat to humanity.

As the Lady of the Glory Kingdom, it was an accusation that was hard to overlook. It wouldn’t be strange to inform the knights of the Glory Kingdom immediately.

But Jevelinne did not release the hug.

Her compassionate smile towards the foolish man continued.

“It’s okay, I will never leave Ethan…. Now that I have finally met you, do you think I will leave you after going through so many twists and turns?”

It was the same this time.

Jevelinne spoke kindly, reminiscing about a past I did not know.

Where did we meet?

She definitely knew me. But I did not know her.

Perhaps Jevelinne was the apprentice priest I had met on the battlefield, but I could not understand it at all. The transformation over the years from a past apprentice priest who treated wounded soldiers to the Lady of the Glory Kingdom was simply hard to accept.

“I think I know now. Where I met the Lady, and who the Lady is….”

“I’ve been thinking for a long time, Ethan is really a handful.”

She raised her hand.

And gently stroked Jevelinne’s head.

Rustle-rustle-.

The soft touch of the silver hair was vividly felt.

It must have been the same feeling when she stroked the apprentice priest who secretly shed tears and suffered in silence. Trying to endure the throbbing headache, I forcibly recalled the memories of the past.

“So I… won’t leave you alone.”

Jevelinne bowed her head.

Then she kissed my forehead with a compassionate warmth.

***

Maximilian’s footsteps, rivaling a supernova, suddenly came to a halt.

What on earth could it be?

Regnas, who checked on him, opened his mouth.

“Max?”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Maximilian had a habit of maintaining a stiff expression like someone afraid of revealing their inner thoughts, always consistent with a poker face. He would occasionally offer a faint smile to his beloved Beatrice only.

But today was an exception.

Maximilian’s countenance was as heavy as the dark moon, causing Regnas, who witnessed him, to realize more than ever that Maximilian was in a troubled state.

“Edant will try to become a demon king.”

“I agree. Edan is a kind person who sacrifices for his comrades, even if his manner of speaking is a bit rough.”

The reason Maximilian, Beatrice, and their comrades excluded Edant from their plans was that they did not want to burden their former companion, who had always sacrificed and dedicated himself, any further.

He had done enough.

Even though he was a being from the ‘outside,’ he was always sincere in saving the ‘inside’ humans.

He wanted to be a hero.

It was enough for the protagonists from the ‘inside’ to fall into disgrace.

“What will happen if Edant becomes a demon king?”

“A demon king born will be incomparable to a mere death.”

“It’s hard to imagine a being stronger than the immortal demon king. Of course, I acknowledge Edan’s potential… to surpass the immortal demon king.”

“…”

Maximilian did not respond to Regnas’ continued words.

He simply resumed his halted steps.

“…Shall we make a brief stop at the Hoenberg family’s place? I’ll make it quick.”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

There was still plenty of time.

They had hastily left the Boemon Kingdom after conveying the main point to Edant.

Had there been a change in his state of mind?

Or did he need a space to alleviate his complicated emotions?

Maximilian, who usually judged strictly based on reason and common sense, rarely showed emotions. In response to Regnas’ surprised reaction, he readily accepted Maximilian’s suggestion.