The Protagonists of the Novel Escaped

====================

It was the worst reunion ever.

There was no other way to put it.

I sighed heavily as I looked at the scene that ended in catastrophe.

There was no way to restore the relationship.

Zebeline declared a complete cut-off, letting go of even the last bit of lingering attachment.

As I exited the reception room, I chased after the girl with fluttering silver hair. Eventually, I found myself talking to Zebeline in the flower garden outside the cathedral.

“I’m sorry, I wasted precious time because of those brazen, thick-skinned people.”

“It’s fine.”

Awkward consolation only left Zebeline with new wounds.

So, I answered in a subdued voice.

“I never thought the Belus Kingdom would fall. The small nations in the central part of the continent are notoriously closed off.”

“So, what about your family?”

“I no longer consider them family. Just as they do not see me as family.”

“…….”

If only my family had sincerely regretted their actions, could the relationship have been restored?

If they had said, “I’m sorry for betraying you; I will spend the rest of my life seeking your forgiveness and atonement,” maybe Zebeline would have granted at least a bit of mercy.

But even after so many years, my family hadn’t changed. They were still the same as when they sold their youngest daughter for their own safety.

To them, I was nothing more than a tool, just as I was back then.

Realizing this once more, Zebeline couldn’t help but feel despair.

“…Let’s go back tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

Just being in the same space with those whom I considered bitter enemies would bring Zebeline a pain that penetrated her gut.

So, I gently patted Zebeline’s head and urged her to return home.

“First Saintess.”

As she was gathering her thoughts, putting the past behind her, heavy metallic sounds echoed.

A multitude of Holy Knights approached, surrounding the Februa Cathedral.

The figure leading the Knights of the Sanctuary was a young man with an androgynous appearance. Clad in heavy armor, he showed hostility as if facing a cultist, revealing a grim aura.

“…Beilred.”

“Beilred? Isn’t he Maximilian’s rival?”

Sirelle Beilred.

A rival who envies the male protagonist often seen in romance fantasies.

He carried a rough personality close to obsessive compulsiveness.

Despite being a fellow student under the same teacher, he harbored a pathological hatred for Maximilian.

As if to prove this, an unpleasant name slipped from my lips, and the knight commander’s face began to darken. Especially as he looked at me, Maximilian came to his mind, and his displeasure was even more evident.

“Who’s calling whom a rival?!”

“Well, since you’ve never beaten me for the top spot, I guess you can’t even be called a rival.”

“Shut up! How dare you talk back to me?!”

“…….”

Of all things, to encounter Sirelle Beilred, rival of Maximilian and one of the Seven Heroes, was just my luck.

Thank goodness that Maximilian’s teacher, the Dark Cardinal, wasn’t around, but facing Sirelle Beilred, the First Blade of the Holy Kingdom, wasn’t going to be easy at all.

I was somewhat prepared for this, but…

I never imagined he would barge in, leading an army.

“Zebeline Albion Russell. There has been a report claiming that you may be a witch serving a cult.”

“A witch?”

Witch.

A complete contrast to the Saintess, a symbol of purity and holiness, representing evil.

It was an outrageous accusation.

To daresay such things about the First Saintess, who represents the Holy Kingdom.

This was clearly a provocation from the Holy Kingdom, aimed at awakening Zebeline as a disciple of the Disaster God. They surely intended to bring the Disaster of Innocence upon the sanctuary.

Knowing this, I tightened my grip on the sword and blocked the path of the Holy Knights.

“Ever since inheriting the blessing of the White Dragon, I have never forgotten my duties as the First Saintess. I have revered the Earth Mother and the Holy, leading the pious believers below. How dare you label me a witch? This is the first time I’ve faced such nonsense.”

Despite being encircled by dozens of Holy Knights, Zebeline defended herself calmly. Her demeanor, as pious as ever, even surprised the knights assigned to arrest her.

The First Saintess.

Her opponent was the inheritor of the White Dragon.

Furthermore, her escort was a new warrior chosen by the Earth Mother.

If they were to commit the grave sin of subduing a Saintess and a Warrior, the wrath of the Creator Deity would surely come upon them. The Knights looked toward Sirelle, revealing hesitation.

“The report has been filed, and a trial will commence soon. Any allegations concerning witches will be handled by the Holy Knights of the Holy Kingdom, regardless of status. We urge you to willingly respond to the trial, First Saintess.”

“How arrogantly presumptuous. To think the Holy Knights would put the First Saintess on trial.”

Boom! Boom!

A resounding thunderclap struck the sky.

And fierce lightning cascaded down in an instant.

As Zebeline declared a show of force as expected, Sirelle stiffened his expression and slowly drew his sword. The cold metallic sound accompanied the revealing of a sharp blade.

“To point your sword at a newly appointed warrior of the Earth Mother… It seems the Holy Kingdom is in decline. Have you forgotten the divine oracle bestowed by the Earth Mother?”

“Shut up. I will expose your sinister face to the world.”

Sirelle Beilred, though perpetually ranked second behind Maximilian, had attained a level of absolute authority, which meant I could not let my guard down.

Receiving myriad favoritism from the author of the work, he had always been underrated, and I knew that better than anyone.

“The Holy Sword? Ah, is it the Holy Relic purported to be modeled after the Earth Mother’s Sword?”

A red blade that looked like it had been forged with fire.

This Holy Relic, concentrating vast saintly power into a single sword, could only be the Holy Sword.

A speculated weapon modeled after the Four Sacred Swords of Demon Slaying.

It was a weapon crafted by the Holy Kingdom to face off against the Demon King’s Army and cultist factions.

Holy Swords resonate with their inherent saintly power when brought closer together. However, despite facing the tainted sword, Aldebaran gave no response. Because the sword before me was simply a failed imitation, striving to become the original but ultimately failing.

“I will first put you on trial.”

“Where do you get off with that attitude? You look like a girl!”

It wasn’t an incorrect statement.

Sirelle Beilred, rival of Maximilian, was androgynous.

You’re looking like a girl.

It was to be expected that Sirelle would gnash his teeth at such cheap provocation.

“The Warrior has arrived!”

Just as the genuine and the imitation were about to clash, another user of the Holy Sword intervened, intensifying the already tense situation.

Maximilian Argon Hohenberc.

As the Holy Knights who had encircled the Februa Cathedral retreated, Maximilian appeared.

“…As expected.”

Crunch Crunch

Aldebaran’s sword hilt trembled.

The imitation showed no reaction to Aldebaran, but it reacted violently to the Holy Swords possessed by Maximilian.

“Humph.”

As the black-haired man arrived late to the scene, Sirelle snickered in response.

As expected, Maximilian seemed to have allied himself with the Holy Kingdom. Despite showing a displeased expression, Sirelle concealed his hostility.

“You bastard. Did you really choose their side in the end?”

“…….”

What a ridiculous guy.

To seek to resurrect the Disaster of Death, yet collaborate with the Holy Kingdom?

What kind of deal did he make?

If he had made a deal with the Holy Kingdom, it had to be connected with Beatrice.

Spitting out harsh curse words, I drew Aldebaran.

I didn’t know the details, but it was clear that the Hero of All Times had fallen into the minions of the Holy Kingdom. Hence, I made a frenzied decision to face both Maximilian and Sirelle simultaneously to protect Zebeline.

*

The Hero of All Times, Maximilian

The Invincible Sword, Sirelle

The strength of the Seven Heroes stood side by side.

It was undeniably a desperate situation.

There was no way I could defeat them both at the same time.

As I took a step closer, watching Maximilian slowly approach, Zebeline swallowed hard, revealing her fear. If a fight broke out, Edanant would surely not escape defeat.

‘Should I get Edan to join in? No, if it’s against the Hero of All Times and the Invincible Sword, it’d only be a hindrance. I’m way out of my league compared to these monsters that have entered the realm of the absolute. But still…!’

I needed a plan.

I had to figure out a way to take down at least one of them.

Was there any good way?

I had to remove one from the fight, even if it were only temporarily.

Zebeline looked at the black-haired man with an anxious gaze. Convincing Maximilian should be easier than dealing with the obsessively clean knight.

‘Ah, but how…! I heard Maximilian is stubborn and thickheaded! How can I persuade him?’

Facing an unprecedented challenge.

Zebeline felt a heavy pressure as if a shadow was looming, wracking her brain for a solution.

“Please help me, dear brother-in-law! I don’t mind dying here, but… please save the child of Edan growing in my belly!”

“……?”

The girl with fluttering silver hair knelt down, letting out a pitiful voice.

At that moment, the thoughts of Edanant and Maximilian stopped.

---