The Protagonists of the Novel Escaped

Numerous nobles representing the political and financial circles entered the Imperial City to attend the banquet.

They received an invitation from the Imperial Family to the banquet.

Nobles dressed in resplendent clothing shrugged their shoulders and raised their noses.

Being invited to the banquet was akin to being recognized for one’s family’s name and influence by the Valtarian Empire. Thus, the nobles flaunted their airs even more.

“Ahem! We must display our family’s power and show the dignity of the central nobility, don’t you think?”
“The country bumpkins from the provinces will surely be astonished.”

The petty power struggles between central and local nobles exist in every country.

The Valtarian Empire was no different.

The extravagant banquets irregularly hosted by the Imperial Family were privileges reserved only for the great nobles of the central region. So, the central nobles laughed heartily at the local nobles, who were no different from bumpkins.

“How much money was spent to deck that out?”

Every time a carriage adorned with gold and jewels entered, they clicked their tongues.

It was plastered with glittering jewels.

They even equipped it with defensive magic to ward off arrows and spells.

Was it still called a carriage? It could be called a villa without disgrace.

No,

It might even be far more expensive.

The carriage led by six horses resembled a magnificent palace. They had often heard rumors about the great nobles of the central region boasting tremendous power, but they never expected it to be quite so grand.

A bumpkin from the eastern outskirts could never hope to compare.

“How expensive could it be? Is it really that costly?”
“Just selling that one carriage could buy thousands of Jelly Candies.”
“Hieeek! I-I can’t even imagine…!”
“Right?”

They gazed from the high spire of the Imperial Palace as the central nobles lined up to enter.

They continued to click their tongues.
Rue, perched on her shoulder and looking down below, felt the same way.
Having lived a life disregarding luxury and indulgence, she couldn’t understand the vanity of the great nobles adorned in gold and jewels at all.

“Shouldn’t we head down, it’s getting cold?”
“Yep!”

Feeling the realities of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, they descended from the spire.
Then, they were greeted by the waiting maids of Isabel.

“Princess Isabel and Princess Ludmilla are waiting for you, Young Master.”
“Understood.”

Before long the sun would set and the banquet would begin.
The many servants of the Imperial Palace were busy preparing to welcome the guests. Observing their efficient movements, they headed toward the palace where the beautiful princesses were.

Indeed, it was a luxurious moment.
To be able to meet the beautiful princesses adorned in dresses.

If the world found out, many men would be filled with jealousy and envy. But despite the dangers, they decided to embrace the splendid opportunity.

‘I wanted to see Ludmilla in a dress… but it can’t be helped. She must be busy commanding the troops escorting the Imperial Palace.’

Regrettably, Ludmilla informed them that she wouldn’t be attending the banquet. Given the many nobles focused on the banquet, it was understandable she couldn’t be absent from her post.

Isabel and Elizaveta, splendidly adorned, would be there to greet him, but it was a little disappointing. Though it was a gluttonous complaint, they truly wanted to see Ludmilla in her dress.

“Y-you!”
As they followed the maids into the palace,

at that moment, a stunning princess dressed in a striking red dress greeted him.

Surprisingly, it was Ludmilla.

He was momentarily stunned by her twist of body as she embarrassingly blushed. Her captivating charm, radiating like a gorgeous rose, made his face heat up for a second.

“Aha, as expected! Edanant is completely mesmerized!”
“Hehe, what a hot couple.”

Dressed in luxurious gowns and adorned with jewels, Isabel and Elizaveta peeked in and intervened in the awkward atmosphere.
Bitten by the mischievousness of her older sister and younger sister, Ludmilla bit her plump lips. It seemed like she wasn’t used to being in a dress, having always been responsible for the escort during each banquet.

“O-oh, sister…! Liza…!”

So cute.
Can a woman four years older be this adorable?

Seeing Ludmilla trembling with embarrassment brought a smile to his face.

“You look absolutely beautiful, Princess Ludmilla.”
“Ugh…! If you say such things now… it’s just too embarrassing…!”

Later he heard from Elizaveta that Ludmilla had distanced herself from wearing dresses ever since her coming-of-age ceremony.
He felt he understood the reason without needing to be told.
The second princess of the Valtarian Empire was a character who valued her duty above all else.

“I can’t even describe how much effort it took to convince the sister who stubbornly refused to wear it. If Isabel hadn’t persuaded her, she would have held out to the end.”

Dressed in a bellflower-like beautiful white dress, Elizaveta whispered softly as she bowed her head.
Hmm.
He could roughly imagine the situation back then.

Ludmilla, with her strong sense of duty, was as stubborn as a mule. Just as Elizaveta said, she would never have given in without Isabel’s persuasion.

‘Of course, I’ve been thinking all along… but wow, she’s stunning.’

Dressed in a noble gown like a daughter of any prestigious family, Ludmilla truly looked worthy of the title “jewel of the Imperial Family.”
Her neatly arranged golden hair.
The noble accessory adorning her head radiated elegance.
Her voluptuous bosom and slender waist caught attention. The garter-belted thigh revealed tantalizing charm. Most importantly, her vividly shining red eyes were more beautiful than any gem.

“Ahem! We should hurry and change before the banquet starts. We need to return to our duties.”
“Ah, right.”

Ludmilla coughed lightly as she spoke.
That was only natural.
The Red Dragon of the Empire was the guardian goddess of the Imperial Palace.

But even knowing that, he felt a twinge of disappointment.
He suddenly harbored the arrogant desire to dance with the most beautiful princess in the Empire.

“After the banquet, you’ll dance with Edan, right?”
“Well… if Edanant wants it.”

Ludmilla, showing reluctance to her younger sister’s bold question, slightly nodded. She then glanced at him with a sidelong glance.
Was she asking if he would permit her?
Of course, he didn’t have any reason to refuse.
Accepting her cautious suggestion with a gentle smile.

*

Having received the invitation from the Valtarian Empire, he began preparing to attend the banquet.
He took out his black suit.
It was the suit Ludmilla had gifted him from the tailor.
Since he wore it when he met the Emperor, it should fit the occasion of the banquet. Since he couldn’t afford an extravagant banquet suit like the other nobles, reusing it was far from extravagance.

“Auntie was so beautiful! She was actually a princess!”
“…Well, she was a princess all along.”

Rue, who had witnessed Ludmilla in her dress, jumped up and down, yelling.
It was only natural she was excited.
She looked as stunning as a goddess from myth.

‘Of course, I can’t bring a sword to the banquet. But can I bring the Holy Sword as well?’
Should he carry Aldebaran?
Or should he leave it with the guards at the banquet?
He pondered for a moment.

Guns were certainly out of the question, but maybe sacred relics from the Holy Kingdom would be allowed. Actually, attending the banquet adorned with the Holy Sword might thrill the attending nobles.

“Edan?”
Rue tilted her head as she called out.
She had suddenly swung the window open while changing.
The chilly night wind blew in.
Simultaneously, a foul smell sharply stimulated his senses.

No doubt about it.
This was the ‘fear’ emitted by the monsters that worshiped the disaster god.
Could Ludmilla sense the stench of the Meiros? Although he wanted to rush to her, the cultists approaching were too swift.

“Rue. Go tell Ludmilla that Meiros are coming right now.”
“Y-yes…!”

The fairy vanished with an ashen face.
And at the same time, she slipped out the window.

*

The apostle of the disaster god, who had drawn puppets hostile to the Valtarian Empire, had a careful personality befitting of exceptional cunning.
Even if he called it paranoia, it didn’t matter.
Considering all possibilities is precisely what a ‘strategist’ does.

The face of the wrinkled man intentionally scattered the presence that could only be detected by the disciples who worshiped the disaster god throughout the Imperial City. To confirm any possible threat.

‘The blessing of the disaster god is still flowing irregularly. There must be another apostle present in the Valtarian Imperial City. Otherwise, this occurring phenomenon wouldn’t make sense.’

A disciple of the disaster god naturally had the right to join the cause.
No matter how much power you had, it was never too much.
Thus, the strategist continued to scatter his presence, waiting for news.

How long had it passed?
Someone arrived at the peak of the clock tower where the strategist stood.

“Hey, old man. Who are you calling so desperately?”

A man dressed in a suit asked with an irritated tone. Judging by his disheveled appearance, he appeared to have hastily rushed over after sensing the presence.
The strategist narrowed his eyes and stared at the man.
He needed time to gather his thoughts.
Furrowing his brows, he repeated his contemplation.

“You’re a Holy Sword user, aren’t you? A child of a hero. I didn’t expect that. Unintentionally, my behavior of scattering my presence attracted a Holy Sword user.”

Having made that judgment, the strategist clicked his tongue and rose to his feet.
He raised his staff.
To punish the foolish who follow the Earth Mother.

The energy emanating from the old man was sensed by Edanant, who gripped his sword’s hilt. And before fighting, the aging man offered a warning.
“I’m not treating you like an old man. Surrender if you want to go to a nursing home.”
“How rude.”
“I’d like to wrap this up quickly since I have a prior engagement with the princess.”
“Well then, it seems you won’t keep that appointment.”

Thud.
The strategist struck down his staff.
At the same time, black shadows shot up to the top of the clock tower.
They were the Priest-Knights of the disaster god.
Fanatics bearing sharp swords surrounded Edanant.

“…This is going to take a while.”

These weren’t ordinary foes.
The Priest-Knights possessed the blessing of the disaster god.
In other words, they were the same monstrous beings that targeted Elizaveta. Knowing it would be a challenging fight, Edanant let out a heavy sigh.

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