The Protagonists of the Novel Escaped

Zebeline had been showing discomfort ever since she witnessed a “truly unpleasant sight.”

It wasn’t just because of the unpleasant sight she saw.

From that day on, every time Edanant and Ludmilla exchanged glances, they reacted like lovesick boys and girls.

“You’ve come, Your Highness.”

“Ahem…! I must have kept you waiting for a moment.”

Ludmilla, who had been suffering under a mountain of work, sat down with a somewhat tired expression. She then raised her hand to order her usual coffee from the waitress.

An outdoor café located within the imperial palace.

This modestly sized outdoor café, which had only a few tables, was famous for being a landmark of the imperial palace. The barista’s skill was so exceptional that it could satisfy even the most fastidious nobles.

“You’ll be busy for a while. An unprecedented situation arose with the Valtarian Empire being attacked by the Apostle of the Disaster God. Truly unfortunate.”

“Thanks to the Saintess taking care of the remnants that fled from the Imperial City, my worries have lessened.”

The leaders of the cult and the priest-knights who sensed the danger of the situation and fled the Imperial City were exterminated by Zebeline, who blocked their escape route.

Hearing this news, Ludmilla exhaled a sigh of relief and expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Zebeline.

The disciples of the Disaster God were out for revenge.

If they had escaped, it would have remained a lingering issue for a long time.

The Apostle of the Disaster God, who orchestrated horrific disasters by manipulating nobles that opposed the empire and unleashing unknown monsters in the Imperial City, was an evildoer she never wanted to face again.

Ludmilla furrowed her brow at the image of the old man radiating a dark divine status.

“The benevolent Holy King sent a letter saying he would not spare support as a long-standing ally. The Valtarian Empire and the Gael Holy Kingdom have been in a cooperative relationship ever since the Demon King’s army began rampaging.”

“I’m simply grateful for the support from the Holy Kingdom.”

Soon, the waitress brought out the coffee.

It was the batch brew that Ludmilla frequently drank.

The exhausted princess gulped down half of the coffee in one go.

“I heard the Luinongs performed remarkably well this time. They protected the nobles who attended the banquet.”

“Hehe, indeed!”

Ludmilla said to the fairy who was scooping ice cream with her spoon. The girl with green hair beamed with pride at the princess’s praise.

Hmm.

Shouldn’t she clean the remnants from her mouth…?

I wiped the messy corners of her lips with a napkin.

“The Valtarian Imperial Family plans to welcome the Luinongs as citizens of the empire. After elves, dwarves, and beastmen, the Luinongs will officially become members.”

“That’s quite a sudden decision… Wasn’t it hundreds of years for other races like elves and dwarves to be recognized in the human community?”

“That just shows how great the Luinongs’ contributions were. Didn’t they save all the nobles from the ravages of the battlefield? Thanks to the nobles who received help back then, they petitioned the imperial family.”

“……”

She recalled the burly nobles who had participated in the hunting with the emperor.

They seem to be quite about loyalty.

If it were other nobles, they would have tried to hide their embarrassing situation, terrified of the rebel’s offensive.

Patting Rue’s head, I praised her efforts, which made her smile widely.

“Hmph! It’s just cringy, isn’t it…!”

Zebeline pulled a pouty face, blowing air into the straw she had between her lips.

Bloop bloop!

Bloop bloop…!

Foam rose in the fruit juice, mixing her anger and jealousy.

“I’m getting up now. There are mountains of tasks that need immediate attention.”

“If there’s anything I can help with, I will.”

“I can only accept your goodwill; you must have a busy schedule ahead, too.”

“Understood.”

After finishing her coffee, Ludmilla stood up.

Had it only been about ten minutes?

Despite the excessive workload, her break was too short.

When Edanant expressed concern with his eyes, Ludmilla shrugged her shoulders and smiled lightly.

“I have a busy schedule too! I have to attend the communion service hosted by the priests of the empire, and I need to lead a prayer meeting at the church to comfort the citizens affected by the disaster.”

“Sounds busy.”

“Yes, so I need you to come along, Edan.”

“…….”

If you refuse, I won’t let it go.

She would force him to attend somehow.

Her blue eyes sparkled ominously.

Feeling the pressure from the Saintess’s blatant obsession, Edanant broke out in a cold sweat.

“Beatrice and Zebeline… Saintesses are all exhausting.”

He could do nothing but promise to join her, as Zebeline inched closer, nearly touching his lips with her face.

*

Zebeline, striding confidently like a warrior,

let out a heavy sigh while looking at her back.

“Why suddenly so angry?”

“Who knows!”

She asked with a bewildered voice.

Then a sharp, thorny reply flew back.

“How unpleasant!”

It was far too fierce for the voice of the Saintess, a symbol of kindness.

It had been just as difficult to soothe and placate Beatrice. She thought it would be nice if the Holy Kingdom evaluated personality most closely when choosing a Saintess in the future.

“Then how about some candy…?”

“Do you think I’m some foolish Luinong?”

Hmm.

That’s perplexing.

The all-purpose cheat jelly candy didn’t work!

When handed to Luinongs, they would bounce around like puppies.

“Give it to me! To me!”

“Sure.”

The jelly candy I had offered to the Saintess went to the fairy jumping up and down, begging for it.

Immediately, the “foolish Luinong” the Saintess had mentioned delightedly thrust the candy into her mouth and fell into bliss.

‘Could it be that showing such a familiar side with Ludmilla affected her…? That makes sense. Though things have improved a lot now, religious figures are strict about male-female relationships. They might think a pair unengaged are enjoying messy secret meetings.’

Because of her pure appearance, it was easy to overlook, but Zebeline was the representative Saintess of the Holy Kingdom. It was natural for her to show a somewhat strict demeanor.

Hmm.

She’s stubborn to the point of being rigid.

Anyway, the people of the Holy Kingdom are all so old-fashioned.

Ludmilla and I, as siblings, had been engaged just a month ago. It was no surprise that the Holy Kingdom’s Saintess would find the relationship between the Valtarian Imperial Family and the Hohenberc Family uncomfortable.

“If you dislike candy… I also have chocolate.”

“Why do you have pockets full of sweet things? You, who doesn’t seem to like sweets at all, like an old man.”

“Naturally, it’s because of the Luinongs.”

“…Huh. Just give me chocolate.”

I unwrapped the chocolate and handed it over.

Zebeline tilted her head, taking the chocolate into her mouth.

She might dislike candy, but she liked chocolate.

Seeing the Saintess eating chocolate like a rabbit munching on carrots made me burst out laughing.

“What’s with that laugh? I’m still in an unpleasant mood!”

“I’m sorry. Seeing the Saintess reminded me of someone from the past. She always pulled out chocolate from her pockets when she was bored. A novice priest I happened to meet.”

“…Hmph. She must have been a beauty like me.”

“She was exceptionally beautiful.”

The mischievous, pouty expression of Zebeline reminded me of that cheeky novice priest I met on the battlefield.

It was just like now.

What was the reason for our quarrel back then?

Strangely, the scenes from that time were hazy like mist.

I still had no clear memory of the novice priest girl. However, I could only recall that she was as bold as Zebeline.

“Pffft, liar.”

“Huh?”

The girl with floating silver hair showed a sour response, turning her head away.

A liar?

What on earth does she mean…?

Had I risen to the rank of a shameless black liar, enjoying a chaotic romantic life?

Zebeline’s meaningful reply left me feeling puzzled.

“It’s not a lie. You were dazzling in my eyes.”

“Uh, cough!”

“The girl was lively and spirited, caring for others more than anyone else.”

“……”

She should have been chosen as the Saintess.

What a regretful thing.

How did these sham Saintesses end up running rampant in the Holy Kingdom?

It must be the result of the Holy Kingdom’s misjudgment when they pursued ability over everything to confront the Demon King’s Army. I could picture the novice priest girl, who cared for the injured with utmost devotion, like a heavenly angel in white.

“Saintess? Saintess!”

Zebeline, with her head hung low, took big strides.

What could have happened?

As she began to quicken her pace to escape, I scratched my head in confusion.

Carelessly moving forward without watching where she was going, the Saintess eventually bumped face-first into a signboard. Then, she fell backward, landing on her rear.

“I’m fine! No need to fuss over this!”

“…….”

Zebeline, feeling awkward, waved her hands.

In response, I silently handed over a handkerchief.

Because blood was dripping from her nose.

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