The Protagonists of the Novel Escaped

Maximilian, who had long been missing, suddenly appeared in the Boemon Kingdom, drawing the public’s attention toward the Hohenberc Family.

Well, that was only natural.

After all, Maximilian was still the legitimate heir of the Hohenberc Family.

Thus, having wrapped up matters at the Powder Keg Peninsula, he returned to the Hohenberc Family estate. It was possible that the Valtarian Imperial Family may send a delegation to investigate the Marquisate.

“Edanant!”

As expected, a guest from the Valtarian Imperial Family came to visit.

But it was not a delegation.

A stunningly beautiful princess, shining like platinum, pronounced her presence with a desperate voice. The Hohenberc Family’s attendants rushed to greet her.

“…Elizaveta!”

“Did you hear the news? Maximilian has appeared!”

It was truly a matter of moments. Elizaveta arrived only two hours after Edanant returned to the Hohenberc Family.

What would have happened if she had been late?

Surely, the quick-witted Platinum Princess would be bearing suspicious doubts.

His heart began to race.

Edanant swallowed hard like a thief caught by the police while staring at Elizaveta.

“I heard this morning. Father was shocked by the news as well.”

“And Edanant? Was Edanant shocked too?”

“Uh, of course…”

“Geez, what on earth is happening? I heard the Immortal Fortress was completely destroyed.”

The startling news seemed to leave Elizaveta breathless as she sighed and shook her head.

Of course, it would have been that way.

Maximilian was her former fiancé, after all.

When the Valtarian Imperial Family officially announced the annulment of engagement, their relationship became nothing. But cutting off long-held feelings in an instant was exceedingly difficult, and she must have been inwardly worried about Maximilian.

“What if the Boemon Kingdom demands compensation from the Hohenberc Family? Maximilian totally wrecked the capital of the kingdom! Don’t worry, I’ll ask Father for help somehow!”

“……”

That was a rather unexpected reaction.

Edanant thought Elizaveta might show reluctance towards Maximilian….

But there was no trace of that lingering attachment.

Instead, Elizaveta showed genuine concern for him.

Edanant smiled faintly at Elizaveta, biting her nails anxiously. He felt good being cared for by the beautiful Platinum Princess.

“Thank you for worrying about me. I never thought Princess Elizaveta would care this much.”

“Of course! Edanant saved me back then. So, that’s why!”

She said it in a teasing tone, as if testing his feelings.

Elizaveta’s face flushed bright red as she yelped in surprise.

Such a cute reaction.

He burst into laughter at Elizaveta’s flustered demeanor.

“Sorry, but your reaction was just too adorable…”

“Humph! After worrying for me, how dare you tease a princess?”

If you were to find something in common between Ludmila and Elizaveta, it would be their “easily teasable personalities.”

But going too far with jokes could be dangerous.

Another common characteristic of beautiful princesses was their “very low boiling point” compared to ordinary people. Especially Elizaveta, who played the role of the villainous princess in the story.

“Ahem!”

While he mischievously watched the adorable Platinum Princess,

Ludmila approached him, her strong dissatisfaction evident as she cleared her throat.

“Milal!”

“You came quite quickly. I thought you’d arrive tomorrow or the day after.”

“Well, maybe!”

“……”

Elizaveta stuttered in response to Ludmila’s answer, looking awkward. In turn, Ludmila folded her arms and shot Edanant a glare.

This was awkward.

If a third party saw him, they would think he was a cad.

He shrugged his shoulders in a plea of innocence.

Ludmila’s glaring eyes sharpened even more, filled with dissatisfaction.

“By the way, why are you at the Marquisate? You said you’d go to the Boemon Kingdom to investigate!”

“…Huh?”

“Even if you like Edanant that much… Did you secretly lie to Father and meet him?”

“Of course not! That’s not it!”

Since he had joined Ludmila in the Boemon Kingdom and immediately returned to the Hohenberc Marquisate, it was understandable that Elizaveta might be misled.

What a ridiculous misunderstanding.

Of all things, to be misunderstood as having a “secretive rendezvous” was the last thing he wanted.

Suddenly, Ludmila became the “Red Dragon of the Empire, telling a fib to the Emperor to steal away with the man she loved” in her sister’s eyes, stirred up into protest.

However, if he revealed the hidden details, the identity of the warmonger could be exposed, so Ludmila swallowed her words and remained silent.

“How surprising. I thought of you as a foolish simpleton, but to hear you were bold enough to meet Edanant secretly…I underestimated you.”

“Guh!”

Elizaveta expressed pure admiration.

Ludmila blushed like a teapot, lowering her head.

*

Was it due to Maximilian creating an upheaval in the Boemon Kingdom?

Or was it because they were punishing the scoundrels who had stolen their cherished daughters?

A summons decree came from the Valtarian Imperial Family.

Specifically, it was summoned by Barbarossa, the Emperor of the Valtarian Empire.

Sweat formed coldly on his brow as he hesitated at the sudden imperial call. But he couldn’t just follow in Maximilian’s footsteps, who had declared his annulment and vanished, so he ultimately accepted the summon.

“Princeling Edanant. Have you heard the news that the Saintess Party caused a commotion in the Boemon Kingdom?”

“…Of course.”

A middle-aged man with a sharp mustache like a sickle asked.

Edanant frowned and opened his mouth.

“I heard the Sword Saint, the Hero, and even the warmonger who was treated as a ghost from the past all appeared. What on earth is happening in the world with such major incidents happening continuously…”

“……”

As he clicked his tongue, Barbarossa expressed his annoyance, and Edanant felt his heart begin to pound.

Like a delinquent called in by the student council president, the more they conversed, the more anxiety bubbled up.

What could it be?

Does he know the identity of the warmonger?

Is he trying to put on the “Edanant Show,” already aware of the truth?

He continued to entertain absurd thoughts while listening to Barbarossa’s voice. The Emperor’s sudden summon right after returning with Ludmila and to the Hohenberc Marquisate felt suspicious.

“The Empire’s intelligence agency is monitoring the situation but is facing many difficulties. Strangely, whenever they inquire of the king of Boemon Kingdom or the knights about the developments, they maintain silence.”

“…Boemon Kingdom regards the Saintess Party as their savior.”

Why did the Sword Saint fall from grace to King Assassin?

Why did the Hero appear?

And why did they engage in a battle with the warmonger, who was once a comrade?

Currently, Barbarossa was scratching his head over these consecutive questions.

He seemed ready to explode in anger at any moment, making Edanant gulp nervously.

“What’s worse, though it may sound absurd…the intelligence team has received strange news.”

“Strange news, you say?”

“It’s said the warmonger might be a cultist serving the disaster god. Of course, it’s just nonsensical gossip.”

“……”

While fighting Maximilian, his divine status as the disaster god had been exposed, so it was only expected that he would be discovered.

It was anticipated, but he couldn’t escape the sense of unease.

Just how much have they found out?

With a heart full of anxiety, Edanant cautiously observed Barbarossa’s expression.

“I’ve heard from Liza, but it seems you’re continuing a relationship with Mila, is that so?”

“Eh? Ah, no… yes. Th-that’s correct…”

That’s completely fake news.

It’s actually the evil princess’s plot to marry off her single sister.

Though he tried desperately to refute, he couldn’t speak up as Barbarossa’s expression was filled with anticipation.

“Hmm. So that’s the case.”

“……”

They must have summoned him to respond to the upheaval caused by the Saintess Party.

He had been baited.

It seemed Barbarossa was filled with intense desire, wanting to make him the Valtarian Imperial Family’s dowered son-in-law, like roasting beans over a fire.

“Let’s go hunting sometime. Didn’t you say you wanted to see the marksmanship expert’s skills?”

“…I’d be honored.”

Thump thump.

The Emperor patted his shoulder as he spoke.

With his voice lowered, Edanant nodded.

“I’d love to go hunting right away, but given the current unrest, it won’t be easy. The Holy Kingdom’s fellows are causing a ruckus trying to reveal the identity of the warmonger, leading to countless petitions.”

“Eh? What does that mean…?”

“Those persistent watchdogs from the Holy Kingdom will likely approach you as well. You are the Hero’s brother, after all. They might ask for your cooperation to find the warmonger.”

“……”

He genuinely wanted to refuse the fanatics of the Holy Kingdom.

Me? Look for the warmonger? Just take a look in the mirror!

Me looking for myself?

Who could have imagined such an ironic situation would arise in his life?

This isn’t some phase where you get hit by a storm of self-discovery.

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