The Protagonists of the Novel Escaped

Emperor Barbarossa, boasting robust muscles like a powerhouse, was almost fanatic about his love for meat.

Thick steaks seasoned only with salt and pepper.

Burgundy red wine from the County of Flanders, emphasizing the flavor of the meat.

Gorging on meat and downing wine, Barbarossa seemed to showcase his image as a boisterous hero. And being an avid meat lover and a glutton at the same time, numerous attendants scurried back and forth to present new steaks.

“Steaks must be made from calves, no doubt. Especially those under four months old; their tender muscles make for a smooth texture. That’s why I always serve calf steaks when hosting guests.”

“Indeed, it’s delicious.”

The calf steak, presented by the Valtarian Imperial Family’s top chefs, was a delicacy unlike any other he’d ever tasted.

What kind of food does the Emperor eat? It was a question that had passed through his mind before, and now he had his answer.

He secretly glanced at Barbarossa shoving a giant lump of flesh into his mouth and looked over at Ludmilla, elegantly slicing her meat beside the raucous Emperor. Even while eating steak, she radiated elegance like a beautiful princess.

Ludmilla and Elizaveta must have taken after the Empress.

If they had inherited even 10% of that loud Emperor, both their marriages would be in jeopardy.

Ah. They already were.

The second daughter was a spinster, and the third had recently experienced an annulment.

“Here.”

“Aah-.”

He picked up a small piece of meat with his fork and offered it to Rue, who opened wide to accept it.

“Lord Edanant.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor, adorned with a fine mustache, placed his knife and fork down like a scepter.

Then he spoke.

“Without a doubt, this incident will cause those foolish crowds, who love to chatter like magpies, to start doubting the reputation of the Saintess Party. They’ve relied on the Saintess Party every time thus far. Naturally, if there’s silence now, suspicions will grow like a snowball, don’t you think?”

“The public’s expectations and dependencies will turn into despair and feelings of betrayal.”

Those planning the Ascension of Evil would certainly commit more brutal acts from now on.

Death would blanket the sky.

Pain and screams would fill the earth.

And yet, the Saintess Party would seemingly never show up. If they truly cared for the feeble, scared crowds, they wouldn’t be indulging in such bizarre disappearances.

Soon enough, the crowds would think:

– The Saintess Party has turned their backs on the world!

– The heroes who defeated the Demon King have betrayed humanity!

– The noble divinity of the Goddess has fallen to the ground…. Ultimately, wicked cults will rule the world.

Furrowing his brows, he predicted the worst possible consequences ahead.

Then the Emperor nodded.

“It’ll undoubtedly head toward a damnable disaster. It shouldn’t be long now.”

“……”

The ruler of this great nation representing humanity had prophesized.

No, it wouldn’t even be called prophecy.

The chaos stemming from the Saintess Party’s absence was practically inevitable. The Ascension of Evil would sweep multiple calamities across the continent.

“Your Majesty, discussing matters of such severity during a meal is not courteous to the guests.”

Ahem!

It was largely the fault of the Hohenberc family, which had produced the hero Maximilian. Maximilian’s disappearance had signaled the onset of disaster.

He wanted to convey apologies on behalf of his family to the Emperor, but just then—

Ludmilla sighed deeply, purposefully breaking the tense atmosphere.

Barbarossa coughed awkwardly and nodded. As the Emperor doted on his daughters, he shot a sharp glance, quickly turning compliant. Ludmilla looked at him and sent a silent apology.

“I am aware of the gravity of the situation. If it is for the Empire, I will assist as best I can, though I am inexperienced. Please prove the loyalty of the Hohenberc family towards the Imperial Palace.”

“That’s quite a commendable mindset.”

Why was the Emperor foreseeing the near future during the banquet?

The answer was simple.

‘I will utilize you, so fight for the Imperial Family.’

That was originally Maximilian’s role. The reason Barbarossa had tried to link his youngest daughter into a political marriage with the family of the hero.

‘You’re not trying to set me up as Elizaveta’s new fiancé, are you?’

That chance was slim.

The annulment had occurred not even a month ago.

Wasn’t the relationship between the Valtarian Imperial Family and the Hohenberc family already in ruins?

Moreover, if the second son replaced the eldest son, who had declared the annulment, as Elizaveta’s new fiancé, the Valtarian Imperial Family would be infamous for being a ‘shamble’. It was also a matter that concerned Elizaveta’s honor, and a doting father would never allow that.

‘But then again, it’s not like there’s a princess here to serve as a new fiancée. There is Princess Karolina, the eldest of the Imperial Family, but… she’s already a married woman.’

Could they possibly expect me to serve for free?

Ah.

Then there might be a revolution…

If only they could at least reduce the compensation imposed on the Hohenberc family.

The term I disliked the most was ‘passion pay’.

“Aah, ahem…!”

“……”

Suddenly, Ludmilla began to cough.

Had she swallowed the wine incorrectly? Her face was flushed, so it seemed likely.

“The Hohenberc family has indeed committed a blasphemy. Yet, how can a second son like me expect any form of compensation? Your Majesty has generously responded as a favor, but… I’d only like to receive your kind words.”

“Such a statement means I can no longer push the matter.”

Ludmilla’s cough was likely a signal for this.

The Hohenberc family had no standing to demand a reward.

She was probably giving hints through repeated side glances.

It was close; he almost incurred the Emperor’s displeasure again.

He let out a sigh of relief inwardly and offered Ludmilla a faint smile. But for some reason, when he smiled, her expression stiffened.

—

The envoy of the First Saintess from Gael Holy Kingdom arrived in the territory of the Valtarian Empire.

Upon entering the border city, Saintess Zebeline heard of the disaster that had occurred in the Imperial City.

A bombing attack resulted in over 400 casualties.

Surprisingly, the culprits were the Gale Doher and Bomber Squad that the Holy Kingdom had been pursuing.

Was it due to their grudge against the Empire? Or perhaps it was a declaration of hatred towards the Saintess Party?

The Bomber Squad, which had wreaked havoc across the continent with numerous bombings, had ultimately attacked the Valtarian Empire.

If they had successfully escaped, they would surely have targeted the Holy Kingdom next. The Bomber, Gale, was a blasphemous lunatic who had murdered countless priests thus far. Saintess Zebeline sighed in relief upon receiving reports that the Bomber had been killed on-site.

“Who eliminated the Bomber?”

“Edanant von Hohenberc.”

“Hohenberc…? I’ve heard that name before.”

“He is said to be the brother of hero Maximilian.”

This was the first time she had heard that name.

It felt strange.

If someone could take down the Bomber, she should have heard at least their name….

Who exactly was he?

Edanant von Hohenberc.

Hearing such an unfamiliar name, Zebeline tilted her head, revealing her puzzlement.

“Surprisingly… he wielded the Holy Sword Aldebaran! The prince of House Hohenberc used the Holy Sword!”

“Is that true? No, that can’t be right.”

The only person deemed fit to wield the Holy Sword was Maximilian alone, according to public knowledge.

How could Maximilian’s brother use the Holy Sword?

Zebeline kept murmuring “that can’t be right.”

‘Moreover, to think it was the Holy Sword Aldebaran. Should we call this a coincidence…?’

The beautiful saintess with silver hair, cascading like a bell flower, swallowed her breath and lowered her head.

Could she be sensing something?

Her luminous blue eyes trembled slightly.

Zebeline dismissed her escorting Holy Knights and continued to ponder. She paced around while trying to guess about the new wielder of Aldebaran. Ultimately, she couldn’t conjure a fitting conjecture and clicked her tongue in irritation.

“This truly is outrageous! The only one chosen by the Holy Sword of Annihilation should be Maximilian, right?”

“…Well, maybe.”

There is one.

Just one person.

An unidentified presence that not many knew, and that only she knew.

There had been someone who wielded the Holy Sword despite not having been baptized by the Holy Kingdom. Strangely enough, he had been rejected by other Holy Swords but chosen solely by Aldebaran.

Could this truly be a coincidence?

Or perhaps…

Could there be some hidden secret that had yet to reveal itself? Even if it ended in failure, checking was necessary.

“Ivan.”

“Yes, Saintess.”

Zebeline, who had been biting her nails in contemplation, opened her mouth.

“Right away, go down to the Hohenberc County and gather information.”

“Hero’s hometown, is it? Understood!”

“No, the target to gather information on is Edanant von Hohenberc. Find out his actions over the past three years as clearly and comprehensively as possible… and don’t leave anything out.”

“E-Edanant, the prince…?”

The First Saintess of the Holy Kingdom was warm and benevolent, yet she possessed a level of fussiness similar to a neurotic.

Especially—

She hated hearing the same words repeated.

The vice-priest, serving under the Saintess, was well aware of this.

When his gaze met her vividly shining blue eyes, he froze and immediately answered.

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