The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

51 – 51. Hunt (2)

—-

The hunt, which had mobilized numerous manpower, was originally planned to continue until evening. However, an unfortunate incident occurred during the hunt, leading to a chaotic end.

The Emperor and the nobles were ambushed.

When the news of the incident at the hunting ground spread, the Imperial Court was thrown into disarray.

The grip of the assassin, which had threatened the Empire, even dared to target the Emperor.

Then who exactly dared to target the ruler of the Empire? The Imperial Court buzzed like a hornet’s nest filled with angry bees.

“If it is clear that there are dissidents who resent the royal family, we must start investigating immediately. Please ensure a swift inquiry into the suspected individuals.”

“As you command.”

Ludmilla, upon receiving the report, urged for a plan.

In response, Barbarosa, who had hurried back from the hunting ground, nodded.

“What are you pondering so deeply?”

“Oh, that’s… “

Seated on the throne, the Emperor gazed into the void as if reminiscing. Ludmilla worried if her father had been greatly startled by the sudden turn of events and inquired.

It was natural to be shocked.

The wild beasts had suddenly transformed into ferocious monsters and launched an attack.

There had been numerous assassination attempts to seize the ruler of the Empire until now. However, this case was a cunning scheme that even Barbarosa had never experienced before.

No matter how bold and courageous one may be, they would inevitably feel fear. Ludmilla gazed at her father with concerned eyes.

“That scoundrel. The second son of the Hohenberg family.”

“…Pardon?”

It was an unexpected statement.

Blinking in confusion, she asked.

“His marksmanship is truly outstanding! I have never seen such a sharpshooter hitting the bullseye every time in all my years! Every time the trigger was pulled, the grotesque creatures fell, spewing blood!”

“Oh, yes… Is that so.”

The creatures with relentless vitality and brutal madness fell in an instant.

They must have aimed precisely at vital points.

Truly, it was an astonishing skill.

Barbarosa, a veteran who had enjoyed hunting even before his coronation, accurately saw through the marksmanship of Edanant, which rivaled that of a master. Therefore, he was more enthusiastic about his marksmanship than anyone else.

“Did you know?”

“Edanant, with a pistol, shot all the assassins who attacked the Hohenberg family, didn’t he?”

“Ah, with a pistol…! His skill with a pistol is exceptional as well.”

“… “

What on earth.

To praise Edanant as if he were exceptional in everything used for something…

He had been quick to condemn him as a thief who had stolen his beloved daughters like a thief. How could he show such an extreme change in attitude.

Ludmilla felt a sense of awkwardness in her father’s praise, which even hinted at admiration. Every time stories about Edanant came up, she remembered his furious reactions, which were very long and filled with anger.

“Tomorrow, immediately go hunting with Edanant!”

“No! Please, Your Majesty, inspect your condition!”

Ludmilla shouted, wide-eyed, at her father, who was insisting nonsensically.

He must have been so shocked that he couldn’t think straight.

It was clear that he was too shocked to think straight.

It was good news that he was beginning to think more favorably of Edanant. But now was the time to prioritize her father’s safety, so she set aside her personal feelings for a moment.

* * *

Attempting to conceal himself as much as possible and hide his tracks from the hunting ground, Barbarosa had tried to cover up the incident all along.

But he failed.

Of all times, an ambush with wild beasts at the hunting ground.

The attention of the Emperor and the nobles was entirely focused. Surely, the next day, the newspapers would publish a special feature on the achievements of the Hohenberg family’s son at the hunting ground.

It couldn’t be helped.

If things continued to be revealed one by one like this, eventually his true identity would be exposed.

With a heavy sigh, he arrived at the Imperial Villa. It was a luxurious mansion located in the wealthy neighborhood that Ludmilla had provided as a residence before.

“Are you in?”

Knock.

A knocking sound on the door was heard.

Could it be Elizabeth visiting late?

No,

It couldn’t be Elizabeth.

All the trains must have stopped running after the monorail explosion.

“You have committed a breach by visiting at this late hour, Lord Hohenberg.”

A beautiful lady with tempting chestnut hair greeted him with a bright smile. Facing the woman overflowing with refined elegance, he felt a moment of bewilderment.

Who on earth was she.

She seems to look like a noblewoman.

Could she be the lady who remembers me?

Carefully observing the lady’s demeanor, various speculations arose.

“I’m sorry for the delayed introduction. I am Isabelle von Baltaria, the First Princess of the Baltarian Empire.”

“Oh! Your Highness, I failed to recognize you. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

Meeting Rudmilla and Elizabeth’s elder sister like this.

Isabelle von Baltaria.

The First Princess of the Baltarian Empire is a character who does not appear in the original work.

Rudmilla, at least, was mentioned in her activities, but Isabelle’s name wasn’t even revealed. Naturally, one couldn’t be expected to know Isabelle.

“She broke customs and laws to marry some frontier count… What was the name of the husband she married, again? I can’t seem to recall.”

The husband chosen by the Baltarian Empire’s eldest princess would naturally be thought of as an outstanding genius. However, strangely, the husband who married the First Princess had a surprisingly faint presence.

What kind of person was he?

Even the nobles who liked to spread rumors were left dumbfounded.

“I heard you saved Her Highness in the hunting grounds. And last time, you rescued Lisa from the mine. As the eldest princess of Baltaria, you should properly show gratitude to the empire’s benefactors.”

“I just… did what I had to do.”

For a moment, her face brightened at the elegant and refined charm of the noble lady.

Perhaps because she was the eldest daughter.

A noble maturity that her younger sisters lacked overflowed.

Even though she wore a modestly designed dress, her chest’s superiority stood out. She might not be as slender as Rudmilla, who boasted of a slender figure, I dared to guess.

…I must be out of my mind.

Commenting on a married woman’s figure.

“I heard news from the Count of Divner. You will soon become a part of the royal family, won’t you?”

“Uh, yes.”

“Between Mila and Lisa… whom does His Highness fancy?”

“…”

Isabelle, being Rudmilla and Elizabeth’s elder sister who loved romance novels, naturally had a keen interest in romance.

The noble lady’s amber eyes sparkled with interest.

Whom do you fancy?

Asking such a terrifying question with a beautiful and gentle voice.

If she mentioned the princess she fancied, she would surely help actively. Isabelle waited for an answer as if she were in charge of mediation.

“I… I… I think… I fancy Mila.”

“His Highness fancies Mila!”

It couldn’t be said that she fancied Elizabeth, who was the fiancée of her elder sister’s betrothed.

However,

It wasn’t merely for that reason.

If there were no feelings at all, she wouldn’t fancy anyone.

She stuttered and conveyed her true feelings, trembling like a stutterer. At that moment, Isabelle stretched out both hands as if calling for a celebration. Her beautiful smile, devoid of any ulterior motives, felt so terrifyingly genuine.

“Though the prime age has passed, Mila is a lady with upright character and stately appearance. It’s only natural for His Highness to fancy Mila. In fact, I secretly hoped you would choose Mila?”

“Oh, I see.”

“This conversation might take a while. Would you like some tea?”

“…Yes.”

Isabelle clapped her hands and ordered.

And the maids standing behind bowed their heads and responded.

It was supposed to be a simple gesture of gratitude.

Why did it lead to a tea time hosted by the First Princess?

Glancing at the maids skillfully brewing tea, Isabelle, who was smiling brightly as if she would bloom a story flower all night, turned her gaze towards her.

It was clear.

She wasn’t just there to express gratitude.

As the eldest sister, she undoubtedly came to support her younger sisters’ faltering romances.

—

The cult of calamity worshipping the Mine was a being that defied common sense and reason.

Apostle.

Groups who worshipped the forgotten god called him the “Apostle.”

Unlike the Mines, who were just bestowed with the protection of the god, the Apostle of Calamity embraced not only the god’s protection but also the god’s will. It meant for a brief moment that one could manifest a miracle by incarnating the god in one’s own body.

“I missed the Emperor… Well, I didn’t really expect much.”

The shadow with flowing black hair rose from the throne.

With a petite stature and slender figure, it was clear that she was a mysterious woman.

A sharp voice echoed.

Upon this, the individuals lined up on both sides lowered their heads, waiting for the command.

“Nevertheless, a declaration calling forth the Crimson Dragon should be sufficient.”

Summoning vengeful puppets to threaten the Empire was merely a provocation to lure out Ludmilla.

The Crimson Dragon would undoubtedly make its move.

The righteous guardian of the Imperial Family would never overlook a threat to the Empire and its citizens. Therefore, even knowing it’s a trap calling for oneself, they would willingly fall into it.

From Noble mtl dot com

“How is your newly acquired Mageongmu-gu?”

A knight of the Society, cloaked in black, inquired.

To which a woman replied, “The compatibility with the divine power is excellent. The gods themselves will surely be pleased.”

On the woman’s slender wrist, a platinum bracelet engraved with various patterns shimmered brightly. It exuded a strange energy as if just used.

If Edanant had seen it, he would have felt perplexed.

Because

It was the Mageongmu-gu of a sage, a member of the Saintess Party.

Why would the sacred relic of the Mage Tower granted to the sage end up in the hands of the Society members? Only the apostles and followers of the disaster deity would know.

“Then, how should we handle the fallen Earthmother’s disciples?”

“Let them be. It’s not pleasant to slaughter the weak.”

Around the woman, dispatched Holy Knights from the Glorious Kingdom lay scattered like corpses. The lingering smoke indicated they had just engaged in fierce combat.

A mine appeared.

Upon hearing the news, the Glorious Kingdom deployed an elite punitive force.

However, the outcome was truly dire.

Though barely breathing, they were all incapacitated.

The punitive force, boasting magnificent chivalry in service of the Glorious Kingdom, was completely swept away. If news of a humiliating defeat reached the Glorious Kingdom, the Glorious and the High Priests would lose sleep to fear. Naturally, they must have been confident of victory.

“You are truly remarkable, Lady Ariel. To even defeat the guardians serving the Glorious Kingdom…”

“Enough of that.”

A woman named Ariel gestured.

Subsequently, the priests serving the heretics opened the door leading to the stage.

“From now on, we head to the Empire.”

To show the hypocrites praising the Earthmother what’s coming.

Your demise is near.

The disciples who had not yet participated in the racial wars returned from the Chaos Realm after three years.

They would avenge the compatriots horrifically executed for worshipping the forgotten god. The wails of the hypocrites who slaughtered in the name of the sole deity would echo beyond hell.