The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

Chapter 30

30 – Terms of a Deal (1)

The imperial knights, representing the empire, were massively deployed in the punitive expedition that finally succeeded.

They eradicated the hidden mages in the imperial city.

And they wiped out all the socialites at the Branon mansion.

By eliminating the vile socialite faction, the Batarya Empire demonstrated itself as a great and just nation. The imperial officials, anxiously awaiting the results, erupted into cheers upon hearing the news of victory.

“Your Majesty! They’ve completely wiped out the mages!”

“We humbly celebrate our triumph!”

They had eliminated the malicious leaders behind the bomb attacks.

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It was a great victory that put an end to the anxiety and fear that had lingered for so long.

However, Emperor Barbarossa prioritized the well-being of his youngest daughter, who had been on the front lines, over the great victory.

“What about Liza…! What happened to Elizabeth?”

“She is unharmed. She is on her way to the imperial city under the protection of the knights.”

Elizabeth, who volunteered as bait to ensure the success of the expedition, was returning unharmed despite the concerns of many.

Even though she had been in the midst of a fierce battle, she had not suffered any injuries.

After hearing multiple reports from the messenger who arrived at the mansion, Emperor Barbarossa finally let out a heavy sigh, relieved of the immense worry that had weighed on him.

“It’s truly fortunate. I worried so much when she insisted on taking the forefront without any hesitation.”

To successfully lure Mine, disguised as Dagilek Branon, Elizabeth needed to lead him into the space where the knights were ambushed.

If Elizabeth hadn’t revealed herself at the villa, Mine would have sensed danger and tried to escape immediately.

Elizabeth, who volunteered as bait, played a significant role.

That was undeniable.

“The Mine who aimed for Her Highness the Princess was punished by the Confucian scholar of the Hohenberg family,” it was reported.

“Well, it should be a success! Our youngest daughter took the lead!”

Once again, Edanant von Hohenberg dealt with the enemy’s infiltrator, and Barbarossa, overseeing the intelligence department, openly displayed discomfort in his report.

Resentment from the divorce lingered.

It was an emperor-like appearance with a deeper scheming than anyone.

“Well, she did save Liza from the miserable engagement… We should at least give the hero who saved the imperial family twice a fitting reception.”

But this time was a bit different.

When Mine attacked Elizabeth, Edanant confronted him.

If Edanant hadn’t faced Mine, Elizabeth would have been furious. Considering that, Barbarossa began to see Edanant as a benefactor to the imperial family.

Of course, the hatred for the Hohenberg family still remained.

“Your Majesty, Haonde…”

“What is it?”

As the minister took a step forward, his words faltered for a moment.

Seeing this, Barbarossa frowned and gestured with a stern expression.

“The nobles who participated in the matchmaking… sent a letter stating that they would abstain from further matchmaking.”

“All the nobles?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Weaklings who crumbled like fish in troubled waters! It seems they’re uncomfortable with being swept away in this situation without resisting. Even if they experienced injustice, overlooking it generously is the virtue of a man!”

It was natural for the nobles who were caught up in the situation without a word to be angry at the Valtarian imperial family. In a situation where even ten lives were not enough.

Considering the situation from their point of view, it was understandable that they couldn’t comprehend it.

But the Emperor perceived the actions of the matchmakers as an insult to the imperial family.

All matchmakers turned away.

It meant that the matchmaking of the youngest daughter was ‘once again’ canceled.

Surely, the nobles who liked gossip would start gossiping about the broken engagement.

“But the reason the matchmakers declined the matchmaking… is to support Her Highness Elizabeth and Duke Edanant, they say.”

“What?”

Who supports whom,

What on earth for…?

The emperor’s expression froze in an instant.

It was a mix of incredulity and bafflement, as if he couldn’t fathom the absurdity of it all.

The youngest daughter, who had just received notice of her engagement being called off, was in an affair with her former fiancé’s younger brother. It was a situation straight out of a melodramatic romance. Barbarosa felt a piercing headache, as if someone were jabbing a needle into his temples, as he hesitated on his throne.

“Surely that cursed scion of the Hohenberg lineage… has some connection to our Ludmilla?”

He recalled the scandal that had recently rocked the entire empire.

The scandal between the Valtarian royal family and the Hohenberg lineage.

Hadn’t the heartrending romance between a man and a woman, brought together by the separation of their younger sister and brother due to an engagement cancellation, become widely known?

As if being the second daughter wasn’t enough, now it was the turn of the youngest daughter…

He thought it was utterly maddening.

To dare intervene with my daughters, whom I’ve raised like golden leaves?

Even if he were a hero who saved the youngest daughter from a ruthless villain, there was absolutely no forgiveness. Barbarosa began to see the troublemaker, who was causing scandals among the princesses, as an irredeemable troublemaker.

“Fetch that scoundrel immediately!”

“Yes…?”

“The thief who has set his sights on my daughters!”

“……”

The emperor’s decree echoed.

The guards surrounding the palace immediately took action, ready to execute the emperor’s stern command.

Eddanant von Hohenberg.

The lecherous man who had ensnared the noble princesses simultaneously.

To transport the prime suspect, who had caused an uproar in society, to the court, physical force was mobilized.

* * *

The Holy Maiden Party, which had traversed the continent thwarting the rise of evil, was no less than a formidable force against the demon king’s army and other factions of the underworld.

Thus, the remnants, surviving until the end, were determined to achieve the vengeance they had sworn, relentlessly destroying regions and places associated with the Holy Maiden Party.

The homeland of the Sword Saint, Madvei,

The Pug Kingdom.

Without any direct confrontation, the peaceful existence of a small country in the barren wasteland faced an imminent crisis. Sorcerers, bearing grudges against Madvei, had opened demonic gateways at the borders of the small country, connecting it to the demon realm.

– Rrrrrumble!!

– Gyaoooo─! Gyaooooo─!!

There were a total of 15 portals deployed in the Kingdom of Pug.

In a tiny country with a population of less than 50,000, an unthinkable level of merciless evil befell it.

Countless monsters emerged.

It was the smell of frightened humans that permeated the air as they gazed at the sky, now stained black.

Thus, the monsters summoned from the portals exceeded a thousand. For this small, defenseless country, it was nothing short of a nightmare-like siege, even without a regular army.

How long could they endure?

A day?

No, it was certain they couldn’t withstand even half a day.

When the grotesque monsters rushed like a wave, they would be swept away helplessly.

“Monsters! The monsters are coming!”

“Ah! Where on earth are our soldiers!”

As the sky darkened, the monsters descended.

The citizens of the Kingdom of Pug pinned a faint hope on the feeble walls and incompetent upper class.

But it was a futile expectation.

The walls would crumble as soon as the monsters’ attack began.

The king and nobles, who had only indulged in luxury while collecting taxes, fled to nearby forts.

“Hurry, call for Madvei! If we have the Sword Castle…!”

“How do we find someone who disappeared long ago! He abandoned us a long time ago!”

They desperately called for Madvei, cursing the king and nobles who abandoned the kingdom.

And they prayed to the Earth Mother, collecting attachment and lingering regrets about life.

In a situation where only death and despair existed, hope was nothing more than a luxury.

“W-What’s that…! A shooting star, a red shooting star!”

When the forsaken people of the Kingdom of Pug resigned themselves to their fate, waiting only for death—

A flash of red appeared.

It was a truly beautiful crimson, like flames.

In an instant, the crimson that illuminated the darkened sky fell straight to the ground.

Quagwagwagwagwa───!!!

It emitted a powerful shockwave, raising thick clouds of dust.

Soon after, wings formed of red energy spread out proudly to the sides, showcasing their immense size.

A woman with flowing golden hair made her entrance.

Citizens, witnessing her beautiful appearance and majestic presence, stared in awe at the sight, their minds captivated.

“It’s the Empire’s Red Dragon!”

Someone exclaimed.

It was a cry filled with intense hope.

Then, the faces of the crowd, previously only expressing despair, began to regain color.

– Roaaar!!

– Krrr…! Krrr…!!

Finally, the forces of evil appeared.

Countless demonic legions, racing from the borders, now surrounded the city.

There was no hope.

The monsters summoned from the portal roared for their prey.

As if anticipating a feast of fresh flesh, saliva was already dripping from their mouths.

“Do these creatures from the Abyss dare to invade the descendants of the Earth?”

Ludmila extended her hand.

Suddenly, a crimson lion emerged from the sky. Emitting a dazzling flame, the lion turned into fiery boulders, raining down on the multitude of clusters.

The punishment of the Red Dragon stained the earth.

The demons, engulfed in flames, were reduced to ashes.

The citizens who witnessed the hellish spectacle before them regarded Ludmila as a semi-divine being. Only an all-powerful god could effortlessly sweep away thousands of demonic legions.

“Next, we must destroy the portals. And also, the dark sorcerers watching from afar.”

Ludmila blinked her eyes.

Long, torn pupils.

They were akin to a dragon’s eyes.

Her red irises, as radiant as jewels, rose like flames without hesitation.

Truly, she was the powerhouse responsible for subduing the seven strongest in the Warring States,

The Empire’s Red Dragon,

Ludmila Dragvaltaria.

With a single strike, she turned the land into a sea of flames.

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The space swept by the dragon’s flames disappeared without a trace. Even large rocks melted instantly, transforming into lava that spewed heat.

“Go on, burn it all down.”