The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

53 – 53. Apostle of Calamity (2)

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Numerous nobles representing the Royal Court and the nobility entered the capital to attend the banquet.

They were invited by the Royal Family to the grand event.

Dressed in splendid attire, the nobles shrugged their shoulders and held their heads high.

Being invited to the banquet was a qualification that acknowledged the family’s reputation and influence by the Valtaria Royal Family. Therefore, the nobles displayed even more arrogance.

“Hmph! We must flaunt the family’s authority to show the dignity of the central nobles, don’t we?”

“The country bumpkins in the provinces will surely be astonished.”

The petty squabbles between central and provincial nobles were a common occurrence in any country.

The Valtaria Empire was no exception.

The luxurious banquets irregularly hosted by the Royal Family were a privilege granted only to the central high nobles. Hence, the central nobles flaunted their family’s prestige while openly mocking the provincial nobles as no different from country bumpkins.

“How much money did they spend on this extravagant event?”

Carriages adorned with gold and silver jewels lined up, causing tongues to wag as they entered.

They were covered in sparkling gems.

Even equipped with defensive spells to ward off arrows and magical baptisms.

One could almost call them not carriages, but mansions on wheels, don’t you think?

No,

Perhaps even more precious than a mansion.

The carriage led by six horses resembled a majestic palace. Rumors often circulated about the central nobles boasting immense power, but could they really be that impressive?

The country bumpkins living on the eastern outskirts wouldn’t dare to imitate.

“How expensive do you think they are? They must cost a fortune, right?”

“Selling just one of those carriages could buy you tens of thousands of barley candies.”

“Heh, I can’t even imagine affording one as myself…!”

“Exactly.”

Standing atop the tall tower of the palace, I watched as the central nobles entered in a line.

My tongue wagged in succession.

The same was true for Rue, who looked down from atop my shoulders.

Perhaps we had lived lives disregarding luxury and pleasure. That’s why we couldn’t understand the vanity of the high nobles adorned with gold and jewels.

“Shall we head down soon? It’s getting cold.”

“Yes!”

Feeling the reality of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, I descended from the tower.

Soon, as the sun set, the banquet would begin.

The palace’s numerous servants were bustling with preparations to welcome the guests. Observing their frenzied movements, I made my way towards the palace where beautiful princesses resided.

Truly a luxurious moment.

To be able to witness the beautiful figures of the princesses dressed in gowns.

Once it becomes known to the public, many men will be envious and jealous. But even if it entails risks, I decided to embrace this splendid opportunity.

“I wanted to see Rudmila in a dress… but it can’t be helped. Rudmila must be busy commanding the troops guarding the palace.”

Regrettably, I received notice that Rudmila would not attend the banquet. With so many nobles gathered, it was only natural that she couldn’t leave her post.

Although Isabelle and Elizabeth, dressed splendidly, would host, it was a bit disappointing. I knew Rudmila had her fill, but I really wanted to see her in a dress.

“Your, Your Highness…!”

Guided by the maids, I stepped into the palace.

At that moment,

A princess in a striking crimson dress welcomed me.

Surprisingly, it was Rudmila.

Lost in Rudmila’s embarrassed figure as she twisted her body, I was momentarily stunned by her fatally charming beauty, radiant like a dazzling rose.

“Ahahahaha, just as expected! Edanant is completely mesmerized!”

“Hoho, what a passionate couple.”

Isabelle and Elizabeth, adorned in luxurious dresses and jewelry, interjected into the awkward atmosphere.

Rudmila, teased by her older and younger sisters, bit her plump lips. Having been solely dedicated to escort duty at previous banquets, she seemed entirely unfamiliar with dressing up.

“Oh, sis…! Liza…!”

Adorable.

Is it okay for a woman four years older to be this cute?

A smile crept onto my face at Rudmila’s embarrassed demeanor.

“You look truly beautiful, Princess Rudmila.”

“Ugh…! I-If you say such things now… it’s too embarrassing…!”

Later, I heard from Elizabeth that Rudmila had distanced herself from dresses since her coming-of-age ceremony.

I didn’t need to hear the reason to understand.

The second princess of the Valtaria Empire, more than anyone, prioritized her duties.

“I don’t know how much Isabelle suffered trying to convince her stubborn sister. If Isabelle hadn’t persevered, Rudmila would have held her ground till the end.”

Elizabeth, dressed in a beautiful white dress like a lily, whispered softly as she lowered her head.

Hmm.

The situation at that time could be roughly guessed.

Rudmila’s stubbornness rivaled her sense of duty. As Elizabeth said, if Isabelle hadn’t persuaded her, she would never have backed down.

“Of course, I’ve been thinking for a while now… she’s incredibly beautiful.”

Rudmila, dressed in an elegant gown like the daughters of prestigious families, truly lived up to her title as the jewel of the royal family.

Her neatly arranged blonde hair.

The noble charm exuded by the white headpiece.

Her sensuous chest and slender waist subtly revealed. And her thigh, adorned with a garter belt, peeking out from the slit, exuded a seductive charm. Especially, her vivid red eyes shone more beautifully than any gem.

“hehehehe! Let’s hurry and change before the banquet begins. We must return to our duties.”

“Ah, I see.”

Ludmila coughed lightly and spoke.

It must be a matter of course.

The Red Dragon of the Empire is the guardian deity protecting the royal family.

However, even knowing that, she felt a slight sense of regret.

It was because she suddenly harbored a presumptuous desire to embrace and dance with the most beautiful princess in the Empire more than any other noble, despite knowing better.

“After the banquet ends and the nobles leave, you plan to dance with Etan, right?”

“Well… if Etan wishes so.”

In response to her younger sister’s bold question, Ludmila hesitated, but weakly nodded. Then she turned her gaze towards me, sending a sidelong glance.

Will you dance with me,

It was a glance that seemed to seek my permission.

Naturally, I had no reason to refuse.

With a faint smile, I accepted her cautious offer.

***

From Noble mtl dot com

Upon receiving an invitation from the Valtaria Palace, preparations began for attending the banquet.

She took out a black suit.

It was the suit Ludmila had gifted her from the tailor shop.

Since she wore it at the Imperial Audience, it should be suitable for the banquet. Unable to afford a lavish new suit like other nobles, reusing it was never an option.

“Madame was so beautiful! Madame was actually a princess!”

“…She was a princess from the start.”

Ludmila, dressed in a gown, was seen by Rue, who exclaimed while jumping around.

It was only natural for her to be excited.

She was as beautiful as a goddess from a myth.

‘I surely can’t bring a sword into the banquet hall. But what about the Holy Sword?’

Should I bring Aldebaran?

Or should I entrust it to the guards at the banquet hall?

I pondered over that for a moment.

Guns would definitely be out of the question, but perhaps the relic of the Holy Kingdom wouldn’t be. In fact, attending the banquet with the Holy Sword might please the nobles in attendance.

“Etan?”

Rue called out with a puzzled expression.

She had hastily opened the window in the midst of changing into formal wear.

A cold night breeze blew in.

Simultaneously, a faint ominous smell subtly stimulated my intuition.

No doubt.

This was the ‘fear’ emanating from the monster that worships social gatherings.

Did Ludmila indeed detect the stench of the demons? I wanted to rush to her immediately, but the crowd of socializing individuals was approaching far too rapidly.

“Rue. Go to Ludmila now and inform her that the demons are coming.”

“Ah, understood…!”

With a worried expression, the fairy hurried off.

Simultaneously, she leaped out through the window into the outside.

***

The apostle of the disaster god who lured in the factions opposing the Valtaria Palace had a cautious personality befitting his exceptional strategic acumen.

He could be called a man of foresight.

Considering all possibilities is what ‘strategy’ is all about.

The man with deeply creased features intentionally scattered gestures that only the followers of the disaster god could detect throughout the entire region. It was done to confirm any potential threats.

‘The protection of the disaster god still flows irregularly. Undoubtedly, there is another apostle present in the Valtaria Kingdom. Otherwise, the current situation cannot be explained.’

If one worships the disaster god, they naturally have the right to join the cause.

No matter how powerful the forces may be, they are never enough.

Therefore, the strategist continued to scatter gestures and awaited news.

After some time had passed.

Someone arrived at the top of the clock tower where the strategist stood.

“Hey, old man. Whom are you so eagerly calling for?”

A man dressed in formal wear asked in an agitated tone. Judging by his disheveled appearance, he had rushed over as soon as he sensed the gesture.

The strategist narrowed his eyes and looked at the man.

He needed time to organize his thoughts.

Repeatedly furrowing his brow, he contemplated.

“You are a user of the Holy Sword. A descendant of a hero. I made a mistake unconsciously. It was the gestures that inadvertently called upon the Holy Sword user.”

Having made that judgment, the strategist clenched his teeth and stood up.

He raised his staff.

To punish the foolish who followed the dictates of the earth.

Edanant sensed the old man’s aggression and grasped his knife handle. Before the fight began, he advised the elderly man,

“I don’t take it lightly just because you’re old. If you want to go to a nursing home, do so peacefully.”

“You have a foul mouth.”

“I have a prior engagement with the princess, so if you want to finish this quickly…”

“Then you won’t be able to keep your promise.”

Thud.

The staff officer struck his cane.

Simultaneously, sinister shadows surged to the top of the clock tower.

They were the temple knights of calamity.

Fanatics wielding sharp swords surrounded Edanant.

“…This is going to be quite delayed.”

These were not ordinary enemies.

They all possessed the protection of the temple of calamity.

In other words, the temple knights who had occupied the clock tower were the same monsters aiming for Elizaveta. Sensing it would be a tough battle, Edanant let out a heavy sigh.