The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

55 – 55. Imperial Turmoil (2)

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Although they had dealt with a large number of holy knights, the unfavorable situation persisted.

The staff officer, who had blocked Aldebaran’s divine spear with an intangible barrier, grimaced, showing discomfort.

“What a truly heinous attack. I never imagined the Sacred Sword held such power…”

By infusing the divine power of the disaster god into the flesh protected by the divine protection of the Creator, intentionally causing a Sacred Clash, a cruel technique devoid of any mercy was made possible.

They were ignorant of the power of the Sacred Sword, Aldebaran.

It was a ridiculous defeat.

If they had known beforehand, they wouldn’t have rashly activated the divine power.

The staff officer, realizing his ignorance, nodded his head in understanding.

“It seems you’ve been time-traveling for three years.”

“What does that mean?”

The staff officer asked Edanant in response.

To which Edanant replied.

“The disciples of the disaster god, who are the leaders of the cultists, are so ignorant. The fallen holy knights are the same. Just who are you people, utterly clueless?”

“…”

The staff officer remained silent.

With a stiff expression, he only revealed his discomfort.

A revelation has struck a nerve.

Edanant raised the Sacred Sword, exposing it.

“Even if we reveal our identities, what difference would it make? The battle between the Creator and the disaster god has always existed.”

“It sounds like a request for death.”

“No, we will undoubtedly destroy the Empire and the Holy Kingdom. And we will forever erase the sanctity of the Creator God they worship.”

“It’s easy to understand.”

The staff officer revealed his ambitions.

As if to prove him right, numerous troops attacked the central square where the Clock Tower was located.

It is the rebellion army of the Empire.

The hatred towards the Valtaria royal family roared loudly.

The morale of the rebel army that broke through the city was as fierce as a roaring flame. The sight of soldiers brandishing torches and weapons pushing towards the central square momentarily instilled a sense of crisis. The rebel army, which had boldly breached the Empire’s defense line, began to directly attack the royal palace with momentum.

“But can the puppets of the disciples of disaster really bring down the Valtaria Empire?”

“……”

The Valtaria Empire is formidable.

The dignity of the strongest nation that dominated the continent is by no means a mere facade.

It is the victorious nation that annihilated the demon army alongside the victorious kingdom in the racial wars. The military forces hastily assembled through sorcery and brainwashing could never threaten the Empire’s lineage.

“Suppress the rebel army!”

“The forces of the Red Dragon will never retreat!”

The followers of the Red Dragon launched a counterattack.

When elite troops were deployed to defend the royal palace, the situation took a sudden turn.

The formation of the rebel army, which had been advancing like a raging tide, crumbled as the Empire’s knights launched an assault, giving rise to the pungent scent of blood and the birth of a front line vibrating with the resonance of battle.

“Hoho, they are seriously deluded.”

“What?”

“Surely they haven’t placed their hopes on those mere pawns? They are nothing but sacrificial offerings to the gods.”

“…Surely not.”

──────!!!!

The ominous feeling that flooded the mind in an instant soon materialized into reality.

A formidable magical power surged.

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And sinister symbols densely occupied the entire floor of the clock tower.

The forbidden magic was activated.

Using the clock tower in the central square as a coordinate, the surrounding area was targeted.

It was different from conventional dark magic. Instead of manipulating dead bodies or using blood as a sacrificial offering, it absorbed only the life force of the mortally wounded.

“From now on, a passage leading to the realm of chaos will open.”

“…Realm of chaos?”

It was a name he had never heard before.

Edanant’s face contorted at the strategist’s proclamation.

Realm of chaos.

Such a strange name had never been mentioned even once in the narrative.

Could it be a space completely severed from the outside world like a paradise for fairies? The alchemy that greedily absorbed the abundant life forces around gradually neared completion. A passage, as dark as pitch-black, appeared in the sky.

“Damn bastard.”

Edanant aimed his revolver at the elderly man.

However, the magical bullets were all deflected by an invisible barrier.

It was just like when he had fired his rifle.

An intangible energy was continuously blocking the attacks.

“It’s, it’s a monster!”

“Monsters are descending from the sky!!”

Shrill screams of terror erupted.

There was no sight like that of hell.

From the darkness that enveloped the city, hideous monsters suddenly emerged.

There were a total of five of these monstrous beings.

Variants of the realm of chaos clad in sharp metal pieces spewed fire. With their massive bodies, they wielded sharp claws and hefty tails, sweeping away both the Imperial and rebel armies.

“Darn it, they opened the passage and escaped…!”

The old man who had been sneering malevolently vanished without a trace.

The priestly knights who had been escorting him disappeared as well.

As Edanant briefly gazed at the city, which had transformed into a hellish landscape, he concealed his tracks.

Having completed his mission, was this the end?

He gritted his teeth, determined to find and tear the man apart.

‘Where should I start?’

The clock tower, used as the summoning coordinate for alchemy.

The chaotic battlefield where tens of thousands of troops were entangled in chaos.

The variants of the realm of chaos rampaging as if they would set the entire city ablaze at any moment.

In addition, the Empire’s forces were scattered due to consecutive misfortunes. Undoubtedly, the conspirators would swiftly attack the somewhat laxly guarded royal palace.

“……”

It would be possible if he used his protection.

At least, he could tidy up the chaos unfolding in the city as quickly as in the hellish landscape.

There was a possibility his true identity would be revealed.

He didn’t have the luxury to worry about such trivial matters.

With a fear that a moment of carelessness could lead to the disappearance of tens of thousands of lives, Edanant suppressed his concern about the possibility of his identity being exposed and clenched his fist against his chest.

─────!!!!

Just as I was about to activate my guardian spirit,

A crimson beam of intense energy shot out, striking down the monsters of the Chaos Realm.

It happened in the blink of an eye.

The monster, its head half-melted in the scorching heat, fell without even a scream.

Feeling the imminent danger, Edanant lifted his head.

Seeing the crimson light illuminating the darkened sky, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“My liege! My liege!!”

As the flames of the red dragon dispersed, a beautiful woman appeared. With her alluring golden hair shimmering, the woman who had arrived on the battlefield was undoubtedly Rudmila.

He called out in a frantic voice.

But sadly, caught up in battling the rampaging monsters of the Chaos Realm, Rudmila did not hear Edanant’s call.

Swinging the holy sword, radiating a white light, like a torch, yielded no results.

How,

How could he call out to her.

After a moment of hesitation, Edanant swallowed his pride and called out once more.

“Rudmila-!!”

With a mix of uncertainty, he called out her name.

The situation was urgent.

He had no choice but to break protocol.

“You called, Edanant.”

Amidst the explosions and screams in the hellish scene, Rudmila, seemingly hearing the desperate voice, once again was enveloped in crimson light before falling at the top of the clock tower where Edanant stood.

She actually heard.

Though he had called out in a moment of desperation.

Edanant, showing a bewildered reaction, welcomed Rudmila.

“The cultists serving the Cataclysm God are behind this. They have lured nobles hostile to the empire, using the protection of the Cataclysm God.”

“…Cataclysm God.”

Rudmila’s complexion darkened upon hearing the ominous name.

A natural reaction.

The Cataclysm God was a terror that should never be faced.

“They sacrificed the casualties of the battlefield to summon monsters from another realm. Such ruthless individuals undoubtedly aim for something even more heinous.”

“What could that be?”

“They intend to execute His Majesty.”

“…!”

It was all too clear the atrocities the vengeful followers of the Cataclysm God would commit.

They would execute the Emperor.

The hands of the cultists were set on the ruler of the empire.

It was dangerous not to return to the imperial palace immediately. That’s why Edanant urgently warned Rudmila of the danger. Because the outcome of a moment could tip the balance.

“But dealing with the monsters falling from the sky is also urgent. Neglecting the monsters will lead to unprecedented disaster.”

As Rudmila’s words fell, a shockingly unexpected variable emerged.

The monster rose to its feet.

It was the very monster whose head had melted under the crimson beam.

Despite receiving a fatal blow that should have ended it, it quickly recovered. The monster from the Chaos Realm raised its fully restored head high and spewed flames towards the city.

“But for now….”

“I entrust it to you. Guard His Majesty in my place.”

Not everyone can be saved.

It’s a situation of choosing the lesser evil.

One must reluctantly accept the sacrifice of the innocent.

He was about to utter those harsh words.

But Rudmila, sensing his inner turmoil, turned her head, cutting off Edanant’s words.

“…Can I really do it?”

“I believe in you. I believe in you more than anyone in this world.”

The princess’s unwavering trust pierced through his anxiety. Edanant gazed at Rudmila’s retreating figure with eyes full of uncertainty.

There was no hint of doubt.

Her voice was as brave and resolute as ever.

He closed his mouth for a moment.

Then, lifting his head, he responded.

“I will carry out the order, my liege.”

Truly, it was an unreasonable command.

But he could not betray the princess’s trust.

No matter what happens, he vowed to live up to that trust.

“And, and one more thing! When we are alone from now on… you can call me by my name. Just like earlier.”

“…Yes.”

To think she remembered.

In a situation where there was no urgency, Edanthe thought she could pass it off without much fuss.

Given Ludmilla’s bold permission, Edanthe felt a sense of shame so strong that she wanted to hide in a mouse hole.