The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

56 – 56. Imperial Turmoil (3)

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The downfall of the empire was imminent.

The scene filled with horrific deaths at the battlefield of Sisan Blood Lake told the tale.

Monsters of the Chaos Realm were rampaging.

And the siege warfare between the Imperial Army and the Rebel Army continued to repeat.

A ruin turned into ashes.

Cries and screams echoing from all directions.

The Valteria Empire, which committed war crimes under the pretext of subduing the vicious cult factions, found itself ensnared in the cycle of karma. Moreover, wasn’t the ruler of the empire a tyrant who had subdued countless enemies to grasp power?

There was no need for guilt.

It was merely returning the sins committed thus far.

“…….”

The old man who had turned the empire’s magnificent capital into hell raised his head.

He cast a dry gaze.

Even at the moment of realizing the revenge of his compatriots, all he felt was emptiness.

“Advisor! Ludmilla has appeared again!”

“…She has finally shown herself.”

From Noble mtl dot com

A crimson beam soared into the darkened sky only to be struck down by the monsters of the Chaos Realm. With a fierce blow, the monster lost balance and fell.

The disciples of the disaster god who were watching the spectacle showed a dismayed reaction.

Unbelievable.

That the Iron Dragon would fall with a single blow.

The sharp spikes that encased the Iron Dragon melted into the fiery breath of the red dragon. As the entire body melted away, the sight of the monster screaming in agony struck fear into the cultists.

“The Empire’s Red Dragon…!”

“Indeed, she is one of the Seven Dragons of the Empire.”

An unimaginable transcendental power is capable of wiping out even the enemy.

At the sight of Ludmilla’s rampage, the cultists not only lost the will to fight but also took a step back.

──────!!!

The Iron Dragon, left in a state of near death, attempted to rise with its strong regenerative power. But Ludmilla, one after another, struck it down, cutting off the monster’s lifeline.

Only two monsters remained.

In an instant, the three Iron Dragons burned to death.

It must be to suppress the chaos swiftly and return to the palace. The advisor signaled the holy knights to prepare for the ultimate means.

“To lure the monsters belonging to the Seven Dragons of the Empire… I would never have dared such a suicidal act in the past.”

Having spent three years in the Chaos Realm, he was unaware of the Holy Maiden’s party.

However,

He knew well about the fame of the Seven Dragons of the Empire.

The seven masters who ruled the continent.

The current power structure was completed due to the transcendental monsters boasting absolute power. Every time they participated in the battlefield, the Seven Dragons of the Empire, who created a battlefield filled with blood, seemed like a distant sanctuary that should never be challenged.

“The time has come for the Empire’s Red Dragon to fall.”

It is undoubtedly the strongest, but not invincible.

If the priests of the disaster god exert all their efforts, they might be able to buy some time.

To confine the Red Dragon.

The gateway to the Chaos Realm, which summoned the ferocious Iron Dragons, began to move.

Currently, Ludmilla was busy subduing monsters and rescuing citizens, so she was unaware that she had reached the center of the gateway connected to the Chaos Realm.

* * *

Edanthe, who parted ways with Ludmilla, hurried into the palace.

To her surprise,

The palace was in a state no different from a battlefield.

Nobles opposing the Valterian royal family had incited a rebellion. Just like the fierce battles repeated at the front lines, the struggle between the Imperial Army and the Rebel Army intensified within the palace.

“Hold all traitors!”

“Kill the Emperor! Kill the Emperor!”

Edanthe dashed through the corridors, wielding Aldebaran swiftly. As she continued to cut down the assailants attacking the palace, she made her way inside.

What had happened to Elizaveta and Rue,

Every sharp cry filled her with anxiety.

Perhaps they were isolated in the banquet hall. As planned, Elizaveta and Rue were supposed to attend the banquet together. That’s why she was even more anxious.

“If the rebels who hate the Emperor have incited a rebellion, they will surely target the banquet hall as a priority. It’s an opportunity to wipe out the high nobles loyal to the Valterian royal family.”

As if confirming her ominous intuition, as she approached the banquet hall, the number of rebel soldiers increased. Edanthe broke through the tightly packed forces like a chariot crossing a battlefield.

In no time, he donned his armor.

Yet Edanant continued his advance without pause.

“He’s a Holy Sword wielder!”

“He’s a monster, back off for now!”

As the rebel soldiers retreated, a barricade blocking the banquet hall came into view. Clearly, it was a hastily erected obstacle by the nobles to hinder the rebels.

He leaped high and cleared the barricade.

Worn faces were visible.

Upon entering the banquet hall, he met the gaze of nobles dressed in resplendent attire.

Surely, they never dreamt the rebels would dare to attack.

The few knights guarding the banquet hall informed him. The troops accompanying the nobles boasting unparalleled power seemed too meager.

“Edanant! Edanant!”

“…Rue.”

A familiar voice reached his ears.

Upon sighting the girl with emerald hair, Edanant let out a sigh of relief.

It was Rue.

Beside her were Elizaveta and the Luinans.

Though surrounded by rebels and isolated in the banquet hall, they were fortunate to be unharmed. Approaching Elizaveta, Edanant composed himself once more.

“What’s the situation exactly? The soldiers stormed in out of nowhere, and a fight ensued…”

“Nobles hostile to the Valtarian royal family have incited a rebellion.”

“Rebellion?! Who in the world…!”

“Don’t panic. It’s actually safer in the banquet hall.”

The fierce battle between the imperial army and the rebels raged on. Unable to evacuate a large number of people at once, Edanant urged them to stay put.

He looked at the Luinans.

If the paradise fairies could create a barrier around the banquet hall.

Concerned for the precious Luinans, Brojan couldn’t bear to ignore the danger. If Rue and the Luinans joined hands in prayer, a miraculous intervention through magic was certain.

“We will be heading towards His Majesty from now on.”

“What about Mila?”

“She’s outside dealing with the enemies. So, she won’t be able to come right now.”

“….”

The guardian of the palace momentarily left the Imperial City empty. Through Edanant’s explanation, Elizaveta began to grasp the critical nature of the situation.

The nobles, who had hoped the Red Dragon would sweep away the rebels, now, upon hearing Edanant’s words, started to murmur in agitation. Unaware of the external situation, fear spread like a plague.

One could understand the nobles’ sentiments.

After all, they had entrusted their safety to Rudmilla time and time again.

But there was no time to pacify the nobles now.

Taking Rue’s hand and reassuring her, Edanant finally rose to his feet.

“I entrust Her Highness Elizaveta to you.”

“Trust yourself! No… trust our Luinans!”

He pleaded with a heartfelt voice.

Upon this, a small fairy patted his chest reassuringly and shrugged her shoulders.

Trustworthy.

Gazing at his partner who had always been his strength, he smiled.

“Protecting the princess…!”

“Gods! If you ask the Gods, they will surely listen!”

In response to Rue’s confident stance, the Luinans rallied, raising their fists energetically. Elizaveta, touched by the cute and loyal fairies, gently stroked their heads.

“We’ll be fine. So, go to His Majesty. Perhaps Isabelle will be there too. I’ll try to persuade the nobles somehow.”

“Understood.”

There was no choice but to trust.

There was only the option to entrust.

It was indeed a reckless and negligent decision.

With eyes filled with anxiety, he looked at Elizaveta and Rue.

It was too much to turn away ruthlessly for the sake of righteousness. His steps didn’t falter, but his shoulders trembled as he bit his lip tightly.

“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine, Edanant.”

“…Yes.”

The Platinum Princess whispered with a motherly tone, embracing Edanant tenderly. The warmth felt in her embrace melted away the trembling anxiety.

He revealed his vulnerable side.

With a wry smile, Edanant expressed his gratitude to Elizaveta.

* * *

The magnificent palace of the Emperor, boasting splendid architectural beauty, was stained with the blood of countless soldiers.

The rebel forces surged in like a tide.

It was to eliminate the tyrant who had slaughtered families and relatives.

Breaking through numerous obstacles, Edanant arrived at the palace and immediately informed Barbarosa. The imperial knights, who had been fiercely holding back the rebel forces, allowed entry, possibly because Rudmila had forewarned them.

“Your Highness…!”

“Hmm, you’ve come in place of Mila.”

Barbarosa, clad in golden armor, welcomed Edanant while seated on the throne.

Despite the critical situation facing the fate of the Baltaria Empire, the emperor displayed a courageous demeanor. With a sword at his waist, he seemed ready to personally lead the charge and crush the rebel forces at any moment.

It was not too late.

Thanks to the relentless run without pause.

The hordes of disaster gods had yet to reach the imperial city. Edanant, breathing a sigh of relief inwardly, looked at Barbarosa and Isabelle.

“Truly brave. You must have encircled the palace layer by layer against the rebels…”

“From now on, I will guard Your Highness.”

Due to the consecutive battles, Edanant’s body felt heavy.

Nevertheless, she had to endure.

Even if it was to repay the endless trust shown by the princesses.

Accepting the towel handed by Isabelle, Edanant wiped away the blood on her face. The sticky blood and flesh clung to the towel.

“Your Highness! Princess Isabelle!!”

Trying to catch her breath, relying on the imperial knights guarding the palace like a fortress, Edanant’s brief respite was interrupted.

But -.

Merciless malice did not allow for rest.

A keen intuition forewarned of an ominous threat that overturned the senses. It was the arrival of the “worst crisis” they had not experienced since the end of the racial war.

───────!!!

A bolt of darkness struck.

Sharp as a spear, the lightning was enough to pierce through the palace where the emperor resided.

A thunderous roar erupted.

As the sturdy ceiling collapsed, heavy debris rained down.

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“Emperor of the Empire, in place of the disaster gods, I shall bring you divine punishment.”

The lightning, split into hundreds of branches, converged to form a human figure.

There was no doubt about the envoy of disaster gods.

A chilling aura emanated from the beautiful woman with flowing black hair.

Her skin was as pale as a corpse drowned in water. Yet, in her dark obsidian eyes, hotter than sulfur flames, a fierce hatred blazed.

“Are you alright, Your Highness!”

“Enemy! The lightning struck and revealed its form!”

The imperial knights, who were on guard outside, drew their swords and urgently rushed into the palace. They immediately recognized the black-haired woman as an enemy, aiming sharp blades at her.

The woman reached out her hand.

A platinum bracelet worn on her slender wrist gleamed ominously.

Edanant’s expression turned to shock as she witnessed the platinum Magemongu possessed by the envoy of disaster gods. It was as if she had foreseen what would unfold next.

“Damn it!”

Hastily drawing her Aldebaran, she sent a white strike towards the black-haired woman.

Simultaneously, a shockwave swept through the emperor’s palace, which had stood for centuries, crumbling it entirely.