The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

65 – 65. Where the Blade Points (2)

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To accommodate Jebline’s quick wit, I attended the Eucharist and prayer meetings without fail.

What a killer schedule.

Having to bear responsibilities without a moment of rest.

I had always thought that saints were peaceful individuals who occasionally appeared at public events while offering prayers quietly. However, Jebline, as if suppressing such biases, continued to handle heavy duties with determination.

“Saint!”

“Thank you so much for coming…!”

Desperate citizens who had lost their homes and families in the recent disaster gathered like clouds to welcome the saint.

They were refugees from the recent tragedy.

Reaching out to the saint as if yearning for a glimmer of hope in their despair. Jebline responded to the crowd’s expectations by joining her hands together and bestowing the blessing of the Earth Mother.

Poof.

A bright light scattered.

It was a simple miracle spell that invigorated with vitality and energy.

However, the crowd, witnessing the radiant glow, shed tears of joy as if they had witnessed a divine miracle. By receiving the blessing from the noble saint, they found hope to wash away despair.

“The Earth Mother will never turn away the sincere pleas of devout followers. And Your Highness will also listen to the cries of the faithful swept away by merciless calamity. Until all traces of the disaster caused by the minions of the disaster god are healed, we will actively assist.”

As Jebline declared in a serene voice, the crowd clasped their hands together and clenched their rosaries, expressing their sacred faith.

Hmm.

If only she were like this normally.

It was almost suspicious whether the mischievous troublemaker and the saint were the same person.

Observing Jebline attentively listening to the pleas of the suffering crowd and sharing blessings, her devout appearance mirrored that of the saint known as the epitome of the Earth Mother’s incarnation. Hence, many Holy Kingdom paladins were willing to risk their lives for Jebline.

‘If only the mischievous side of the saint were known… Perhaps only I know.’

A saint must not lose her sanctity.

She must always present herself as a holy guide.

Dealing with numerous crowds, Jebline’s unwavering demeanor made it difficult to describe the overwhelming responsibility she felt.

Should I just go along with the act today?

It seems even the priests of the Holy Kingdom are hoping for the company of a sword-wielding saint.

“Exhausting, exhausting, exhausting-!!”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

It was a relentless march that continued until the afternoon.

As soon as the schedule was over, Jebline returned to the carriage and threw herself onto the seat.

She buried her face in the pillow.

Then, she began to pat the seat with her slender legs.

Jebline had returned to her usual self. Did she switch off her saint mode in an instant?

“You truly seemed like a saint today.”

“What do you mean? So, am I usually like a false saint?”

Hmm.

It’s hard to argue against that.

She probably knew the answer herself.

I handed Jebline a glass of champagne and offered a faint smile.

“Can I ask for your company again tomorrow?”

After the girl with silver hair drained her glass of champagne, she asked.

He raised an eyebrow and nodded.

“I’m sorry, it might be difficult.”

“Why? You don’t seem to have any plans…”

Jéblinne, who looked puzzled, suddenly widened her eyes as if she had realized something.

“You’re thinking of frolicking with Princess Ludmilla, aren’t you?! Just like when you indulged in lewd meetings in the alcove!”

“…It’s true that I have plans with the princess tomorrow.”

As soon as he finished his reply, Jéblinne snapped her head like an angered Pomeranian. She exuded intense anger as if she would pounce at any moment, making him sigh.

Since that day, Jéblinne’s mood had been in turmoil.

The recent answer was akin to touching a white dragon’s scales.

Perhaps it was due to his mood.

It felt like the sound of thunder was echoing.

Today was undeniably clear, as if vivid dye had been scattered. There shouldn’t be thunder striking suddenly on a day like this. Unless something extraordinary was about to happen…

“Suddenly, thunderstruck-!”

“T-The heavens are angry! Quickly, seek refuge in the cathedral!”

Accompanied by rumbling thunder, panicked screams filled the air.

Looking out the window, one could witness the chaotic sight of bright white lightning bolts dancing outside. Soon, the chaotic screams of priests caught in the lightning reached their ears.

“Hmph! A date with a virgin…! Your taste is truly unique!”

“….”

Is she really that angry?

After all, this meeting wasn’t intended as a date.

Nevertheless, shouldn’t the lightning dancing in the sky come to a halt first?

He broke into a cold sweat under Jéblinne’s glaring eyes. Trying to explain wouldn’t do any good.

His efforts to soothe the enraged nun’s heart by accompanying her on the schedule had quickly turned to nothing.

* * *

After that day, Ludmilla, like Jéblinne, underwent a transformation.

A war fanatic.

A member of the Holy Maiden party.

A disciple serving the calamitous deity of war.

Since learning her true identity, Ludmilla had become fixated on the tales of the war fanatic who had briefly been part of the Holy Maiden party.

It was natural for her to be fixated.

The war fanatic was an enigmatic figure known only for scattered clues.

Sitting in her study, sipping on delicate Darjeeling, Ludmilla listened to the war fanatic’s tales. Most of the stories turned out to be trivial chatters unsuitable for such tales.

“hehehehe, who would’ve thought the war fanatic we’ve been searching for was right beside us…”

“….”

She expected Ludmilla to ask.

War. Tyranny. Famine. Death.

The relics of destruction that threatened humanity had always been objects of terror.

Where should she start explaining?

After a brief hesitation, she spoke up.

“Ludmilla, do you know much about the Demon King?”

“The Demon King? I don’t know much about him… other than that he was crowned as the Demon King through the endorsement of the great demons ruling the demon realm.”

Not knowing the archenemy who had constantly threatened humanity was not solely due to Ludmilla’s ignorance. Surely, others would give the same answer if asked.

The Demon King.

The ruler of the demon realm who unified the devils who had repeated the history of strife.

Despite ultimately meeting her demise at the hands of the Holy Maiden party, her identity remained undisclosed. Only the fact of her being a hybrid of human and demon was known.

“The Demon King served as a disciple of the calamitous deity of death. Precisely… she was a being unified with the deity of death.”

“I-Is that true?!”

The truth known only to the Holy Maiden party that had vanquished her nemesis.

Hence, it remained undisclosed to the public.

She had quelled the calamitous deity of death.

After Beatrice granted her eternal rest by becoming the Queen of the White Night and Maximilian pierced the Demon King’s heart with the Holy Sword, sending her into eternal rest in the realm of the dead.

That was the only truth she could offer now.

“Then what about the other talents…?”

With a solemn demeanor, Rudmila, who was listening intently, spoke up.

Having learned about the calamity deity being subjugated by the Saint Party, one would naturally be curious about the Deity of Famine and the Deity of Tyranny. They must be indirectly related to each other through the talents of the netherworld.

When she was about to explain that,

Without a knock, the door to the study room swung open wide.

“Thank you for inviting me to tea time, Your Excellency Rudmila.”

Clad in pure white robes, the saint entered with a wide smile. Behind her, the guardian knights of Rudmila’s study room appeared visibly uncomfortable.

Judging by their reaction, it seemed they hadn’t received an invitation.

And Rudmila had no intention of inviting Jéblinne for personal reasons.

“I did not extend an invitation to the Saint.”

“I happen to enjoy Darjeeling tea as well.”

The crimson dragon and the white dragon faced each other.

The atmosphere heated up instantly, like fierce flames and sharp lightning clashing.

“I have a matter to discuss privately with Master Edantr.”

From Noble mtl dot com

“What a coincidence. I have a similar matter. If Your Excellency Rudmila doesn’t mind, may I join you?”

“It’s a secret I can’t reveal to the Saint.”

“What? That I was a warmonger who was part of the Saint Party?”

Wait, what did she just say…?

Did the Saint just say that?

Must have misheard.

Certainly must have misheard.

Both Rudmila and I stared at the Saint like rusty puppets.

Jéblinne, on the other hand, smirked arrogantly. The current situation, where she had been secretly observing us, was quite unpleasant.

“I’ve known for a long time…! I’ve known for a long time!”

She knew my true identity.

And she also knew that Rudmila’s true identity had been exposed.

How.

No,

How could this be?

Except for Rudmila, I had never been exposed to anyone. That much I was sure of.

Could it be that Beatrice disclosed it secretly?

If she knew in advance, why did she remain silent?

I gazed endlessly at her enraged expression as she flushed red. Since I faced Jéblinne yesterday, I had been feeling a vague sense of unease, making everything feel unnatural.