The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

78 – Mourning(1)

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As Edanant pondered carefully the words spoken to Maximilian, he felt a sense of unease.

He hadn’t heard the most important news.

It was undoubtedly an intentional evasion of an answer.

What could it possibly be?

Swallowing his saliva, Edanant stared at Maximilian. The sense of unease warned him continuously that he hadn’t properly heard the fact he must find out.

“Hey, Maximilian.”

“What is it?”

I don’t intend to fight.

If I do, Rue might get involved.

Edanant approached Maximilian, sheathing his sword. Maximilian, nonchalantly nodding, briefly let go of Rue held in his arms.

“Where is Beatrice?”

“…”

Until now, Maximilian had sincerely answered the questions asked.

Except for one.

Those related to Beatrice were the only ones avoided.

The same went for Regnas. Every time a question related to Beatrice was asked, didn’t he either shut his mouth or avert his gaze?

The symbol of evil that would bring about the end of the world.

Thinking of him, Edanant sensed a sharp chill piercing his lungs.

“Max.”

“Hmm.”

At the question about the saint’s whereabouts, the expressions of Maximilian and Regnas stiffened instantly.

Should I reveal it?

Isn’t it premature now?

Maximilian, hesitating to answer with a rigid response, finally spoke. Through his determined golden eyes, one could sense that something troublesome had happened to Beatrice.

“Bea is in the Abyss.”

“What?”

“More precisely, the former Demon King’s stronghold.”

“What nonsense….”

The Abyss.

The land of demons that invaded the continent.

And there, the Second Saint, Beatrice, was present.

Edanant rebutted Maximilian’s answer as absurd. However, he couldn’t shake off the sense of foreboding and showed a face full of fear.

‘Rue mentioned it. The Saint’s party headed toward the Gunpowder Peninsula in the east. Gunpowder Peninsula… If you keep going east from the Gunpowder Peninsula, you reach the demon-occupied land, the Abyss.’

Pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.

Gunpowder Peninsula.

And beyond the east, the Abyss.

The members of the Holy Maiden Party concealed their whereabouts all at once to cross over to the Demon Realm. Edanant, upon learning the truth, clenched his fist and expressed astonishment.

“Before long, they will resurrect the Cataclysm Deity of Death. There’s no other way to prevent the world’s end.”

“Resurrect the Cataclysm Deity of Death…?”

Summoning the White Night King, they killed the Undying Demon King. And they even annihilated the Cataclysm Deity of Death that bestowed infinite power upon the Demon King.

It was impossible.

Hadn’t Edanant witnessed firsthand the final demise of the Cataclysm Deity that was vanquished by the Earth Mother Goddess?

Edanant was naturally shocked by Maxmillian’s declaration to resurrect the demonic spirits of the Demon Realm that were completely obliterated in the final battle. Javelin, who was listening nearby, also showed a shocked expression and spoke up.

“This is madness…! To resurrect the spirits they themselves obliterated!”

“Of course, there’s no intention to fully unleash them. They will only exist as a means to prevent the world’s end.”

The plan to utilize the Undying Elixir as a tool was too extreme.

It was impossible.

To one day wield the villain who would exterminate humanity.

The Elixir would only bring calamity upon humanity.

Edanant, who had served as a disciple of the Cataclysm Deity in the war, knew this better than anyone.

“Rue.”

“…Yes.”

Maxmillian called out in a low voice.

Rue, holding back tears, raised her head and answered.

“I know this is a selfish request, but please believe in me.”

“I believe! Max is my precious partner…!”

She wanted to hold on.

She wanted to say take me with you.

She didn’t want to part ways like this; she wanted to cling desperately.

But Rue, biting her full lips, desperately suppressed her lingering feelings.

She didn’t want to incur hatred from the person who had saved her life and been her lifelong partner. Therefore, despite tears streaming down her face, Rue continued to swallow her sobs.

“…Damn.”

That guy is trying to escape.

He must have planned to leave after settling the matter unilaterally.

Edanant swallowed his anger.

He wanted to launch a barrage at Maxmillian right away, but he couldn’t act recklessly with Rue nearby.

“We have achieved our goal. Now we retreat, Regnas.”

“Understood.”

Maxmillian and Regnas moved their steps simultaneously.

At that moment,

A white lightning bolt struck.

Accompanied by sharp thunder, a lightning bolt streak began to cover the sky. The Holy Maiden, with a divine aura emanating from her, glared at the heroes and the Dark Castle.

“Since you have voiced the outrageous goal of resurrecting the Cataclysm Deity of Death… I cannot let you go quietly.”

The White Dragon of the Holy Kingdom.

Not the strongest among the Seven Rivers of the nation, but not an easy opponent to defeat either.

If he were to fight the First Maiden, Edanant would intervene.

Maxmillian and Regnas, facing the menacing lightning, showed signs of unease.

“Stop.”

In the face of imminent danger,

Edanant reached out his hand, halting Javelin.

“Edan?”

“They have completely turned against us. There’s no need for you to step in, Holy Maiden.”

The Holy Maiden Party had already made a firm decision after considering Maxmillian and Regnas. Therefore, no amount of persuasion would make them give up midway.

It would be a futile effort.

They would eventually face the consequences of their arrogance.

Edanant cast a contemptuous gaze at Maxmillian. In response, Maxmillian gave a meaningful look and turned away.

“You want to awaken the death put to eternal rest? Suit yourself.”

“…”

There was no need to awaken death.

They should have waged war in his place.

But-.

Despite knowing him, the Holy Maiden Party did not choose the best course of action.

They opted for an extreme method, forsaking noble honor and betraying humanity.

Why.

Why on earth-.

Edanant, while suppressing the boiling emotions like lava, let out a sigh. Deep self-disgust flowed from the smile at the corner of his mouth.

* * *

Carrying the sleeping Rue, Edanant left the scene without saying a word. He simply maintained a heavy silence.

Having accompanied Jevlinnue to the steep valley, Edanant carefully laid Rue down. Then, he briefly asked Jevlinnue.

“She may appear strong… but she must have been deeply hurt.”

“Yes, with so much happening all of a sudden.”

Both Edanant and Jevlinnue were still in a state of perplexity due to the consecutive shocking revelations.

The reunion with Maximilian, who had informed of the unilateral parting, would be beyond words for Rue.

Will she be okay?

She really must shake off the self-disgust.

Gazing at the deeply sleeping Rue, Edanant let out a heavy sigh. He seemed concerned that Rue might be affected by terrible trauma.

“Reviving the disaster deity of death… What on earth does it mean?”

“I don’t know. Surely… at that time, the disaster deity of death was completely eliminated. It is absolutely impossible to resurrect the disaster deity of death.”

From Noble mtl dot com

It was an impossible task.

Edanant spoke with a firm voice.

Having witnessed the annihilation of the disaster deity of death firsthand, he was convinced it was possible.

“But I don’t think the Saintess Party is delusional to a grand extent. If they have a way to resurrect the disaster deity of death…”

“I am also concerned about that.”

Edanant nodded as he removed his iron mask.

It had been three long years since he last did so.

His face was drenched in sweat, perhaps due to the heavy burden of the rusty iron mask.

Jevlinnue quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe away the sweat. Edanant extended his head to accept the Saintess’s gentle touch.

“There is a way to find the answer. Death… and tyranny and famine. Secrets entwined with the guiltless tears. It may solve everything at once.”

“What is that method then?”

Was it just a mood?

Edanant’s voice sounded eerie.

The silver-haired Saintess, swallowing dry saliva, observed the stiff figure of Edanant.

“You just need to ask the disaster deity of war directly.”

“Excuse me?”

“You may have to pay a huge price… but right now, we have no choice but to accept it.”

“Oh, no! A huge price…! Are you seriously suggesting offering a sacrifice to the disaster deity of war?!”

Cruel cultists who have worshiped the disaster deities from ancient times sacrificed living humans.

They ripped out hearts while still alive.

Smashed heads with heavy maces.

And brutally repeated the killings until the altar was drenched in blood.

Recalling the horrific traditions associated with the cultists, Jevlinnue, seeing Edanant seeking to invoke the disaster deity of war, showed a strong aversion. Her blue eyes flashed like sharp lightning.

“A sacrifice? What are you talking about?”

“…Pardon?”

“By a huge price, I meant a literal monetary expenditure.”

“……”

Jevlinnue repeatedly shook her head at Edanant’s unexpected response.

A monetary expenditure?

Did that mean offering a vast sum of gold to the disaster deity?

It was true that there were materialistic deities who favored precious treasures. However, it seemed absurd that the disaster deity of war, destined to end human existence someday, was a fervent owner of greed.

“To summon the disaster deity of war, a space accepting sacrifice is needed. Like a battlefield where noble lives are sacrificed like a pile…”

“It won’t be easy. The ill fate that shrouded the continent along with the end of racial wars has dissipated.”

A battlefield.

A harrowing space where noble lives were endlessly sacrificed.

Since it involved invoking the guiltless tears, a place deeply permeated with human fear was necessary.

Would such a place exist?

Jevlinnue pondered deeply, tapping her thick lips.

“Madam Saint. Isn’t there a Gunpowder Peninsula?”

“…Ah!”

It wasn’t far away.

The Gunpowder Peninsula.

A land of war and division for hundreds of years.

At Edanant’s response, Jevlinnue let out a gasp born of astonishment.