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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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Just like Ludmilla, who was consumed by self-loathing, Zebeline must be grappling with her own turmoil.
I wonder if she’s alright.
She must be feeling anxious and alone.
Zebeline had returned to the guest palace to receive the personal letter from the Holy Kingdom.
Concerned for the dear saintess, I decided to pay her an unexpected visit.
“What are you doing?”
“Just having a bit of a headache.”
Upon entering the study in the guest palace, I found the saintess with flowing silver hair seated at her desk.
She frowned and handed me the personal letter from the Holy Kingdom.
Is it really okay for her to just hand it over like this?
Of course, I was going to read it anyway…
With an awkward expression, I unfolded the half-folded letter.
“Come to the Sanctuary? That persistent old man… He’s obviously trying to lure me in.”
“Exactly. I’m the bait.”
The big fish they’re trying to catch must be the Calamity of War.
Or perhaps the Calamity of Famine sealed within Zebeline.
The pinnacle of evil sealed by the One True God, Gael.
To the devout followers of the Earth Mother, the Calamities of Harmlessness were nothing short of archenemies that must be eradicated at all costs.
The Pontiff’s persistent attempts to lure us to the Sanctuary were suspicious.
“Do you think he knows about the Calamity of Tyranny’s rampage?”
“Probably. The great Earth Mother is intervening in the mortal realm through her oracles.”
It had only been four days since we refused the Pontiff’s offer.
Four days.
Just a mere four days had passed.
Yet, the Holy Kingdom had already sent another letter urging us to visit.
They must have learned about the Saintess Party’s plan to resurrect the Calamity of Death through the Earth Mother’s oracle.
And they must have also discovered that the Red Dragon of the Empire had reverted to the Calamity of Tyranny.
“Sigh… This is a real pain. Can’t we just ignore it this time?”
“I don’t think that’s possible.”
Zebeline sighed deeply and pulled out something from her desk.
It was a thick envelope.
Inside, a neatly folded parchment lay enclosed.
Leaders of various nations, including the Holy Kingdom, always used parchment for confidential documents.
It was an unspoken rule, a custom practiced throughout the continent.
So, I couldn’t help but frown at the sight of the parchment inside the envelope.
???????
Maximilian is heading to the Holy Kingdom.
To address the phenomenon heralding the end of the world.
A wave of displeasure washed over me.
It was a nauseating feeling, like a fishbone stuck in my throat.
Just how much do they know?
The “end of the world” was the ultimate destruction that unfolded in the final chapters of the novel, which was both the center and driving force of this world.
Surely, they couldn’t possibly know that much.
They probably just assumed it was a consequence of the One True God’s birth and the absence of the Calamities.
“They say more than half of the Demon Realm has been consumed.”
“…And the Saintess Party reported this?”
“They must be holed up in the Demon King’s castle in the Demon Realm, trying to resurrect the Calamity of Death.”
“How should we interpret this?”
The situation was too complicated to ignore.
However, readily accepting the information provided by the Holy Kingdom was also troublesome.
Come to the Sanctuary.
The condition set by those who worshipped the One True God bothered me.
To heretics, the Sanctuary was no different from a slaughterhouse.
In other words, the Holy Kingdom’s demand was akin to asking us to willingly enter a slaughterhouse.
I frowned and let out a deep sigh.
“Just ignore it.”
“Huh?”
“They probably know that you’re the Apostle of War. They’re trying to drag you to the Sanctuary and turn you into their puppet. Just like they did with Tyranny and Famine.”
“…”
I nodded in agreement with Zebeline’s words and picked up the envelope containing the parchment.
Without hesitation, I tossed it into the crackling fireplace.
Whoosh!
The parchment caught fire instantly.
The flames flared, turning pitch black.
“I never expected Maximilian to return to the Holy Kingdom. He tried to resurrect the Calamity of Death with his comrades, didn’t he? Even a hero can’t escape capital punishment for such a crime…”
“That’s just how he is.”
Maximilian had no interest in anyone other than Beatrice.
He was an emotionless machine, almost completely devoid of empathy.
He was the typical psychopathic male lead often found in romance fantasy novels.
There was no way such a person would cower in fear of the murderous intent directed at him by the Earth Mother’s loyal dogs, the cardinals.
He would probably stand tall and assert his decisions, even in their presence.
Even if I didn’t go to the Sanctuary, Maximilian would undoubtedly cause a major uproar.
“Are you alright?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“The Red Dragon of the Empire turned out to be the Calamity of Tyranny. So, the White Dragon of the Holy Kingdom is most likely a Calamity of Harmlessness as well…”
“Ah, right.”
She was the representative saintess of the Holy Kingdom.
She was also a devout follower who had dedicated her entire life, except for her childhood, to her faith.
She must be suffering greatly.
However, contrary to my expectations, Zebeline reacted rather calmly.
Her usual demeanor, unfazed by the revelation, made me feel awkward.
Despite facing the absurd fate of being both the saintess of the Holy Kingdom and an apostle of a Calamity God, Zebeline remained remarkably composed.
“If I end up becoming an apostle of a Calamity God… will Edan hate me?”
“No, of course not.”
“As long as Edan stays by my side, I don’t care if I’m the First Saintess or an apostle of a Calamity God. I’ll always be Edan’s saintess.”
“You’re making me blush.”
Her words, practically a confession, made my face flush.
I was caught off guard by her sudden declaration, especially since she usually maintained a haughty demeanor.
What’s gotten into her?
Is she feeling threatened by Ludmilla?
If I hadn’t given her the engagement ring, she would have definitely thrown a tantrum.
Zebeline chuckled softly, her fingers tracing the engagement ring on her ring finger.
“Don’t ever leave my side. That’s all I ask.”
“…”
I nodded in response to the saintess’ heartfelt plea.
???????
The Unrivaled Hero of All Time.
The strongest hero in history.
Maximilian arrived at the Sanctuary.
He had accepted the Holy Kingdom’s deal.
As if to prove this, the Black Cardinal accompanied him.
The cardinals of the Holy Kingdom, outraged by Maximilian’s brazen appearance, glared at him with open hostility.
A tense atmosphere filled the air, as if they were about to draw their swords at any moment.
“Maximilian…!”
“How dare a heretic who defied the One True God set foot in the Sanctuary!”
The hero of the Holy Kingdom, once chosen by the Earth Mother, had become a heretic overnight.
A sinner who betrayed his faith.
A traitor who conspired with the Calamities.
With each step he took, the hostility intensified.
He had attempted to resurrect the Calamity of Death, which they had laid to eternal rest.
Therefore, the cardinals, representing the Holy Kingdom, branded Maximilian as an unforgivable sinner.
“I’ve heard about your plan. To lure the Calamity of Harmlessness to the Sanctuary and force it into a rampage… That’s a crazy idea.”
The man with flowing black hair stood at the center of the assembly hall, like a sinner facing a witch hunt.
Countless hostile gazes were directed at him.
“How dare you! It’s a necessary measure to save the world!”
“How dare a heretic who tried to resurrect the Calamity of Death lecture us about justice!”
The only way to prevent the end of the world was to resurrect the “pinnacle of evil” to replace the Demon King of Death.
Evil.
It was fear and terror.
What better way to send a signal than to unleash the Calamity of Harmlessness upon the Sanctuary, where the devout followers of the Earth Mother were gathered?
If the Calamity of Harmlessness were to rampage, it would unleash a catastrophic flood that would wipe out humanity.
Yet, the cardinals seemed confident in their success.
Maximilian frowned at their arrogance.
‘I don’t see Boeurn anywhere. Does the Pontiff not know about this farce orchestrated by the cardinals?’
The cardinals gathered at the Sanctuary were most likely members of the Holy Kingdom’s hardliners.
Realizing that the Pontiff was absent, Maximilian shook his head.
It was a rebellion.
They were trying to seize power under the guise of righteousness.
Aware of the approaching apocalypse, the cardinals sought to resurrect the Calamity of Harmlessness.
Just like the Saintess Party had attempted to resurrect the Calamity of Death in the Demon Realm.
They might have justified their actions with lofty ideals, but their methods were no different.
They were utterly hypocritical.
Maximilian’s black eyes flickered with contempt.
‘I’ll just play along with these damn fanatics until I achieve my goal. As long as Edanant doesn’t get caught up in this mess.’
He had secured a promise that they wouldn’t involve Edanant before coming to the Sanctuary.
And they wouldn’t dare to touch the Calamity of Tyranny, who was also the second princess of the Valtarian Empire.
His objective was clear.
The Calamity of Harmlessness targeted by the hardliners was Famine.
The First Saintess.
The vessel containing the White Dragon of the Holy Kingdom.
They were planning a massacre, intending to summon the Calamity of Famine upon the Sanctuary, where countless believers were gathered.
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