—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The successive terror attacks in the Valtarian Empire had only intensified the fear and hostility towards cult forces.
As a result, nations, including the Empire and the Holy Kingdom, devoted themselves to tracking down and arresting cultists. Their intention was to completely erase these specters of violence and revenge from the world.
“Quickly, bring forth the cultists!”
“We must reach the Sanctuary by today! Hurry!”
Paladins clad in gleaming armor shouted.
Following them, hundreds of individuals with their hands bound appeared. Dragged like livestock, wearing ragged clothes like beggars, they were the cultists captured by the Holy Kingdom.
“Kill them! Kill them!”
“Those filthy cultists…! To think there were still so many of them!”
Heathens who worshipped forgotten gods.
Butchers who reveled in slaughter and human sacrifice.
Cultists, steeped in negativity, were always the target of contempt and oppression. As if to demonstrate this, murderous intent poured from all directions as the cultists were escorted.
Burn them at the stake.
Hang them immediately.
All sorts of vicious shouts rained down.
Despite the presence of young children among the captured cultists, public opinion remained unchanged. Accustomed to the thrill of slaughter, the citizens of the Holy Kingdom showed no mercy towards the cultists.
“Aaargh!”
“S-Stop! Kuagh!”
The cultists being escorted to the Sanctuary were pelted with stones.
Countless stones and pebbles flew from both sides, expressing their hatred. Turned into sacrifices to appease their hatred, the cultists were quickly covered in blood.
“This is the Sanctuary? Laughable. To call this place devoid of even a shred of sanctity the Sanctuary.”
Roars filled with rage and screams stained with agony.
Acrid black smoke rising from burning bodies.
Disgusting.
The entire city was filled with pain and death.
As soon as we arrived at the Sanctuary with Zebeline, we witnessed firsthand the reason why cultists called it a slaughterhouse. It was only natural to frown at the violence unfolding before our eyes.
“It’s a living hell that even the One True God wouldn’t dare to gaze upon.”
The girl with flowing silver hair let out a bitter laugh.
Even to the First Saintess of the Holy Kingdom, the large-scale slaughter taking place in the Sanctuary seemed like a living hell.
“These are heathens who rejected the One True God’s teachings and worshipped false idols. Naturally, they must be purified by the flames of judgment!”
As I observed the slaughter and conversed with Zebeline,
A zealous young priest interrupted.
Perhaps eager to flaunt his piety,
The priest, dressed in an antiquated robe, began to preach to the Hero of the Empire and the Saintess.
“There are even young children among those being dragged away. They surely knew nothing and were simply led astray by their parents.”
“Indeed, a tragic affair. To be led down the wrong path by the deception of fanatical parents… But worshiping a forgotten god is a grave sin, and they cannot escape judgment.”
Just who were the true cultists?
Just who were the true fanatics?
I glared at the priest of the Holy Kingdom, who readily justified the massacre, expressing my contempt.
Insane.
Was this the consequence of extreme idolatry?
I sighed, pondering the madness of the followers who served the One True God. Eventually, the carriage carrying the Hero of the Empire and the Saintess arrived at Februa Cathedral, located in the central part of the Sanctuary.
“You have finally returned, First Saintess.”
“…It’s been a while.”
Zebeline, the First Saintess, who had been residing in the Valtarian Empire for an extended period, had finally returned. As if to prove her overwhelming popularity, which could even overshadow the Pontiff, countless priests flocked to her like clouds.
Of course, they would prefer the Saintess to those wrinkled old men.
The priests, gazing at the beautiful girl clad in pure white robes, showered her with adoration. It was like watching a fandom welcoming their favorite idol.
“Your family awaits you inside.”
The reason I set foot in the dreaded Sanctuary was to meet Zebeline’s family. If the Holy Kingdom hadn’t taken them hostage, I would never have come to this ominous slaughterhouse.
My family awaits me.
At the priest’s words, Zebeline bit her lower lip.
It was understandable for her to hesitate.
After all, it was a reunion with her family after many years, a family marked by a troubled past.
“Don’t worry too much. I’ll be right beside you.”
“Thank you, Edan.”
It was difficult to fathom Zebeline’s current state of mind.
I had always been fortunate with family, both in my past and present life.
I couldn’t truly empathize with her. But I could at least offer my support as a reliable ally.
I nodded, holding the Saintess’ trembling hand. Zebeline, with flowing silver hair, steeled her resolve and resumed her steps.
‘But I haven’t seen the Pontiff since arriving in the Sanctuary… He sent a personal letter summoning me, and both the First Saintess and the new Hero have answered his call.’
Since entering the Holy Kingdom, I had received a warm welcome from the cardinals. But strangely, the Pontiff, who had sent the invitation, was nowhere to be seen.
A trap?
Perhaps.
He set the bait, so it wouldn’t be strange for him to have laid a trap.
I cautiously scanned my surroundings with suspicious eyes, but I couldn’t sense anything amiss. It seemed there were no traps around Februa Cathedral, where Zebeline’s family was staying.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Just what kind of people were the First Saintess’s family?
With that question in mind, I arrived at the reception room within the cathedral.
“L-Line…?”
Five people awaited our arrival in the reception room.
A middle-aged couple who appeared to be her parents.
And two men and women, presumably her older siblings.
They seemed bewildered by their youngest daughter’s drastically changed appearance. I was also shocked by Zebeline’s transformation, so it was understandable for her family to be even more surprised.
Was “Line” Zebeline’s nickname within her family?
It’s quite cute. I should try calling her that sometime.
“It’s… been a long time.”
Zebeline, her lips trembling, finally spoke.
A heavy awkwardness descended upon us.
It felt as if even a simple greeting required immense courage.
The long passage of time was enough to sever the bonds of family. This was especially true for the Russell family, burdened by a troubled past.
“You’ve grown so much. You’ve truly grown…”
“…”
A middle-aged woman with brown hair reached out her hand. Zebeline, her expression filled with mixed emotions, took a step back.
She had accepted the reunion.
But that didn’t mean she would accept them back as family.
Zebeline deliberately maintained a cold demeanor to convey her intentions.
“What brings you to me? I would appreciate it if you could state your business first. I’m quite busy, you see.”
“O-Of course… You’re the Saintess of the Holy Kingdom.”
Zebeline took a seat on the sofa, resuming her forward steps. The middle-aged woman, her voice trembling, nodded her head.
Gulp.
The sound of someone swallowing nervously echoed through the room.
I looked at Zebeline’s siblings, who were observing the scene with bewildered expressions.
Their faces were covered in freckles and scars.
They were undoubtedly the remnants of smallpox they had suffered in their youth.
They exchanged anxious glances, like criminals awaiting their sentence. Perhaps they feared retribution from the Saintess, their younger sister.
“Line, I’m sorry for sending you away!”
“We’re begging you! Please, let us stay here!”
The Kingdom of Veruso, ravaged by famine and plague for years, had finally fallen. Having lost their nation in an instant, the Russell family had fled to the Holy Kingdom.
Just what kind of deal had they struck with the cardinals?
The Russell family desperately pleaded with their youngest daughter, who had become the Saintess, for mercy.
‘They seem to have lived quite comfortably despite their claims…’
As I listened to the family lamenting their misfortune, a sudden thought crossed my mind. Despite arriving from a famine-stricken, fallen kingdom, they all had a healthy complexion.
Zebeline’s father and brother were both overweight from years of indulgence.
Moreover, her mother and two sisters were adorned with luxurious clothing and jewelry.
They had certainly packed well for their escape. It seemed they had continued to receive financial support from the Holy Kingdom even after selling their youngest daughter to the monastery.
“It seems I’ve wasted my time.”
“…”
A sharp voice laced with contempt cut through the air.
A heavy sigh escaped my lips.
“My last shred of lingering attachment has vanished. So, it’s alright now. I won’t care even if the Holy Kingdom takes them hostage.”
“Is that so?”
The shameless attempt to leech off their youngest daughter, whom they had sold for a few gold coins, had extinguished the last embers of her lingering attachment. The reunion with her family after many years had been a disaster.
Zebeline turned away coldly.
I let out a sigh filled with mixed emotions as I watched the Saintess with flowing silver hair walk away.
“Well… I wish the Russell family the best of luck. And I’ll take responsibility for your daughter.”
“…”
They were the people who might one day become my in-laws.
A simple farewell should be acceptable.
Even though Zebeline had clearly decided to sever all ties with them.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Hello, I’m Mod7. I will be taking over the translation responsibilities for ‘The Protagonists of the Novel Escaped’. That being said, please note that I am a different translator from the previous one, and as such, there will be differences in how I translate and approach certain aspects of the novel. Expect various changes in the novel’s nomenclature.
I look forward to seeing the translation of this novel through to its completion with all of you.
