The Protagonists Of The Novel Escaped – Chapter 53

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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Numerous nobles representing the political and financial worlds entered the imperial city to attend the banquet.

They had been invited to a banquet hosted by the imperial family.

The nobles, dressed in splendid attire, raised their chins while puffing out their chests.

Being invited to the banquet was like a qualification acknowledging the fame and influence of one’s family from the Valtarian Imperial Family.

That’s why the nobles showed even more haughty appearances.

“Ahem! Shouldn’t we show the dignity of central nobles by flaunting our family’s power to the fullest?”

“The country bumpkins from the provinces will surely be amazed.”

The petty rivalry between central and provincial nobles exists in every country.

The Valtarian Empire was no exception.

The lavish banquets irregularly hosted by the imperial family were like a privilege granted only to the great nobles of the central region.

That’s why the central nobles boast about their family’s prestige while greatly mocking the provincial nobles, who were no different from country folk.

“How much money did they plaster on those things?”

People stuck out their tongues every time carriages decorated with gold and silver treasures entered in succession.

They were covered in dazzling jewels.

Even defensive magic formations to block arrows and magic barrages were installed.

Shouldn’t they be called villas rather than carriages?

No,

Perhaps they might be even more expensive than villas.

The carriages drawn by six horses were like magnificent palaces.

I had often heard rumors that the great nobles of the central region boasted enormous power.

Still, I didn’t expect it to be this impressive.

It was to a degree that a country bumpkin residing in the eastern frontier couldn’t dare imitate.

“How expensive is that? Is it that expensive?”

“If you sold just one of those carriages, you could buy tens of thousands of jelly candies.”

“Eek! I-I can’t even imagine it…”

“That’s right.”

I watched the scene of central nobles entering in succession from atop a high spire of the imperial city.

I kept sticking out my tongue.

Rue, who was perched on my shoulder looking down, was the same.

Was it because I had lived a life disregarding luxury and pleasure?

I couldn’t understand the vanity of the great nobles adorned with gold and jewels.

“It’s getting cold, shall we go down?”

“Yeah!”

We came down from the spire, keenly feeling the reality of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

Then, Isabel’s maids, who had been waiting, greeted us.

“Princess Isabel and Princess Elizaveta are waiting for you, Young Master.”

“I understand.”

The sun would set soon, and the banquet would begin.

Numerous servants of the imperial city were busy preparing to welcome the honored guests.

While observing their orderly movements, I headed towards the palace where the beautiful princesses were.

It was indeed a luxurious moment.

To be able to greet the beautiful figures of the princesses dressed in gowns.

If it became known to the public, I would surely receive jealousy and envy from many men.

But I decided to accept this luxurious opportunity even if it meant taking risks.

‘I wanted to see Ludmilla in a dress… But it can’t be helped. Ludmilla must be busy commanding the forces guarding the imperial city.’

Unfortunately, I was informed that Ludmilla would not be attending the banquet.

Since many nobles would be gathered at the banquet, she naturally couldn’t leave her post.

Although Isabel and Elizaveta, who had dressed up beautifully, would welcome me, I felt slightly disappointed.

I knew it was a greedy complaint, but I wanted to see Ludmilla in a dress.

“Y-You…!”

As I entered the palace, guided by the maids,

A princess wearing a mesmerizing red dress welcomed me.

Surprisingly, it was Ludmilla.

I was entranced by the sight of Ludmilla twisting her whole body in embarrassment.

My face flushed momentarily at her fatal charm, like a dazzling rose.

“Ahaha, it’s just as I expected! Edanant is completely stunned!”

“Fufu, what a passionate couple.”

Isabel and Elizaveta, adorned with luxurious dresses and accessories, poked their heads out and intervened in the awkward atmosphere.

Ludmilla bit her plump lips at her older sister and younger sister’s mischievous teasing.

She looked entirely unaccustomed to wearing a dress, as she had always been in charge of guarding during banquets until now.

“S-Sister…! Liza…!”

How cute.

Is it all right for a woman four years older to be this adorable?

I smiled at the sight of Ludmilla trembling with embarrassment.

“You look truly beautiful, Princess Ludmilla.”

“Ugh…! I-If you say such things now… it’s too embarrassing…!”

I later heard from Elizaveta that Ludmilla had distanced herself from dresses since her coming-of-age ceremony.

I could guess the reason without being told.

The Second Imperial Princess of the Valtarian Empire had a personality that valued her duties more than anyone else.

“You have no idea how much trouble we had persuading our sister, who stubbornly refused to wear it. If Isabel hadn’t talked her into it, she probably would have held out till the end.”

Elizaveta, dressed in a beautiful white dress like a bellflower, lowered her head and whispered softly in my ear.

Hmm.

I can roughly imagine the situation then.

Ludmilla was as stubborn as a mule, just as much as her strong sense of duty.

Elizaveta said that if Isabel hadn’t persuaded her, she would never have given in.

‘Of course, I’ve always thought this, but… she’s incredibly pretty.’

Ludmilla, dressed in a noble gown like any young lady from a prestigious family, was worthy of being called a jewel of the imperial family.

Neatly arranged golden hair.

Silver hair ornaments flaunting noble charm.

Her sensual chest and slender waist, alluringly revealed, stood out.

And her thighs wearing garter belts peeked through the slit, showing a seductive charm.

Her vividly shining red eyes were gorgeous, more than any jewel.

“Ahem! I should hurry and change back before the banquet begins. I need to return to my duties.”

“Ah, I see.”

Ludmilla said with a fake cough.

It was natural.

The Red Dragon of the Empire was the guardian deity protecting the imperial family.

But even knowing this, I felt a bit of regret.

Because I suddenly had the insolent desire to dance with the princess, who was more beautiful than any young lady in the empire, while embracing her.

“Are you saying you want to dance with Edan after the banquet ends and the nobles leave?”

“Well… If Young Master Edanant wishes it.”

Ludmilla expressed reluctance at her younger sister’s bold question but nodded faintly.

Then she turned her gaze and glanced at me.

Will you dance with me,

Her eyes seemed to be asking for my permission.

Of course, there was no reason to refuse.

I accepted her cautious proposal with a faint smile.

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I began preparing to attend the banquet as I had received an invitation from the Valtarian Imperial Family.

I took out a black suit.

It was the suit Ludmilla had gifted me at the tailor shop then.

Since I had worn it when I had an audience with the emperor, it would also be suitable for the banquet.

It was not because I was reusing it but because I did not have the means to purchase a luxurious banquet suit like other nobles.

“The auntie was so pretty! So the auntie was actually a princess!”

“… She’s been a princess from the start.”

Rue, who had witnessed Ludmilla’s figure dressed in a gown, shouted while jumping up and down.

It was natural for her to make a fuss.

She looked as beautiful as a goddess appearing in mythology.

‘Of course, weapons won’t be allowed in the banquet hall. But I wonder if the same applies to holy swords?’

Should I bring Aldebaran?

Or should I entrust it to the guards at the banquet hall?

I pondered over this for a moment.

Guns would undoubtedly be impossible, but wouldn’t the holy artifact of the Holy Kingdom be allowed?

Instead, if I entered wearing the holy sword, the nobles attending the banquet might like it.

“Edan?”

Rue called out, tilting her head.

I had suddenly opened the window wide while in the middle of changing into formal wear.

A cold night breeze blew in.

At the same time, an ominous scent sharply stimulated my intuition.

There was no doubt.

This was the ‘fear’ emanating from monsters who worshiped heresy.

I wondered if Ludmilla had detected the stench of the Meiros.

I wanted to run to her immediately, but the group worshiping heresy was approaching too quickly.

“Rue. Go to Ludmilla right now and tell her that Meiros are coming.”

“O-Okay…!”

The fairy ran off with a pale face.

At the same time, I slipped out through the window.

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The Apostle of the Disaster God, who had gathered those hostile to the Valtarian Imperial Family as puppets, had a cautious personality befitting his exceptional scheming abilities.

It wouldn’t be wrong to call it excessive caution.

After all, a ‘strategist’ considers all possibilities.

The man with a face full of wrinkles deliberately scattered a presence throughout the imperial city that only Apostles who worshiped the Disaster God could detect.

It was to confirm a possibility, just in case.

‘The blessing of the Disaster God is still flowing irregularly. There must surely be another Apostle present in the Valtarian imperial city. Otherwise, this phenomenon cannot be explained.’

An Apostle who worshiped the Disaster God would naturally be qualified to join the cause.

No matter how much manpower, it’s never enough.

That’s why the strategist continued to scatter his presence while waiting for news.

How much time had passed?

Someone arrived at the top of the clock tower where the strategist stood.

“Hey, old man. Who are you so desperately calling for?”

A man dressed in formal wear asked in an irritable tone.

Judging by his disheveled appearance, he seemed to have rushed over as soon as he detected the presence.

The strategist narrowed his eyes as he looked at the man.

He needed time to organize his thoughts.

He repeatedly furrowed his brow in deep contemplation.

“You’re a holy sword user. The blood relative of the hero, I hear. I made a careless mistake. My action of scattering my presence instead drew in a holy sword user.”

Having made this judgment, the strategist clicked his tongue and stood up.

He raised his staff.

To punish the foolish one who followed the Earth Mother.

Edanant, sensing the fighting spirit emanating from the old man, grasped the hilt of his sword.

And before fighting, he advised the elderly man:

“I don’t go easy on old men. If you want to go to a nursing home peacefully, surrender.”

“What insolent manners.”

“I have a date with the princess, so I’d like to finish this quickly.”

“Then you won’t be able to keep that date.”

Tap.

The strategist struck his staff on the ground.

At the same time, pitch-black shadows shot up to the top of the clock tower.

They were the priest-knights of the Disaster God.

Fanatics wielding sharp longswords surrounded Edanant.

“…Ah shit, I’m going to be late.”

These were no ordinary enemies.

They all possessed the blessing of the Disaster God.

In other words, the priest-knights occupying the clock tower were monsters identical to the assassins who had targeted Elizaveta.

Sensing that this would not be an easy battle, Edanant sighed heavily.

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I’m actually curious as to how the romantic subplot will develop. Edanant clearly prefers Ludmilla. Furthermore, he has a bias leaning away from Elizaveta due to his brother’s engagement to her, so ideally he would gravitate towards Ludmilla. But there’s also the Saintess and the novel is tagged as Harem, so I wonder how this tricky situation will develop really?