The Protagonists Of The Novel Escaped – Chapter 36

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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When the baptism ceremony ended, the bishops dispatched from the Holy Kingdom finished their preparations to leave.

If they were nobles who enjoyed extravagant hospitality, they would have enjoyed a luxurious trip under the pretext of a business trip.

Indeed, befitting devout clergymen, the bishops showed a strict and unwavering attitude.

The crisis has been averted for now since the baptism ceremony, which numerous clergymen had attended, was completed without incident.

“Have you thought about the proposal the bishops made?”

As I turned my head and tried to leave my seat,

The girl with silver hair flowing down suddenly appeared beside me.

I didn’t show it, but I was pretty surprised.

Because the First Saintess had approached without any sound and stepped on my shadow.

“Next time, please make some noise.”

“I wanted to see Young Master Edanant surprised… But you’re not particularly surprised. How boring.”

Zebeline said with a giggle.

I smiled bitterly in response.

“I appreciate the Holy Kingdom’s proposal, but I have no intention of leaving the Valtarian Empire. To be precise, I have no intention of leaving the Hohenberc County. Since the eldest son has run away from home, at least the second son should stay and protect his father.”

Using my father and family as an excuse, I politely declined the Holy Kingdom’s proposal.

Then, the bishops expressed their regret but accepted it.

They seemed to have not expected the recruitment to be successful from the beginning.

“You have an excellent attitude. Although devout faith is important, filial piety cannot be neglected.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Zebeline signaled with her eyes and moved her steps.

It must mean to change the location.

Shrugging my shoulders, I followed the girl with silver hair flowing down.

The place I arrived at with the saintess was a classic reception room with a faint scent of wood.

It was located inside the luxurious detached palace provided by the Valtarian Imperial Family.

Fierce glares were directed at the loafer who was about to enter a closed space with the pure saintess.

Indeed, those stares were befitting otaku holy knights who revered Zebeline like an idol.

Could it be that they think I’m having a secret meeting with Zebeline?

A terrible misunderstanding that would turn all the millions of Earth Mother’s believers upside down.

“Saintess, may I ask you one thing?”

“Of course.”

I glanced at the tightly closed door.

I don’t sense any presence.

The rigid holy knights wouldn’t secretly eavesdrop.

They must be grinding their teeth right now, having inappropriate delusions.

After carefully checking with my intuition, I gazed at Zebeline and opened my mouth.

“I want to know the reason why you helped me at the baptism ceremony.”

“……”

“Originally, the bishops dispatched from the Holy Kingdom would have presided over the baptism ceremony, but you suddenly took over from the bishops. At that time, I thought it was just a whim… But after seeing you hesitate to perform the baptism, I became convinced.”

“… You’re always quick-witted.”

If it were a level of overlooking minor mistakes or errors, I wouldn’t have brought it up.

However, this was an issue that absolutely had to be addressed.

The saintess of the Holy Kingdom had concealed the identity of a follower of a forgotten god.

If the truth were to be revealed, Zebeline would face dismissal and excommunication.

Even if she was a saintess, hiding a follower of a forgotten god was considered a grave sin.

It was true that we had built a close friendship since our first meeting.

However, it was definitely not a relationship where she would help to the extent of committing a grave sin that deceived faith.

Why?

Why did she help to such an extent?

It must have been just a short acquaintance of less than a month.

I looked at the saintess, demanding an answer to my question.

“Well that’s simple… because I like Young Master Edanant?”

“I asked seriously.”

Zebeline showed an awkward smile and tried to play dumb.

It meant that it was difficult for her to answer honestly.

My brow furrowed at the saintess’s brazen answer.

“Hmph, in the first place, isn’t it the fault of the one who forgot first…?”

“Pardon?”

When I glared fiercely, Zebeline turned her head and muttered a grumbling complaint.

Seeing that, I stayed silent.

It would be pointless to keep pressing her, as I wouldn’t get the answer I wanted.

It was an answer that was hard to believe, that she had hidden my identity simply out of goodwill, but since the result at the baptism ceremony proved it, I had no choice but to believe it for now.

It wasn’t like I could physically act against the First Saintess.

“I have no intention of revealing it myself. You’ll have to find out directly, Young Master Edanant. And anyway, since I hid your identity… Please grant me one request.”

Thud-

Zebeline pressed the table with both hands and abruptly stood up.

Her brilliantly shining blue eyes twinkled mischievously.

It was a unique habit the White Dragon’s saintess showed whenever she was about to play a mischievous prank.

“From now on, can I call you Edan?”

“……”

That’s a nickname reserved only for family members.

Right now, a particular impudent fairy was unilaterally calling me that.

Calling me by a nickname,

Is she going to use that as an excuse to tease me?

At Zebeline’s excited voice, the serious atmosphere instantly became frivolous.

It seemed difficult to ask any more questions.

“I am a follower of a forgotten god. Are you really okay with that?”

“Of course. Do you think I lack that much resolve?”

I confessed as if making a conscientious declaration.

Then Zebeline nodded her head as if she had known for a long time.

“You will regret it later.”

“Pfft, no I won’t.”

People say a woman’s heart is unfathomable, but the First Saintess’s intentions were particularly challenging to understand.

I don’t know.

I couldn’t comprehend it at all.

An unfamiliar sense of anxiety emerged, deeper than a quagmire.

That’s why Zebeline, who showed no sign of budging, felt mischievous.

If she had feared and been wary of me, I would have at least understood.

I sent a sharp warning, trying to instill a sense of wariness in Zebeline, who was filled with friendly feelings.

However, despite the sharp warning, Zebeline did not break her obsession.

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Ludmilla had hoped for the Hohenberc family to be granted the “ducal title.”

However, it was thwarted during the meritorious service process due to the ministers’ dissuasion.

They acknowledged that Edanant had subjugated Meiros and saved Princess Elizaveta, but appointing the Hohenberc family to the ducal rank was an issue that required careful consideration.

It could be seen as favoritism, with the Valtarian Imperial Family particularly favoring the Hohenberc family.

And there was a concern that the ten dukes who had long been loyal to the imperial family and the empire would strongly object.

Through the persistent persuasion of the ministers who oversaw the empire’s internal affairs, they broke the old bachelorette’s stubbornness.

Instead, to show the utmost sincerity, they incorporated the Hillidar County and a part of the imperial family’s directly governed territory into the Hohenberc family.’

Furthermore, they decided to grant the Marquis title, which was the next rank after the duke.

“Sister, isn’t it too obvious?”

“We can’t be stingy towards the hero who saved the princess. It’s all for you. Although the marriage talks are temporarily on hold, Edanant will eventually become your companion.”

Elizaveta asked with a chuckle.

Ludmilla countered with a nonchalant voice.

She seemed completely unaware.

Or she was deliberately feigning ignorance.

“Aha! You’re already trying to impress your in-laws, aren’t you? I’m talking about you, sister.”

“Wh-Who…! That’s not it! Absolutely not!”

In-laws.

It refers to the husband’s family.

The in-laws mentioned by Elizaveta naturally referred to the Hohenberc family.

As soon as she heard those words, Ludmilla turned red and showed a flustered reaction.

“Ahem! I still think Edanant is the right person for you. There’s no other reason.”

“You’re lying again. It’s you who likes Edanant, isn’t it?”

Although she desperately denied it, it lacked any persuasiveness.

Because all the nobles knew the fact that Princess Ludmilla favored Young Master Edanant.

Her unilateral intervention in the meritorious service proved it.

Twenty-seven years old this year.

Naturally, she couldn’t help but be impatient.

Elizaveta showed an understanding expression and comforted her elder sister.

Even in the eyes of the villainous princess, her old bachelorette sister approaching thirty seemed pitiful.

Elizaveta’s eyes were filled with compassion.

“You must be in love with Edanant too… Since that day, the way you look at Edanant has clearly changed. Just like when you came to my bedroom late at night and boasted about Maximilian’s valor.”

“Wh-What! That’s not it…! Edanant is Maximilian’s brother! What on earth is this old hag talking about!”

This time, Ludmilla touched Elizaveta’s reverse scale.

Then, Elizaveta was startled and hurriedly made an excuse.

They were both in the same boat.

Their attitude of absolutely refusing to acknowledge it proved that.

The elder sister and younger sister had come to like the same man.

Ludmilla and Elizaveta, caught in a complicated love triangle, touched on sensitive parts as if trying to concede to each other.

As their urging voices continued, their beautiful faces turned red like a boiling teapot.

“I have plenty of time, but sister, you’re way past the marriageable age! If you miss Edanant, you’ll live as a lifelong spinster! You might even have to marry a divorced man with a child!”

“……”

Damn it.

I have no words to refute.

I want to somehow counter her spiteful remark, but…

Ludmilla could only gape at Elizaveta’s desperate plea.

How cowardly of her to only say things that were absolutely correct.

“Why don’t you visit the Hohenberc County… No, the Hohenberc Marquis Territory this time? Edanant is temporarily returning to the Hohenberc Marquis Territory. You can act like a married couple with Edanant and score points with your father-in-law.”

“You should come along too! No, I’ll definitely take you with me!”

Ludmilla genuinely adored Edanant.

However, at the same time, she wanted Edanant to become Elizaveta’s companion.

Because for an elder sister, nothing would be more important than her younger sister’s happiness.

Ludmilla was willing to give up her feelings for Edanant if it meant her younger sister could be happy.

And Elizaveta, knowing her sister’s selfless heart, repeatedly expressed her intention to decline.

Sister had endured numerous pains and sufferings while protecting the Valtarian Empire.

Since she had always received help like a shameless person until now, she wanted to step back for her sister’s happiness this time.

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