—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
As news spread that Maximilian, who had been missing for a long time, had appeared in the Boemon Kingdom, public attention began to shift towards the Hohenberc family.
It was only natural.
Maximilian was still the heir of the Hohenberc family.
Therefore, as soon as he finished his business in the Powder Keg Peninsula, he returned to the Hohenberc estate.
He had to, in case the Valtarian Imperial Family decided to dispatch an investigation team to the marquisate.
“Edanant!”
As expected, a guest from the Valtarian Imperial Family arrived.
But it wasn’t an investigation team.
The princess, as beautiful as dazzling platinum, announced her presence with an urgent voice.
A large number of Hohenberc servants were immediately mobilized to welcome her.
“…Your Highness Elizaveta.”
“Did you hear the news? Maximilian has appeared!”
It was a close call.
Elizaveta arrived at the Hohenberc estate just two hours after he returned.
What would have happened if he had been late?
The perceptive Platinum Princess would have surely become suspicious.
His heart began to race.
He gulped nervously, feeling like a thief caught red-handed by the police as he looked at Elizaveta.
“I heard this morning. Father was quite surprised as well.”
“What about Edanant? You must have been surprised too, right?”
“O-Of course…”
“Oh my, what a mess. I heard the Immortal Fortress was completely destroyed.”
Elizaveta sighed deeply and shook her head, seemingly shocked by the sudden news.
It was understandable.
Maximilian was her former fiancé.
Although the Valtarian Imperial Family had officially announced their broken engagement, severing their ties, it was extremely difficult to let go of feelings that had been cherished for so long.
She must have been worried about Maximilian deep down.
“What if the Boemon Kingdom demands compensation from the Hohenberc family? Maximilian completely destroyed their capital! Don’t worry, I’ll talk to Father and see what we can do!”
“……”
Her reaction was a bit unexpected.
He had thought she might still harbor feelings for Maximilian…
But she didn’t mention them at all.
Instead, Elizaveta showed genuine concern for him.
He smiled faintly at Elizaveta, who was biting her nails anxiously.
He felt pleased to receive such concern from the beautiful Platinum Princess.
“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I never expected you to worry about me so much.”
“O-Of course! You saved me back then… T-That’s why!”
He had spoken in a teasing tone, as if testing her feelings.
Elizaveta blushed crimson and quickly shouted back.
What a cute reaction.
He chuckled at Elizaveta’s flustered demeanor.
“I apologize. I couldn’t help but laugh at your adorable reaction, Your Highness.”
“Hmph! I was worried about you, and you dare tease me?! Ugh!”
If he had to identify a common trait between Ludmilla and Elizaveta, it would be their “easily teased personalities.”
But he had to be careful not to go too far.
Another shared trait between the beautiful princesses was their “extremely low boiling points.”
This was especially true for Elizaveta, who played the role of the villainess in the story.
“Ahem!”
As he was playfully observing the Platinum Princess’s cute behavior,
Ludmilla approached, clearing her throat loudly, her voice laced with displeasure.
“Mila sister!”
“Ludmilla, you arrived quite quickly. I thought you wouldn’t reach the marquisate until tomorrow or the day after.”
“W-Well, yes!”
Edanant stammered awkwardly at Ludmilla’s response.
Ludmilla crossed her arms and glared at him.
This is awkward.
If anyone else saw this, they would think I’m a womanizer.
He shrugged, trying to plead his innocence.
Ludmilla’s already sharp gaze intensified.
“But why are you at the marquisate, sister? You said you were going to the Boemon Kingdom to investigate the situation yourself.”
“…Hmm?”
“Don’t tell me you lied to Father and secretly tried to meet Edanant here?”
“No! That’s not it!”
It was natural for Ludmilla to be misunderstood, as she had returned to the Hohenberc marquisate immediately after meeting Edanant in the Boemon Kingdom.
It was a rather embarrassing misunderstanding.
To be accused of having a “secret rendezvous” of all things.
Ludmilla, who had been transformed into “the Empire’s Red Dragon who lied to the Emperor and left the capital to have a secret rendezvous with her lover,” jumped up and vehemently protested.
However, she couldn’t reveal the truth to clear up the misunderstanding with her sister, as it might expose the Warmonger’s identity.
Ludmilla groaned and remained silent.
“I’m so surprised. I always thought you were a naive simpleton, but you’re actually bold enough to have a secret rendezvous with Edanant… I see you in a new light.”
“Ugh!”
Elizaveta expressed genuine admiration.
Ludmilla blushed and lowered her head.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Perhaps it was because of Maximilian, who had caused a disturbance in the Boemon Kingdom.
Or perhaps it was to punish the man who had stolen his precious daughters.
A summons arrived from the Valtarian Imperial Family.
More precisely, it was a summons from Barbarossa, the Emperor of the Valtarian Empire.
He hesitated, breaking out in a cold sweat at the Emperor’s sudden summons.
However, he couldn’t follow in the footsteps of Maximilian, who had broken off his engagement and disappeared without a trace.
He had no choice but to accept the summons.
“Edanant, have you heard about the incident caused by the Saintess Party in the Boemon Kingdom?”
“…Of course, Your Majesty.”
The middle-aged man with a sharp, sickle-like mustache asked.
He responded with a troubled expression.
“I heard the Sword Saint, the Hero, and even the Warmonger, who was considered a ghost of the past, appeared. What is happening to the world, with such significant events occurring one after another…?”
“……”
His heart began to race as he listened to Barbarossa’s complaints.
He felt increasingly uneasy as the conversation continued, like a delinquent student summoned by the principal.
What is going on?
Could he know the Warmonger’s identity?
Is he putting on this “Edanant Show” even though he already knows?
He observed Barbarossa’s expression cautiously, his mind filled with trivial delusions.
The Emperor’s actions were suspicious, summoning him immediately after he returned to the Hohenberc marquisate with Ludmilla.
“The Empire’s intelligence agency is investigating the situation, but they’re facing difficulties. For some reason, the king and knights of the Boemon Kingdom refuse to answer any questions about the incident.”
“…The Boemon Kingdom reveres the Saintess Party as their saviors.”
Why had the Sword Saint become a kingslayer?
Why had the Hero appeared?
And why had he fought against his former comrade, the Warmonger?
Barbarossa was clearly troubled by the endless questions.
He gulped nervously, sensing the Emperor’s frustration, as if he might explode in anger at any moment.
“It’s obviously a ridiculous rumor… but the intelligence agency brought me some strange news.”
“Strange news, Your Majesty?”
“They said the Warmonger might be a cultist who serves a Disaster God. Of course, it’s utter nonsense.”
“……”
It was only natural for his identity to be exposed, as he had recklessly used the Disaster God’s divine power while fighting Maximilian.
He had anticipated this.
But he couldn’t help but feel a sense of panic.
How much did they know?
He anxiously observed Barbarossa’s expression.
“I heard from Liza… that you’re seeing Mila?”
“Y-Your Majesty? T-That’s not… Y-Yes, that’s correct…”
It’s completely fake news.
It’s a conspiracy by the villainess to marry off her old maid sister.
He tried to refute the claim, but he couldn’t speak as he saw the hopeful look in Barbarossa’s eyes.
“Hmm, hmm. I see.”
“……”
He had thought the Emperor summoned him to discuss the incident caused by the Saintess Party.
He had been tricked.
It was bait to lure him in.
He could sense Barbarossa’s strong desire.
It was clear that the Emperor intended to make him the Valtarian Imperial Family’s son-in-law as quickly as possible.
“Let’s go hunting sometime. Didn’t you say you wanted to show me your marksmanship?”
“…I-It would be an honor, Your Majesty.”
Pat, pat.
The Emperor patted his shoulder.
He lowered his head and nodded.
“I would love to go hunting right away, but the current situation is a bit chaotic. The Holy Kingdom is causing a commotion, demanding the Warmonger’s identity be revealed, and petitions are flooding in.”
“Your Majesty? What do you mean…?”
“The Holy Kingdom’s persistent watchdogs will surely approach you as well. You are the Hero’s brother, after all. They might even ask you to cooperate in finding the Warmonger.”
“……”
He sincerely wished to avoid the Holy Kingdom’s inquisitors, known for their fanaticism.
Asking him to find the Warmonger?
They should look in the mirror.
Having to find himself…
He never imagined such an ironic situation would occur in his life.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
