LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 51
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The hunting expedition, which had mobilized numerous personnel, was originally planned to last until evening. However, an unfortunate incident during the hunt caused it to fizzle out.
The Emperor and the Great Nobles had suffered an ambush.
Once the bad news from the hunting grounds spread, the Imperial City erupted in chaos.
The killing intent that threatened the Empire had even attempted to assassinate the Emperor.
So, who exactly tried to assassinate the ruler of the Empire? The Imperial City buzzed like a beehive full of angry wasps.
“Your Majesty, if this is the work of malcontents who hate the Imperial Family, we must begin an immediate investigation. Please allow us to swiftly interrogate the suspected individuals.”
“Granted.”
Upon hearing this bad news, Ludmilla urged for a countermeasure.
Then, Barbarossa, who had hurriedly returned from the hunting grounds, nodded his head.
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
“Ah, about that….”
The Emperor, seated on his throne, gazed into the air as if recalling something. Ludmilla, worried if her father had been startled by the sudden misfortune, asked.
It was only natural to feel such confusion. Wild beasts had suddenly transformed into ferocious magical beasts and launched an attack.
There had been numerous assassination attempts on the ruler of the Empire up until now. However, this case was a meticulously planned cunning plot that even Barbarossa had never experienced before.
No matter how bold and brave an individual might be, they could not help but feel fear. Ludmilla looked at her father with worried eyes.
“That guy, the second son of the Hohenberc Family.”
“…What?”
It was an unexpected comment.
She blinked in confusion and asked back.
“His marksmanship is remarkable! In my entire life, I’ve never seen anyone with such pinpoint precision! Every time he pulled the trigger, those grotesque beasts fell, spitting blood!”
“Ah, really…? Is that so?”
The magical beasts, boasting tenacious regenerative ability and brutal madness, fell in an instant.
He had surely aimed accurately for their vital points.
It was truly an astonishing skill.
Barbarossa, a veteran who had enjoyed hunting long before his ascension, spotted Edanant’s prowess in marksmanship that rivaled his own budding skill. That’s why he was more enthusiastic about his marksmanship than anyone else.
“Did you know?”
“Right, the assassins who attacked the Hohenberc Family were all shot dead by Prince Edanant with a pistol.”
“What? A pistol…? I didn’t know he handled a pistol so well.”
“…….”
What was going on?
To be praising Edanant so lavishly…?
How could he suddenly switch from denouncing him as a thief who kidnapped his precious daughters?
Ludmilla felt awkward at her father’s admiration that even showed signs of respect. She remembered how furious he used to get each time Edanant’s name came up.
“Let’s go hunting with Edanant tomorrow!”
“No! Please, Your Majesty, take care of your health!”
With wide eyes, Ludmilla yelled at her father, who was making unreasonable demands.
Had he hit his head? He clearly seemed too shocked to think straight.
It was good that he was beginning to have a favorable view of Edanant. However, it was time to prioritize her father’s safety, so she decided to set aside her personal feelings for now.
*
She had tried to blend in and play the commoner as much as possible in the hunting grounds.
But it was a complete failure.
Just her luck that an ambush, with wild beasts used as pawns, would take place.
The Emperor and Great Nobles’ attention turned fully to her. Tomorrow, the newspapers would undoubtedly feature the exploits of the Hohenberc Prince in bold headlines.
What a disaster.
If things continued to come to light like this, her identity would eventually be revealed.
With a heavy sigh, she arrived at the Imperial Family’s villa. It was a lavish mansion located in the wealthy district that Ludmilla had previously offered as accommodation.
“Is anyone there?”
Knock Knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
Could it be Elizaveta, who arrived late?
No, that couldn’t be.
With the monorail having exploded, all train services would have stopped.
“I apologize for visiting at such a late hour, Prince Hohenberc.”
A beautiful lady with alluring chestnut hair greeted her with a radiant smile. She felt a brief awkwardness in front of the elegantly poised woman.
Who on earth was she?
She seemed like a woman of noble lineage.
Could it be that she’s a lady in love with me?
While entertaining various speculations, she cautiously observed the lady’s behavior.
“I’m sorry for the late introduction. I am Isabel von Valtaria, the First Imperial Princess of the Valtarian Empire.”
“Ah! My apologies for not recognizing you, Your Highness.”
To meet the sister of Ludmilla and Elizaveta like this was a surprise.
Isabel von Valtaria. The First Imperial Princess of the Valtarian Empire does not appear in this story.
Ludmilla had at least been mentioned for her deeds, but Isabel’s name had never been revealed. Thus, it was obvious that she could not know Isabel.
“I heard you’ve run off with a count from a remote area, breaking conventions and laws… What was that husband’s name again? I can’t quite remember.”
Naturally, one would think the husband of the Valtarian Empire’s eldest daughter would be an exceptional genius. However, oddly enough, the husband married to the First Princess was surprisingly inconspicuous.
What kind of person could that be?
He surely wasn’t of noble blood…
Even the noble class, who prided themselves on spreading rumors, would furrow their brows at this.
“I heard that you saved the Emperor from danger in the hunting grounds. And that you saved Liza from the clutches of Meiros last time. As the eldest daughter of the Valtarian Imperial Family, it is only right that I express gratitude to the benefactor of the Empire.”
“Of course… I merely did what I should.”
Her face flushed slightly in the presence of the aristocratic and poised lady.
Could it be because she was the eldest daughter?
A noble maturity flowed from her that her younger sisters lacked.
Even though she wore a simple dress design, her ample bosom was still striking. Perhaps she was not smaller than the slender Ludmilla, she dared to assume.
…Looks like I’ve gone mad.
Evaluating a married woman’s figure like this?
“I heard news from the Deebner County. It seems you will soon be joining the Imperial Family?”
“…Uh, um.”
“Between Mila and Liza… who does the Prince hold feelings for?”
“…….”
Isabel, just like Ludmilla and Elizaveta, was clearly the type to have a keen interest in romance.
Her noble hazel eyes sparkled with interest.
Who does she like? What a scary question to be thrown with such a sweet voice.
If he were to disclose the name of the princess he held feelings for, she would surely help him even more. Isabel appeared to be waiting with the anticipation of a matchmaker.
“Well, I…I think it’s….”
“Think it’s?”
“I’m in love with Princess Ludmilla…!”
“So the Prince is in love with Mila!”
In front of her older sister, he couldn’t say he loved Elizaveta who had once been engaged to his brother.
But,
That wasn’t the only reason.
If he truly felt nothing, he would have simply answered that he wasn’t in love with anyone.
He stammered and trembled while expressing his true feelings. Then, Isabel joyfully spread her arms wide like she had received great news. Her sincere smile felt strangely intimidating.
“Though she may be of a late blooming age, Mila is a lady with integrity and grace. It is only natural that you love her, Prince. To be honest, I was secretly hoping you would choose Mila!”
“Oh, I see.”
“This conversation might take a while. Would you care for some black tea, perhaps?”
“…Yes.”
Isabel clapped her hands, calling for service.
The maids who had been waiting in the back bowed and responded.
She had likely just come to convey her thanks.
Why had it turned into an elegant tea time hosted by the First Princess?
She glanced at the maids deftly preparing the black tea. Then she looked over at Isabel, whose face wore a bright smile, seeming ready to chat all night.
It was clear.
She wasn’t only there to express her gratitude.
As the eldest sister, she was surely there to support her younger sisters in their sluggish romances.
*
The Mairen, who worshipped the Disaster God, was a being that destroyed common sense and reason.
The Apostles.
Those who worshipped the Forgotten God called him the “Apostle.”
Unlike the Mairen, who were only granted the blessings that were a part of the Divine Status, the Apostle of the Disaster God accepted the divine will, including the blessings of their deity. For a brief moment, it meant they could manifest miracles by having the god descend into their physical body.
“I missed the Emperor… Well, I didn’t expect much anyway.”
A shadow with black hair stood up from the throne.
Given their short stature and slender form, it was undoubtedly a mysterious woman.
A sharp voice echoed.
The personnel standing on either side bowed their heads, awaiting orders.
“Still, this should be enough provocation to summon the Red Dragon.”
Up until now, the puppets filled with vengeful desires had only been used to threaten the Empire as a mere provocation to draw out Ludmilla.
The Red Dragon would undoubtedly spring into action.
The righteous guardian of the Imperial Family would never allow a threat to the Empire and its citizens to go unpunished. Thus, even knowing it was a trap to lure her in, she would gladly fall for it.
“How about the magical equipment you recently acquired?”
A cultist knight wearing a black hood asked.
The woman answered.
“Indeed, it has great synergy with the divine status. The god will surely be pleased.”
Intricate patterns were engraved on her slender wrist, where a platinum bracelet shimmered brightly. It overflowed with an eerie energy, as if just recently used.
If Edanant were to see it, he would have surely been taken aback.
Because it was the magical equipment belonging to the sage, an esteemed member of the Saintess Party.
How could a relic from the magic tower bestowed upon a sage come to be in the hands of cultists? Only the Apostles and their followers who worshiped the Disaster God would know.
“Then how should we deal with the Earth Mother’s flocks?”
“Leave them be. It’s not enjoyable to kill the weak.”
Surrounding the woman were Holy Knights dispatched from the Holy Kingdom, sprawled out like corpses. The dark smoke rising showed signs of the intense battle that had just taken place.
The Mairen had appeared.
Upon hearing the news, the Holy Kingdom deployed an elite commando team.
However, the results were truly disastrous.
While they had barely managed to hold on to their lives, everyone was in a state of inability to fight.
The commando team that had boasted splendid achievements by defeating the cult worshippers had been completely wiped out. If it was revealed that the Holy Kingdom faced such shameful defeat, the Sovereign and Cardinal would likely lose sleep out of fear. They must have been certain of their victory.
“Truly impressive, Lady Ariel. To have even brought down the protector knights serving the Sovereign….”
“Enough with the flattery.”
The woman named Ariel waved her hand.
In response, the priests serving the cult opened the door leading to the stage.
“From now on, we head to the Empire.”
They would show the hypocrites who praise the Earth Mother.
Your deaths are upon you.
The Apostles, who had not been able to partake in the Racial War, returned after three years in the Chaos Realm.
They would avenge their compatriots who had been horrifically executed simply for worshiping the Forgotten God. The cries of the hypocrites who had committed massacres under the pretense of protecting the Creator Deity would echo beyond Hell.