LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 94
The scene of Edanant and Zebeline feeding each other cake filled the aspiring Saintesses living in the male-only Saintess Academy with dreams and fantasies.
The new hero of the Holy Kingdom.
The First Saintess blessed by the White Dragon.
In a flirtatious atmosphere like that of long-time lovers, the aspiring Saintesses squealed with delight.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“…I was never actually angry.”
As Edanant asked with a light smile, Zebeline blushed and replied.
What did she eat that was so wrong?
Isn’t she embarrassed in front of so many people?
The Saintess of the Holy Kingdom was not restricted in love with the opposite sex. The Earth Mother was not only a Creator Deity symbolizing mercy and abundance but also a Life Deity symbolizing fertility.
In other words, declaring her love for Edanant at the banquet wouldn’t bring any criticism.
“I’m sorry for doubting. I thought you might have secretly kissed Princess Ludmilla last night.”
“Hmm. That’s an interesting joke.”
In response to Zebeline’s apology, Edanant gave a relaxed smile.
However, his hand gripping the champagne glass was trembling slightly.
“You always wear vestments.”
“Yes, I must wear them at official events. Showing the sacred mystery to the leaders of various countries ensures we can collect vast donations.”
“Hmm… It’s part of the advertising.”
“If Prince Edanant wishes, I could wear a party dress for private events.”
Wanting to throw a witty retort to Edanant’s mischievous joke, Zebeline smiled like a mischievous child and made a bold provocation.
She certainly enjoyed raising the stakes.
“If allowed, I’d love to see that.”
“Ugh…!”
Edanant readily nodded his head, stepping closer to Zebeline.
He reached out his hand.
And gently played with the beautifully flowing silver hair.
He was skilled.
His expertise in handling women’s hearts was astonishingly adept.
What on earth happened last night?
If it were the usual Edanant, he would turn away in indifference. But this Edanant was as proficient as a host dealing with wealthy ladies.
“…Did I really eat something wrong?”
“Unlike you, who just became an adult last year, I am an adult.”
I feel offended.
Has he become a host rather than a hero of the Holy Kingdom?
Seeing Edanant comfortably sipping champagne with a haughty expression, Zebeline showed her disgusted reaction.
“Nice to meet you, Lord Edanant. I apologize for the late introduction due to my busy schedule.”
“Your Grace.”
Holy King Boerun, who had been conversing with the priests of the Valtarian Empire, approached Edanant. Edanant and Zebeline maintained proper decorum as they greeted the ruler of the Holy Kingdom.
Did he sense the atmosphere growing heavy?
Boerun offered a kind smile and laughed heartily.
“I’m sorry. I interrupted your romantic conversation without realizing it.”
The Holy King, who proclaimed the Earth Mother’s divine oracle, encountered the protagonist of that oracle.
With the sudden arrival of the Holy King, more focused attention turned toward Edanant and Zebeline.
What would they discuss?
This was bound to be a crucial turning point that could change the future.
The many spectators gathered in the banquet hall listened intently to Boerun’s voice addressing Edanant.
“I momentarily committed a faux pas in wanting to pay my respects to the hero of the Valtarian Empire. On behalf of the Holy Kingdom, I thank you for your hard work, Lord Edanant.”
The ruler of the Holy Kingdom bowed his head and expressed gratitude in an official setting. The crowd was captivated by the remarkable sight.
The Holy King bowed his head.
He conveyed his thanks on behalf of the Holy Kingdom.
As a result, Edanant once again found himself the center of attention.
Chosen as the hero to stop the Demon King of Death by the Earth Mother’s oracle, it was even more so. Priests of the Valtarian Empire showed their respect toward Edanant.
‘What is going on? There must be some hidden agenda…’
Boerun’s demeanor, showing no hint of malice, felt like witnessing a living saint.
He’s truly worthy of being the representative of the Creator Deity.
I understand why the Cardinals of the Holy Kingdom follow the Holy King absolutely.
Next, a cardinal dressed in scarlet vestments approached. It was Hordamet Baladi, who had delivered the Holy King’s personal letter to the Valtarian Imperial Family.
“Since you received the Earth Mother’s baptism, you are like our brother. I wish to invite you to the Holy Kingdom… may I have your permission?”
“……”
As far as I know, there were no normal ones among the believers who called me “brother.”
Clearly none of them are normal.
Just looking at that stern face made it obvious.
Edanant first displayed suspicion at Hordamet’s proposal. He seemed to think that there was something foul at play, trying to lure him to the Holy Kingdom.
“It is truly flattering, but I am a noble of the Valtarian Empire. Unless His Majesty the Emperor permits… it is difficult for me to accept the Holy Kingdom’s invitation.”
Heading to the Holy Kingdom on his own would be akin to committing suicide.
The risk of being discovered was far too high.
Zebeline also shot him a meaningful glance, warning of danger.
Therefore, Edanant attempted to decline the Holy Kingdom’s invitation using his status as a noble of the Valtarian Empire. Besides, Emperor Barbarossa harbored intense hatred toward Holy King Boerun, so he assumed the proposal would be outright rejected.
“I’ve been quietly listening at the back, and I find this truly absurd. You wish to take my favored minister… no, my cherished subordinate to the Holy Kingdom?”
“Prince Edanant is a servant of the Valtarian Imperial Family. Naturally, his permission from the Valtarian Empire is essential.”
Emperor Barbarossa, visibly displeased, strode forward.
And behind the Emperor stood a magnificent princess with flowing golden hair.
While the furious Emperor was intimidating, the princess emitted a chilling hostility. A determination not to let him go was evident in her presence.
Hmm.
This was supposed to be a banquet aimed at fostering friendship between the Empire and the Holy Kingdom…
It’s like I’ve become a prize to be awarded to the winner. Seeing the menacing standoff between the representatives of the Empire and the Holy Kingdom filled my heart with grandeur.
*
As the eyes of various nations concentrated on the Alliance Conference,
the cultists of the Disaster God, who had slipped into the dark shadows, began to gather en masse.
A signal requesting assembly was given.
The one who contacted the cultists of the Disaster God was surprisingly the Apostle of Fresh Blood.
Hadn’t they vanished after attacking the Valtarian Empire?
I thought for sure they had died at the hands of those vile imperialists, but the Apostle of Fresh Blood returned. The cultists of the Disaster God accepted Ariel Spellada’s summons to confirm life or death.
“How on earth did you survive?”
“I thought for sure the Red Dragon had killed you…!”
Dark shadows piled into the long-abandoned temple of the cult.
These were the cultists of the Disaster God.
Thanks to fleeing to the Chaos Realm during the Racial War, the remnants of the cult had dramatically survived.
The grand offensive that could have taken down the Valtarian Empire had failed.
The cultist forces, having lost a vast number of their main forces, including staff and Ariel, were currently barely preserving their lives from the pursuit of the Empire and the Holy Kingdom.
“Thanks to the grace bestowed by the Prophet, we survived! Moreover, the Prophet serving the Disaster of Innocence not only granted mercy, but also revealed a magnificent oracle to shatter the Creator Deity’s throne and bring about the Ascension of Evil!”
A vampire woman with beautiful black hair raised both hands high in the air. Then, she shouted in an ecstatic voice, revealing her infinite faith toward the Prophet.
The Prophet.
The Disaster of Innocence.
The Great Oracle.
Everything sounded ridiculous.
After being missing for so long, suddenly appearing and spewing nonsense made them completely untrustworthy.
The apostates gathered in the temple reacted with snickers and sighs.
“Disaster of Innocence? That’s just the nonsense the old priest has been babbling about.”
“I can’t believe the Apostle of Fresh Blood has sunk into madness… How unfortunate.”
It wasn’t worth listening to.
The dozens of assembled apostates in the temple attempted to turn away in unison.
At that moment,
Ariel stepped into the center of the temple, and with a sharp sound, a dark whirlwind surged forth.
“This is the power granted by the Prophet… the Disaster God of War!”
As Ariel grasped the choker around her neck with both hands, a change occurred.
The Disaster of Innocence began to writhe.
She activated the bomb collar, proving her intent to the cultists.
Ki-ki-ki-kkk!
Ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-kkk!
Boom!
An explosion occurred.
The loud metallic sound from the bomb collar signaled the countdown was almost up.
The temple and its surroundings would surely be annihilated.
Not leaving a single stone unturned, it would disappear as if swept away by a barrage.
The cultists of the Disaster God, who had been engulfed in the violent currents bestowed by the Divine Status of War, had no choice but to accept Ariel’s true intentions. At the moment the bomb collar activated, all the Divine Status manipulating the cultists knelt to the Disaster of Innocence.
“Truly, it is the Disaster of Innocence…!”
“Ah! The Divine just spoke. The Great War has finally descended after a long silence!”
The Disaster of Innocence descended to usurp the Creator Deity’s throne.
Witnessing the activation of the Divine Status of War before their eyes, the cultists vomited admiration and declared that the Ascension of Evil had finally arrived.
“Everyone, follow the Prophet! He is the one who will overthrow the Creator Deity and bring about the Ascension of Evil!”
My insignificant life matters little.
As long as I can spread His teachings far and wide.
The arrival of the Ascension of Evil is surely imminent.
At the moment the wicked Creator Deity falls, the fanatic, having invoked the bomb collar to its limits and sacrificing themselves, loudly preached the greatness of the Prophet.