The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

84 – 84. The Covenant of the Earth (1)

—-

After consulting with the priests of the Kingdom of Triumph, his name was added to the list of the investigation team trying to uncover the identity of the Warmonger.

As they say, things are often not what they seem.

The Warmonger himself would never dream of being hidden within the investigation team.

The efforts of the Kingdom of Triumph to find the apostles of the Catastrophe Deity were soon to be in vain. It was decided to restrain from actions until the investigation by the inquisitors dispatched from the Kingdom of Triumph was completed.

“The Warmonger is the hero who turned the bleak Raikir Battle into a comeback victory! Such a great person surely has no connection to the Catastrophe Deity!”

“……”

The Imperial Intelligence Service was truly remarkable.

The Taltaria Imperial Household had already obtained news of their involvement in the investigation team of the Shenghwang Empire.

Caught up in unnecessary turmoil.

I frowned while looking at the agitated Crown Prince.

Prince Alexis, who held the Saintess Party in high regard, shouted for innocence in place of the warmonger involved. Watching Alexis behave that way, I felt perplexed and disheartened.

“I, too, believe in the heroes who save the world. However, isn’t it true that many nations are alarmed due to the rebellion in the Volemon Kingdom? To alleviate their fears, to uncover the innocence of the Saintess Party, I believe an investigation is necessary.”

“I-I apologize…! I displayed a moment of recklessness.”

I spoke as if to soothe the genuinely Saintess Party-devoted prince.

In response, Alexis seemed to understand and nodded.

“Eidnan, as the younger brother of the hero, must be deeply concerned…. Eidnan must also be very worried.”

“…….”

Concern? Worry?

What on earth was that?

I had never once worried about Maximilian.

Even when he went to the worst frontlines to defeat the Undying Demon King, I never worried at all. Because I already knew Maximilian would emerge victorious.

It was the same now.

There would be no more useless waste of energy worrying about the greatest hero of all time.

“Alex.”

“Milady Milla….”

While conversing with Prince Alexis, a dignified princess approached quickly.

She seemed to have come to reprimand her overly excited younger brother.

“But the warmonger is truly innocent! The accusations, manipulated by those jealous of the Saintess Party’s lofty reputation, are undoubtedly false! To label a great hero as a harbinger of disaster…!”

What is this?

Is she deliberately mocking me?

My face flushed at Alexis’s sincere plea for the warmonger.

It was a completely innocent act.

That’s why the more fervently the prince argued, the more embarrassed I felt.

Eventually, Alexis showed great enthusiasm and left. Seeing him, it seemed he would join forces with the nobles who also followed the Saintess Party to submit a petition.

“Ha…!”

Ludmilla let out a slight chuckle.

It was because of my stiff expression.

The comical play put on by the experienced jesters was probably no funnier than this. Ludmilla, who couldn’t contain her laughter, continued to laugh vigorously, her face turning red.

“…Ludmilla.”

“S-Sorry…! hahahaha! But isn’t it hilarious…!”

Had Ludmilla, who valued dignity as the protector of the royal family, ever burst out laughing like this before?

Was it really that funny?

I, the one involved, didn’t find it particularly amusing.

The princess, with her alluring blonde hair cascading down, burst into laughter, holding her stomach.

“I heard the news too. You’re joining the investigation team of the Shenghwang Empire?”

“It’s a sort of precaution to conceal my identity.”

“Indeed, a brilliant precaution. Truly, you are remarkable.”

“It was suggested by Saintess Jeblin. I merely followed.”

As Ludmilla complimented with a shrug, her expression suddenly soured.

Indeed, she was being sarcastic.

Just a moment of praise was enough to make her overtly resentful.

I cleared my throat to dispel the uncomfortable atmosphere emanating from Ludmilla.

***

A special envoy was dispatched from the Shenghwang Empire to deliver a personal letter.

It must be related to the Saintess Party.

Jeblin, upon hearing the news, wrinkled her face in a complex manner, revealing her complicated emotions.

Her plan to subtly brush off suspicions about the warmonger had been disrupted. If they were sending a special envoy, then certainly the Shenghwang Empire was taking this suspicion seriously.

“Of all the old fogies, the most notorious busybody had to come.”

A middle-aged man with a striking monocle alighted from the carriage.

Long, torn eyes.

A nose bent downward like a hawk’s beak.

And even the wrinkles on his face showed traces of experience.

Facing the crimson-clad envoy, the priests turned pale and turned their heads. They were afraid of being scolded by the well-known stickler for rules, the envoy.

“You’ve traveled a long way, Envoy Valladi, thank you for your efforts.”

“Nice to see you after a long time.”

Hordamet Valladi.

A magistrate famous for his stubbornness reminiscent of Rudmila visited the Valtaria Empire.

He was a whimsical author who never compromised.

Hence, he must have gained absolute trust from the emperor.

Jevlinn knew there was a clear reason for appointing a trusted aide among the many magistrates of the empire. The emperor’s intention to thoroughly investigate suspicions related to war was palpable.

“I never expected Magistrate Valladi to come.”

“Wasn’t there suspicion raised in Bouemon Kingdom about shaking the foundation of the Empire? As a magistrate of the Empire, it is only natural for him to step forward.”

Hordamet Valladi was famous as an inquisitor who judged many socialites.

He never tolerated evil.

The same went for the crowds who worshiped false gods.

During the process of subduing the remnants of the Demon King’s army and socialites who survived the racial war, he committed brutal massacres. Jevlinn was no different, but Hordamet was even more ruthless. He was a fanatic who committed murder in the name of his faith to be recognized by the great sole god.

“What do you think about warmongers, Magistrate?”

“I simply came to uncover suspicions. I have no emotions towards warmongers.”

Hordamet gave a perfunctory answer to the maiden’s question.

Internally, Jevlinn sneered, thinking, ‘Well, aren’t you a gem.’

“The reason I visited the Valtaria Empire is not just about suspicions related to war.”

“Oh?”

“It is to convey His Majesty’s intentions to the Emperor of the Empire.”

“So there are other matters.”

Why would the leader of the Empire, dressed in crimson robes, have written in his own hand to the leader of the Empire?

Surely it had nothing to do with Edanant?

An ominous feeling pervaded.

It was especially so because the bearer of the Emperor’s handwritten letter was a fervent fanatic.

“It is time to present the Emperor. Maiden, I shall take my leave now.”

“I don’t know what’s going on, but if it’s a decision from the Empire’s leader, we must follow it.”

The magistrate, clad in a crimson robe, politely bid farewell to Jevlinn and headed towards the imperial palace with the priests dispatched as envoys.

—

The Valtaria Empire and the Gael Empire had formed an alliance since the Third Racial War.

Hence, it was common for envoys dispatched from the Gael Empire to announce the Emperor of the Empire. Just like how Valtaria Empire’s envoys announced the Emperor of the Gael Empire every year as guests of honor.

But this time, something was different.

Emperor Barbarosa sent out ministers who had witnessed his announcement upon reading the handwritten letter from the Gael Empire.

“We must hold a council of the alliance now?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The alliance council.

It meant a meeting of nations formed to combat the Demon King’s army and socialites.

The council had to be convened now.

Barbarosa swallowed a sigh as he momentarily set down the Gael’s handwritten letter.

“To convene the alliance council, we need the lord’s permission. Do you know him?”

“Of course. Isn’t the Emperor of the Empire and the Emperor of the Gael Empire the joint lords who command the alliance?”

The Emperor of the Valtaria Empire.

The Emperor of the Gael Empire.

To convene the alliance council, an agreement between the two Emperors was necessary.

Thus, Boern sent the handwritten letter to Barbarosa to ensure the alliance council took place.

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“It seems the Emperor of the Gael Empire is taking the alliance council lightly. Making decisions without any justification and informing us abruptly… Are they trying to dominate the continent like puppets under the guise of the sacredness of the earth god?”

Barbarosa’s voice carried a hint of anger.

He was on the brink of exploding.

The anger born of shame was about to transform into violent rage.

Facing the imminent situation, the priests of the Gael Empire looked pale as they glanced at Hordamet. Despite the imminent threat of a sharp rebuke, only the magistrate maintained a composed demeanor.

“The earth god has issued a direct mandate.”

“What?”

A mandate.

The earth god issued a mandate.

The Emperor’s expression turned perplexed at the magistrate’s response.

His anger subsided.

And in its place, astonishment was tinged with fear.

“How dare you mock the Emperor of the Valtaria Empire! It is clear that the Gael Empire is planning to dominate the continent by using the mandate of the one true god!”

“How can you lie using the name of safety? Clearly, His Majesty has heard the mandate of the earth god.”

It was an absurd statement.

It was such a frivolous reason that anger surged intensely.

Barbarosa shouted with a furious voice as if he would draw a sharp sword. However, the envoy dispatched from Succession Land stood firm with unwavering faith.