The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

111 – 111. Traces of the Past (1)

Elizabeta and Rue were enjoying a picnic in the garden with other Louisnongs.

A basket filled with sandwiches.

A blanket spread wide across the grass.

They watched the adorable antics of the little ones while elegantly sipping black tea, gazing at the villainess.

Eventually, their eyes met, and the beautiful princess with flowing golden hair smiled gently. For a moment, Elizabeta was entranced by her appearance, dressed in a pure white dress that resembled a pristine wedding gown.

“Edanant.”

The platinum-haired princess, with her smile radiating warmth, looked like a masterpiece. Elizabeta felt a bit awkward in the presence of such breathtaking beauty, rivaling that of a heroine from a romantic fantasy.

Indeed, her beauty was on par with that of a leading lady in a romance fantasy.

Despite the turmoil surrounding her engagement to the Hoenberk family, Elizabeta was still receiving marriage proposals from numerous prestigious families in the empire. It was hard to believe that she was being undervalued in the marriage market as a ‘divorcee.’

“Edan! Did you come to see Rue?”

“Of course.”

A girl with light green hair came running over proudly.

She stretched out her arms and lifted the little one high.

“Hehe! So high, so high!”

Rue, dangling from her hands, flailed her arms and legs, bursting with excitement. The Louisnongs watching the scene rushed over, lining up one by one, eager to be picked up.

It would take some time to hug them all.

But since it was uncertain when they would return after leaving the sanctuary, they decided to embrace everyone.

“It feels like a dad who’s come back after a long time is playing with the kids.”

“…Well, that might be true.”

A dad, huh.

If a third party were to witness this scene, they might misunderstand it that way.

Then, wouldn’t the princess watching over the cute children be the mother? Perhaps she thought so herself, as she clapped her hands and watched Rue lift the Louisnongs one by one.

“Ah, this is really frustrating! How on earth do you make this?”

“Pohang Port! Edan is such a fool! How can you fail at such a simple task so many times?”

After indulging in the antics of the Louisnongs,

this time, she was learning how to make flower crowns.

It was quite difficult.

Every time she tried to weave the flowers, it ended up a tangled mess, like a knotted thread.

“Eek! I feel sorry for the flowers…!”

“Are you really thinking of turning this lush garden into a barren wasteland?”

The flowers, which had become nothing more than rags in the attempt to create a floral crown, were already piled up like a mountain. The Louisn, who had been chattering away with their nagging, seemed to start feeling a bit frustrated and began to jump around.

Damn it.

To be receiving advice from these cute yet foolish fairies.

I couldn’t help but wonder if my intelligence was perhaps below that of a dolphin.

“Done!”

After wasting 30 minutes, I finally completed the floral crown.

Of course, compared to the craftsmanship of the Louisn, who boasted artisan-level skills, it was utterly clumsy. But Elizabeth willingly leaned forward to accept the crown.

“Thank you, it’s really beautiful.”

“I made a floral crown for the first time today… it’s incredibly difficult.”

The smell of glue was so strong it filled both hands.

Elizabeth, who had watched the clumsy scene from start to finish, smiled bashfully as she adjusted the crown resting atop her head. She was soon captivated by the beautiful sight of the platinum princess adorned with a crown woven from various flowers.

“I heard from my sister. You’re going far away… is it very dangerous?”

“Yes. It seems it will take some time.”

Elizabeth asked with a worried expression.

I opened my mouth while gently patting Rue, who was tilting her head beside me.

It is indeed very dangerous.

Against the Holy Kingdom… or perhaps, I might end up challenging the entire continent.

I had prided myself on having faced countless dangers until now. But the risks I would encounter in the sanctuary would be a turning point more perilous than any challenge I had faced before.

I truly wondered if I would be able to return.

Unable to guarantee my survival, I showed my discomfort at Elizabeth’s question.

“…Really?”

Did she sense the unusual atmosphere?

Elizabeth bit her plump lips tightly.

Then she stood up and brushed off the grass leaves stuck to her skirt.

“I won’t hold you back. I won’t try to stop you. I don’t want to interfere with Edanant. Just….”

“…….”

“Come back safely. And you must return. Okay, that’s enough.”

“Of course.”

Her emerald eyes trembled with a hint of sorrow.

But Elizabeta forced a bright smile, suppressing her anxiety.

It was only natural to tremble with unease.

Unlike me, Elizabeta must not be accustomed to farewells.

“Ha-wa-ha!”

“The pretty princess is hugging you!”

The Louisn, who had been watching Elizabeta with sparkling eyes, reacted in shock all at once.

It was because Elizabeta, having said her goodbyes, suddenly stretched out her arms and pulled me into an embrace.

It felt like a scene from a fairy tale.

The curious Louisn squealed and stomped their feet in excitement.

“Have a safe journey, brave warrior.”

The beautiful princess with flowing golden hair whispered in an enchanting voice. Then, lifting her toes high, she pressed her lips against mine.

Peck.

It was a short and simple kiss.

Our lips barely touched, like a bird pecking with its beak.

It felt intentional, as if to leave a lingering sense of regret. Along with the soft sensation, it seemed to convey the complexity of Elizabeta’s true feelings.

“Since you’ve dared to steal the princess’s first kiss… you must come back!”

“…I’m the one who was stolen from.”

“Ethan had his with my sister last time! For me, this is my first kiss!”

“……”

Perhaps wanting to hide her embarrassment, Elizabeta began to insist with an agitated voice.

How cute.

I wanted to poke her cheek and tease her.

But I decided to save that sense of longing for our reunion. The stronger the longing, the sooner the reunion would come.

“W-will you give Ethan one too!”

Lue, who had witnessed the princess’s sudden kiss, tugged at her clothes and shouted.

What on earth is she trying to do?

I bent one knee to meet Lue’s gaze.

Having indulged Elizabeta’s insistence, it was now time to entertain Lue’s as well. So, I simply watched as the Louisn busily prepared something without stopping them.

“Ethan… will come back, right?”

“Of course.”

Could it be that she was reminded of Maximilian, who had unilaterally announced their breakup and left? Rue, who had experienced a sorrowful farewell, showed a worried expression, her eyes glistening with tears every time they parted.

“I always believe in Ethan…! I, I… am Ethan’s closest friend!”

“We are always best friends.”

A small fairy approached with a broad smile.

And then she kissed my cheek.

It was a kiss filled with affection.

I comforted her by gently stroking her head, wanting to repay Louisnon’s earnest heart.

I will definitely return.

I promised sincerely to my dear friend, who always believed in and waited for an unreliable partner.

* * *

The Seven Great Powers of the Warring States, representing their races and factions, were unique beings who pursued only their own definitions and beliefs.

There is no room for compromise.

They only seek to defeat and subjugate their opponents.

In the end, has even reason been eroded by the power of the absolute?

Most of the strong among the Seven Great Powers rejected compromise and desired only war; they were truly madmen. It would be foolish to appeal for an alliance while advocating for a greater cause to such lunatics.

“It is a holy war for the One True God. So, prepare to die and join the cause.”

A young man with red hair approached.

With an androgynous appearance, he informed the gathered troops that it was a holy war granted by the One True God and commanded them to unite.

A dazzling armor adorned with platinum.

And a red velvet cloak bestowed upon the knights of the Holy Kingdom.

As the young man’s command was revealed, the holy knights surrounding him stood at attention. This young man was ranked fifth in the Holy Kingdom.

“…Cyril.”

Cyril Vailede.

A member of the Seven Great Powers and the current leader of the knights of the Holy Kingdom.

Maximilian, who had trained in swordsmanship under the black cardinal Ilkeron Nebiacus, looked at Cyril and shook his head. Cyril then glared with wide eyes.

“What face does a heretic, who failed to properly serve the Second Saint, have to show! If my master hadn’t left behind any words of caution, I would have struck you down first!”

“Hmph, the perennial second place has a big mouth.”

A shout filled with anger flew in.

Maximilian responded nonchalantly, turning away.

“What, what did you say?! How dare a heretic!”

Cirelle, in a fit of rage, grasped the hilt of her sword.

At that moment, the paladins around her rushed in to restrain Cirelle.

“Honestly, the people of the Holy Empire are all a bunch of fools.”

The once-crowded conference hall erupted into chaos.

The enchanting beauty seated in a chair extended her long legs, displaying her disdain.

Fools who blindly believe in the teachings of the gods.

That was the true nature of the Holy Empire as seen by the archmages of the Magic Tower.

The Magic Tower.

A force that had produced numerous archmages, including the sage who was a member of the Saintess Party.

The owner of the Magic Tower, wielding influence rivaling that of the Emperor of the Baltaria Empire and the Holy Emperor of the Gael Holy Empire, was none other than her. The paladins, trying to maintain their composure, recited scripture as they gazed at the beauty clad in a dangerously revealing dress.

“The outside world is truly unpleasant. If it weren’t for the unprecedented catastrophe of the resurrection of the Innocent’s Calamity, I would be studying spellbooks in the workshop as usual…!”

Querisa Nesserhane.

The master of the Red Tower and the head of the Nesserhane family, which had produced renowned archmages.

And a part of the Seven Great Nations.

The news of the resurrection of the Innocent’s Calamity had led to a temporary alliance between the Magic Tower and the Holy Empire, which had been in conflict for hundreds of years due to differing values and interests. Furthermore, the strongest from the Seven Great Nations had gathered in the sanctuary.