The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

29 – Oath for the Princess (3)

A golden brilliance, more dazzling than any gem, dispelled the darkness.

A blade tinged with the golden light of stars.

That was the true form of the celestial Aldebaran.

Instinctively sensing danger, Mayros reinforced his dark gray bio-gauntlets as he rushed towards Edanant. However, the golden onslaught pushed aside the hardened mines, caused by the hardening of the gauntlets.

Crackle!

Crackle!!

Even the Mana Blade, considered the pride of the knights, was easily blocked by the golden onslaught. The bio-gauntlets that had withstood numerous challenges were torn apart by the golden assault, scattering countless fragments and splattering blood into the air.

“This… This is unbelievable! It’s the protection bestowed by the sublime god!”

It couldn’t be.

It was absolutely impossible.

For Mayros, the robust bio-gauntlets were a testament to unwavering faith. Like his unyielding belief, the dark gray bio-gauntlets boasted invincible hardness. The sight of these gauntlets being continuously torn apart was a mockery of faith, akin to blasphemy and denial. Countless offerings, efforts, and sacrifices, made in worship, vanished with the metal fragments.

“Great god! Please bestow your grace once again upon your humble lamb!”

“This bastard.”

As the fanatic exclaimed, the celestial essence embedded in the chest emitted an even more vivid radiance.

His strength explosively increased.

As if to demonstrate this, the dark gray bio-gauntlets began to thicken.

It reached the point of being an immovable heavy armor. However, supplied with infinite energy from the celestial essence, Mayros showcased incredible strength even encased in heavy armor.

“How about this! This is the miracle of the god, hahaha!”

Overflowing with power.

It seemed to boil like lava.

A manifestation of divine favor.

The gifts of the gods bestowed upon the beloved disciple were unquestionable.

Kwaaang!!

Kwaaahh!!

With each strike of the fist clad in bio-gauntlets, a thunderous roar echoed as if baptismal shells were falling. The fist, boasting immense power, rivaled high-caliber shells, crushing everything in its path without mercy.

“Edanant!”

Certainly, getting hit square in the iron-like fists would leave one contorted. Moreover, if subjected to a barrage, one would turn into an unrecognizable mass of flesh.

Elizabeth, feeling a sense of impending danger as Edanant precariously continued his offensive, let out a near-scream with a pale face.

Reckless.

It was a desperate move, forced to the edge of a cliff.

Elizabeth clasped her hands together as if praying for something.

Please,

Please, let him be unharmed.

It’s okay if he doesn’t win, just let him be unharmed.

With anxious emerald eyes stained by restlessness, she watched Edanant’s back, engaged in a fierce battle with the monstrous creature. There was a palpable tension, fearing he might be swept away by an explosion.

Zzooeeeng!!!

As if in response, a metallic sound of deformation rang out.

The bio-gauntlets, worn down by the swordsmanship of a hero, dulled like scrap metal. Traces of gruesome wounds covered his body from the swift slashes of the blade.

Meyros, thrusting sharp punches like a bombing raid, may have seemed advantageous. However, from start to finish, Edanant held the upper hand. As if to prove this, Meyros continuously swung his fists but failed to inflict any injuries on Edanant.

“Why… why aren’t you getting hit! Just collapse and vomit blood already!”

“You’ve slowed down.”

Edanant kicked him.

Then Meyros, with his jaw struck, staggered backward helplessly.

“Huuk…! Huk, huuk!”

The metallic monster exhaled roughly, struggling to rise while being covered in metal like shackles.

Unable to support the weight.

The metal covering his entire body began to act like restraints.

At that moment, Meyros felt doubt creeping in.

Despite constantly wearing the heavy and thick bio-gauntlets, he had always moved swiftly, even though his stamina was depleted from successive clashes. He was receiving energy from the essence of the celestial spring. However, for some reason, his body was rapidly becoming heavy.

-Ohhh!!

A radiant golden light wrapped around the dark gray bio-armor.

It was rapidly corroding.

Like a venomous snake, it penetrated through the cracks in the metal without hesitation.

Strength was being drained away.

As the power dwindled, a resistance began to build within the body.

Aldebaran’s divinity disrupted the energy emitted by the essence of the celestial heavens. Desperately, Maeros tried to release the bio-glove, but the corrosion was too swift. The golden light that had entwined around his body soon became a threat to his very life.

-You blasphemous wretch!!

Yet, he retained enough strength to resist.

Maeros exerted all his strength and threw a punch.

However, in his weakened state, the attack was slow.

“It’s already over.”

Edanant declared as he deflected the feeble punch with his sacred sword.

At that moment, the dark gray metal crumbled like limestone. The once impervious armor, which had repelled all attacks, had now become useless, unable even to stop a blind projectile.

He gripped the hilt of his sword with both hands.

Swinging it vertically like a crescent moon, he severed the last lifeline of the resilient bio-glove.

-Urk!

“Now, you reveal the face you’ve been hiding behind that mask.”

The dark gray bio-glove tore apart, and Maeros was ejected outward.

Thud-.

Finally, the true face of Mine was exposed.

The Maeros who had disguised himself as Dargil Branon until now was a rugged-looking man. His eyes lacked focus, almost as if proving his madness.

-The grace of God…! The grace bestowed upon me by the Lord! Uwaaaah!!

The invincible bio-glove, which had once boasted its invulnerability, now lay in ruins. Maeros, who had been reluctant to acknowledge it, grabbed the fragments of the bio-armor and screamed.

It was the result of relying solely on divine protection.

Losing the bio-glove left Maeros completely devoid of reliance.

Isn’t it ironic?

The divine favor he boasted about, the protection he believed in, ultimately turned to scrap metal.

Edanant approached Maeros with measured steps.

And he raised his sword.

“You… Well, perhaps!”

As Meros gazed at the pitifully scattered fragments, his eyes, filled with disappointment, gradually turned to Edanant, who gripped the blade with determination.

His eyes turned pitch black.

In those darkened eyes, only golden irises remained visible.

A characteristic of the Mine.

Although the forgotten divine protection did not activate, the presence of the Mine was unmistakable.

It was then that Meros realized. The reason his body had withstood the direct onslaught of Tacheon’s essence explosion unscathed was that he, like himself, was a Mine.

“It’s over, Mine.”

Edanant immediately swung the golden trail down upon the Mine, who expressed astonishment with wide-open eyes.

* * *

The ruthless Mine, who had turned the villa into a wasteland, gasped its last breath.

The scream of the Banshee.

It spoke of the outcome of the battle.

The wicked cult, aiming to use the Platinum Princess as a sacrifice, had finally been eradicated.

After finishing off Meros, Edanant tidied himself up and returned. However, he couldn’t help but attract conspicuous glances from many, including Elizabeth.

Hmm.

This is so awkward….

Scratching the back of his head, he moved away.

“As expected, Edan won!”

The first to break the silent stillness was a girl with emerald-colored hair.

She approached energetically.

Coming closer, she hugged Rue, patting her head.

“It was tough and scary, but I endured! I believed Edan would win!”

“Great job, Jangha.”

Comforting Rue, whose eyes were teary, he stood in front of Elizabeth. With a nonchalant expression, he informed her of the victory.

The Mine had been defeated.

Upon hearing this, a relieved sigh escaped from Elizabeth and the knights.

The metallic monster that had been frightening enough to appear in nightmares had fallen. The maids who were diligently attending to the Princess slumped down in astonishment as soon as they heard the news.

“As instructed, we have returned unharmed.”

“Yes… Well done, Edanant.”

The princess with flowing blonde hair spoke with a bright smile. As the clouds dispersed and sunlight broke through, a gentle smile replaced the worry on her face.

She had successfully protected herself from malice.

Upon seeing her beautiful smile, one could ease their troubled heart.

When Elizabeth revealed her unharmed self, she wiped away tears and nodded, overwhelmed by the repeated clashes that had unfolded. Considering the tumultuous battles that had ensued, it was natural for tears of relief to flow.

“Well, Edanant is a Holy Sword wielder, so I believed he would naturally emerge victorious! Yeah, it’s obvious…! So, I’m not surprised at all!”

Elizabeth boasted while hastily wiping away tears with her sleeve. Inadvertently, a laugh escaped at the audacious demeanor of the antagonist’s charming appearance.

Upon this, Elizabeth’s beautiful face flushed crimson.

“Why are you laughing?! I told you not to worry!”

“Understood.”

“Ugh! Your expression doesn’t look like you’ve completely understood!”

“Yes.”

Suppressing laughter at Elizabeth’s adorable demeanor, like a kitten with raised fur, was a challenge. However, laughing too much would undoubtedly earn the wrath of the imperial antagonist, so it was held back.

Was she always this cute?

I want to poke the reddened cheek with my fingers.

“Knight Edanant!”

“Truly fitting for a Holy Sword wielder!”

While Elizabeth and Edanant exchanged banter,

Young men hidden in the bushes, spying on the scene, approached with coughs.

They were suitors of the platinum princess.

Perhaps, they had been silently waiting, holding their breath until the situation was resolved.

The sudden appearance of the young men, spreading flattery, momentarily confused the onlookers. If they had been nearby, they would undoubtedly have witnessed the awkward words Elizabeth had thrown at Edanant.

“We had no idea! We sincerely admire Princess for her deep affection…!”

“We were genuinely upset during the engagement dispute, but… it’s alright now! Princess Elizabeth has Edanant by her side!”

The suitors who fervently admired the platinum princess suddenly began cheering for Elizabeth’s relationship with Edanant in an agitated voice.

Despite attempts to object, the deeply moved suitors paid no attention.

Is my ear blocked?

The sight of each suitor clamoring created a dizzying sensation.

“I will abandon the engagement.”

“You have proven your love by defeating the wicked mine.”

“As members of our humble families who hid in fear of death, it is an impossible task…! From now on, we will wholeheartedly support Knight Edanant!”

The energetic young members of the prestigious family, upon witnessing the impressive display of knocking down mages for the princess, not only abandoned their ambitious plans but also wholeheartedly supported it. Their excitement seemed genuine.

“Oh, no…! I mean, it’s not like that!”

“No need to deny it like that! Where else in the world can you find a man willing to risk his life for a woman he doesn’t even like?”

Damn it.

Really, it’s not like that.

Just a month ago, she was my brother’s fiancée, Elizabeth; I have no reason to develop feelings for her.

Frustration grew as he glared at the earnest faces of the meddling suitors, wanting to throw punches at their presumptuous attitudes.

“Cough! Cough, cough…!”

Feeling infuriated by the presumptuous attitudes of the suitors, he turned to Elizabeth.

To his surprise, Elizabeth, with an unnatural fake cough, turned her head away.