The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

4 – Parting (1)

Father passed away.

Mental fatigue and excessive stress.

Naturally, the disappearance of my damn brother was the cause of the illness.

As soon as the head of the Hohenberg family left his office, the family’s youngest son naturally took over the duties of the Count’s residence. It was an occasional occurrence, so no one was surprised.

“That’s why cultivating your children is important. If the eldest son is useless, even if it’s you, the second son, you should work hard.”

Originally, shouldn’t the eldest son take over the duties when the head of the family leaves?

Ugh,

Damn eldest son.

Just because he was born first, he gets treated well.

There’s only a two-year difference between us.

“Eek! It’s incredibly cute!”

“As expected, my taste is never wrong!”

Rolling the pen, continuing with unnecessary thoughts,

Why is it so noisy?

Voices, as if welcoming a celebrity, echoed in excitement.

Soon, the door to the office opened, revealing the culprit of the noise. It was a girl with emerald green curly hair. Unable to suppress her curiosity at the sight of the girl in new attire, she couldn’t help but be puzzled.

“What’s this again?”

“I put it on to help Ethan!”

Instead of a patchwork travel outfit, Rue wore a monochromatic ceremonial robe.

A black tailcoat.

A contrasting white shirt.

Luxurious silk gloves and a cute short necktie.

It was an outfit that overtly emphasized cuteness.

Hence, it suited well as the mascot representing the work.

“Our Luyon has been clever and knowledgeable since birth! A dimension apart from ordinary humans! So, entrust any task to us!”

Ahem!

Ahem, ahem!

Proudly boasting the superiority of their race while extending their flat chest.

Was he claiming to be the embodiment of wisdom? Nodding in agreement with Rue’s bold declaration, they requested help in sorting the piles of documents that had accumulated like a mountain. In response, Rue came running with a bright smile.

“Hehe, Luyon never forgets a favor!”

“Like when you were chased by monsters and rescued by the saint’s party?”

Luyon, a heretic who escaped from a secluded space, yearning for the free outside world, finds himself in a life-threatening crisis pursued by hungry monsters before fully enjoying his freedom.

The one who saved him is the hero Maximilian.

He wants to repay the favor.

So, he started to follow his benefactor like a persistent shadow.

Reflecting on the lively early parts of the story, a faint laugh escaped.

“Oh, how did you know that? Did Max tell you, by any chance?”

“Well… yes.”

Unable to give an answer like, “I know because I thoroughly read the entire work,” he replied naturally, stumbling over his words.

In response, Rue shook the tuft of hair that stood up like antennae.

To be so delighted.

Seeing the flushed face and intense reaction made his conscience prickle.

“Young master.”

Knock, knock.

The sound of a neat knock reached them.

Granting permission to enter, the elderly butler stepped into the office.

“This is a letter from the imperial palace.”

“Hmm, it seems Princess Ludmila sent it.”

Sealed with a golden lion.

It was definitely a letter sent from the palace.

Ludmila had mentioned sending a letter as soon as she arrived at the imperial capital.

Recalling the words she had added before leaving, he received the letter.

“What’s this, what’s this?”

The elaborately decorated letter was enough to pique the curiosity of the elf. He stuck his head out like a child.

Snap.

He tore the seal with a paper knife.

And in the seat where he gazed with sparkling eyes, he opened the letter.

“Ah…!”

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“Damn it! It’s really from the imperial palace!”

“Heek!”

He stood up with a scream.

Then, with a sigh and an exclamation, Rue suddenly squeezed his buttocks.

“[Orders the Hoënberg family, who unilaterally broke off the engagement with the imperial family, to pay compensation.]”

Compensation.

In other words,

He wanted to settle the responsibility for the breakup with money.

If it were friction with another noble family, he would have requested mediation from the imperial court. Unfortunately, the force hostile to our Hoënberg family right now was the imperial court itself. And since the damn author who unilaterally declared the breakup was entirely responsible, there was no chance to argue.

“S-So, how much is it…?”

“With the barley candies you’re eating now, you could probably fill a reservoir.”

78 billion Lachel.

Converted to silver, it was 120,000 pounds.

By the way, the annual income of the Hoënberg Viscountcy was 80,000 pounds.

In other words, it meant paying more than a year and a half’s income.

‘Well, it’s not the worst-case scenario. No, this is surprisingly lenient. If I were the emperor, I would have squeezed the Hoënberg Viscountcy to the point of being irreparable. Princess Ludmila must have advocated for us.’

It was an exorbitant sum that could make someone scream.

However, it wasn’t to the point of being unable to repay.

If they implemented tax hikes and austerity measures for the next few years, they should be able to repay the compensation.

“Ah, Edan…! Are you going broke now, sitting on the street? Ugh… dandelion candy, I won’t eat it anymore.”

The sunny expression of the fairy, who had been delighting in the sweetness of the dandelion candy atop a well, turned into a grimace. It seemed as though the Hohenberg family thought they wouldn’t be able to maintain their wealth due to the enormous compensation.

Sighing heavily, they drooped their head.

Then, the dandelion candy, once enjoyed enough to prompt humming a tune, was spat out.

They even displayed a hint of remorse, as if pondering whether their indulgence had caused harm.

“Things might get tough from now on… but it won’t come to confiscating our assets. Surely, a prestigious family from the East with a long-standing history wouldn’t be brought to ruin, right?”

“Ugh.”

No need to worry like that.

As soon as they finished speaking, Rue popped the dandelion candy back into their mouth.

‘Damn it, should I sell off even that thing entrusted by that jerk in the backyard…’

The top priority to gather the compensation was to dispose of all the belongings of the culprit responsible for aggravating the situation, whether it be clothing, possessions, or the funds hoarded like a hero.

Apparel and items,

The funds stockpiled, posing as a hero.

Even the precious treasures reaped after countless tales of heroism.

If they sold everything, could it cover the compensation?

It was a fitting retribution, and if they had even a shred of dignity left, they couldn’t possibly object.

‘Should I sell the Holy Sword stored in the underground vault? Surely the Holy Kingdom would compensate generously.’

The Four Star Swords, the Sacred Swords of the Demon Slayer.

Among the four swords wielded by the hero Maximilian, one was being kept by the Hohenberg family.

During its prime, it boasted an unparalleled aura, but now it had fallen into mere antiquity. Contemplating its disposal, they thought of the frenzy that would ensue among the sword-worshiping masses, but paying off the compensation took precedence.

* * *

The maiden party celebrated the defeat of the ultimate villain, marking the epilogue.

Yet, numerous threats to the mundane world persisted.

Remnants of the Demon King’s forces.

Cultists devoted to dark gods.

Even bizarre creatures from unknown dimensions.

Could it be because of the new phase (Part 2) that now exists?

Despite overcoming numerous twists and turns to reach the grand finale, the heroic tale of the Holy Maiden Party remained incomplete.

It concluded not with a flawless ending but an imperfect one. Therefore, the countless villains expelled by the Holy Maiden Party lurked in the abyss, awaiting their chance for the genius, Ilwoo.

“The thorns have departed!”

“The ruthless sorceress and even the authorities are all gone!”

“Oh, great deity! We shall prepare offerings to present to you!”

The inhibitions that hindered the rise of malice disappeared all at once.

The opportunity was granted by the deity.

The leaders who had planned a resurgence raised their heads.

The void left by inhibitions meant resistance and expansion. Those who had bowed to the Holy Maiden Party, stained with hypocrisy, now brandished their swords in anger. It was to shatter the hypocritical world and realize a perfect revenge drama.

“At last, the time for evil to rise has come…!”

Those seeking the resurrection of their power.

Those moving for the spread of conversion and faith.

And those wanting to devour all living beings on the continent.

The reasons for seeking the rise of evil were all different.

Just as various forms exist on the side of good,

Various forms coexisted on the side of evil.

“Maximilian…!”

“His lineage is in the Baltaria Empire!”

“The murderer who killed my brothers! I will definitely repay the disgrace he inflicted upon me!”

And among the unruly ones unleashed from restraint, there were also avengers.

The expansion of power?

Achievement of faith?

For the avengers, such principles were lacking.

Only hatred towards enemies who had stolen justice from them.

Therefore, as soon as freed from inhibition, they eagerly sought to carry out the revenge they had long awaited.

“Maximiliaaaan!”

The hero, Maximilian.

The strongest of the Holy Maiden Party.

A hero who mercilessly cut down numerous evildoers.

To him, the trajectory of revenge was as inevitable as the downward pull of gravity.