The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

9 – The Villainess Elizaveta (1)

If you were to point out the most assertive man among the citizens of the Valtaria Empire, it would undoubtedly be the 17th Emperor of the Valtaria Empire.

Emperor Varovarosa.

A source of terror for ministers and bureaucrats.

And a subject of admiration and awe for knights and citizens.

Thick, wild, golden hair.

A proud, elongated mustache exuding arrogant self-esteem.

And a menacing demeanor, revealing ownership of a temperamental personality.

– Like striking a rock with a hammer.

These were the words of a diplomatic envoy from a kingdom that had faced the Emperor. If a diplomat from a foreign country could say such, one could only imagine the predicament of the ministers assisting the Emperor up close.

Every time the ministers assisting the Emperor attended a council, they sighed in resignation. This was because they received the Emperor’s wrath the moment they joined the council. Consequently, the ministers always kept their resignation letters in the drawer, enduring precarious bureaucratic lives.

“The reports have already been submitted by the Ministry of Public Safety and the Ministry of Internal Affairs… Why hasn’t the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent theirs? I instructed them to submit it before the council began!”

“Hasn’t the Minister of Foreign Affairs been dispatched to the North? That is why there is a delay.”

“Daring to make the Emperor wait. Truly an exceptional Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

“I-I apologize.”

Varovarosa was accustomed to expressing displeasure over trivial matters. However, his recently rough demeanor had become even more ruthless.

It all began with the turmoil stemming from his youngest daughter’s broken engagement a few days ago.

He had summoned all the ministers a few days ago, and even engaged in a brawl with his youngest daughter Elizabeth over a new engagement, exacerbating his already intense temperament.

A wise monarch never revealed personal emotions in official matters, but unfortunately, Varovarosa did not fit into that category. While he had led the empire to its prime with excellent governance and overwhelming authority, he was nothing short of a nightmare for ministers and bureaucrats.

“Your Majesty, a personal letter has arrived from the Prosperous Kingdom.”

“A personal letter? The cunning rye bread sends a letter to my baggage.”

Clearly, ‘rye bread’ referred to the current reigning monarch, Prince Beorn I. Beorn I, being from the southern region, had a somewhat rough complexion compared to others. Varovarosa often made jests, comparing him to commoners’ staple food, rye bread.

It was frightening to think the Prosperous Kingdom might overhear.

The ministers shrank at the Emperor’s reckless remarks.

“Sending an embassy to declare they will track the whereabouts of the missing saint in Valtaria’s territory? It seems things are heating up on their end.”

The notice, elegantly written in an ornate script, stated the intention to dispatch an embassy to trace the movements of the missing saint within the Valtaria Empire’s borders. Surprisingly, the representative of the embassy was none other than the First Saint.

Barbarossa scowled fiercely at the sight of him.

The disappearance of the Maiden’s Parade.

Surely, even in the Kingdom of Triumph, it would have been a thunderbolt from the clear sky. Moreover, the elusive Beatrice, who had vanished without a trace, was not just any maiden of the Triumph but also the princess representing the kingdom itself. Even the gruff bishops, upon receiving the news, would have shouted that they must find the maiden immediately.

“Several cursed scoundrels causing a lot of trouble.”

Barbarossa muttered under his breath as he casually dropped a handwritten letter onto the table.

“I will entertain the proposal from the Kingdom of Triumph. And instruct other kingdoms involved in the Maiden’s Parade to do the same.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

It wasn’t solely an issue for the Valterian Empire.

The Kingdom of Gael.

The Kingdom of Zisterd. The Kingdom of Alond. The Republic of Savoia.

All the related nations were closely monitoring the situation.

That’s why Barbarossa acquiesced to the request of Triumph.

All the kingdoms involved in the Maiden’s Parade needed to cooperate. With numerous threats arising from the disappearance of the parade, close collaboration was necessary, even if just to counter those threats.

“Your Majesty.”

“What now? Can’t leave matters unattended, can you?”

The Chancellor, who had been awaiting a report, spoke up.

Barbarossa responded in an irritable tone, “They say the Princess who went to the east for a while is returning.”

“Rudmilla is coming back!”

As stubborn as he was known to be and despite being called a doting father, Barbarossa couldn’t help but burst into laughter upon hearing the news of his daughter returning from the east.

Truly an extreme turn of events.

To switch positions as swiftly as flipping a coin upon news of his daughter’s return.

Thanks to the good news from the east, the ministers were momentarily relieved of their worries.

“And… they say the heir of the Hohenberg family is accompanying her.”

“What? Hohenberg…?”

If it were a member of another family, they might have instructed their servants to prepare a grand banquet, exclaiming, “Our daughter has finally brought a suitor!” Barbarossa earnestly hoped she would marry before she turned thirty.

However,

Unfortunately, the guest of his daughter happened to be from the ‘Hohenberg family.’

Cursed scoundrels who made his youngest daughter, with eyes as clear as a roe deer’s, shed tears. The mention of an enemy’s heir, who could be crushed on the spot without regret, ignited a fierce rage within him.

With what face did he come to the imperial court?

The enraged emperor roared, overturning all the documents on the table.

* * *

If you were to ask what the perfect fusion of magic and technology was, nine times out of ten, it would be choosing a locomotive powered by a magical engine.

A magical engine powered by the finest magic stones was, without exaggeration, a masterpiece created by magicians and inventors. The magical engine-powered locomotive, moving with the power of magical engines, was the ultimate means of transportation that ran rampant across the East and West of the Valtaria Empire.

“Train! Big, big, and the end is not visible!”

A girl with emerald-green hair, wrapped in a backpack like an elementary school student, shouted.

It might look like a different world.

The numerous trains parked on the platform were truly magnificent.

Woo-woo-woo-woo-.

A massive flow of magic emanated from the engine room, producing a strange vibrating sound. Perhaps it was charging magic in the engine room. I don’t know the detailed operational principles. Whether in my past life or present, I’m inclined towards liberal arts.

“I’m glad you’re so excited.”

Ludmila smiled with satisfaction at Lue, who was bouncing around like a puppy.

Perhaps she had shed the awkwardness of their first meeting.

The blonde princess treated Ludmila like a playful little sister.

On the other hand, Lue still seemed to find Ludmila challenging.

When Ludmila reached out, Lue awkwardly avoided her like a crab.

“Do you use a sword too? Of course, as a noble, you must have learned swordsmanship for self-defense.”

“Well… it’s just an imitation.”

Lue, who still seemed afraid, gave a wry smile.

Ludmila, who had been walking beside me, asked, “Does Your Excellency also use a sword?” while glancing at the sword sheathed in purple silk.

A sword hilt adorned with purple silk.

Seeing him carry it at his waist piqued her interest.

“Sometime in the past, my brother forcibly handed me this sword. Since I left the Hoenberg family… well, it’s better to carry it around and pretend to be a knight.”

“It suits you very well.”

The unexpectedly appearing sword had a delicate aesthetic like a decoration.

Well, it’s only natural.

This is the Sacred Sword of the Yellow Star.

Aldbaran.

The sergeant handed down by the hero Maximilian, who had received four sacred swords from the prosperous kingdom and forcibly passed one on to his younger brother. Because that arrogant brother acknowledged me as the owner without my consent, I had no choice but to carry Aldbaran. If the distance exceeds a certain limit, the sacred sword pursues its owner, you see.

‘If I meet a priest of the prosperous kingdom, I should return it immediately. I know I’ll face some kind of rebellion later.’

When the identity is revealed, there will undoubtedly be a tumultuous uproar.

Why must I endure suffering every time?

I wanted to put a bullet into that gruff face.

“When was the last time you visited the Imperial Capital?”

“Um… probably about six months ago.”

Although distant, the Hohenberg Viscounty was connected to the Imperial Capital at the center through a railroad.

It took about four days to reach the Imperial Capital.

Therefore, with the use of a magical engine locomotive, it was not difficult to make the journey.

As they headed towards the train on the platform, Rudmila and I engaged in casual chatter. Fortunately, on her beautiful face, like a crescent moon, there was a bright smile that seemed to satisfy the princess. My face blushed momentarily at the sight of the breathtakingly beautiful lady laughing.

“This time, I rented the entire locomotive specially. It should be a comfortable journey.”

“Really?”

“Entertaining a guest is no easy task. We cannot be stingy with expenses, especially when it comes to treating a guest at the Valtaria Palace. The Valtaria Royal Family never shows stinginess to its guests.”

“…”

I’ve heard of chartering a plane for a trip, but this was the first time I heard of renting an entire locomotive, spanning 20 cars. Truly, it was the royal family.

Even the prestigious Hohenberg family, boasting the highest pedigree in the East, couldn’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed. Rudmila, with her calm demeanor, was unexpectedly extravagant, much like a spendthrift. If a man were to marry her, he would likely have to bear an enormous financial burden, starting with a colossal expenditure sheet. Quite pitiful, really.

“When we arrive at the Imperial Capital, numerous crowds will welcome guests from the East. It’s as if the Hohenberg family is welcoming guests in the Imperial Capital just as they were welcomed here.”

“…It would be fortunate if nothing unexpected happens.”

I became associated with the royalty.

Even the central nobility would likely look down on the Hohenberg family, which tarnished the honor of the royal family. A rough thorny path was anticipated.

The moment they arrived at the Imperial Capital, they would be met with numerous hostilities.

At this point, he had no choice but to rely on Rudmila’s favor. She was the benefactor who protected the Hohenberg family against the Valtaria Royal Family, who sought to break off the engagement. Therefore, he decided to trust her.

…

…

…

The magical engine locomotive, a prerogative of the upper class, boasted comfort and convenience, but the long journey imposed hardships on the passengers.

A resounding thud echoed.

Confined to a limited space, there was no escape from the stifling atmosphere.

Yet, for me, those moments were fleeting.

I spent my time contemplating how to survive in the vast desert filled with enemies.

“Please inspect!”

As the train finally arrived at the platform in the desert, the staff opened the doors, signaling the end of the journey.

We had arrived.

As I disembarked from the train, a multitude of people came into view.

It must be a procession welcoming the princess who had departed for the east. Most of them had no connection whatsoever with the Hohenberg family. The gazes of the crowd were solely focused on Ludmila.

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Perhaps we last met at the formal introduction six months ago?”

No one from the rural village would welcome me,

— I thought as I silently descended from the platform with the petite fairy.

A stunning woman with flowing golden hair approached with a businesslike smile. Meeting her sharp gaze was enough to freeze me in place. It was because we had encountered each other in a twisted fate.

“Edanant.”

Her sharp and haughty voice seized my attention.

With a beauty resembling a noble platinum sculpture, I felt momentarily dizzy.

How could I not recognize her?

The Third Princess.

Elizaveta von Baltaria.

The former fiancée of the hero Maximilian.

The antagonist young lady who appears in ‘Lady of the White Blessing.’

I, who harbored more resentment towards the Hohenberg family than anyone else, now found myself face to face with the antagonist young lady. In the current unprepared state, I stiffened upon seeing the princess.