NOVEL WEB Chapter 13
War Monger.
The sixth member of the Saintess Party.
The protagonist who crowned the Fourth Continental War with victory.
A Sword Saint who used the Demon-Slaying Holy Sword, just like the Hero Maximilian.
Despite achieving numerous feats, this enigmatic figure remains unidentified.
Ludmilla declared that she would seek the ‘War Monger,’ whose existence is even uncertain. With a heavy heart, I wandered the imperial city’s streets with Rue.
“Since Edan stepped out for a moment, the lady asked you about the War Monger.”
“Oh really?”
What did you say?
I gazed into those green eyes filled with meaning.
“Dunno, I’ve never heard of it before.”
“Of course you wouldn’t know.”
“How can they say I’m the sixth member, when I’m the mascot of the Saintess Party! If you’re a new member, obviously I’m your senior!”
“…….”
Is that really how it goes?
A kiddo was puffing up her cheeks like she was shaking her hair in anger.
She seems terribly upset now that she’s learned about an unknown junior…
When I poked her puffy cheeks with my finger, a peeek sound escaped as air whooshed out.
“By the way, what’s a War Monger? Is it like solar energy?”
“A nickname some folks made up, just like a middle schooler’s delusion. Just let it slide.”
What even is a War Monger, seriously?
The worst naming sense that makes me want to bullet the joker behind it.
I grumbled quietly as I arrived at the villa that we were using as lodging. I wanted to rest quickly to soothe my frayed nerves from Ludmilla’s grand proclamation to find the War Monger with the empire’s intelligence agency.
“Waiting on the Platinum Princess… How utterly sacrilegious, Edanant.”
“Your Highness Elizaveta.”
But I had to postpone my break.
Because a blonde princess holding a white parasol was waiting.
The Platinum Princess had arrived.
Already aware of the news, numerous nobles gathered around.
With heavily armed troops deployed to escort the princess, there was no way they wouldn’t stand out. The commotion increased due to the influx of nobles who came to the capital from the provinces.
“Looks like you’re in a tough spot.”
“W-Well, of course!”
“But what can we do? For now, just be my punching bag instead of my brother who abandoned his fiancée.”
“…….”
Are you suggesting you wanted to put me in a difficult position on purpose?
Villainous Princess.
Truly a mischievous one who shouldn’t be underestimated.
Should I say she’s comparable to a fairy who begs for jelly candy every day?
“I understand you’re flustered, but could you please invite me into the villa? How long are you planning to make the noble Platinum Princess feel awkward?”
“I’m sorry.”
The arrogant dignity and charisma were indeed traits that a Villainous Princess must possess.
She naturally overwhelmed the crowd.
At a wave of Elizaveta’s hand, the throng of nobles that had gathered like a swarm retreated like the tide.
It seemed she had gained quite the notoriety as a Villainous Princess in the empire, as some nobles backed off in shock at her gesture. Elizaveta sneered at their reactions as she entered the royal family’s villa.
“So what’s the deal with you and Edanant?”
“Huh…?”
As soon as she sat on the sofa in the reception room, Elizaveta threw a bombshell question.
I shot her a blank stare.
She seemed to be judging the person who might become her brother-in-law.
If I got caught up in this trap-like question, I’d be toyed with by the Villainous Princess. Not wanting to fall for such a blatant trick, I kept my stance as baseless.
“Are you saying that our previous meetings were just a joke to Edanant?”
“Why’d it turn out like that?!”
“The only man my sister has met privately is Edanant. So naturally, the royal family would keep an eye on your relationship, wouldn’t they? The attendants must be busy right about now.”
“…….”
I finally grasped why the scandal of the second son of the Hohenberc family and the princess Ludmilla hadn’t been headline news.
The royal family had moved.
I swallowed hard at Elizaveta’s words.
Soon, I might be dragged along by the daughter-con emperor.
It was highly likely that would happen.
*
Elizaveta didn’t visit the villa just for the sake of her sister’s scandal.
What was her purpose for coming here?
I refrained from asking.
Because I already knew the Platinum Princess’s true intentions.
During our conversation, she suddenly sighed. She glanced out the window, wearing a melancholy expression that reflected the typical agony of a girl suffering heartbreak.
“I’m fine. I’m trying to forget… It’s hard, but I’m managing.”
“…….”
“If I just sit here, I’ll look pathetic. By now, Maximilian is probably enjoying a sweet honeymoon with that damn Saintess.”
“You’re right to think that way.”
Despite reminiscing about the pain from her callous betrothed, Elizaveta made an effort to smile.
There’s no way she could be okay.
She must have genuinely loved Maximilian.
The deeper the love, the more devastating the heartbreak. I kept my mouth shut, knowing that clumsy words of consolation could only become a new wound. I only gazed at her with a worried look.
“But Beatrice… I will never let that damned woman be. I’ll rip apart that hypocritical, false face of hers! Just wait until Maximilian comes back!!”
She clenched her hands around the teacup as if going to crush it, revealing her sharp killing intent.
Rue, beside me, jumped in shock and clung to me tightly.
Scary.
Is this the hatred of a woman scorned?
Elizaveta’s face, revealing her murderous intent, reminded me of Ludmilla, who had called me ‘auntie.’
“Your Highness Elizaveta, you need to be more cautious from here on out.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
You’re doomed.
Because in the second part, the Villainous Princess Elizaveta meets a tragic end.
It’s a death flag decreed by the writer.
Something would undoubtedly occur that would grant her a death sentence.
As I looked into Elizaveta’s vividly shining green eyes, I urged her to be careful. I couldn’t bluntly say, “The creator of this world has sentenced you to death,” so I had to explain the danger indirectly.
“The villains harboring grudges against the Saintess Party have started attacking the Valtarian Empire. Naturally, Your Highness, a member of the imperial family, would be a target.”
“If they hate the empire, then of course they’d target me, the princess.”
Elizaveta was indeed a Villainous Princess marked for a tragic death.
How…
How exactly would they take away the Platinum Princess?
The circumstances of her death would be known only to the writer. That’s why I had to list out all potential worst-case scenarios and prepare for the worst. I wanted to protect Elizaveta in place of the irresponsibly absent Maximilian.
Was it sympathy towards the Villainous Princess, who faced numerous misfortunes in the story?
Or was it guilt for the fiancée that Maximilian abandoned?
I didn’t know.
I simply had a single-minded desire to keep her safe.
“Get down now!!”
As I suddenly rose from the sofa and moved toward the window, I sensed a threat bubbling from my core, shouting out in a voice close to a scream.
It’s definite.
Something is about to happen.
My instincts honed over many dangerous experiences raised the alarm once more. The seasoned intuition that had always saved my life at the front lines was ringing loudly, and I heeded that warning.
──────!!!!
A blinding red flash.
The sound of an explosion spread like thunder.
At the same time, the windows, hit by shockwaves, shattered in unison.
I drew my pistol from the holster.
And reflexively gripped the hilt of the Holy Sword.
An explosion had occurred.
Judging by the thunderous sound, it was an artificially created explosion.
“E-Edan?!”
“Hiik!!”
I quickly turned my head.
Elizaveta’s surprise was evident.
Rue, nestled in the princess’s arms, screamed in shock.
Then the guards outside kicked the door open and rushed in. They looked just as bewildered by the sudden explosion.
“Your Highness Elizaveta!”
“Quickly escort the princess!”
What’s happening?
Was it an ambush targeting Elizaveta?
No, that was not the case.
The source of the explosion was located at least 800 yards away from the villa. If the intention was to assassinate the princess, they would have hidden explosives in closer proximity.
‘A bombing targeting the imperial city.’
Damn it,
Are they really making the imperial city a target now?
Rising from my previously crouched position, I pulled a shard of glass from my cheek.
*
A pillar of fire erupted.
Immediately followed by a cloud of red smoke billowing forth, unleashing its fury.
The imperial city was painted red.
It felt like a bolt of fire had struck from the sky.
The explosion in the outer area, 7th District, spread its impact over half the city.
Citizens caught in the fierce bombardment were buried without a moment’s respite. The few who survived began to scream and flee, turning the bombarded streets into a chaotic struggle between death and survival.
“Ha ha! Hahaha! Serves you right, damn empire trash!!”
A hooded figure shouted.
Demon Killer.
You could feel the hatred emanating from the twisted, burned visage.
The man who looked like a lunatic stretched his arms at the soaring pillar of fire, unleashing a mad laugh as if thanking the orchestra for the grand opera. It was indeed a grotesque sight.
The Romance Fantasy ‘The Lady of White Blessings.’
The Bomber who graced the early chapters of Chapter 2.
A brutal villain who sought to eliminate Saintess Beatrice without a trace.
The leader of the Bomber Squad,
Gale Dohair.
The wicked criminal who once targeted the Saintess Party had returned to the forefront, exploding the imperial city along with his subordinates.