NOVEL WEB Chapter 7
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The remaining 40 members of the Wolves of the Blade attacked the Hohenberc Family but ended up suffering many casualties in return.
Donglang Zebes, along with ten of his subordinates, was captured.
As the remnants of a criminal organization that had plundered numerous kingdoms, including the Valtarian Empire, they were sure to face public execution. The Hohenberc Family transported all the captured criminals to the capital.
Bang! Bang! Whoosh! Whoosh!
“……”
A girl with light green hair was running around the office excitedly. Her eyes sparkled like two shining stars, making gunshot noises with her mouth while causing a ruckus.
Despite being oblivious to the bloodshed that had just occurred… for some reason, she had been running around making gun noises for over half the day after hearing stories from who knows whom.
Seeing the girl, I let out a heavy sigh.
“I heard it from the guard uncle! Edan took down all the thieves who were stealing Jelly Candy!”
“U, um….”
How in the world should I explain this?
Not wanting to answer her one by one, I gave up on correcting her.
“I told you to finish the document sorting by afternoon, and here you are just playing around….”
Because of this playful brat, there was no progress in the paperwork.
Thud- I closed the drawer where the guns were kept and muttered.
“Sir Edan, a letter has arrived from the Imperial Palace.”
“Wha… what!”
A butler in a vintage tailcoat handed me the letter that had arrived from the Imperial Palace.
The royal seal of the imperial family was stamped on it, reminding me of the massive compensation notice.
I stared at the letter with cold sweat dripping down my forehead. I was afraid that the Valtarian Imperial Family might retract the existing compensation and demand a sum multiplied by dozens.
– But upon reconsideration, I miscalculated.
– 7.8 billion is too little. I should be receiving about 16 billion.
– I won’t talk about it anymore, so just give me the 16 billion.
A deep dread weighed on my mind.
I envisioned knights dispatched from the imperial family storming the Hohenberc Family and slapping demand notices and attachment stickers all over the place like a mirage.
Tremble-
Shaking all over, I pulled out the letter.
“It’s from Princess Ludmilla.”
From the Valtarian Imperial Family… specifically, a letter sent by Princess Ludmilla.
She had many important matters to discuss with me, so she wanted me to come to the Imperial City.
That was the request from Ludmilla when she visited the Hohenberc County. I sighed in relief as it wasn’t a matter regarding compensation, but rather an invitation to the Imperial City.
Maybe because the tension melted away in an instant, I slumped down in my chair like a doll with its string cut.
“W-what is it?! Did someone send a lucky letter? If you don’t send the letter to someone else, something terrible will happen! If there’s a problem because you have no friends… just send it to yourself first!”
“…It’s nothing.”
Surprised by my reaction, Rue urgently asked.
Her hair was swaying back and forth. She looked visibly concerned, perhaps worried that something serious had happened to her protector.
I stared at Rue and said, “Shall we go on a trip together? Like to the imperial capital…?”
“A trip?”
“There will be mountains of sweet desserts! I’ll buy everything special for you!”
“Oooh! Then let’s go!”
Just like that, the clueless fairy was easily tempted by the promise of desserts. Although my conscience pricked me a bit, I decided to let it slide, promising to buy her desserts later.
But it’s hard to leave right away.
Even though the assassins had been repelled with only minor damage, the situation in Hohenberc County had become somewhat dire. Time was needed to repair the castle and comfort the townsfolk.
Moreover, the factions that bore grudges against the Saintess Party would move more daringly now that they had launched this surprise attack, so I couldn’t carelessly leave the county. If I were absent, there’d definitely be casualties in the county.
It was difficult to leave due to the sudden incursions. Unless the Valtarian Imperial Family were ready to provide protection.
However, the relationship with the imperial family was extremely sensitive, so it was not something I could dare to ask for.
“No, I’ll have to cancel for now.”
“Eek! Why cancel?! Why ruin my expectations that were sprouting like bean sprouts! You’re just setting me up for disappointment, you naughty Edan!”
As the annoying little girl was making a fuss, I picked up my pen.
It would be challenging to head to the capital right now. I decided to send a letter to Princess Ludmilla asking for her understanding.
After sending the letter, three days later…
A sudden situation arose when Princess Ludmilla visited Hohenberc County directly.
*
What could the military base do upon receiving news that the division commander was arriving?
The red dragon of Valtaria had arrived.
As soon as the news spread, the knights of Hohenberc County were dispatched for an escort.
The knights who had been hastily summoned wore anxious expressions, worrying about making even a small mistake. They adjusted their attire again and swallowed nervously. This was because Princess Ludmilla was visiting this time as a distinguished guest, unlike before, and they wanted to be fully prepared.
“I rushed here as soon as I heard the urgent news. Is the Hohenberc family alright?”
“Of course.”
“The identity of the assailants… were they the survivors of the Wolves of the Blade?”
“Seems like the news of the Saintess Party has begun to leak in the shadows.”
I welcomed Ludmilla in place of my father, who was bedridden.
It required a lot of effort to prevent my father from trying to step out. Had he not said, “Since we’re on friendly terms with Princess Ludmilla, it’s fine if I step out,” he would have definitely tried to rise to greet her.
The central knight battalion from the imperial capital was following her.
It seemed that they were sent to escort Ludmilla, having invested a massive sum in special full body armor and weapons. Even just by looking, they were definitely of a higher caliber than the knights of Hohenberc County. The splendid full-body armor adorned with golden lions drew the attention of the many bystanders.
“Sure enough, the thing we were worried about has happened,” Ludmilla muttered with her graceful brow furrowed.
The spread of evil.
The evildoers that had been defeated by the Saintess Party had awakened.
Hostility against the Saintess Party across the continent was proving that very fact. Even though they had tried to track down the Saintess Party to prevent calamity, the evildoers had begun to move even before that.
“The Holy Kingdom will start moving in earnest. As the faction that has most actively supported the Saintess Party, they will be the most sensitive to the spread of evil. If they cannot stop the spread of evil, then the Holy Kingdom will bear the consequences.”
“Just now, the envoy from the Holy Kingdom has returned.”
“With the Second Saintess Beatrice gone… the First Saintess who had stepped back for a while will surely take the lead.”
“…Hmm.”
Before I could finish, Ludmilla swallowed her breath.
The First Saintess of the Gael Holy Kingdom.
As soon as that name came up, her beautiful face subtly changed.
Confusion.
Then anger and dissatisfaction.
It was an expression that didn’t suit her dignified and imposing demeanor. I couldn’t help but wonder about her overt emotional reaction.
Why is she reacting like this? As if I’ve touched a sore spot. Surely, the name of the First Saintess….
Who exactly was she?
The First Saintess of the Gael Holy Kingdom.
She was indeed only mentioned indirectly, just like Ludmilla.
I took quite a bit of time to recall information related to the First Saintess. Considering the time I began deeply contemplating while crossing the garden, I finally hit the answer just before reaching the entrance.
‘…The White Dragon of the Holy Kingdom.’
Zebeline Albion Russell.
The successor of the white dragon who protects Goddess Gael.
I could roughly guess why Princess Ludmilla was in a bad mood.
‘It’s said in the myth that the Red Dragon and the White Dragon were like oil and water. I don’t really know the reason, though.’
Unfortunately, I wasn’t an expert to the point of memorizing every little old myth that appeared in the story, so I didn’t know the detailed relationship between the Red and White Dragons.
Maybe I’ll look it up later.
Or I should ask Ludmilla about it casually.
Thinking this, I guided Princess Ludmilla to the entrance of Hohenberc Castle.
“I’ve been waiting.”
“It’s an honor to have you, Your Highness.”
The butler and maids, who had perfectly arranged their attire, were mobilized to welcome the princess. The sight of the attendants lined up on either side of the red carpet made the place feel grand.
The Red Dragon had descended.
To show the Hohenberc family’s resilience, it seemed considerable effort had been invested.
Wasn’t the relationship with the imperial family in tatters due to the annulment of engagement?
All the attendants were mobilized to earn points with the princess’s visit as a distinguished guest. Ludmilla responded with a gentle smile to their hospitality.
“Thank you for such a warm welcome for a sudden visitor. It’s a bit embarrassing.”
A bright chandelier.
The finest carpets and floor shining as if they were mirrors.
All the attendants were standing perfectly without a hint of disorder.
They must have hurriedly prepared for the guest’s arrival.
Feeling regretful, the princess scratched her cheek with an awkward smile.
“That room is the reception room.”
“Forgive me for intruding for a moment.”
I promptly led Ludmilla into the reception room.
As soon as both sides took their seats, maids brought out refreshments for guests.
“Hmm?”
While sipping tea together, a mischievous girl suddenly poked her adorable face out and interrupted.
Did the sweet smell draw her in?
She was like an ant drawn to crumbs.
But it didn’t matter.
After all, I was planning to call her to the reception room anyway.
Ludmilla showed a surprised reaction when her eyes met Rue’s green hair. Perhaps she recognized Rue, who had been the mascot of the Saintess Party. They probably crossed paths at least once by chance.
“You’re the girl who traveled with the Saintess Party. Have you been taking care of her?”
Ludmilla asked, putting down her teacup.
Rue tugged at my sleeve, opening her mouth.
“Edan, but who is this lady?”
“…….”
Oof.
Oof, oof….
What did she just say….
My strength drained, causing me to spill the tea from my cup.
Lady.
Who’s a lady?
The bright question kept ringing in my ears.
The face of a 27-year-old unmarried woman, labeled as a lady by the cute girl, stiffened.
Through her blatant change in expression, I knew the sound ringing in my ears was no illusion.
“Ah, oh no! I forgot to say you shouldn’t call me lady! Sorry, I just completely blanked!”
Gosh.
I sighed as I rubbed my face.
My gaze fell on the rug, now damp with spilled tea.