The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

143 – 143. A Heart Trapped in Coldness (2)

The archangel, who had been defeated by the calamity of war in the sanctuary, was now living as the new mistress brought in by the second young master of the Hoenberk family, who had transitioned into a womanizer.

He was the libertine who had simultaneously captured both the princess and the saint.

It wouldn’t be surprising if he suddenly brought in a maiden boasting unparalleled beauty.

The servants of the Hoenberk family welcomed Bellasiel warmly, as they had no doubt that one day she would become the family’s mistress.

“How is Bellasiel doing?”

“She is diligently attending to her duties. Her cooking and cleaning are a mess, but… she is improving little by little.”

I wondered if the fallen archangel was truly adapting to her new life.

Curious about this, I called the head maid to ask.

It would be troublesome if any disturbances arose.

However, contrary to my concerns, the head maid gave a positive assessment of Bellasiel.

She was very different from the hostility she had shown every time they faced each other. Bellasiel was naturally blending in as a member of the Hoenberk family. I was momentarily puzzled by her obedient demeanor, which caused no trouble at all.

“But sometimes she shows strange behavior.”

“Strange behavior?”

“She claims to be the archangel of the celestial realm, whether her mind is not quite right… or if she still hasn’t fully recovered from the adolescent affliction that one typically experiences during puberty. It is truly a sad situation.”

“…….”

Even the nutrients necessary for self-reflection were diverted to her heart, leaving her still afflicted by the middle school syndrome that often accompanies adolescence.

Currently, Bellasiel was receiving such unfortunate misunderstandings from her fellow maids.

I shrugged my shoulders with an awkward smile at the head maid’s genuine concern. In response, the head maid expressed her firm resolve to diligently treat Bellasiel’s middle school syndrome.

“And Ariel?”

“You mean the maid with beautiful black hair like obsidian?”

Perhaps she felt a sudden sense of alertness towards the archangel, like a rolling stone. Ariel displayed a competitive spirit towards Bellasiel as she became the new maid of the Hoenberk family.

Heavenly Angel Maid. Vampire Maid.

As expected from a family that absurdly took in a princess and a saintess who inherited the calamity of innocence, the maids were beyond imagination. If the daughters-in-law and maidservants were mobilized for war, they would turn countless nations to ashes in an instant.

“Cooking, cleaning, and even paperwork… they all boast remarkable skills. Especially Ariel, who shows boundless loyalty to the second young master.”

“Really?”

“However, unfortunately, she seems to resemble a cultist serving a heretical faith. It is said that she often subtly encourages the family’s servants to convert, and when new followers are brought in, she commits the blasphemous act of offering money and goods as incentives.”

“…….”

So, it means she’s a cult asking, ‘Do you know the way?’

Is she out of her mind?

To be promoting a cult in the Valteria Empire, which venerates the Earth Mother.

The evaluation of Ariel by the servants of the Hoenberk family was that she was “exceptionally capable and highly talented, but a mentally deranged woman who believes in a cult.” It was not much different from the assessment of Bellasiel, who had fallen into a state of middle school syndrome.

Bellasiel. Ariel.

Is there some kind of curse associated with the name ending in -el?

If I ever have a son or daughter, I firmly resolved to never attach -el to their names.

“Cough! To dare ask the daughter of the One True God and the leader of the archangels, the Heavenly Angel, to wipe the table! Realize your place, you mortals of this world!”

“Now, now! This is not an everyday opportunity; abandon the false hypocrites and worship the calamity! Disaster will always follow your steps. Sign the list now, and you will receive various goods!”

What a mess.

How did it come to this?

The signs of chaos began to show from the moment the Louisnongs were brought into the Hoenberk family. With the appearance of the Heavenly Angel and the Vampire, the deterioration accelerated, revealing that there was a basement beneath the bottom.

* * *

Perhaps the owner of the Red Magic Tower had tipped them off.

The Heavenly Angel, who had transitioned to a maid of the Hoenberk family, approached.

“I heard you plan to head to the demon realm to eradicate the calamity of death.”

“Yeah.”

Bellasiel asked with her arms crossed.

I nodded in response.

When I answered honestly to the sudden question, a look of bewilderment spread across Bellasiel’s face. Then, she swallowed hard, seemingly deep in thought.

“The grave sin of using a Heavenly Angel, a supreme being, as a servant should be punished with the utmost severity. However, since the family’s people have shown kindness, I will lend my strength as a special favor.”

“What do you mean? Speak plainly.”

“Cough…! I mean I will lend my strength! I will join the task of eradicating the calamity of death! Rejoice in the honor of receiving the blessing of the sacred Heavenly Angel!”

“You’re saying you’ll help? I don’t want that. Honestly, I’m scared of getting stabbed in the back.”

She waved her hands in refusal to the suggestion.

Then, Bellashiel lifted her flushed face and let out a loud squawk.

“If you have nothing to do, at least sweep the yard. The fallen leaves have piled up quite a bit.”

“Shut up! I am not a maid, but a Seraph! I am Bellashiel the Seraph!!”

The cry mixed with the Seraph’s indignation echoed loudly. The maids walking in the yard looked at Bellashiel as if she were strange, then flinched in surprise and hurried away.

Such blatant reactions made Bellashiel’s face turn even redder.

“It would be reassuring if you helped as an ally.”

“Ugh, um…!”

“But as I just said, I’m afraid you might stab me in the back.”

“Do you think a Seraph who upholds justice would commit the vile act of betraying a promise?”

With the chains of the demon suppressing her, the risk of betrayal was unlikely. If Bellashiel’s betrayal was suspected, she could activate the chains to command unconditional obedience.

Seraph.

The hero of the celestial realm who sealed the calamity of famine.

If she received assistance from Bellashiel, the journey across the demon realm would surely become much easier.

The reason the Seraph willingly promised help was to protect the followers who worshipped her mother. If the calamity of death were to fully resurrect, it would undoubtedly trample the Holy Kingdom first.

“Prophet! You must never be fooled by the wicked tongue of that Seraph!”

“…Ariel.”

How should I take this?

As I pondered for a moment, hesitating in my decision.

A vampire approached from behind, carrying a flag that read ‘Calamity of Heaven, Hell of Disbelief.’

This was going to complicate matters even further.

I thought while watching Ariel openly display her hostility towards Bellashiel.

“Those who serve the false one true god are all hypocrites! Surely they have wicked schemes hidden in their heads…! No doubt about it!”

“This is not a place for you to interfere, filthy wretch! If it weren’t for the restraining power of the demon’s chains, I would have already cut off your breath!”

My head throbbed.

The bile began to rise.

It felt as if I were facing both a red dragon and a white dragon at the same time.

No,

It was much more of a headache than that.

Ludmila and Jebeline, despite considering each other as sworn enemies, valued their status and dignity, thus refraining from extreme fights as much as possible. However, Ariel and Bellashiel genuinely hated each other, revealing their murderous intent.

“Enough.”

He spoke as he raised his hand.

And two muskets, unfurled in the air, aimed at the vampire and the seraph.

As the warning shot of bullets and gunpowder was sent, Ariel’s complexion turned pale. Facing the muskets, Belasiel also bit his lip, sweating coldly.

“If you don’t want a hole in your head, shut up.”

Ariel and Belasiel had both experienced a hail of bullets multiple times. Thus, merely confronting the muskets, with particles of ash swirling around, would inevitably send them into a panic.

The prediction was spot on.

The moment Ariel saw the musket, he trembled like a young goat and fell to the dirt floor. He struck his forehead and begged for forgiveness.

In contrast, Belasiel turned his head, avoiding eye contact.

“I-I’m so sorry! How could I, a mere follower, dare to…! Please forgive me!”

“…You’ve lost your composure for a moment and gotten overly excited.”

Ludmila and Jeblinne, being women who genuinely loved, could not afford to make such an absurd threat, even in jest, by aiming a gun.

But—.

You are no different.

Ariel was the monster who led the apostles of ash to raid the imperial capital. And Belasiel, who incited the holy knights and bishops of the Holy Kingdom to unleash the famine of ash, was the same.

They decided to take the vampire and the seraph along on the journey to confront the ash of death. The forces of the magic tower, led by Ludmila and Jeblinne, would be mobilized, but there had to be cards to respond to any variables.

“Ariel.”

“Ah, no! To show mercy to a follower who has committed such extreme blasphemy…!”

He handed a handkerchief to the dirt-covered vampire.

Ariel, visibly flustered, received the handkerchief with both hands.

“Belasiel.”

“Ugh… this infidelity!”

He reached out to the seraph, who still could not let go of his pride.

He activated the chains of the demon. Soon, Belasiel, dominated by restraint, experienced the humiliation of lifting his own skirt in public.