The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

146 – 146. Death and the Villainess (2)

The gray of the end began to lift.

Time in the demon realm, a world where all flows had come to a complete halt, started to flow once more.

It was an anomaly.

A change brought about by the resurrection of the ash of death.

The angels dispatched to the demon realm urgently reported the anomaly. Upon hearing the news that the end of the world had been postponed, Gael bowed his head with a bitter smile tinged with sorrow.

“Beatrice… was this the outcome you desired?”

To sacrifice oneself to save the world.

A noble sacrifice befitting the pure saint.

At last, the world freed from gray would return to its original state. The postponement achieved through the saint party’s sacrifice would last for hundreds of years to come.

A girl with beautiful pink hair, as lovely as peonies.

I briefly mourned as I recalled the saint who had manifested the miracle of the saint.

“Hero Maximilian has activated the power of the holy sword to seal the Demon Lord’s castle. The second saint, who embraced the ash of death, and the heroes who have fallen into the ranks of death will never escape the Demon Lord’s castle.”

“…What about Maximilian?”

“Even in a dying state, having exhausted all his strength, he continues to maintain the seal. He has even used his lifespan as a price to activate the flames of the holy sword, so he won’t last much longer.”

“…….”

He squeezed out every ounce of his strength.

He paid even his own lifespan as the price of the seal.

Thus, Maximilian remained in the Demon Lord’s castle until the very end.

He must have thought to continue the seal by sacrificing himself, even if it meant his own death, squeezing out his last breath to ensure the seal remained thoroughly isolated.

“…It’s truly a futile outcome.”

Sigh-.

The one true god, seated on the throne, gripped the armrest tightly and muttered.

A deep sense of regret lingered.

It was because among all the saints of history, Beatrice was the most favored.

“The calamity of death’s ashes has resurrected, yet… the end of the world has been halted!”

“The noble dedication and sacrifice of the holy maiden and the heroes will remain forever. Is it not the greatest glory for humans, who live but a fleeting life?”

The vanguard that guarded the one true god.

The divine messenger who stood alongside the archangel Belaciel in the heavenly realm.

The archangels, possessing both pure divinity and beautiful appearances, spoke in a voice that seemed to flatter.

The thorn in the eye had vanished.

The human girl, who had received her mother’s favor without understanding her place, had fallen away on her own.

The vile apostate who betrayed her beloved mother and resurrected the calamity of death’s ashes. While the archangels spoke of noble sacrifice and dedication, they sent cold disdain toward Beatrice in their hearts.

“It is truly fortunate that Maximilian, who had fallen to apostasy, has finally fulfilled his duty. He has sealed the powers of the holy sword, so we need not worry about the calamity of death’s ashes for hundreds of years to come.”

The end of the world had been lifted.

The calamity of death’s ashes summoned by the saintly party was also sealed.

Countless crises had come to the present world, but at last, they had all been overcome. The archangels of the heavenly realm celebrated their victory, directing glory not to the saintly party that had chosen to sacrifice themselves, but to the one true god.

“It is not too late…! We must save the Second Saint, who is in the grasp of the calamity!”

As the archangels were intoxicated by the euphoria of victory,

A middle-aged man, dressed in plain robes, cried out in a desperate voice.

Boehn.

The leader of the Holy Kingdom pleaded with the one true god and the archangels for Beatrice’s salvation.

“The Second Saint has chosen holy sacrifice on behalf of all the believers in this world.”

“Dedication and sacrifice are the most noble faith that you humans offer to the divine. Have you forgotten this? Beatrice has fulfilled her role as a saint magnificently.”

The father’s plea to save his daughter resonated deeply.

Yet, the only response that returned was the cold reply of the archangels, urging sacrifice.

“B-but…!”

If Beatrice were to be freed from the calamity of death’s ashes, the gray of the end, which had barely receded, would once again seek to engulf the world.

Moreover—

Countless sacrifices would follow in the process of confronting the calamity of death and its minions.

A complete inversion of priorities.

It was a claim unworthy of discussion.

Are you saying you would plunge the world into danger again, all in the name of saving the saint who chose to sacrifice herself willingly? The resurrection of the calamity of death was an exceedingly unpleasant outcome. However, having removed the worst headache—the end of the world—one could say that the objective, albeit imperfectly, had been achieved.

As the archangels reprimanded him in cold voices, Boern swallowed his silence and lowered his head. He was aware that he had spoken recklessly and made unreasonable demands.

“Boern.”

Gael, who had been sitting silently on the throne, finally spoke.

At that, the gazes of the sovereign and the archangels turned toward the One True God.

“Gather the forces of the One True God. From this moment, I declare a holy war.”

Holy War.

A command for a sacred battle in the name of the divine.

As Gael issued the command for the holy war, the archangels’ pale faces turned to shock. Even Boern, who had pleaded for salvation, seemed taken aback, as if he could hardly believe that the One True God would command a holy war.

* * *

War is the most threatening calamity among those that threaten humanity.

It has driven countless humans into hell.

Yet at the same time, it has captivated many others with the horrors of war.

The foundation that has shaped the history of humanity has always been war. Though the Earth Mother expelled all the gods of creation and calamity to usher in the age of the One True God, the world remained dominated by war.

“…Lier.”

Edanant uttered the ominous name.

At that, the particles of calamity scattered around began to swirl madly.

—It seems you wish to offer a new tribute, moved by the merciful consideration of war? Very well. I always welcome tributes presented to me.

Red hair, symbolizing bloodshed and disaster.

Pitch-black eyes, embodying human greed.

And the visage of a young girl, cloaked in the cruelty of innocence.

War.

The source that has received both reverence and hatred from humanity.

As Lier responded to the call and revealed herself, Edanant displayed a rigid expression of hostility. In response to Edanant’s demeanor, Lier shrugged her shoulders and jested.

“Why did you involve Elizabeth?”

—Ahem, I cannot let such a remarkable treasure go to waste.

Treasure.

It must refer to her value as a vessel to manifest divinity.

I acknowledge it.

Elizabeth von Baltaria was a vessel nearly perfect in its embodiment.

Due to her perfect affinity, I found myself unconsciously merging with the goddess who created the Ruinous Ones. Even the monotheistic deity, who was solely obsessed with Beatrice, could not help but covet her. Surely, with Elizabeth’s exceptional charm, she could fully embrace even the calamity of death.

– That child is an egg on the verge of hatching. No one knows what form it will take. Thus, it was I, possessing both benevolence and equality, who sought to help.

“That’s an unnecessary interference.”

Lierre tossed her red hair dramatically, striking an exaggerated pose.

At that, Edanant frowned.

The attention of war had been drawn.

Concerned for Elizabeth’s safety, Edanant displayed a defiance against the deity he worshipped.

– An unnecessary interference, you say… Is that truly the case? Beatrice, even to save the pitiful saint favored by the cheap hypocrite, I will surely need that child’s assistance.

“What do you mean?”

He asked with a voice thick with suspicion.

But Lierre did not respond to the devotee’s question.

Was it a retaliation for daring to show hostility towards the deity he worshipped, or was she simply sulking like a child? With a meaningful smile, she only served to heighten Edanant’s unease.

– Do not worry so.

After several attempts, the girl struggled to perch herself on the desk.

And as if to emphasize her snowy thighs and elegantly elongated legs, she crossed them.

– I genuinely love you, my one and only devotee. I will not do anything that could harm you.

Heh-heh-.

She reached out her finger and poked Edanant’s cheek.

It was an affectionate display that seemed to flirt.

It also resembled a mother teaching her son.

As Edanant furrowed his brow, Lierre burst into a cheerful laugh. She readily accepted Edanant’s rude behavior, showing that she truly cherished the apostle.

– If the pitiful saint is freed from the clutches of calamity, the gray of the end will surely stir once more. The cheap hypocrite, who has monopolized faith from the throne of the one true god, will eventually intervene as well.

“……”

War is imminent.

Surely, an unprecedented war, difficult to find precedent for, will break out.

The one true god will descend upon the world, leading his essence.

And the innocent calamity will gather on the battlefield to fulfill the prophecy of destruction.

Lierre responded to her devotee, who would bear the eye of the storm wielding war, with a bright smile.