episode_0109

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Zeveline’s original family is the Russell family belonging to the Kingdom of Veruso.

Kingdom of Veruso.

It was one of the small countries located in the center of the continent.

Its economic power was at least better than that of the Pug Kingdom, which was located in the wastelands of the north.

However, the Kingdom of Veruso fell due to a series of defeats against neighboring hostile countries, and it became the worst land where countless people died of starvation every year.

hunger.

Born into a poor baronial family, Zebeline realized the fear of starvation as soon as she was born.

If you are poor, you starve.

If you continue to starve, you have no choice but to die.

And after hunger, a terrible plague always follows.

It was natural that the Baron family, who were so poor that they could not even afford immediate meals, sold their daughter, who was born with an innate affinity for the divine, for a few gold coins.

Zebeline, who was sold to the Holy Empire, received education at a monastery for several years and was then dispatched as an apprentice priest to treat the wounded on the front lines.

“… How on earth did they know and even sent a letter?”

The girl with flowing silver hair frowned, pressing her temples.

It was because of the letter that arrived this morning.

Did I get some bad luck?

A letter with an impact comparable to the handwritten letter sent by the Emperor has arrived.

Zeveline recalled an unpleasant memory from the past, when unscrupulous parents who sold their daughters were happy for only a few gold coins.

It was about 10 years ago.

A lot of time had passed, so it must have been a lot different than before.

However, the unfortunate memory of being abandoned by his parents, who had attracted the priests of the Holy Empire, became a nightmare every time, so he could not forget it.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that I always had nightmares whenever I remembered the sound of my parents laughing and holding a bag of gold coins.

“… … .”

After being selected as the first saint, she was given the opportunity to meet her family in the Kingdom of Veruso.

But Zebeline refused.

These are criminals who sold their daughters.

If they found out that she had become the first saint of the Holy Empire, they would definitely try to help her.

After falling into the monastery, I vowed to cut off all ties with my family. As if to prove it, Jebeline has lived until now with her origins completely hidden.

But why-.

Are there families in the ‘sanctuary’ who should be in a cursed land where poverty and pestilence are rampant every year?

sanctuary.

The letter that arrived was undoubtedly from the sanctuary.

Xebeline hinted at his murderous intentions, recalling the cardinals of the Holy Empire, who were famous for their insidiousness.

‘Are you really going to take my family hostage? To be stupid… . I am confident that I will not blink even if my family is burned at the stake right in front of my eyes. I ended the relationship in the past a long time ago.’

Hostage situation.

It was indeed a clever trick that would come out of the minds of old people.

Even when hunting down cultists who were hiding in various places, didn’t they use their blood relatives to take hostages? The Holy Emperor eventually executed the cultist who came out on his own, along with his family.

“What are you going to do with the letter now?”

miss you.

I’m sorry for all this time.

I want to apologize to you. Please forgive me.

Letters written in crooked handwriting continued to attract attention.

It’s corny.

They plan to take advantage of the fact that they are blood relatives and devour them until the end.

Zeveline swallowed heavily and picked up the letter that had arrived from the sanctuary.

However, even though he stubbornly refused, he seemed unable to shake off his lingering feelings and put the letter in his pocket.

* * *

Lately, Ludmila’s visits have become particularly frequent.

It wasn’t my fault.

Because I ate lunch and dinner with Ludmila every day.

Now that she has received a wedding ring along with a proposal, does she want to show off as a fiancée? Ludmilla enjoyed tea time while drinking black tea in an old-fashioned way.

“As you requested, the Empire’s intelligence department has scouted the sanctuary. This is the report.”

“Thank you.”

Has Maximilian returned to the sanctuary?

To find out about him, he asked Ludmilla to mobilize the empire’s intelligence department.

As expected from an intelligence department that boasts quick intelligence, they immediately located Maximilian’s whereabouts. I swallowed my sleep as I confirmed the report that Maximilian had actually been captured in the sanctuary.

Damn you.

Why did you show up at the sanctuary?

I’m sure the male protagonist of a romantic fantasy isn’t trying to join hands with fanatics.

“Can you guess what your brother’s intentions were?”

“Not at all. How can I know the heart of a piece of iron?”

Until now, I have survived a near-crisis situation with a reasoning ability that is close to instinct. However, even with such intelligence, it was impossible to find out Maximilian’s true intentions.

That guy is not human.

It was a cyborg created to target the tastes of female readers of romantic fantasy.

How would I know?

In response to Ludmilla’s question, he sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

“Of course, there is no way I can walk on my own… Even if I go to the sanctuary, I don’t think there will be any problems.”

“Is it because Maximilian is there?”

“His human side is the worst, but he is still useful as an older brother.”

“Hehe. This is the first time you have praised your brother.”

Maximilian is basically a person who is extremely cynical towards people except Beatrice. However, even such a cold-blooded person showed weakness towards his family.

Despite facing numerous dangers throughout the story, Maximilian often showed a desperate attitude to avoid passing the damage on to his father.

The same was true for his younger brother Edanant.

I once heard that he took full responsibility for the upbringing of his younger brother on behalf of his father, who was suffering from heavy work, and his mother, who passed away at an early age. I don’t know the quality since it was before I was possessed by Edanant.

I wonder if the trustworthy older brother will save the younger brother who is cornered.

So, when I heard that Maximilian was in the sanctuary, I was able to relax for a while.

‘If you go to the sanctuary… ‘I’ll have to go alone.’

The second princess of the Valtaria Empire and the first princess of the Holy Empire are not in a position where one can move around arbitrarily.

If you have to step forward,

If I had to go to the slaughterhouse on my own,

It would have been easier if the warmonger of the saint’s party had moved.

“It’s almost time to meet the first saint.”

“Hmph… . You are really busy. I’m sure after meeting the first saint, I’ll go see Lisa.”

“How did you know? Indeed, Ludmilla.”

“Naughty flirt.”

The princess with her luscious blonde hair turned her head, pouting her lips. To comfort the princess’s tangled heart, he kissed her brightly colored cheek.

side-.

Then Ludmila reacted in surprise.

Fortunately, the anger seemed to dissipate quickly.

He gave a cheek kiss in front of the maids who attended the tea time. Ludmilla, who was a virgin with no dating experience, naturally had no choice but to panic at the sudden act of affection.

“Do you know that? Ludmilla is the cutest when she’s jealous.”

“Your ears are so cute! I am four years older than you… !”

Ludmilla shouted, blushing like a ripe apple.

The harsh feelings toward the playboy had melted away like cotton candy soaked in water.

* * *

As soon as I saw Jebeline waiting in the villa, I could tell that she was carrying heavy worries.

Inside the thickly sunken wall.

Awkward dimples that appear as if trying to suppress a solemn feeling.

It’s definitely true.

It seems that something happened to the first saint that is difficult to reveal.

After noticing him, he approached Jebeline cautiously. Because he was a benefactor who always helped me whenever I was in trouble, I wanted to help him no matter what.

“Shall we walk for a while?”

“Yes? It’s okay, but… .”

Normally, she has a playful and lively personality, but depending on the situation, she can be as stubborn as Ludmilla.

That’s why I suggested taking a walk to bring out my true feelings.

Although she seemed surprised by the sudden invitation, Jebeline immediately stood up. When I extended my hand first, the pure white saintess accepted the contact with a faint blush on her face.

“Still, there was something I wanted to tell you.”

“Seo, is this really a confession?”

You confessed last time.

After receiving a wedding ring, are you hoping for a proposal again?

“I promised not to hide any secrets. I vaguely remember when I made the promise.”

“3 years ago… I promised Ethan before we broke up.”

Zeveline answered by lowering her head as if to express the weight of the pressure she was carrying alone.

I nodded at him.

“Maximilian really appeared in the sanctuary. The Empire’s intelligence department confirmed it directly. So I’m thinking about going into the sanctuary to meet him.”

“You’re going to go to the sanctuary in the end?! How many times have I told you not to fall for the tricks of old people!”

As soon as the intention was hinted at, fierce opposition arose.

It’s a natural reaction.

Because I said I would walk to the slaughterhouse on my own feet.

Why did Maximilian collude with the Holy Emperor’s fanatics? I wanted to find out right away, but since things were happening in a sanctuary called the slaughterhouse of cultists, I needed to make a careful decision.

“Don’t worry too much. Without going crazy, would you put your head into a slaughterhouse without a plan?”

“… How many times have you done it so far?”

Zeveline pouted her lips.

Then he playfully tapped my side, showing his dismay.

“I spoke honestly. Now it’s your turn.”

“What is it?”

“Just looking at him, his face is full of worry. Who is the little boy trying to fool?”

“Leave this alone!”

I pinched my soft cheek.

Then Zeveline spoke pointedly, struggling like a sulky child.

“Are these concerns serious enough for me to exercise my right to remain silent?”

“It’s not like that in particular. just… I just wanted to hide it.”

The saint, dressed in pure white robes, remained silent as she stepped forward. Then, only after passing the royal palace’s patronage, he carefully opened his mouth, which had been silent for the first time.

It must be a difficult problem to reveal.

Maybe you still don’t want to reveal it.

Jebeline’s face, stained with numerous emotions, wanted to say that.

“Won’t you end up hating me, might you become disillusioned with me… . That’s just scary. If Ethan finds out the truth, he’ll think I’m a poisoned witch.”

“I will speak clearly. There will be no reason for me to dislike you or become disillusioned with you. Never.”

He said while giving strength to his soft hand.

Jeveline smiled sadly at the strong-willed remark.