The matchmaking for the Third Imperial Princess Elizaveta was held amid numerous expectations and concerns.
First candidate.
Alex von Legmund.
At 21 years old.
He was only one year older than Elizaveta.
Among the many candidates, the prince of the Legmund County stood out as a formidable contender, possessing both excellent knowledge and character. Coupled with his handsome appearance, it was clear that this nobleman was quite popular in the social circles.
“It is an honor to temporarily be the fiancé of the beautiful Platinum Princess. I am Alex, the eldest son of the Legmund family.”
“Hmph! Of course, it’s an honor.”
The blonde nobleman flashed a radiant smile.
In contrast, Elizaveta rested her chin in her hand, displaying an utterly unimpressed reaction.
It was truly a stark contrast.
She desperately tried to soothe her heart, but all she received in return were cold responses.
It seemed like she was openly stating, ‘I’m just here for show, so spare me your efforts.’
If the Emperor and Ludmilla had witnessed the current scene, they would have sighed heavily, probably smacking Elizaveta on the back for throwing cold water on the matchmaking event.
“My fate is cruel. How pitiful to be so openly ignored by a Villainous Princess.”
As a guard for the princess, I found myself present at the matchmaking proceedings.
I had attempted to refuse, but it fell on deaf ears.
I was already in cahoots with the Villainous Princess.
It was frustrating how words given in good faith turned into shackles. I sighed deeply while watching Elizaveta demolish the suitor’s hopes for a meteoric rise through an engagement with the Platinum Princess.
“Edan, my legs hurt.”
“Then why don’t you sit down and rest for a bit?”
Even if Elizaveta pushed the Legmund heir out of the running, she’d still have to face new suitors waiting their turn.
It would likely take hours.
Despite being in a escort position, watching the matchmaking was quite dull.
“By the way, the suitors are all young and handsome. Is it because it’s a Romance Fantasy world? It’s a trashy setting that all scions from prestigious families are surely young and handsome.”
Typically, male characters in Romance Fantasy, even if they’re villains, have an inherent charm. Of course, the same goes for male-targeted works, but it seems especially true for female-targeted ones.
Handsome here.
Handsome there.
Even older men were positioned as dashing mature types.
My father, the head of the Hohenberc family, was naturally a sought-after dashing mature type himself, being the father of the male protagonist.
It must be a cruel environment where average-looking men struggle to survive.
“I think Edan is handsome enough. Like a cool longhorn beetle!”
“Really? Your jelly candy is confiscated.”
“Yikes…! It was a compliment! Why are you bullying me? Bad Edan!”
“……”
As I bantered with Rue,
the prince of the Legmund family finally surrendered in the face of the Villainous Princess’s icy wall.
There was no possibility.
Continuing the matchmaking would only invite further hostility.
Alex’s decision was indeed wise. If he had clung on, he surely would have experienced the Villainous Princess’s wrath firsthand. I sent my sympathy toward him as he retreated upon realizing the futility.
“I’m tired. I’ve already worn myself out, so tell all the suitors to go home.”
“That’s not allowed.”
After the first matchmaking ended-.
Elizaveta already wore an expression of boredom and collapsed right there.
Where had her dignity gone?
She looked so lazy it nearly shook the brilliant reputation of the Platinum Princess.
As I moved closer, Elizaveta extended both hands. I sighed and scooped up the lounging Elizaveta onto my arms, her light blonde hair scattering sweetly, fragrance stimulating my senses.
“Have you heard? A terrifying demon appeared in the Pug Kingdom.”
“I just heard about it a moment ago.”
“Hmph! Edanant doesn’t seem surprised at all. The maids were trembling the moment they heard the news.”
“Well, he is the brother of our brave hero.”
To be honest, I was quite shocked.
A demon?
Were those fiends still around?
The demons who allied with the Demon King’s Army to oppose humanity were seen as taboo. They were infamous enough that merely mentioning them was forbidden. Therefore, people referred to demons as ‘Cult Worshippers’ and ‘monsters draped in human skin.’
“I’ve heard! Max said… all demons smell strange!”
“Strange? Of course, it’s a foul stench or the smell of victims’ blood.”
“That’s not it. I think each demon has its unique scent.”
“Eh, that sounds like a made-up warning just to scare a kid….”
Rue and Elizaveta babbled about the taboo existence in a meaningful tone.
I quietly listened, not wanting to interrupt the lively mood.
They seemed like girls who enjoyed ghost stories.
“Your Highness, the prince of the Niaz family requests an audience.”
“Tell him to wait until I call!”
After a brief respite,
Elizaveta had to face the next matchmaking candidate.
A prince from the Niaz family.
He was a handsome young man just like the suitor I’d faced before.
I wondered how long this Niaz family’s young man would last and decided to observe the matchmaking scene closely. I would report back to Ludmilla right after.
“I’m cute and adorable Rueinong, so… surely the demons will compete to take me!”
“Are the demons grandpa with a sack?”
“Eek…! Anyway, Edan must protect me, the cute and adorable one!”
“Of course.”
I nodded while looking at the pale-faced girl acting all gimmicky.
Demons are terrifying nightmares.
They always haunted the world with their presence.
Just like nightmares are bound to awaken, the beasts driven by bloodlust must also vanish. If the monsters continue to threaten the world, true peace will never come.
I clenched my fist as I recalled the moments of battling monsters alongside the Saintess Party.
*
Demons are monsters draped in human skin.
Those who didn’t participate in the war might simply regard it as exaggerated propaganda.
It was merely inflated notoriety.
A fabricated claim born from the desire to uplift the achievements of the victorious nations in the Racial War.
The notoriety of the Cult Worshippers was proven by the bloodshed that occurred on the battlefield. Yet, there were still those who denied it. They sneered, questioning how a human could possibly devolve into a monster even if they accepted the influence of the cult.
But indeed-.
Would anyone still spout such words after witnessing this monster?
The nightmare that had hidden away from the merciless purges began to gaze back at humanity.
“By sacrificing the holy and noble pureblood as an offering, we welcome the god’s descent! Ah, the great savior desires a new vessel now!!”
A makeshift altar made from carved stone.
Foreboding statues arranged all around.
Before them stood a ragged man draped in tattered rags.
The unknown man called for a sacrifice with a bizarre voice, leaving the gathered crowd aghast. His two eyes rolled back as he continued to worship, truly a grotesque sight.
“What a complete madman. I wonder if he’ll even understand the plan…”
“Oddly enough, someone like him seems more trustworthy. Aren’t we the ones who demonize the demons as madmen?”
From the conversation between the oddly attractive woman and an elderly man watching the madman, two conclusions emerged.
One.
They were scheming something sinister.
Two.
These were indeed the objects of terror known as demons.
Surrounding them overflowed with foul energy, confirming my earlier deduction. Each of them bore a distinct smell, a testament to the danger tainted by corruption and decay.
“Returning from the Chaos Realm has been a series of shocks. After finally coming back, the Racial War is already lost, the cities worshipping their gods have been smashed by the Empire and the Holy Kingdom, and all our once-loyal compatriots have become soulless specters…”
“The timing must have been off. We should have returned three years ago.”
They headed to the Chaos Realm to acquire the power needed to tear apart the worshippers of the vile goddess.
However,
They returned far too late.
Three whole years had passed since the predicted time frame.
As a result, the demons who transitioned to the Chaos Realm must now face a thoroughly fallen ruin. The defeat in the Racial War forced the remnants of the Demon King’s Army and the Cult Worshippers to grapple with survival.
“Revenge must be served. For our unjustly sacrificed compatriots.”
“Of course. I’ve never forgotten about revenge even for a single moment.”
As soon as they returned to their hidden base, the remaining compatriots were already devising a plan to retaliate against the Valtarian Empire and the Gael Holy Kingdom.
Naturally, the demons returning from the Chaos Realm were eager to join in the plot.
It was indeed a meticulous plan.
With the minions of the Demon King also participating, success was all but assured.
It was an adequate signal to announce a new upheaval.
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