43 – 43. The Antagonist Lady and the Louinians (2)
If Elizaveta commanded, wouldn’t the Louinians, like mushrooms sprouting on damp wallpaper, obediently come out of their paradise?
It seemed too easy.
What a pitiful thing it was to have worried and hesitated so much.
To solve the problem so effortlessly felt strangely uncomfortable.
From Noble mtl dot com
‘No matter how innocent and simple the Louinians are… can they be so enthusiastic about an outsider?’
It’s natural for innocent children to be fascinated by a beautiful woman. I’ve heard somewhere that the prettier and more beautiful someone is, the thinner their defenses become.
However,
The actions of the Louinians, who fervently adored the platinum princess, seemed suspicious.
Beyond fascination, could it be called bewilderment?
There was no sign of the Louinians who used to scream and foam at the mouth, guarding themselves from outsiders. They simply worshipped Elisabeth like a deity, chanting praises.
“Do you still feel the presence of the goddess?”
“Well, I’m not sure. Sometimes I feel it, but sometimes I don’t…”
It seemed to be a vague and uncertain statement.
Nodding in response to Lou’s trembling answer, I approached Elisabeth, surrounded by Louinians, to confirm from up close. As I drew near, Elisabeth greeted me with a bright smile.
“Eadant, have you returned?”
Her voice was as usual.
I found nothing suspicious in her appearance either.
It must be a simple misgiving. Therefore, I decided to put my doubts aside for a moment.
“My lady, it seems that Saint Beatrice visited the paradise of the fairies.”
“What? Beatrice…! That cursed woman came here?!”
As soon as I conveyed the news of the thief who had stolen her fiancé, Elisabeth erupted in anger, leaping about like a white-haired witch.
Her emerald eyes were stained with hatred.
It was a moment when the compassionate princess instantly transformed into a whimsical villainess.
At this, the Louinians who followed the platinum princess with a mocking smile erupted in screams. Perhaps fearing the aftermath of her hatred, they quickly spread out like a tidal wave, widening the distance.
Hmm.
Judging by their frantic reactions, Elisabeth was indeed furious.
Elisabeth, who stomped the ground fiercely enough to make the dust rise like a mist. Yet, even so, she did not seem to calm down, exhaling rough breaths with determination.
“Hyehak!”
“The princess suddenly got angry!”
It was like a scene from a disaster movie.
The Louinians trembled with pale faces.
The violent intimidation of the villainess overwhelmed the atmosphere in an instant. Through this, the Louinians realized that behind the benevolent princess lay a fierce and violent side.
Never provoke the princess’s emotions…!
The little fairies whispered to each other, instantly declaring a taboo.
“While searching the outskirts of the village with the guidance of the Louinians, we discovered the Hall of the White Night. It’s the sacred armory of the Holy Kingdom that Beatrice used.”
“…The Hall of the White Night.”
The divine punishment that had brought the immortal demon, the King of the White Night, to eternal rest on the earth.
Elizabeth could not be unaware of it.
The expression on Elizabeth’s face became significantly meaningful upon learning that Beatrice had left, placing the holy commander in the paradise of fairies. The thought crossed her mind that the disappearance of the party of holy maidens might not be a simple act of rebellion.
“Even I, a stranger to war, know about the White King’s Hall. The holy commander who defeated the Immortal Demon King! Unless one suddenly goes insane, how could Beatrice…”
Elizabeth muttered, biting her nails.
To the perplexed Elizabeth, he spoke again.
“And it seems there was a man who accompanied Beatrice all the way to the paradise. We’ll have to ask the Louinians who that might be.”
“…”
It might be Maximilian after all,
he forcibly swallowed those words.
There was no need to say it out loud; she would anticipate Maximilian.
However, for some reason, Elizabeth showed no reaction whatsoever. It was to the extent that she even wondered if Elizabeth didn’t understand the meaning of the words.
It was quite different from the demeanor she had shown when receiving news of Beatrice. Elizabeth remained expressionless, as if she had heard the story of a completely indifferent person.
Her calm demeanor, like a peaceful lake, went beyond bewilderment and even sent shivers down the spine.
“We decided to forget Maximilian now. There’s no lingering attachment. I’m not a woman who would cling desperately to a man who left irresponsibly.”
“Is that so?”
“Anyway, it’s fortunate. We happened to find traces of the missing party of holy maidens.”
“…”
Elizabeth spoke with a slightly flushed complexion.
There was no trace of regret or sadness on her beautiful face.
Through this, it became apparent.
Currently, Elizabeth was in a state of being manipulated by an unidentified spiritual entity.
* * *
A paradise filled with crystals emitting a pure white radiance – how would one distinguish day and night,
– one might suddenly wonder.
As time passed, the answer became clear.
As the outside world approached evening, the radiant glow of the crystals, shining brilliantly, gradually faded. As darkness fell rapidly, the Louinians one by one entered cabins concealed by vines and leaves.
“This is your home!”
Rue kindly guided her to his cabin.
It looked similar to the other cabins.
The only distinctive feature was a sign that read ‘House of Le Roi Noir’ in crooked letters.
Despite spending a whopping three years outdoors, Le Roi’s cabin was remarkably neat. Perhaps other Le Rois had been diligently taking care of the cabin. It was truly a commendable sense of family.
“Edan, use the bed!”
“…It’s too small for me.”
Unfortunately, the oversized mushroom bed was absurdly small for an adult male.
After all, it was made for Le Roi.
Other furnishings were the same.
Everything was quaint, like entering a dwarf kingdom.
Undoubtedly, it must be the work of the existence worshipped by the Le Rois, the ‘god.’ Like an overprotective mother building a near-perfect paradise for the Le Rois who worshipped themselves.
“I’ll sleep first. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Le Roi, who had been sitting on the bed, stood up, intending to accompany.
With a wry smile, I shook my head at him.
The situation could become dangerous.
Leaving Le Roi in the cabin, I set out alone.
The destination was the place where the sacred relic of Saint Beatrice was abandoned.
As I approached, the radiant glow of the White Night Hall welcomed me.
Although the paradise that greeted the night was dimly lit, the relic left by the saint, who had left without a trace, was shining alone.
“Edanant.”
There was already a guest.
It was Elizabeth.
Or more precisely, it was something ‘associated’ with Elizabeth.
“The paradise that was so noisy when it got dark has become quiet.”
“Because the night is for adults. It’s time for children to sleep now.”
The beautiful princess with her blond hair flowing down gave a subtle smile.
What is she thinking?
As Elizabeth took a step forward, she turned her head.
While silently observing her back as she approached the White Night Hall, I grasped the hilt of my weapon. It was to be prepared for any sudden situation.
“You have quite a cautious personality. You noticed from the beginning, didn’t you?”
“…”
“Anyway, humans are difficult to deceive. It’s unbelievably complicated, to the point of being annoying.”
“You were quite clumsy, weren’t you.”
“Well, I suppose,”
the goddess of the Louin giggled, her laughter bubbling up.
Her spirited voice, like that of a child, wrinkled Elizabeth’s forehead.
“Anyway, welcome to the paradise of the fairies. Ever since the audacious lady of the Earth visited, delightful things have been happening.”
“Not delightful at all.”
The goddess who had created the fairy paradise enveloped Elizabeth’s body.
The eyes of the princess, now transformed into a vivid purple, attested to it.
An overwhelming sense of holiness permeated the air.
It was a great divine presence, demonstrating the exalted deity who gave birth to the species and paradise.
The reason they had attempted to kidnap Elizabeth using extreme measures was that she was the optimal vessel for the arrival of the deity.
As if to prove it, the divine and Elizabeth’s physical form boasted a high degree of harmony.
“Why was the princess’s body taken away?”
“That’s a very impolite question. Did you forget that it was the princess who summoned me back from the afterlife?”
She asked with a sharp tone.
Then, the goddess, with a mischievous expression, spoke as if throwing a tantrum.
“The deity didn’t use the vessel; the vessel absorbed the deity.”
“…Is that possible?”
“I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve encountered such a situation, and it’s confusing.”
“…”
Anyway, it seemed they had no intention of seizing Elizabeth’s body.
Anyway, it was fortunate.
If the goddess who had possessed the physical form of Elizabeth were to take control, what would happen?
The issue would be resolved if the goddess of the Louin, who had involuntarily tangled herself up, willingly transferred control to Elizabeth and withdrew.
With that thought, a sigh of relief escaped.
“Why should I give it back?”
“What?”
“This perfect vessel is a first. We should make the most of it until the vessel ages. Besides, the children of the paradise seem to like it too, don’t they?”
“…Finally revealing your true intentions.”
“All gods are like that.
Arrogant and greedy,
They see worshippers merely as expendable.
It was more or less the expected outcome.
From Noble mtl dot com
Regretting the brief moment of relief,
I loosened the control of protection while staring at the overwhelming goddess.
I lured them to an unusual place, even if by physical means, just to retrieve Elizaveta.
* * *
The Creator always tends to create beings resembling themselves.
Broian was no different.
Using himself as a model, he crafted a race named Loinongs.
Just like the mischievous and scatterbrained Loinongs, Broian, the progenitor and Creator, was filled with mischief. Thus, intentionally speaking in a confusing manner, he bewildered guests visiting the fairyland.
“Wha, wha…?”
A dark torrent began to surge.
Simultaneously, the man’s eyes turned pitch black.
It was a determined step, even through coercive means, to retrieve Elizaveta. The blackness that fluttered like ash eventually enclosed the surroundings, blocking the space.
“Why, why are you appearing…!”
Broian spat out a voice trembling with fear.
It was because he had seen something that should never be encountered in eternity.