One Escapes, Another is Sent

"Hey, hey! Have you heard? Princess Melulu was abducted by some mysterious guy."

"Tch! Even little kids in the backwater villages of the Ice and Snow Principality at the far South Pole are talking about it. What do you think?"

"Hehe! Then you don't know the real story, do you? Let me tell you quietly—Princess Melulu wasn't abducted at all. She sneaked away on her own."

"Shh! Are you tired of living? You dare say that out loud? Didn't you see the people from the Sacred Holy See moving all over town since early this morning? They're arresting people who spread rumors recklessly, just like you!"

"Rumors? Don't tell me you don't believe it. Besides, it's not just me saying it—everyone is. No matter how overbearing the Sacred Holy See is, they can't sew everyone's mouths shut, can they?"

"You'd still better be careful. This time, Princess Melulu fled... was abducted, and the People of God have completely lost face. Sigh, I was quite happy that Princess Melulu didn't marry one of them, but it would be terrible if this started another war."

"Relax. They won't fight. The Elven Queen insists that Princess Melulu was abducted, so even if there's any blame, it would only be for lax security. The Goddess and the People of God won't find an excuse to start a war. The Elven Empire isn't easy to bully, either."

"Let's hope so."

Early the next morning, the Holy Light Continent—especially its major cities in the Northern Hemisphere—fell into a strange atmosphere. Rumors concerning Princess Melulu's abduction drifted through bars, inns, marketplaces, and other crowded places. Countless versions of hearsay and gossip flew everywhere. Meanwhile, the diplomatic departments of the major empires issued stern condemnations, denouncing the person who had abducted Princess Melulu and declaring their willingness to