What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 160

#160 The Magic Tower Lord’s Forest (2)

-Clop, clop…

The sound of hooves was steady. I was dozing, lulled by the cozy rocking motion.

Traveling through portals one after another, we reached the eastern part of the Empire in an instant.

If it weren’t for the hair ornament Cristel gifted me, I probably would have had to leave a few days earlier and stay in several inns.

My companions, of course, and even the servants and maids, would have suffered.

Thanks to the Main Character [referring to Cristel and her magical abilities], I was having a physically and mentally comfortable journey. The corners of my lips lifted on their own.

-Wake up, Prince. There isn’t much time.

It was a very handsome voice I had heard somewhere before. The man gently grabbed my shoulder.

I opened my eyes wide.

A deep blue sky came into view, and my head rested on soft green grass.

Just before I fell asleep, I was in the carriage, but the scenery had absurdly changed.

I jumped up.

“What is this…”

A familiar clock tower and the deep blue North Sea were visible.

However, instead of the salty sea scent, the sweet smell of Gugelhupf [a type of ring cake] filled the air.

Instead of the cries of birds in the soaring sky where seagulls played, the sound of carriage wheels was heard.

Clatter, clatter…

“It’s Evelyn. No, it’s a dream.”

-Something similar.

A familiar tone replied to my muttering. I hurriedly turned around while still sitting down.

Long black hair fluttered in the wind, and the waves surged in his navy blue eyes.

A beautiful face that resembled the Crown Prince.

He was wearing the same Archmage’s robes as when I saw him last time.

I barely managed to stand up without falling.

“Your Highness. Nikki.”

-Yes, I am your wren.

“…This isn’t just a dream. So, it is a dream, but…”

I wrinkled my nose. Thoughts and words sprang up at the same time.

“Are you borrowing space?”

-You are clever. I like you after all.

The Ark [referring to Nikki, a Divine Object], in the guise of Alexandre Liester, curved his eyes beautifully.

It was an astonishing thing.

“Is this possible? You’ve never spoken to me like this before.”

-You have become quite strong. Your vessel won’t break with this level of interference. It will only be for a very short time.

Having said that, Nikki approached me with terrifying silence.

There was no sound of footsteps, nor even the rustling of clothes.

Ironically, it was only then that I realized he wasn’t human.

I calmly looked at the man. Anyway, it was good that I had become stronger.

The diagnosis of the Divine Object wouldn’t be a lie, and it was worth circulating Ether [magical energy] without rest.

-And this body has also become stronger.

“Pardon?”

-Because we are gathering. It’s the first time this has happened, so I was surprised too.

The neat lips fell silent again. It seemed like he was giving me time to interpret.

I muttered to myself. If he was talking about beings he could call ‘we’…

“Are you saying that the Empire’s Divine Objects are gathering together, so you are getting stronger? And thanks to that, you were able to borrow my dream?”

There was no other plausible hypothesis.

The ‘Divine Bow of Trees and Wood,’ the Empire’s last Divine Object, was sleeping in the jungle of Blanquer Territory.

Cristel had the ‘Blessing of the Sea,’ and Crown Prince Cedrick drew the ‘Sword of Mars’s Grace.’

Nikki in front of me was the ‘Ark of Bireom.’

Since all of them were heading to the Duchy, it was inevitable that the four Divine Objects would get closer.

Then Nikki smiled as if I was admirable.

-That’s right. But you mustn’t forget the most important being.

Then he stretched out his index finger and pointed to my heart.

“…”

-What is contained in your vessel is something that was ruled by the Chief God’s Regency. I know nothing about it.

I swallowed hard.

I had been thinking about it for a long time, but it became certain with Nikki’s words.

Really, the Pope’s Divine Object, the ‘Holy Grail of Wishes,’ was inside me.

My hand went to my chest for no reason. Thump, thump, my heart was beating healthily.

The handsome man covered his mouth with his sleeve and laughed.

-We were scattered in the four directions of this land by the will of the Chief God. We have met many humans for a long time, but we have never chosen a true master. So…

“Is that a warning that you don’t know what will happen when you gather?”

-Yes. You understand quickly.

He answered and looked at the distant horizon. I unconsciously followed his gaze.

And my eyes widened. Paradoxically, it felt like I was fully awake.

The boundary where the sea and sky met was crumbling like a sandcastle in a storm.

-Crackle, crumble…

A black void was carved out where the seawater and clouds had been.

It felt like witnessing the most terrible domino effect in the world.

‘Kugung!’ The heavy sound of something collapsing followed one after another. I hurriedly turned to Nikki.

It wasn’t quite a nightmare, but there was something I had to ask to shake off the fear.

It seemed like my ability to ‘rent’ a dream was only up to this point.

“Is that all?”

-No.

He looked at me with worried eyes.

-You are in danger.

“Yes?”

Rumble! The dream’s erosion had already reached the coastline and was licking its tongue.

Nikki’s words continued.

-This is just a premonition, and I have no basis for it. However, it seems that the Chief God has something prepared for you.

“…Am I going to die? In the war?”

Naturally, my voice rose.

If the supreme being here was going to give me a destiny, I couldn’t help but think about the flow of the original work by Toegye [likely referring to a novel or story the character is aware of].

Nikki was silent with a troubled expression.

Crack, kuung! The white clock tower in front of me disappeared into the black unconsciousness.

Clatter, clatter! The sound of hooves in the blue sky was as loud as thunder.

-Be careful. The world is already depending on you.

“What does that,”

-Crackle!

Ugh, the ground suddenly gave way under my feet. In an instant, my eye level dropped and the back of my neck felt cold.

The Archmage, holding onto the black cliff, was looking down at me earnestly.

It was an endless fall.

*

“Huh!”

I woke up almost convulsing. And,

-Beep beep beep!

Ttukssim [the wren], on my thigh, rang loudly like an alarm.

I took a deep breath and reached out to him.

The wren jumped and landed on my palm, rubbing his body and beak against my finger, acting cute.

I let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.

Did he just say something terrifying and then act sorry for startling me?

“Prince, are you okay?”

Cristel asked from across the way.

When I looked up, she was looking at me with a very worried face.

The Crown Prince, sitting across from me, also had a slight frown between his brows.

Eva’s eyes in the next seat were full of dark clouds.

She seemed so surprised that she left half of her Gugelhupf uneaten.

“It looked like you were having a nightmare. But even when I shook you, you didn’t wake up, and the Crown Prince and the Princess said your Ether was unstable… I’m not a healing priest, so I was wondering if I should call a royal physician… Maybe altitude sickness? Is that it?”

“No. I just had a, uh, a tremendous dream. I’m perfectly fine now. I’m okay.”

I soothed the anxious child.

The lesser pandas on the Crown Prince’s lap moved over to me one by one.

Tite was struggling in Cristel’s arms.

The Crown Prince clicked his tongue and turned his gaze out the window. I could see his fist loosening.

I felt sorry for making everyone worry.

Ttukssim was now dancing on my palm lines. He was trying hard.

“Oh, that’s where I was born!”

At that moment, Eva said, pointing out the window.

Hugging a bunch of animals, I watched the spectacle unfolding before my eyes.

I couldn’t close my mouth.

The endless mountain range, spread out like countless fan ribs, was dressed in a variety of reds and yellows to welcome autumn.

Everywhere my gaze reached, there were clouds, making it hard to tell whether this was the sky or the ground.

As the slope became steeper, the scenery outside the window also became slanted.

Soon, on top of a pointed cliff, the magnificent Blanquer Lord’s Castle revealed its appearance.

A bird of prey with long wings spread out was flying around the spire.

“Wow…”

An exclamation flowed out naturally.

How many people would have had to work for a long time to build such a castle in these mountains?

While I was mesmerized by the exotic scenery, Cristel opened her mouth.

“Is this your first time as well, Your Highness?”

The Crown Prince nodded. Now that she mentioned it, that was right.

The Crown Prince’s father, Alexandre, chose love instead of his family, and the Blanquer ducal family cut off ties with the firstborn son in one fell swoop.

Since there had been no private exchanges between the imperial family and the in-law family since then, this was the Crown Prince’s first visit to his father’s hometown.

He must be feeling sentimental.

“Ah, it’s my parents.”

Eva’s voice became smaller. I carefully observed the citadel.

Sure enough, a huge gate was opening in the distance.

A crowd of people was coming out to greet the imperial carriage procession.

At the head of them stood two silhouettes. Duke Cecil Blanquer and the Duke’s consort.

“Hoo.”

I let out a light sigh. Then I met Ttukssim’s gaze on the back of my hand.

Five Divine Objects were scheduled to gather in the heart of the Empire’s highest mountain range, and I was about to be in danger again.

I didn’t even know what kind of crisis it was.

But from my point of view, Prince Yeser was terminally ill from the first day of possession and was always a precarious figure.

So…

I’ll be careful no matter what. No matter who I meet here or what I do. Then it’ll be okay, right?

-Bbippo!

The little guy chirped vigorously. As if he had read my mind.

*

The Blanquer ducal couple were very solid people.

Their upright posture and flawless expressions showed that.

The couple was unfazed even when they saw three lesser pandas, a harp seal, and a wren coming out of our carriage.

Sir Johann escorted Isabel out of the following carriage, and Duke Sarnese was not visible, but their faces were still indifferent.

Even though Eva, who would soon become the formal successor, only greeted them and hid behind us, they showed no reaction.

“I am Cecil Blanquer. I greet His Noble Highness Crown Prince Cedrick and Prince Yeser Venetian.”

The Duke bowed. Following the head of the family, the Duke’s consort and family members paid their respects.

She was wearing a dress that exposed her shoulders and a necklace that fit snugly around her neck.

In addition, her attire was subtly different from that of the capital’s nobles. On closer inspection, there were similarities to Alexandre’s Archmage robes.

It seemed like she had appropriately mixed her own taste with the wizarding style.

“…My foolish child has committed great rudeness to the imperial family and the two of you. I apologize repeatedly.”

An apology for Robert Blanquer’s misdeeds followed.

The Crown Prince nodded, and I also received the words with a bow. The couple slowly straightened their backs.

“I will guide you inside. It is humble, but we have prepared a space for you to stay.”

The Duke gestured. When the Crown Prince took a step, everyone followed him and entered.

I asked her quietly.

“Where is the Young Duke?”

“…”

A small crack appeared on the Duke’s face. I continued.

“I heard he is still living in the territory. I hope your son will not be in the same place as Princess Eva while we are staying here. Is that possible?”

“…I will take measures, Your Highness.”

“Thank you. I don’t mind, but your daughter won’t be comfortable.”

There was no reply.

She looked back and forth between her daughter and me with deep dark brown eyes, then stared straight ahead with a somewhat troubled face.

Then Eva took my arm with one hand and Cristel’s hand with the other, smiling brightly as she walked.

Lady Elizabeth’s laughter could be heard.

*

The place that Duke Blanquer prepared for us was far from ‘humble.’

It was the second largest tower in the Lord’s Castle, and even after the servants, maids, and guards unpacked their luggage, there were still rooms left over.

Everywhere was so clean that it was possible to walk around the hallway barefoot.

Ttukssim and the troublemakers gathered by the window, chirping, howling, and whimpering.

It seemed like a review session for the new accommodation had begun. Let’s think about it after seeing breakfast, kids.

“The hair ornament is inside the bag, Your Highness.”

“Thank you. I hope no one saw it when we arrived earlier?”

“Yes. Thanks to the Crown Prince and the Princess for covering you.”

Benjamin replied.

As per the teacher’s advice, Yuliter’s hair ornament was only used right before using the portal, and as soon as the move was over, it was taken off and packed away.

Even if someone heard rumors and asked, I planned to gloss over it…

“Heop. Your Highness, your disguise is in here!”

Ghanael, who opened the closet, shouted loudly. Benjamin and I quickly approached the boy.

So far, Eva hadn’t said a word about my ball gown.

It’s not for me to say this, but this was a matter of great interest that even the Juliette Palace family had bet on.

Anything is fine, just not those wings…

“It’s not an angel, Benjamin. We lost our emergency fund again…”

Ghanael said in a sullen voice.

Whether Benjamin sighed or not, I grabbed the costume with a bright face.

A card that the Young Princess had inserted between the collars was visible.

‘Your Highness is a black knight tempted by the devil. No one will expect it!’

A giggle leaked out. A knight is good, ordinary is the best. Our Eva is the best!