What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 187

#187 Not Baker Street, Just Bakery (3)

-Clatter, clatter…

Five horses carried their riders out of the Imperial Palace.

The massive black gate slammed shut behind them with a ‘clank!’

Turning back, I saw the knights sending us off with respectful bows.

I gave a small nod and focused on the road ahead. Naturally!

“Like we’re out for a stroll.”

I muttered to myself. I could feel the Crown Prince’s gaze on me.

I thought I had evolved from a mere homebody to an excellent palace resident, but venturing out into the world was always exciting.

After always traveling by carriage, being exposed like this made me a bit nervous.

The clear, crisp air carried a faint scent of winter.

“Oh, my goodness!”

“Heavens! It’s Crown Prince Liester.”

“We greet Prince Yeser Venetian.”

Some nobles, who witnessed the opening of the Imperial Palace gates, stood by the roadside and bowed.

Crown Prince Cedrick didn’t even acknowledge them.

It wasn’t often that he patrolled the Imperial City with his friends, so the initial onlookers reacted quite strongly.

Those who spotted the main character’s [referring to the Crown Prince] aura from afar were quickly approaching.

The ladies’ cheeks were flushed red.

The most handsome man in the world is different for a reason.

“Prince Yeser!”

“Hello.”

When I greeted them, the ladies who were bowing folded their feather fans and stroked their cheeks.

Averting their eyes didn’t seem like a good sign.

I was embarrassed and slightly raised the corners of my lips.

I don’t know the language of fans yet; should I study that too?

“Slow.”

The Crown Prince snapped briefly. I turned to him and cleared my throat.

I was just grateful that such beautiful people were talking to me, you know.

While I was having a staring contest with him, a contest I was destined to lose, the white horse began to walk faster.

This friend is also very smart.

“Prince, are we going to the bar I went to last time? To meet that Baron?”

Christel asked brightly from behind. I immediately nodded.

“Yes. I heard the Baron’s grievances firsthand, and since he said he was a regular there, I’d like to directly confirm the victim’s testimony.”

I replied.

Christel had met Modest Bakari of the Fleur de Lis at a bar a while ago.

He even wrote me a letter saying he had lost his memories of the prophecy.

During the strategy meeting, she added some intelligence that would help with this case.

‘I took my mother and sat down. But a Baron at the next table was saying that the lord’s castle treasury was empty and needed to be filled by the harvest festival.’

‘It might be Madam Victoire’s doing.’

‘Yes. The group he was with also asked if it was ‘that thief’s’ work. I don’t frequent that bar often, but he’s always there when I go, so he must be a regular.’

So, we decided to stop by ‘Blois’ first, a high-end bar that Christel often visits.

I already knew the names of the nobles who had been harmed by Victoire through the Royal Guard’s report.

However, most of them refused to give honest statements and didn’t even agree to interviews with [the Royal Guard].’

The Baron of Savagnier, known as the first victim, and the Marquis of Cissé, whose sacred objects were stolen, were exceptions.

I wondered why these great nobles were so passive, but it turned out it was because of their pride.

They didn’t want to publicize the fact that their property had been stolen by a mere thief.

They were reluctant to even mention it because of shame and humiliation.

“If they’re drunk, they’ll probably talk a bit. His voice was very loud back then too.”

“Yes. With His Highness the Crown Prince present, they won’t dare to keep their mouths shut.”

Lady Elisabeth, who was leading the way, replied.

The Crown Prince and I were following behind, and Lord Johann and Christel were in the rear.

The young Count, holding the reins with one hand, turned to me.

“You said we should go to the commoners’ area next, right?”

“Yes. I need to show that I’m easy to approach so Henriette will appear.”

“Do you really think Henriette is the culprit?”

At that moment, Lord Johann asked quietly. We both looked at him at the same time.

Behind Herrit’s father [Lord Johann], the nobles were following us at a slight distance.

It seemed like more than a hundred people had gathered already.

Commoners lying down and peeking at us in various parts of the city also came into view.

This is totally, what was it called? Guerrilla dating.

“I’m not sure either. But that side seems to be the most likely right now.”

I said. His mint-colored eyes curved as if to encourage me.

Then Christel chimed in, puffing on her pipe.

For reference, that’s not real tobacco, but an inhalable candy.

The blue vapor that rises is said to be blueberry flavored.

“I agree. I heard that only the playful Serge and Granny Forme knew that the Prince might go to the harvest festival. Serge has a big size difference with Victoire. He doesn’t have a talent for impersonation either. Granny Forme is dead, so her granddaughter Henriette is the most plausible.”

Moreover, all of that was what I had confirmed as the truth through confession.

The fact that the granddaughter had left the troupe of clowns and her whereabouts were unknown was also suspicious.

“The fact that Henriette is in her late twenties is also an important clue. The Victoire that the Prince testified about is also estimated to be in her twenties to thirties.”

Lady Elisabeth added.

Clatter, clatter. For a while, only the peaceful sound of horses’ hooves filled the space between us.

It was a comfortable and cozy silence. As I turned back to Lord Johann,

“Good heavens. If only I could stroke that snow-white hair once!”

“Lord Haynes, has your son perhaps said that he needs a stepmother?”

…It seemed like a very enthusiastic fan base had appeared.

Ladies dressed in elegant dresses and suits were intensely flirting with Lord Johann, making advances.

Some of them were a bit older.

I quickly turned my head, lest I make eye contact with them.

The Holy Knight’s gentle voice was heard.

“Contact with strangers is not my preference. Thank you for your concern, but Herrit seems happy enough these days, Madam.”

“Oh my, you’re not easy. A charm bomb.”

Wow, he’s handling all of that. I wouldn’t be able to say a word if it were me.

Christel whistled as she watched. There wasn’t even a crack on Lord Johann’s face.

“Finding you disguised in the crowd.”

The Crown Prince suddenly opened his mouth.

Startled, I looked to the side, and his orange eyes were close like the winter sun.

I reflexively perked up my ears. The distance between the two horses narrowed.

“The thief would have remembered the faces of the attendants. Especially if it’s Prince Calamar, it wouldn’t be difficult to find him.”

“Is that so?”

The guy nodded seriously at my whisper. We finally connected.

The reason why the culprit could target me even though I hid my identity with black hair and blue-gray eyes… No matter how I thought about it, it was because they recognized Benjamin and Ganael.

Prince Calamar Ganael’s bright sky-blue hair and gold eyes were easy to spot even in crowded places.

And once they spotted the boy, it wasn’t difficult to pick out me, who was always near him.

Only the color arrangement is different, but the features are the same, so anyone who knows our faces would be able to distinguish us quickly.

“Someone who knows the face of Juliette’s Palace attendant and heard information from Serge or Granny Forme. Serge testified that he didn’t reveal my schedule to anyone, so it narrows down to Henriette again. The Imperial Palace staff or someone around them can’t be the culprit.”

The Crown Prince gave a look of approval.

Lady Elisabeth, who heard our whispers, said quietly.

“We’ll have news from the Verang barony soon.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

I replied.

Not long after I possessed this body, I was threatened by assassins disguised as attendants.

And the main family of the Verang twins, who were killed by those two, was Henriette’s hometown.

Since we decided not to launch a large-scale military operation, the Deputy Commander of the Royal Guard dispatched only a small number of subordinates to the barony.

If there was a person named Henriette, they were to immediately capture her and transfer her to the Imperial City, and even if she wasn’t there, they were to find all related information.

“Hmm.”

I silently fell into thought.

Come to think of it, it was the Verang Baron and his wife who put ‘Yuliter’s Headdress’ up for auction at the As Auction House.

I felt like a strange connection was continuing.

After hearing the news that they were building an orphanage with the funeral expenses I sent, I’ve been steadily sending donations…

I wondered if I should go say hello, but I hesitated.

I think it would be harder for them if they saw my face.

“We’re here. I can see the bar sign over there!”

Christel raised her voice. I lifted my gaze with a sparkle.

A fairly fancy and neat building caught my eye.

On the front, there was a sign with a wide wooden board carved beautifully.

‘Blois – Truth in Wine’.

“…It doesn’t seem like a place where very constructive conversations take place.”

“Indeed.”

I gave a brief impression, and the Crown Prince readily agreed.

Then Christel and Lady Elisabeth started laughing excitedly.

Even Lord Johann burst into hearty laughter.

In particular, our protagonist [Christel] was delighted, saying, ‘Prince, you sounded just like a very devout Archbishop just now!’

The people who were following didn’t know why and groaned at Christel’s bright smile.

Was I too old-fashioned?

“Hahaha, then let’s go in.”

The young Count said, barely managing to fix his expression.

The nobles who were hurriedly leaving Blois were startled when they saw us and lowered their bodies.

Now that I see it, the carriages in front of the bar were quickly leaving the parking area. What’s going on?

…Well, it’s good for us since there are more places to park our horses.

*

“Here you go. Thank you for your hard work in the cold.”

“Yo, Your Grace is too kind! Please trust us, Prince!”

The young errand boys bowed deeply.

Since they promised to take care of the horses and even provide the highest quality feed, I generously tipped all of their valet parking.

When Dduk-shim, from inside my coat, took out a silver coin with its beak, the Crown Prince gave a look that said, ‘I’ve never seen that kind of currency before.’

Honestly, it was a bit annoying.

-Click, squeak…

The boy who seemed to be the oldest carefully opened the door.

The noisy commotion and music from inside leaked out.

“We, welcome you to Blois, Your Highness. Have a pleasant time,”

-Crash! Boom!

A table fell over inside, and there was a loud noise of chairs breaking.

As soon as I flinched, the Crown Prince and the Deputy Commander of the Royal Guard grabbed their swords.

The errand boy seemed very embarrassed, but the door, once pushed, continued to open its arms without stopping.

What unfolded before our eyes was…

“Hey! Why don’t you come here!?”

Crash! A middle-aged noble jumped onto the table and shouted.

The noble who received her finger-pointing glared.

“What? Hey? Listen, Baron! Where did you sell your noble dignity? Let go!”

-Clang!

The angry man threw a bottle of alcohol at the wall with telekinesis. He was a wizard [someone with magical abilities].

The wallpaper that was the target was covered in alcohol stains. The clothes and hair of the two men and women were also very disheveled.

Torn cravats, fallen cuff buttons, and all sorts of brooches and hats were scattered haphazardly on the floor.

It wasn’t just one or two people who were picking fights here and there. No, seriously.

Is this truth in wine? Or just a mess?

“Someone, stop them! Stop them over there first!”

When someone pointed, the other party flared up, saying, ‘Who are you to order me around! I’m a talent who received a medal from His Majesty!’

It was still early evening, but everyone seemed to be out of their minds, soaked in alcohol.

The smell of alcohol was everywhere because of the spilled and drunk alcohol.

It was no longer a drinking party or a fighting ring.

It was just a huge mess.

-Step

“No, you have to be patient. No matter how pathetic they are, you can’t kill people.”

“…”

I barely managed to stop the Crown Prince, who was about to draw his sword. His irises were on fire.

The errand boys were already prostrate at the man’s feet, trembling.

Christel muttered, ‘Wow, what the hell is this,’ and wielded her tongue and whip at the same time.

I sincerely agreed.

Seeing the pandemonium right under my nose, I was even losing sight of the purpose of coming here.

It was then.

“Your Highness, the one lying there seems to be Commander Modest Bakari.”

Lord Johann said calmly. I hurriedly looked at where his fingertip was pointing.

Then my eyes widened.

Blood-soaked navy hair and eyebrows, dripping nosebleeds.

His mouth was also burst, and blood droplets were thickly gathered between the lips of the twenty-year-old boy.

He seemed to be in the worst condition of anyone in the room, but no one was taking care of him or helping him up.

My jaw dropped involuntarily at the shocking scene. I could tell instinctively.

…The fight broke out because of that guy. And he’s even alone.

I clenched my fist. For a moment, anger surged.

[Freeze! Everyone shut up and drop to the ground!]

-Faaa!

I shouted loudly.

The entire room was filled with bright golden light, so bright that I couldn’t even see what was in front of me.