What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 343

#343

Gilt Return, A Breath (5)

“······Wouldn’t that be possible?”

“Oh, my heavens.”

My teacher initially adopted a conservative stance.

She even reached out to Natalie to take the coffee cup.

I pursed my lips and subtly watched her reaction.

I fully understood Her Majesty’s need for caffeine.

Just as Herrit, who was much younger than me, seemed like a baby to me, I, who was about twenty years younger than her, must have seemed like a naive kid.

Besides, it had only been a day since I came back from the dead.

She would never want me wandering outside the Imperial Palace.

She would try to defend me from any dangerous situation.

Knowing that, His Imperial Majesty readily accepted my wishes.

“Could you two excuse us for a moment?”

The Cardinal’s tone was gentle but firm.

The head of the costume department and the head of the makeup department bowed politely and retreated to the next room.

Pieces of fabric and powder puffs were left scattered on the long chairs.

Benjamin took a step back, and François glanced this way, joining his friends.

I knew this would happen, but it seems no one is going to help me!

“Yesseo.”

“Yes.”

“First, believe that we have no intention of confining you to the Imperial Palace or depriving you of your freedom.”

At that moment, a deep, resonant voice echoed in my head.

The orange eyes flickered as if I could grasp them.

‘The Marquis will be confined to the Imperial Palace until the end of this war.’

······Your Highness’s godfather seems to think differently.

“Yes, I believe you.”

But I didn’t bother to say it out loud.

Unless Benjamin, Sant, or Sir Johann, who were in the tent at the time, spoke up first, there was no reason for me to invite confinement.

I understood their concern a thousand times over, but I also wanted to help everyone.

I knew something, and I had ideas, but I didn’t want to just stay quietly in my room.

This might be a clever plan to hasten the victory.

A clever plan······. Maybe not that far. Anyway, it’s worth a try. It would be a waste not to.

-Squeak

Then Perry stopped playing excitedly and approached my teacher.

I had a bad feeling. What’s wrong with our precious one this time?

“Huh?”

-Squeak, squeak

The divine beast stopped abruptly in front of a curve in the carpet and began chasing its tail as if trapped there.

Before I knew it, a purple hibiscus flower had bloomed at the tip of its ear.

My teacher tilted her head at its inability to cross the line.

As she seemed to understand, Leah walked across the curve and plopped down.

Then, she raised her tail high and opened her mouth wide.

-Kkiung!

She even pretended to threaten by raising her front paws.

An unknown orange flower had bloomed at the tip of her nose.

‘Kkiing!’ Perry flipped over on its back as if it had been waiting.

Then the Cardinal’s face instantly hardened.

“······Seidi ordered Yesseo to be confined? Romero had already intended it. And yet, no one said a word to me.”

-Kkiung

-Kkulut

“Jung Perry, Jung Leah!”

Crazy, they can communicate? I raised my hand urgently.

“Your Highness! I’ll use my disciple card!”

“I don’t know what that is, but go ahead.”

My teacher raised an eyebrow and walked gracefully to the sofa.

I didn’t think she had much in common with His Majesty, but she looked exactly like him just now.

I glared at the two divine beasts following the adult and opened my mouth.

I’ll have to bite their tails later.

“The key to propaganda in this chaos is to plausibly package the truth to gain meaningful support, isn’t it? Make sad things sadder, happy things happier. Express amazing things as miracles of the gods to get a good response. Everything extremely.”

“Oh my.”

“I did as much work as possible on the way back. I wore Yuliter’s headdress upside down, and I heard about my teacher’s growth and His Majesty the King’s passing. I also wore the Crown Prince’s coronation robes. I was activating the holy ground the entire time I walked through Claire Square, so everyone must have seen my purple eyes. If Eva helps through the salon, the word will spread throughout the empire in a few days. Prince Yesseo Venetian truly resurrected from the front lines, and this is a symbol of the empire’s victory and a sacred divine will.”

‘Aaaaaah······!’ The cheers of the imperial citizens, as if their hearts would burst, still echoed in my ears.

The faces of those I had passed by at a street stall, in an opera house, or in a bar were filled with joy.

Many were half out of their minds with the joy of witnessing a miracle before their eyes and the surging faith.

Yesterday, I baptized dozens of children in the square and conducted dozens of informal confessions.

There were times when I was almost swept away by the crowd, but Sir Johann and the Imperial Guard stood firm.

I received countless clumsily tied bouquets, homemade food, and gloves.

Those who knew my voice cried with emotion every time I wished them blessings.

It was the first time I had ever ‘actively’ deceived someone like this, so I honestly felt uneasy.

Every time people who didn’t know anything called me Prince, my heart stung.

It definitely felt different than when I was possessed.

But if I kept dwelling on that, I would never be able to help my friends.

Instead of saving Prince Yesseo, it would be difficult to even find my way home.

So, even if I have to pay the price later, I have to be brazen now.

“A very royal and excellent calculation, but.”

My teacher opened her mouth gently.

“There are many people who can do that even if it’s not you. Especially Sarah Belliard, whom I mentioned earlier, is an expert. She is from a generation that experienced war as a child and is a journalist, so she has both experience and knowledge.”

“Yes. It would be good if she could help shape public opinion in the country as she has done so far.”

“······Yesseo.”

The eyes under the monocle became serious as they grasped my meaning.

I stood before my teacher and friends in an imperial coat that was not yet fully tailored.

I straightened my chest, just like the main male lead!

“Someone has to shake up the Venetian public opinion.”

“Good heavens. Someone from another world is different after all!”

“Marquis, don’t incite him.”

François swelled up like a balloon, and Sir Johann calmly poked him.

Sant cautiously looked at the face of the paladin and said.

“Ha, but I think the Marquis has a point. The people in my father’s territory were particularly well-educated, but even if you only visited the neighboring territory······. There were many people who didn’t know anything and were swayed by the lord. It was like that even in areas close to the capital.”

“That’s exactly it. As you know, Venetian’s strength and weakness is that it is a country founded on the belief of the union of church and state. In fact, most of the royal family is of priestly blood. The people have deep reverence for them, high loyalty, and, on the other hand, a lot of distorted information. Some lords abuse this to consolidate the structure of exploiting the commoners. Sir Johann says this is common the further away from the capital you get. It’s probably been going on for a long time.”

“Then there must have been problems even when the king was healthy. The higher-ups don’t know much about the lives of the lower classes.”

Joan threw a blueberry into her mouth and pointed out cynically.

My teacher gave her a kind smile.

I recalled the worries of a woman I had heard in Honing Village.

‘Yoana, you know. Is it really okay?’

‘But I’m worried that the gods might be angry. The Crown Princess and the higher-ups······. I’m afraid they’ll curse us. I’m afraid that even the children I barely saved will be harmed.’

If there are people who can’t act because of such fears, I wanted to provide even a small spark.

Even if they can’t act right away, so that they can promise the future.

Even if they don’t step up, so that the next generation can do it in the future.

Shaking the roots weakens them.

“So we need to make provocative leaflets and spread them in the direction of the Holy Nation. The story of my ‘resurrection,’ the story of the Crown Prince and Sir Johann catching mythical beasts. If we include the story of Christel obtaining the relic, it will be a hit! We must also include the information that the Empire has no religious tax. Word of mouth won’t go far, so we need a physical entity. Just look at Viscount Trossart, he thoroughly controls the movement of his territory’s people. It would be best if we could cooperate with the printing house in charge of . ”

“······What is ‘Courtly Romance’ used for?”

Finally, the adult asked the question first. This means she’s half convinced!

“For novelization. Belliard is an excellent journalist and there are many talented people under her, but the vocabulary of a journalist and the vocabulary of a writer are different, aren’t they? Ordinary people will empathize more easily with a novel than with a stiff news article. They will prefer a story that is immersive and has room for imagination. Even for those who can’t read, it will be more enjoyable if someone reads it to them. Of course, we have Benjamin······.”

‘I thought Benjamin needed reinforcements.’ I smiled and concluded the sentence.

In the meantime, somehow having learned the secret, my friends looked back at him and smiled.

Only Sant seemed to be unaware of his identity. Even the youngest, Herrit, knew······!

“Yesseo. I can understand your intentions. The strategy of disrupting the public opinion of the enemy country is basic, and a long time ago, spies from both countries were actively involved in such activities.”

That’s right. Until Romero and Lilianer purged them, respectively.

I listened to my teacher’s words with a serious face.

“But today, spies are closer to simple informants. Even that is completely blocked now because it is wartime. Without the help of spies, is the large-scale distribution you want realistically possible?”

‘The Empire is vast, but the Holy Nation is by no means a small land.’ The adult looked worried.

I slyly raised the corners of my mouth towards her.

“······.”

Wow, I finally get to do this too! The confident expression of someone ‘with a lot of information!’

Not a lot, but anyway!

“We have something called ‘bullet delivery’ in my hometown, Your Highness.”

“Huh?”

“I’d feel better if it was delivered quickly and reliably to the front door. It would be unsettling if there were too many delivery people, and this kind of operation loses its effectiveness the longer it takes. Sir Johann, will you help me?”

I immediately turned to the paladin.

Unlike me, who was excited, the man with Herrit on his lap looked embarrassed.

“Marquis. You don’t really think my stigmata can cross the continent, do you?”

“I don’t have a bad imagination, but I have no intention of asking Sir Johann to do anything unreasonable. However, I don’t know if the great Duke Blanquer would be willing to help. This operation requires someone blessed by the Divine Palace.”

It was a tone that was starting to get on my nerves even to me. Eva, unable to bear it, shouted.

“Marquis! Stop making that unlucky face and just say it!”

-Thud!

Ack! I ended up getting kicked in the shin by Eva’s shoe.

In my teary vision, I saw my teacher smiling with a sigh.

Anyway, the atmosphere didn’t seem bad. Staggering, I sat down on the sofa with Benjamin.

Joan and François already had faces that expected something great.

If the two of them could help, the operation would be easier.

“Don’t even think about having other thoughts. The Marquis is best when he’s just pure and bewitching!”

“Good heavens, Eva. Where did you learn such words?”

“Hahaha.”

If we do well, we can make an intercontinental ballistic missile. Of course, environmentally friendly!

*

-Whoosh······

Neutral Zone Desert, Liester Camp.

The high priests’ camp was receiving guests.

“It is docile.”

That was the first thing the healing priest said after examining Bingzam’s relic for several days.

Christel blinked her blue eyes and tilted her head.

The most luxurious crown sat proudly in the highest seat. Docile means?

“It means that the state of the relic is very stable. It has not shown aggression to ordinary people or priests who have approached it so far, and it has not been fixed in one place.”

“Oh, that’s a relief.”

“Yes. I was worried because it had stayed in the body of the obsidian sea urchin for a long time, but fortunately, it responds to human touch. I will soon submit a detailed report to His Majesty. You have received the grace of the gods twice, Count Rambouillet.”

‘You have accomplished great things.’ The old man said gently.

The subdeacons standing next to her shone their eyes, saying, ‘You are amazing, Count Rambouillet!’ ‘You will be remembered as a great hero!’

Everyone was eager to say a word to the one called the idol of the Imperial Army.

The barracks were ecstatic at the rumor that she had not only absorbed one relic but had also obtained another water relic.

Christel waved her hand and smiled.

She didn’t dislike their outpouring of affection, and she liked being the object of admiring gazes.

But right now, she was in a hurry.

“Thank you for the compliment, teacher. But I have to leave the desert soon.”

“Oh, the old man was being presumptuous. Please sit this way. I will provide you with Ether.”

“Thank you.”

Soon, the paladin and the priest sat down at the table.

With a small noise, a sanctuary opened.

Christel quietly lowered her eyes and accepted the old man’s energy.

Ether as clear as her partner Prince Yesseo’s doesn’t exist anywhere on the continent······.

She wasn’t the type to break furniture or dishes, saying ‘I don’t need other priests’ like someone else.

This was enough to get to the capital.

Yes, to the ‘capital.’

“Count Rambouillet, are you going to the front lines this time?”

“Yes?”

The subdeacons standing side by side were sending her excited glances. What is it?

“No. I have a short break, so I’m going to stop by the capital to see the Prince and then go over to the West Sea. I have received permission from His Majesty.”

“Ah······.”

“I’m sorry.”

Then one of the subdeacons didn’t know what to do and stuffed what he was holding into his sleeve. ‘Rustle, rustle.’

The old man who was watching this sighed deeply.

Did he perhaps try to ask for an autograph just now? I could have done that much.

“It seems they have read the newsletter.”

“Newsletter?”

“Months have passed since such a huge garrison was established, and soldiers have created their own leaflets. Residents of the surrounding villages even put up advertisements. It mainly contains miscellaneous news and war situations, and His Majesty leaves it alone, so many people have become interested in it.”

“Ah ah.”

I thought it was something again. As she nodded her head and smiled, the old man released Ether and continued.

“His Highness the Crown Prince at the front has gone inland, and according to the newsletter, several cardinal-level paladins are gathered there.”

“······Yes?”

Christel’s eyes widened.

I’ve never beaten Sir Johann even if we fought together, but there are several cardinals?