What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 620

As the explanation continued, the darkness of the summer evening slowly crept into the temple.

Initially, people who resembled each other were sitting side by side, but as time passed, the seating arrangement naturally changed.

Gain wedged herself between Sir Johann and me on my left, while Sadie stretched out one leg and sat to my right.

The Prince, who had been lingering nearby, somehow ended up sitting next to Christel and the Crown Prince.

He looked awkward to anyone watching—well, he hadn’t spent much time with the two protagonists in the original story—but his face softened as Christel linked arms with him.

It was true that they were very worried about their only ‘Prince friend’.

The troublemaking Princess was busy checking on the Prince’s condition whenever she had a chance since arriving here, and the Crown Prince wasn’t keeping him in check or being jealous as he usually did.

Yeah, they really seem to get along better than I thought.

【······They’re not bad in reality. The text you deciphered doesn’t lie.】

“To put it simply… Our world is this world’s twin sister. Everything is the same, including the era and background, and most of the people and their environments are also the same. However, the future has changed drastically as our choices have diverged slightly… You can think of it as such a place. In short, it’s a ‘different universe’.”

– Skee-ik

As I drew a line on the floor with the charred wooden stick, a black line appeared on the smooth limestone.

Following it, François and Sir Elisabeth’s gazes moved carefully.

Everyone looked serious, as if they were studying for an exam.

Of course, underlying that was an indescribable level of shock and fear.

I couldn’t miss it, as the dark circles under their eyes were so prominent.

Right, it’s naturally hard to understand and scary.

How could they accept the fact that someone exactly like them lives somewhere else as easily as choosing a dinner menu!

“Then…”

“Yes, please speak.”

Sir Elisabeth moved her lips with a confused expression.

I fiddled with the ice pack around my neck—Gain’s handiwork—and quietly waited for the question.

What we needed was ultimately their cooperation.

Given what we’ve done so far, I wouldn’t dare hope for active help, but we needed cooperation to the extent that they would pretend not to see what they saw.

Since the Imperial Army would be gathering in Grand Rouge in three days, we didn’t have much time.

To reach an agreement as quickly as possible, a convincing explanation of the situation and self-introductions were essential.

– Tak, tak-tak, tak…

Some of the broken altar stones became firewood, and the gaping doors and windows served as excellent vents.

Even though it was late August, this place was the northernmost part of the Empire, bordering the sea.

The air grew colder as the sun went down, making it uncomfortable to spend the night in a place without a roof in many ways.

There was also an underground shrine room, but it was too small to have a long conversation.

We huddled together, sharing the robes and blankets we had brought from the Sue detached house.

“Then, does the Liester Empire in that world also have me and my parents? And my fiancé?”

“Of course. Everyone is doing well. Our Ganael also sincerely likes you, Sir.”

As I answered with a faint smile, the face of the Deputy Commander of the Guard changed very subtly.

A spoonful of delight, three spoonfuls of relief, and six spoonfuls of a still strange and uncomfortable feeling.

But the steadfast spirit that didn’t express it emotionally was Elisabeth Mute herself, as I knew her.

Next, a question flew in from the seat next to her.

“…What about me and my family?”

“Of course, Marquis Dium.”

“Moreover, Lady Guju also has the title of Marquis, so she was usually close to the Marquis. Our Marquis is also an 8th-grade non-combat mage, and even her specialty is the same.”

“Oh, blessed Arian, heavens… What a wondrous harmony!”

Gain quickly explained, and François covered his mouth with a gloved hand, constantly marveling.

He seemed eager to somehow study the content we were talking about from a magical science perspective.

So, three spoonfuls of curiosity, one spoonful of relief.

And about six bowls of mad scientist mode were poured in.

The elegant demeanor from a moment ago was gone, and the mage was now ready to do somersaults.

“Then this heinous… No, who is this person? Which family’s young master is he to be escorting His Highness the Crown Prince’s party alone? I’ve never seen his face before!”

François quickly changed the finger he was pointing with into a palm.

His fingertips were clearly trembling as they pointed at Sir Johann.

The person in question was simply looking at him with a gentle gaze.

Sadie raised one eyebrow.

“Cardinal Johann Haynes is the Emperor’s sword.”

– Kkit-heung

“The Emperor’s sword?”

“Cardinal?”

François and Sir Elisabeth turned pale simultaneously.

In the meantime, Demi added a serious interjection. Sadie continued to speak.

“Also, my teacher.”

– Kkia

“Crazy?”

“Teacher? Does that mean Grand Preceptor [a high-ranking teacher or mentor]?”

“No, are you saying that young man is such an important person?”

This time, Christel, the Crown Prince, and Sue-nim were shocked in turn.

To be honest, we were quite surprised by that statement as well.

Gain quickly whispered in my ear. ‘Did Her Highness just publicly acknowledge Johann as her teacher?’ ‘I know, I’m so touched…’

“A Cardinal. No, how, how could there be in the Liester Empire—”

“I defected from the Holy Nation. The benevolent Emperor Frederick took me in.”

– Kkieung

Sir Johann answered cheerfully and turned to look at François.

The mage had a blank expression for a moment.

“My son is with me too.”

“…Son? Are you saying that child has accompanied you here as well?”

“No. Herrit is safely in the world where I stayed.”

“Oh, heavens. That’s a great relief.”

The mage muttered, relieved as if it were his own business. The Cardinal tilted his head.

“Why…”

“You. You committed a grave crime here and have been running away as a criminal ever since. You’re still young, so your child must be young too, and that boy doesn’t need to take such a precarious adventure. You left him with a trustworthy guardian?”

“…Yes.”

“That’s good. You’re acting like a father.”

Puh! I quickly covered my mouth, seeing Sir Johann momentarily stunned.

Gain had already buried her forehead in her knees and was shaking her shoulders.

Whether we were trying our best to hold back our laughter or not, the Marquis here didn’t stop saying what she wanted to say.

‘How old is your son? Ah, eleven years old, so thankfully he’s not at an age that requires a lot of care.’ ‘I also raised my younger siblings myself, so I’m not unaware of the hardships of raising children.’

Even Sadie chuckled lowly at the ensuing nagging. I bit my lip and turned my head.

“…Ah.”

“…”

And my eyes met red eyes. Immediately.

“How haven’t you been discovered?”

“Pardon?”

The man asked in a voice as cold as ice.

I reflexively shrugged my shoulders, suddenly feeling a tingling sensation in my neck.

Gain moved closer to me.

“You. And you.”

“You? I have a wonderful name called Christel, Your Highness?”

Gain couldn’t resist retorting. I carefully grabbed her wrist.

Of course, the Crown Prince didn’t care in the slightest.

It was a rather difficult question because answering it honestly would make it hard not to mention the ‘novel’ setting.

“You look like me, and that one has Christel de Sarnese’s face. But you haven’t been caught by anyone until now.”

“I wonder when you’re planning to put down the arrogance that all your questions must be answered.”

– Weo-ong

“Are you going to act like a rogue even after shaking the peace of the Empire? I want to know when you gave up the honor of the Imperial Family.”

“How did the assault you committed against Liester’s Guju become a non-issue in a matter of hours?”

“You’re, you’re going to fight again—”

“Daring to expect the treatment of Guju when you infiltrated disguised as a servant. A shameless life seems to suit your aptitude.”

“If it’s aptitude, there would definitely be a difference. The future of an Imperial Family member who hasn’t found a sword that suits them and the future of an heir to the throne who has been appointed as a Holy Knight will be different.”

“What?”

【These guys never get tired.】

“I want to eat a few more servings of this! Is there anyone who’s leaving any?”

Yes…?

I was clutching my chest with a nervous feeling when a clear voice rang out from over there.

The two Crown Princes’ bickering paused, and everyone’s gaze turned to one place.

I blinked my eyes, doubting my ears.

If that had been a man’s voice, I would have suspected my own mouth first and foremost.

But Princess Christel?

“Ah, I’m sorry for interrupting. I couldn’t eat properly on the way here, so I’m hungry… Looking at it, it seems like the Prince also likes this meat. The grilling is just right, and it’s making my mouth water. Is there anyone who’s leaving any?”

…Are you asking for a refill of demon beast meat, right now?

I stretched my neck and looked at their bowls (the large leaves that Leah had made).

It seemed like that question was asked for a friend.

About half of Christel’s meat was left, and only the Prince’s leaf was as clean as if it had been washed.

He’s been eating a lot more lately, so it was understandable that he was short on food. I immediately raised my hand.

“If I could give you some of mine—”

– Rustle!

Before I could finish speaking, that Crown Prince grabbed his weapon and got up from his seat.

Huh? Sir Elisabeth also had a flustered look. The conversation wasn’t over yet.

“Cedric…? What, where are you suddenly going?”

“Hunting.”

The man answered curtly and strode out.

Then Sadie immediately got up as well. Following him, the group’s gazes went up and up.

Could it be…

“Your Highness, are you going with him?”

“You don’t need to give up yours.”

“Yes? Ah.”

Ah… I looked down at the leaf on my lap.

The neatly sliced pieces of meat came into view. I was actually hungry.

But just like during the war, and even now, there was no need to act like a glutton, so I was holding back.

It’s not like my body would have problems if I ate a little less.

“Your Highness! Make sure it’s a big one! Our Guju needs to eat until her stomach bursts!”

“…”

But it seemed like that wasn’t the case in my partners’ eyes.

I smiled faintly, watching Gain, who was making even louder noises with her hands together.

When I whispered, ‘Thank you,’ she raised the corner of her lips and tickled my side with her elbow.

Christel, who had successfully stopped the third round, had a pleased expression.

“Don’t worry. They won’t fight when they go hunting. You know His Highness’s personality, right?”

And a very familiar wink flew over. The unfamiliar, bright blue eyes were a bonus.

“If the two of them compete hard and come back, wouldn’t that be great for us? Forget three days, we’ll get thirty days’ worth of food.”

I was momentarily stunned by the blunt words, and then I heard a sound of stifled laughter next to her.

It was Prince Yeser.

Soon, it spread like pollen to everyone sitting around the temple.

That’s how the first night with everyone came to an end.

*

The next day, at dawn.

– Swish, swish…!

Two people who had come out for an early morning walk were walking side by side along the white cliffs.

The morning waves were particularly large, high, and noisy.

Gain stared intently at Christel’s boots—it was so like her to wear such shoes under her dress—and then blurted out.

“Hey, are you really going to marry him?”

“Ah… Let’s not talk about that. The weather’s nice today.”

“No, honestly, I think it’s crazy, but if that’s what you want, what can I say? It’s not my marriage. I’m just asking because I’m curious.”

“You just said it was crazy, with your own mouth.”

“Sorry. But you think so too, right? I bet everything.”

“Yeah.”

‘Ahahaha!’ Gain grabbed her stomach and started laughing hysterically.

Christel slapped her back in annoyance.

Looking down at the two with affectionate eyes was none other than the White Bell Tower.