What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 861

The Sub-Male Lead Goes on Strike – 861

“Hah… What is all this…? Don’t you people sleep? What are you doing here?”

The knights were well aware that he was a member of the Imperial Family.

『Oh, my god.』

『It’s Duke Jibril Diop. I heard he’s a fifth cousin of the current Emperor.』

『Good heavens. That’s not why I’m surprised. I thought a walking liquor bottle was coming this way.』

“Hey, don’t you know who I am? Huh? Why aren’t you answering me?”

The man glared at them with a very insolent attitude, wagging his finger and raising his voice.

His staggering body and unfocused gaze showed that nothing about him was normal.

To make matters worse, he reeked of alcohol so strongly that you could believe he had poured a bottle of liquor over his head.

The knights were taken aback by the appearance of a drunkard, something they would never have dreamed of seeing in the Papal States, and looked at each other in dismay.

『…I can’t understand what he’s saying. He seems like a good-for-nothing, just like the rumors say.』

『It would be a miracle if you could understand him. Isn’t he only coherent for a few hours a day?』

『Still, I can clearly tell that his tongue is paralyzed. Should we call a sign language interpreter?』

『That won’t be necessary. What constructive conversation can we have with a drunkard…? Just take him to his room.』

『Even if he is a member of the victorious empire’s royalty, really. Coming to a sacred place and having a drinking binge…』

‘What a pathetic sight.’ The elders sighed and shook their heads.

A couple of young knights cautiously stepped forward. It was then.

-Gurgle…

『Huh?』

A strange sound came from the floor. Startled, they flinched and stepped back.

“Hic.”

-Gurgle…

『This, no, this person is…!』

A round, tiny body. A tail wagging back and forth. Four paws staggering in a rhythm similar to the drunkard’s, black ear tips…

“Heavens!”

“The Divine Beast? Is that not the Divine Beast?”

Jibril Diop’s eyes flashed sharply for a moment.

However, no one in the dark hallway noticed his change.

The Earth-attribute Divine Beast was staggering behind the Duke, swaying from side to side.

Its grape-like eyes were half-closed, and it was also exuding a strong smell of alcohol, which was quite unusual.

The knights exchanged glances in embarrassment.

No, is it even possible for the Divine Beast, the messenger of the Chief God, to be drunk?

If that’s the case, what kind of alcohol did it drink to become like this…?

“Gasp! Senior, look at that. Around Duke Diop’s waist… !”

The young knight pointed frantically. All eyes turned in that direction.

Soon, several people gasped. ‘Huh!’

“That is… !”

“It’s a tulip, Senior. A liquor bottle with a purple tulip in it!”

“How many bottles are there?”

“Wait, wait a minute. Then, could it be that what they drank and got drunk on is…”

“They secretly drank the liquor meant to be offered in the Eucharist [a Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper]!”

“Hic.”

-Gurgle!

The Duke and the Divine Beast simultaneously shrugged their shoulders.

The murmuring knights flinched and watched them carefully.

Drunk, Diop fumbled with trembling fingertips to take out a liquor bottle from the leather belt. ‘Hic!’

“More Guldmo han…”

-Thump!

The man mumbled something still unintelligible and then gulped down the liquor.

The Divine Beast, as if waiting for it, lay on its back and drank the droplets of liquor falling down.

“Kyah, good taste… Is this the closest we can get to the taste of real liquor?”

-Gurgle?

The Duke mumbled in a languid tone.

A thick herbal scent rose from the liquor dripping down his chin.

It might have been difficult for an ordinary person to detect it amidst the drunkenness, but most of the knights gathered in the hallway were Holy Knights.

The senses and way of thinking of these far-from-ordinary individuals quickly led them to an astonishing conclusion.

“…I have a canteen, Seniors. It’s empty because I drank it all a little while ago.”

Someone looked around the group and spoke in a determined voice.

The knights, who had been watching Jibril, were startled and turned to look at her, even though they were thinking similar things without showing it.

“Hey, what are you doing!”

“Who knows what might have happened overnight while they were so drunk? It would be more reasonable to assume that he spilled all the liquor in the hallway when he wakes up in the morning.”

“Will he even be able to wake up in the morning? He’ll probably wake up holding his head when the Holy Mass is almost over tomorrow.”

“That’s right. If it’s liquor with so many precious herbs in it, an ordinary person’s body wouldn’t be able to handle it. It’s only because we’re able to drink a mixture of Moonhalo Grass, Sunhalo Grass, truffles, and sturgeon eggs without any problems.”

“That’s what I’m saying. What good would it do for a rogue magician to drink so much? The only Aether he has is a small amount covering the vessel. It would be more beneficial to Grand Vicar Rüpert in the future if a clergyman like us drank it!”

“I agree. We must become stronger, even for the sake of Grand Vicar. Even now, the clergy from Venetian are splitting into factions, wondering whether to defect or not…”

“Ahem!”

Several middle-aged men cleared their throats and supported the young man’s claim.

‘Gurgle, gag…’ Around that time, the Divine Beast, who had suddenly stood up, swayed its entire body…

-Puke!

It threw up something substantial!

“Oh my!”

“Oh my goodness, what is this!”

The horrified knights retreated in a flurry.

The torches sparsely placed on the hallway walls cast flickering shadows on the sides of the group’s faces.

What the little Divine Beast spat out was none other than…

“…Heavens!”

“This can’t be! This is the Chief God’s miracle!”

“Did he really just spit out a bunch of golden tulips after drinking a few drops of that liquor?!”

“I’m also an Earth-attribute, but I’ve never seen such sparkling flowers before!”

It was a bouquet of hundreds of fresh tulips, shining brilliantly with a dazzling golden light.

Jibril barely managed to steady his staggering body and leaned against the wall.

A low chuckle was drowned out by the knights’ commotion.

“…I didn’t spit out that many, you idiot. I made it all.”

-….Gurgle.

The Divine Beast, who had collapsed on the floor, replied solemnly.

Around that time, young knights hurriedly approached to support the two, and the drunkard pretended to resist the unfamiliar hands, but rather loosened the leather belt to make it easier for them to snatch the liquor.

‘Gurgle.’ Perry gave the first performance of a Divine Beast acting completely drunk on the continent, capturing everyone’s attention.

And at the same time—

“…Richelieu Operation successful. Immediately relay to Aramis, over.”

-Squeak!

At the last step leading to the basement.

Two figures hidden in the shadows quietly rose from their seats.

Demi quickly raised her tail and ran towards Yeseo Venetian’s room.

*

Monday.

My team leader and colleagues’ eyes widened in surprise!

“Wow!”

“Oh my gosh, is it real? Is Yedeul really taking a vacation?”

“…Yes. I’m sorry, I wanted to avoid taking time off during holidays as much as possible…”

“No, no! What are you sorry about! A big project is over, and it’s best to rest when work isn’t busy. I’ve always said that recharging is the most important thing, recharging.”

“I didn’t know you’d take such a long one! Are you going somewhere fun?”

“I guess you’re going on a trip with your family!”

People who peeked their heads over the partitions asked with curious eyes.

I stood in front of the team leader’s desk, smiled lightly, and replied.

“Something like that. I’m going to spend time with my family and friends.”

“Oh, I’m jealous. Are you going abroad?”

“…Maybe, but I don’t know yet.”

“It’s a bit late to look into international flights now. Domestic travel is good too! I recommend Sokcho.”

“I recommend Jeonju. The food is so, so delicious.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

When I answered, my colleagues laughed, saying, ‘You really like food.’

Meanwhile, the team leader checked the calendar on the computer monitor and accessed the company’s internal network to check a few more things.

“You should have said it last week and taken time off starting today. Tomorrow is Children’s Day, so it would be nice to play all the way through.”

“Haha. The schedule was a bit rushed.”

“Yeah. Yedeul worked a lot of overtime at the beginning of the year, so you have quite a few compensatory days off saved up. You won’t use up much of your annual leave even if you use just these?”

“Really?”

Compensatory days off, that’s right. That existed!

I had completely forgotten about my attendance because I was only thinking about the fan fiction contest schedule.

I really have been out of it lately.

“Because you’re so diligent, and you’re our Jung Deputy Manager.”

The team leader smiled at my surprised face.

“Then I’ll use up the compensatory days off first. It’s the Family Month, so people with children are using a lot of annual leave. Don’t worry too much and get some rest.”

“…Thank you.”

“There’s a lot to be thankful for, our mascot. If you’re really thankful, bring Melona when you come back.”

“I want Bbangtoa, Yedeul!”

“I want Pola-po grape flavor.”

“Deputy Manager, I want Double Cooler!”

“I want Excellent!”

“Ah, Excellent is crossing the line.”

The assistant manager and other deputy managers joined in without missing the opportunity, and suddenly a ‘Legal Team’s Favorite Ice Cream Saying Contest’ was held.

I laughed out loud and nodded.

I felt a warmth in my heart as if everyone was cheering me on.

…I honestly took a vacation to write fan fiction.

This is really my first time experiencing something like this, but when I think about it, I’ve had all sorts of adventures for the first time in my life thanks to my friends, so there’s nothing new about it.

I smiled, thinking about their story that Eunseo must be reading now.

Just like this, without any problems.

I hope my friends will remember me as I am.

*

“Then I’ll start right now. Fair and square.”

Gain looked back at Benjamin, wearing a black robe.

“Are you sure you saw it?”

“Yes. Ganael confirmed that the liquor bottle was going down towards the labyrinth, and I also heard the same story through the errand children. By now, a number of knights must have tasted at least one sip.”

“Crazy bastards… Anyway, Holy Knights are out of their minds. As soon as they hear that something is good for Aether [a hypothetical medium formerly believed to fill the universe and transmit light and other electromagnetic radiation], they go crazy.”

The Water-attribute Cardinal spat on his face with all his might.

The attendant maintained a solemn expression and helped the Crown Prince prepare his equipment.

“The infighting among the Papal Knights is also severe, and the mutual vigilance and competition have reached their peak. Perhaps…”

‘Perhaps it might be the perfect operation for them.’ There was no certainty in the following voice.

Regardless, Gain said, ‘That’s right, you’re absolutely right,’ and became even more confident.

She and Cedrick arrived at the temple to carry out this operation, unpacked their luggage, and walked around in all directions.

It was obvious that they would be suspected of patrolling if they went separately, so they walked closely together like lovers—that kind of misunderstanding was now too disgusting to even register—and carefully looked at every corner of the Papal States.

Whether there were any dog holes, what the difference was between this staircase and that staircase, and which one reached the labyrinth faster.

How many doors were locked and how many doors were always open…

-Whirr!

-Thwack!

-Gurgle!

And so, now.

“…Who goes there!”

They had stormed all the way to the entrance of the huge space leading into the labyrinth.

It was a place they had been to once before.

“Hey, it’s going to be tough soon, so let’s not show an ugly sight and go easy.”

Thud. Gain threw a sentence in front of the knights blocking her path.

Then, with a nonchalant gesture, she rummaged through her pockets.

Meanwhile, Cedrick was only looking straight ahead as if this had nothing to do with him.

-Rustle, rustle…

“…”

Soon, a small pouch-like object came out from inside her robe.

“Anyone who retreats from now on. First come, first served, I’ll give you medicine to stop sudden diarrhea.”