What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 116

#116 The One Who Leads the Fire Wheel of the Divine Kingdom (4)

“Hey, why are you drawing your sword there!”

“······.”

“······.”

Elise’s expression shifted instantly.

Her gaze toward Prince Cedrick was as sharp as a blue flame.

The Prince didn’t raise his blessed sword to strike, but he showed no sign of sheathing it either.

His orange eyes burned into Elise, as if trying to incinerate her.

I glanced at Cardinal Boutier.

She wore a mysterious smile, like the Mona Lisa.

With Cardinal Ari Schött beside her, it was a scene worthy of a masterpiece painting.

*Don’t just stand there admiring it! A war could break out if the successors fight!*

“Hmm.”

*Damn it, I have to intervene after all.*

Christel, who loves watching fights, was useless at times like this.

Since my previous response had gone over well, it seemed Prince Yeser usually spoke formally to his sister.

*Then this tone should work.*

“That’s… the divine artifact, the ‘Blessed Sword of Mars.’”

Immediately, all eyes turned to me. My ears burned, but I had to defuse the situation.

Any friction between the two countries would disadvantage me, given my limited lifespan.

“His Highness the Prince drew it himself during the ‘Great Monster Subjugation.’ It’s a fire attribute weapon, so it has excellent compatibility with its owner.”

The audience remained silent. The Prince narrowed his eyes at me.

*I don’t know what he’s so proud of, drawing his sword out of nowhere as if to assert dominance.*

*Did I suddenly sign up to be a museum curator?*

“It also recognizes people. You could get burned if you grab the hilt carelessly.”

“That’s excellent. It will never be stolen, then.”

The woman who had been silently guarding the Princess broke the silence and accepted my explanation.

I smiled brightly at her. The world in the novel was still worth living in.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness the Prince. I thought the sword looked extraordinary. Now that I think about it, I believe I’ve seen a picture of it in a book.”

The woman approached a few steps with a curious expression.

She was short, but her frame was sturdy, and her bronze skin was firm with muscles.

Deep wrinkles lined her eyes, but her energetic movements made it difficult to guess her age.

“I’d like to test my axes against you sometime.”

“Martier.”

Finally, Elise stopped her subordinate.

As her momentum subsided, Christel, behind me, let out a small breath.

Judging by the crunching sound, she was already snacking.

I seized the opportunity created by the easing atmosphere to look back at the Prince. Our eyes met.

*Cooperate, don’t act like a grumpy twenty-four-year-old.*

“······Begin the examination.”

He spat out the words in a low voice and immediately walked to the center of the training ground.

Elder Ari burst into hearty laughter.

Words like ‘youth’ and ‘prime of life’ followed like a string of sausages.

Only then did the Romero Palace attendants, including David, stagger like zombies.

*Wow, I thought something was about to happen.*

*

“Are you sure you’re alright staying here?”

I asked Elder Ari.

He said he was running out of energy and decided to stay at our table, while Cardinal Boutier and Elise’s group headed to the table across the training ground.

I didn’t mind sitting with the elder, but I was a little worried that it would negatively affect the two protagonists’ examination.

If they were going to be ordained [officially inducted into the paladin order], it would be good if things went smoothly.

“There’s no problem at all. Both of you will become archbishops anyway.”

Then the old man gave this answer. I blinked.

“From what I’ve heard, they say that if you’re lucky, you will. The ordination of a paladin is greatly influenced by the cardinals.”

To be exact, it was Sir Johann Haynes’ words. The old man immediately retorted.

“That’s true. If you meet the wrong cardinal to examine you, even someone who should become a bishop remains a priest. That’s the hardship of a paladin.”

He raised his deep eyes and stared at the middle of the training ground. I followed his gaze.

The Prince and Elise, facing each other for the duel, were visible.

Cardinal Boutier was explaining the examination process to them, and Christel was listening intently beside her.

“But His Highness the Prince is already the owner of a divine artifact. How can a mere human belittle the choice of the main god? Moreover, the Sarnese Princess has outstanding talent. It’s very rare to see such divine power at that age. It’s close to a blessing.”

His insight was impressive. She did absorb the ‘Blessing of the Azure Sea.’

“That’s a relief.”

“Yes, at least that’s what this old man thinks. So they will become archbishops.”

The old man said, putting milk in his black tea. I calmly pondered his words.

The elder already intended to make the two men and women archbishops, and Cardinal Boutier had initially used her influence behind the scenes to become an examiner for them.

Two out of the three cardinals were on the protagonists’ side, so the result was obvious without even seeing it.

*As expected of a munchkin couple [overpowered characters], their future is smooth.*

“Enjoy yourself comfortably. A cardinal’s martial power is not something you can often see, Your Highness the Prince.”

I could only smile bitterly at the old man’s words.

*If I had answered that I had received the stigmata [divine mark] head-on about ten days ago, it might have strained his heart.*

Just then, Martier, Elise’s subordinate, stepped forward from across the training ground, holding a long object.

Covered in silk, it seemed to be the Princess’ weapon.

-Chirp, chirp

At that moment, Dduk-sim, who had flown in, landed on the table.

Even when I left Juliet Palace, he was playing with the lesser pandas, but he had come to see a precious sight.

The old man opened his mouth and rejoiced.

“Heh heh. Is that wren the divine beast of the air attribute?”

“Um, yes.”

There was no need to reveal the guy’s true identity.

It was uncomfortable to lie to an adult, but since it was true that he was an air attribute, I decided to consider half of it as the truth….

“Wow!”

Suddenly, Ganael at the next table exclaimed.

We wondered what was going on and looked at the training ground.

The Princess’ weapon was being revealed as the cloth was removed.

It was a golden spear that was elegant and mysterious.

Because it shone with gold without any common decorations or engravings, it felt more like a god’s possession than a weapon.

The sharp and ornate blade looked like the tail of a bird of paradise.

The realization spread slowly. *That can’t be….*

“Dduk-sim, is that why you were hopping around in the audience chamber the other day?”

-Chirp

“You came all the way here to see that?”

-Chirp chirp chirp!

When I whispered urgently, Dduk-sim flapped his wings and affirmed.

Something that looked like interest or competitiveness shone firmly in the guy’s black bean-like eyes.

I accepted Dduk-sim, who was rubbing his whole body on my palm, and looked at the Princess holding the spear.

A sentence in that explained not only the Empire but also the divine artifacts of the Divine Kingdom flashed through my head.

Elder Ari’s voice echoed like an echo.

“I’m glad I came all the way. I’ve heard rumors that the Princess recently became the owner of a divine artifact… It’s something to see after living a long life. That’s right.”

I swallowed dry saliva.

Held in the hands of the fire attribute paladin was the air attribute divine artifact that was in the Divine Kingdom.

‘The Weapon of Headwind’.

*

“It won’t be a joke. But you can’t lose too pathetically, disciple.”

Christel whispered. Cedrick sullenly readjusted his blessed sword.

The ether [magical energy] of Elise Venetian, which he felt from the provocation just now, was clearly a power of a realm he had not yet reached.

It was worthy of the talent of the youngest cardinal in history, who opened the stigmata at the age of twenty-six.

He understood the Princess’ warning, but he had no intention of surrendering easily.

“Then fight.”

Christel, who had discovered the Princess’ spear, left behind words he couldn’t understand and ran away.

The Prince turned his head to check where she was running.

Prince Yeser, with a worried look, was looking this way.

When Christel approached and held out her hand, he was flustered and put a few Petit fours [small, decorative cakes] on her palm.

A short snort escaped him. The Prince was ignorant of flirting. Unlike the rampant rumors.

“Are you close with my brother?”

“······.”

The Prince turned his gaze at Elise’s voice.

The cardinal holding the sleek spear was looking at him. It was a question that didn’t need an answer.

His shadow flickered.

-Kwaang!

Then, with a roar, she reached him.

-Kagak, Kagagang······

The two divine artifacts collided painfully.

The Prince’s eyes darkened. She had blocked him too easily.

The fire rising from the blessed sword was easily suppressed by the vacuum created by the weapon of headwind.

“I asked if you were Yeser’s friend.”

-Hwareureuk!

A huge flower of flame rose from the sword and threatened Elise.

As soon as she moved her body, a jet-black blade drew a horizontal line.

-Kwaaaa!

Bright red flames covered the front in a fan shape.

It was an attack that an ordinary knight could not avoid, but

-Tat, tat, tadat!

The Princess rose into the air in an instant. It was thanks to the spear of the air attribute.

-Woong!

-Kwaaaang!

The atmosphere cried out and her figure plunged vertically.

Right in front of Cedrick’s Adam’s apple, the blade of the blessed sword barely blocked the tip of the weapon of headwind.

The man’s feet sank about half a span [hand’s breadth] and strong force was applied to his arm muscles.

Elise asked with an indifferent face.

“Or are you a partner?”

“It’s none of your business.”

In an instant, fire ignited in her blue eyes. Hwareureureuk! The weapon of headwind spewed out bright yellow flames from the blade.

-Tak!

Just before the Princess’ flame reached his breath, Cedrick flicked his right finger.

-Kwaang!

It was an explosion. A vermilion sphere resembling the sun burst out and separated the two.

Cedrick, who had been bounced out, landed after doing a somersault.

Elise supported her flying body with the wind and stood in the air.

She whispered as if giving a revelation, or as if cursing.

“It doesn’t matter. I will take that child back.”

“That sounds like you’re going to murder my father.”

-Ssaeeeeek!

As soon as the Prince’s words were finished, the spear of golden light was fired.

-Kugugugung!

“Kuh!”

Cedrick’s solid body rolled on the floor. The impact was great even though he avoided it immediately.

It was because the power of air and fire was added, so the attack speed was fast and the aftershock was also strong.

When he raised his upper body, dirt fell from his ebony hair.

He felt the Grand Duchess’s regretful gaze.

He knew her feelings, but he didn’t want to receive that look anymore.

A small spark popped from the Prince’s fingertips.

“If you’re regarding Yeser as an ether warehouse,”

-Hweeik!

With a fierce sound, the spear stuck in the pit was pulled out and wrapped around the Princess’ right hand.

The Prince looked up at her, who was floating like an eclipse.

“You will definitely regret it.”

“The Prince wanted the title here.”

He snapped.

There was no way the Princess, who had entered the training ground with him, couldn’t have heard the Prince’s words.

Her irises flashed so blue that they were almost white.

Despite the tremendous pressure, Cedrick did not bend his knees.

He felt ether leaking through the gap in his soul.

“So I will take it from the Empire.”

“······.”

The Princess was frighteningly silent.

She was clearly planning to return the Prince to his country after she ascended the throne and pay a huge amount of cash to the Liester Imperial Family.

But Cedrick was not the kind of person who would give up what he held in his hand for the successor to the throne of an enemy country.

He didn’t need treasures. To a precarious land where the royal consort and his cronies existed….

“A weak vessel cannot handle the covenant.”

The Princess’ declaration cut off the Prince’s thoughts.

He gripped the hilt of the blessed sword tightly and stood up.

The red jewel embedded at the end shone as if reacting to the man’s will.

Elise muttered.

“Realize your limits.”

-Goooo······

The earth, the atmosphere, the water, and the fire began to vibrate all at once.

Elise’s braided hair flickered ominously.

Soon, a fist-sized mass of light sprouted from the sky above her head.

The sphere soon grew to the size of a human head, and then grew again to the size of a chandelier.

At the same time, the air cooled rapidly.

It was as if all the warmth around was being absorbed into it.

In the July weather, white steam flowed from between Cedrick’s lips.

He knew instinctively. She was opening the stigmata.

“Your Highness!”

Someone’s blurry cry was heard from some direction.

Cedrick aimed his sword in front of him.

Since he had the divine sword, he couldn’t cut it, but he could block it.

If he poured out all the ether in his body.

-Kugugugu!

The ball made of fire and heat had now grown so large that it covered more than half of the clear sky of the training ground.

Elise lightly raised her left hand.

The sun also rose in the territory of the main god, called the Kingdom of the Moon, and there was also someone who commanded such a chariot of fire.

The one who leads the fire wheel of the Divine Kingdom.

[Exorien······.]

That’s when it was.

-Paaaaat!

[Wait a minute!]

With a brilliant radiance, a circle unfolded.

In the feast of ether that was difficult to distinguish the front, Elise saw purple eyes facing her.