What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 137

From the heroine’s perspective, she was suddenly living in someone else’s body, so she had to consider the possibility of the body’s original owner returning.

I would have taken a similar stance. I still do, though less than she does.

…What happened to the real Christel and Prince Yesuh?

It was a thought I had at least once a day.

Unfortunately, it seemed that ‘Christel’ had already passed away.

Considering the heroine’s disposition, the author would have difficulty connecting her with Crown Prince Cedric without such a ‘setting’.

“In reality, Duke Simon de Sarnese has never had a love marriage.”

Benjamin added with a footnote, taking out a booklet. I smiled bitterly.

“Your daughter could have a love marriage, but he’s being so harsh.”

“Right! I might as well change my course in that direction. I want to start with dating.”

Christel brightly responded to my attempt to lighten the mood, even though I wasn’t very eloquent.

Dating is good. I hope she will be happy with the Crown Prince in a world without war.

“Then let’s review the information you’ve studied about the Serenité estate.”

The middle-aged man opened the book.

Our third travel essential was, as always, studying the destination in advance.

Ganael handed over a gateau Saint-Honoré [a French pastry] wrapped in paper. Thank you.

“Serenité has a famous free city. Its citizens are directly under the Emperor, not the lord, the Prince. The city’s name is,”

“Answer! As!”

The heroine raised her hand and shouted. Benjamin maintained a calm expression.

“It is As. Then…”

His quiz-giving skills were top-notch. I burst into laughter, watching Christel jeer.

The middle-aged man continued.

“What is the origin of this name?”

“It was originally taken from the surname of the As baronial family, who were the lords.”

“You are correct, Your Highness.”

To celebrate getting the answer right, I swallowed the bite-sized cake I was holding.

Following the crispy-on-the-outside, melting-on-the-inside profiterole [a filled cream puff], the puff pastry crumbled softly and nutty on my tongue.

The flavors of chocolate, whipped cream, and raspberry mixed together.

It was sweet and soft, making me feel good. Christel wore a competitive expression.

“Next question. The current head of the As Merchant Guild is Emil de As. Then, what is his specific relationship with the As baronial family?”

“Answer! The As baronial family fell during the reign of Emperor Romero. So… the last baron’s, great-grandson?”

“That’s correct, Lady Sarnese.”

“Yes!”

Christel was happy that she guessed it right.

This time, Ganael handed over a piece of yogurt cake baked at the inn.

They were things you could eat anytime, but it was funny how it felt like you could only get them if you answered correctly.

I watched the heroine diligently devour the snacks and suddenly asked.

“But why did the As baronial family have their title taken away and their family closed [stripped of their nobility and status]?”

The book Benjamin brought was one I had also skimmed through in the Imperial Palace.

However, besides the description that Emperor Romero of the war era executed Baron As and cursed him forever, there was no specific explanation.

Since it was a wealthy family, I wondered if they had embezzled military supplies to accumulate wealth.

Then Ganael lowered his voice.

“Baron As betrayed Emperor Romero, Your Highness.”

“I knew it. Was it embezzlement?”

“No. He was said to be a spy for the Holy Kingdom.”

My eyes widened. Christel, who was chewing on her cheek, also stopped moving.

For a while, only the shaking of the carriage and the sound of horses filled the silence.

The boy looked around as if someone was there and continued.

“Since the west is on the opposite side of the border, there weren’t many reasons to be suspicious, so the baron boldly smuggled His Majesty’s information to the Holy Kingdom through the sea route. At the time, the family was investing in trade, so no one suspected anything.”

“Then the current As Merchant Guild is…”

“After the family fell, Vanessa de As, the daughter of Baron As, gathered her family and started it.”

Benjamin added.

According to his explanation, Vanessa was a skilled and resourceful person.

She was said to lack political sense, which made her unsuitable to become the head of the family, but this became an irrelevant disadvantage after the family was closed.

“Even though all the family assets, including the estate, were confiscated by the Imperial Family, her granddaughter’s generation has recovered 70% of it.”

“That’s amazing.”

I exclaimed. Christel asked.

“I heard that the current head of the guild is the second child, why is that?”

“There are widespread rumors that the first child is a scoundrel. However, it is unclear whether he gave up the inheritance himself or was kicked out of the house.”

Ganael said. This was something I also knew.

The older sister, Joanne, was famous as a rogue and a thug, and the younger brother, Emil, was said to be relatively calm and quick with business.

By the way, I feel like I’ve seen the name ‘Emil de As’ somewhere.

French names are long and difficult, so it wasn’t easy to remember.

“I’ll ask the next question. What is depicted on the coat of arms of the Marquis of Serenité?”

“Ganael,”

“Answer! Only things that are like Your Highness are gathered. Wings, a lake, tulips, a shield. The moon and symbols of the Chief Godism are also hidden.”

Christel counted on her fingers and answered quickly.

Ganael clapped his hands and gave her a galette [a flat, round cake or pastry] topped with mushrooms and goat cheese.

It smelled so delicious that my mouth watered, but my face turned red and I looked away.

I couldn’t stand it whenever the topic of wings came up.

*

“Marquis Serenité. We will arrive at the Lord’s Castle soon.”

“Ugh…”

Benjamin lightly tapped my knee. I groggily opened my eyes.

Demi and Dduk-ssim, who had already woken up, were looking up at me with bright eyes.

Outside, the sunset had half receded, and it was getting dark.

My right shoulder felt heavy, so I looked to the side and saw Christel sound asleep, leaning on me.

I picked up the booklet that was precariously held in her hand.

It looked like it was about to fall.

‘The Greatest Show on Earth! Discover the Continent’s Amazing Treasures at the As Auction House!’

An auction. It was just the kind of material Christel would like.

I chuckled and put the booklet in her jacket pocket.

The Sarnese ducal couple was on their way to meet various figures, including the head of the merchant guild, to commemorate the sister city agreement with As.

Perhaps our heroine could win a wonderful item at the auction.

As for me, I was scheduled to take a tour of the estate and return to the Imperial Palace right away.

-Neigh!

“Whoa, whoa!”

At that moment, the carriage stopped abruptly. The center of my body lurched forward.

I reached out my arm to block Christel. She woke up with a start.

Benjamin and Ganael also hurried to regain their balance.

-Squeak!

-Beep!

“It’s okay, that’s right. I guess we’re here.”

I hugged and soothed the Lesser Panda and Wren, who had almost fallen off.

Wondering what was going on, I peered out the window and heard an unfamiliar voice.

“…Do you know who I am!”

“Does that side not know whose carriage this is?”

Elizabeth’s cold response followed. It seemed someone was blocking the road.

The four people, one divine beast, and one divine object held their breath and listened.

The opponent’s volume was so good that every word was clearly heard.

“Move aside. We are the Imperial Guard, upholding the noble Imperial command.”

“That’s ridiculous! It’s been a hundred years since a member of the Imperial Family came to this area!”

“…Drag them out.”

“Hey! Don’t you dare touch me! Do you know who I am? Huh? Do you know who my brother is?!”

The woman shouted sharply. Christel and I frowned at the same time.

She didn’t seem to be in her right mind. Was she drunk?

“Alright, kids, now’s the time!”

“Waaaah!”

At that moment, the woman raised her voice as much as possible. Then, the shouts of her gang erupted.

Clang, clang! The guards immediately drew their swords. Benjamin tilted his head.

“That’s a modest welcoming ceremony.”

I awkwardly raised the corners of my lips.

I had heard that there were bandits in various parts of the empire who targeted luxury carriages going to and from near the lord’s castle.

Even though skilled mages and swordsmen were concentrated in the upper echelons of Liester, they were not ‘uncommon’.

Therefore, there were also many nobles who were helplessly attacked when bandits appeared.

In severe cases, it was reported in .

But to block our procession of all people.

I felt a little sorry for them…

“Will Elizabeth spare them?”

“She’ll probably say her hand slipped because she was tired. I should polish her sword for her today!”

Ganael gave a chilling answer with a puppy-like face to Christel’s question. I flinched.

“Summary execution?”

“If the opponent is a commoner, the vice-commander will subdue them appropriately, but that side seems to be determined robbers. It would be best to turn your eyes away from the window.”

Benjamin answered when I asked. This was unacceptable.

I couldn’t bear to see bloodshed on my first day in the estate.

I opened the carriage door with a startled face. ‘Your Highness!’ Christel hurriedly tried to stop me.

The soldiers, as well as the horses they were riding, were shocked to see me.

“Marquis, you shouldn’t come out now…!”

[Robbers, freeze.]

-Flash!

A wide sacred domain brightly illuminated the surroundings like daytime.

The scattered rocks and the bushes where the thieves seemed to be hiding all shone in gold.

I got out of the carriage and walked to the front of the procession. The dirt floor sparkled like jewels.

Christel followed me. Elizabeth quickly got off her horse.

The sharp gray eyes calmed down somewhat.

“I apologize, Marquis. I was late in dealing with it.”

“It’s alright, Elizabeth. I heard this happens from time to time.”

I said that and glanced at the stiffened figures.

There were about forty bandits holding weapons.

The one who seemed to be the leader gritted her teeth at me.

She had a fancy cloth wrapped around her head, and the stench of strong alcohol emanated from her surroundings.

My brow furrowed involuntarily. She really was a drunken brawler.

“Who are you! Release this right now?”

[Shut your mouth.]

“Mmph! Mmmph!”

The woman’s lips were sealed in a straight line.

Soon her face turned red with anger, and veins stood out on her forehead.

Fortunately, none of her subordinates seemed as drunk as the leader.

Everyone was pale and looking at me.

To be exact, they immediately lowered their eyes as soon as our eyes met.

I see.

[I will arrest you all. You will go to jail.]

I smiled and pointed to one place.

[The Lord’s Castle over there. I am the new owner.]