What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 189

“Let’s tie them up gently, shall we?”

“You’re arresting me for a little drunken brawl? His Majesty isn’t so strict! I know him… Ah! My arm! That hurts!”

Baroness 잔 틸리에 and her friend were securely bound by the Royal Guards.

Normally, such a fight would fall under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Capital Defense Force, but today, a member of the Imperial Family was present, and the issue involved heavy taxes, so the Royal Guards were summoned.

Outside the ‘블루아’ tavern, the Imperial carriage and escort wagons stretched along the street.

The horses that had brought them were now accompanying us on foot.

The sky visible through the open door was already dark, vaguely resembling 모데스트 바카리’s hair color.

I turned to look beside me. The seer stood calmly, donning his robe.

The area where the blood had been wiped off with a damp cloth was crumpled and damp.

‘Dog-eyes. That’s the nickname of the second son of the 바카리 viscount family. Everyone secretly calls him that. He probably knows it himself.’

In response to my question about what had happened, Baroness 틸리에 answered abruptly.

My friends and I were shocked.

‘What do you mean…?’

‘Think about it, Your Highness. The Director sees death. My future is read by that guy? My end, which I don’t even know, is revealed? Is there anything more disgusting and unlucky than that? And to make matters worse, it’s his job to regularly report it to His Majesty.’

‘It’s not like he wanted this ability. He must have a lot of pain and difficulties himself. Even if you can’t understand, can’t you at least respect him?’

‘Then how much pain and difficulty do you think those around him experience? Why else would the viscount couple name him 모데스트 (Modeste) [meaning ‘modest’ in French]? They just wanted him to be ordinary and unremarkable.’

She goes around reciting misfortune wherever she goes, honestly. She clicked her tongue, reeking of alcohol.

It wasn’t difficult to grasp the general situation from the baroness’s words.

A child who doesn’t receive the care and support of his family.

Outsiders who know this and easily torment him.

I instinctively stood in front of the seer.

I couldn’t let him keep hearing such things. A firm voice flowed out involuntarily.

‘Stop with the harsh words. I didn’t ask for the context to hurt him like that.’

‘It’s not an insult, it’s the truth as it is. I wanted to hear a word of prophecy from the great Dog-eyes, asked if I could recover my stolen property, and he said this.’

Then 바카리, who had been silently standing behind, spoke up.

‘Nothing will change no matter what I say. You’re going to hit me soon. Because that’s all you know how to do.’

‘…….’

‘That’s what he said. So I took off my glasses.’

I was surprised and looked down at him.

The seer, as if just remembering, rummaged in his pocket and took out his round glasses.

The thug baroness smirked at him.

‘Sorry for hitting you. I just got angry for a moment.’

‘…….’

‘Why do you make such prophecies? Like someone determined to get hit. Ah, I’m sorry.’

When I glared at her, she apologized to 바카리 again.

Anyone could tell it wasn’t sincere. She was so hateful and angry that she was grinding her teeth,

-Thwack!

‘Ugh!’

크리스텔, who flew in like a sugar glider, landed a powerful punch on her back. There was no time to stop her.

The protagonist tripped the staggering baroness,

-Wham!

‘Ugh!’

And like lightning, she pinned her upper body down,

‘You’ve wasted your years, haven’t you!?’

‘Ah! Ahhh! It hurts! Ack!’

She grabbed one of her arms and twisted it firmly! The baroness’s screams echoed through the tavern.

The horrified nobles retreated like a tide.

The baroness, caught in an armlock, struggled, and 크리스텔, with gritted teeth, glared with fierce blue eyes.

Sir 요한, who was guarding the Crown Prince, praised, ‘Her learning ability is excellent. Lady 사르네즈 is a remarkable student.’

When did you even teach her that?!

‘My arm’s going to break! It’s going to break! Augh!’

‘Apologize! Apologize sincerely! Where did you learn to be so nasty!’

크리스텔 shouted fiercely. Crown Prince 세드리크 snorted.

I definitely understand this time. You’re chugging cider straight from the bottle, aren’t you?

‘Aaaah! Grandma! Grandma, your granddaughter is dying!’

‘Your arm breaking won’t kill you! Apologize right now?!’

‘Let go! Aaaah! Let go!’

‘Oh! Yeah! Let’s see if your arm breaks first, or if I get tired first! For your information, I’m a paladin!’

She shouted, veins popping out of her neck.

The middle-aged woman’s face, already red with intoxication, turned crimson with pain this time.

The baroness finally spat and screamed.

‘I’m sorry! I’m really sorry! I’ll reflect on my actions!’

‘Speak respectfully!’

‘I’m sorry! I won’t speak ill of you again, and I won’t throw punches recklessly! Director!’

Thwack! 크리스텔 released her arms and stood up.

The baroness’s friend hurriedly helped her up.

The nobles, who had been watching with bated breath, applauded and exclaimed.

Lady 엘리자베트 shared a deep hug with 크리스텔, whispering, ‘A hundred glasses of cider, paid for.’

I glanced back to check 바카리’s expression.

‘…….’

His 청은색 [cerulean blue] eyes were wide open. Fortunately, there was no negative light in them.

Was this the first time he had received an apology?

Perhaps it was the first time someone had taken his side.

“Your Highness, let’s return now. There’s been a commotion, so it would be best to cancel the next schedule.”

A reliable and kind voice rang out. I snapped out of my thoughts.

The Deputy Commander of the Royal Guard and the coachman were smiling at me.

I could also see people gathering and murmuring in the streets.

Important people went in for a drink, only to get caught by someone even more important and dragged out, so it was bound to attract attention.

I asked the two of them to wait a moment and looked for 바카리.

The boy was getting into the viscount’s carriage alone. As I moved, Sir 요한 followed.

“바카리 군 [Mr. Bakari].”

“……Yes, Your Highness.”

The night air was chilly. I carefully opened my mouth.

“The other nobles fought for 바카리 군 [Mr. Bakari] too. They thought it wasn’t right for you to be unilaterally attacked, so they tried to stop it, and that’s how things escalated. You probably already know that.”

The seer was silent. I had nothing more to add.

It’s a happy thing to confirm the truth that there are far more good people in the world than bad people.

But it was also true that no one had taken care of the injured boy.

Perhaps they didn’t want to get close to someone who sees the future.

“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll be going now.”

“Won’t you come to eat bread?”

I blurted out. 뚝심이 [Dduk-shim-i, likely a pet name] burrowed into my arms as if embarrassed.

The seer looked back at me with an incredulous expression.

He seemed to have regained his characteristic arrogant attitude.

I heard Sir 요한 chuckle softly from behind.

The failed conversation was already embarrassing, but I stubbornly plastered my face with a gold and titanium alloy.

I am Iron Man…….

“쥘리에트 Palace is receiving guests again, and our chef 로랑스 [Lawrence] can bake any kind of bread. You’re welcome to come if you’re interested.”

“…….”

“Tips about 빅투아르 당드레지에 [Victoire d’Andrezier] are also welcome.”

I quickly added and smiled.

바카리 stared at me with a look that said he had seen all sorts of strange people, then bowed politely and got into the carriage.

I sighed at my own poor speaking skills and returned to my seat.

뚝심이 [Dduk-shim-i] beeped as if to comfort me now.

Couldn’t you have come up with a more impressive line, 정예서 [Jeong Ye-seo, the protagonist’s name]? You’re eight years older.

You can come anytime if you want to talk.

“……Huh?”

Before I knew it, there was already a guest in the carriage.

“You’re dawdling.”

“Your Highness, is it alright if we join you?”

The Crown Prince and 크리스텔 were sitting side by side on one seat, looking at me.

There was no reason not to ride together, and I happily boarded, thinking it was unusual for the two of them to be together so nicely.

Then 크리스텔 stood up with a ‘heave-ho’ and sat down next to me.

My front and side were instantly blocked by two men and women. Sir 요한 took a seat diagonally across from me.

Um, this isn’t the formation I had in mind.

Regardless, the carriage began to move.

-Clatter, clatter

“…….”

We quietly entrusted ourselves to the swaying for a while.

But each of our minds was certainly working busily. At least mine was.

I looked out the window and organized the things I had learned today one by one.

Since I didn’t have a pen right now, I folded my fingers.

1. 빅투아르 [Victoire] might really be a bastard child of the 앙드레지 [Andrezier] count family. The thievery might have started out of revenge against the family.

2. She was a real Robin Hood. Not just to gain the support of the commoners, but she actually stole the property of nobles who harassed the people and distributed it.

3. Emperor 프레데리크 [Frederick] couldn’t have been unaware of the above.

4. It’s strange. If she had been successful so far with thievery stemming from revenge, why would she suddenly try to steal me? This strategy only puts her in danger. Just for fame? She would have gained national fame someday even without me.

“Huh?”

I widened my eyes and quickly pressed my forehead against the window.

The carriage was now turning out of the huge 클레르 [Clair] Square.

The escort wagons and soldiers carrying the criminals followed behind.

But what I was paying attention to wasn’t our procession.

크리스텔 and the Crown Prince also focused their gazes on one spot.

The protagonist’s mouth dropped open.

“Crazy, isn’t that the guy?”

“Yes, it seems so!”

I urgently knocked on the roof of the carriage.

Knock, knock, knock! At the clear sound, the coachman responded, ‘Whoa, whoa!’ The speed gradually slowed.

It was hard to see because of the roadside trees and stalls, but one thing was certain.

Next to the statue of the warlord 로메로 리에스테르 [Romero Riester], someone was standing and looking at us, with long hair and a cloak fluttering.

Monopolizing the waning moonlight.

“Madam 빅투아르 [Victoire].”

-Click

The carriage door opened. The coachman had a puzzled look.

“Your Highness, Your Highness. What brings you here,”

“We’ll be back in a moment!”

We poured out of the carriage.

The clever 뚝심이 [Dduk-shim-i] also popped up from my chest with a pong!

I pressed my forehead against the boy’s and prayed briefly.

Lord God, please allow me to catch that thief today.

-Saaa, flutter!

Whee-ing! I soared into the sky in an instant with 뚝심이’s [Dduk-shim-i’s] wings.

The hem of my robe fluttered wildly. In the rapidly approaching view,

“……Gone, damn it!”

I gritted my teeth. The area around the 로메로 [Romero] statue was already empty.

The commoners who were enjoying street food and wine in the square were so surprised to see me that they fell to the ground.

Apparently, they hadn’t even noticed that 빅투아르 [Victoire] had been there.

“It’s alright! You can get up. I was just passing by.”

I waved my hand and carefully landed next to the statue.

Flutter, 뚝심이 [Dduk-shim-i] folded its wings obediently.

Sir 요한, who had flown with me, landed lightly and guarded me.

In the distance, Lady 엘리자베트 [Elizabeth], who was dispatching Royal Guards at the Crown Prince’s command, could be seen.

크리스텔 was conducting an inquiry, checking the faces of those gathered in the square.

I thoroughly searched the area around the statue. I didn’t know if 빅투아르’s [Victoire’s] traces might have remained.

It was unlikely, but…….

“There is?”

I muttered blankly.

At 로메로’s [Romero’s] feet, a tarot card was lying upside down.

I took out a handkerchief from my pocket and carefully wrapped it.

‘The Sun’.

And in the corner, a little bit of bloodstain that could only be seen with close observation.

*

The next day, we gathered at 쥘리에트 [Juliette] Palace.

Sir 요한 found 바카리’s [Bakari’s] and my conversation amusing and suggested that we put the code name ‘bakery’ on the reception room.

The Crown Prince and I opposed it, but 크리스텔 and Lady 엘리자베트 [Elizabeth] excitedly agreed, so it was eventually decided that way.

If 정은서 [Jeong Eun-seo] knew that my only ally was the main male lead, she would grab her phone and flip out.

Of course, that guy would have considered the dignity of the Imperial Family as his top priority.

“Besides the evidence secured by His Highness, there were no other gains last night. Since His Majesty did not want a large-scale search, all we did was patrol the alleys, and there were no reports of seeing suspicious people. Baroness 잔 틸리에 and her friend have been transferred to the Imperial Capital Prison. As the tax issue is the part that His Majesty values most, it will be difficult for them to escape easily. There’s also the assault case involved.”

The 소백작 [Young Countess] organized the situation clearly.

We nodded and listened to her words.

Meanwhile, 뱅자맹 [Benjamin] and 다비드 [David] piled a lot of freshly baked bread on the table.

I decided to fill up on snacks before laying out the full-fledged reasoning,

-Knock knock

가나엘 [Ganael] knocked on the bakery door, no, the detective agency door, and came in.

“Your Highness, a guest has arrived.”

“A guest? 에바 [Eva]?”

“No, that.”

His 금색 [gold] eyes showed a troubled light.

“The leader of the 플뢰르 드 리스 [Fleur de Lis] says he’s here to eat bread……”

The boy’s voice grew smaller. 크리스텔 and the 소백작 [Young Countess] lay down side by side and sobbed.