What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 212

#212

Role (3)

It can’t be. It wouldn’t be. No.

I was suffocating, struggling for breath.

Even as I pictured Marquis François D’Huem’s face, I desperately tried to deny the horrifying hypothesis.

As I twisted my body, Sir Herve D’Huem was startled and let go. “Hah!”

“I apologize. I didn’t realize how strong my hands were.”

“Cough, cough!”

“Shh. You must be quiet, Prince Yeseo.”

He put a finger to his lips and whispered.

He checked around to see if anyone had woken up.

I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them, tears welling up.

The Commander of the Royal Knights, with his usual kind face, was kneeling on one knee, looking at me.

Only then did I feel like I had met someone I knew. I could breathe again, in a different sense.

Before I could say anything, he immediately began to loosen the ropes binding me.

Demi, awakened from sleep, perked up its ears and sniffed at the man.

Sir D’Huem, even in the midst of his busy actions, chuckled and stroked the divine beast.

“I’m sorry for scaring you earlier, Divine Beast.”

-Kki

“Sir D’Huem, what are you doing right now…?”

I was dumbfounded and whispered. He answered seriously.

“Soon, I will stop the carriage. I will say that I received the imperial order to depart early and haven’t been able to rest the horses, so I will suggest we stop to give them water and rest.”

“Yes.”

I was completely out of it, but I nodded for now.

In the meantime, the rope became loose enough to barely encircle me.

Then, Sir D’Huem took Tete, who was asleep, out of his armor.

The little harp seal, who loved humans and had a good life, was melting like warm rice cake between his pectorals.

The Commander of the Royal Knights carefully hid him in my arms.

“When I let you all get some air, Your Highness, take the divine beasts and cross the eastern forest. It’s near my brother’s territory, so you can get help. A few knights and I will draw attention.”

“Yes…?”

I blankly asked back. What was he talking about?

“I apologize. I don’t have enough time to explain in detail.”

“Please tell me, even briefly.”

I requested. His voice sank heavily.

“…The Royal Knights are targeting Your Highness. It will be for assassination purposes.”

His deep eyes were filled with regret. I was so shocked that I couldn’t speak.

Tack, tack. For a moment, only the sound of hooves and the noise of the carriage filled the interior. No…

“Didn’t you say you came to pick me up by imperial order? Perhaps…”

“No. His Majesty and the two princes trust Your Highness. I received the mission to safely escort Your Highness to the Imperial Palace.”

I thought everyone would trust me, but when he actually said that, a sigh of relief escaped me.

The Commander of the Royal Knights moved his large frame silently and examined Sir Johan.

Soon, his handsome forehead furrowed. He unlocked the aether restraints [magical binding cuffs] with a key.

“It seems they used a tranquilizer usually used on high-level magical beasts. A powerful antidote is needed…”

“Sir D’Huem.”

I urged him.

Demi, understanding the man’s words, cleverly sprouted all sorts of herbs from its front paws.

He dropped his head and smiled bitterly.

“It is as you see. I never ordered my subordinates to make Sir Haines like this.”

“……”

“The restraints were a formality. But this is not. And the Royal Knights, no matter what, should not do anything I have not ordered. This ultimately goes against His Majesty’s will. I do not train soldiers in that way.”

After saying that, Sir D’Huem quickly released the others’ restraints.

His skill in adjusting the strength of the bindings without making it obvious was top-notch.

I carefully whispered.

“I was also angry at the Royal Knights’ treatment of Sir Johan… but I don’t think that’s the only reason you judged that they would kill me.”

“They weren’t surprised.”

He muttered, placing pillows under the heads of the Baroness and Elodie.

“When I recited Your Highness’s charges, the Royal Knights who had arrived in the barony beforehand were not surprised at all. I felt a sense of unease seeing that. Something… felt artificial.”

In short, it was a warrior’s intuition. It was hard to argue that it was far-fetched.

I had the same thought.

Seeing them not change their expressions despite the sudden situation, I couldn’t help but think, ‘They’re so calm.’

“You’re saying they expected the arrest?”

“Yes. I felt a murderous intent from them an hour or two ago. An inexperienced knight cannot perfectly hide their aura. They become nervous when preparing to kill.”

“But why would they set up such a dangerous plan? How dare someone plant people in His Majesty’s second sword [referring to the Royal Knights, a symbol of the King’s power]…”

At that moment, a ruthless realization struck like lightning.

Then, a tsunami-like shock crashed in.

Goosebumps covered my entire body, and my jaw trembled as if it were broken.

I shook my head wildly. Absolutely not.

“That can’t be.”

“Your Highness.”

This development is impossible.

“This doesn’t make sense. Right? It doesn’t add up.”

“Calm down.”

It must not happen.

“Why would Duke Sarnese…”

My voice cracked.

“I don’t know either.”

Sir D’Huem said with a look as if he had been stabbed with a dagger.

I forgot how to breathe and gasped for air.

The words we exchanged lightly while passing through the Juliette Palace garden now struck me heavily.

‘There are many new faces.’

‘They are new knights and soldiers trained in Sarnese. They enlisted in large numbers with the support of Duke Simon de Sarnese.’

‘…It was rare for knights and elite soldiers to come in droves.’

And the gazes of the unfamiliar Royal Knights who were stealing glances at me.

“It’s a misunderstanding… we’ve made a mistake.”

“Your Highness. My top priority is Your Highness’s safety. It is my duty to resolve any suspicious circumstances, even slightly.”

He calmly persuaded me. I struggled to regain my composure.

The protagonist was living well, and Christel was doing well day by day, so the author shouldn’t be doing this.

But at the same time, only the author could do this.

If this was reality, the sooner I accepted it, the better it would be for me and everyone.

Sir D’Huem handed me a few beads in my hands, which were tied behind my back.

“When you enter my brother’s territory, break these to request rescue.”

“Haa, ugh.”

Please calm down, Jeong Yeseo. Please. I barely swallowed.

“…Who will come in the middle of the night?”

My voice trembled. Sir D’Huem raised the corners of his mouth coolly.

“Don’t worry. He likes to watch the moon, so he will definitely discover the rescue signal. And my brother…”

Whoosh! He quickly lowered his shoulder and stuck to the window. Ganael groggily opened his eyes.

I bit my lip and shook my head. Be quiet.

“……”

The boy looked back and forth between the Commander of the Royal Knights and me, then began to gather the herbs that Demi had sprouted with his feet.

He was a very smart child even in his sleep. I thanked him several times in my heart.

“He has never ignored that ray of light in his life. So he will come out even if he is in pain.”

“I, I will help you, Sir. If I give a divine message, it will be resolved quickly.”

“No.”

Sir D’Huem said, adjusting his armor and gloves. Moonlight permeated his determined eyes.

“We cannot rule out the possibility that they have already received a divine message.”

“……”

This was true.

If they were moving under the influence of a divine message from an archbishop stronger than me, that is, brainwashing, my divine power would not work.

“Also, Your Highness is accused of plotting a rebellion. So we must not give them an excuse to justify their attack. Leave the carriage in a spotless state. We will take care of the rest.”

I gritted my teeth. The other party wanted me to die before I met Cardinal Boutier.

They wanted me to disappear without clearing my name, with dishonor and disgrace.

For what?

“…How many are there?”

I barely opened my mouth and asked what was more important than a question with no answer.

Sir D’Huem glanced at the carriage door.

Something sticky like gum was stuck in the crack of the door that was open just a sliver.

That’s why the Commander of the Royal Knights was so quiet when he came in.

“Five, including me.”

I quickly turned to look at him.

Of the approximately forty people accompanying us, that meant only four were Sir D’Huem’s helpers.

Moreover, the other side was full of elites.

If our guess was correct, they were people who would risk everything because they were going to die anyway.

There would definitely be swordsmen and magicians.

“Only Your Highness sees the Empire’s strongest magician as a mere puppy.”

He said soothingly. His pink eyes curved beautifully.

“I can’t go alone. I don’t have the mental strength. How can I leave everyone here…”

“I will wake Sir Haines. The divine beast has piled up so many herbs, so one of them will be effective. Even if he can’t fight with us, he will be able to protect the civilians.”

“Still…”

Still, it’s scary and dangerous. Just because you’re strong doesn’t mean you don’t know fear.

“Your Highness, please tell my brother the situation. His Majesty does not doubt the Duke at all. So you must send a message to the Imperial Palace…”

-Kwaaaang!

The carriage door flew off. Sir D’Huem covered me as if he had jumped up.

Everyone screamed and got up with disheveled hair. The vehicle shook violently from side to side.

-Heeheeing!

“Whoa! Whoaa!”

“Aaaagh!”

The horses neighed, the coachman was bewildered, and the passengers screamed.

The December night wind blew like a storm. I could see uninvited guests towering in the darkness.

The cold blades and the symbol of the Royal Knights gleamed.

-Ssaeak!

I gasped. Sir D’Huem, who was lying down and protecting me, moved like lightning.

Kaang! He blocked the sword with the armor on his arm, pulled out a dagger with his other hand, and then,

-Kwaak!

“Aaaagh!”

He unhesitatingly stabbed the opponent’s leg, smoothly rotated once,

-Kwaaaang!

Using the recoil, he kicked the enemy out of the carriage. The man’s short scream faded away.

“Aagh!”

“Damn it, strike!”

-Seureung, seureung!

“Kill them all!”

“The prince must die!”

Terrifying orders and the metallic sound of swords being drawn were mixed together. The carriage slowed down rapidly.

‘Kuaaak!’ It seemed like a fight had already broken out outside.

Baron Berang released everyone’s restraints and had them grab pillows and tables.

Ganael began to crush the herbs to feed to Sir Johan.

Sir D’Huem gritted his teeth and stood up. Red mana poured out from his dark skin.

-Uuwoong!

“You guys, you must be new, since you have no respect for your superiors.”

A clear magic circle appeared beneath his feet.

Ching, chang, ching! A bright red metallic light spread out like a fan, drawing seven squares.

Tu-kwaaaang!

A soldier who was charging at him could not overcome the power of the defensive magic circle and was bounced back.

“Commander Herve!”

Someone shouted outside at the top of their lungs. A bronze rod flew through the wide-open door.

Cheok! Sir D’Huem caught it in one go without even looking properly. Everything happened in an instant.

A sphere the size of a bowling ball rose from the end of the stick, then grew like a stalk at the end of a chain that grew longer and longer.

-Cheolkeong, cheolkeong!

Finally, iron thorns sprouted from the sphere. My jaw dropped.

The Commander of the Royal Knights’ magical weapon was a flail!

“Next time we meet, I will make sure my subordinates are properly trained.”

He smiled dazzlingly at me. Before I knew it, the carriage had come to a complete stop. No.

“D’Huem…”

“Please take good care of my weakened brother. Divine Beast!”

-Kkiiiiii!

Kwareureu! A huge vine sprouted from the carriage entrance.

As soon as the ropes disappeared, Demi’s vines rolled me up like gimbap [Korean seaweed rice roll].

I reflexively hugged Tete in my arms.

My body swayed and flew out of the carriage in an instant!

“Aaaagh, Demi! Whose divine beast are you!”

-Kkigeo!

Who is Kki! The lesser panda ran towards the forest at a tremendous speed.

“The prince is escaping! Catch him!”

“Chase after him!”

“That will be difficult.”

Sir D’Huem’s eerie voice was heard. I turned around for the last time.

As he clenched his fist,

-Kureureu!

“Huh?! I can’t see!”

“My eyes!”

The soldiers’ surroundings were dyed black with fog. It was Sir D’Huem’s specialty, darkness.

Whoosh, whoosh, whiririk! He swung the flail like lightning towards the wandering enemies.

Three or four people fell in an instant.

-Peoeok, puk!

“Keuheok!”

“Damn it, those who can’t use mana, fall back!”

I quickly turned my gaze and lowered my head deeply.

Red blood droplets were clearly visible even in the twilight. My stomach churned with the onrushing fear.

Glass-like cold leaves brushed wildly against my cheeks and neck.

“Prince Yeseo, please be safe!”

Benjamin’s cry was heard from the path that had already become distant. My eyes grew hot.

I nodded, exhaling warm breath.