What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 270

#270

Road to the Wilderness (4)

The scorching sun was almost unbearable.

It was a land where winter never came.

-Whoosh!

A hot wind swirled, causing the golden sands to rise and dance.

In an instant, the path disappeared, and the terrain shifted.

The hills flattened, and small dunes formed where the horses’ hooves had trod.

Elise Phenetian, still mounted, silently gazed ahead.

It should have been difficult to even open her eyes in such a harsh environment, but she held the divine artifact, ‘Aegis of the Headwind,’ in her hand.

The golden spear gleamed regally, as if refusing to allow even a single grain of sand to pass. The feverish sandstorm couldn’t reach the two women and veered away. Whoosh.

Zanin opened her mouth with a worried expression.

“Your Highness, are you sure you don’t want to rest in a cave?”

“I’m fine.”

The Crown Princess replied coolly. Normally, there would be no reason for such concern.

She was a Cardinal-class Paladin of the Holy Kingdom, hailed as a prodigy since she learned to walk.

But now, the situation was different.

It had only been a fortnight since twelve priests had barely managed to calm Elise down before she went berserk.

-Fwoosh!

‘Huk! Huk, cough…!’

‘Your Highness! Crown Princess, you mustn’t lose your mind. Remember your breathing exercises.’

‘Recall beautiful memories. Think of the Second Princess!’

‘Follow us. Inhale, hold, exhale…’

A Cardinal’s rampage endangered everyone around her, so the priests risked their lives to save her.

They didn’t care about getting burned or their priestly robes catching fire.

If things went wrong, more lives would be lost to her rampage than the soldiers who had died in the past two months.

Fortunately, the Holy Kingdom’s army knew how to handle such situations.

While the priests stopped her rampage, repeatedly fainting and bleeding, the soldiers gathered their weapons and evacuated far from the military camp.

‘Ugh! Cough, Cornelise… Yser!’

‘Yes, Your Highness. Think of your beloved sisters. Wouldn’t you want to see their smiling faces again?’

-Sizzle!

Loyal Zanin held Elise and comforted her with tears.

She didn’t care that her palms were red and scraped from the burns.

As a commoner, she should have immediately left the danger zone, but only she could provide that comfort.

Elise relied on Zanin instead of her mother and family, who were in the heart of the Royal Castle.

She trusted Martier, who was watching over every corner of the Holy Kingdom.

She thought of the people who looked only to her, and with that, she endured the temptation of the rampage.

She tried not to think about her father. The distinct taste of blood rose from her throat.

-Swish!

‘Cough!’

…Soon, the sharp sunlight before her eyes subsided.

The terrifying impulses and the flames that devoured her soul receded as if they were a lie.

‘Cough, cough! Haa, ha… Zanin?’

‘Goodness! Are you back to your senses?’

‘Thank the Main God…’

By the time the ether [magical energy] calmed down, half the priests had fainted.

But in any case, they had succeeded in preventing the Fire Attribute Cardinal’s terrible explosion.

That alone deeply reassured the Holy Kingdom’s army on the border.

After resting in the barracks for a long time, Elise declared that she would go to the neutral zone, no matter what the Empire did.

She could no longer trust and rely on her father’s judgment.

As long as the feeling that he had intercepted the Emperor’s letter didn’t disappear, it was impossible to return to the position of Acting King.

She intended to reveal the truth in the desert, where nothing could be hidden, and then return.

The nobles who had been defending the battlefield together were greatly concerned, but the Crown Princess did not budge.

That was the only way to achieve peace.

And so, she went to the sandy land with only Zanin.

Fortunately, the Main God’s fate helped them.

‘We have received news that Pontifical Legate [a personal representative of the Pope] Ronald Lüpert of the Papal States wants to mediate, Your Highness.’

At a certain lodging, the two heard great news.

It was an area frequented by numerous caravans and minorities.

‘That’s good. Even if the Riester Imperial Family doesn’t come, we can prove our position to the Legate.’

‘Yes. Perhaps the Empire will also send him a letter.’

Fortunately, there was still time until the end of the Main God’s Descent Festival.

Elise and Zanin filled their bags with gold coins that were accepted anywhere on the continent, and prepared plenty of water bottles and food. The Holy Kingdom’s best steeds assisted the two women.

They had a map, but in a desert that changed every day, it was no more valuable than a reference book.

The capital of the once-prosperous Unio was now without a trace.

The ruins had disappeared, and the artifacts were buried. Only a vast wilderness stretched out.

There, Elise raised her spear and pointed to the horizon.

“I see the temple over there, Zanin.”

“Ah…”

‘Ooooo!’ Something like the wail of an evil spirit brushed past their ears.

A chill ran down her spine, but the middle-aged woman steadfastly overcame her fear.

When she thought of the vile things of the wilderness that had fallen to her master’s spear, courage suddenly welled up.

She calmly looked at the Crown Princess’s fingertip.

At the unbelievable sight, her lips slowly parted beneath her veil.

In the middle of the scorching wilderness, a magnificent ancient building stood.

Far to the left, a vast aquamarine river and thickets could be seen.

“My goodness, that is… Your Highness.”

“Yes. It is the temple that divides the borders of both countries and protects the borders of the Main God and the continent.”

Elise replied. The Crown Princess had visited that place when she was young.

It was when her mother was still strong and Priest Michael was alive.

The building looked exactly the same as that day. The horses snorted.

Her blue gaze became distant as if measuring the far reaches, then returned to reality.

Now, the two-thousand-year-old capital was shimmering before her eyes again.

“Let’s go. It may be a mirage that looks close, so there’s no need to go full speed.”

“Yes.”

Zanin nodded. ‘Hut!’ Elise spurred her horse.

-Swish…

The place where the horse left was soon covered with sand, leaving no trace.

*

-Clatter, clatter!

It was a night when the huge moon was rising.

They had only been riding for half a day, but the air was definitely warmer as they came south.

The trees were becoming sparse, and it seemed they were finally leaving the forest.

“Jackpot! Prince, look over there. It’s the Rambouillet Caravan!”

“Hahaha. It is.”

Christel and I burst out laughing at the same time. Now, just the two of us were sitting on the driver’s seat.

It was the result of taking turns with the Crown Prince, who had been driving alone for a while (Perry and Leah were there with him), having a delicious dinner with the food packed from the Imperial Palace, and then speeding for several more hours.

Using the portal would have been a sure way to get caught, so they were only passing through secluded forest paths.

Whether they were extremely lucky or not, they hadn’t encountered the Imperial Guard even once since leaving the eastern part of the Imperial Capital.

The back road map was provided by Marquis François Duhem (ranked 3rd in the bi-weekly Riester’s ‘Most Attractive Bachelor in Riester in Holy Year 1614’).

He was staying at the palace for the Main God’s Descent Festival, and he was carrying dozens of maps in his carriage these days to help restore the wartime portal.

In short, he was in the perfect position to help with our major accident.

Besides, this was Imperial data, so it would be a big deal if it was leaked….

“Hmm.”

Gulp, I swallowed nervously.

The communication magic tool earrings, necklaces, and secret maps. I have to take care of everything and return it.

“Grandma! It’s me, Chris!”

At that moment, Christel let go of the reins and waved her arms with a bright face.

I hurriedly grabbed the reins instead.

‘Awoong!’ Tete, who was lying on her lap, cried happily.

The little one still hasn’t slept, and it’s a big problem because she seems to resemble the protagonist more and more!

“Oh my! Our Pink Tama!”

An old voice shouted. A tall cart with a roof was standing at the end of the forest path.

Right next to it were an old couple, Sant, and….

“Isabelle!?”

“So good, it looks like Mother is coming with us!”

Even Isabelle, dressed comfortably, was out! I was horrified and gaped.

I knew that Christel had told her mother about the plan in advance. With her help, she was able to pinpoint the caravan route accurately.

But I never imagined that Isabelle would offer to accompany her daughter.

I was happy and surprised, and a gasp escaped my lips.

Soon, the cargo wagon slowly stopped in front of the people.

Christel hugged Tete and fluttered down from the driver’s seat and ran to the adults.

The Rambouillet Viscount and his wife hugged their granddaughter, who was not related to them by blood, tightly.

“Our princess! How hard it must have been to come all the way here.”

“No, Grandma. I took turns with my friends. I came while resting.”

“My precious baby. Look how much weight you’ve lost from driving the heavy wagon.”

“Father, Christel was always skinny. You saw her a few days ago, too.”

Isabelle pointed out affectionately.

I actually thanked the horses that drove the wagon, and then carefully approached the family.

Meanwhile, there was a clunking sound from the cargo hold.

It seemed that the three men and women were taking out their precious things.

‘Squeak, squeak, squeak!’ Demi’s excited voice was also heard.

It was so urging them to hurry that I couldn’t help but chuckle.

-Thud, thud…

Then, neat footsteps rang out. I could tell who it was without looking back.

The old couple and Isabelle immediately bowed to us.

From the fact that they were showing the utmost courtesy but not surprised, I could tell that they were experienced and relaxed noble merchants.

Sant also hurriedly bowed. Warm moonlight poured blessings on their heads.

“We greet the Empire’s Little Sun and the Main God’s Moon.”

“Crown Prince, Prince Yser. It is an infinite honor.”

“Welcome.”

“Nice to meet you, Viscount Rambouillet. Viscountess.”

‘Isabelle, Sant.’ I greeted them in turn.

Seeing Christel being loved by the adults, I felt a lump in my throat and felt happy.

Crown Prince Cedrick nodded his chin once in response.

Joan, with a face that had just woken up, and Sir Johann, who was not tired at all, also greeted them.

-Squeak

-Auk

“And these guys are Demi, Perry, Leah, and Tete in order… They are all divine beasts. This one is called Steadfast. He’s tired and sleeping now.”

When I gently took out the wren from my pocket and showed it, the Viscount and his wife clicked their tongues.

‘Oh my. Such precious beings.’ Their kind-looking faces were full of worry.

“We will provide you with a silk nest. It will be perfect as a bed for the long journey.”

“A silk nest?”

I widened my eyes.

Isabelle, wearing an elegant scarf, explained with a smile.

“The Rambouillet Caravan going to the desert has everything except what you don’t have, Prince. You can receive not only a nest but also a dedicated blanket.”

Then she pointed over there. Everyone’s eyes moved.

Except for the two men, we all gasped at the same time.

The endless line of camels and ox carts was circling the last portal in the direction of the border!

-Gurgle…

-Grumble!

So that’s how camels cry!

“Wow, this is crazy. How many are there in total?”

“It’s been reduced a lot because of the times. There are only about five hundred camels now. But before the war era, they would take 12,000 camels and trade for over a year.”

The Viscountess answered while stroking her granddaughter’s hand.

Even Sir Johann, who had been listening silently, was impressed.

Twelve thousand camels, that’s a really huge merchant family.

“Camel… I’ve never seen a camel before…”

Joan muttered blankly.

I saw it at the zoo when I was young, but seeing it here made me feel like I was seeing it for the first time.

The Viscount family and the caravan’s workers moving in an orderly manner near the camels caught my eye. Oops!

“Demi, no! Don’t surprise strangers.”

I quickly hugged the red panda who was trying to run to the camel herd.

The guy shook his plump foxtail in dissatisfaction.

-Squeak!

“You have to get to know them slowly. It’s rude to suddenly go and say ‘Peek-a-boo’.”

“Hahahahaha.”

Then the family, including Christel, burst into laughter.

Viscount Clément Rambouillet gestured politely.

“Let’s go. I will serve you myself. I dare not compare it to the comfort of the palace, but a fluffy bed and greasy food will be with you throughout the journey.”

“Won’t you regret it?”

The Crown Prince suddenly asked. We looked up at him.

A brief silence swept through the group. No one didn’t know what the man meant.

Emperor Frederick, enraged by the kidnapping of his son, would surely chase after them, and if they were caught at the border checkpoint, they would be dragged along, so would they really be okay?

This was the last test and grace that he, as their superior, was giving to the Viscount family.

If they wanted to back out, now was the only chance.

Soon, the old man smiled kindly.

“Your Highness and Prince have supported our daughter and granddaughter. You have consistently believed in them and held their hands.”

“…”

Christel and her mother smiled brightly at me.

I became embarrassed because I hadn’t done anything.

If it was consideration, the Crown Prince had unknowingly done more.

All I did was stay quiet, pack meals, and give a blessing so they could rest well.

The two of them stood firmly against Simon de Sarnes solely with their own strength.

Elen, along with them, stood shoulder to shoulder and held on firmly.

“So, if you allow us, we will guide you through the allure of the oasis this time.”

‘It will be the safest and most enjoyable.’ He added.

Suddenly, it felt like I was at Disneyland.

“I like it. Actually, I was unconditionally in favor from the moment Pink Princess said she was going to cross the border!”

Joan was the first to raise her hand and stood next to Christel.

Then the Crown Prince and Sir Johann stared at me from both sides.

“Why, why are you doing this?”

Suddenly, is my opinion important here?

“I still want to go… Perhaps the two of you have changed your minds,”

“Hmph.”

The Crown Prince snorted as if he knew it would be like this and went ahead.

Sir Johann curved his eyes kindly.

I was dumbfounded that they asked me why they were going to do this, and I let out a hollow laugh.

I took care of the divine beasts and looked back one last time.

Rustle… A yellow fallen leaf rolled on the dirt floor.

The illusion that the dim path we had run through was already fading away appeared.

Thinking of the Imperial Palace, which would be turned upside down by now, I was sorry and sorry again.

“…I’ll be back in good health.”

So I whispered out loud. Even if it didn’t reach the two adults and the remaining friends.