What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 295

#295

The Temple of the Boundary (3)

“Princess Elissa is inside the temple. We will arrange a meeting as soon as possible.”

Grand Cardinal Ronald Lüpert stated simply that. I immediately understood what he meant.

Elissa, as a guest in her own home, wasn’t obligated to greet us upon arrival.

I wanted to see Prince Yeseo as soon as possible, but dignity and proper etiquette had to be observed.

Perhaps she was watching us from a window somewhere.

It would be nice to relax, even a little.

“Please, come in and rest. You must be tired from your long journey.”

“Thank you.”

I replied. The Crown Prince merely nodded.

The Grand Cardinal’s face remained impassive, as if he’d expected that reaction.

I was the only one who felt awkward, even though this behavior from the Crown Prince wasn’t new to me.

But I know now that he acts this way because he’s reserved.

I also know he reacts differently to those he’s close to… though it’s subtle.

“We greet His Eminence, the esteemed Cardinal Ronald Lüpert.”

The Langbuillet family then paid their respects to the old man.

The Grand Cardinal concluded the brief greeting by offering words of blessing to Isabel and Christel.

Judging by his tone, he seemed to be comforting the mother and daughter for the hardships they had suffered due to the ‘Duke Simon de Sarnese incident’.

Joan and Sant also bowed to him.

The painter, though a bit stiff, did a decent job, and the priest’s movements were surprisingly elegant.

Indeed, the youngest son of a great family who once belonged to the Vatican is different.

“Welcome, Father Roséharder. Your father is waiting for you.”

Sant’s expression darkened. He clearly didn’t like being addressed by his old family name.

“Yes…”

“Welcome.”

Having said that, the Grand Cardinal stared intently at one spot for a long moment. A strange silence filled the air.

Puzzled, I followed his gaze.

Ah.

“······.”

“······.”

It was Sir Johann. I realized for the first time that he could look so cold.

He had seemed rather sad the day he attacked me, making his current demeanor very different.

His mint-colored eyes shone with an icy light.

His eyes were curved, but he didn’t seem to be smiling. The paladin slowly spoke.

“It’s been a while, Your Eminence Ronald.”

“…Yes. You look well.”

That was all. Just as the atmosphere became suffocatingly awkward,

“Your Eminence.”

One of the Grand Cardinal’s vice-deacons called to him. The taut string of tension snapped.

The Cardinal finally looked away from Sir Johann and back at us.

There was no agitation in his deeply sunken eyes.

He was as cold as if he were carved from marble.

He resembled the statues of past Popes that decorated the temple.

“Welcome to the house of His Holiness the Pope.”

The old man moved smoothly and took the lead. I tried to remain calm and glanced behind me.

Tete, held by Christel, had tearful eyes.

The lesser pandas also looked frightened. Oh dear.

*

Seriously, anyone living in a place like this would become emotionless. Or go crazy.

-Tap, tap, tap

“Hmm…”

Everything was reflective. That wasn’t an exaggeration; it truly was.

Our faces were clearly reflected not only on the walls but also on the floor.

I could barely believe it, but the temple vice-deacon, noticing my expression, confirmed, ‘You’re thinking correctly.’

It was shocking.

The interior of the temple, built entirely of marble, was decorated with clear sacred stones [crystals that amplify magical power] like glass instead of anti-magic stones like those in the Liester Imperial Palace.

For us, who knew how sacred stones were made, it was a chilling sight.

The ivory color of the marble shone subtly through the sacred stone.

Here and there, thick, jet-black branches of the World Tree were wrapped around the structure like tumors.

No matter how I looked at it, it was a bizarre image.

“You must be tired, so I will take you to your bedrooms right away.”

“Thank you.”

The voice and footsteps echoed.

In addition, the interior had an overwhelming atmosphere, decorated with amethysts and gold, making it dazzling.

It was so high and wide that it didn’t feel like a ‘home’.

There were few people, but the chandeliers and candlesticks were exaggerated, creating a sense of incongruity.

Once again, even the majestic Liester Imperial Palace wasn’t like this.

Even though it was equally luxurious, that place was always… full of vitality and warmth.

Suddenly, I felt a longing. Ironically.

“Wow.”

On the eight marble pillars that crossed the lobby, huge angels were embossed.

They resembled the stone statue I saw in Hanan Lumayan’s tomb.

However, these were so full of life that they seemed ready to leap off the pillars and fly away at any moment.

The four pillars on the left symbolized the Blessing of the 창해 [Changhae, likely a sea deity or concept], the Hyegeom of Mars [Hyegeom, likely a sword or martial concept associated with Mars], the Ark of 비렴 [Bilyeom, likely a wind deity or concept], and the 신궁 of Trees [Shingu, likely a sacred tree or forest deity/concept], respectively.

I was too preoccupied at the time to dwell on it, but the angels in the Chaum ruins were similar.

Then the ones on the right probably represent the 신물 [shinmul, sacred objects] of the 신국 [Shinguk, likely a holy nation or kingdom]…

“Bath water has been prepared. Breakfast will be brought to your room at the time you wish. If you need anything else, please tell the vice-deacons.”

“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”

“Also, free exchange with Princess Elissa is difficult. This is to prevent unpredictable friction between the two countries, so please understand. Of course, the news of the arrival of the Imperial guests has also been conveyed to Her Highness.”

“I understand.”

The answer was entirely my responsibility. After that, we walked in silence.

Until we passed through the cold lobby, traversed the desolate corridor, and entered the guest room.

*

I don’t even remember how I fell asleep.

I definitely said good night to the Langbuillet couple and Isabel, but after that, my mind went blank.

I think my brother appeared in my dream. He was laughing out loud. No, was he crying?

-Snap!

“Prince, please wake up. Prince Yeseo!”

“Ugh…”

I turned around, clutching the lesser pandas.

I would have woken up quickly as usual, but my eyelids felt heavy, perhaps because I was tired from sleeping and waking up in the carriage.

‘Squeak.’ Leah, who had woken up early, climbed onto my back, gently stepping on it.

Cough, it’s good to be healthy and happy…

“Ganael, just 30 minutes.”

“It’s Christel. A pilgrimage procession is passing by outside! Let’s go see it together!”

Flash! I jumped up and pulled the blanket up to my neck.

The lesser pandas, who had rolled off, curled up.

The main culprit, with her hair down, stood right in front of me.

She was wearing white pajamas and carrying Tete on her back.

I was so embarrassed that I checked my clothes, and sure enough, I was also in my pajamas.

I guess I changed and went to bed. I hurriedly buried my nose in my sleeve.

A faint and unfamiliar soap scent wafted from my body, which had smelled of sand.

Last night’s Jeong Yeseo did a commendable job in many ways.

That’s not the point!

“How did you get to the bedroom?”

“Hey. We slept in the same carriage all the way here, so what’s wrong with that? More than that, hurry up. The holy pilgrimage procession is spectacular!”

I roughly put on my slippers and followed her, holding Demi in my arms.

In the meantime, I was pleased that the lesser pandas also smelled of soap.

When I entered the side room that the group used together…

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

“Good morning, Sir Johann. Hello, Your Highness. Joan.”

Herit’s father, wearing a light shirt, and Crown Prince Cedric greeted us.

Joan was wearing pajamas with a bird’s nest hairstyle like us, so I felt a sense of kinship.

I laughed, realizing that this was a situation I couldn’t even imagine in the Imperial Palace.

Well, those two always wake up early.

It seemed like they had already had a friendly meal.

“Where’s Sant?”

“He went down to meet his father without even eating. He called him from the moment he woke up. If he were a dad who really cared about his son, he would let him rest for half a day, right?”

Joan grumbled.

Sant’s father was Etzart Roséharder, the Count of the Venetian 신국 [Shinguk, likely a holy nation or kingdom].

According to what I learned while traveling and studying with my friends, he was a strict and 냉철 [cold-blooded] royalist politician and cardinal.

He was also a bad parent who lined up his three sons, evaluated them, and even gave them scores.

I frowned slightly.

“I don’t know if Sant will be able to eat breakfast properly. He doesn’t digest well if he’s uncomfortable…”

“That’s what I’m saying. But look over there! You can’t miss that.”

Christel pointed out the window. The 신수 [shinsoo, divine beasts] and I stuck to the window, following her gaze.

Joan opened her mouth wide.

“Wow… how many people are there?”

“I know. I think there are at least thousands.”

‘If you’re lucky, there will be more than 10,000,’ I replied blankly.

The lesser pandas wagged their tails at the amazing sight.

Under the fierce morning sun, an endless procession was walking in three lines across the distant sand.

About one in a hundred people were riding camels.

It was hard to tell for sure because of the distance, but half of them seemed to be wearing priestly robes, and the rest seemed to be ordinary people.

Among the shimmering heat haze, I saw a person carrying a large tree decoration on their back.

Judging from the fact that they were at the head of the procession, they seemed to be wearing the arrow shape at the bottom, which is the symbol of the 주신교 [Jooshin religion, likely the main religion of this world].

It must be very hot and difficult. Why do that without even an umbrella…

“It’s the belief that you can receive the 주신’s [Jooshin, likely the main deity of this world] attention if you 행하면 [haenghamyeon, endure] hardship.”

“Yes?”

We quickly turned our heads. Sir Johann gave a friendly smile.

“Most believers crave the 주신’s [Jooshin, likely the main deity of this world] attention. They believe that if they are given greater stimulation in their lives, if they live a more dramatic life, her eyes will reach them.”

“What’s so good about her eyes reaching you?”

I asked back. And only a few seconds later did I realize that I had asked too ignorant a question.

Even if it’s just a facade, he’s a royal family 신관 [shingwan, priest], how could he not know this?

What will your friends think of you, Jeong Yeseo!

“I’m also curious about that. It’s not in the Bible or commentaries.”

“······.”

“But if you think of it as a desire to be loved by God, it’s nothing special. There won’t be anyone who refuses it.”

“I guess so.”

Christel nodded. I quietly pondered his words.

“Oh? Prince, those people are playing instruments too. Let’s open the window!”

At that moment, Joan, who was excited, rattled the latch.

Click, squeak! My friends and I carefully opened the window and listened.

It’s not clear because it’s mixed with the wind…

-♩♪♬······

-Boo-oo-oo······

As she said, I heard a faint sound of wind instruments.

It was a thick and deep 울림 [oolrim, resonance] like a bagpipe. We looked at each other and smiled.

It’s like a scene from [likely a famous travel documentary or book].

-Kieung, kie!

“Perry, it’s dangerous. Don’t stick your body out.”

I was lost in thought, comforting the 신수 [shinsoo, divine beasts] who were excited with curiosity.

The hot air ruffled my hair and pajama hem.

Tomorrow will be exactly one year since I came here.

According to what I have learned diligently, the ‘Temple of the Boundary’ does not only mean the boundary between the Empire and the 신국 [Shinguk, likely a holy nation or kingdom].

Even in ancient times when the two countries were one, this place was called by the same name, and it was the space where the head of the 주신교 [Jooshin religion, likely the main religion of this world] stayed.

It was said that it wasn’t known who called the temple that way or for what reason.

So I naturally came to this thought.

“······.”

Could the ‘boundary’ be the line that distinguishes from reality?