What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 297

#297

Sanctuary of the Boundary (5)

“The roots of the Sanctuary… I see.”

I nodded, looking down at the growth.

When Master revealed its origin, I wondered what he was talking about.

It was certainly peculiar to say that a building had ‘roots’.

Later, I was surprised again when Hanan was shocked by the staff.

The red soul body shook greatly, and his voice echoed loudly.

-That’s absurd…! Does that mean you’re even a Cardinal?

‘Twenty-nine, Archbishop.’

-Why does an Archbishop possess the World Tree?

‘World Tree.’ Doesn’t the name itself exude force?

In short, the vines coiling around the Sanctuary of the Boundary were not mere plants.

It was the grace of the Main God, exquisitely coexisting with the architecture, and an essential element called the root of the Sanctuary.

It was also a sacred and precious substance that only a Cardinal could possess.

On the way here, Sir Johan added:

‘Records about the Sanctuary are not open to the public. Even the residents of the neutral zone don’t know much about it, so most of it is passed down as folklore. It will be difficult to access even for the highest-ranking officials in the Empire and the Holy Kingdom.’

‘Yes, I see.’

I replied.

When I was studying sacred objects, I searched the Imperial Archives thoroughly, but there were strangely few books about the Sanctuary.

I guessed they were gathered in an area only accessible to the Imperial Family.

It was hard to find information about sacred objects except in .

Information about the Papal States and the Nine Sacred Objects seemed to be treated most secretly and carefully in the world of Duke Retay.

It wasn’t strange since religion was power in this land.

…Or maybe no one really knew.

If we assume this place is the center of the world, it’s a plausible hypothesis.

-The World Tree is a supreme being, allowing itself only to the most noble in the continent.

“Yes.”

-It also decorates and defends this place… In my time, some even said that the World Tree was the Sanctuary itself.

“I can see why they might think so. It’s amazing.”

-Amazing indeed. There were just many enthusiasts. In any case, the underground labyrinth is also part of the World Tree, so there will be no harm in taking that staff.

“Thank you. And I will definitely tell the Vicar General about Your Majesty and the ruins. Don’t worry.”

I said with a bright smile.

Hanan clicked his tongue, saying, ‘Why are the priests so frivolous these days?’

Cristel excitedly threw a joke.

“That’s why I like it so much. Doesn’t it relieve His Majesty’s soul fatigue?”

-Ahem! Utterly dissolute.

-Squeak.

Isabelle’s gentle laughter was heard.

While Demi crossed her knees to go to Tete, I quietly organized my thoughts.

If the Main God author theory is correct, it made sense that the Pope’s house, which leads the Main God Church, possessed the World Tree.

Then what allegory should we see the Pope as? A reader…? No, that’s too far off.

-Take that one too.

“Yes?”

I looked up and was startled.

The Rag Doll Lord was pointing at Dduk-shim, who was in a small box.

She had never interacted with the wren before.

Because Dduk-shim had been asleep ever since avoiding Sir Erbe’s inspection.

He was lying in his exclusive bed with a blanket, but I didn’t think she cared because she hadn’t said anything in the meantime.

I stroked the little sleeping bird and looked at her.

-I can feel it conserving power. But there’s no vessel. It must be a sacred object?

“Yes, yes.”

-Judging by the energy, it’s probably air attribute.

“That’s right!”

As expected, Great Cardinal Ghost! You’re amazing!

-It’s unusual. There must be a reason, so take it with you.

“I understand.”

Offering. I have to give you something as an offering.

I looked around, but it seemed like I had nothing else to give, so I piled up a lot of ether beads in both hands.

Saaaaa…! Hanan chuckled as he watched the gold sparkle.

Even if it’s excellent ether, it’s still not enough for the Great King?

-Put it there. I’ll eat them one by one as snacks.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Thank goodness!

-Knock, knock, click!

At that moment, the living room door opened with a hurried knock.

Our eyes turned to one place at the same time. A round figure rushed into the room.

Joan, who was lying down and scribbling a picture, jumped up.

“Baejjang! You’re finally back!”

“Hoo-oong, Baron! I almost got caught by my father!”

“What’s wrong! Why! Should I make a scene?”

Cristel raised her voice with a crash.

The Baron couple, who were peacefully drinking tea, also rushed over to comfort the priest.

Sant was sobbing, and I almost laughed.

He stammered with a wet voice. Oh my.

“That, I got scolded a lot. He said I didn’t even look at his face and naturalized right away, and that my mother was worried… He shouted at me to undo everything and come back right away. Hoo-oong.”

“He’s really funny. Does he think naturalization is child’s play? Why can’t he accept his adult child’s decision after thinking about it for so long like an adult? He just yells.”

“If I go back, will he rank his children again and scold only Baejjang? That’s absurd!”

“That’s right. He used to tell me that I was a child he gave up on.”

“He said that too?!”

I hurriedly grabbed Cristel, who was about to kick the door and leave.

At this rate, a war will break out over Sant’s problem!

“Cristel, I understand you’re angry, but calm down!”

“No, is being a Court Count everything? What’s the point of having a good family if the environment is bad for the child!”

Our protagonist was righteously angry, and

“He’s taking not only the priest but also our granddaughter, he’s a terrible person!”

Baron Clement was angry in his own way. Sant created the next sentence at the right time.

He even folded his chubby fingers one by one.

“So, so I told him. I told him everything without leaving anything out! I’m happy now, and I’m doing so much better than when I was in the Holy Kingdom. I’m healthy, I eat well, I’ve made a lot of friends, and I’m enjoying working as a priest…”

“That’s right!”

“Good job!”

Joan and Cristel shouted loudly. Isabelle and I looked at each other and burst into laughter.

The Crown Prince let out a long sigh. Then a pleasant breeze swept through everyone’s hair.

It was the day before Cristel’s birthday.

*

A huge bedroom window.

In a space covered by curtains, frightened children were crying.

“Hic, hic…”

Even that had to be done silently, so they gritted their teeth and trembled, afraid of being scolded by the chief steward.

The children had done whatever Werner told them to do.

They had never dared to disobey or question him.

He had a beautiful face and a handsome voice, and when he wasn’t angry, he was like an angel.

When he was in a good mood, he would give the pages sweet snacks or gold coins.

But when he was angry, and when he was planning something…

The man turned into the most cruel person in the world.

-Swish, swish, swish…

The pages were sharpening knives with their small hands.

They said it was ‘a dagger that the Royal Consort would use himself’.

No one explained where he would use it or why he suddenly needed such a scary object.

But the children knew.

That Prince Yeser was in this cold and bizarre Sanctuary.

That the Royal Consort would also be with him on the path he was heading.

They just knew. That’s why they kept crying.

“Ugh, hic…”

They were so scared that their lips trembled. They didn’t want to do this.

They just wanted to see their families. Their eyes kept turning to the window.

They saw people who were completely free. They also heard loud shouts.

A market seemed to have opened next to the Sanctuary to coincide with the end of the large-scale pilgrimage.

The desert was bustling with Papal States soldiers on break, nearby residents, and pilgrims.

“Look at this, lords! A 2-night, 3-day accommodation voucher for the Gigolt Caravanserai [a type of roadside inn]. Half price!”

“Prickly pear, come and get it! Prickly pear, come and get it!”

“Too expensive!”

“Swords, spears, crossbows! Made in the Empire! Swords, spears, crossbows! Made in the Empire!”

They looked happy. The children were lost in thought for a moment.

-Clack!

“That would be better.”

Flinch! The pages bowed their heads in great surprise.

One of the children, who almost dropped the knife, hurriedly moved his hands.

‘Ouch.’ The palm of his hand, cut by the blade, was soon stained with blood, but no one asked the child if he was okay.

In fact, they couldn’t ask. They couldn’t even open their mouths in front of the Royal Consort.

He hated the fuss of his subordinates.

“There. Do you see that? There’s a merchant selling weapons made in the Empire.”

“Yes, Your Highness…”

“Buy a couple of small daggers from him. Get rid of these.”

The man spoke his whim in a calm tone.

The more mature child quickly replied.

“I will obey your command.”

“Be careful not to get caught…”

The Royal Consort’s instructions continued.

The children hurriedly wiped away their tears and blood, avoiding his gaze.

“It seems that an old woman next door is selling apples. Buy all of her fruit and hide the blades at the bottom of the basket. The Second Princess likes apples, so if you say that, the Crown Princess won’t be suspicious.”

“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”

The young ones bowed. Werner, who had given the order, calmly looked out the glass window.

Then he suddenly narrowed his brows. The apple-selling old woman…

She was looking straight up at him. A strange feeling swept down the man’s spine.

“…”

There was no focus in her small, cloudy gray eyes.

Her wrinkled face looked over ninety, and the robe she had completely covered her head with was as worn as a rag.

She was a wandering beggar, blind to anyone.

She was a lowly person who would never be able to say a word to the Emperor’s husband in her entire life.

Confusion crossed the Royal Consort’s face. But how—

“…How is she smiling?”

Does she know who I am and dare to look up at me and smile?

No, can we really say that she ‘sees’?

Nothing was still reflected in the old woman’s empty eyes.

A dark mouth was revealed through her loosely opened lips.

The Royal Consort instinctively flinched back.

-Clack!

“Gasp!”

“Hic!”

The startled pages let out a sob-like hiccup. Only then did Werner look around.

The young ones were all pale.

“Why are you crying?”

“…That, that is…”

It was the first time they had been asked such a question. The children trembled, unable to find a suitable answer.

When the Royal Consort was planning something, they had to be quiet no matter what.

They couldn’t even breathe because it could break his concentration.

Even a small mistake would cause something to break or someone to get hit.

So the current situation was really…

“You don’t have to worry about me.”

Flustered. The children opened their mouths and looked at Werner.

His brown eyes were folding sweetly like chocolate. A chill ran down their spines for a moment.

“Even if I die and come back, I won’t be alone.”

It was a lullaby-like soft tone.

The children nodded busily as if they were possessed by something.

They didn’t know what his words meant or how terrible they were.

They were just moving diligently because they felt like they had to.

Ten years old. A tear ran down the cheek of the youngest page.

*

March 18, the day after Cristel’s twentieth birthday, the day we were to enter the labyrinth, dawned.

-Poong! Pang!

A few small firecrackers went off at the breakfast table.

Colorful confetti instantly filled the room, and a pink three-tiered cake also appeared.

I didn’t say it, but it seemed like Sir Johan had stirred up the wind [instigated the celebration].

Otherwise, the confetti wouldn’t have fluttered so beautifully.

“Happy birthday!”

“Hehehe.”

‘Whoo!’ Cristel, who smiled awkwardly, blew out the candles, and applause poured out again.

The subdeacons who carried the cart also clapped and celebrated as if it were their own business.

There were many young friends, so their sleeves were flapping a lot.

I wonder if they’ll be surprised if I help them with the stitching later?

“Happy twentieth birthday, my daughter. Thank you for coming to me.”

Isabelle hugged Cristel tightly and kissed her on the cheek.

Ms. Gain was very embarrassed, but on the other hand, she looked very happy.

‘Congratulations, my lucky charm.’ Countess Mariz planted a kiss on the other cheek.

Baron Clement was sitting next to the Crown Prince, wiping away tears.

The atmosphere was almost like a first birthday party. I was touched and happy just to see the happy family.

When Hanan placed his hand on Cristel’s forehead and gave a blessing, cheers erupted as if a festival had been held.

-…’You will choose eternity between life and death, and you will breathe even where the Main God does not exist.’ Become the water of life. Aqua vitae [Latin for ‘water of life,’ often referring to strong spirits].

“Wow!”

“Happy birthday, Sir Cristel!”

“Pink Princess! Happy birthday!”

“Congratulations, disciple. I’ll help you get stronger this year.”

“Thank you, everyone!”

The protagonist smiled dazzlingly and looked back at us.

Crown Prince Cedric and her gaze intertwined for a long time.

Then, when her gaze came to me, I read the guilt hidden deep in her eyes.

I wanted to comfort her because I knew so well what that feeling was.

I hoped she would think that we were celebrating her real birthday together, even though it was late, since she hadn’t been able to celebrate it for the past year.

But instead of taking that comfort out of my mouth…

“Happy birthday, Cristel. I hope you will be happy in the future.”

I just put my whole heart into it. Then her eyes drew a deep crescent moon.

For that moment, that was enough.

I thought so because I didn’t know what would happen that night.