What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 318

#318

The Black Prince (2)

It’s not because I lack self-esteem.

“Here, water······.”

No, really. Wouldn’t anyone else have the same concerns as me?

“Some water······!”

Startled.

“Yes, coming!”

I quickly grabbed a canteen and a wet towel and ran to the bedside.

The injured soldier groaned and greeted me with her eyes.

She was a knight whose right arm, which had been holding a bow, was shattered, and she had been receiving help from healing priests all day.

I slowly supported her back and quickly propped her up with a pillow.

I put the canteen to her lips, and she gulped down the water.

Wiping away the cold sweat, she raised her eyebrows to show her gratitude.

She looked much better than she had a few hours ago. Thank goodness.

“The painkiller seems to be working, Knight.”

“Haa······. I guess so. Thank you. For being here all day.”

“It’s nothing.”

Unable to even summon an Ether sphere, let alone healing power, this was all I could do for the Imperial Army.

Volunteering at the wounded soldier aid station. Contributing even a little as someone ‘from Honing Village.’

“······I don’t know if I’ll be able to fight again. Not with my arm in this state.”

“You’ll heal completely. The Empire’s healing priests are very skilled, you know.”

“How does someone from the Holy Kingdom know so much?”

The knight smiled and asked. Knowing it wasn’t a question that needed an answer, my heart sank.

I vaguely smiled it off, chatted with her, and then took care of other injured soldiers.

Even late at night, the bonfires outside the barracks flickered incessantly.

The area was chaotic with people giving orders, answering them, and carrying luggage and stretchers.

Inside, there was a strong smell of disinfectant and a faint smell of blood.

Even this was a much more organized environment than during the day.

“Over here······. Help me up······!”

“I’ll be right there!”

I busily grabbed a towel and a basin and moved again.

That patient likes to read, so it would be good to put a small board on the pillow.

I’ll have to look for one later.

This morning, the Battle of Mount Trosart ended in Liester’s victory.

The mountain village hut, which was once the Honing Village shelter, was now the Imperial Army’s field base.

The village at the foot of the mountain had been transformed into a space for commanders and soldiers to recover and rest.

Duke Pyke Trosart, having received support from 1,000 Holy Kingdom soldiers from the royal family, fiercely resisted, but was ultimately defeated in the three-day battle.

He lost his loyal knights and was taken prisoner wearing an Ether restraint [a device that suppresses magical abilities].

I heard he was an excellent healing priest.

The Empire wouldn’t immediately use his power, though.

“······We need to start preparing to cremate the dead. Bring a priest to preside over the ceremony.”

“Understood.”

“We’ll also need people to move the bodies.”

“Yes, I’ll prepare it.”

I was covering a patient with a blanket when I suddenly raised my head.

The voices of older knights could be heard from outside the barracks.

It seemed they would soon be sending off those who had died.

It would be a terrible and difficult task, but I wanted to lend a hand.

How could it compare to the pain of directly participating in battle?

I whispered that I would be right back and walked out of the entrance.

“Excuse me, sorry to interrupt······.”

That’s when it happened.

-Thud, thud, thud

“Your Highness.”

Huh!

“Why have you come all the way here?”

“I greet the little sun of Liester.”

I’m going crazy!

I quickly bowed, then realized that wasn’t enough and dropped to the ground.

I couldn’t dare open my mouth. The knights and soldiers didn’t even glance at me. Of course.

Right now, I was a worthless and powerless commoner from the Holy Kingdom.

On the other hand, the being who appeared before them was the Emperor’s son.

The one who led the Battle of Trosart to victory. A hero trusted and revered by the entire army.

“How is the aid station doing?”

······Crown Prince Cedrick Liester. The guy who used to be my friend.

“There are thirty seriously injured and about two hundred lightly injured. About twenty are on the verge of death, and tonight will be critical. The priests are taking special care of them.”

“The dead.”

“About one hundred and thirty, Your Highness. The final search is continuing at the foot of the mountain, so the number will ultimately increase······.”

A grim report followed. I fiddled with the innocent gravel and lowered my head.

Looking only at the ‘numbers,’ I knew the Crown Prince had fought really well.

The casualties were fewer than expected, and the management of the wounded soldiers seemed to be going well.

It had been a long time since I was discharged, but I could tell from the discipline of the past few days that he was a good superior.

The problem was······.

The problem was that this tragedy should never have happened in the first place.

My mind kept getting tangled.

“Is anything lacking?”

“Fortunately, the Winite River hasn’t dried up, so there doesn’t seem to be a problem with the water supply. However, depending on the speed at which the reinforcements arrive······.”

I silently bit my lip. I had been agonizing over it dozens, hundreds of times.

Should I tell them who I am right now?

Should I step in front of him, even if the soldiers point their swords at my neck? Yes, let’s do it!

Let’s take care of the sleeping Dduk-ssim [a fictional creature, likely a doll or stuffed animal], carry the torn Gaga bag [likely a personal bag or satchel], and go forward with the molted Growth [likely a symbolic item or plant] in hand.

Then everything will be solved in a snap.

My friends will quickly recover from their wounds and immediately understand my apology and explanation.

We were very close, so they would gladly forgive me.

Maybe we could even end the war quickly. So easily······.

“Is Margrave Mute coming?”

“No, he will defend the border area with Bauterlot as his base. Duke Cecil Blancair is in charge of rear support······.”

It couldn’t be that easy.

The Empire, already insulted several times, would not stop the war just because I came back alive.

I felt like I was losing sight of everything.

The moment I reveal that I am who I am, I have to confess that this place is inside a novel.

That was a problem that could never be separated, and it shouldn’t be.

Trying to hide one side was deception in the first place.

The reason I came back here was to tell him that and apologize.

I had practically risked my life to cross the world line, so I had to do it.

But I was scared.

“Then it will be quiet for a while.”

“Yes. Your Highness has marched all the way here, and our troops are advancing so quickly that it is necessary to let the soldiers rest at this point. For the time being, base defense is the top priority. I have also sent a message to His Majesty.”

I had made up my mind so quickly when I came, but when I actually faced my friend, it was hard to even open my mouth.

Even Dduk-ssim was asleep, so I was completely alone.

I was ashamed of myself for being so afraid, and my eyes felt hot.

Would I come to my senses if someone slapped me? If that were possible, I would be happy to be slapped on both sides.

“Will you reply to His Highness Oreli, Your Highness?”

“······No, I don’t think it’s necessary.”

But the time we spent together······.

Can I guarantee that Prince Yeser Venetian’s ‘conditions’ didn’t have an impact?

His status as a prince, his handsome appearance, and his touching story.

Can the elements that make up a human’s background have no effect on their relationship with another human?

No. That’s impossible.

The bond I had with my friends was a lie from the beginning, a disguise borrowed from someone else’s body.

Even if it was an unwanted possession, the result was the same. I lied, and they were deceived.

I even became bolder as time went on. I acted as if I was something, trying to stop the war.

Because kind people were pampering me, my arrogance soared.

I believed that if I talked and negotiated, there would definitely be a change.

Even though I was a fake.

“Your Highness, would you like to see the wounded soldiers?”

“I will.”

“You are truly merciful.”

So that’s how it ended up. War broke out, and everyone was hurt.

I died as an undiscovered liar.

“······.”

Squeak, moist soil wrapped around my palm. So I need Ether [a magical energy source].

The real me is just an ordinary person.

An all-too-common twenty-nine-year-old man who doesn’t fit in with this world.

Because I want to live up to the expectations of the people I like, even just a little.

With the feeling that if I had Ether, I could at least go halfway.

I also have a great desire to help the sick, but this is what’s inside me.

Even though I know it’s an ugly and embarrassing thought, this was my true heart.

······I wish I could act as coolly as the protagonists in novels.

“Hey you.”

“Oh dear, this friend seems too nervous.”

What would Christel do in this situation? What would Ms. Gain, whom Eun-seo loves so much, do?

“Young man!”

“Ah!”

I was startled and raised my head. I immediately met orange eyes.

The man in the jet-black armor was paler than the last time I saw him.

The semi-curly hair was dark as if it had swallowed all the light in the world.

I was so surprised that I gaped my mouth,

“Hey! It’s His Highness the Crown Prince!”

Oh no! I quickly bowed my head.

“I’m sorry! I was distracted for a moment―”

“Yes, if you’re done thinking, please clear the way. His Highness is going in.”

“I’m sorry.”

I was kneeling in front of the aid station, blocking the Crown Prince’s path.

Fortunately, an older knight kindly reprimanded me.

It was a great disrespect that would have gotten me dragged away long ago if there had been a strict person.

As I hurriedly moved to the side, a sharp voice pierced my ears.

“Hey, you’re from the Holy Kingdom, right?”

“Yes? Ah, yes.”

The Holy Kingdom clothes that Whino had lent me were thin and light, making them good for working in.

It wasn’t too hard even when going back and forth between the humid riverside and the scorching sun.

“Marquis. Even if he’s a commoner, he heard our conversation, so can we just leave him alone?”

“Shouldn’t we imprison him or interrogate him? Maybe Trosart has someone backing him······.”

I felt a chill run down my spine and lowered my gaze. I felt a sudden sense of crisis.

I was too stupid. I’m sitting here in a place like this when I’m no longer a prince.

I should have left right away!

“No, no. It’s okay. I heard this friend is volunteering. He’s been with the soldiers wherever they work. Right?”

Fortunately, the teacher from earlier gave me a chance. I quickly answered.

“Yes, Marquis Sise. That’s right. I have no other connections other than the residents here. I am entering and exiting with the permission of the priest in charge,”

“Shut.”

Flinch. The Crown Prince’s fierce voice fell. I hurriedly pursed my lips.

“Up.”

“······.”

It was as cold as ice. It was like a north wind blowing in midsummer.

He walked straight into the aid station.

The flustered noble knights belatedly pulled back the cloth to assist their superior.

The situation ended so quickly. The surroundings returned to their noisy state.

A swordsman moving firewood over there, a wizard casually washing his hair in front of the barracks.

Villagers distributing soup to hungry soldiers.

“Did you see this friend wielding a sword this morning? Like this, like this!”

“I thought he learned to dance in the Holy Kingdom!”

“Ah, stop it!”

“Wahahaha!”

“······.”

And I was just kneeling in the midst of the commotion.

*

A few days later.

The Imperial Army barracks were greatly agitated.

The gazes of the commanders sitting at the long table wandered around.

First reaching the noble Crown Prince, then swaying towards the prophet.

However, only those two had no change in expression.

Unable to bear it, a certain archer raised his hand and spoke.

“Uncertain, Commander? What do you mean?”

Modest maintained a straight posture.

It may not have been appropriate for the situation, but the teenager’s silver-rimmed glasses were shining as confidently as ever.

“It’s as I said. There are no clear visions yet. When Your Highness leaves Trosart and advances inland, I do not know what will happen.”

It was a voice that had not yet shed its boyishness.

It was the younger generation who expressed dissatisfaction with him.

“Hmph! How grand.”

“That’s right······. The one who saw the future without hindrance!”

“What happened? You set out representing Fleur de Lis [likely a symbol or organization], but your foresight is failing at such an important moment.”

“It must be the will of the Lord. It is not my will.”

At that, everyone’s mouths closed like scallops.

Even if they were the same magician, it was difficult to understand each other’s mana operation methods unless they had completely identical skills.

Moreover, talents as tricky and rare as ‘prophecy’ were virtually unknown.

When the young people became quiet, the older commanders opened their mouths this time.

The atmosphere was relatively relaxed and calm.

“It is true that we have achieved many victories thanks to Commander Bakari’s performance so far. But war is by no means a battle of foresight. Even if there is no information, we must win in actual combat, and this is accompanied by ardent fighting spirit and strategy. There is no reason to panic and wander around because the Commander is having difficulties.”

A woman said softly. Then her husband immediately agreed.

“That’s right. Aren’t all of you gathered here excellent strategists? Let’s send additional scouts to check the war situation. We can obtain more information by deeply questioning Duke Trosart. The Crown Princess will surely be defending the center, so the more cautious we are, the better. Rather, we should look back on our attitude of relying too much on the Commander.”

It was also an adult’s advice.

The Imperial youths, as always, grumbled but accepted the teachings and showed respect.

The meeting did not last long.

Crown Prince Cedrick listened carefully to all the reports, gave a few instructions, and then left the barracks.

He had a personality that valued efficiency, like his mother. There was no unnecessary waste of time.

As everyone returned to their positions, Modest gathered various materials and slowly got up from his seat.

If he moved with others, he felt like he had to have a conversation.

He hated the awkward atmosphere of those moments.

-Swish

He pulled back the cloth of the barracks and came out alone,

“Volunteer! You’re definitely coming today, right?”

“I will. I’ll stop by and read to you, even if it’s late.”

“It’s a promise, right? Everyone is so curious about the next part, they’re dying because of it!”

“Hahaha. I promise.”

A brown-haired young man was seen smiling brightly.

Hugging a pile of old books, he was walking towards the next aid station.

The prophet widened his cyan eyes. That guy was his person of interest these days.

A handsome face that easily attracts attention. The same voice as Prince Yeser Venetian.

A man who lives alone in Honing Village without family or lovers and volunteers for the Imperial Army day and night.

A person whose future cannot be seen.

“Hey, you there.”

“······Yes? Me?”

At Modest’s call, he turned around with wide eyes.

“Yes. Let’s talk. Separately.”

The prophet clicked his tongue and spoke sullenly. He thought it was a good opportunity.

Since the visions aren’t appearing because of this guy, if I thoroughly investigate him this time―

“Yes, great!”

······Why is he smiling so happily? Did my threat not work?