What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 32

#032 Let’s Think of It as a Picnic (1)

“Then this is your first time participating with me.”

Cristel spoke. I was listening without much thought, then abruptly stopped eating my bread.

So, what she means is…

“That’s right. Cedric isn’t just going to watch. He’s probably aiming for the win.”

Cardinal Boutier explained gently.

I glanced at her, then at Cristel sitting next to me.

“Is the Sarnese heiress also participating in the monster subjugation?”

At my question, Cristel’s blue-gray eyes sparkled as she smiled brightly.

“Yes. I’ve decided to announce my aspiration to become a Paladin at the monster hunting competition. It’s a good opportunity to show off my abilities as well.”

It was a plausible strategy.

Rather than simply announcing her news with a line in a newspaper or a brief statement, having her directly demonstrate the power of water in front of numerous nobles gathered for the monster subjugation would have a much greater impact.

With the support of the Imperial Family behind her, starting with a public service activity like monster hunting would make it easier to create a good image.

It would be something like ‘The first blessing bestowed by the Lord in the barren land of Paladins.’

“That’s great.”

I said.

It seemed that Cristel and Prince Cedric’s real episode was finally beginning.

Of course, I thought they would have had a good time at the Spring Ball, but that was just their first meeting. Their full-fledged story of love and adventure would likely unfold during the monster subjugation.

Eunseo threw a fit every time she mentioned them, insisting they should break up immediately, but as a third party, I thought they made a pretty good couple.

Cristel nodded and responded to my words.

“Because of that, I’ve met many priests these past few days, hoping to find someone to partner with me until the monster subjugation ends.”

She paused briefly and looked at me.

“But it’s been difficult to find someone who meets the criteria. The Archbishops are usually too busy, and the Bishops said it would be difficult for them to accompany me to the monster subjugation. And those who are proactive… are mostly interested in their own advancement rather than me.”

It wasn’t surprising.

Archbishops and Bishops would be busy managing their dioceses or engaging in behind-the-scenes politics, so they would be reluctant to spend time on a heiress whose chances of becoming a Paladin were not yet certain.

Priests who wanted to invest Aether [magical energy] in Cristel would be more interested in creating connections with the Sarnese family than in her growth.

“They say it’s a good thing for the Empire to have a Paladin, but they’re too busy calculating the possibilities, which is exhausting.”

Cristel muttered, ‘I’m so sick of that kind of thing,’ under her breath.

I quickly glanced at the Cardinal, but she seemed to have missed it while drinking her coffee.

Only I know the true nature of this protagonist…

“So, I was wondering. If His Highness is willing, and if His Majesty and Her Eminence the Cardinal would allow it…”

At the ominous preamble, I quickly buried my face in my teacup.

The sweet anise tea tasted like poison.

“I would like to request that you be my partner until next month. After I am formally appointed, I can find another partner.”

“…My hourly rate is high. The quantity and quality of my Aether are excellent, and I am, after all, a royal priest.”

Fortunately, my voice didn’t tremble.

I maintained a brazen expression and didn’t even look at her.

Stay calm, I can refuse, and I can be rejected.

“I’ll buy it with money. How much will it take?”

Wait, you know that line? Excuse me, but how old is the person who possessed you…?

“I need a lot of money.”

“Name your price.”

“…Two million per month?”

Two million francs was the amount I received monthly from the Riester Imperial Family.

That was the largest sum I could think of right away.

According to Benjamin and Ghanael, it was enough to buy a decent mansion on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital, and if you built it yourself, you could even have a lake view.

No matter how much of a daughter of the Sarnese Duke she was, she wouldn’t be able to decide on spending that much money on her own.

“Four million per month. On the condition that I come to the Imperial Palace to receive Aether directly when I need it.”

“Yes…?”

“Hahaha.”

While I was making a foolish reaction, overwhelmed by Cristel’s audacity, I heard the Cardinal burst into laughter.

I was dumbfounded as it was the first time I had seen her laugh so heartily.

She was so amused that she slightly raised her monocle and even dabbed away tears with her handkerchief.

“Hahaha, Your Highness knows nothing about the Sarnese family, does he?”

“I know they’re very wealthy…”

“My monthly allowance is five million francs.”

Cristel said lightly. My mouth dropped open.

Only then did I realize that Cristel and I had completely different possession conditions.

She was the precious daughter of one of the Empire’s most prominent noble families, while I was a hostage born out of wedlock who had to live in the Imperial Palace for the rest of my life.

The criteria for setting allowances were bound to be different.

“So, is it a deal? Will Your Highness temporarily become my partner?”

“That’s not up to our Prince.”

The one who answered Cristel’s question was not me, but the Cardinal.

She had already composed herself and returned to her usual benevolent yet mysterious gaze.

“His Highness came to the Imperial Palace as a confessor and is currently faithfully fulfilling his duties, so it is difficult for him to engage in transactions or partnerships with external private individuals.”

‘I think I’ve mentioned this before,’ she added.

I realized that I could feel a chilly sensation even from her beige eyes.

Considering the Cardinal’s reaction when Cristel had tested me before, it seemed she was wary of me getting even slightly closer to Cristel.

Well, she was ‘Teacher Oh,’ who made a significant contribution to connecting Prince Cedric and Cristel in the original story.

The Prince’s future spouse shouldn’t be involved with a hostage like me.

If the Cardinal blocked Cristel, it would be beneficial for me.

“That’s not easy.”

Cristel leaned back leisurely and muttered.

Unlike her words of trouble, there was not even a slight change in her complexion.

Perhaps because she was on the path to becoming an overpowered protagonist, her spirit seemed to be even more upright.

“Then, could you give me just a little bit of Aether now?”

“Here?”

My voice rose slightly at Cristel’s sudden suggestion. She smiled brightly.

“Even if we can’t make a deal, I can still get a sample, right?”

Were you a salesperson before…? I blurted out a baseless thought in my confusion.

I didn’t have a good reason to refuse, so I glanced at the Cardinal, but she simply tilted her head and didn’t express any particular objection.

If I were Prince Cedric, I would have ignored her completely or scoffed, but it was difficult for me to do that given my personality.

Damn it.

“…Just a moment.”

In the end, I spat out a curt reply.

Cristel tapped her long boots, expressing her anticipation.

I closed my eyes and opened the Sanctuary.

A very small amount of paint flowed out from my fingertips and toes, creating a sensation as if drawing a picture.

The floor of the Cardinal’s office lit up brightly, and a golden circle enveloped me and Cristel.

“Wow…”

Cristel blinked her large eyes and let out a gasp of admiration.

“I’ve seen other priests’ circles several times, but this is the first time I’ve seen a Sanctuary that feels so clear and pure.”

Even if you say that, it’s not for sale. I quietly picked up the Aether yarn in my mind.

I thought it would be enough to unravel just one loop and hand it over.

-Knock knock

“Come in.”

At that moment, there was a knock on the mahogany door. The door opened immediately at the Cardinal’s quick response.

I stopped trying to release the Aether and turned my head. When I turned, I saw…

“Your Highness.”

“Hello, my godson.”

Prince Cedric, with his shocking visuals, was entering the office.

*

Why on earth? I know you’re not the Crown Prince yet, but aren’t you busy?

That question briefly crossed my mind before fading away.

This is a romance fantasy, and it’s only natural for the protagonist and the main male lead to get involved.

I figured Cardinal Boutier had called him again under the pretext of a lesson.

The problem was that an impurity called me was mixed in.

“What are you doing?”

“I was about to share some Aether with the Sarnese heiress.”

At the Prince’s words, who cut straight to the point without even exchanging pleasantries, I calmly replied.

Cristel rose from her seat and paid her respects to the Prince. The Prince only gave a small nod.

His lack of consideration was astonishing, no matter how many times I saw it.

“The heiress seems to have enough Aether.”

“That’s my business, not something for Your Highness to judge.”

When the Prince provoked her, Cristel responded with a smile.

The atmosphere in the office instantly turned chilly.

Nathalie, the attendant who had guided the Prince in, smiled slightly when she met my eyes, then quickly closed the door and disappeared.

Ha… I shuddered with envy and rose from the sofa.

“Since today isn’t the only day, I’ll give you the Aether next time.”

Then, I released the Sanctuary. It was meant to convey the message that they should get along and not fight.

It occurred to me that the Prince, who often suffered from Aether depletion, might be displeased that Cristel, who looked perfectly fine, was receiving Aether.

Cristel looked a little dissatisfied, but she accepted my decision.

“Weren’t you supposed to use the indoor training grounds today?”

Then, the Prince turned the topic to the Cardinal.

Now that I looked at it, he was dressed casually, just like the day he sparred with Cristel in the outdoor training grounds.

Only the black gloves on both hands were always the same.

The leather only covered his fingers, leaving his back of the hand and half of his palm exposed, which I thought was an inefficient design no matter how I looked at it.

“Oh, that’s right. I asked Frederick to keep it empty until 11:30.”

The Cardinal smiled faintly and began to tidy up her desk.

She went on to explain that she had notified the Emperor, who often used the indoor training grounds before lunch, that ‘we will be having a lesson there with the children today.’

It struck me once again that the Cardinal and the Emperor had a really comfortable relationship.

“Then you two should head out first. I have something to talk about with His Highness.”

Me?

“It’s nothing much. I’ll keep it short.”

She gently gestured for Cristel and the Prince to leave.

The two of them bowed to the Cardinal and disappeared out the door, all the while shooting each other looks that said, ‘I really don’t like you.’

They’ll be dating soon despite all that, so what I should be worried about now isn’t the two protagonists, but the one-on-one interview I was about to have with the Cardinal after a long time.

“What is it that you wanted to say…”

I sat down, feeling uneasy, and held the teacup with both hands.

The scent of the still-warm anise tea tried its best to soothe me.

“Well, I told you that Frederick and I won’t be going to the monster subjugation this year, right?”

“Yes.”

“Because of that, the position of priest to hear confessions from the participants on-site is vacant.”

“Yes?”

My heart sank. I raised my head and met the Cardinal’s eyes.

“Monsters are certainly evil beasts that threaten human lives and destroy our foundations, but they are still living beings. There are often nobles who want to confess their sins regarding the killings before and after the subjugation. Until now, I have accompanied them and listened to their sins.”

She spoke as if singing. The phrase ‘butterfly effect’ suddenly came to mind.

Did this development happen because I changed my path to live as a confessor?

“This time, I would like to ask you to do that job. If Cristel doesn’t have a partner by then, it would be good to go and help Cristel’s activities…”

The Cardinal’s voice grew a little softer. Somehow, it didn’t seem like she sincerely wanted that.

“It would also be good to help Cedric obtain the ‘Azure Sword of Mars’ and create a connection with the future Crown Prince.”

“……”

I once again checked my self-awareness.

I can’t say that my decisions had no impact, but this butterfly effect started long ago.

From the moment the divine object in the ‘Temple of the Boundary’ was used to save me instead of Cristel, the early development of ‘Retreating Duke’ had gone awry.

Until now, I had mainly considered the impact that it had on me and the protagonist.

But now I saw that it wasn’t just the two of us who were hit by the typhoon caused by the butterfly’s wings, but three people.

The Prince, whose marriage prospects with Cristel fell through, preventing him from gaining the power of the ‘Sarnese Ducal House’.

It seemed that he had other plans as well.