What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 347

#347

Glistening Return, A Breath (9)

I rushed over and hugged Eva and Herrit tightly.

I urgently checked on the children, patting their small backs.

Thankfully, no one had gone outside the sacred ground, so they were safe. There weren’t even any scrapes on their hands or knees.

Meanwhile, Sir Johann was building up his energy to a level I could feel in my skin.

A threatening wind harshly whipped through the moss and bushes.

The hem of my long cardigan and Eva’s pumpkin pants fluttered wildly. Whirr, whirr—!

“Herrit, what’s wrong? Was there a demon?”

He shook his head. The boy, beaming amidst the golden light, pointed towards the jungle.

I quickly looked towards the dim forest.

Vines hung like torn curtains, ancient trees towered so high their tops were invisible.

Colorful birds, rarely seen at the foot of the mountain, flitted about.

Beyond the hazy mist, strangely shaped branches grew, and amidst a family of rabbits scurrying away, I saw—.

-Swoosh······

“Wow······.”

The heart of the jungle, the ‘Shrine of Trees,’ was still there.

We stood for a moment, mouths agape, admiring the sacred scenery.

-Gurgle, trickle······

The faint sound of a stream could be heard, and wildcats and squirrels, having spotted us, hurried to hide.

Bright midday sunlight streamed through the dense leaves.

Each time the iridescent butterflies fluttered their wings, pollen sparkled with a ‘rustling’ sound.

In the center of the forest, empty like a sacred altar, stood a magnificent old tree.

Its early autumn leaves were mostly green, with a few hasty ones already donning yellow.

In the middle of its apartment-sized trunk was a brilliant green jewel.

It might have been my imagination, but it felt like the sacred object was gently welcoming us.

I had been here before, but the atmosphere was completely different.

Now, it was like a scene from a fairy tale.

“······Was it this amazing back then?”

I mumbled, dazed. Eva glared at me and pointed to a spot.

“There are traces of that day over there. Look, you troublemaking Marquis.”

“Ah.”

Only then did I notice the remnants of a year ago.

Near the sacred object were the massive imprints of the golem. Like dinosaur footprint fossils.

The golem’s disassembled body had returned to nature, becoming rocks.

However, in the meantime, moss and ferns had grown so thickly in the Magic Tower Master’s forest that it would be hard for anyone unfamiliar with the situation to recognize it.

The pit that the Duke and I had fallen into was also filled with ancient soil and tree roots.

Sir Johann approached us silently.

“How is it?”

“The ether isn’t aggressive. I don’t sense any rejection either. Rather, it feels more like······ welcome and interest.”

Eva’s face brightened at his answer.

“It recognizes me! Herrit, open your eyes wide and watch. I’ll show you how amazing I am.”

“Hehehe.”

The boy shook his coat sleeve.

This was the outfit he had received as a gift from his new friend Pascal, and although Chief Laura had offered to alter it, Herrit had adamantly refused.

I understood why he wanted to wear the oversized clothes, so we didn’t press the issue.

A wooden polo player figurine, resembling François, was in the large pocket.

It was different from the one he had given to Pascal; this one had a winner’s medal around its neck and a much fancier swallowtail coat.

Was it like a limited-edition action figure?

“As you know, I am the heir to the great Blanquer Dukedom. I’ve received the blessing of longevity, so I’ll live healthily past a hundred. One of our ancestors even lived to be one hundred and thirty-one.”

“Wow.”

“Well, if you listen to your sister like you do now, I can be a reliable backer for you until then.”

I burst out laughing at Eva’s words.

I thought a backer shouldn’t reveal themselves, but since Herrit didn’t seem to mind, it wasn’t my place to point it out—

Ah.

“······.”

Herrit’s face clouded over slightly as he looked at the Young Duke.

Eva seemed too busy showing off to notice, but I, who was looking down at both children, could clearly see it.

But even that was fleeting.

By the time the girl turned to the boy, the corners of Herrit’s lips had curved into a gentle smile.

Only then did I realize what he was thinking, and my breath caught in my throat.

I glanced at Sir Johann, who was busy exploring the surroundings, then looked back at the child.

The innocent mint-colored eyes followed me.

Swish······! The golden ether of the sacred ground surged like a wave, embracing the children and then fading away.

“······I’m looking forward to it, Herrit. Aren’t you?”

“Huh?”

“You’ll be a wonderful adult by then, too.”

I said brightly.

I was sorry that I could only say such inadequate things.

We have no complaints about Herrit being weaker than his peers, growing slower, or being unable to speak.

We just want him to be happy and comfortable doing what he wants to do.

We only wish for him to grow up healthy without any more pain.

But if this child ‘immediately’ wants to escape that state······.

If he wants to wear Pascal’s oversized clothes or ride a horse as 멋지게 [coolly/stylishly] as François does.

And if the child gets hurt when that is thwarted.

Then, how should I, as an uncle, act?

It was difficult because no one had ever taught me the answer.

I wanted to protect him like an adult, but I was still clumsy, and I was sorry.

“······Hehe.”

Then Herrit hugged me tightly. Just as I was about to stroke his hair in gratitude,

-Beep, beep!

Dduksoomi called me like an alarm. I flinched and looked up to see Sir Johann in front of the Shrine.

“There are no signs of demons at all. You may proceed with the plan, Marquis.”

The holy knight smiled and gestured.

At the same time, the bundle of flyers following behind us soared high into the air.

A little later. We stood in a circle in the shade of the Shrine.

Bathing in the forest air, I felt my mind becoming clearer.

I began to speak in a serious voice.

“As you know, the plan is simple. Like other sacred objects, the Shrine of Trees has three abilities, and we will borrow one of them, the ‘Divine Bow,’ which is also this friend’s pride. Before that, Eva, who has received the blessing of the sacred object, must approach and inform it that we have no intention of attacking or harming it.”

-Beep, beep, beep

I repeated the part I had read on my phone last night.

I only turn on electronic devices when I need to check something really important, and even that has its limits, so now the battery is only at 3%.

I got an electric attribute magic stone and put it underneath, and it had a subtle charging effect—anyway, that’s not what’s important now.

“If you have any questions, please raise your hand. Yes, Sir Johann.”

-Beep, beep, beep

“I’ve heard that the Divine Bow is very picky about choosing its owner. The Young Duke is not the owner, and I, who will be shooting the bow, am a stranger to the sacred object. Do you have any countermeasures for this?”

“I don’t have any countermeasures. But I have identified a loophole.”

Eva frowned at my smile.

I quickly managed my expression, fearing she might kick my shin again.

“The premise that the Divine Bow is picky about choosing its owner is wrong to begin with.”

-Beep, beep, beep

“On the contrary, it is the most benevolent of the Empire’s four sacred objects, and that is why it has been misunderstood as 까칠하다 [prickly/difficult].”

“What? What do you mean?”

The Young Duke looked like he couldn’t understand. It was a natural reaction, as I had also chuckled when studying this part.

Toegong is a truly interesting work.

“The Divine Bow’s divine powers are as follows: the power to bestow long life, the power to heal wounds, and the power to hit anything in the world. But this one here.”

-Beep, beep, beep

I pointed to the tree and paused.

“It bestows them on multiple owners in the form of blessings. It doesn’t care whether the recipient has ether or not, or what their background is. It just says that ‘if their soul is fragrant.’ However, it avoids giving all three abilities to one human. That goes against the Divine Bow’s beliefs.”

-Beep, beep, beep!

“Wait! Wait a minute, then I—”

“Yes. Eva and Cecil Blanquer are already owners of the sacred object. This is just my personal guess, but the Divine Bow probably wanted to repay the Dukedom of Blanquer for protecting it. So, it has been bestowing the grace of longevity on those who show promise as heads of the family.”

“Oh my. Oh my······.”

Eva, utterly shocked, covered her mouth with both hands. Herrit’s eyes widened in surprise.

Sir Johann was very intrigued.

“So, when the Divine Bow healed the Duke of Blanquer during the golem’s rampage, it wasn’t just a whim.”

“Yes. It helped because it already considered him an owner. Humans didn’t see it that way, though. Since there were no blessings other than longevity in the Dukedom of Blanquer, they naturally thought it would serve a separate owner. Moreover, Blanquer was a very reclusive family until recently.”

-Beep, beep, beep

‘There would have been no opportunity for outside experts to conduct various experiments,’ I concluded, looking up at the Divine Bow.

Surely, there must be quite a few 영지민 [territory residents] who received the blessing without even knowing it while passing through the forest.

That tree is endlessly kind to fragrant lives, so it was a shame that it had been misunderstood as a difficult and aloof being and had lived alone for so long.

“So, Sir Johann’s arrow can also be 메길 수 [imbued/blessed]. The stigmata, I mean.”

“······I don’t know.”

I expected a confident answer, but the Cardinal unexpectedly looked troubled.

We all tilted our heads in the same direction.

“Sir Haynes smells 맡아줄 만 [worthy of smelling], so he should be fine. I don’t particularly want to make perfume out of him, though!”

“If you’re short on ether, please feel free to say so, Sir Johann. I’m feeling great these days.”

-Beep, beep, beep

“Uh-huh.”

Eva, I, Dduksoomi, and Herrit encouraged him in turn. The holy knight gave a bitter smile.

Golden wind fluttered his white hair.

Approximately thirty minutes later.

“Marquis!”

“Yes, Eva. I’m ready. Please ask the Divine Bow right away!”

-Beep, beep, beep!

I shouted, sitting on a branch as thick as a bed.

Then Eva on the ground put both hands on the Divine Bow.

Herrit, standing beside her, waved his arms to give us the okay sign.

Dduksoomi on my shoulder seemed to be appealing to me about something, but I was really sorry that I didn’t have the 정신 [mental capacity] to focus on him.

When I asked if it was urgent, he seemed to pout as if it wasn’t.

He doesn’t eat, so he shouldn’t be hungry.

Did he really get fleas like Joan said?

“Be careful, you dull Marquis!”

Eva caught my wandering mind like a ghost. I smiled broadly and waved my hand.

But the Shrine of Trees was truly a 순한 [gentle/docile] sacred object.

It was on a different level from someone’s Hyegeom, who would incinerate the 칼자루 [hilt]-wielding human if it didn’t like them, or someone’s Ark, who would wrap itself up tightly and push me into the sea.

The tree remained still as Sir Johann and I climbed up the trunk. Rather—

“Whoa.”

-Crack, crack!

When I lost my balance and staggered, it even extended a new branch to support me.

I stroked a leaf the size of Eunseo’s face and beamed.

It was such a kind friend to strangers, and it was a shame that it had been misunderstood as a difficult and aloof being and had lived alone for so long.

“I’ll start now!”

-Whoosh!

With Eva’s signal, a dazzling golden light burst out from below.

I lay my upper body on the branch and happily observed the Young Duke’s 성소 [sacred power/divine aura].

It was definitely bigger than before, and the patterns of the circle were even more beautiful.

Herrit was also looking at his sister with joyful eyes. I knew that expression well.

The face of the holy knight who ‘really liked someone’s pure ether.’

“Hoo······.”

-Rustle······!

A cool autumn breeze played in the forest.

Dduksoomi fluttered his wings happily, and the 성소 [sacred power/divine aura] in his hand sparkled with a cheerful light.

I knew instinctively. This was not Sir Johann’s power.

Flash, Eva opened her eyes.

-Crack!

At the same time, a tremendous sound came from above. I quickly looked up. In the spot where Sir Johann had been waiting, a slow but definite transformation was taking place.

Unconsciously, my jaw dropped. Wow······.

-Snap, crackle! Pop, pop!

-Rip! Tear, crack!

From the massive trunk, small branches poured down like a waterfall, and green leaves sprouted in the place where old leaves fell.

In just a few minutes, thousands of shadows were born and disappeared repeatedly.

Growth rings increased, the bark split, and the heartwood expanded.

Even the 풀벌레 [bugs/insects] held their breath and recorded the miracle in the dew.

Creak! Among them, something heavy like a dragon moved sinuously, reaching its arms into the sky. The leaves of early autumn were firm and green.

I intuitively felt that it was drawing the trajectory of a bow.

-Creek—!

Ah······.

“······It’s done, Marquis! Sir Johann! It’s done!”

-Beep, beep, beep!

‘We succeeded!’ I snapped back to my senses at Eva and Dduksoomi’s voices.

I hurriedly checked on the children on the ground (they were hugging the stumps and laughing), stroked Dduksoomi, and then looked up.

Right in front of me was a truly fantastic sight.

“Oh my gosh······.”

It felt like my eyeballs were about to fall out.

I clutched my pounding heart and pressed my cheek against a hopping wren.

I shouldn’t say this in front of the 지고한 [supreme/exalted] Ark, but the Shrine of Trees was truly—the greatest and most wonderful sacred object I had ever seen.

The top of the tree was now shaped like a massive 궁자 [bow shape].

The emerald green, sharp bowstring gleamed in the sunlight, and metallic green light sparkled through the dense wood grain.

All were 증좌 [evidence/proof] of the sacred 수액 [sap].

I listened to the children’s cheers and looked at the Cardinal.

I couldn’t control the corners of my mouth from constantly rising.

“Then, Sir Johann, please draw the bowstring. I’m counting on you.”

Then he moved like a knight receiving orders. Although he didn’t seem to like it, it would be fine.

He was the adult in charge of ‘회의 [disagreement/skepticism]’ among us, so it was natural for him to react like that—

-Hiss······!

I flinched and squinted.

The children, still unaware of the situation, were busy cheering from below.

But I, who was close to Sir Johann, could see it clearly.