What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 350

#350

Gumhwan, One Breath (12)

It was utter chaos. A virtual blitzkrieg [a swift, sudden military attack; here, referring to the rapid spread of information and disruption].

“Good heavens, has His Highness the Prince been resurrected? How can that be?”

Leaflets rained down from a clear sky. The Venetian inland military camp was in an uproar in less than 30 minutes.

“Hey! Did you just pick that up? Read it quickly!”

“It must be a lie! How can someone who’s dead come back to life!”

“Honestly, I’m more bothered by this. Look. It says there’s no religious tax in the Empire!”

“Could it be true? Does that mean their soldiers get paid more than us?”

Not only the ordinary soldiers but even the knights were wandering around with bewildered faces, holding the leaflets.

Even those who were nodding off while standing guard were wide awake.

Normally, it would have been Elysee Venetian’s role to bring them to order.

However, the Crown Princess stalled for time.

She deliberately remained silent until another commander stepped forward.

She was greatly dismayed, but at the same time, she had a gut feeling that an opportunity like this wouldn’t come again.

“Look at this! He’s called the . Is it a novel?”

“I’m illiterate. Read it to me.”

“A fancy title, even if I don’t know what it means. Oh? There’s a picture too?”

“Hey, you idiots! Hide the leaflets quickly, the higher-ups will be furious if they see them!”

It was a night when the moon was a crescent and the lunar corona [a bright ring around the moon caused by diffraction of light by water droplets or ice crystals in the atmosphere] was present.

The light wasn’t bright, making it easy for Hwaryun to hide, and the road wasn’t too dark, making it easy for her to take secret steps.

‘Flutter!’ Elysee took about three leaflets of the same content and quickly returned to the barracks.

The Liester army had used this method, something she had never imagined.

Also, she wondered how this was possible.

Of course, it was impossible to distribute them with ordinary catapults, and even if the Empire’s magic tools were advanced, they couldn’t have this kind of technology.

The blue eyes of the paladin scanned the air.

“Could it be…?”

The ‘Divine Bow of the Trees’. Could they have used that sacred artifact that could shoot anything?

But who? Was it the Water Princess? She thought the child was at sea.

-Rustle, rustle!

Elysee quickly took out another paper from her pocket.

Then, she immediately brought in the three soldiers guarding the front of the barracks.

“Your Highness!”

“Your Highness.”

“Did you call for us?”

“I have a favor to ask of you.”

And she familiarly found a bag of gold coins in the bedside drawer.

The smartest of the soldiers asked.

“Is it a letter delivery?”

“Yes. It’s something you wouldn’t even dream of without you.”

This was Elysee’s sincerity, and on the other hand, it was a kind of art of benevolence she had learned from her father.

The Crown Princess writhed in sorrow and anger every time she thought of him.

The man was a terrible stepfather to Yeser and eventually became an unforgivable murderer.

However, the teachings that her father had left to his eldest daughter for thirty years certainly existed.

Among them, the most useful was the following.

‘My princess. If you want to control people as you please, make them special.’

‘It’s not difficult at all. Do you know why?’

‘Because the Crown Princess is already the most special being in the world. If the noble lips of the royal family point out the importance of the other person, he will truly believe that he has value. He will regard the Crown Princess as a benefactor and a noble who recognizes him.’

‘Loyalty starts from that kind of mind. Isn’t it really simple?’

…Elysee had no intention of sorting out the cards she could use.

She didn’t have the time or the position to do so.

No matter whose method it was, she didn’t care as long as she could mourn her brother and save this country.

This was the imperial art that a would-be king should learn.

“You are helping me save the Holy Nation every day.”

“……”

“Venetian needs talents like you. It’s embarrassing and sad, but I can’t trust the other nobles.”

“Leave it to us.”

“We will be loyal!”

“Trust us, Your Highness!”

The soldiers smiled brightly and replied.

The attitude that the Crown Princess had shown them so far was enough to capture the hearts of the common people.

She had been eating the same meals as the soldiers, getting up and participating in training at similar times, and occasionally going out to the fields to hunt animals that everyone could eat.

If there was a village nearby, she always inspected it at least once.

She wasn’t a priest, so she couldn’t baptize the children, but everyone was sincerely happy when she went around the houses and planted holy fire in the hearth [the fireplace, symbolizing warmth and divine presence].

She shared the jewels she brought from the royal castle and wore the outerwear that the people made for her instead.

She was glad that there was something she could do besides fighting.

But that wasn’t all. The Crown Princess had not forgotten the words of the dead Zanin.

‘His, method is simple… With money, cough, silence them with more money… With power, with more power, ugh. He uses people. The price, at once. Certainly.’

Wilhelmina Schneider’s method is simple and certain.

Then Elysee Venetian would do the same.

No, she would use an even more powerful method.

“Did you see the leaflets?”

“Ah. Yes, yes…”

The soldiers, flustered by the sudden question, looked at each other.

They didn’t expect the words to come from the Crown Princess first.

In fact, they had been panicking and their hearts had been pounding since earlier.

Elysee had a calm face as if she knew everything.

“Soon, the nobles, led by Duke Schneider, will collect the leaflets. Don’t hide them in your pockets, you have to put them in the bottom of your boots or in your underwear to avoid being discovered.”

“Ah…”

“I’ve only skimmed through it, but it’s quite sensitive content for the upper class.”

She said in a whisper. The soldiers nodded with surprised rabbit eyes.

No, could they dare to express affirmation in front of Her Highness the Crown Princess?

“Don’t hide anything in front of me.”

Then the three people’s simple faces brightened at once.

The thought of sharing a secret with a noble person made them feel inexplicably overwhelmed and their hearts fluttered.

Elysee chuckled and handed out gold coins to everyone.

Instead of putting them on the table and letting them take them, she directly conveyed her warmth to each person’s hand.

It was something that her aunt and father, who had cleanliness, could never do.

“When I ascend the throne, I will abolish the religious tax. Isn’t it a long-standing evil practice?”

“Oh my god…”

“Is that really true?”

“It’s not good for the words to spread. Only the three of you know.”

“Wow!”

She knows that the words will spread without her knowing. It’s half-intentional.

If the Duke’s forces test her with a surprised heart, she can just pretend that it’s the common people’s nonsense.

If she declares it with her unique dignified expression and solemn voice, no one will be able to doubt her.

However, the common people who have watched her words and actions will think differently.

Elysee had firmly believed from some point on.

The ‘forces’ that will be with her forever are in the fields of the Holy Nation, not at the top of the royal castle.

“While you are confused by the Empire’s leaflets, there will surely be a commander calling you. Wilhelmina Schneider is not someone who creates gaps.”

She said in a low voice. The soldiers nodded their heads right away.

“Yes, of course.”

“We know it well. Don’t worry.”

“We will give the letter written in blue ink to her, and we will make the letter written in black ink reach the Imperial Capital.”

A clear answer came back.

A warm color flashed across Elysee’s cold face.

She felt a strange peace in the midst of the pressure that was pressing down on her from all sides.

She had lived among the nobles all her life, but she felt more comfortable when she was with them or when she spent time in the remote villages.

Her body might be a little uncomfortable, but she liked that her heart was calm.

“You’re smart as expected. Thank you.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Hey, what kind of way is that to talk to Her Highness, Kim!”

“Both of you be quiet!”

The soldiers of similar ages bickered.

Elysee made a sound in her throat, and the three stopped arguing.

Considering that the Duke might find out, the Crown Princess always wrote two letters.

She wrote two letters with different contents, not only to her father and Cornelise, but also to the Count of the Court and Martier.

One was a letter filled with content and lies that the Duke could read.

The other contained her real news and true feelings.

She always reminded the soldiers.

“Keep in mind. If any noble offers you a reward,”

“We will unconditionally accept it. That’s good for us too, and it’s a way to avoid his suspicion.”

“Kim! You shouldn’t interrupt when Her Highness is speaking!”

“You’re the one who shouldn’t raise your voice, Kuman!”

“That’s enough. It’s nice to see you getting along well.”

At the Crown Princess’s words, the three bit their lips again.

Before sending the soldiers out, Elysee promised the future for the last time.

It was a word she had repeated countless times.

“When the war is over, you will be given due honor.”

This was something that Wilhelmina could never give.

Like other nobles, she did not have the authority to create a peerage [a hereditary rank of nobility].

“I also promise the education of your children and the safety of your families. I swear to my siblings that it will be so.”

However, Elysee could do it. The promise of the royal family was the heaviest and most precious in the Holy Nation.

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

“We are deeply grateful.”

“We will move one by one. So that we don’t attract attention!”

“Okay.”

The Three Musketeers left the barracks in turn.

The corners of her lips went up at the sight of them shining their eyes like they had become apostles of justice.

Suddenly, a scene she had seen in the Liester Empire came to mind.

Her lovely brother, and the bold and ambitious child of the sea.

The young man of fire who was still a prince.

There was resentment, affection, and trust in the eyes facing each other.

“……”

Elysee put her light armor forearm on her eyes, which were about to get hot again.

Resurrection is nonsense. She was not a Crown Princess who would be swayed by shallow agitation.

The Empire was not showing any mercy.

So she had to do everything she could. She had to endure to pay for her sins.

She had to become stronger to save the country.

“Hoo.”

She can do it. She is the daughter of Christiana Venetian.

The successor to the shining crown, who was once stronger and wiser than any king of the Holy Nation.

“Let’s go.”

And she is Yeser Venetian’s sister.

A child who sometimes did ridiculously reckless things and saved small but precious things.

-Flutter!

Elysee quickly pulled back the tent and came out.

The military camp was still chaotic with the leaflets that had flown in from the Empire.

So much so that there was no one who bowed or stopped when they saw her. The road leading to the barracks of Grand Duke Judith Camingha was deserted.

Over there, the high voices of young commanders were going back and forth.

If it turns into friction, the Duke will have no choice but to go there.

It was a good opportunity.

-Tat!

The Cardinal hid himself in an instant.

The sun-like bright blonde hair disappeared behind the dim moon.

*

‘Operation Dunkirk’ was a great success.

…No. That’s for the people who fought back then, so let’s call this ‘Operation Honing’.

-Whoooo…

-Saaa…

A gentle autumn breeze blew. We were sitting side by side, leaning against the Divine Bow.

No, to be exact, everyone was exhausted and collapsed.

The benevolent old tree draped a curtain of fruit with its long branches.

Then it was even cooler because the sunlight didn’t come in.

‘Thank you.’ I whispered, looking up at the green jewel.

Harriet, who was hugged in my arms, was back to being a child.

Seeing his face, which had been very active and was now sleeping soundly, made me laugh because I was so grateful and amazed.

Tough-ssi, who had come out of the little boy, was sitting on Eva’s shoulder and dozing off as if he was exhausted.

You used a lot of strength, really. Thank you too.

“That was the last time with Josephine.”

Sir John was lying precariously on the edge of the shade.

His shirt was torn, revealing his scarred forearms, and his hair tie was half undone.

I stared blankly at the man as if he would be buried in the grass any moment.

The story had been continuing slowly and intermittently since a while ago.

As if we had promised, we didn’t urge him.

If he was wandering in a certain moment of the past, we let him do so, and we didn’t ask even if he skipped the middle.

Eva, who was sitting close to me, seemed to have a lot to say, but she was holding back. It hasn’t been long since she regained consciousness, but she was kind and gentle. Thank you too, Little Duchess.

“Why did he do that? Why did that lord deceive Josephine? Even if there were 10 mercenaries, 50 knights would be impossible. It’s like pushing her to die!”

Wow, she couldn’t hold back and burst out right away!

“Eva. Such words,”

“He was jealous of me.”

“……”

“……”

A calm answer came back. We blinked blankly. What did he just say—

“I traveled from village to village and worked since I awakened as a priest. I was an orphan. I mostly received money and used it for living expenses, but I volunteered for those in need for free.”

“……”

“Then I met my wife in a village, married her, and settled there. After that, I was appointed as an archbishop. It took a long time to review, but it was okay. No… I wasn’t okay, but Josephine said so.”

‘Everything’s okay.’ He chuckled.

Josephine was a lively person.

She was strong, good at work, and always positive and sociable, so she was a mercenary in high demand even outside the territory.

After her husband, Sir John, was recognized as a Grand Duke-level paladin, she went around bragging about it everywhere.

Everyone who knew her sincerely congratulated and rejoiced. Except for one person.

“From then on, the lord began to openly despise me. He didn’t like that I, a commoner, was praised by the territory residents, talked about everywhere, and became an archbishop and attracted the attention of high-ranking people… It seems like he didn’t like it. From a ball held at the lord’s castle, the requests that came to me decreased significantly.”

I was so dumbfounded that I opened my mouth wide. He cut off his job because of that?

Instead of supporting and helping the proud territory resident, he was blinded by jealousy and planned to starve him?

“What kind of person is that? Shouldn’t nobles act like nobles? He has everything, so why does he harass the territory residents?!”

Good job, Eva!

“Hahaha. If the Little Duchess was my lord, the situation would have been very different.”

Sir John looked back at us and laughed sincerely and cheerfully.

His disheveled hair was waving white as if greeting the sky.

“But he was that kind of person… One day, when the conflict deepened, he formally asked for reconciliation and called Josephine separately. I couldn’t go with him because I was taking care of the sick Harriet.”

“……”

“He proposed a trap at that place. He couldn’t kill me, so he tried to vent his anger by using his wife.”

“Oh my god…”

“I heard he was planning to assassinate the lord of the neighboring territory. He owed her a considerable gambling debt. He decided to send Josephine, knowing that he couldn’t kill her anyway. If the request was successful by any chance, that would be a good thing in itself.”

“Haa…”

I groaned and buried my forehead in my palm. As expected, evil guys don’t do just one thing.

How could he do that? How could a person, a person…

“I must have hated you so much.”

I muttered like a sigh. Sir John immediately frowned.

“I was playing the role of the prince of the Holy Nation. You’ve been living with that kind of treatment, so you wouldn’t have a good view of the royal family… I’m really sorry if I hurt you without knowing it.”

“Aaaaah. If you’re going to say things like that, shut your mouth, you idiot Marquis!”

Eva covered her ears with both hands and got angry.

While I was blinking in surprise, the child stood up and pointed to her waist and tilted her head.

There it is, the Little Duchess’s trademark ‘arguing pose’!

“So who shot it? I’m talking about the Divine Bow!”

‘I didn’t see it, did I?’ The child asked, scanning Tough-ssi, me, Harriet, and Sir John in turn.

Hmm. What should I answer?

“That’s…”

Sir John fixed the leaflet on the arrowhead, Harriet pulled the bowstring, and I aimed the growth by hooking it like a hook.

For reference, I shouted ‘Ready, aim, fire!’

Should I say that the Divine Bow and Tough-ssi worked together with five people?

But I want to leave Harriet’s story to Harriet.

“And who was that handsome man?”

“Huh?”

I tilted my head. Eva’s cheeks were red because she was hot.

Why are you suddenly talking about a handsome man?

“I’m talking about the tall, handsome white-haired young master. If I didn’t dream it, he was definitely here. Where did he go?”

…Huh?

“Hahahahaha.”

Sir John ended up laughing out loud.

It was the brightest and lightest expression I had ever seen, but that wasn’t the problem right now. Really!

“Hahaha! Hahahahaha…”

It’s not the time to hold your stomach and wipe away tears while laughing, Harriet’s father! Think about the age difference between the two!

“Marquis!”

-Bbippooo!

Eva pressured me with a pouty face.

I swallowed hard and hugged Harriet even tighter. Sarrreureu, sarrreureureu…

The leaves were lying in the air and bursting with laughter.