What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 355

Lord Ervel bowed his head, his expression grave.

“What…”

My voice trembled, and my fingertips shook. I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them, trying to calm my racing heart.

It felt as if the world’s colors had inverted.

I heard someone sobbing in the distance, a signal that unleashed a wave of unease throughout the room.

Everything happened in an instant. The fragile peace shattered like a sandcastle.

Joy twisted into sorrow, and hope morphed into despair.

It’s a cliché, but it perfectly captured our situation.

Shock and fear were the only emotions consuming the reception room.

‘Emergency.’

-Thump!

“Your Highness.”

“Cancel all my appointments for today. Please, Benjamin, contact Eva as well. I need to see my teacher immediately. Can you arrange transport to the Imperial Palace?”

“…Understood. Ganael, summon the attendants.”

The middle-aged man remained calm and collected, a stark contrast to my trembling state.

Pale-faced Ganael hurried out of the reception room.

I hugged the stiff Herrit tightly and entrusted him to Sant.

The child immediately embraced his teacher, burying his face against Sant’s neck.

After confirming they were heading to the side room, I placed the red pandas on the floor and Ttuksim on my shoulder.

I needed to stay calm, but cold sweats kept breaking out, and my limbs felt unresponsive.

Clenching and unclenching my fists, I sent Berenice back to the Duke’s residence for now.

The Princess’s face was already streaked with tears.

I couldn’t bring myself to offer false assurances, so I simply gave her a weak smile.

Joan’s eyes darted around with an astonished expression.

Finally, I spoke after a long silence.

“Um… well.”

The pink eyes staring back at me looked wounded. I urged myself to think.

Think, Ye-seo. Don’t be pathetic; think.

“Lord Ervel.”

Kristel and the Crown Prince are the protagonists of . No matter how much this worldline deviates from the original, their importance remains paramount.

Absolutely.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

They wouldn’t simply vanish. They were like beacons in this world.

“Does His Majesty… believe his son and Lord Kristel are dead?”

My friends are strong.

“That is…”

The captain of the guard paused, touching his forehead. He, too, struggled to maintain his composure.

The man continued in a low voice.

“According to Elisabeth’s testimony upon returning from the scene, immediately after His Highness used divine magic with the Hyegeom of Mars [a legendary sword], the world was filled with white light. To be precise, meteorites the size of carriages fell from the night sky and devastated the Statia Plains. Visibility didn’t return for at least thirty minutes, and since then, His Highness’s party hasn’t been found. The situation seems similar on the Holy Nation’s side.”

“Then…”

“Yes. There are no bodies or similar traces. So, His Majesty will be considering various possibilities, as always. He is a strong person.”

“Yes, that’s right. That’s right…”

I muttered mindlessly.

Meanwhile, my thoughts raced in every direction, like a broken compass.

Joan rubbed her dry face and slumped onto the Talpadak [a type of Korean mat] carpet.

Another possibility would be getting stranded. But where could they go in that vast battlefield—

“I heard that only weapons remained at the spot where the two were.”

What…? I blinked and looked at Lord Ervel. He nodded grimly.

“You are right, Your Highness. His Highness does not currently possess the Hyegeom.”

My mouth dropped open. My stomach churned, and I felt like my eyeballs would pop out.

*

The next day, September 14th, was my teacher’s birthday.

The Imperial Palace was in an uproar overnight.

If it’s this bad here, the Imperial Capital must be in utter chaos by now.

The rumor couldn’t be contained, not with thousands deployed for the front-line search.

Only today did I realize the true importance of the great nobles who focus on domestic order instead of going to the battlefield.

My steps to the dining room were so hurried that I sprained my ankle three times.

I had only slept for a couple of hours, but I didn’t feel tired because my whole body was tense.

Everywhere I looked, workers were gathered in groups of three or five, wringing their hands.

Their tear-stained cheeks were pitiful.

“How, how could this happen…”

“No, surely His Highness the Crown Prince and Lord Rambuillet are not gone! How could those who have received the power of the Main God leave so easily? Huh?”

“That’s right, maybe they fell off a cliff or into a river! That’s why they lost their way back. I believe the two of them are strong.”

“I wish that were the case, but, ah…”

“I heard that the Holy Nation’s Princess and the Archduke have also disappeared! That side has a Cardinal! There must be something going on.”

“Could it be a kidnapping by the Phoenicians?”

“Good heavens, maybe that’s it…!”

Step, step, step! I quickly passed them, making eye contact. The surprised attendants bowed deeply. The luncheon hall was right in front of me.

The birthday celebration, already planned to be small, had now become a somber gathering with only His Highness Orelly and his close aides.

As the nobles who had been staying in the palace rushed back to their main residences, the Imperial Palace felt empty.

Although there were no major events scheduled due to the war, even the various ceremonies, including audiences with the nobles, were all canceled.

I couldn’t meet my teacher yesterday after all.

She had been occupied all day discussing matters with the great nobles.

She had to handle the accumulated state affairs and do everything possible to prevent the deterioration of domestic public opinion.

I was still far from being able to step forward in national affairs. I didn’t even know if it was okay to step forward.

But today will be different.

“Welcome, Prince Ye-seo. Please come inside.”

“Thank you, Natalie.”

It was a place I had been to before.

Click, squeak… As the Imperial Palace attendants threw open the large doors, the elegant decorations inside and familiar faces came into view.

I nodded to Benjamin and Ganael and went straight inside.

The familiar beige warmth greeted me.

My teacher was holding up well. Fortunately.

“Your Highness.”

“Our Ye-seo. You’ve come to help your friends.”

“And my teacher too.”

A benevolent smile returned. My heart ached at her cheeks, which seemed to have thinned in the past few days.

The hand that stroked my head lacked its usual strength.

I couldn’t see any traces of tears, but I knew that was only on the surface.

My teacher was summoning all her strength right now.

I forced a smile and handed her the gift.

-Rustle

“…Happy birthday from the bottom of my heart.”

It was strictly forbidden to offer luxury goods during wartime, but even if that weren’t the case, there were things I could give.

“Oh my, a bouquet of roses. Thank you.”

“Yes. I picked them directly with the gardeners at dawn. They are friends who grow in magic tool pots, so they don’t wither even in winter and are healthy. This is baby’s breath… In the place where I was born, this is a staple in bouquets. I don’t see it often here, so I ordered it separately.”

“So fresh and beautiful… Is it because you gifted them? The baby’s breath suits you very well too.”

‘It will soon be trending in the Imperial Capital.’ The eyes under the monocle curved with pure joy.

I was glad that I seemed to have made her forget her worries, even for a moment.

I carefully handed over the box held in my other hand.

It looks shabby because I wrapped it myself, but I still tied the ribbon properly.

“This is chocolate. I made it with Lawrence’s help for a few days. I took out the ones that were too ugly…”

“Goodness.”

“There’s also a letter inside.”

No matter how bad the situation is, I wanted to make sure she had the happiness she deserved.

Of course, I know that there is very little I can do.

But I didn’t want to spend today being sad and frustrated.

I wanted to give a precious person at least one good memory on their birthday.

At least that’s what our family does.

“…It’s more special than words can express. I’ll cherish it.”

My teacher hugged me with a radiant face.

I received a gentle kiss and looked over her shoulder.

François, Ervel, Sant, and Sir Johann were standing in front of a large round table, eating croque monsieur [a type of grilled cheese sandwich].

Everyone gave me a welcoming smile.

I wondered why there were sandwiches on the birthday table, but when I looked again, what occupied the center of the table was not food and drinks but a map of the continent.

Lady Sara Belliard, Sir Michel Moutet, and Viscountess Marise Rambuillet were also in attendance.

…But who is that over there?

“That’s Duchess Bonheur Diop. She is the granddaughter of the late Emperor Romero and the mother of the missing Princess Diop.”

“Ah.”

“I meet the one called the Moon of the Empire. I look forward to working with you, Your Highness.”

The middle-aged woman, who had all her hair rolled up like a roll cake, bowed to me in a very elegant manner.

She had the impression of a strict headmistress.

‘I am the one who should be asking for your favor, Duchess.’ I hurriedly bowed in response and grasped the situation.

So this is definitely not a place to celebrate a birthday…

“You’re discussing countermeasures here.”

I mumbled blankly. My teacher gently smiled.

“Yes. My partner and godson need help. And that child’s partner too.”

“Yes.”

“So we won’t give up. Just like we didn’t give up on you.”

A weak yet firm voice returned. I slowly turned to look at her.

Only then did a sincere smile flow out.

*

Kristel’s beloved horse, Doria, was very brave and valiant. Indeed, those from the North were different.

-Clatter, clatter, clatter…

Even though the view was blurry and hazy, she set off again because her owner told her to go.

This place was a fog field, a fog forest, a fog heaven where you couldn’t even distinguish 50m ahead.

Even the sky was gloomy, making it hard to tell if it was dawn or early evening.

The sun, moon, and stars were not visible at all.

Without a clock or phone, it was also difficult to guess the passage of time.

The only things that Gain knew for sure were just a few things. First,

1. The Crown Prince used divine magic, and the world turned all white.

2. When I came to my senses, I was here.

3. Considering the vast wild grasslands and hills, exotic trees, and abandoned huts… Korea is definitely not it. For an hour, I thought it was Gangwon-do [a province in South Korea], but it’s not.

4. A strange ether is felt from all directions. It’s not a paladin, and it’s completely different from Prince Ye-seo’s. But it’s not similar to Sant or Eva either.

5. I think we’re stranded?

Has it been about two days since I came here? Or maybe four?

Gain cleared her throat instead of continuing her reasoning.

Suddenly, a new plan flashed through her mind.

Putting what comes to mind into action right away was one of her specialties.

“…Fog biiiiitch! Are you sleeeeeping!?”

-Neigh!

Charlesmagne, who was walking side by side, was greatly shaken by the return of the Main God-given vocals.

The body on the black horse’s back also began to squirm irritably.

Regardless, Gain went her own way.

Whether it’s a demon or a human, she was determined to make something come this way.

“Sleeeeigh! Are you druuuunk? Staggering!? Haa! Yeheeeeeeeee?”

“…Were her vocal cords hit by a sleigh?”

Finally, the man uttered a word.

Gain, who had been playing transparent keys with her fingers, frowned and turned to look at him.

Cedric Liester was slowly getting up and holding the reins.

He had finally come to his senses, but unfortunately, he was fine.

He looked a little tired, but that was none of her business.

I wish he would turn into a little kid, at least he would be cute, but he’s only as big as a bear, and he’s terribly heavy, probably because he ate ether with his muscles…

“Where is this?”

“I thought you would ask that, so I’ve been wandering around diligently, but there are no clues. By the way, if I hadn’t taken care of you, you might have left this world a few hours ago. This neighborhood is subtly chilly. Don’t underestimate hypothermia.”

“There it is. A clue.”

The man immediately pointed his chin and snapped. Gain sent him a look that said, ‘Don’t pick a fight for no reason,’ then rolled her eyes and scanned below, just in case.

“…Huh? What is it.”

Oh, there really is something I haven’t seen before?

“Doria, can you go back three steps?”

-Clatter, clatter…

The clever horse took exactly three steps back.

Then a wooden sign appeared.

Whether it was in bad condition even before being trampled by hooves, half of it was buried in the ground, and the other half was horribly rotten.

Kristel jumped off the horse and pulled out the stake without hesitation. ‘Swoosh!’

“Maan, kraans… Eh.”

‘Tap tap!’ After shaking off the dirt and roots that had been stuck for a long time, the letters carved with a knife were finally visible.

‘Maankrans Village.’

“That’s what it says. It seems this used to be the entrance to the village.”

The Saintess of Water shrugged and said. The Crown Prince fell into silence.

It was a name he had never heard of, and judging by the spelling, this was the territory of the Phoenician Holy Nation.

But how…

“Was there a portal on the battlefield?”

“No. If that were the case, we would both have sensed the mana below the surface. I didn’t hear the sound of a magic formula being activated.”

That was true. Moreover, the Holy Nation has traditionally despised the field of magic.

There probably weren’t many high-level personnel to research magic formulas.

In the meantime, who among the allies and enemies would know who would stand on the field and hide a portal—

“Oh? There’s someone over there!”

At that moment, Kristel shouted loudly and pointed forward.

In an instant, her orange eyes sharpened.

-Swish…

Amidst the fog like a curtain and the corpse-like trees dividing the world into black and white, a magic light stood alone.

The existence of the suddenly appearing light itself felt very suspicious and bizarre.

The ether-like gold was spreading dimly as if claiming to be a lighthouse. And below that…

“Oh my, Crown Prince! How did you get here? That’s great! Is the person next to you your lover?”

A human trafficker shaking handcuffed wrists was seen.

Cedric let out a pessimistic sigh.