What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 366

#366

Connection (3)

“Crown Aether is said to be a fragment of the Main God’s dream.”

Dreams aside, I suddenly crave Korean snacks.

“It’s understandable that you wouldn’t know. Such concepts aren’t included in formal textbooks. The only ones who truly understand the Crown are the cardinals who possess its power. His Highness Aureli likely intended to teach you after the Marquis opened the Sanctuary.”

‘But it’s not too late now,’ Sir Johan explained calmly.

It was already late at night. He was sitting on the floor on a jade-colored coat, dressed only in a shirt.

A magical light softly illuminated the dark room.

I was lying on the old bed with the Divine Beasts, covered in my ceremonial robes, glaring sullenly at the wardrobe.

“I’m not a cardinal, though.”

“…Nor is it a given that all cardinals manifest it. Mateus Roseharder is said to have realized the Crown during his time as archbishop.”

“What good is it?”

The man was silent for a moment.

“According to the Vatican records, all popes in history were able to use Crown Aether.”

“Surely not.”

“…Although not all cardinals who manifested the Crown became popes.”

He added, as if giving in. That’s more like it.

“So, it’s like a stigma for clerics?”

“I’ve heard that stigmas and Crown Aether are very different, but it’s usually compared that way. Perhaps because so little is known about the latter.”

Hmm, a stigma. Even amidst my chaotic thoughts, I tried to recall the sensation of that night.

The night view of the apartment complex and the pure white flash swept before my eyes like a revolving lantern.

[I am your new master!]

It was desperate, utterly desperate.

Blood gushed from my mouth, and my head and stomach churned madly.

My arms, having exerted all their strength, trembled like aspens.

My vision was constantly blurred, and I struggled to breathe from the overwhelming tension and fear.

But I couldn’t give up there.

-Crack!

As I desperately grasped the Seed of Growth, lightning-like pain pierced my mind.

Everything before my eyes was dyed purple—

[Behold! The moon you serve governs the heavens. Obtestátĭo!]

-Kwaaaang!

…That’s what happened. I shuddered and hugged Demi tightly.

I thought it was crazy then, and I still think so now.

I don’t regret it, but it’s something I could never ask my loved ones to do.

From the other side, the knight’s gentle voice continued.

“I’ve traveled many places, but I’ve never seen a cardinal-level cleric’s Crown. I only learned about its existence after entering the Vatican.”

“…Sir Johan, you’ve never seen it?”

“No. It’s a spiritual treasure that shouldn’t be revealed carelessly, and the act of revealing the Crown is said to be imbued with a great cause. If your name is mentioned as a candidate for pope, your life could be in danger.”

…Was it that significant? No, I did do something significant.

Returning the me from outside the novel into the novel was certainly an extraordinary ability.

I don’t know about any great cause, though.

“It’s an act that demonstrates a cleric’s greatest divine power. I’ve heard it’s the ultimate enticement, capable of drawing in even holy knights from afar.”

Amazing!

“Then we can reach the two beyond the rift directly!”

“Or it might provoke the cardinal of the nearest Divine Kingdom here.”

“But Sir Johan can stop it, right? Is it really impossible?”

“Yes.”

The holy knight answered decisively.

He was leaning against the wall by the window, keeping a close watch on the ‘rift.’

It seemed he was determined not to let me go there, even if it meant staying up for several nights.

“I’ll try harder. We have the Hyegeom of Mars here, and the Ice Silkworm’s Armory too. We also have three Divine Beasts, so if we ask, they might lend their strength. If I say I’m going to save those two, they’ll definitely—”

“You said that using the Crown drains the Aether in your entire body for a long period. Are you planning to go recklessly without a return or safety plan?”

“……”

Everything he said was right, but it’s a little annoying. I pouted and hugged the lesser pandas.

-Squeak.

“Alright, let’s have another snack before bed.”

And I aimlessly created plum-sized Aether beads.

Demi licked one, Perry one and a half, and Leia two. Time quietly passed.

“…Christel also likes plums.”

A sigh-like word slipped out unconsciously.

We had dinner with the same food as the soldiers and set up camp here.

Duke Fabrice and Bakari decided to sleep on the living room sofa and another room, respectively.

It wasn’t a great environment with all the dust and cobwebs, but it was hard to leave since the crime scene was here.

Lady Elisabeth and François had returned to the barracks a little while ago to rest. Everyone would gather here when day broke.

They would exchange the information they had gathered and start new research.

And tomorrow, the full moon would rise. There was really no time to spare.

-Kkiung?

“Oh, you can’t eat this. It’s for the black hyung [older brother/male friend].”

-Kkiung?

“Yeah. He left it in the wardrobe. I guess he wanted us to see it, like .”

‘Kkiiii.’ Leia cried as if she understood.

I clutched the Holy Stone, which I had wiped and polished several times.

When Sir Johan first handed it to me, it had a strong grassy scent.

It seemed that the other side of the rift was outdoors.

That was evident from the occasional fresh breeze.

Where exactly was it? Were they still there?

-Grumble.

Perry suddenly stood up, bracing his front paws against the wall.

I admired his dedication to continue searching alone even in the moonlight.

I stroked his black ears and looked at the spot.

Then I slowly stopped my hand.

“……”

Dozens of lines were drawn on the wall. I felt like my heart was sinking.

-Scribble…

As I reached out and carefully rubbed the drawing, old graphite marks smeared.

The sensation of my eyes twitching was vivid.

The reason I hadn’t noticed it sooner was that all the lines were gathered in the corner of the bed.

Four vertical lines, and the fifth line drawn horizontally to make a bundle [a common way to count days].

And then starting a new five days again. It was already five, six, seven… times here alone.

“Sir Johan.”

I closed and opened my eyes calmly. It seemed I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight either.

“Yes, Marquis.”

“It seems my friends were here. Right in this room. I really feel that way. There are traces of counting days here too.”

“……”

He didn’t answer. I looked back at him earnestly in the dim light.

“They’re your cherished disciples. Aren’t you worried?”

“They’re doing their part well enough. They have something in common with the Marquis, so they won’t give up on returning either.”

“Then we should try something too. I know it’s reckless, but the situation is urgent. There’s a plausible possibility right under our noses, and ignoring it to look for other methods is inefficient.”

“Inefficient…”

Oops, did I misspeak? The man’s lips curled up eerily.

Demi, terrified, burrowed into my arms.

“Then how about this possibility, Marquis.”

“……”

“The two of them have already lived through that era and departed to the Main God’s side [passed away].”

“……Pardon?”

“They might have longed for their partner their whole lives, but they had quite a bit in common, so they might have lived happily ever after. This kind of countryside isn’t bad for hiding from war either. Does that sound plausible?”

“Sir Johan Haines!”

I was overwhelmed and abruptly sat up. The lesser pandas rolled around on the bed like skewered lamb.

I didn’t think you were that kind of person—

“The two of them are incredibly special and precious. They’re loved by the Main God… They might not think so themselves, but they’re loved by the world nonetheless. They’re that kind of existence to me too. I know you’re deliberately saying terrible things, and it’s the same for Sir Johan. So there’s no way they would leave us without even saying goodbye. Even if the sky splits in two, that will never happen!”

Tingle— Ack!

“Wait, the sky! The sky split in two!”

I glared and pointed at the empty air.

A realization like an electric shock brightened my mind like daylight.

The cardinal instantly curved his eyes.

“Did you come up with a more efficient idea?”

“Yes, thanks to someone! Sir Johan is a sly fox!”

I glared at him and clumsily got out of bed.

‘Hahaha.’ I heard a low chuckle, but I had no mental capacity to care.

The excited lesser pandas wagged their tails and followed closely.

Don’t forget, Jung Yeseo! Don’t forget!

-Bang!

“Prince Yeseo?”

As I hurriedly opened the door, Fabrice, awakened from his sleep, groggily sat up.

I quickly sat down in front of him and fired off a machine-gun barrage.

Perry and Leia shook the sofa legs with a thud!

“‘The Main God’s Sword,’ Duke. Those black fragments that fell from the sky! I think we should try using them this time. The sword is originally a scale that made up the world, so it will help to divide the rift. Maybe it has fewer side effects than the Seed of Growth, which is the root of the World Tree. What do you think? What if I could cross time without straining my Aether? We need to contact Honing Village right away. And His Majesty too!”

‘Ah, waking up François should be the priority!’ I raised my voice, greatly excited.

Fabrice let out a reaction that was a mix of groans and admiration.

Soon, a gentle laughter filled the living room.

Not long after, all the shadows of Mangkrans were lit up with torches.

*

The only temple in Mangkrans Village.

A full-fledged ceremony was said to begin soon. There were only two people in the cramped and dark priest’s chamber.

The Crown Prince stood silently, looking out the window. There was no moon here.

“Thank you for coming with me today, Prince Cedrick.”

“……”

Not having darkness come was making him even more tired than not having the sun rise.

But instead of showing it, the man quietly turned around.

Eyes as clear as the southern sea were looking up at him.

He felt nothing.

…It’s a little tiring, though.

“My long-held wish will come true. Thanks to you, Prince.”

“……”

The woman fluttered her glassy eyelashes and smiled. Cedrick only nodded.

He had been doing ‘as planned’ so far.

He had accompanied the priest no matter what she recommended, and he had listened to all the stories she brought up, even if he wasn’t curious.

Christel Rambouillet had been brainwashing him, saying that he was ‘perfect as long as he kept his mouth shut.’

He didn’t know what meaning this lie had, but the effect was considerable.

Mangkrans was now ready to give him everything.

The color and direction of affection felt very different, but their way of expressing it was similar to that of the Empire’s people.

He was moderately used to it, so he consistently remained unresponsive. The same was true today.

Sacred Moon Night—it was a holiday he had never heard of—almost all the residents were said to attend the ceremony.

Eta smiled, saying that she had been waiting for this day.

-Rustle.

Pale fingers carefully approached. Cedrick reflexively tensed his shoulders.

He had to be tense beforehand in order not to push or attack her.

“……Beautiful person.”

Then a cool sensation touched his cheek. Tears quickly welled up in the woman’s eyes.

The Crown Prince quietly looked down at her. In his mind, he recalled what his partner’s partner had said.

‘You don’t like being touched, I know! But what can we do since the situation is like this. In that case, try thinking that someone His Highness likes is stroking you. Like His Majesty or His Highness Aureli. It might be a little better?’

“If I could see you just once……”

“……”

“I won’t ask for more. Once from afar is enough. No conversation, no eye contact……”

‘I don’t want anything.’ She whispered precariously.

The gazes that met were blue and red. Soon, the lips of the two men and women were close enough to touch.

Eta slowly closed her eyes as she looked at the man who didn’t move at all.

-Knock, knock, knock!

Spark, the distance between the two quickly widened. Eta said in a loud voice, ‘Come in.’

Soon, the door opened and a small silhouette appeared.

Red cheeks were all wet with tears. Cedrick knew her face too.

The girl that old woman took care of.

“Yuless?”

The surprised priest lowered her body towards the child.

‘Hngh…!’ Yuless immediately hugged her neck and burst into tears.

She was panting as if she had been sobbing all along, and her voice was also very shaky.

“Eta-nim [term of respect], hic, Grandma… Grandma went to the barrier again! I told her it was dangerous, not to do it, but she left! She didn’t even hold my hand, and one of her shoes came off, hic. Hngh…!”

“Oh my. It’s okay. It’ll be okay.”

‘Shh….’ Eta stroked Yuless’s head and looked around the hallway.

It was a gesture of looking for someone to help. But she was out of luck.

It was right before the ceremony, so there was no one nearby.

Everyone seemed to be waiting for the first prayer.

Meanwhile, Cedrick closely observed the muddy shoe in the child’s hand.

It’s true. It’s his.

“When was it, Yuless? When did you separate from Anemari?”

“About… About thirty minutes, hic… She said she wouldn’t come to the ceremony, so, hic….”

“I see. Our Yuless had a hard time persuading Grandma.”

Eta hugged and comforted the child kindly.

Her gaze looking back at the Crown Prince was filled with embarrassment and trouble.

Cedrick rarely opened his mouth first.

“Speak.”

“……I’m really sorry, Prince. If it’s okay with you… Could you go to the thorny barrier outside the village? It seems Anemari went to greet a guest.”

‘I told her so many times not to go alone because it’s dangerous….’ The priest trailed off like mist.

This was an unexpected turn of events. The man’s eyebrows twitched.

“Do you trust me?”

The thorny barrier outside the village.

That was a kind of ‘door’ that Cedrick and his party had passed through when they came here.

After that, they could never visit the barrier again, nor could they find it.

No matter where they went on Charlemagne, they eventually returned to Mangkrans.

Even using Aether or Mana didn’t change the situation.

The village was like a huge and terrible maze. It was a labyrinth of demons where even celestial bodies and time were trapped and wandering.

But now you’re saying you’ll send me?

“……What’s your scheme?”

“Anemari is a precious person to all of us. That’s all, truly. This isn’t the first time this has happened.”

“Hic, hngh, hngh….”

The child hugged by the priest cried sadly. Eta hurriedly pressed her lips to the girl’s forehead.

For some reason, she had a very sad expression.

“If you bring him back, I’ll be satisfied with that. I’ll let you go freely when the ceremony is over, please……”

‘I’ll be waiting.’ She pleaded on her knees.

Cedrick frowned subtly.

*

“Hut!”

-Heeheeing!

-Clatter, clatter, clatter!

Soon after, he left the temple and was riding a horse.

Orange eyes stared ahead like the sun.

The heavy sound of hooves cut through the fog, heading towards the hill of the rotten hut.