What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 379

Sub Male Lead Goes on Strike – Episode 379

#379

Red-spotted Cat (2)

-Whoosh!

And the fire spread to the side of the basket!

“Oh no, my letter!”

The sparks flew onto the letter to His Highness Oreli. I have to send it out right away in the morning!

I hurriedly grabbed a water cup and approached, but then-

-Hiss!

“Oh, sorry. I’ll stay here. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

I flinched at the sight of the fire-attribute divine beast arching its back!

Then, it quickly straightened up and looked at me.

Our family has never had pets, and the little ladies in the company’s flower bed were quite docile stray cats.

So, I didn’t know how to deal with this situation.

But it didn’t seem like it was trying to scare me.

It felt more like ‘scared,’ ‘don’t come closer’.

Every time it silently opened its mouth, it showed clear signs of wariness.

I didn’t know what to do and rubbed my face with my hands.

First, I grabbed a pen and notepad from my gown pocket, rolled my eyes, and racked my brain.

I can’t call the guards outside.

The kid is afraid of people, so I shouldn’t stimulate its anxiety with more people than necessary. But-

-Crackle, crackle!

At this rate, the whole barracks will burn down! Fire!

“Demi, Demi! Demi!”

-Snore…

I whispered the little one’s name desperately, but the lesser panda, who had eaten his fill and soaked in a warm bath, was practically like a rice cake [a popular simile for something soft and unyielding].

That sleepyhead!

“Leia! Can you wake up? Jeong Leia!”

-Coo…

“This is a disaster. Perri! Jeong Perri!”

-Squeak…?

That’s right, our blackie is different for a reason!

“Oh my, there’s a fire over there? Shall we have Perri talk to his new friend? Let’s ask him to put out the fire.”

‘Hey? Help me out, bro.’ Then, the lesser panda lifted his sleepy eyes and looked at the feline.

The red embers were deeply reflected in his black eyes.

Soon, Perri roused his body from the bed.

That’s right, the guest you were so worried about has finally woken up!

-Grrr…

“I’m going crazy.”

It changed its position, hugged Demi’s tail, and fell asleep.

It wasn’t waking up, it was sleep-talking. I have no choice but to change my plan!

-Whoosh!

“Hey, buddy. You must have been very surprised to wake up in an unfamiliar place. Right?”

-Squeak

I felt sorry for its tail tucked tightly, ears flattened, and glaring at me with its bead-like eyes.

I tried my best to make my voice as soft as possible.

Fortunately, the fire was spreading very slowly.

It hadn’t even reached the bed, and only the side table was quietly burning like firewood.

Of course, it must be the little one’s control.

Rather than a threat to burn everything down, it seemed like a warning not to come closer.

Divine beasts naturally like humans…

If I try, there might be a positive result. Let’s believe that.

“I’m late to introduce myself. My name is Ye-seo Jeong.”

-Hiss

“I will never hurt you. No matter what. I promise.”

-Hiss

“Oh, should I stay away?”

I moved backward step by step.

I walked slowly without turning my back to it until I could grab the fluttering tent entrance.

Even after grabbing the heavy cloth, I didn’t move hastily.

The divine beast’s tail, which had been puffed up like a hot dog, was gradually calming down.

Now, I was going to ask the guard outside to bring a basin of water.

Spending time alone and calmly easing its wariness was the priority.

Then, I have to put out the fire.

If the commotion gets bigger, it might live with scars forever.

I decided not to give out the Ether right away.

Maybe it would be lured by it and dragged into an experiment.

Just, don’t startle it in any way-

-Flap!

“Hey! Are you finally crawling all the way to where you sleep!?”

“Ugh!”

Startled, I tumbled down like a tragic extra [a minor character who suffers an unfortunate fate].

‘Mommy!’ Ms. Gain, who appeared without warning, was surprised by me and bounced out.

‘Hiss!’ The feline jumped in place and let out a snake-like scream.

Sorry, really sorry!

“Marquis! Are you okay!?”

“Shh, shh… I’m sorry, but please be quiet, Christel. I’m fine.”

‘That kid is extremely afraid of people. It doesn’t seem to be wary of the troublemakers.’

As I whispered, lifting the cloth, the beautiful face across from me crumpled.

She was wearing only a gown over her white pajamas.

Even though the air was cold, she didn’t look cold at all.

The guards guarding the front of the barracks glanced at us, not knowing what to do.

I made eye contact with them and put my index finger to my lips.

I know you’re curious, but please keep the story about the divine beast a secret!

“Why, did it come in the form of a child again and cry that it’s scary?”

Christel muttered with a grimace. Huh?

“Yes? No, it’s the feline divine beast rescued from the Rock Castle. It woke up.”

“Ah. That one. Now that I think about it, that person must still be resting. Oh my, I was so alarmed because I felt fire-attribute Ether running wild.”

“That’s right. You came at the right time. Will you help me?”

I gestured inside the barracks and threw open the entrance.

Soon, Christel’s water-colored eyes widened.

-Hiss!

“Oh my, how can it be so cute? What should I do? It’s so small. The baby is so small.”

“Would you take a closer look? The side table is on fire.”

“Ew. Burning smell.”

Christel, who had been slapping my arm, was shocked.

Accepting my advice that she should lower her eye level, she crawled onto the carpet.

I also diligently advanced on my knees.

The divine beast arched its small body again and retreated. ‘Hiss!’

“It’s okay, it’s okay. I won’t hurt you.”

-…

“This older sister is water-attribute. Can’t you feel it?”

“Hello, baby. You’re so pretty.”

We lay flat and waved our hands carefully.

The little one looked down at us with round eyes, and curiously raised its tail.

Fortunately, it didn’t seem to have much aversion to the water attribute itself.

Christel and I exchanged careful glances.

“Shall we start with water droplets?”

“Yes. Please make it small.”

Splash! She immediately created a dewdrop the size of a glass bead.

I lowered my head deeply and watched the divine beast’s reaction.

The little one flinched and trembled, then carefully placed its front paw on the edge of the basket.

We held our breath and persevered.

We were careful not to even blink an eye, exaggerating a little, for fear of startling the little life.

Then, the child raised its upper body.

It seemed to be looking at us, unable to overcome its curiosity!

-Meow

“Aww, isn’t it so pretty? This is my specialty. Have you ever seen anything like this anywhere else?”

-…

“Is this your first time seeing this shape? Do you want it? I have a lot. You can play with it.”

The little one fluttered one ear, then lifted only its left foot and waved it in the air.

It seemed to want it but was too far away to reach.

Barely holding back my laughter, I looked at Christel and nodded.

As she released the Ether from her fingertips, the water-made flower floated in the air.

The speed was very slow. It was to reassure it.

Ms. Gain lowered her voice as much as possible and asked.

“Were there any injuries on its body?”

“No, it’s a divine beast. Even if it was injured, it would have recovered quickly. When I washed it, I only found medicine and blood.”

“…We have to catch them all and interrogate them. I heard that Elizabeth will be interrogating the fugitives she arrested from tomorrow. The Margrave may be in charge.”

“I find that chilling. The Holy Empire’s state religion is the Jushin Church, so how could they think of using the divine beast, the messenger of the Jushin, as an experimental subject?”

“Well, there are always fearless and unfaithful people everywhere. There are also many crazy cultists.”

‘Those bastards.’ Christel spat out terrible words through her teeth.

I only affirmed inwardly and stole a glance at the divine beast.

It was now flailing its feet to catch the water droplet that had come right in front of it.

The young eyes sparkled with curiosity. Its whiskers were also stiff, making it very cute.

I thought it might open its heart sooner than I thought.

I can wait forever, so I hope it will trust us even a little bit.

Then,

-Thump!

-Nyaa!

The basket lost its balance and overturned! I was startled and got up.

But the feline’s movements were beyond my reflexes.

Whoosh! The divine beast, making a sound like the wind, quickly jumped onto the carpet, moved like a liquid, quickly lifted the tent behind the bed, and ran out.

Flap! I stared blankly in the direction it had escaped.

It happened so fast that I didn’t have time to soothe it…

“Huh.”

“Oh dear, it must have been surprised. It’s very timid. Well, it must have been terrible to go through that.”

Swish! Christel said, putting out the fire on the side table.

I salvaged the letter that had been half-burned on the damp furniture.

Today… I have to rewrite this and go to bed. I should also tell my teacher about the fire-attribute little one.

“Are you going out to look for the cat, Marquis?”

“No. It must have hidden somewhere. In a dark place, out of sight. I want to give it enough time in a place where it can feel safe.”

I said, covering the lesser pandas with their blankets. Ms. Gain nodded.

“Good idea.”

“If it leaves like this, I will respect its wishes. I fed it enough Ether.”

“That’s a relief.”

Christel said that and smiled brightly. I was almost mesmerized by her beauty, but-

-Thud!

“Oh my. Shall we get some sleep now!”

I was completely awakened by her sprawling on my bed.

I stood stiffly in front of her, turning into a burning sweet potato [a metaphor for blushing intensely]. My face is about to explode, really.

Don’t tease me and go back to sleep!

*

A land with an unknown owner.

A wide field where thousands of yellow shrubs sit like chess pieces.

-Thud!

“Ha…”

Elise stopped, stepping on a wide rock with her military boots.

Her meticulously braided blonde hair flowed weakly to the floor.

Judith Kamingha, who was walking about ten steps ahead, turned to her and clicked his tongue.

‘Too weak.’ A low sigh followed.

But the Crown Princess had neither the strength to deny him nor the energy to respond.

She really needed rest now. This feeling was very unfamiliar.

No, maybe it was the first time in her life.

“Hah, wheeze. Hah…”

She was breathless, ‘tired.’ She felt fatigue and was truly ‘hungry.’

Unbelievably, she seemed to know what ‘cold’ was. It was an inevitable situation.

Since the day she declared that she would go to the Grand Duke’s territory, Judith had taken Elise and walked for more than six days.

He moved like a ghost, only choosing areas where the Holy Empire army was not stationed.

In the meantime, all they met were wild rabbits and low-level magical beasts.

He didn’t let her sleep, and he didn’t provide her with separate meals.

The young man tried to hunt animals by shooting fire, but the old man only said with a sharp look.

‘For the time being, consider that you have no power.’

‘Yes?’

‘The oldest weapon of the corrupt Venetian upper class is Ether. It was the main means of exploiting the people and a secret technique to evoke fear. I’m sure you know that.’

‘……’

‘Endure it. It’s not as difficult as you think.’

That was wrong. Reality was rougher than she thought.

A few days ago, Elise lit a fire for the first time using flint. It was awkward and uncomfortable.

She tried hunting by throwing a spear, but her aim was not accurate because she completely removed the Ether from her muscles.

Her canteen had been empty for a long time, so she had to bury her face in the valley water.

Occasionally, she satisfied her hunger with jerky that Judith gave her.

But that alone was not enough.

The young body of a cardinal-level paladin, who had trained all his life, could no longer move forward.

“Can’t go?”

The Grand Duke asked bluntly. Elise quickly shook her head, bending over.

“Cough, no… No. Go ahead. I’ll follow.”

“Good attitude.”

The Crown Princess raised her head sharply.

Although she had no personal connection with her relative, she knew that the old duke was stingy with praise.

But in this situation, he said something positive to me…

“We’re almost there. Once we pass here, it’s my territory.”

“What is that…”

Elise muttered blankly. She was not a fool.

Although she had spent her entire life locked in a cage, she was a person who had learned as much as she could.

For the past few days, she had constantly observed the movement and shape of the sun and moon, and counted the North Star at night.

She knew that the Grand Duke was heading north.

The land gradually became barren and the wind became increasingly sharp.

In short, this place was close to the northernmost part of the Holy Empire, ‘Crescent Moon’s Head’.

On the other hand, the Grand Duke’s territory was adjacent to the eastern coast. A place with mild temperatures and beautiful seas all year round.

A fertile region called ‘Crescent Moon’s Tail’.

Who on earth is this person…

“Where, shall we use some strength?”

The old man shrugged his shoulders and turned his back to the young man.

The Crown Princess tilted her trembling neck and looked at what was placed in front of the Grand Duke.

Then, her sapphire-colored eyes widened greatly.

Although the entrance was not visible because it was blocked by rocks, she could instinctively know.

“…Lord Jushin.”

It was a huge underground cave. Secretly leading somewhere.