What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 382

#382

Red-Spot Palm Civet (5)

-Saaaah…

We turned off all the lights in the barracks, leaving only three small magic lamps on.

The room, enchanted with warmth-preserving magic, was warm and suitably dark for sleeping.

The central fireplace crackled, adding white noise.

Each time the flames danced in the night, the pattern of the carpet beneath the blanket seemed to seep into the white tent.

-Squeak, squeak

“Tsk. Who’s being so fussy? Huh? Just because you’re cute doesn’t mean you get a free pass, you know?”

-Squeeeeak

“That’s right. Being cute gets you everything. Absolutely.”

The lesser pandas, who had been playing outside late, gathered around Christel, cleaning their paws.

Demi playfully rolled around, tugging at her wet towel.

After sleeping non-stop until the afternoon, she seemed full of energy now that it was night.

‘Kyah.’ Perry, the first to be clean, curled up at Sir Johan’s feet.

Seeing him, who was usually shy, approach so readily, I realized they had truly become close.

Leah came to me, acting spoiled.

Hugging her and patting her back, her warm back vibrated pleasantly.

“Sir Johan, are you writing letters to Herrit?”

I asked, glancing at the man’s lap. Herrit’s father smiled awkwardly.

“Yes. I have to send everything that’s been piling up at once. So, I’m planning to write about twenty letters before going to bed.”

“Twenty letters? All the letters you couldn’t send at once?”

“That’s what the Deputy Commander said. He advised me that doing so often soothes the heart of one’s betrothed.”

“Wow…”

I respected Lady Elisabeth for trying to alleviate Ganael’s worries (especially considering how busy she was!), but at the same time, I was surprised and delighted by what I had just heard.

As I burst into laughter, Sir Johan tilted his head, his face showing he didn’t understand my reaction.

“You’ve made many friends while you were away.”

“…I wonder.”

“It’s not ‘I wonder,’ it’s true. Even François has something in common with Sir Johan thanks to Herrit. And there’s Christel and His Highness too. Earlier, I saw His Majesty even sharing his wine with you.”

He turned a blind eye to Sir Johan taking some, but still.

Come to think of it, he didn’t seem as anxious about Herrit as often.

He might be hiding it, but more likely, he trusted Aureli and his friends.

“……”

The man, unable to find a suitable answer, closed his mouth.

At his bedside lay several letters sent by his young son.

I didn’t push him further and chuckled.

I had eaten a full and delicious meal after a long time, so digestion was slow.

Looking back at Christel, she had Demi lying on her lap and was taking out a pen and paper with a determined look.

“I’m going to write more to my mother and Ellen too. I’ll finish thirty letters before sunrise.”

-Squeak!

Oh, I suddenly felt a sense of crisis.

“Then I’ll write additional letters to my mentor and friends in the Imperial City.”

“Yes. If anyone falls behind here, we might get scolded for life.”

Gain spoke with terrifying persuasiveness.

So, for the next few hours, we all focused on writing letters with great care.

We even asked each other what stories we were writing to get ideas.

After writing for so long, my hand hurt and I felt tired.

The paladin Christel and Sir Johan seemed perfectly fine, which I envied…

-Kieu?

“Shh, shh.”

Hugging Leah, I occasionally glanced at the Crown Prince.

The feline divine beast by the bedside was sprawled out like a warm *yakgwa* [Korean honey cookie].

Its back was yellow, and its belly was white, making it look adorable.

The pink and mauve paws were also incredibly charming.

It was now sound asleep, without even a breath.

It no longer melted the scabbard or set the tent on fire.

The Sacred Sword was warm, the Crown Prince’s body was warm, and above all, it seemed comfortable with the same fire-attribute aether nearby.

Just like Tete particularly liked Christel.

“Doria followed me around all day today.”

Christel whispered. I stopped admiring the divine beast and met her gaze.

Our protagonist, who had already dashed off ten letters, had sparkling eyes even though it was past midnight.

Doria was her steed, a gentle mare born in Lady Elisabeth’s hometown who had followed us dutifully throughout this commotion.

“She would pick up anything I dropped and kept nudging my side with her nose. She endured well even when we fought in the South. It was such a harrowing experience, so I understand. I’m going to keep taking her for walks and playing with her for a while.”

“You’re right to think so. She [Doria] must still be worried about you.”

“Yes. Doria is mature, after all. Charlemagne is fine, right?”

“He doesn’t have many emotional ups and downs, just like someone else I know.”

I chuckled softly as I replied. Christel giggled, pushing back her falling hair.

Scratch, scratch—the sound of pen nibs moving filled the room once more.

When Perry fell asleep with his belly exposed, Sir Johan quietly covered him with a blanket.

They’re definitely friends.

“…Marquis, you know.”

“Yes, Christel.”

-Rustle, rustle…

“You said you have an older brother and a younger sister. There’s a big age difference, and you all live together.”

“That’s right.”

“Don’t you miss your family?”

“……”

‘But Laurence’s cooking is the best.’ I stopped writing there, my pen hovering.

I felt a strange heat rising beneath my eyes.

If I suddenly started crying here, I would be truly embarrassed.

Without looking at her, I quickly parted my lips.

“I miss them. I’m worried about them too. The year I spent here was just one night at home, and I don’t know what the principle behind that was. I can only hope it wasn’t just luck. I hope they’re all just sleeping warmly. It’s still chilly there in March.”

My speaking speed gradually increased. I felt embarrassed for rambling on about nothing.

I forced a smile and scratched the end of the paper.

Black ink spread endlessly like rain. Leah, in my arms, tilted her head and hugged me.

It’s okay, thank you.

“……How old is your brother? How old is your sister?”

“My brother is thirty-two. He’s three years older than me. Eunseo turned twenty this year.”

“Oh, they must both be busy.”

“Yes. My brother works without weekends, and my sister just entered university, so she’s always at orientation parties and gatherings… She says she hates it, but she still goes. She’s had many friends since she was young. She listens to her older brothers well too.”

“I knew it, but you’re very close to your family.”

A sigh-like answer came to that remark.

“……Yes.”

Sir Johan was as quiet as if he weren’t there. Gain continued to speak.

It was a small, weak whisper like a bubble.

“And yet, you came to see us?”

I turned my gaze as if possessed.

She had her head resting on her knees, looking at me with a kind face.

Warm embers flickered in her watery eyes. There was no reason to lie.

“……That’s right.”

“Wow. How touching.”

Christel smiled as brightly as a star and punched my arm with her fist.

As always, it didn’t hurt at all. For some reason, that made me laugh.

I had never regretted coming back, but today, I truly felt that I had done the right thing.

My friends were already hurt… But I was fortunate to have the opportunity to heal them together. Truly.

“Hmph.”

Oh no, my nose is tingling! I quickly pretended to be comforting Leah without context.

‘Kieung!’ The plump lesser panda opened its mouth, delighted by the outpouring of affection.

It pressed its cheeks against mine with its paws and tickled my neck with its tail.

As I stroked its bulging belly, Christel changed the subject in a light tone.

“I’ll tell you my story as a thank you. Actually, I have a very special ability. Sir Johan probably doesn’t even know about it.”

Huh?

“My eyes can see what others can’t.”

“That’s definitely the first time I’ve heard that.”

Sir Johan smiled as if intrigued. I blinked, wondering what she meant.

There was no such setting in .