What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 407

#407

Lionheart Summit (1)

-Kwa kwa kwa kwa…!

‘Haaaagh!’

Blinding light erupted from the paladin, flattening every dry blade of grass in the field, tearing through the arid earth, and throwing hundreds of soldiers off their feet with the aftershock.

It was because the holy spear in her hand was ceaselessly scattering dazzling rays of light.

It was also because her long, braided golden hair perfectly reflected the touch of the sun.

Without any warning, Elysee Venetian appeared in the middle of the battlefield, wearing neither armor nor even the attire of royalty.

The clothes, stained with dirt and grime, were clearly not hers and were very old.

Her worn leather boots had holes, and her knees and knuckles were covered in small wounds and scabs.

Yet, no one could fail to recognize her.

The horrified Divine Nation army stood frozen, revering the young woman like a god.

The faces of the commanders were a mix of shock and elation.

The Crown Princess and the Emperor. A confrontation no one had anticipated.

The young woman’s first words were:

‘…I wish to negotiate, Your Majesty.’

The Emperor on the saddle lightly swung Durendal [his legendary sword] once to dispel the aura.

Then, he scrutinized the young woman who stood before him.

‘Pururung.’ The noble steed Sylvestre shook its mane, calming its excitement.

The red and blue eyes sharply burned into the air.

‘I am also pleased to see you, Crown Princess. However, I thought negotiations had already broken down.’

‘I have heard that the Emperor of the Empire does not revel in unnecessary bloodshed and does not cleanse the sins of the powerful with the blood of the powerless.’

‘….’

Her voice was firmer than the last time he had heard it.

Even then, he had been impressed by her resolve, but this time, the density felt in her demeanor was different.

It had only been a year and a few months, but the young woman gave a greatly changed impression.

Frederick quietly pondered.

Has the death of your innocent sibling finally changed you? Or has there been another lesson in your young life?

Soon, the middle-aged man’s eyes gleamed.

‘The Crown Princess is only half right. I do not hesitate to kill those who disgrace the honor of Liester, nor do I hesitate to comfort the people with their blood. Does the sun dare to retreat from a land once defiled by the loss of a moon?’

‘…I do not wish to discuss retreat or armistice. I am well aware that it is premature at this point when nothing has been resolved. I wish to discuss what Your Majesty seeks to gain from this war.’

Elysee replied without backing down.

Her porcelain-white cheeks were stained with scratches and tear marks.

The golden spear she gripped trembled with desperation and tension.

The Emperor quietly raised his head and gazed at the army behind her.

Tens of thousands, and behind them, hundreds of thousands of soldiers ready to stand against the Empire.

How many of them were truly loyal to the Crown Princess?

Faith and loyalty are fundamentally different concepts.

‘It seems the Crown Princess of the Divine Nation has something to offer the Emperor of the Empire.’

‘I am confident it is worth considering.’

‘Hmph.’

A guarantee from a direct royal. The Emperor chuckled lowly and turned back.

In the distance, Caroline and Cecile Blancr, watching from the west of the plains, were visible.

Hanan Rumayan, in Isabel’s body, was positioned in the center of the formation.

In an instant, dozens of scenarios flashed through the middle-aged man’s mind.

Minimizing the loss of life on the battlefield was a basic strategy, common sense, and a fervent prayer for a ruler.

Once again, a serious gaze settled on the Crown Princess.

‘…I will give you one day.’

Elysee’s eyes widened.

She probably hadn’t imagined that her words would be accepted so readily.

The middle-aged man coldly calculated.

‘Of course, the day I mean is not a period for preparation. A productive conclusion must be reached before this time tomorrow. Also, I will not attend the negotiations. My two representatives will listen to your proposal and respond.’

‘….’

It was a statement that could feel very humiliating. But it was a natural reaction for the Emperor.

Frederick adjusted the reins and lightly asked.

‘Is this too much for the heir to the throne of a nation?’

Then, the young woman resolutely raised her head.

He saw blue eyes hardened by countless hammer blows and tempering.

‘No. This will also be a decision for the safety and future of the Divine Nation.’

A not bad answer came back.

The Emperor tilted his chin and gestured towards Liester.

From then on, everything was swift.

“Here, put one more stake in! The wind is strong.”

“Yes! Coming!”

In the center of the plain, temporary camps for both nations were hastily erected.

Even though they were the same white, there were subtle differences in color, and tents with similar interior structures had different appearances.

Commanders and soldiers hurriedly carried documents and stakes they had hastily gathered onto carts.

Frederick turned his horse around and returned to his soldiers.

The Imperial army was somewhat disorganized by the sudden change in the situation, but on the other hand, they were adapting quickly.

It was exactly as expected.

“Your Majesty! News from the military camp. His Highness the Crown Prince…!”

“What is it?”

“Well, His Highness the Crown Prince and Lord Rambouillet are sparring with the Grand Preceptor [a high-ranking teacher or advisor], and the training ground has already been half destroyed, and eighty nearby personnel have been evacuated. It seems that Princess Juliette has intervened…”

“He’s shaken it off and gotten back up. He’s in his prime, so let him roll around. Just make sure he doesn’t come out of the training ground.”

“Yes!”

As if that was anything special. The Grand Preceptor is an experienced man, so he must have a reason for doing so.

It wouldn’t be bad to show the commanders training bravely.

“What happened to the urgent message sent to the Imperial Palace?”

“I ordered it to go through all available wartime portals. There has been no particular reply, so I expect it will arrive safely by tomorrow.”

“My consort will move personally. Tell the desert to prepare escorts in advance.”

“I will obey.”

The knight bowed respectfully and hurried off somewhere.

Frederick looked down at his treasured sword Durendal for a moment, then shook his head and left to attend to state affairs.

The sword was resheathed, and the aura was stronger than ever.

But it was still best not to have to use it. The Crown Princess was lucky today.

So were the soldiers of the Divine Nation who had come all the way here without knowing anything.

‘….’

-Thud, thud, thud

Tomorrow is uncertain.

*

At that moment, the Venetian military camp was completely turned upside down, from the roof to the floor.

“Waaaaaah!”

“Oh my god…! Oh my, oh my!”

“Move aside. Hey, just move aside for a second! I can’t see!”

“Ah, stop pushing! My shoulder is collapsing!”

“No way! It’s really Her Highness the Crown Princess…!”

The army, packed as dense as clouds, was virtually impossible to control.

In every way, it was a great thing to celebrate.

It was the event of the Crown Princess and the Grand Duke, who had been believed to be dead, returning alive.

Before being soldiers, they were citizens, and they wept and rejoiced, embracing each other.

Among those cheering and waving their fists, there were also those who, relieved, struck the ground and wept.

It might have been different if it were other members of the upper class.

But Elysee was a beloved royal wherever she went.

Grand Duke Judith Camingha was also mysterious, but everyone who served the elderly respected and admired her.

The young woman supported the limping Judith and walked silently. The injury was, of course, an act.

“Long live the Crown Princess!”

“Long live the Grand Duke!”

“They came back for us! They suffered such hardships for us…”

“Welcome back, Your Highness!”

“Long live Elysee! Long live! Long live!”

The crowd, surging like seawater around the two women, stepped back each time they took a step, creating a path.

Elysee smiled faintly and examined them.

Whether they had become thinner, what the condition of their lips, hair, and skin was like.

What the wounded soldiers looked like.

When she was in her right mind, her mother often told her such stories.

‘Meet your people often, my precious daughter. Once you become queen, it will be difficult to leave the castle.’

‘Their clothing, food, and shelter will all be evident on their faces.’

“Yaaaaaaah…!”

“We’re going to win now. We’re definitely going to win!”

“Venetian! Venetian! Venetian!”

The cheers were almost like a coronation. It was then.

“Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

A voice calmer and gentler than anyone else’s pierced her eardrums. The cheers faded away as if they were a lie.

For a moment, she felt as if she had fallen into a bottomless pit.

But Elysee miraculously managed to control her expression.

Following Judith’s teachings, she relaxed her entire body and tried to empty her head.

She tried not to become more angry by thinking of anger.

Before her stood her true enemy.

“How much hardship have you endured to return alive like this? I thank the Lord for your safe return. Welcome back.”

Duchess Wilhelmina Sneider bowed deeply.

Her ordinary face was overflowing with joy and emotion that anyone could sympathize with.

Her wrinkled eyes were moist. It was an expression in which one could not find any hypocrisy.

The nobles who followed behind her lowered their bodies together like vassals.

It was an extremely lavish greeting.

‘…Thank you. I am also happy to be back.’

Ten years ago, no—even two years ago, Elysee would not have doubted their sincerity.

The schemes of those who fought alongside her, bled with her, and advised her on military matters more sincerely than anyone else.

The warmth of those who laughed and chatted, sharing celebratory drinks.

She would not have dared to doubt it. But now she knows.

“Your Highness, you have lost weight. It breaks my heart to see that you have lived a hard life for two months.”

“It’s okay, don’t worry.”

They are all in cahoots. They are doing terrible things as one.

“How did the Grand Duke get hurt? I will immediately guide you to the healing priest. Come this way, Your Highness.”

“Ah, that’s enough. I will be treated by my subordinates. I don’t need Aether [magical healing].”

The old woman cut off the last words in a tired voice.

It was a reaction that would be difficult for ordinary people to understand, but Judith was usually known as an eccentric and engaged in unusual behavior that was not like a paladin.

The knights could not say more and stepped back hesitantly.

Soon, those who appeared to be the Grand Duke’s subordinates hurriedly pushed through the crowd and received her.

‘Your Highness!’ Seeing their tear-stained faces, Elysee’s heart ached.

The old woman had not even informed them of her survival. For perfect concealment.

“Aaaaaah…!”

“Your Highness the Crown Princess, please allow me to escort you to the camp. Healing priests are waiting.”

Breaking through the soldiers’ shouts, Duchess Sneider said kindly.

Elysee nodded slowly.

Soon, the two walked towards the depths of the military camp.

As if this was a signal, the nobles who had been decorating the Duchess’s rear disappeared one by one somewhere.

The cheers of the soldiers became more and more distant as the walk grew longer.

-Step, step, step…

“How have you been? Did you entrust your body to the home of a commoner?”

“Yes. A terrible fog caused hallucinations, and I wandered lost for a long time.”

“Oh dear….”

“The Grand Duke helped me find my way. She is an experienced elder.”

Elysee said that and looked back at Wilhelmina.

The eyes of the two people collided straight on.

“With her guidance, I reached a village and healed serious wounds.”

‘….’

“However, the way back was long. Perhaps it was because of the long years of wandering.”

“Still, I am overjoyed that you have returned.”

The Duchess smiled as kindly as if she had drawn it.

Elysee struggled not to grip the spear too tightly.

“At this moment full of blessings, I am sorry to say, but I heard that Your Highness proposed negotiations to the Emperor of the Empire.”

That’s right. This was the main point. The Crown Princess nodded as if it was nothing.

“How dare I raise any objection to the decision made by the Crown Princess, who is the acting monarch? However, isn’t this something that requires discussion with those who follow?”

“I learned a lot while surviving in the wild for two months.”

The young woman replied without delay. It was a tone that was neither too sharp nor too stiff.

Wilhelmina quietly looked back at her.

“I must not hesitate to save my people.”

‘….’

“The same goes for the people. If there is an opportunity, saving them should come first.”

“But we cannot turn back time. The war that has broken out must be brought to an end, and the negotiations that have broken down are meaningless. Don’t the Empire’s conditions and the Divine Nation’s position conflict?”

“This time it will be different.”

The Crown Princess stopped walking, cutting off the end of her words firmly. The Duchess stood right behind her.

Two pairs of sapphires, clearer and colder than ever, were looking into her.

“I would like you to be present.”

‘…Me?’

“I also intend to go to the negotiation table.”

With those words, Elysee strode towards her camp.

Wilhelmina watched her back for a long time.

The shadows were quickly falling on her once kind eyes.

‘….’

The Crown Princess has changed.

But still, she couldn’t tell what had changed or how.

*

The next day, at dawn.

“Wow… I’m going to die….”

No, seriously. Not a lie.

‘The next day’, ‘at dawn’.

“Really, just 5 minutes, please. Ah… Don’t push me….”

Gaine, lying on the corner of the training ground, curled up like a pill bug at Sir Johan’s light teasing.

The Cardinal chuckled and limped towards me.

His hair was still miraculously tied up, but it was almost disheveled.

The protagonist’s bite marks were clearly left on his cheek.

The floor was all charcoal and water, ashes and icicles. All the trees around the training ground were covered in dirt.

It was the result of the four of us fighting all night without eating.

“Marquis.”

“Crazy….”

I sighed deeply and rolled to the side.

I had to move somehow to avoid being caught by Sir Johan (so he is in a kind of ‘it’ position).

But even that was too hard and tiring.

The lesser panda trio, sleeping soundly in the lunch basket, were visible.

Demi had eaten all the fruit for our share, so her black belly was plump. I’m jealous….

“It seems that I have won.”

“Oh, why….”

Why is that person walking alone? Is that even possible?

Actually, I know the reason well, but still!

“I still don’t give up…!”

I said, struggling to crawl.

Lofi was watching me with eyes that looked at the most pathetic creature in the world. I’m good at acting, right?

“It was a fun fight. I think it’s good as training. Actually, it’s the first time I’ve ever competed so disgracefully….”

-Thwack!

Suddenly, a giant Crown Prince flew in!

I couldn’t even make a sound and fell down in surprise.

Cedric, who had covered Sir Johan with his whole body, was suffocating after failing miserably to burn his teacher’s pants whole.

I admired him only in my heart. You’re really going to be something big….

“Amazing, very amazing!”

‘Whee!’ From outside the training ground, a shiny lightning rascal was sending applause and whistles from dawn.

Ha. I don’t even have the strength to react….