What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 408

The Lion Conference (2)

Over and over! Back and forth! Tumbling around!

“Kuh… Let go.”

“Since Your Highness still shows no sign of surrendering, I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

The two men rolled around on the dirt floor, grappling with each other.

Ebony black hair and milk-white hair scattered before my eyes in turns.

Lying flat on my back, I quietly caught my breath and thought.

This is a real dogfight. We can do this if we really put our minds to it…

-Nyaaaargh!

“Uh, ahem. Still not giving up. We, ow. We’re going to win.”

I shakily raised my upper body at Lopi’s urging.

The Divine Beast leisurely licked its jelly and began to wash its face.

My neck was stiff and my back ached, but there was still something I could do.

I had to prove to Sir Johan that the three of us could stay together.

I had to show them that we could win, no matter what it took.

In the meantime, the Cardinal stirred up a short, sharp wind. Whoosh!

-Swish!

“Kugh!”

The Crown Prince, weakened by the sand in his eyes, gave Sir Johan an opening, and he shot up using only the strength of his abs and lower body.

In truth, he was also very tired.

Having to fight in a limited space with limited power—after all, he couldn’t hurt the people outside the training grounds—and with his two disciples constantly using petty and underhanded methods, controlling his Ether [magical energy] must have been twice as difficult as usual.

The Cardinal could go days without sleep and still be fine, but that was, of course, based on his ‘normal’ condition.

If he kept consuming his inner power like that, I guarantee even our teacher would have a hard time.

Besides, Gain and the Crown Prince had me.

It was impossible to block the Cardinal’s attacks with the Archbishop’s holy ground, but I supplemented their Ether whenever I had the chance and opened healing circles to relieve their fatigue.

It’s a shame it didn’t even last 10 seconds, but the difference between having it and not having it was clear.

I had also grown stronger in the meantime, so Ether depletion didn’t come easily.

“Ugh, I’m going to die. I’m hungry.”

The only problem was that I was physically exhausted…

“Iyaaaak!”

Just then, Gain, her bangs flying, ran up and jumped on Sir Johan’s back!

I’d seen a lot of amazing poses all night, but that was a first. I was so dumbfounded that I let out a hollow laugh.

The man leaned forward for a moment, then smirked and snapped his back, throwing his disciple off.

In one smooth motion, Gain flipped over once and then wrapped her whip around his leg, pulling him. Swirl, crack!

Normally, Sir Johan would have been dragged away, but as expected, he had anticipated this attack and had incredible resistance.

The stubborn disciple began to freeze the whip with a crackling sound—

-Whoosh!

Sir Johan released his strength and let himself be dragged away on purpose!

He flew through the air and kicked out with both legs, and Gain, who had been hit, grabbed both legs with an expression that said, ‘Oh yeah, you’re in trouble now!’

This time, the two of them rolled around in the snow, grappling fiercely.

Lest there be any misunderstanding, they weren’t fighting like that the whole time, of course.

They showed a lot of really cool techniques in between. No lie, it was

“I’m going to bite you! I’m going to eat both your legs! I’m never going to lose!”

“How scary.”

That’s how it turned out. Yeah. Sir Johan was no pushover either.

“Your Highness. Your Highness.”

Are you asleep? I shook Cedric, the Crown Prince, who had collapsed haphazardly in the muddy puddle.

As soon as I made contact and poured Ether into him, a pair of orange eyes slowly opened.

I whispered in a solemn voice.

“Get up. Kristel can only stall for a few minutes at best. We have one last really dirty trick left.”

Then his eyes narrowed.

“…I should reconsider entrusting you with state affairs, ugh.”

“You shouldn’t entrust them to me in the first place.”

I pointed out immediately and then helped him up.

Because our silent strategy was still in effect, we used silent eye gestures, nose gestures, and hand gestures to explain the plan.

Honestly, it wasn’t much of a plan, but it was the best way to end the fight.

Meanwhile, Gain was over there, screaming all sorts of bizarre things to keep the teacher in check (“Tteuahak! Ah! I’m telling Mom everything!” “Madame Rambouillet trusts me quite a bit, though.”).

Rea, awakened from her sleep, looked around with her tail raised. Sorry, was it noisy while you were sleeping…

“Concentrate, it’ll be over in a moment.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Even in the midst of all this, the Crown Prince, who had understood the signal at once (a great improvement in just one day), leaned on his Hyegeom [sacred sword] and staggered to his feet.

Looking at this, it seems like they’re badly hurt, but in fact, none of my friends had any bone problems.

It’s just that their muscles are aching and they’re bruised all over. They must be terribly tired too.

-Whirr!

Soon, the Crown Prince, with flames wrapped around his sacred artifact, took a leaping stance.

I rose, holding my scepter, and gathered my focus for the last time.

Uncontrolled flames fluttered from the man’s shoulders and knees. Sizzle. His boots pushed through the muddy earth.

This is really the end.

-Kwaaang!

The moment he shot out,

“Kristel! ‘Jungle gym’!”

I shouted loudly to get Gain’s attention.

At the same time, Sir Johan, who was being strangled by her, quickly reached out to the Crown Prince.

Ssaeeeeng! A typhoon-like wind rushed in instantly. It was as expected.

I planted the end of my scepter in the ground and desperately held on, protecting the Lesser Panda basket and Lopi.

Gain, who immediately understood what I meant, slapped the back of her teacher’s hand and carved ice in the air. Crack, crack!

The water pooled in the dirt and the moisture in the air instantly froze, and a jungle gym that looked like a giant honeycomb or nest grew out jaggedly. Thud!

The Crown Prince traversed the jungle gym as naturally as if he were riding an escalator.

Even though the wind speed was tremendous, the structure of the jungle gym, a masterpiece, was so sturdy that it didn’t shake.

It’s easy to get blown away if you make stepping stones in the air. But if you create a cloud ladder in this form, both defense and approach are possible.

In the meantime, the man lowered his heat as much as possible to prevent the ice from melting.

Thaat! Finally, as he reached the top of the jungle gym and jumped off, aiming his Hyegeom—

“Heut!”

-Kwaaaang!

Clang, clang, clang! With a tremendous shockwave, the jungle gym and everything else shattered.

It was the result of Sir Johan gathering all the Ether in his body and detonating it at once.

Gain’s pink hair floated slowly in the air, and the Crown Prince was thrown back without even being able to resist.

I gritted my teeth and gripped my scepter.

Swish, swish! Sharp ice shards tore past, ripping my clothes. But it was okay.

This must be the Cardinal’s last attack.

‘Get up. We have one last really dirty trick left.’

Because I made him ‘hear’ it.

Because I made him think that was the final blow.

-Papat!

Taking advantage of the two men’s and women’s mid-air gap, Sir Johan cleared a path and charged at me.

No, to be exact, he ‘flew.’ Everything happened in the blink of an eye.

He’s going to grab me and end this grueling game of tag.

Sorry, but I can’t let that happen!

-Ssaeeeek!

-Paaaat!

I immediately opened the largest circle I could deploy.

I was taught that holy grounds and sanctuaries are not to be shown off at any time, but I was just using them whenever I had the chance.

Kwaaang! Sir Johan immediately broke through the barrier and invaded!

[Herit!]!

I called out the name of my precious child with all my might.

At the same time, I slammed my staff down in the center of the holy ground—

-Kuuung!

-Swaaaaa!

The golden pattern that soared up like a fountain created the image of the boy we loved.

Sir Johan, greatly embarrassed for a moment, faltered.

The speed dropped, and the posture was so shaky that even I could see it.

Sometimes, people know it’s fake but are still inevitably deceived.

They know it can’t be, but there are moments when they feel a pang.

For the Cardinal, it was his young son.

Our Gain and Crown Prince did not miss the opportunity. ‘Heuaaaap!’

-Jjeong! Crack!

The man’s leg was finally frozen to the ground, and with a brutal sound, the hilt of the Hyegeom struck his nape.

Taking advantage of the gap as Sir Johan’s figure collapsed, I gathered all my remaining strength and sprinted.

And with a thud! I aimed the end of my scepter at his Adam’s apple.

Before the Cardinal could launch another powerful resistance.

My breath caught in my throat and my legs trembled.

“We won, Sir Johan. Cough!”

“Haa, hahaha…”

“Do you admit defeat?”

I asked, gasping for breath. The hands gripping the staff were white and trembling.

The man burst into a hearty laugh and looked up at us in turn.

Please, please, let’s stop here!

“I never thought you’d create Herit. To use that child…”

“I’m really sorry about that. Cough! I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I thought I should use the most powerful method at once since there weren’t many opportunities…”

“No, you did well. I mean it.”

He grabbed my scepter and pressed the end of it against the base of his throat, a satisfied smile on his face.

There was no hint of regret or disappointment.

Beside me, a plausible Ether illusion was still flickering.

It was no longer an easy shape to make, like Titena or a dolphin.

The child was only golden in color, but every part of him looked exactly like Herit.

I had also practiced a lot in the meantime.

It was a distraction technique using spare Ether that still didn’t have a proper name.

“I knew you were people who would do it if you said you would. But you have nowhere to relieve your fears, and for that reason, you keep holding back… Maybe today will be a good opportunity. It was a pleasure.”

“Quickly, so did we win? I’m about to pass out…”

“Yes. You beat me.”

“Euaaahaa!”

Gain and I flopped down next to Sir Johan.

The magic tool whip flew far away, and I dropped my scepter with a clang.

The Ether illusion leaned its head against Sir Johan’s chest and disappeared into golden dust.

The Crown Prince frowned as he looked down at us, and eventually collapsed with us.

The crowns of the four people gathered together and emitted hot steam.

The Lesser Pandas, who had woken up late, ran over from the other side, whimpering.

I could tell they were excited just by the sound, and I laughed. Hahahaha.

“Ah, I’m so tired, but I can’t sleep…”

Gain said, groaning. You can’t think about sleeping here.

“It’s because the excitement of the fight hasn’t worn off yet. Take a deep breath slowly. One, two, three, four, inhale…”

“I’m hungry.”

Sir Johan’s counting sounded like a lullaby.

I blinked, stroking my hungry stomach.

I wanted to go back to the barracks, wash up, eat, and sleep, but on the other hand, it wasn’t the time for that.

I clearly heard that the plains battle had been canceled… Didn’t someone tell me that…

“Living the good life. Is it all over?”

Oh my gosh! I widened my eyes and looked up.

Under the sky where the morning sun had already risen, a man with pinkish-blonde hair hanging down was smiling.

My surprised heart pounded again.

“I had a very interesting time watching, too. I knew the Princess was a tough cookie, but she’s more than I thought.”

“…”

“Training and sparring are all well and good, but His Majesty the Emperor has ordered you four to take responsibility for cleaning up the training grounds in this shape. All the necessary equipment has been brought in, so feel free to use it. I’ve definitely told you? Sixth cousin.”

He said with a very sarcastic expression and turned away.

The back view of him walking while tossing and catching his staff looked very delinquent.

We were silently aiming at him—

“I brought you food.”

“Ah!”

Oh my gosh again! This time, Bakari appeared suddenly from the opposite sky.

He frowned at me, who was startled, and held up a basket that smelled savory and sweet. Wow!

“Eat and wash up first. Or maybe the opposite would be better. The clothes you can change into have been brought to the barracks right next door. If you need anything else, ask the staff there.”

And he said very kindly.

I was grateful that he had taken care of me even in the midst of his busy schedule, and a broad smile spread across my face.

The Crown Prince asked the teenager.

“A little while ago. What did you mean that the battle was postponed?”

“…Princess Elysee Venetian of the Holy Kingdom has miraculously returned alive and immediately requested negotiations with His Majesty. His Majesty has accepted this.”

“Negotiations?”

Gain and I asked. The Crown Prince, lying next to me, also twitched his arm muscles.

That fell through. Isn’t that why the war started in the first place?

“Yes. It was a sudden proposal in many ways, but His Majesty seems to have judged that there was room for consideration. Count Karolin Mute and Duke Cecil Blancard have gone to the negotiating table as his representatives. There has been no further special news yet.”

“I hope it works out well. I really do.”

“…I agree.”

The prophet gave a sighing answer to my words.

As he left the basket covered with a white cloth and disappeared, only the four of us and the Divine Beasts remained again.

For a while, only the sounds of breathing and coughing flowed between us.

Demi pressed my cheek with her muddy feet. She looked very happy. ‘Squeak, squeak, squeak.’

“Then, shall we… shall we have a conversation?”

After a long time, I carefully opened my mouth. Gain and the Crown Prince turned to me at the same time.

Sir Johan’s gaze reached me the slowest.

“There have been too many things happening since we met again. If we clean up here while sorting out our thoughts, and share our plans for the future at the same time… wouldn’t that be nice?”

I was no longer alone.

My friends knew exactly who I was, and yet they were accepting me.

So wouldn’t it be okay to be together?

The work of secretly taking notes in my notebook might gradually decrease.

“I’m in favor. I definitely like it.”

Then came the answer from my favorite star.

I smiled brightly as I faced her.