What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 416

Lost Piece (5)

Around the same time, in the heart of the neutral zone desert.

-Clatter, clatter…

“Whoa, whoa.”

‘Heeheeing.’ A luxurious imperial carriage procession slowed on the sand.

The horses were draped in expensive crimson cloth.

The military horses escorting the procession wore gleaming armor.

The Imperial Guard stared ahead, stern.

Desert dwellers, spotting their gleaming weapons and armor, stirred and rushed towards them.

The front of the temple bustled with activity.

Most were laborers repairing the destroyed building and their assistants.

Priests hurried about.

“Step aside! His Eminence the Cardinal is arriving!”

“Oh, my goodness!”

“The Cardinal of the Liester Empire has arrived!”

Numerous gazes turned towards the resounding voice.

Soon, the carriage stopped, and the outside became noisy.

Orelly Boutier quietly observed.

Seeing the temple pillars broken and snapped like tree branches, the memory of losing her only disciple returned, stirring her heart.

It had been a long time since she had visited the Temple of the Boundary.

Come to think of it, she hadn’t been here since making a sacred pact with Frederick and creating the Holy Staff.

Soldiers from the Papal States, having heard the news, lined up neatly in front of the carriage. ‘Clack, clack, clack!’

“Wow…”

“It’s not your first time in the desert, is it, Herrit?”

The boy’s exclamation and Ganael’s kind voice followed.

Orelly smiled faintly, watching Herrit nod.

There was a time when she cleverly used the Papal States’ personnel system to save that child.

There were days when the sick and hungry little one crossed the continent to survive.

That too was thanks to Yeseo, though she would never think so.

-Beep beep?

“Yes, Dduk-ssim. We’re here. This is the Temple of the Boundary. It was much more magnificent than this, but you were asleep the whole time, so you didn’t see it.”

-Awoo woong

“Tite, are you awake now?”

Sant smiled brightly, soothing the divine beast he held in a blanket.

Before getting out of the carriage, Orelly carefully checked the children’s condition.

She brought Ganael for the sake of Areumharte, Yeseo’s beloved horse, and because she needed help.

She had earnestly instructed Chief Secretary Laura and Natalie to assist the Crown Prince without fail.

Sant was a priest who once belonged to the Papal States, so she brought him along as he might be helpful.

However, Herrit was an exception.

From the moment it became clear that Orelly was leaving the Imperial Palace, the child insisted on coming with her.

No matter how much she tried to dissuade him, it was no use.

‘Herrit, it could be very dangerous there. We want you to be safe and happy in a warm place.’

‘Uhh uhh.’

‘You don’t want to? Eva and Joan are here, don’t you like it?’

‘Uh uh.’

The boy just shook his head, absolutely refusing.

Perhaps he inherited his father’s temperament; once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.

He seemed to waver at Eva’s persuasion, but when that child left the palace first due to her schedule, the snowflake quickly hardened like a stone.

‘If you fall and get even a scratch, your father will hate us very much.’ Even whispering while tapping his little nose had no effect.

Herrit carefully wrote finger letters on Orelly’s palm.

‘I won’t fall anymore because Dduk-ssim is here.’ ‘I will protect Your Highness.’

There was no way to win against such words.

In the end, Orelly ordered Natalie to pack Herrit’s luggage as well.

It was fortunate that it wasn’t a combat zone; if there had been a fight in the desert, she would have left the little one behind even if it meant making him cry.

-Knock knock

“Your Highness, I will open the door,” Erber’s deep voice was heard from outside. ‘Click.’ Then, the dry desert air rushed in.

Orelly stepped onto the sand for the first time in a long time, escorted by the captain of the guard.

Following her, the children carefully got out of the carriage. ‘Whoosh….’

-Thud

“That tent village is being used as a refuge for nearby residents who have lost their homes. The Liester military camp is the white barracks area just behind us. The main force has moved to the front lines, so the number of personnel has been greatly reduced.”

“I see.”

The man calmly reported. The Cardinal smiled and looked around.

The neutral zone in autumn was subtly bleak.

Even though the sun high in the sky poured out intense light, there was no sweltering heat or stuffiness.

A fairly large marketplace had formed near the temple.

The endless tent village stretching towards the horizon came into view.

“······.”

If the war hadn’t broken out, these people wouldn’t have had to live like that.

Fortunately, the Imperial Army was taking good care of them; the faces that prostrated themselves at the Cardinal’s visit were not emaciated, but…

“W-Welcome, Your Eminence the Cardinal.”

“Welcome to the neutral zone, Your Eminence!”

“…Thank you.”

She didn’t feel comfortable. It was best to end the war completely.

“Ah…”

“Yeah, it would have been fine when Herrit last came… It’s a shame.”

“It’s a little scary, isn’t it?”

Orelly quietly turned to look at the children.

Sant and Ganael were flustered, looking at the head of the statue that had rolled down to the bottom of the stairs.

The overly vividly carved marble looked like a pale corpse at first glance.

Herrit, thoroughly frightened, hid behind the two older brothers.

A wren flew and sat on Erber’s head, and Tite finally burst into tears.

The priest hurriedly turned around and began to soothe the baby divine beast.

“It’s okay, Tite. That’s not a real person. It’s made to look like a person, but it’s broken. Sir Christel broke it himself, you know. Ahahaha, you stopped crying right away.”

“······.”

Whether by coincidence or necessity, the head fragment had the face of Irenner Sneider, one of the past Popes.

Orelly raised her darkened eyes and looked up at the temple.

Half of the pure white marble roof had collapsed miserably.

The jet-black roots of the World Tree that supported it were scattered everywhere like dead snakes, and the thick branches that formed the stairs hung down like shed skin, making it unsightly.

The ‘House of the Pope,’ which had been so large as to overwhelm the Imperial Palace, was now a ruin with half its life gone.

Down in the basement, workers were carrying out blackened boulders.

The Cardinal briefly thought of her beloved godson.

“No, no! Bring it this way! Let’s put that right on the cart!”

“Is this the last one?”

“The last one? There’s still a long way to go.”

This place was still not healed from the murder that day.

Even though nearly eight months had passed.

“Welcome, Cardinal Boutier.”

Flash, the priest’s gaze moved.

Subtle anger arose at the sight of the old man who appeared silently before her.

But it never showed on the outside.

She was Orelly Adang Boutier.

The great noble who had been the Emperor’s companion even before he married his wife.

One of the three pieces that made up Frederick Liester.

“Vicar General Lupert. It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, welcome.”

The man greeted gracefully. The Vicar General’s expression also contained no information.

“I heard you came to visit the Papal Library. I have already been contacted.”

“Yes. So, my beloved children came with me.”

“Is that so.”

The old man indifferently raised his eyebrows once, and then greeted Sant, saying, ‘Priest Roseharder.’

Then, he slowly turned and began to walk. He seemed to be guiding them straight to the library.

Orelly moved gracefully beside him.

Erber led the children, following behind.

The eyes under the monocle reflected a cold light from moment to moment.

“How is the restoration work going?”

“As you can see, the exterior damage is severe, but we have been diagnosed that there is no problem with the foundation of the building thanks to the blessing of the main god. The main interior, including the lobby, is also intact because it is supported by sacred stones.”

“······.”

“Once the debris is cleared, the speed will pick up in earnest. We estimate that it will take about two years to reconstruct the collapsed or weakened parts. The affiliated paladins plan to lend their strength.”

“You must be working hard. If there is anything the Empire can do to help, please let us know at any time, Your Eminence.”

“Thank you.”

It was a conversation without a trace of emotion.

Sant swallowed hard at the adults’ monotonous voices.

The young Herrit’s expression was not bad, but the priest and Ganael found it difficult to even lift their heads due to the oppressive feeling emanating from the two Cardinals.

The deacons who followed the Vicar General were no different.

Only Erber was immune to this atmosphere.

Soon, the group passed through the main gate and entered the temple.

-Tick, tock, tick…

-Clatter, clatter, clatter…

As they passed through the magnificent lobby, Orelly spoke again.

Sant thought that every moment she spoke seemed so appropriate.

“The Labyrinth Labyrinthus will also be preserved as is.”

“Yes. That has been confirmed. The Wishing Stone is also safe.”

“Are there still people who enter that place without any restrictions these days?”

“······.”

A chilling silence flowed for a moment.

‘Step, step, step.’ Only the sound of footsteps touching the sacred stone floor filled the chilly air.

Herrit held Ganael and Erber’s hands tightly. Orelly let out a breath that sounded like a faint smile.

“Since you have a nature that cannot lie, I will take the silence as a negative answer.”

“Your Eminence, the Papal States has already faithfully cooperated with all investigations.”

“I know. I am only asking out of pure curiosity. Has there been a similar incident since then?”

She answered softly and looked at the Vicar General.

A shadow fell on the old man’s inanimate face.

“It is regrettable that Crown Prince Werner Fenetian invaded the labyrinth, but the guards who were guarding the basement that day testified that they had never seen him, as you well know.”

“Yes. I read the report at the time until the paper wore out. But…”

‘Tick.’ The Cardinal stopped walking as she turned the corner.

The group arrived at the entrance to the magnificent library.

The marble door, so grand that it seemed to pour down at any moment, stood stiffly and looked down at them.

Knights of the Papal States in unusual attire bowed politely to greet the distinguished guests.

A murderous intent flashed in the beige eyes that turned to look. It was instantaneous.

“Your Eminence and I both know deeply about how priests manipulate the human mind.”

“Cardinal Boutier.”

Then the Vicar General reacted immediately.

Orelly now suspected that the Papal States had been bribed by the Fenetian Kingdom to let the Crown Prince in.

The tall old man’s neck stood straight.

“You know that I was the one who interrogated the soldiers.”

“Yes.”

“Also, I have the duty and right to defend the Papal States.”

“······.”

“Your Eminence seems to want to discuss only the innocence of the Holy See, but it must not be forgotten that the Crown Prince formally passed through the labyrinth and overcame the test of the guardian spirit. How can we, who manage the House of the Pope, go against the will of the main god?”

At those words, Erber gritted his teeth.

Herrit stroked his fist soothingly with his small hands.

Again, a long silence flowed, and no one moved their lips first.

The two Cardinals were only silently staring at each other.

It felt like a thunderstorm was pouring down and lightning was striking above their heads. At least Ganael certainly felt that way.

“······.”

“······.”

-Beep beep!

In the end, the divine creature, unable to watch any longer, cried out loudly. Orelly smiled like a painting.

“Thank you for the guidance, Vicar General.”

“Yes. I’ll see you again, Your Eminence.”

A reply as polite as a play returned. Thus, the two parted ways.

Lupert bowed gracefully and then disappeared into the corridor with the young deacons.

The Empire’s group stared at his back for a long time.

“…I need to find a good book.”

“Huh?”

Herrit blinked his big eyes and looked up at Orelly.

She curved her eyes kindly and kissed the child’s forehead. Smack.

“Certainly.”

Certainly, she would illuminate the darkness of the Fenetian royal family here.

Even the smallest line left in the corner would be a clue to them.

Even if it doesn’t seem like much at first, it will eventually have meaning someday.

And the day when each strand of thread gathers to form a huge truth…

“For Yeseo and us.”

On that very day, Werner Fenetian and his backers will fall miserably.