What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 425

The Land of Gods and Fairy Tales (4)

Two days later, we left the familiar Riester military camp.

The path leading south across the plains was bustling with our group and companions.

The Emperor chose dusk to avoid drawing the enemy’s attention.

“Ganael, are you really okay? I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Don’t worry, Master. I’m your servant, after all. I’m confident in following you anywhere!”

The dear boy smiled, his golden eyes sparkling.

The small pack on his back was bulging with food.

His positive energy radiated so strongly that I couldn’t help but smile.

The boy looked very handsome in the simple commoner’s clothes of the Divine Kingdom.

His cheeks were red from the cold, so I wrapped his scarf around his face like earmuffs, which greatly amused the lesser pandas who were watching.

The inland weather, entering late autumn, was quite chilly.

“Master, me too!”

Gain quickly untied her scarf and offered it to me.

I knew she didn’t feel the cold, but I thought the scarf would suit her, so I gladly gave the lady earmuffs as well.

Standing next to Ganael, they looked like a pair of friendly steamed buns. I felt a surge of affection and pride.

“Hehehe.”

“Hehehe.”

“Hahaha.”

We made silly noises while holding the reins of Doria and Arumhart.

A clear, cold wind blew.

Even in wartime, the necessary clothes and equipment were quickly prepared.

The non-combat mage division, led by Bakari’s unit, generously provided extra robes, and the blacksmith prepared Divine Kingdom-style daggers and throwing spears.

I received the most advice from Sir Johan during the packing process.

He said that if our attire was entirely Venetian, we would blend in more easily.

Venetian culture, he explained, was seen as mysterious in a good way but also closed-off in a bad way, so vigilance would be even more severe now during the war.

We decided to trust and follow Herrit’s father implicitly.

-Woong

“Oh, hyung [older brother or term of endearment], you’re here. Are you hungry? Should we eat Ether again?”

Tete in my arms fluttered his flipper-feet.

I patted the swaddle and quickly put my little finger in his mouth.

Gain said, “Oh, our youngest,” and floated an icicle rattle in the air.

Of course, I tried to send the baby Tete back to the palace, but he cried so much that I had no choice but to take him with me.

When I return to the Imperial Palace later, I was thinking of asking the blacksmith Frank to make a pacifier out of the Holy Stone.

Around that time, Sir Erbe, who was inspecting the carriage, approached.

“Everyone, His Majesty and the two Highnesses are coming.”

“Ah, yes.”

We quickly gathered in one place. Today was the day the group split into three teams.

The Divine Kingdom team included the Crown Prince, Gain, Sir Johan, and Sir Elizabeth—plus me, Ganael, and the divine beasts.

There were a total of 6 people and four animals. Dduksoomi was attached as a ‘semi-fixed’ member.

He was in charge of the messenger pigeon role, quickly connecting the Divine Kingdom team, the military camp team, and the Imperial Capital team.

It must have been a difficult decision because there was a young master involved.

I wondered if he would really do this hard work, but when His Majesty and the Crown Prince stared at him, the wren eventually lay down and chirped. It meant surrender.

······Maybe it was hard to refuse. Because he is a companion and son of an old friend.

“I’m really indebted to you. Thank you always. Sincerely.”

-Pippooh

“Okay. Please take care of me. I’ll work hard too.”

-Pirrrr

Dduksoomi wagged his tail feathers and rubbed his body against my neck. It was familiar affection.

The team members returning to the Empire were decided to be Teacher, Sir Erbe, Herrit, Sant, and Duke Fabrice Berang.

He had been helping with odd jobs in the military camp ever since the ‘Moonlight Herb Mist Disappearance Incident.’

From preparing the knights’ confessions to loading and unloading military supplies and standing guard all night, he did whatever he could.

Just like one would expect from the famous Berang family.

But now he said it was time to return to the territory.

It was judged that it would be difficult for the young duchess Elodie and the duchess alone to prepare for winter.

There were territory residents in the Empire who desperately needed him.

The Emperor gladly gave him the best carriage.

The person in question stubbornly refused, but the Emperor wouldn’t listen.

“Thank you for your hard work, Duke. Thank you for coming all the way here. Please give my regards to your family.”

I greeted Fabrice, who was standing in front of the carriage. The man bowed politely.

“Thank you, Master. I was honored to be of even a small help.”

And after kissing the back of my hand, he stroked Tete’s forehead.

The divine beast narrowed his black eyes. Other friends also greeted him.

During that time, I said goodbye to Herrit.

The sun was setting in the direction of Riester.

“Herrit, you are the bravest child I know. Maybe the bravest under 13 in the continent?”

Really.

The child, holding his father’s hand, smiled shyly and twisted his body.

I hugged his small shoulders tightly. Herrit had grown taller in the meantime.

Perhaps because he was no longer in pain, his skeleton itself was growing rapidly.

I don’t know how admirable it is to eat well and sleep well in times like these.

“Thank you for coming all the way here and doing a great job. Say hello to Benjamin. To Eva and Joan too. To Agnes and Princess Berenice, and your friend Pascal.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Study hard. Listen to Sant. Eat a lot.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Keep writing letters to your dad, aunts, and uncles. I’ll definitely reply.”

“Uh-huh!”

A kiss, a lip print was stamped on his cheek. I smiled broadly and let go of the boy.

This time it was Gain’s turn to shower the child with kisses.

The divine beasts rushed at the little one, not wanting to be outdone.

I hugged Sant, who had come a difficult path, and asked him to take good care of Herrit.

The master and disciple nodded, tears welling up in their eyes.

It was then.

“Anyone would think we’re parting forever.”

“Your Majesty!”

“Have you arrived, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Frederick, who had come in person, received everyone’s bows.

Of course, my teacher and Crown Prince Cedric were arm in arm with her—François, David, Isabelle, Caroline, Bakari’s unit, and even Duke Cecil Blanquer came to see us off!

For a while, we had a boisterous farewell as if a garden party had been held.

Several kisses were exchanged, and the same requests were repeated.

But it wasn’t boring at all.

The Rambouillet mother and daughter hugged each other for a very long time.

The Mute mother and daughter replaced long words by patting each other’s backs, and the Diem brothers exchanged jokes with bright faces until the end.

“Yeser, water droplet kid. Come here.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

As the atmosphere gradually headed towards the end, Her Majesty called us separately.

I quickly ran over and stood next to the Crown Prince. The eyes of the adults swept over the three of us.

“······If it had been last year, I wouldn’t have sent these youngsters to the enemy camp like this.”

“······.”

“Looking back, it was like that until the beginning of this year. Your departure to the neutral zone was not my intention.”

“Huck, I’m sorry.”

“Tsk. Would this body have called you to discuss right and wrong?”

‘What’s the point of coming now.’ The middle-aged man snorted at me.

Lopi pressed his boots with his yellow cotton swab.

“Don’t disobey the Grand Preceptor’s words if you can help it. He’s a veteran high-ranking mercenary, so his judgment isn’t the same as yours. Regular communication is essential. Also, the Imperial Army will continue to advance inland, so if the distance isn’t too far, join the military camp from time to time to report in person. If you find a national letter, be sure to capture it and return it, and if necessary, come back to replenish manpower or take a break. I have one condition.”

“······.”

“Survive. No matter what happens. By any means.”

It was a short, heavy word. We nodded our heads immediately.

“You have become stronger. Your body is, and your mind will be as well. Surely it will become even stronger as time passes.”

“······.”

“Not to mention the bonds.”

Since we were stiff and tense and only moving our heads, the Emperor chuckled.

That face is somehow dangerous—

“But don’t bring back any grandchildren. A grand baptism is difficult in these times.”

“Oh, Frederick!”

“Eek!”

Whack! My teacher pinched the Emperor’s arm, and she frowned.

As for me, my expression completely collapsed at the adult’s high-level joke.

Suddenly, my neck felt hot and the surroundings felt stuffy. Oh my gosh, grandchildren······.

“Wow······.”

A grandchild’s baptism! Then I guess I’m the godfather? I’m good enough for that!

“Don’t fight and get along well. I’ll be looking forward to souvenirs too.”

“Ah, yes. Of course.”

“Take good care of Ganael and Elizabeth.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

My teacher intervened immediately because she couldn’t stand it, and I hurriedly gave an answer.

I was so excited that I didn’t check Gain and the Crown Prince’s reactions.

That’s the most important thing, but I was secretly disappointed.

That’s how we finished the long and noisy greeting.

-Heehee

“Thank you for coming to pick me up, Arum. Let’s get along well.”

Puruung. The white horse snorted.

It was obviously a mocking tone, but still, there was no horse that knew me as well as Arumhart.

With Sir Johan, who had been pressing his forehead against Herrit’s for a long time, we all got on our saddles.

The three lesser pandas also rode with the holy knights, one each.

The group going to the Empire had all boarded the carriage.

Before we knew it, the Stattia Plains, tinged with darkness, were unfolding before our eyes.

The flickering shadows seemed to be beckoning us to come quickly. Woo woo woo······.

“······.”

-Thump, thump

As I quietly aimed at the other side, the two protagonists drove Charlemagne and Doria closer.

Three gazes mixed and scattered for a moment.

Every day is new with them, but this time the feeling was a little different.

We will soon cross the white-burned land, pass through the blue reed fields, and set foot on land that no one in the Empire has confirmed for over thirty years.

Without anyone knowing.

“Come back safely.”

From behind, the Emperor ordered. When I turned my eyes, I met François’ gaze.

He smiled handsomely, saying, ‘I’ll see you again.’

Then Isabelle, Caroline, and David waved their hands.

Bakari’s unit and Duke Blanquer only sent noble eye greetings.

Lopi stared at us intently, then ran towards the barracks and disappeared in an instant.

A small smile appeared.

Since everyone was there, we didn’t worry about Her Majesty either.

“Yes, we will return safely.”

The Crown Prince replied concisely.

We bowed politely and finally headed east.

*

Three days later.

-Clatter, clatter, clatter······

-Tap, tap, tap······

It was an unknown road in an unknown forest.

We were heading towards the first city with a refreshing feeling.

Often, when Crystal hummed an unidentified song, Dduksoomi on her shoulder would imitate it like a parrot.

Fortunately, nothing has happened so far.

“Jan, Inhanyeo! Jara? Nareul, Yokha? Ji, Neunma······!” [Nonsense syllables, possibly mimicking a foreign language or a child’s babbling]

-Bee, bee-beep! Beebee? Beeit, Beerut? [Imitating Crystal’s humming]

“Oh, our Ham Dduksoomi has talent. You’ll reach enlightenment soon.”

Sometimes Sir Johan went far away, saying that the magic beasts seemed to be chasing us—the Crystal bell didn’t even ring, but it was amazing—but other than that, no special incidents occurred.

We had robes that blurred our presence, and we always moved under the cover of darkness.

Resting during the day and moving at night was definitely a difficult schedule, but there was no safer way than this.

This was the best way to perfectly avoid the eyes of the Divine Kingdom army.

‘Once we reach the city, I’ll let you sleep at night again. But it’s difficult now.’

‘Yes, Sir Johan.’

Since I was young, I had a knack for listening to my homeroom teacher.

Even if I wasn’t good at physical education, I was confident in that one thing.

Fortunately, the other friends didn’t have particularly difficult personalities either. So we were safe for a few days.

Herrit’s father pointed out the direction like a ghost even in places where there were no roads, and always fearlessly led us to deep places.

He also obtained clues by sweeping thick stumps or tasting spring water. It was very amazing.

-Squeak!

“Why, Demi? Is your nose running? Did you catch a cold?”

While diligently moving with Gain’s rap as background music, suddenly the lesser panda rubbed his nose in my arms.

I tilted my head and looked at him. Or did something get into his nostril?

-Swishhhhh······!

“Ugh!”

Crazy, what’s with this rain shower!

“Ugh, Master! I can’t see anything!”

Yeah! Demi got rainwater in his nose!

“Let’s go in the 10 o’clock direction, everyone! To the shade of the trees for now!”

Sir Elizabeth, who was soaked in an instant, shouted through the rain.

We finally encountered our first obstacle.

It’s called a rain shower, but it’s just a waterfall pouring from the sky!