What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 467

#467

Rest for the Soul (6)

The Second Princess of the Divine Kingdom, Cornelissa Venetian, thought:

‘I am now a Holy Knight.’

And she also thought:

‘I’m only a sub-deacon, but my sister said I have great talent.’

‘The power of water is the rarest and most precious.’

‘All the other attendants said so too. Even Count Etzardt Roseharder, the master of this house, said so.’

Her clear, light green eyes shone with a determined light in the dimness.

The child was now nine years old. To be exact, she was nine years and four months old.

In eight months, she would be ten, and in Cornelissa’s eyes, ten years old was truly grown up.

Her sister had been ordained as a priest at the age of six.

She had heard that she started sparring with the mountain of knights in the royal castle from the age of ten.

So, once you reached double digits, you were practically an adult.

Then…

“I can fight too.”

‘I can go find Father.’

‘I will go out and confirm the rumors about my brother.’

Perhaps having such thoughts was a natural course for a little princess who had grown up sheltered.

The child was at an age where she knew far less than she didn’t.

Moreover, due to the influence of her father, who had kept her confined and raised her, she was more ignorant of the world than other nobles of her age.

In this environment, Cornelissa, who miraculously gained power and came to stay at the Count’s mansion away from the royal castle, could no longer contain her adventurous spirit.

The darkness of the night no longer frightened her.

In fact, a small lamp was placed by her bedside, but it was much smaller than the ones in the castle, so she considered it as good as nothing.

Being awake alone at this hour was certainly a great act of courage for the child.

-Hoo, hoo…

The sound of owls crying all night was eerie. But the princess did not give up.

“I am the bravest royal in the world. My brother said so.”

And she encouraged herself by looking at the doll in her hand.

The pig carved from pink diamond was very cute and lovely.

It was a birthday present she had received last summer.

Her father gave her new toys every day, but the pig figurine remained the most precious to her.

It was something her brother, who had traveled to a distant empire, had sent through her sister.

“……Hehe.”

The figurine made of wood and painted had returned as a jewel.

Her brother wasn’t a wizard, but he always performed magic like this.

It was so amazing and fun that she laughed every time she saw it.

She felt like tears would flow too, but she bravely held them back.

She suppressed her longing without making a sound.

Cornelissa, with reddened eyes, kissed the pig’s snout and hid it in the deepest part of her bag.

Her nose was stuffy, but she didn’t show it. And she checked her luggage one last time.

First, a leather water bottle filled with milk.

“Milk is more filling than water.”

Then, a hairpin her sister had made herself. And one more of her favorite lizard dolls.

“I sleep well when I hold this.”

Two books she was currently reading.

“I need them because I’ll be bored on the carriage.”

And the most important of all, a flyer about her brother’s resurrection.

It was said to be a very precious item, and the attendant who had followed her from the royal castle had managed to obtain it with great difficulty.

She heard that in the streets of the capital, you had to pay a lot of money just to touch it.

“If I have this and a map, I can go meet my brother. And Father too.”

The child chattered and pointed at the paper with her small hands.

Cornelissa trusted her sister more than anyone else in the world, but she knew very well that she was the busiest person in the world.

So, she had even made the excuse of ‘being sleepy’ to her sister, who tried to make time to play with her.

Because she realized at some point that it would allow her to rest.

That was probably around the age of seven. So, her sister must still be too busy.

Too busy to help her father, who was hanging from the ceiling of the bedroom and crying.

Too busy to find Brother Yeser, who had rumors of being both dead and alive, and who hadn’t recognized her.

“Sister must be having a hard time. Sniff.”

So, she had to help. She was also a proper princess.

She was nine years old, old enough for her father to occasionally talk about marriage.

Hands as white as snow brushed over the bag again.

“Lastly.”

Lastly… a paintbrush for drawing.

“……”

The princess stared at it for a moment, then decided it was unnecessary and boldly took it out.

She really liked drawing, but she had to give it up this time.

Then, instead of the brush, she took off the shawl she had draped over her shoulders and stuffed it in.

The rose garden of the Count’s residence was very chilly these days.

Since it was winter, clothes would be better than a brush.

Adding to her generosity, she took two handfuls of candy and *kruidnoten* [small, spiced Dutch cookies] from the basket on the side table.

She was sad that there were no apples, but she decided to be satisfied with this for now.

This way, she wouldn’t be hungry on the way.

Of course, the only places Cornelissa had walked for a long time were the tall towers and wide courtyards of the royal castle.

The child had never traveled alone.

“All done.”

Finally, she put the bulging bundle on her back and dusted off her pants.

The clothes she was wearing today were neither pajamas nor her usual bell-shaped dress.

It was a shirt and vest that she only took out when accompanying her father on hunting trips.

She didn’t like the clothes, but she needed a light outfit to go on an adventure like in a fairy tale.

She carefully checked her appearance, and then…

“Oh, right.”

Finally, Cornelissa looked down at her feet and began to tie her bootlaces.

It was too difficult because she only remembered having the attendants do it for her.

Her hands slipped several times, but she didn’t give up.

After dozens of minutes of struggle, the child created two plausible knots.

She felt proud, as if she had already accomplished something great. Then, she put on a thick robe and pulled the hood up snugly.

“This goes like this…”

-Rustle, rustle

Finally, she placed a griffin doll the size of herself on the empty bed.

It looked very plausible even from ten steps away.

The attendants would probably only realize when they came close to wake her up in the morning that the princess had already run far away and could not be found anywhere in the mansion.

“Well, I’m off.”

Whisper, whisper. A small voice floated around the room.

The child quickly opened the door and stepped into the dim hallway.

Fortunately, magical lights were lit in various places, so she could clearly see her feet and the display cases.

It was already past 11 o’clock.

Cornelissa usually went to bed at 9 o’clock, so no one would suspect anything or come to check on her.

She was so nervous that she couldn’t sleep at all.

-Gulp…

The sound of swallowing saliva was loud.

The princess covered her mouth with her hand and carefully passed the next room.

This was where Martier Jielstra stayed.

As far as Cornelissa knew, Martier was the second busiest person after her sister, and she was staying at the mansion for a while to take care of her.

She looked very tired, having traveled all over the country without rest recently.

She must be sound asleep by now.

“……”

-Pitter, patter, pitter…

The princess safely passed the woman’s room!

Martier, as a priest, could not sense the energy of Cornelissa, a Holy Knight, but at the same time, she had excellent warrior instincts.

The girl was thrilled to the core just by not being caught by such a person.

Her small footsteps became faster and bolder.

The fact that there were no royal guards here was also a boon for the princess. The Count and Martier did not allow them to enter their mansion.

“Hehehehe.”

Lightly, refreshingly! The child forgot her fear and loneliness and ran wildly through the hallway.

She passed the attendants’ quarters, and also passed the living room and tea room she used.

She had stayed at the Count’s mansion and memorized most of the paths.

This place was a small house compared to the royal castle, and there were not many complicated places except for the wide rose garden.

The ivory-colored hair fluttered vigorously like barley that had overcome the cold.

Cornelissa turned the corner with a nimble movement. And―

-Thud!

“Ah!”

She bumped into something big and soft and fell backward. ‘Splash!’

“Ouch, that hurts…”

“Princess. Where are you going in such a hurry at this late hour?”

“Hic!”

The girl hurriedly looked up, forgetting about her scraped palms.

A bear-like round belly was visible in the reddish darkness.

Her small mouth dropped open in shock.

“C, Count.”

“Yes.”

“Th, that is… Aren’t you asleep yet?”

The child ended up blurting out any words. Her mind had gone blank with shock.

The fable said to play dead when you meet a bear, but she remembered that too late.

No, Count Etzardt isn’t a bear! Stupid Amy!

“It is still early for me. I usually review state affairs until 2 AM and wake up at 6 AM. I was taking a walk in the hallway because I had many thoughts.”

“……”

2 AM? Cornelissa’s young face went blank.

This time, the Count reached out his hand and asked again. He really had a nonchalant expression.

“Why are you not sleeping and out here, Your Highness?”

“……Bathroom.”

“Pardon?”

“I came out to go to the bathroom.”

The princess stammered. She was a child who had not lied often in her life.

It was obvious from her eyes and voice. Etzardt Roseharder slightly raised the corner of his lips.

“You sound just like my youngest son.”

“Youngest son?”

“Yes. He tried to run away from home several times and was caught by me, and every time he made lies that were easy to see through. I came out to go to the bathroom. I came out because I was hungry. I came out because the moon was pretty…”

The Count’s voice faded away.

He looked out the window as if reminiscing about something for a moment, then lowered himself towards the princess again.

“The passage is dark and you must be scared, so I will escort you.”

“Yes? No, no. It’s okay…”

“Let’s go.”

When the Count lightly lifted the princess’s backpack, the little one stood up on two legs without using any strength.

In the meantime, Cornelissa felt a brief moment of fun and smiled broadly.

“Wow!”

“Your Highness, just surviving is a help.”

“Ah……”

At those words, her already large eyes became as round as saucers.

The Count quietly looked at the girl.

“If I may dare to say, surviving this war and continuing the lineage of the Divine Kingdom and the royal family as the precious Second Princess is the most sacred duty given to Your Highness.”

“……It’s too difficult, Count.”

“If you feel that way about my words, then running away is not an option yet.”

‘The outside world is not so easy,’ the old man said softly.

Cornelissa dropped her head and looked at the tips of her boots.

But, I really prepared a lot.

I diligently read boring books and memorized the paths for Brother and Father…

“In this winter, you may become food for a griffin.”

“Gasp!”

Her small head popped up again.

The Count leisurely turned his back on the child and began to walk away.

“I heard that a certain viscount in the north established a military academy to prevent griffin attacks that seek food in the winter. Nevertheless, every year, promising young people are caught in the blizzard…”

“……”

“The royal family regularly sends support, but it seems to be of little use, which is worrying. Besides, there is a rumor that griffins also eat nine-year-old children.”

At the worried voice, the child’s face stiffened.

As Cornelissa, who had read countless legends of griffins and dragons since she learned to read, it was a story she could not easily ignore.

Besides, she was exactly nine years old. Could that be real?

If I really go out now, will I become food for that legendary monster?

-Clang!

“Brother!”

Just then, the hallway window shook in the strong wind! The princess jumped in place and looked for Yeser.

Clear water droplets were already dripping from the fingertips of the frightened child.

Cornelissa looked at her hands, which could not control her power again, glanced behind her, and then glanced out the window again…

-Step, step, step…

“Count, wait for me!”

Finally, unable to overcome her fear, she ran back the way she had come.

In that way, the peace of several souls was protected.

*

A few days later, Riester Military Camp.

Yeriho Territory Branch (all stores are directly managed).

“Like this, you move it by pressing your index finger. Hold the stick lightly with your thumb.”

Standing in the middle of the living room, I slowly moved two thin wooden sticks in my right hand.

All of my friends’ eyes were focused on my fingers.

Ganael was even taking notes line by line, and Bakari was squinting as if he couldn’t see well even with his glasses.

Isabelle and Sir Johann, who were sitting side by side and sending curious glances, couldn’t help but smile.

It seems that the theory and demonstration are enough for now, so I should have the top student practice first.

I fixed my gaze on the Crown Prince, who is good at everything physical, and said.

“Shall we try it one by one?”

“……”

Then, he moved the chopsticks a few times and immediately frowned.

It was exactly the reaction I expected.

“Why do I need this when I have a fork?”

“It’s useful for moving braised beans or separating perilla leaves.”

“What?”

“Once you get used to it, you’ll be looking for this often.”

I chuckled and corrected his posture.

Seeing Ms. Gain struggling next to him made it even harder to control my expression.

“No, don’t glare at me. You have to look at the Crown Prince’s fingers. You don’t have to put too much strength…”

These days, military camp life is so much fun. Hahahaha.