What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 50

#050 In the Empire, Demons Treat People As (1)

“So, what did you do?”

“I told him honestly. I told him to leave if he wasn’t going to say anything.”

“Puhuhu!”

Lady Elisabeth quickly pulled out a handkerchief and buried her face in it.

She seemed to be in quite a good mood since morning, giggling or bursting into laughter at everything I said.

I slowly stroked Demi’s back as I pressed down on my thigh.

In front of the platform, Marquis Francois Dhuem was giving the opening ceremony speech for the ‘Great Demon Subjugation’.

“Regardless of status, age, or gender! The noble souls of those who have come for the subjugation…”

“So, did His Highness the Prince leave?”

Cristel, sitting to my right, whispered. I nodded.

“It seems he really had no business. He stormed out just as he came. Later, I saw the confessional door was half-fallen off.”

“Oh my, he took his anger out on someone else’s property.”

Lady Elisabeth sobbed quietly at Cristel’s exclamation.

We occupied the VIP seats behind the platform, with Prince Cedrick sitting in the highest seat with his signature statue-like expression.

I don’t know what his condition is, but Lady Elisabeth repeatedly said that the Prince’s victory was virtually certain.

“To the nobles who have come to offer endless encouragement and support, and to my beloved people of the territory! Welcome!”

At that moment, Marquis Dhuem uttered his final remarks,

“Waaaaaah!”

“Long live His Highness the Prince!”

“Victory! Victory! Victory! Victory!”

Followed by a deafening roar.

Cristel and Lady Elisabeth straightened their backs and composed their expressions.

I was shocked for the sixth time today by the crowd I was seeing for the first time since possessing this body.

There were many people in the Imperial City, but they were never gathered together in such an excited state.

What I saw at ‘Leigh Go General Trading Company’ was nothing compared to this.

I could feel almost a Korea-Japan match level of frenzy from them now [referring to the intense rivalry and passion often seen in sports matches between South Korea and Japan].

“Dhuem! Dhuem! Dhuem!”

“United! We’re somewhat! Scattered! We’re doomed!”

Slogans from unknown regions echoed across the plains.

The clear May sky was filled with intense heat.

The audience was a riot of color with people holding up large signs with phrases written on them, and waving bouquets and towels.

Even I, whose goal was to take care of myself and Demi until the end, felt a thrill of excitement.

“Your Highness the Prince, esteemed guests. Please come down this way!”

Marquis Dhuem, who had already come to the back of the platform, gracefully pointed to the stairs.

The Prince was the first to rise and move, escorted by him.

I walked ahead of Cristel, subtly looking around.

“Long live the Liester Empire! Long live! Long live!”

“Long live His Highness Prince Cedrick! Long live!”

The two rows of spectator seats were divided into the noble seats on the left and the commoner seats on the right, and both sides were so packed that there were many standing.

In general, the commoners’ cheers were louder and more boisterous, but surprisingly, the nobles were not holding back either.

Since most of the participants were noble swordsmen or mages, their families and relatives seemed to be used to this atmosphere.

There were already several people drinking and making loud noises.

“There, you can go to the portal in the center.”

The Marquis’s long finger pointed to the center of the arena.

The spectators on both sides, facing each other across a plain about 100m wide, cheered even louder when they saw us.

I rechecked the portal sickness medicine I had taken in the morning.

Hundreds of disposable portals made for the tournament filled the floor, which had become bare ground overnight.

All the other participants were already on the portals, and the opening ceremony would be over when we, the last ones, got on the portal in the middle.

“The participants are ready to depart!”

“Waaaaaah!”

When the Marquis spoke into a long magic tool, his voice echoed loudly throughout the arena.

I wondered if someone of the Marquis’s status should be in charge of the event, but given his personality, he probably wouldn’t entrust such a fun thing to someone else.

“It’s nice to see you again.”

“Hahahaha.”

Cristel, who had entered the portal, acted nonchalantly, and Lady Elisabeth laughed out loud.

As I had heard, the two of them, me, Demi, and the Prince were in the same group.

It was funny and absurd to see us gathered like this without ever having agreed to it.

Well, at least no one will die.

“Your Highness, here is your bag.”

Benjamin and Ganael, who were sitting on the first floor of the noble seats, hurried over and handed over the luggage.

It was a leather bundle containing simple food, water, and first aid supplies.

I slung it around my chest and over my back.

Looking around, it seemed that others were also taking advantage of the break to check their weapons and food.

“Thank you. I’ll be back safe, so don’t worry.”

“Yes, I’ll pray for you.”

“The demons should be the ones worrying. Good luck, Your Highness!”

The two cheered me on kindly. I smiled and looked down at Demi.

“Demi, do you want to get off now? It’s dangerous, so you don’t have to come with me.”

-Krrr.

The Lesser Panda bit my shoulder gently.

His black bean-like eyes were full of dissatisfaction.

“Okay, I won’t say nonsense.”

I rubbed between his ears. Ganael and Benjamin returned to their seats.

“Now, to the portal!”

-Rumble!

Interrupting the Marquis’s words, thunder rumbled from the mountains.

Then, the ground shook as if there was an earthquake. Some participants staggered and fell.

The audience stirred with anxiety and excitement.

“…That was the first mountain echo. The prophecy has come true! The demons’ advance is imminent!”

Marquis Dhuem shouted in an even louder voice.

“Waaaaaah!”

“Subjugation! Subjugation! Subjugation!”

The audience was like the Spartan army just before the expedition [referencing the Spartans’ legendary discipline and fervor before battle].

I unconsciously swallowed hard and reviewed the information I had crammed.

‘Mountain Echo’ was a sign that occurred before the Demon Subjugation began, that is, before the demons came out of the ‘dungeon’.

Usually, demons appear after three mountain echoes, and it was best for participants to climb the mountain and set up camp and prepare for battle before that.

The phrase ‘the prophecy has come true’ meant that the mages who predicted that the demons would appear today were right.

“Shouldn’t we establish a strategy?”

I opened my mouth.

Mages who had already approached the portal were preparing to inject mana.

We would be instantly transported to a random location in the mountains, so it seemed like a good idea to discuss something.

Cristel and Lady Elisabeth looked at me with serious eyes.

“Even if it’s just a simple plan on how to respond to each attribute,” I suggested.

“Are you afraid?”

A low voice pierced my ear.

I looked up at the orange eyes that shone like the sun across from me.

He disappeared like that yesterday, and the first thing he says is an insult.

“No, I’m a pretty strong priest, contrary to what you might think. I’m just asking because it seems like there’s someone among us who can’t even speak their mind.”

“Keuheuheuk.”

Lady Elisabeth’s face crumbled again. The Prince frowned slightly.

“…Then there’s nothing to worry about.”

-Rumble!

The second mountain echo shook the arena and the audience. Thousands of murmurs spread like waves.

Looking around, about half of the participants had already moved to the mountains through the portal.

A young-looking mage was looking at me from behind with a helpless expression.

I guess this person is off duty today.

“Y-Your Highness the Prince. I will inject mana into the portal,” the mage stammered.

“No need.”

“It’s okay. Go and rest.”

“Yes? B-But…”

The mage’s eyes widened at the Prince’s and my words.

Now, without warning, the Prince scattered red and magnificent mana.

The small portal instantly heated up like iron in a furnace.

-Ooooong!

-Squeak.

“Sorry, Demi. Is the ride not very comfortable?”

Hugging the Lesser Panda that was burrowing into my arms, I whispered almost inaudibly.

Soon, my vision turned white.

*

“There’s nothing yet.”

The first thing I heard was Cristel’s clear voice.

When I opened my eyes, she was holding a navy-blue whip in her hand and smoothing out the ground beneath her feet.

It looked slippery with a lot of mossy gravel.

I carefully put Demi down and observed my surroundings.

A somewhat sloping floor, a shallow flowing stream, and large and small rocks and tree shadows came into view.

A cool breeze blew from the mountain.

We had arrived in a valley.

“There’s a lot of water, so it’ll be easy for me.”

“I see, Lady Cristel. I look forward to working with you.”

Lady Elisabeth replied cheerfully and drew her sword.

It was definitely a favorable condition for Cristel.

She was adaptable, and since I was there, she didn’t have to worry about Ether [likely referring to a magical energy source].

The uneven floor was a disadvantage, but it wouldn’t be a big hindrance to the two swordsmen.

-Rumble!

“Keuk.”

At that moment, the third and final mountain echo struck my ears.

It was a resonance that was incomparably larger and more intense than when I heard it in the plains.

I instinctively frowned and balanced myself.

The valley water overflowed messily, soaking the four people’s boots, and stones and soil bounced up as if dancing.

The mountain’s movement stopped when my head was ringing from shaking so much up and down.

Lady Elisabeth lightly shook her head.

“That was quite a start.”

“They’re coming.”

-Jiiiiing!

At the same time as the Prince’s murmur, I opened the sanctuary.

I hadn’t sensed any demons, but I knew from reading the book that the demons’ first advance would begin after the third mountain echo.

Demi raised his tail sharply and opened his mouth.

“Everyone, please stay inside the circle for now.”

“Yes.”

-Flutter!

-Kkyaaaaoh!

At that moment, a flock of black birds covered us from the treetops.

Lady Elisabeth quickly stood in front to block them.

-Swish!

-Kwang!

Her sword slashed through the air without hesitation.

The sword energy, which stretched out at an invisible speed, instantly killed dozens of demons the size of forearms.

The bat-like monsters fell to the ground with a thud.

“…That’s strange.”

Lady Elisabeth frowned as she shook her sword.

I immediately understood what she meant. That’s because,

-Kkyaaaaoh!

-Padeudeudeuk!

They were all passing us by.

They didn’t even care that some of the group had died.

Not a single one of the demons flying endlessly showed any interest in the group.

The guys heading straight to the bottom of the mountain were all…

“They’re running away.”

I muttered. Four pairs of eyes quickly crossed.

-Kukung!

The ground rumbled again. But it was different.

This wasn’t a mountain echo, but the sound of something heavy stepping on the earth. For example…

-Kung!

It was similar to the sound effects in [referencing a specific media, likely a movie or game, known for its heavy footsteps sound effects]. Damn it.

-Kung!

-Kkieeee!

Demi made a ferocious noise and stood up, supporting his body with his hind legs.

Thick thorny vines sprouted around him.

I conjured several Ether orbs on the palm of my hand.

Cristel, who met my eyes, was already surrounding us with a thick stream of water.

-Kung!

-Seureung!

The Prince drew his sword with his left hand. I realized at this timing that he was left-handed.

-Crack!

-Buzz…!

I heard the sound of nearby trees breaking and being crushed. The opponent was right in front of us.

Flytraps the size of pot lids began to grow from Demi’s vines.

I tried to increase the area of the sanctuary as much as possible, but the diameter was still a maximum of 30m.

Damn bishop level.

-Kung!

-Kuaaaaa!

With a roar that tore through the air, the monster finally broke through the woods and revealed itself.

The three people’s mouths opened on their own.

In front of us was a yellowish body the height of a four-story apartment building, and yellow eyes that blinked vertically with bloodshot veins.

The thick hind legs and threatening tail looked like they could break bones just by brushing against them.

The cone-shaped, terrifying teeth and short forelimbs created an imbalance that I would never forget.

Something was wrong.

“That’s a Tyranno…”

“‘Tyrant Electric Dragon’.”

Cristel muttered blankly, but the Prince said firmly.

“Is that the demon that was supposed to be His Majesty’s victory offering?”

Did your mother catch a golden Tyranno alone?

“That’s impossible, Your Highness. I heard that a demon that big only comes out once every two hundred years. How could it be again in just two years…”

Lady Elisabeth’s eyes were shaking violently. The Prince did not answer.

There was no way to put a demon that had already escaped from the dungeon back in.

“It’s going to be difficult to use water since it’s an electric attribute.”

He looked back at the three of us, or rather, at me.

“We need a strategy.”

-Kung!

-Kuaaaaa!

The Tyranno, no, the Tyrant Electric Dragon began to move. It felt like my brain was sweating.

Breaking through the insane situation, my mouth finally spewed out the emotions of a Korean.

“Are you telling me that now, you crazy bastard!”