What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 514

Sub Male Lead Goes on Strike – #514

Dragon King’s Onward March! (1)

“A treasure that could attract monsters…?”

Head Teacher Lena looked bewildered.

A moment of awkward silence filled the barracks.

The SoMaek Guild members glanced at each other cautiously.

Their expressions suggested they were weighing how much they could reveal.

I placed a piece of Edam cheese, aged for about a year, on a piece of bread and took a large bite, savoring the deep flavor of the North Sea that generously enveloped my tongue and palate.

It was savory yet salty, and at times, it seemed to have a subtly sour and nutty aroma.

The sensation of the rough bread and soft cheese blending exquisitely was also a delight.

Filling my stomach with delicious and warm food made me feel like my fatigue was momentarily forgotten.

So, so good. I could eat a little more, but…

This is enough. I wiped my mouth with a handkerchief and replied.

“Wouldn’t it be a divine artifact?”

Let’s get to work, Ye Seoh. We’re not free yet. You’re the ‘Guild Master,’ after all.

“Pardon?”

“A combination of one priest, three paladins, a high-level mage, and a swordsman. It’s like a feast for every monster in the world. If they passed us by, their new target must be something like a divine artifact.”

To be exact, we had five divine artifacts.

Even the most intelligent monsters wouldn’t be able to resist such a temptation.

I doubt even a legendary monster could.

In short, a target beyond a ‘normal divine artifact’ must have incited that old Griffin.

“A divine artifact, what do you mean by that…?”

For example?

A sworn enemy who fought fiercely two thousand years ago and inflicted great wounds on each other.

Or a dragon who breathed fire and controlled the flow of time.

“Are you serious, Priest?”

“Guild Master Heineken. If there were such precious items in the North, would this land be so barren? We also learned from books that monsters show aggression towards divine artifacts, but…”

Seme Gongja’s scarred face twisted.

He wasn’t angry, but his attitude showed that he genuinely found it difficult to accept my words.

Teacher Tess, who had maintained a calm demeanor throughout, was the same.

I could fully understand both of their reactions.

Divine artifacts, which are the will and manifestation of the gods’ abilities, were the most precious treasures on the entire continent.

In the Empire, four families, including the Imperial Family, had long and strictly guarded them.

In the Holy Kingdom, it was extremely rare to see the actual divine artifacts, so related stories were passed down in the form of various legends.

It was truly a method befitting a ‘country of gods and fairy tales.’

However, there was one primal belief shared by both countries.

‘Divine artifacts bestow the greatest blessings on the continent.’

“Teacher Tess is right. If there were a divine artifact in Atsuma, why wouldn’t Baron Atsuma reveal it?”

“Yes. If the Baron had obtained a divine artifact, there would be no greater honor. He could receive massive support from the royal family and enjoy long-lasting wealth and glory, so why would he keep it a secret until now…?”

“That’s exactly it, Teacher Lena. Teacher Tess. He’s not revealing it because he has some dark and dirty scheme.”

I pointed out as I accepted a glass of anise milk from Francois.

My friends stared at me.

They didn’t seem to be trying to stop me or be taken aback; they were just curious about how much I would reveal.

I felt a warmth in my heart, sensing everyone’s trust.

I slightly raised the corner of my mouth and added.

“There are a total of four divine artifacts in Fenetian. Princess Royal has personally taken one of them, the ‘Headwind’s Omen.’ I heard rumors that the spirit of Iran [likely a powerful elemental or mythical being] was discovered in the underground black market of Yeriho. The water-attributed ‘Ice Silkworm’s Cocoon’ is said to have fallen into the hands of the Imperial Navy. Recently.”

“The Imperial Navy? Good heavens!”

Teacher Lena covered her mouth with both hands.

Gaine suddenly started counting the stains on the ceiling instead of eating her pickled herring sandwich.

It was fortunate that this was an isolated area without a single leaflet.

“Yes. Then there’s one left. ‘The Heart of the Four Dragons.'”

-Rustle!

At that precise moment, a small fire lizard poked its head out from my chest.

I almost burst out laughing.

If it’s supposed to be a divine artifact of the continent, it must have some showmanship.

The three people stared blankly at the little one’s gray eyes.

-…

“…”

About 5 seconds later.

“That’s absurd, Priest! Are you trying to make fun of the descendants of the Sea Dragon?”

“Those children have been on the school grounds for a very long time! They are weak creatures who have shared the frozen seasons with us. There’s no way we wouldn’t know if they were divine artifacts.”

“They are animals that have never shown any power for hundreds of years. They are just cute, pitiful, and seem to be good for the students’ emotional stability…!”

Seme, Tess, and Lena poured out their dismay in turn. Their faces were filled with shock and denial.

The three faces beyond the candlelight were flushed, blue like the sea, and white like flour.

I calmed them down with a gentle voice.

“I understand your surprise. You probably haven’t heard of the Sea Dragon being a divine artifact. It’s a sudden story, isn’t it?”

“Yes, and the Heart of the Four Dragons? Isn’t that a fire-attributed divine artifact! How could it be in this damp sea…?”

“Guild Master. There is no story about flames in the Sea Dragon legend. Even if we concede that the lizard family is a Sea Dragon… They are too different from what we know. With all due respect, I wonder if an outsider unfamiliar with the history of the North is making a guess.”

Tess pointed out cautiously. Honestly, I had no rebuttal to this claim.

I’ve never encountered a case where ‘lizard’ and ‘Eastern dragon’ are linked in my life.

I glanced down at the divine artifact, and it flinched and crawled out onto my palm.

It seems that the little one is finally ready.

I made eye contact with my friends one by one, then opened my mouth with a solemn tone.

“We actually came here after receiving intelligence that Baron Atsuma was running a suspicious secret chamber. We have also arrested those who commit similar crimes to him on two occasions. Of course, our desire to help you came first, but we already knew that the Baron had ulterior motives. I’m sorry for not telling you in advance.”

“…What did you just say?”

“Yes?”

Tess and Lena’s jaws dropped as if they would touch the floor.

The horrified Gongja was now trembling his large body like a shrine tree.

Actually, we didn’t properly arrest anyone at the Salt Marsh, but anyway, that place was completely destroyed, so let’s just count it as such.

“Those guys are scattered all over the Holy Kingdom, but they are actually a criminal organization following the orders of a noble. In other words, they are all accomplices. And their method is…”

I trailed off and stared into the void.

In an instant, countless possibilities flashed through my mind.

But there is only one hypothesis that can be established in this situation.

Think about it.

If the main body of the Four Dragons, ‘Pisces,’ had always been in Atsuma, logically, the Griffin wouldn’t have appeared only now.

A guy who holds such intense resentment that he would pass up five divine artifacts wouldn’t have flown in so late with such an old and tired body.

Of course, it could be that an opponent worthy of fighting against our protagonists appeared just in time.

A dramatic development, that’s great. But even such a flow needs a minimum of plausibility.

There is no ‘Reverse Dungeon’ around here.

So, it’s troublesome for a two-thousand-year-old monster to suddenly barge in without any causal relationship.

At least, is not such a novel.

Bridget is not a writer who creates events in that way.

“…Clearly, they recently brought the Pisces of the Four Dragons from outside. Baron Atsuma of the frontier has finally taken on a major role. He is likely one of the ‘Apostles’ [likely referring to a group of antagonists]. The Yeoui Mani [a mythical wish-fulfilling jewel or orb] that this child lost due to the Griffin’s attack was originally in their hands.”

I raised my head sharply and spoke. Francois hurriedly covered his mouth with his sleeve.

Jibril Diop abruptly stopped chewing on a walnut.

“Good heavens. Then it’s possible that they brought in the divine artifact from Statia or the Salt Marsh.”

“It’s probably not Statia, Guinness. The Imperial Army has been closely monitoring that place all along.”

Gaine quickly added. Sir Johann narrowed his drooping eyes.

“Indeed… There was a secret in the collapsed shrine in the Salt Marsh.”

“Certainly. A divine artifact would have been needed for the products of the experiment to reach that level.”

The Crown Prince whispered lowly. I quickly nodded my head.

“Yes. I was too distracted at the time to think that far, but that must have been the case. Looking back on the condition of the paladins I witnessed that day…”

“Goodness, I don’t know what all this means!”

Seme Gongja suddenly interrupted. We reflexively turned to look at the three of them.

“Divine artifacts, experiments, what on earth… What kind of people are you? I had guessed it from the beginning, but you are not an ordinary mercenary guild, are you?”

Tess held Gongja’s trembling hand tightly and asked.

The three of them now had almost terrified expressions.

I gave a bitter smile with a sorry heart. Oh dear.

“I’m sorry. You will gradually learn about our identities. You will also soon learn what kind of experiments Baron Atsuma is conducting in the secret chamber. And the divine artifact is…”

I carefully raised my palm and stretched it out so that everyone could see it well.

The fire lizard nodded its small head, signaling. Then immediately—

-Poof!

“Ugh!”

It exploded into tiny flames!

-Fss…

As fine ashes fell, shining the last embers, Tess gaped as if she had seen a ghost.

Gongja’s eyes, who was in shock, were rapidly bloodshot. It was then.

-Rustle, rustle

“Oh. Come in.”

At the entrance of the barracks, there was a sound of cloth fluttering.

I smiled and answered without even turning to look at that side.

Head Teacher Lena scanned the floor with a dazed look.

“…”

“…”

-Tap, tap, tap tap, tap tap tap, tap tap…

A lizard with a similar pattern to the one that disappeared a moment ago diligently walked over and began to crawl up my knee.

This time, there were three of them.

“Oh, Lord God…”

-Thud!

Finally, Lena fainted. Seme Gongja and Tess jumped up from their seats.

*

Dawn in the North. The darkness just before the light of dawn.

The monster-specialized mercenary guild, ‘SoMaek,’ members were gathered in small groups in the middle of the barracks.

They were already perfectly prepared to leave.

Most of them had slept for about two or three hours, which was enough to spend the day feeling refreshed.

The luggage was also carefully packed, and the weapons were thoroughly checked.

The horses that rested in the stable were also said to be in good condition.

Finally, after packing the divine beasts into their arms, the outfit was complete and ready to hit the road immediately.

I also washed my face and brushed my teeth thoroughly, just in case the Palace Lord would nag me later.

“Let’s be fair and square, fair and square.”

But there was still one part that had not been coordinated.

Gaine’s large eyes flashed fiercely.

“Rock-paper-scissors. No matter what anyone says, this is the fairest thing in the world.”

“My disciple really likes that game.”

Johann replied with a gentle smile.

Cedric let out a silent sigh, but now he was clenching and unclenching his left hand as if he was used to it.

Stanislas, the eldest, showed interest in the children’s bet.

Then the tomboyish Water Drop poured out explanations.

“Of course, since we have Cardinal Johann Seme and His Highness the Sword Master, we don’t put our hands down. Then we get all the numbers read by Seme. It’s because of the difference in dynamic visual acuity [the ability to see moving objects clearly]. So, we stand back to back and raise our hands to the sky when we say, ‘Rock-paper-scissors!’ You have to raise it exactly at ‘scissors.’ I usually shout the slogan.”

“Indeed, a fair and just method.”

“Isn’t it? The two people who are caught each take the Palace Lord and the Marquis. How about it?”

“Hahaha. That sounds fun. Let’s do that.”

“…”

Jibril silently watched the absurd sight, then turned back again.

The two non-combat Marquises sleeping soundly on the floor—Juliet Palace Lord and Francois D’Heim—came into view.

At this rate, they seemed ready to become one with the sleeping bag.

Their appearance of relying on each other’s warmth and falling asleep without knowing the world was pathetic.

No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand it.

“I don’t know why you’re going through so much trouble. Why don’t you just wake them up and take them with you?”

“What’s with your personality? Do you always wage war like that? Show some respect for non-combat personnel who are running out of stamina.”

“…”

“…”

Immediately, a sharp answer like an icicle flew in, and the sixth cousin and the Grand Duke gave him cold glances from her sides.

Grandfather did not blame Jibril, but he could not help him by going against public opinion.

In the end, the lightning wizard frowned and took a step forward.

Damn it. There’s nothing normal about this group.

“Okay, let’s do it.”

They pretend to be so friendly. They really like giving punishments to others.

“Then, let’s decide the Palace Lord’s turn first. Turn your backs. Get your arms ready… Rock-paper-scissors!”

‘Clack!’ Five arms moved with precision.

Jibril chuckled and checked above his head. Let’s see…

I’m the only one with a cloth, and everyone else has a fist?

“Great. Then I’m out, right?”

He turned around with a sulky look, but the atmosphere was somehow unusual.

What?

“…”

“…”

“…”

Why am I the traitor again?