What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 516

Dragon King’s Onward March! (2)

“Huff…”

“You fell deeply asleep without even realizing you were on horseback. Rest more if you’re tired.”

“Ah, no. I’m alright, Your Highness.”

As I fidgeted, Grandfather chuckled softly and straightened my posture with one hand.

‘Thank you,’ I said, looking around with still-sleepy eyes.

It was midday, the sun already past its peak.

The air touching my nose was, of course, as cold as ice.

Dreaming of spring must have been because His Highness Stanislaus’s embrace was as warm as a heated floor [a traditional Korean heated floor system, offering radiant warmth].

I rubbed my still-numbed crown and found two strands of my hair caught on the elder’s button.

I let out a dumbfounded laugh.

No wonder it hurt so much when I tried to take off the crown. It was the pain of hair being pulled out.

-Clop, clop, clop…

“But where is this…”

“That building you see over there happens to be the Bareun-Atsuma Guild Hall.”

Grandfather whispered in response.

I slowly shifted my gaze, following his finger.

A few steps away, Teacher Tess and Young Master Sem were acting as guides.

And far off, below the hills…

“Isn’t it magnificent?”

The large Guild Hall building, facing the snow-covered spruce forest, came into view.

Its shape was unlike anything I had seen in the Empire, and my lips naturally formed an ‘O’.

“…Wow.”

-Whoosh…

The Guild Hall had a roof as pointed as a house made of matchsticks, much larger and steeper than a typical roof.

Thanks to this, snow didn’t accumulate, and its bright red color was easily visible from afar.

Moreover, with two tall chimneys puffing out breath as if competing, no guild would likely get lost on their way to the Guild Hall.

At the top, the emblems of the Bareun viscount family and the Atsuma baronet family, along with the Guild Hall flag, were lined up.

In the space beneath the roof, three or four palm-sized windows were dotted.

Below that, a seven-story timber-framed structure unfolded, each floor painted a different color and decorated differently.

This side had large windows, and the pillar-head decorations were also quite elaborate.

Even though the Myth-grade monster Griffin clan had rushed towards Atsuma, the Guild Hall looked pristine and peaceful, as if it hadn’t been affected at all.

The surrounding environment was also intact. Did they just pass by here?

“I want to take a picture…”

Such a murmur escaped on its own.

It’s always fascinating how such vivid and diverse cultures exist in the Retreating Duke world, even though I’m now just a ‘reader’.

“Guild Master, they say that passing through there and going through the spruce forest leads to the Atsuma baronetcy.”

Ga-in’s cheerful voice came from beside me. I turned my head and was shocked!

“Gasp!”

Francois, wrapped snugly in a smooth brown sleeping bag, was asleep on her saddle, sitting sideways.

Ugh, my eyes! That adorable ferret was a national MC [Master of Ceremonies, a popular public figure]? Ugh, my brain!

“Hehehe. I’ll take the handsome magician and live with him.”

“Ah, no!”

What are you saying! I exclaimed, pale-faced.

There are things in the world that you can’t help but be serious about, even when you know they’re jokes.

Then Ga-in burst into laughter, as if she were about to suffocate.

Lord Yohaan, with Dduk-sim on his head—was Dduk-sim wearing a black hat?—rumbled with laughter.

My cheeks flushed at the feeling of being teased by two people.

Wondering what the other friends were doing, I quickly looked around and saw the Crown Prince and Charlemagne on the right.

Surely, I had seen this guy outside the right window of the flower palanquin.

“Huh.”

So that was… not entirely a dream?

“If you have something to say, say it.”

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

Perhaps sensing my gaze on his profile, Crown Prince Cedrick spoke bluntly.

Tete, nestled in his arms, smiled at me, her dark eyes crinkling.

I greeted the baby with a nod and craned my neck to look behind.

-Clack, clack, clack…

“What are you looking at?”

“…”

Djibril Diop, in charge of the rear, followed behind, pulling the reins of Areumhardt and Chocolat (Francois’s steed’s name).

Why does he look so unhappy all alone?

“Young Master, did something happen?”

“Something happen? It did. It certainly did, thanks to someone so holy and radiant.”

His eyes were strange, and his words were strange. The man’s red eyes were somehow full of discontent.

Wondering if a fight had broken out while I was asleep, I quickly looked back at my friends.

But Ga-in was just looking at me with a lovely and innocent expression, like a scene from an ion drink commercial [referencing a popular type of Korean beverage known for its clean and refreshing image].

The Crown Prince glanced this way with a polite and somber gaze, then lifted his chin haughtily, like a top actor at a photo shoot.

I quickly shut my mouth, which was about to burst into an exclamation.

Wow, you really have to thank your parents for the rest of your life…

“He’s gone off on another tangent again, again.”

“…”

Seeing that both of them were as unscathed and beautiful as ever, it seemed that no petty squabble had taken place.

I smiled and turned my gaze back to the front.

It was a pity that the Young Master was in a bad mood, but he was an adult, so he would figure it out on his own.

In the meantime, I was startled when Grandfather seemed to be trembling at his fingertips.

“Your Highness?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. It seems like the wind is getting into my bones as I get older.”

The elder’s words and eyes trembled slightly.

Worrying about what to do, I took out my little fire lizard friend from my arms and placed it on His Highness’s wrist.

The little one seemed to like the thick bone and wrapped around Grandfather’s wrist.

Watching that, I chuckled.

‘Sem, when will I get that stigma?’

At the same time, Ga-in’s voice rang clearly in my head.

If all of that wasn’t a dream, and I had heard my friends’ stories in my sleep…

Then was the sudden appearance in hanbok [traditional Korean dress] because of this little one?

“Was it because you looked like a Dragon King from the Dragon Palace [mythical underwater kingdom in East Asian folklore]?”

-…

Thanks to that, deep in my subconscious, I adopted a Korean concept.

“Thanks to our North Sea Dragon King, I got to hold a jade tablet. I even got to wear a coronet.”

Gray eyes blinked and captured me.

I stroked his forehead and whispered softly.

“Then shall I call you Gyu (虯) [a mythical dragon-like creature] instead of lizard? How about it?”

-…

Then his round eyes began to shine brightly.

Deep within his pupils, a red light flickered. Fortunately, he seemed to like it.

“Gyu? That’s so cute. It suits him well. Gyu-ya!”

“Stella-nim.”

I was flustered and called Ga-in.

It’s not ‘Gyu.’ Would I give him such a name?

“Ah! If you spell out Gyu, it’s Gu-Gu. You’re Gu-Gu, and this is Dduk-sim!”

-Peep!

The wren, taking over the baton, promptly introduced itself.

It also seemed very pleased with its friend’s new name.

My mind went blank, and I forgot what to say for a moment.

The lizard didn’t seem to understand the principle of how ‘Gyu’ turned into ‘Gyu’ (of course), but it nodded its head up and down or licked its tongue, enjoying the name ‘Gu-Gu’.

The back, smeared with persimmon, seemed to be getting redder. Oh my.

“Since it was one syllable and became two syllables like a dream, it is indeed a fitting name for this lizard.”

“…Hahaha. That’s right.”

Around that time, Grandfather gave me a wonderful realization, and I ended up laughing out loud.

It was true.

The great dragon (Gyu) had the amazing ability to transform into a cute lizard (Gyu), and it possessed the wondrous power to divide one into many (Gu-Gu)…

“Okay, if you like it, that’s all that matters. Hyung [Korean term for older brother or close male friend] also likes Gu-Gu cones.”

-Tap

As I whispered that, Gu-Gu tapped Grandfather’s wrist with its tail in response.

Seeing it full of life, I also felt energized.

“We’ll definitely find your Pisces for you. Don’t worry too much.”

“Princess Consort.”

I flinched. Then I shuddered at the voice coming from my left.

When I quickly shifted my gaze, I saw Lord Yohaan fluttering his elegant eyelashes.

He was about to say something but looked surprised by my reaction.

Ah.

“I’m sorry. I was just thinking about a dream I had a little while ago.”

“Was it a nightmare?”

“No, it was just a very interesting and fresh story. In the end, Benjamin…”

‘Princess Consort.’

That’s right. Benjamin called me from the window.

Unlike the other friends outside the flower palanquin, he was looking at me directly at my eye level.

As if he had been there all along.

“The Chief of Staff?”

Beside me.

“Yes, he greeted me. I was a little surprised to see his face after so long.”

“…”

Yeah, I guess so. Otherwise, there would be no reason for me to be horrified to see him.

I raised the corners of my lips slightly and changed the subject.

“What were you about to say, Lord Yohaan?”

“…It seems like you should move now. From here on, it’s downhill, so it will be a burden on His Highness’s horse.”

“Oh, that’s right. I’m sorry, Richard. I’ve been relying on you too much.”

-Heeheehing

Just in time, Grandfather paused the horse for a moment.

He also said kindly, ‘Take your time.’

While Ga-in was diligently waking up her sleeping drinking buddy—”How long are you going to make me dance? Look at my shoulder! It’s dislocated!”—I wriggled down from Richard’s saddle.

I also demonstrated the swiftness of getting out of the sleeping bag in 3 seconds, recalling the winter training. 착! [sound effect for quick action]

-Thud!

“Oops.”

Then Gaga Bag got caught on Grandfather’s stirrup, and the contents spilled onto the ground.

Since I carry so much around, sometimes the luggage overflows like this.

This is Tete’s extra bib, this is Dduk-sim’s water-repellent towel, and this is…

“…”

‘.’

It was Benjamin’s collection of essays that Ganael had given me at the Bethani apothecary.

‘He sent it as a gift for the Princess Consort. It’s the collector’s edition that came out this time. He published it in a limited edition of 3,000 copies, and this one is number 0000.’

‘Wow. Thank you!’

This time, under the pen name , he newly published a special limited edition.

I carefully dusted off the book and blew on it, wondering if any dust had gotten on it.

I was just thinking about Benjamin, so I was secretly glad that this book had popped out like this.

I miss everyone a lot.

“I have to read it soon.”

“Hey, my arm is going to fall off.”

“Oops. I’m coming!”

Duke Diop grumbled, holding Areum’s reins.

I wrapped myself in the sleeping bag and hurried to him. It was then.

-Screech…!

From quite a distance, the sound of a heavy door opening was heard.

Our group, as well as Young Master Sem and Tess, who were ahead, stopped their horses and assessed the situation.

The lightning magician quickly pulled out his staff and moved this way.

Because of that, I couldn’t see anything in front. Hey!

“Areum-ah, Uncle’s getting on.”

-Neigh

As I hurriedly climbed onto the saddle, a long line of people coming out of the Guild Hall came into view.

The tension in my whole body was released, and a white sigh escaped. Most of them were ordinary freight wagons.

On the outer walls of the carriages, intuitive emblems of fabric shops, lumber merchants, and leather merchant associations were drawn.

The coachmen were all wearing thick clothes, looking like penguins.

Here and there, those who appeared to be mercenaries walked slowly, escorting the wagons.

“Oh…”

Indeed, the Guild Hall was fulfilling its role even during the war.

It felt like watching [a popular travel documentary series] in front of my eyes.

At that moment.

-Flash!

“Huh?”

Among the many wagons, a sharp ray of light flashed.

Djibril Diop immediately turned to me.

“Just now…”

Judging by the atmosphere, it didn’t seem like I was mistaken.

*

At the same time.

The commoner Alain ran for his life. Finally, the spruce forest was in sight right in front of him.

“Huff, huff, huff…!”

Just a little further. Just a little further.

Then I can live.

“Huff, cough! Huff!”

If I hide in the forest, if I just endure one night there.

Then I can see her again.

“Sniff, sniff! Sniff…!”

The young man kicked the ground like crazy with his face soaked in tears and sweat. Then finally—

-Swoosh!

From the sky, a rain of arrows poured down. As if only cursing her.