What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 520

Sub Male Lead’s Hiatus – #520

Dragon King’s Onward March! (6)

“…I’ve dispatched swift mercenaries, so news should arrive soon. The Spruce Forest is as dark as night even in broad daylight, and the rumors are ominous. It’s not a place where ordinary people can easily enter.”

Eda Atsma spoke in a voice as dry as the desert.

Her sunken eyes and protruding cheekbones made her look even more sharp and grotesque.

Even as she directly faced the Baron’s animosity, the Third Apostle merely curled up the corners of her lips, showing no other reaction.

The red-robed believers were busy pretending not to notice the palpable hostility.

Though it was the hour when morning was breaking, the office, with its blackout curtains, was as dark as midnight.

The peacock in the crystal ball inquired with fluid naturalness.

《I’m glad to hear that. So, the one who escaped isn’t a ‘successful creation,’ is it?》

“……”

Eda was silent for a moment.

If a successful experiment were to emerge from her territory, it would be the first record among all the Apostles.

Wilhelmina Schneider’s twelve Apostles were serving the Duke in their own ways throughout the Theocracy.

The wealthy sponsored military funds, the cunning devised strategies, and those with charisma constantly expanded their networks.

The fallen First and Second Apostles had proven their loyalty with their martial prowess.

Some Apostles continued to provide political support.

In particular, the Sarhentini Ducal House was a prominent family slated to form a marriage alliance with the Second Princess, Cornelia Venetian.

But all of this was before the black market collapsed.

“Those moving to the corpse room receive a death certificate from a physician or priest beforehand. We are conducting a thorough investigation, presuming there was a mistake by the supervisor or medical staff in this process.”

《…So the escapee is a failure. I understand.》

“……”

Wilhelmina, known as the ‘Underground Counter-Duke,’ who had dominated the underbelly of the Theocracy, lost the largest commercial district on the continent forever after an absurd commotion.

Even now, it felt like a dream, but unfortunately, her reality was a nightmare.

The black market, which had been in charge of all sorts of illicit dealings, money laundering, black magician manpower and equipment procurement, and the supply of clean corpses for the Ducal House, collapsed overnight and fell into the hands of the Imperial Army.

The ultimate tax haven had literally vanished like a bubble.

Of course, Wilhelmina was one to prepare contingency plans upon contingency plans, and Schneider was not a family that would fall just because the black market disappeared.

However, the impact was clear. It was irreversible.

For example, the Yilan fruits that the black market’s black magicians had been storing were completely lost.

《But if we stop challenging just because we keep failing, we will never reach divinity. Or is that not so?》

“Your words are wise, my lord.”

The Third Apostle smiled and replied. Eda silently nodded.

Wilhelmina in the crystal ball was merely showing her neat lower face and both hands.

Several families, including the Sarhentini, who had been lining up to support her, cut off contact at once.

Those who could no longer enjoy the privileges of the black market wandered back to the political and business world in search of a way to survive.

Those who maintained their pride without any special activity were at least on the elegant side.

Among them, there were so many who openly approached the Crown Princess Elysee that they could not be counted on one hand.

Switching ships in wartime was easier than flipping a palm [a common idiom for something very easy].

《As you know, fire-attribute Physis are rare treasures. It took many sacrifices just to safely extract them from the Salt Swamp. Please continue to make an effort in the future.》

“Yes. I will work day and night.”

Wilhelmina was gradually feeling the need for results.

She was still a major figure who controlled the politics of the Theocracy, but there had to be visible gains to prevent public opinion from completely leaning towards the Crown Princess.

The First Princess, who she thought would always live under her skirt, was finally opening her eyes.

There were still more things that Elysee Venetian didn’t know than she did, but she was inherently intelligent and quick to learn.

She also had to remember that Count Roseharder of the Royal Court could bite her neck at any time [betray her unexpectedly].

Grand Duke Judith Kamingha’s blatant moves were also annoying.

Moreover, the Emperor of the Empire was sharp-minded and quick to judge, so she couldn’t take her eyes off him for even a moment.

In the midst of all this, her blood-related sibling was hiding somewhere like a rat, not showing his face.

He was a guy who was never helpful in her life.

Thus, the Duchess felt an inevitable anxiety.

She didn’t want to admit it, but it was true.

《…Well, I have another appointment, so I’ll be on my way. I wish you good fortune.》

“We are deeply grateful, my lord.”

“We are honored. We will see you again soon.”

As soon as Eda and the Third Apostle bowed their heads, the crystal ball began to emit a thick, dark green mana again. ‘Ooooooong……’

“……”

“……”

As Wilhelmina’s presence disappeared, the two women’s gazes met directly.

The believers inhaled, the air heavier than when the Duchess was present.

Eda bluntly opened the gate [started the conversation directly].

“What are you doing?”

“What is it?”

“I’m saying, was there any reason to report such a trivial matter to the Duke? There have often been escapees from the laboratory before. I have never failed to catch them. But the Apostle is drawing a sword to kill a mosquito [using excessive force for a small problem].”

“……”

Then the Third Apostle smirked.

The Duchess looked almost ten years younger than the Baron, but no one knew her actual age.

“Baron. The Duke now wants visible results.”

“……”

“I remember mentioning it on and off since I arrived here, but perhaps because you don’t engage in social activities… you didn’t understand quickly enough.”

It was a clear language of provocation.

Instead of retorting, Eda captured the opponent in her sight with her bulging eyes.

The Duchess continued with a bitter tone.

“Would experiments on commoners really be effective? The Duke probably wanted to say that.”

“……”

“But she must have held back. Because she is merciful.”

“……”

“Also, until today, she respected the faith of the Eleventh Apostle. She is the one who received her dying daughter back because of her faith in the Duke, so she highly values the Baron’s obsession and will.”

‘Crack.’ Eda gripped her armrest.

Thinking of the pain at that time still made her breathless.

The Duchess glanced at her pale fingertips and spat out indifferently.

“That’s all good. But you have to see the big picture. Just because you’re in the north, does that mean you can’t read the political situation in the capital and the war?”

“……”

“Oh, I’m hungry. I think I’ll be leaving now.”

‘I hope today’s breakfast suits my taste.’ She muttered loudly as if for someone to hear, then stood up haughtily and left.

Eda quietly bit her lip, watching her retreating figure.

She had heard rumors that the Apostles were highly competitive, but it was her first time experiencing it directly, and she felt resentful and embarrassed.

The believers who had missed their chance to leave glanced at her with anxious eyes.

“Umm, Baron.”

“Why is there no news from the mercenaries?”

“Yes, yes?”

“I’m talking about those who left to catch the escapee. Why haven’t they reported until now?”

“I’ll, I’ll check right away. It must have been resolved well last night. They must have just delayed the report for fear of waking the Baron.”

As soon as someone quick-wittedly said that, the group in red robes rose up and paid their respects.

The atmosphere was so much like they were trying to avoid something that they themselves felt embarrassed.

In the end, the most sociable of them added this.

“Didn’t a swarm of monsters pass over the assembly hall not long ago? The outside air is ominous, so wait a little longer.”

“That’s right. Of course.”

“Everything will be fine, Baron.”

They each added a word as they left the office in turn.

Eda silently fiddled with the locket hanging around her neck.

There was not a trace of vitality in her sunken cheeks.

*

The hour when the sun was hanging in the middle of the sky. In front of the cave where the group had spent the night.

We finally established a flawless, complete, and indispensable ‘Right-Atsma Guild Assembly Hall Infiltration and Territory People Rescue and Physis Recovery Operation,’ and achieved the feat of having all guild members agree to it.

As the Guild Master of Somac, it was a very joyful and proud achievement.

I would like to give this honor to His Majesty Emperor Frederick and my teacher, who believed in us and sent us.

The two of them probably didn’t expect this situation, but anyway.

I would also like to thank Marquis Francois, who combed my hair this morning.

“Then, let’s move separately from here.”

Well, I’ll skip the detailed explanation. Because they’re things we’ll be taking care of anyway.

We’ll do well.

“Hing. I don’t want to separate.”

Ms. Gain, I just boasted that ‘everyone agreed to the operation’!

“We’ll meet again soon. You know that.”

“Still. I’m a little sad that only I’m being separated. Everyone else is going with the Guild Master.”

As I gently coaxed her, she pouted her lips and grabbed the hem of my robe.

She hardly ever acts like this innocent lamb, so honestly, it was a little cute.

But Jibril Diop was gagging next to her.

“Wow, I almost threw up what I ate for lunch. Keep it moderate, it makes me nauseous?”

“Shut your mouth. What do you know, you’re not even a Holy Knight? If you have a complaint, express it with Aether [a magical energy],”

“It’s too childish to listen to. I, who doesn’t have Aether, am more objective and realistic in my thinking than anyone, don’t you know?”

“So what? We’re going to go straight ahead while liking each other. We have our own way, you know?”

“Ms. Stella, hold it in.”

I barely managed to stop the two from arguing.

Diop frowned as my hand touched him.

After comparing several strategies and agonizing over them, we decided to send the two to the Spruce Forest, but I was a little worried because their personalities didn’t match.

Of course, Gain and Gongja weren’t the only ones entering the forest with the Griffin.

His Highness Stanislas decided to accompany them in preparation for their sudden attack, and Francois also joined this side.

He didn’t say it outright, but he seemed anxious to check the ‘top-grade magic stone cave’ himself.

“You really, really know you’re alive thanks to the Guild Master.”

“Even without the Guild Master, you wouldn’t be able to beat me alone, would you?”

“Stop it. Please.”

I smiled slightly and took out a handkerchief from Gagabang [likely a personal storage space or item].

It was a thing I brought from the Imperial Palace, so there was a small Benjamin-style embroidery on it.

‘JYS’. My name initials.

“And… I made it in a hurry at dawn, so it’s crude, but I’ll give this to Ms. Stella.”

“Huh? What is this?”

“I folded and cut the handkerchief, put the Holy Stone inside, and sewed it up. I thought you could use it as a hair tie. You can use it as an Aether aid in case of emergency. I filled it up a lot.”

“……”

Then Ms. Gain made an expression I had never seen before.

I thought my sewing skills had improved quite a bit. I hurriedly added words with a reddened face.

“I’m sorry it’s ugly. I’ll make it prettier next time.”

“No! To me, this is the prettiest in the world. Really!”

She almost screamed!

The Crown Prince frowned, but didn’t point it out outright.

Anyway, I was glad that the person in question seemed to like it.

Ms. Gain said that she couldn’t tie her hair well by herself, so I directly put a blue knot on her pink hair.

I remembered taking care of Eunseo’s way to school, so I felt strangely fluffy.

Diop said as he looked at us, sighing.

“Ha… There’s a fox in the forest. Not even one or two.”

“A fox? Foxes don’t hibernate, so that could be the case.”

“……”

Then he looked at me with a pitiful look.

I shrugged and neatly arranged Ms. Gain’s baby hair.

It’s a shame I didn’t meet a fox [referring to attractive people], but our darlings are also incredibly adorable, so it’s okay.

“Okay, that’s it. And Sem Gongja-nim, Alain-ssi. This is your lunch box.”

Then, I handed a small bundle to the two people who were leaving separately.

It’s meager, but I tried to match the nutritional balance as much as possible.

“…Thank you so much, Priest. I will never forget today’s connection until I die.”

“You’re welcome. I’m the one who asks you to take good care of Alain.”

“Thank you for your grace, angel. Thank you sincerely. I pray that all your wishes come true…”

“Thank you. I will also pray for Alain.”

Then Alain burst into tears again.

Gugu, who was clinging to my sleeve, tapped the back of her hand with her tail.

After discussion, Alain decided not to infiltrate the assembly hall with us.

The reasons were mainly three.

First, she was a newly awakened Holy Knight. The fever had subsided, but her physical condition was still not good.

Sir John advised that she should not overdo it no matter what.

If she was under too much stress, it could cause Aether runaway or depletion, so she had to be careful no matter what.

Second, she was currently being tracked by the mercenaries of the assembly hall.

It seemed difficult to infiltrate without being detected by just changing her hair and eye color.

Finally, the most important third reason was Alain’s nephew, Brandy, who was home alone.

Someone had to go and save that child right away.

Before Baron Atsma’s hand reached out.

Sem Gongja accompanied her on that journey as a guard.

Strictly speaking, Alain was not his territory people, so there was no reason for him to roll up his sleeves and help [get involved].

But the man volunteered without hesitating for even a second. I am truly grateful.

“Then… Shall we start now?”

As I looked back at the rest of the group and asked, Sir John stopped as he was taking something out of his pocket.

I instinctively narrowed my eyes. What was that just now?

A thrilling feeling is coming?

“Edelweiss-nim?”

“…It’s something to give to Guinness-nim. Take this.”

As I quickly questioned him, he answered with a long sigh.

The Cardinal was holding a Holy Stone filled with wind.

…Uh huh?