What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 592

#592

This Time, It’s a Real Disaster (1)

Everyone looked terrible.

Oh my, the esteemed Archmage Valerie!

“Excuse me….”

-Creak….

“Excuse me.”

“We’re coming in.”

Shu stared at them, her jaw dropped wide enough to show her molars.

It was a sight she couldn’t believe, even after letting them into her house herself.

The intruders all looked disheveled.

Especially the white-haired knight and the Dior lad were quite a sight.

Their clothes were tattered like rags, revealing their skin, yet it was strangely fascinating that they had no scratches.

The second surprising thing was that they had arrived here without being detected by anyone.

The dressmaker’s skirt was already torn up to her knees.

And then there was the servant lad from Juliet Palace….

“Your house is very lovely. It seems to be a cherished haven.”

“……”

Only Prince Yeseo, who had been horribly kidnapped, looked relatively unscathed.

The animals that followed like sausages also looked very clean.

Shu was startled as if struck by lightning and began to move hastily.

This was no time to be spacing out!

-Thwack!

“Ouch.”

-Thwack, thwack!

“This is my fate.”

-Thwack, thwack, thwack!

“Heave-ho, my aching body….”

Noon was using every last bit of strength she had—she didn’t even know she had that much energy left at her age—running around the house.

It was to completely block the outside view by covering all the curtains.

She had been reckless and a skilled magician in dangerous experiments since her youth, but she was still human and knew the value of her life.

If she left those guests alone, she would surely get into trouble.

This time, for sure!

“I’m sorry for intruding so early. I’m really sorry, Ms. Shu,” the prince apologized, arching his elegant eyebrows.

He was wearing the snail glasses that Shu had developed herself, which of course, the Dior lad had lent him.

That magical tool wasn’t even patent-registered yet.

Of course, she had no intention of commercializing it in the future.

“….Don’t, don’t mention it, Your Highness.”

‘Oh, fickle gods,’ she thought. As soon as she managed to answer, a sigh-like prayer followed.

As she looked like she was about to die, the uninvited guests standing blankly also became restless.

To be exact, the most kind-looking servant lad and the pink-haired dressmaker among them started closing the windows and locking them without being told.

They were all faces she had seen in the Imperial Palace.

The old woman swallowed a sigh that welled up from deep within her core.

…I should have kept my mouth shut.

-Clang, clang!

-Thump! Bang!

Who could she blame? It was her fault for being a foolish old woman who couldn’t let go of magic.

It was her fault for constantly buying good magic stones with the hope that maybe, just maybe, and even going far to find them.

Even though she knew she shouldn’t.

…It was time to let go of everything and give up for good.

“Ms. Shu, what can I help you with?”

The knight with white hair hanging down approached her without a sound and looked down at her.

Shu pointed to the fireplace with a tired face.

Even though she didn’t say anything, the man nodded smoothly.

“I’ll prepare the tea. Maybe I can even help with dinner.”

“Well, well….”

No matter what the magician said with a click of her tongue, the man brazenly passed her by.

Meanwhile, the Dior lad had been staring at every corner of the house for a long time, with an expression that seemed to have a lot to say.

But Shu didn’t want to consider his circumstances, not today. How could she?

That suspicious, dubious, and questionable lad had finally stolen the most famous nobleman on the continent!

And then he barged into this house without warning!

Good heavens, just looking at him made her blood pressure rise.

“Your Grace, I’m going up to the attic to check the bedding now. Would you like to come with me?”

“Yes. If Ms. Shu allows it….”

In the meantime, the Serenite lad, who was unrolling the rolled-up carpet, looked at her cautiously.

The old woman quickly waved her hand, indicating he could do as he pleased.

The young man smiled gently, bowed his head, and walked up the stairs step by step.

And not long after—

-Squeak!

-Ouch!

-Pat!

-Yao!

“Lopi, be careful of the shelf. There are plates on it.”

Shu’s house instantly turned into an animal kingdom.

A palm-sized cat jumped here and there, sniffing around, the white thing lying on the sofa whimpered at every chance, and three chubby brown puppies scurried around.

The little red lizard seemed to be just one, but every time Shu went somewhere, one more was found.

It was unbelievable and suffocating.

-Baa!

…And even the spotted goat that had been standing at the entrance all along.

When did that guy sneak in again?

The magician eventually let out a hollow laugh and shook her head.

It was the first time her house had been so crowded.

Come to think of it, it was really the first time in her entire life.

For the first time in a long time, his voice seemed to ring in her ears.

‘I hope you will be happy here with good people, Teacher.’

It was a conversation she thought she had forgotten.

‘Goodness! Enough, Your Highness. I’m sick of blood relatives now.’

‘Even if it’s not a family tied by blood, there must be someone who can make Teacher happy.’

‘…….’

‘Don’t be alone. Cecil and I are not alone anymore either.’

“…….”

Long ago, the house she received from her beloved disciple was surprisingly large.

It felt like only yesterday that she had begged him to give her a small house, as she had no intention of keeping even one subordinate.

In fact, she had waved her hands, saying she wouldn’t receive anything at all.

Shu didn’t want to be a burden to her disciple, who had gone through with the state marriage despite all the opposition from her family.

But she had already refused a title once.

Refusing further would be disrespectful to the noble imperial family, and the current Emperor was known for his fiery temper.

Rumor had it that he would get very angry if things didn’t go his beloved consort’s way.

In the end, she received a navy-blue house near the Imperial Palace, half willingly and half unwillingly.

It was a location selection that showed her disciple’s consideration.

A secluded alleyway with only a dilapidated house in the back as neighbors.

A single-story house that was easy to clean and didn’t strain her leg joints.

With an attic under the roof for easy storage of magical tools and experimental equipment, and surprisingly quick access to the Leugo General Trading Company by carriage on the main road.

‘Come visit often. Frederick likes Teacher’s firework magic.’

‘You’re good at joking.’

…So that she could go to Evelyn whenever she wanted.

“Ms. Shu. Ms. Shu?”

Noon was startled and turned her gaze.

The servant lad, who had already come down from the attic, was looking at her with gentle brown eyes.

Holding a frisky puppy in his arms.

“Um, there’s a lot of dust in the attic…. We might have to stay there, so would it be okay if we helped you clean it? If you’re uncomfortable, we’re fine here too. Really.”

-Squeak?

With his shoulders hunched and his voice cautious, one might even wonder who was the intruder and who was the homeowner.

He couldn’t be more brazen, but his expression made him look like a great sinner.

It was as if she was seeing someone from her past again, and a hollow breath escaped her.

The old woman shook her head a few times to shake off his thoughts.

“It’s done, it’s done…. Let’s hear the story first.”

“Yes?”

“It’s too late to kick you out, and from the looks of it, you seem to be wandering around of your own accord without being tied down by the prince.”

Then the prince, who was sitting demurely on the sofa, smiled faintly, like a painting.

Shu barely stopped the goat from tearing at the corner of the frame and looked back at the group.

She swallowed hard.

“What on earth were you thinking when you did that, and what were you thinking, Your Highness, and what are your plans for the future…. I need to hear everything. Everything from A to Z.”

*

-Click!

The wine glass, as red as blood, stood bare in an instant.

All the knights and servants of the Imperial Palace held their breath and lowered their heads.

Only three people were sitting at the long and wide table.

And the early lunch was growing cold on the plates, without satisfying anyone’s appetite.

One person silently stared into space, rolling a glass in his fist, and another slowly bit into a fruit.

Every time the man sitting across from her moved his knife, crimson blood oozed from the meat. Slicing, slicing, slicing….

“…….”

“…….”

“So, may I ask what the conclusion is?”

Finally, the cardinal’s voice echoed.

David, exchanging glances with Chief of Staff Laura, quietly closed his eyes.

Even he, who had worked as an imperial servant since he was seventeen, found it difficult to endure the Sword Master’s pressure and this atmosphere.

How could such a thing happen in the world? How….

“….The description of the acquaintance mentioned by Marquis Francois D’huime has been clearly identified, but after collecting the investigation results, it seems that it was not his sole act. It is presumed that at least two or more accomplices helped secure the infiltration and escape routes, and that there is a force concealing them after the escape.”

“A force?”

“Yes. As the incident involves the simultaneous disappearance of the prince of the Holy Kingdom and the Holy Relic, it is an incident that an individual cannot easily commit, believing in his own power alone.”

Elisabeth folded her arms behind her back and answered clearly.

Commander of the Guard Ervé D’huime, who was standing by his subordinate, added quietly.

“I am afraid to say, Your Majesty. As of now, we must suspect a number of imperial nobles. He is the one who knocked down twelve members of the Guard with his bare hands and unleashed a tremendous shockwave. Hiring such a magician as a mercenary in secret requires more than ordinary connections and capital. Moreover, if the force committed the act on the Crown Prince’s birthday, I dare say that there seems to be a hidden intention.”

“A hidden intention….”

“It’s political, from beginning to end.”

Finally, a husky voice echoed through the space. For a moment, everyone was silent.

The Emperor’s Durandal [his sword] leaned diagonally against the armrest.

Each word was heavy as lead.

Elisabeth glanced at Cedrick’s back and quietly took a breath.

“….In addition, we thoroughly searched the forest near the Lake of White Magic, but there were some areas close to the jungle and swamps, as it had been a place where outsiders had not entered for a long time. Baron Bakari has personally confirmed this, and this section is currently undergoing logging and excavation work with the mobilization of professional magicians. Bakari and André are actively providing support.”

“…….”

“So, there are no special clues?”

Orelie asked in a very calm tone.

Ervé reached out his hand small enough to be seen only by Elisabeth.

It was a sign that he would step forward.

“….I am sorry, but that is the case, Your Majesty. I will gladly accept the punishment if you give it to me.”

“You are already punishing yourself, aren’t you.”

“…….”

“Isn’t that so, Ervé.”

The blood-red eyes immediately rolled to him.

The Commander of the Guard tightened his jaw and lowered his gaze.

Emperor Frederick Liestel stretched his neck back and made a languid expression.

“….Whoever it is, it must have been something they did with the determination to be purged.”

“…….”

“Expand the search range to the islands and do not miss even the slightest clue. What about the full investigation of the attendees?”

“As this masquerade ball allowed entry without an invitation, the number of people, including those who briefly stopped by, is said to be close to five hundred. Two days ago, the capital garrison received the list and is thoroughly investigating the identities of their sixth cousins.”

“Tell them to speed up. Also, we must not relax the border defenses, especially at times like these. Send a messenger to the Blanquer Duchy and have all carriages crossing into the neutral zone inspected to the bottom….”

The Emperor’s voice continued without inflection.

The servants with notebooks wrote down her words without missing a single syllable.

“…….”

However, the leader of the Fleur de Lis [a special guard unit], who stood silently guarding the side of the Guard, was completely lost in a different context and unable to escape.

‘We thoroughly searched the forest near the Lake of White Magic, but there were some areas close to the jungle and swamps, as it had been a place where outsiders had not entered for a long time.’

…Jungle and swamps?

“That….”

The cyan eyes trembled finely.

The forest near the lake was his only refuge and escape.

There was no jungle there. Of course, there were no swamps either.

The leader knew that best.

Something was wrong.