What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 616

We stayed up all night like that.

How did we stay up ‘like that,’ you ask?

“Huff, huff… Whew…”

-Kkyaaah

“Let’s hang in there a little longer, Demi. Sorry for making you suffer.”

-Kkiuung?

“Ah, is it only hard for Hyung [older brother/male friend]? I see. That’s a relief…”

We circled around the same spot for hours, and then circled around unknown side paths and pathless forests.

We groped our way up rough rocks and then lay flat among the low pebbles, waiting for a long time.

Fortunately, the northern air was cold at night, so it wasn’t as grueling or hot as midsummer.

It wasn’t as painful as a forced march during military training or winter exercises.

However, because it was a deserted place, the path was rough, and there was almost no light.

Moreover, while we took short breaks, the Imperial Army and Grand Rouge [elite military unit] were spreading like poisonous fog throughout Evelyn.

Everywhere we stepped, we could hear the presence of soldiers, and when it was quiet, we could see red armor shimmering in the distance.

Being unable to relax and constantly playing hide-and-seek felt like being trapped in a nightmare.

If it weren’t for Camille’s magic and Sir Johann’s strength, we would have been caught and strung up like sausages long ago.

“This is kind of fun, too.”

“…”

Of course, Sir Johann, the free spirit of the Free Liester, wouldn’t have allowed that…

“Your Highness, are you really okay? Your legs aren’t giving out, are they?”

“No, I can still walk. How about you, Gain…?”

“I’m a paladin, after all. I’ve been training hard and built up a lot of strength. Sir Johann is a real plank demon and squat master.”

-Awang

“…I respect you…”

“Should I give you a piggyback ride?”

“No, cough! No!”

As dawn approached, we safely shook off the soldiers and entered a ‘safe place.’

By the end, all the energy was draining from my body, and it felt like I hadn’t slept for almost five days.

If my paladin friends hadn’t supported me in time, I probably would have collapsed several times.

Even in the midst of all that, my mind remained alert, thinking about taking care of Prince Yeseo.

“Your Highness, Your Highness. I’ll hold you.”

“Yeseo…”

“Yes?”

“I’ll hold you, so step back.”

“…”

When I finally heard those words from the prince, my cheeks turned red.

I shouldn’t be like this, but I even felt a bit wronged.

No, when I borrowed that body, I clearly had no athletic ability at all.

Why are you so strong and sturdy…? Isn’t this a setting collapse or something?

Am I the only normal one?

I’m pretty good for a normal person, though…

【Is a romance fantasy sub-male lead the same as a single Seoulite?】

【That’s why I told you to get PT [personal training] when Hyung offered.】

Ah! Sinner Jeong Hyeon-seo, shut your mouth!

“This way, this way.”

“Yes.”

“Crouch down to enter. The ceiling is low, and it’s dark underneath because there are no lights.”

“Yes, Shu-nim [term of respect for a priestess].”

“Take good care of the prince and the babies.”

“Yes…”

“Don’t worry about me, Yeseo. Watch your step.”

-Kkiung

Rather, while the prince was taking care of me, the Gugus [small, magical creatures] quickly went ahead and lit their tails.

Shu-nim had been relying only on her staff and traversing the forest without a single stumble.

Goat Dotori, like a fish in water, jumped around without getting tired.

Following the guidance of the kind divine creature, we carefully headed underground.

It was around dawn, but the outside air was still bluish and dim.

Since I have a bad sense of direction, I honestly couldn’t tell which direction we came from or which building we entered.

I occasionally grabbed Sir Johann’s arm or leaned on the Crown Prince’s back as I went down, trembling.

I thought I could hear the sound of waves in the distance, but I didn’t know if it was just my imagination or real…

-Shine!

“Huh?”

Just then, the phoenix, who had been watching the fire from across the river, suddenly unfurled a scroll.

I stood on the long landing and read the status window.

What is it now, Hyung?

【♡Hidden Quest Achievement Status♡

Red: Acquired (Details)

Orange: Acquired (Details)

Yellow: Acquired (Details)

Green: Acquired (Details)

Blue: Acquired (Details)

Indigo: Acquired (Details)

Purple: Not Acquired (See More)】

“…Huh?”

“Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

“Ah, the status window… The ‘See More’ button next to the purple rainbow is shining brightly.”

Moreover, not only the green one, but ‘Details’ buttons had been added next to all the other rainbow colors.

What kind of combination is this?

I gratefully accepted Gain’s escort as she reached out her hand from the lower level.

Demi, hanging on my shoulder, poked the glittering ‘See More’ button with her nose.

Even if she can’t read the letters, she can see them!

-Kkiung!

“Keep your posture straight on the stairs and focus on your steps. You should have received imperial education.”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I’m not usually like this, but this suddenly…”

“Tsk.”

The Crown Prince clicked his tongue and began to walk slowly, narrowing the distance.

Thanks to that, the already narrow staircase was filled with the three of us.

With friends on both sides, I was relieved that there was no chance of falling.

Shu-nim and the Prince were diligently leading the way down.

Meanwhile, the clear next window appeared before my eyes. It was an explanation about the purple rainbow…

【Name: □□’s □□

Classification: ?

Type: ?

Alias: ?

Details: It is the existence that always protected your breath.】

“…Huh?”

What is this?

Is this what you’re giving me as a hint? Just one line?

【…It’s the result of my own efforts, okay?】

“What?”

I blinked. It felt like I could hear Jeong Hyeon-seo’s sigh all the way here.

【It’s only after coming this far that it’s been entered. Until recently, the cursor wouldn’t even budge. I wonder if this is also a matter of that damn plausibility.】

【It’s not easy to save my brother, really.】

“…”

‘It’s only after coming this far’ that it was entered?

I quietly pondered Hyung’s words, and then suddenly remembered something and hurriedly chased after Shu-nim.

Sir Johann let out a light sigh and grabbed the hem of my robe from behind. Thank you!

“Shu-nim! Shu-nim!”

I called her, suppressing my voice as much as possible, and just as I did, the stairs ended and a square space appeared.

I was already curious, and my mouth dropped open.

The footsteps of the four people faded away like embers soaked in the sea.

“Oh…”

Where is this…

“…It’s the shrine chamber in the basement.”

“Shrine chamber?”

I looked around blankly.

The kind Gugus moved in unison, illuminating every corner of the room.

What I could see beyond the dimness was definitely a familiar structure.

It was incomparably smaller than the Imperial Central Shrine I had visited during the annual prayer service, but on one side, various sacramental tools were prepared, and there were sofas and tea utensils for the priest’s rest.

But usually, the shrine chamber is located behind the shrine, not in such a narrow basement…

“…Could this place be,”

“Yes.”

Noon leaned her staff against the empty wall and quietly took a breath.

Only after several tens of seconds did she turn to look at us—specifically, Cedric Liester.

Gain and I reflexively stood by his side.

“Next to the bell tower where the Royal Consort was enshrined… It’s the only shrine in Evelyn.”

“…”

“This place is also under my jurisdiction. Welcome.”

*

We solved breakfast with mid- to low-level magical beasts hunted from time to time over the past three days and cheese brought from Shu’s detached house.

Fortunately, it was enough for everyone to eat without shortage (I’m really okay with just one serving).

Moreover, it was really fortunate that there was no need to worry about clean water because Gain was there.

It was naturally too cramped for six people and even the troublesome things to stay, but we somehow squeezed into the shrine chamber to catch some sleep, and then took turns washing in the bathroom right next to it.

As the day began to dawn in earnest, we once again came up to the surface one by one.

I deliberately didn’t wake the Prince and Shu-nim so they could rest a little longer.

Gain and Cedric immediately took the troublesome things and left for a patrol around the area.

-Thud, thud, thud…

-Swish, swish…

And I walked towards the edge of the cliff with Sir Johann.

The sun rising from the east was brightly shining on the blue northern sea.

The sky was so clear that it felt transparent.

White waves constantly crashed towards the chalk cliffs, and then ran away again, laughing and playing tag.

The bell tower with the blue roof gradually became closer each time we took a step.

I smiled faintly, recalling the memories we had made here someday.

I took out a sweet profiterole from the picnic basket and shared it with my teacher.

-Whoooo…

-Ssaaaaa…

As it was the place where Evelyn Grand Duke Alexandre was enshrined, there seemed to be almost no troops coming up here.

Even though we were walking at such a bright time, no one’s gaze or attack reached us at all.

Shu-nim explained that we had come around through a hidden path, not the imperial family’s private forest path.

Since servants cannot use the same path as the imperial family, they naturally have to move without being noticed even on normal days…

“Are you thinking of awakening the Ark here as well?”

Suddenly, I came to my senses at Sir Johann’s question.

I slowly raised my head and looked up at the top of the bell tower. Whoooo…

“…”

Beyond the salty sea breeze, I could see a familiar object crumpled like a rusty almond.

It was the divine creature of this world that protects the Royal Consort of this world.

‘Biryeom’s Ark.’

“…It’s asleep like that now, but the Physis [divine energy] of the Ark is a deep purple like morning glories. The wings also have a subtle lavender color.”

“It would be perfect as a purple rainbow.”

“…Yes.”

When I answered belatedly, Sir Johann turned to look at me.

His piercingly clear mint-colored eyes seemed to see through me.

His hair, which had faded from the dye, was fluttering white like a watercolor painting.

“You’re hesitating.”

“Well, this place is… Alexandre’s tomb. There’s no one in the world who would want to intentionally disturb the rest of a friend’s father. Even if this is a completely different world. I feel like I’ll really be punished by heaven later if I do this.”

“…”

“But… The last rainbow must be the Ark. Hyung was only able to give me the final clue after coming this far.”

Thud. The feet that had stopped at some point reached the entrance of the bell tower.

We looked up at the wooden door and remained silent for a while.

Hyeonseo’s window said that the purple rainbow was ‘the existence that always protected my breath.’

In short, it means that it’s not something special that we’ve never heard of before.

If we interpret ‘breath’ literally as air, it wouldn’t be particularly strange if it were Jeong Dduk-sim.

“And if all our guesses are correct… Honestly, there’s no other choice. We have a world to return to and people to meet again. Besides, that place is at war.”

“Yes, unfortunately.”

Ugh… This is driving me crazy.

“…Let’s just go in and take a look… I just want to see the state of the divine creature. Then I want to discuss it again when all my friends are gathered.”

When I made the difficult request, Sir Johann smiled softly and threw open the door. Clunk!

“Huh?”

What clunked just now?

“…It’s locked. To enter without breaking it, we’ll need the help of Shu-nim, the bell keeper.”

“Ah.”

I exclaimed, looking at Herrit’s father with a troubled expression.

That’s right. Now that I think about it, Frederick His Majesty opened it for me back then.

There’s no way it would always be open… I guess not. That makes sense.

“Then I’ll go to the shrine. It’s close, so don’t worry. I’ll ask Shu-nim and get the key quickly.”

“…I understand.”

Sir Johann seemed to hesitate for a moment, but since the Crown Prince, wearing a robe, was returning from afar, he nodded readily.

I also ran without worry, as the Cardinal would be watching my back.

The shrine and the bell tower were only a few hundred meters away.

I hurriedly chased after Cedric, who had opened the shrine door and entered first.

I felt the black man’s gaze turning towards me.

“Your Highness, you’ve come at the right time. As I said earlier this morning, we may have to awaken the Ark, but I still don’t feel good about proceeding as is.”

“…”

“For now, I’ll just check the state of the divine creature, and if possible, with Sir Johann’s help, I’ll try to approach it from the outside… Keheok!”

Kwaaang! An enormous shock pierced through my back.

Suddenly, I couldn’t understand what was happening. It hurt so much.

I vomited something strange from my mouth, and my vision flashed as if I had been struck by lightning in the back of my head.

“Keok, keuheok…!”

My, my neck is being held—

“Ced…!”

At the same time as desperately struggling, the man’s robe hood fell down.

Blood-red eyes were aimed straight at me.

“…It was you.”