What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 668

#668

Cross Purposes (1)

The final meeting ended a full six hours later.

Seriously!

We even received and ate our meals together on-site, engaging in heated discussions for half the day.

A glance at a commander’s pocket watch, well past three in the afternoon, made my head spin.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Marquis Serenite, you’ve done a great job. I’ll see you at the military camp in the early morning.”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work. Please get home safely.”

“Thank you for your kind words today, Lord Gungju. You will accomplish great things in the future.”

“You flatter me. Thank you.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince must feel very secure. If we win tomorrow, half the credit will be yours, Lord Gungju.”

“No, it’s nothing. Thank you for your kind words.”

‘Thank you for your hard work.’ I bowed incessantly to the elders passing by.

Of course, considering my superficial position, there was no need to do so, but I thought this was all part of making an impression and gaining trust.

The people here at the front lines were mostly military experts who were well-versed in combat experience and the training of knights and elite soldiers.

There were times when they clashed due to differing theories or ideas, but they were all seasoned veterans, so His Majesty did not take their advice or criticism lightly.

Since he wasn’t a typical politician, the experience of fighting together, racking their brains, and sharing meals must have resonated deeply with him.

Isn’t that how military ties work? The Empire was no different.

“Well, we’ll take our leave now. We need to start grilling our adjutants to apply His Majesty’s and Lord Gungju’s tactics from now on!”

“Hahaha.”

“The soldiers are well-fed and well-rested, so they’ll follow us well. Tonight, we’ll have a meat feast.”

“That’s good news. Enjoy it.”

I tried to put on the most amiable expression I could.

It was one of the useful skills I had learned while working at the company.

Several commanders spoke to me until the end and then quickly left the tent.

Old gentleman Lorenzo kissed the back of my hand for the second time—he seemed to do it out of habit—and escorted His Highness Oreli back to the barracks.

His Majesty had already left. I took a long sigh and slowly turned around.

“······.”

“······.”

“······.”

I immediately met eyes with my friends.

Ms. Gain, Cedric, Sir Johann, Lady Elizabeth, Isabel, His Majesty’s rag doll [referring to Camille, likely due to her small stature or perceived fragility], Camille, Francois······.

And even Zibril Diop, standing crookedly.

“······Was I okay?”

Ugh, will I get scolded for saying this?

The gazes looking at me were all so somber that it was hard to expect a good reaction.

But my tense mouth had already blurted out the sentence.

To say I would stand at the forefront when I couldn’t even fight or properly wield a sword was a bit of an overreach, even I thought so.

Of course, I wasn’t going alone, but for my friends, it was a bolt out of the blue that would make the back of their necks stiff and their blood pressure rise.

Putting myself in their shoes, imagining that I was a combatant and my friends were non-combatants······.

“You were more than okay.”

Yeah, they’ll probably get upset. They won’t be able to sleep a wink at night because they’re worried.

They’ll be supportive but also deeply anxious.

If my friend didn’t value their life and acted recklessly, I’d be frustrated too······.

“You were awesome, seriously.”

“Pardon?”

Huh?

“You just tore up the conference room. Even though our Lord Gungju hates high society, I guess you’re going to make your political debut!”

“Huh?”

Ms. Gain’s big eyes sparkled as she strode towards me.

I tried to step back in fear, but she grabbed both of my hands tightly. Gasp!

“How can you be so good at arguing back without giving an inch? You completely won over the grandpas and grandmas! They all looked like they were seeing a grandson-in-law! Of course, that’s impossible, but?”

“Uh, uh?”

“I was also surprised. I could just imagine Lord Gungju sitting in the Assembly in the future.”

“No, Lady Elizabeth. I don’t have such aspirations. I thought everyone was angry at me—”

“It’s true that Lord Gungju’s position has been somewhat ambiguous. I never dreamed it would be resolved here today. It was amazing!”

“Resolved? I don’t know, is it?”

Words I never imagined came out of the mouths of Lady Elizabeth and Francois.

I failed to manage my expression and just gaped.

Then Camille said lightly, as if scolding me.

“You argued and fought wits with the veteran chiefs for six hours. It’s not something that can be done with age and physical strength alone. Do you know how many new tactics came out today? Are you perhaps quite interested in politics and military affairs?”

No, I’ve just been diligently voting. Nothing else······!

“It was just a coincidence that I had good information and will. It’s an unavoidable great battle, and I know I can be of help, so I didn’t want to fall back. I especially didn’t want to leave you all behind. So—”

-Indeed, he looked down on the heavenly path from above. Truly, isn’t he a well-raised hawk?

“Your Majesty, are you perhaps cursing me?”

“Hehehe. Hahaha······.”

Whether it was because it struck Isabel’s sense of humor, her black eyes crinkled and her laughter burst out.

Ms. Gain, who witnessed her mother’s bright face, was also beaming, and Sir Johann, who had been silent all along, finally turned to me and gently curved his eyes.

I finally realized that my friends were not angry with me at all.

Lady Elizabeth stroked my arm and continued with kind advice.

Francois and Camille began to discuss carefully the spell work that needed to be completed by tonight.

Even though they were worried about me, their faces were not upset.

I felt a little dazed and turned my gaze.

“······.”

“······.”

Cedric Riesterer did not look as unstable or dark as he used to.

His gaze towards me did not seem much different from usual.

I was happy that he had trusted me despite all the dangers, and I was glad that he hadn’t forced his agreement, so I laughed for no reason.

I shook hands with Ms. Gain and moved my lips.

‘Thank you.’

Then he snorted lowly and strode out of the barracks.

Only then did Lofi’s little head pop out from the man’s arms. ‘Nyang clear [a cat-like affirmation or agreement].’

Once again, a burst of laughter erupted.

It wasn’t a very desirable attitude for the eve of the storm, but somehow, I even felt overwhelmed.

Finally, I sent a short eye greeting to the person who helped me today.

‘Thank you too.’

Then Diop raised the corners of his mouth in a very arrogant manner.

Then he moved his lips like this.

‘Now that you know, treat me well in the future.’

······Hmm. I think I’m a little annoyed.

*

February 28th, night. The Puppeteer’s Heavenly Path [likely a strategic location or plan].

A small, elite secret gathering was held in Wilhelmina Schneider’s barracks.

-Whirr, whirring······

The candles in the candlesticks were all terrified, trembling and dropping flames.

Outside the tent, an eerie wind howled, and black shadows stretched out long and then flattened out in time with the dissonance.

They were all called her ‘Apostles’ or were trusted as much.

However, after four seasons of war, the collapse of the Yeriho black market, the Salt Marsh, and the dismantling of the Statia and Atsuma secret chambers, only a handful remained.

Among them were shallow traitors, weak fallen soldiers, and disgraceful missing persons.

Wilhelmina sat in the highest seat and looked around at them.

“Thank you for coming here late.”

“······.”

Unlike the expression of gratitude, there was not even a chipped water glass placed in front of those who were invited.

However, no apostle expressed dissatisfaction.

Arno van Roy, the Cardinal of the Wind Attribute [a high-ranking member with wind-related powers], quietly rolled his eyes to count the number of those sitting here.

Moving the wind would not be troublesome, but he had to be mindful as there were other cardinals in this place.

He was the only one among the apostles who ‘sold out’ Wilhelmina Schneider. An old silver coin glittered in the man’s grasp.

“Before tomorrow’s operation begins, I wanted to finalize our tactics. Since we’ve gathered from all over the country, I thought we should meet at least once. Above all, each other’s cooperation and trust are important.”

“······My Lord.”

“Ask comfortably.”

“The Tenth Apostle is not visible.”

“He has returned to his homeland. He lost both legs to the emperor of the enemy country, so there was no other way.”

“······.”

“We will be able to meet again after the war ends. I am truly sorry for that.”

The atmosphere froze, making the existence of the brazier meaningless.

Arno lowered his long, torn eyes. Wilhelmina had a total of twelve apostles.

The errand runners whose hearts she had taken with black magic.

The First and Second Apostles had already fallen in battle, and the Third Apostle, Lynn Isenia, had been dispatched to the north and had not returned.

The Fourth Apostle took responsibility for the dismantling of the Statia secret chamber and stepped down from his position—he heard the news that he had vomited blood from his face and died. He had a long-standing illness, but the Cardinal suspected poisoning—the Fifth Apostle went missing in the collapsed Salt Marsh.

It was a place destroyed by none other than Arno’s stigmata [a mark or wound signifying divine favor or power]. It was right to assume he was dead.

The Sixth Apostle was the Cardinal of the Earth Attribute sitting across from him······.

“Is there anything else you’re curious about?”

“No, my Lord. Please proceed comfortably.”

The Seventh Apostle was Duke Sarhentini, a millionaire merchant in the royal capital, and rumors that he had sided with Count Roseharder had already spread to the battlefield.

His betrayal must have been a major blow to Schneider in many ways.

The Eighth and Ninth Apostles went missing in the last battle, and there was a witness who saw them being struck by a Swordmaster’s greatsword.

Only the Tenth Apostle returned alive, but he had lost both legs below the thighs and barely survived.

The Eleventh Apostle, Eda Atsuma, was also said to have been killed by the Imperial Army in the north······.

The last, Twelfth Apostle to join was Arno.

So, currently, only two apostles were guarding Wilhelmina’s side.

About a year of war was ruthlessly destroying all her foundations.

The rest were all henchmen from all over the place called ‘Twilight Sanctuary’.

“My Lord, actually, I have one question.”

“Speak.”

“I heard that you publicly confronted Her Highness the Crown Princess a few days ago. In a place where even ignorant soldiers were watching. Perhaps······. Is there a special reason?”

“A reason······.”

A certain sanctuary asked cautiously, and Wilhelmina paused with a smile, lost in thought.

This was also a part that Arno was inwardly curious about.

The Duchess had never openly revealed her conflict with the Crown Princess until now.

There was no good reason to cause internal strife and boost the morale of the army, and Elissa Fenetian had been on the rise recently.

More than half of the New Kingdom Army commanders had already lined up behind her.

A young, powerful, and unmarried heir to the throne was too attractive an opponent to buy the loyalty of the nobles.

And Wilhelmina was a setting sun. The structure was obvious to anyone.

“I think that person should know her limits now.”

“······Li, limits, you say?”

“She’s just a young woman in her thirties, so she must feel like the world is at her feet. I was like that too when I was young. But does the world work so easily?”

“······.”

“How absurd her dreams are, how ridiculous and futile······. I thought it was time for her to know that now. She’s no longer a snot-nosed kid running around the royal castle. Even if she has the Grand Duke on her back, the future will not change. So, I spoke a little strongly.”

‘Teaching is the duty of an adult.’ The Duchess spoke kindly and turned to Arno.

The Cardinal faced her with a perfectly expressionless face.

“I also have a few things to ask you.”

“······.”

“Has anyone heard rumors about the Yilan fruit?”

Thump. The Cardinal felt his heart stop once and then start beating again.

But he didn’t show it outwardly.

Only the silver coin in his palm was turning pure white.