What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 672

The Sub-Male Lead Goes on Strike – Episode 672 (672/920)

#672

The Pilgrim’s Progress (1)

With a thunderous roar, the Imperial Guard surged towards the two cardinals.

It happened in an instant.

“Your Highness! Please forgive us!”

A knight raised his voice, bowing deeply.

“The sacred law dictates that the Pope’s envoys cannot be stopped by force…!”

“We have also sent a swift messenger to His Majesty, Your Highness.”

“Their armaments were all disarmed immediately after leaving the neutral zone. Our troops have confirmed it, so please rest assured…”

“It’s alright. I know.”

Orelly Boutier spoke in the gentlest voice.

However, her ice-pick gaze was firmly fixed on the old man before her.

Ronald Lüpert also stood tall, not avoiding the cardinal’s gaze.

Behind him, young priests who looked barely in their late teens stood in a long line.

The Papal forces escorting them consisted of only about twenty mid-to-low-ranking knights and soldiers.

The attendants following Orelly exchanged glances, at a loss.

The timing was terrible, and there were far too many eyes watching.

They didn’t know what business the esteemed guest of the Papal States had in the main camp, but this was not a good time to talk to their superiors.

The workers who had come out to receive the cardinal’s blessing also began to murmur quietly.

“The Papal States? Did they really come all the way from the Temple of the Boundary?”

“Really, in the middle of this war?”

“Who is that person?”

“I don’t know. They say he’s the Vicar General.”

“Vicar General? Seriously, isn’t that the highest position after the Pope?”

“I wouldn’t know!”

-I sense a rusty light from you.

Just then, a word like a revelation fell from the sky.

Orelly was still looking straight ahead.

Slowly, Lüpert’s gaze rose.

He bowed with a polite and elegant demeanor.

“…So you are the rumored Spirit of Iran. It is an honor to meet you.”

-Old vessel, I smell sand on you.

The Spirit rolled its bead-like, clear eyes and whispered.

Whenever the sacred creature bent its neck to examine the old man, verdant vines that defied the season fluttered like hair.

At the edges of the massive body, which reflected the Spirit’s thoughts, rotten leaves and withered calyxes repeatedly rustled and fell.

The crowd, gathered like clouds, was startled and took several steps back. Only the Vicar General, the person in question, stared up at the sight with an indifferent expression.

Even with the wondrous manifestation of the sacred creature before his eyes, the old man and his beard did not waver at all.

“…I have dedicated my life to the peace of the desert. It is not strange that you feel that way.”

“Peace?”

Then Orelly cut off his words like a well-honed dagger.

The old cardinal’s eyes rolled back towards her.

“Under the guise of strict neutrality, do you call the act of not saving anyone and not punishing anyone peace, Your Highness?”

The horrified attendants gasped. The frightened priests covered their mouths with their sleeves.

“…I recall that Your Highness Boutier had no major complaints about my line.”

“Yes. If I may be so bold, it wasn’t bad.”

The beige eyes under the monocle gleamed bleakly.

Conversely, Lüpert’s deep eyes revealed no information.

The attendants hurriedly pushed the crowd back and distributed the Spirit’s bouquets.

Orelly’s voice that followed was dry.

“His Highness was not one to bring about the destruction of the Empire, nor was he one to seek the revival of the Holy State. Above all, he was an individual who did not desire war, so I thought he would not be the worst as Vicar General. In those days, the lives of the Empire’s people were more important to me than the lives in the neutral zone, so I dared to think so.”

“Your Highness.”

“But I was truly foolish.”

“Good heavens…”

The Imperial knights, appalled by the blunt words, were at a loss as to how to resolve the situation.

In particular, those of older age had learned over decades that when their superiors revealed their personal feelings in this way, the outcome was never good.

They could see Commander Modest Bakari walking out of the other camp, but it didn’t seem like calling him now would solve anything.

The Prophet also seemed to realize that the atmosphere here was unusual and was slowly slowing down his pace.

The cardinal continued to speak.

“I realized during my last visit. Vicar General, Your Highness is not opposed to war, but you do not care whether a battle is taking place right in front of you or precious lives are dying.”

“Your Highness Boutier.”

“In the Temple of the Boundary, where you serve as a sacred steward, my child died once.”

“……”

‘Oh, God.’ Someone muttered.

The Vicar General met the cardinal with an inscrutable gaze.

Not far away, Commander Bakari was shuddering at Orelly’s cold expression.

From the highest point, the Spirit quietly watched the two people’s confrontation.

“At the time, you simply said it was regrettable, but now you wish to see my child?”

“If the Prince has truly resurrected from death and succeeded in the Double Bloom…”

“Yes. And he gained six wings like an archangel. The story of Yeser’s resurrection is already known to everyone on the continent.”

“Then he should be subject to the protection and observation of the Papal States…”

“Shut your mouth.”

Orelly spat out as if cursing.

The fingertips of her hand, dressed in full uniform to escort the Emperor, were finally turning white.

Camille slowly approached and stood behind her. Lüpert moved his lips calmly.

“Your Highness Boutier. Since the great spear of the sky disappeared, the Papal States has already been devising countermeasures against him. The tearing of the World Tree on the day he passed away as well…”

“When my disciple was dying alone in the cold sanctuary.”

The cardinal warned in a voice as strong as an anvil in a smithy.

“Is the Papal States, which did nothing that day, now trying to interfere with the new tales that child is creating? Vicar General, who has never mediated a single battle despite wearing the skin of neutrality?”

“……”

“That is out of the question. Your Highness will never be able to meet Yeser. I, the regent of the Empire, will not allow it, and my consort, the Emperor, will not approve it either. So please return to the desert. Unless you are considering ‘friendly neutrality’ like the clerics who have already left that place.”

Concluding firmly, Orelly took a step and passed by her opponent.

Camille immediately followed her. As the Spirit moved slowly for the last time, Lüpert opened his mouth.

“What would you do if purple smoke rose from the chimney?”

Pause.

“……”

“From the chimney of the Holy Precinct [the Pope’s residence], if the will of the Lord, that a Pope has been prepared, is revealed, then…”

“I don’t understand.”

The cardinal replied without looking back. The Vicar General also did not look back at her.

“What on earth does that have to do with my child?”

“……”

“May God rejoice in the life of Vicar General, Your Highness.”

Orelly added in an emotionless tone and strode away.

It was a day late to offer Great Feast greetings, but that too was meant to sting the old man.

Camille glanced suspiciously at the Vicar General and quickly whispered in the cardinal’s ear.

In any case, her business was also urgent.

“Your Highness. How about summoning all the non-combat mages of the main camp and preparing an even stronger defense than now?”

“…Bakari, did you receive a revelation?”

Emotion finally flickered across the cardinal’s face as she entered the Emperor’s camp entrance.

Camille nodded briefly.

She hadn’t seen it exactly. But she had a bad feeling.

*

How much time had passed since the departure?

-Clatter, clatter, clatter…

“……”

-Clip, clop, clip, clop…

From all directions, the sound of horses’ hooves and neighing could be heard.

I was very nervous and moving forward, looking straight ahead.

It was natural for there to be many warhorses on the battlefield, but it was the first time I had seen so many moving at once, so all the scenes that came into view felt unfamiliar.

Marching in rows and columns, keeping the marching speed constant, it wasn’t the first time, but everything felt difficult and stiff.

This is real combat. It’s a bit scary.

“Hoo. Hoo…”

“Marquis Serenite, are you taking deep breaths?”

“Yes. Marquis Dhiem, you should do it too.”

“No, I get confused because our breathing doesn’t match. I’m sorry, but could you match my rhythm?”

“…I’ll try.”

We received a secret mission to infiltrate the enemy as the 33rd Cavalry Regiment of the Liester Empire, and François joined as a guest, increasing our numbers by one.

To be exact, the 20th to 40th Cavalry Regiments were all secretly deployed as partisans in the operation.

I looked back at my friends, matching the rhythm with the marquis sitting in the back seat of the saddle.

The cavalry commander was, of course, Cedric Liester. The adjutants were Ms. Gain and Isabel (and His Majesty Hanan).

Sant and I were right behind, and the rear was always reliably guarded by Sir Johan and….

“Why? Have you never seen a handsome guy on the battlefield before?”

“……”

Gibriel Diop was in charge. I quickly turned my gaze away and bit my lip.

I’m glad I left the troublemakers behind. No matter how divine they are, this kind of… this kind of environment is not good.

The children’s hearts will be greatly hurt.

-Kugugugung…

“Wow, crazy. François, the sky over the Pilgrim’s Road just flashed.”

“Please don’t keep looking, Princess. Just pretend you don’t see it.”

“Pretend not to see the enemy’s movements…”

I chuckled in disbelief, but when I looked at the steep cliffs of the Pilgrim’s Road, I felt breathless again.

The Imperial army had already advanced to the entrance of the Pilgrim’s Road.

Hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of shadows disappeared as if being sucked into the dark canyon. Now, so many deaths were really close at hand.

Nearby, steady drumbeats shook the ground, and in response, bugles occasionally tore through the air. Thud, thud, thud, thud… The sound of sharply honed spears hitting the ground, the sound of soldiers’ heavy feet stepping on gravel.

Everything was too regular, which was not good for my heart. I barely took one hand off the reins and gently pressed my chest.

It’s okay. I’m not going to die. I’m going to save people. To save as many people as possible….

“…Serenite.”

“Yes, yes!”

I was startled. I almost said, ‘Private Yeser, reporting for duty!’

“Think about what you want to eat.”

“…Yes?”

“Now.”

…What I want to eat?

Looking back at me from the front, the tangerine-colored eyes made me feel dazed for a moment.

It took me a few more seconds to realize that the man who wasn’t even wearing a helmet—they say he doesn’t cover his face so that the soldiers can recognize him and gain courage—was trying to ease my tension.

Ms. Gain and Isabel looked at me and sent me gentle smiles.

We couldn’t cheer loudly as usual, so that alone was a great comfort.

The corners of my lips slightly lifted. I reached out my arm to Sant, who was diligently following beside me.

The priest, who was sweating coldly, quickly took my hand and let it go. His pale face was trying to smile.

In fact, I had enough information, so there was no need for Sant to come in person.

But he joined us of his own will. His Majesty also wanted that.

“I want to eat spicy pork and tonkatsu [Japanese pork cutlet]. Oh, and a hot bowl of sundae soup [Korean blood sausage soup].”

“……”

“What about Sant?”

“Anything is good if it’s food I ate with my friends. Things that Sir Joan or Young Duke Blancard liked… I want to try eating what the Princess wants to eat too.”

“Okay. Let’s definitely eat together.”

“Yes.”

The priest in armor replied quietly. I quietly counted the words to add.

-Kwaaaaaang!

“Heok!”

That’s what I was doing, until a tremendous roar exploded from the Pilgrim’s Road.