What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 707

#707

Everyone is a Member of Sneider (2)

That night, a grand debate unfolded.

-Tap!

“My mother’s birthday is… March 9th. Every year, we celebrated it lavishly, and the invited nobles were always amazed, saying that even direct royal family members wouldn’t spend that much money.”

Duke Leopold Lasso, standing on a thin rock platform, pointed to a piece of paper with François’ riding crop.

Above the words ‘Lasso Territory Castle’ was a gray fortress drawn by Isabel.

When planning strategies with everyone, visualizing the presentation was crucial.

Friends gathered in small groups in the tent, comfortably eating and listening to his words.

Cornelise, Iseol, Frida the mountain village leader, and her adjutant Coby were also present.

I crunched on a cucumber Demi had grown and noted the date ‘March 9th’ in my notebook (it’s only three days away, and it’s a shame there’s no *ssamjang* [Korean BBQ dipping sauce]).

When Gain raised her hand, François, acting as the moderator, gave her the floor.

“Lord Rambouillet.”

“I’m not trying to attack you, but I’m genuinely curious. Does your mom have some kind of… issue? Is that why she’s so obsessed with titles and achievements to the point of being overbearing?”

‘No matter how I think about it, it’s not normal behavior. To start a rebellion to take her son’s place.’ There wasn’t even a hint of malice in her question.

The mountain village children, now aware of Duke Lasso’s identity, instinctively flinched.

Isabel gently stroked Coby’s back.

“…Well… It seems like she might have… something like that…”

“I knew it.”

Gain sighed deeply. A dark shadow fell over the Duke’s face before receding.

He smiled bitterly and continued, “So… Every year, around early March, a procession of gift carriages sent by other families lines up in front of the castle gate… I don’t expect it to be that grand this year, though.”

“Of course not. Who would celebrate a fake Duke’s birthday in the middle of a war?”

Djibril Diop, who was wrapping meat in lettuce, said bluntly.

I was briefly pleased to see him enjoying Korean BBQ, but I was greatly disappointed when I saw him holding the wrap in his hand after taking only one bite.

Now that I looked, he wasn’t even glancing at the perilla leaves.

Moreover, he didn’t even dip it once in the sesame oil with salt that Gain had made with precious sesame oil.

How could he do that…?

“However… Nevertheless, there will definitely be those who send gifts. Considering that our family is royal and that my mother and I are contributing to the war in some way… There’s no way there won’t be anyone who shows respect. I plan to take advantage of that… What if we infiltrate the territory castle? In short, an operation to blend into the entry procession.”

“If we’re not going to strike the territory castle directly, it’s the most plausible ‘infiltration’ operation.”

“That’s right. Once we get inside, I know the interior like the back of my hand.”

When Sir Johann spoke gently, Duke Lasso smiled shyly, like a child being praised by their teacher.

Then, Frida, the leader of this place, raised her hand.

François immediately gestured dramatically.

“Mademoiselle Frida.”

“Um, Duke… What are you planning to prepare as your mother’s gift?”

-Squeak!

The child asked carefully through her broken glasses. The Duke, holding the riding crop, froze.

“…”

“Huh? Did you just say ‘huh’?”

Diop made a disgusted face. I was also surprised and gaped.

Surely, he didn’t really not think that far?

Around that time, Cornelise spoke up without even raising her hand.

“Why don’t I just go in as a guest? I’m a princess.”

“God save us. That’s absolutely impossible, Your Highness.”

Good heavens. François and I immediately stepped in to defuse the situation.

Her older sister, Crown Princess Eliser, and her older brother, Prince Yeser, were both calm, but this child’s way of thinking was different from the start.

It was already unbelievable that they had secretly slipped out of Count Roserharder’s mansion for an ‘undercover’ mission, but now she was saying she would directly enter a castle infested with rebels!

“Cornelise, I admire your courage, but this is too dangerous. We will absolutely not include you and Iseol in this infiltration operation. It’s to keep you safe.”

“Do it a lot when I become an adult next time. Right when I turn sixteen.”

I said with a stern expression, and Gain smiled and soothed the child.

Cornelise glared at me without malice and complained, ‘Marquis Serenite only says things like my older brother.’

However, she definitely looked relieved by what her idol had said.

Lynn, nestled in Sant’s arms, puffed out her cheeks like candy, watching the two of them.

Isabel, who had been listening to the conversation quietly, offered her opinion.

“However, Her Highness the Princess has a point.”

“Yes?”

“There are only two ways to open the gates of the territory castle without causing a commotion. We either bring in someone more authoritative than the fake lord or bring something that he truly values.”

-Aeoooog

“You’re absolutely right, Isabel. But…”

I looked around at my friends, trailing off.

The mountain village girl Coby was pursing her lips with a serious face.

That was because there was nothing here that would please someone like Maiker Lasso.

That’s why they were abandoned in the first place.

This place was a small country for those who were neglected simply because they were sick, ill, born with deformities, or had disabilities.

-Grumble

Demi did a somersault in front of me.

Gain stared at the sight and frowned.

“…Ugh. Should we change direction and just smash it? It’s easier and faster, though.”

-Grumble

“The internal resistance will be fierce, so the gains we can get from the territory castle will naturally decrease. Good idea.”

“…”

Perry booed, and Gain glared intensely at Cedric.

The man met her gaze without backing down.

Caught in the middle, I calmly stirred the remaining rice into the seafood broth. It was then.

-Hoho, have you forgotten about this body’s existence?

…Huh?

“That’s right, His Majesty Hanan!”

A small doll popped up from Isabel’s arms, and the children sitting huddled together simultaneously gaped.

I was so happy that I jerked my upper body, almost falling forward.

Thanks to Cedric, who stretched out his arm like a subway turnstile, I barely avoided an embarrassing situation. Whew!

“Thank you. Your Majesty, why have you been so quiet? Have you been very tired?”

-I merely spent some energy looking into the heart of the newborn, but the great soul is not tired. More than that.

Clack! The cloth doll, standing on Isabel’s leg, jingled its gold ornaments and lifted its chin at us.

‘Newborn’ must be referring to Lynn.

Cornelise looked like she wanted to play with the elder right away, but Iseol barely stopped her partner.

-The plan to reduce the chaos of battle, cut off only the lord’s head, and alleviate the people’s worries is quite commendable. Therefore, I will bestow a special grace.

“If you mean grace…”

Isabel, her incarnation, tilted her head. The ancient king fluttered his short veil.

-I shall step forward as a tribute.

-Gurgle!

Wow!

“Oh, God!”

“Awesome. Now that I think about it, Your Majesty is a doll that moves and speaks on its own! Anyone would think it’s incredibly amazing!”

“Well, it’s certainly a rare sight.”

“Young master, be careful with your words to the elder.”

-To make a lot of money, you must first empty your own pockets.

His Majesty, the cloth doll, said, shaking his head from side to side.

His voice sounded very cheerful for some reason.

-I hear that the mother of that fellow has a very cruel and eerie taste, so no matter how sacred this body is, it will be difficult to satisfy her with just the form of a doll.

-Squeak

“Y-you’re right. That’s really true.”

Duke Lasso nodded his head frantically, like someone who had come to see a fortune teller.

Then, the doll moved its dainty arms and took out a scythe from its waist. Rustle!

-Therefore, even the divine beasts must be mobilized.

“Yes?”

-Squeak…!

“Oh, indeed…!”

Then, the lesser pandas, who had been protesting in front of us all along, raised their front paws and stood up, as if saying, ‘Finally!’

François, overwhelmed by the divine beasts’ overwhelming force, could only send admiration and applause.

I forgot to take a spoonful of rice and blankly looked back at my friends.

The only ones who seemed worried were me, Sant, and Duke Lasso, and the rest of the group all had expressions agreeing to this plan.

Even the divine beasts themselves were the most enthusiastic!

-Kiyaa! Kiuuuuu…!

“Demi, calm down, calm down. You’ll cause an earthquake before we even get into the castle.”

-Eeeing

Even Ropi was trembling with excitement, wagging her tail.

No, anyone would think we were locking up and raising children.

Even in the midst of my bewilderment, I helped three or four GuGu’s crawling up my knees.

The cute lizards flicked their tongues and blinked their eyes. Wait, are you guys going too?

“Then, I will accompany the children. Of course, I know you’re worried, but a guardian is needed, and I’m a high priest-level cleric, so…”

-Ahem. It is not a choice, but something that must be done. Among the young ones, you are a special product.

“…”

I thought you would definitely object, but His Majesty Hanan aimed at me as if he had been waiting.

My companions, who were about to protest, all looked at me at once. The atmosphere was strange.

What?

-You have six phoenix wings, shouldn’t you use them at least once?

“Heok.”

-Boom, Flutter!

Ugh! Two surprised wings momentarily tore through my shirt and popped out.

This time, I tumbled down with the divine beasts.

Cornelise screamed with surprise and joy.

It was fortunate that I managed to save the rice bowl.

I heard the Crown Prince sigh softly from behind.

The largest fortress of Lasso Territory Castle was as quiet as the eye of a storm, even though it was on the verge of a grand feast.

-Knock knock knock

“…Duke Maiker.”

The servant, who knocked on the door and entered the room, carefully placed refreshments on his master’s desk.

The interior, with the shadows of ornate bars cast upon it, was as dark as a prison.

Only one magical light that was nearing the end of its lifespan and a couple of faint candles flickered, so the study was already a quiet night even before the sun had set.

The servant hesitated for a long time before placing the last item he was holding in front of his master.

It was a flyer that was half torn and stained.

-Rustle

“…”

The old man’s eyeballs scanned the piece of paper for a long time, and finally turned to the servant.

The middle-aged man moved his lips clearly, looking nervous.

“It’s said to be a flyer circulating in the capital, the royal capital. The truth is not certain, but Marquis Citron, who is famous as a political pit bull, and many nobles and politicians have guaranteed the content…”

“…You. Believe. This. Kind. Of. Writing?”

Eventually, the old man spat out each word with a somewhat clumsy pronunciation.

Unlike his clumsy tongue, his eyes were piercing, as if he would crush the person in front of him.

The servant felt a chill and bowed his head.

“Do you foolishly believe this? Everything… Written. Here. Everything.”

“…”

“Everyone is a member of Sneider.”

“Ah…”

He didn’t know at all.

He knew some, but he never dreamed that everyone would be a member of Sneider.

The servant swallowed and hurriedly tried to take the flyer, but the old man’s wrinkled hand was much faster.

-Clack!