What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 736

Moonlit Memphis (4)

The hazy moon and chaotic night faded, and the sun of a new day rose.

I couldn’t quite remember how I’d slept.

I must have dozed off, but I woke up several times in the early morning, leaving both my body and mind exhausted.

The truths I’d learned were so overwhelming and heavy that it was hard to process them all in one night.

“Haa…”

-Rustle, rustle, rustle…

So, to summarize… I slowly counted on my fingers.

First. The Venetian royal family, who had been plotting to kill the Main God since the founding of the nation.

Second. Pope Mateus Roselharder, who left behind secret documents because he couldn’t stop them. Those who had long been wary of his revelations and dismissed him as a ‘coward’.

Third. The Main God, who made Holy Knights only be born in the Holy Kingdom to protect himself from such schemes.

Fourth. The ‘ordinary’ kings who knew about the founding ancestor’s conspiracy but pretended not to know until their dying days. But finally, ‘The Iron-Blooded Puppeteer’ Liliana Venetian, who couldn’t hide her greed. She secretly manipulated Yuliter Statia, an illegitimate child, to seduce and betray Romero Liester, the Emperor of the Empire, all to start a war and obtain the Empire’s Divine Artifact.

Fifth. And then there’s the story of Pope Irena Sneider, who smuggled the Pope’s documents to her family. Perhaps her actions are why the current Sneiders know about the God-slaying plan. What on earth was she thinking?

…Suddenly.

“How the hell am I going to deal with Jung Hyun-seo?”

-Snort

Arumhardt snorted.

I mumbled, looking into the mare’s peaceful eyes.

“I know it’s not what Hyung [older brother or close male friend] wrote, but I keep adding reasons to be annoyed… Should I not buy him a dehumidifier for his birthday?”

-Neigh

‘Do as you please. But you’ll be the one who suffers during the rainy season.’ That’s what Arum’s cry seemed to say.

I chuckled and gently stroked her white mane before moving on again.

I was taking Arum, whom I hadn’t taken care of for a while, for a walk around the Raso estate.

There wasn’t much to see since the place had turned into a junkyard, but that was actually helpful in the current situation.

I wouldn’t notice anything anyway.

“Hoo.”

…I get so anxious whenever I think about Mom. My thoughts keep getting stuck. Like something’s blocking them.

-Thud, thud, thud…

-Clatter, clatter, clatter…

“Hey, don’t go that way. The wood is all wet and likely to collapse.”

“…”

Jibril Dioph, who had come as my escort, snapped from behind.

He was talking about the precariously stacked waste.

I silently turned to look at him and nodded.

After walking for a while longer, I saw black smoke rising from the direction of the castle gate.

I could also hear the sound of several people taking turns beating a drum. Doom, doom, doom…

“…They’re cremating Maiker Raso’s body.”

The mage explained bluntly.

“Is that so.”

People in the Holy Kingdom believed that if a dead body was burned, the soul would lose its way and be unable to go to the Main God.

So, they had always considered burial to be the greatest honor.

In such a country, cremating someone meant that the deceased was truly the worst of humanity.

“I heard the territory residents have been gathering since dawn to watch. Why, are you interested?”

“No. That moment belongs to them.”

‘And I don’t have that strong of a stomach.’ I brushed it off with a laugh and turned back.

The acrid smell of burning slowly drifted away in the direction the wind was blowing.

After walking in silence for a while longer, I noticed people busily working.

They were carrying collapsed bricks, clearing away the debris of furniture, and moving the large bell and statues that had fallen from the temple.

The Raso territory had technically become an occupied territory of the Empire, but since our manpower was severely lacking, most of the restoration work was being done by the people here.

I could also see Empress Hanan and the Divine Beasts helping out over there.

I watched them quietly for a while before asking Dioph.

“…The messenger pigeons that are supposed to be sent to His Majesty haven’t left yet, have they?”

“Madam Rambouillet is writing the letter. As soon as it’s finished, it will be checked by His Highness the Sixth Prince and sent off.”

“And until we receive His Majesty’s approval, we won’t be moving from here, right?”

“That’s right.”

The man replied curtly. That was also the conclusion we had reached last night.

‘-Mateus must have hidden something in the Rose Garden. Whether it’s a way to neutralize the summoning circle or a secret plan to protect the Main God.’

‘-Tap!’

Hanan Lumayan, Your Majesty, said so.

Pointing to a part of the Pope’s document with a toothpick as big as her upper body.

‘-But this parchment does not record the details. He must have been worried about leaks.’

‘It was a prudent decision in many ways.’

Sir Johan replied cynically. The ancient king looked at Sant and said this.

‘-If the current head of the Rose Garden is upholding Mateus’s will, then we have no choice but to trust his actions.’

‘Uh…’

Then the priest hunched his shoulders and looked around at the group.

‘Well, I’m, I’m the youngest who ran away from home, so I don’t know anything…’

‘We’ll have to interrogate the knights who came from the Rose Garden.’

The Crown Prince immediately came up with a logical plan.

Francois, who had detained the knights, replied that he would talk to them as soon as dawn broke.

From the beginning, the 33rd Cavalry’s goal was the Royal Capital.

We couldn’t predict what results turning towards the Rose Garden would bring, and there was a respectable lord who was respected by the people.

No matter how special our situation was, the enemy was still the enemy.

We had to abandon the naive expectation that Count Roselharder would welcome the group with open arms.

“…”

Realizing that, I suddenly stopped in my tracks.

I was struck by how amazing Jibril Dioph was. No, really.

“You’re surprisingly efficient, and you’re more patriotic than you look.”

So I turned my head and said that, and he said,

“What?”

“You treat me the same as before, even though you know I’m not from here, and it’s the same with Ms. Gain. Looking back, you seem to be pretty good with the kids too.”

“…Why are you suddenly like this? Did you eat something wrong?”

The man scanned me up and down, making a face.

I chuckled at his consistent attitude.

“You’re adapting so well. The whole world is spinning around with strange noises, but are you really not bothered at all? Killing the Main God. Creating a summoning circle. Black magic this and that, the Rose Garden this and that…”

“What does it matter? The world has never revolved around me in the first place.”

“…”

The man retorted in a nonchalant voice.

But I could feel the bones hidden beneath his words.

The crimson eyes, so similar to Romero’s, stared straight at me.

“…You saved Marguerite. The guy who could have been executed for attempted assassination of a member of the Imperial Family or imprisoned in the dungeon for life.”

“To be exact, it wasn’t me, but the Crown Prince who saved him.”

“You don’t have to be humble in front of me, Palace Lord.”

“…”

“The name Dioph owes you a debt. I’m the one who repays it. Even if the world turns upside down, that won’t change.”

“…You’re a good brother, Sir Dioph.”

‘And a wonderful son.’ I scratched my cheek, feeling a little embarrassed.

That’s not what I was trying to say.

I just wanted to tell you that you seem very strong to an ordinary person like me.

The conversation seemed to be going a little strange, so I took Arum and moved again.

After walking for a long time, I returned to a familiar spot.

“Sir Knight, what should we do with the gold coin boxes that came out of here? They’re very valuable, so if they get mixed up with other things…”

“Put them separately in front of that bookshelf. I’ll sort them out later.”

“Understood.”

Sir Johan, who was in charge of organizing Maiker Raso’s secret study, was supervising the workers of the estate.

I exchanged a brief greeting with him and watched the people.

I had clearly come out to clear my head, but somehow, the more I walked, the more complicated I felt.

Watching my father, Herrit, search for secret doors in the study, I climbed onto the pile of garbage.

I stumbled for a moment, but thanks to Arum pushing my waist with her nose, I was able to regain my balance.

“Oof. Thank you, Miss Jung Arum.”

-Snort

“Hey. This isn’t your job.”

“I’m going to help too.”

Let’s help with the cleaning. That should calm me down a bit. I need to be as cool-headed as possible as soon as possible.

That’s how I’ll be able to sneak into the Royal Capital or crawl into the Rose Garden, following His Majesty’s orders.

…That’s how I’ll save Mom.

-Click!

“Sir Dioph will be a great help to the Empire in the future.”

I opened a door with force, and those words suddenly popped out.

I was surprised myself and looked down at him.

As expected, Dioph was making a face like he had eaten something bad from below.

“…Why are you like this today? If you want to curse, just do it.”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Or what? Are you telling me to get lost right away?”

“I said no. It’s really not.”

Is there a topic I don’t want to think about no matter what?

Is that why I’m avoiding it? That seemed to be the case.

I carefully took out a jewelry box rolling around in the drawer.

Inside were luxurious jewel necklaces and thick bracelets.

I wonder if I can take them to my teacher as spoils of war.

“Of course, Sir Dioph is already an essential force for the Imperial Army. But your… outstanding mental strength seems to be helpful to His Majesty the future Emperor. I think it will be a source of strength.”

“…”

Without thinking deeply, that was true.

As I calmly sorted the accessories to one side, an unexpected answer came back.

“That’s something for the future Emperor’s consort to do. Not me.”

“…”

“…You must have applied for the betrothal.”

Our eyes met unexpectedly. My shoulders flinched at the gaze that had darkened in the meantime.

I looked around anxiously, worried that someone might have heard him.

Fortunately, Sir Johan seemed busy, and there were no workers nearby.

The man who had been watching what I was doing clicked his tongue. ‘How naive.’

“Who doesn’t know that? If you’re a sane Imperial noble, you’d know that you’re betrothed…”

“Don’t say that anywhere.”

I quickly whispered. Then, the smirk disappeared from his face in an instant.

“…What, you. Are you perhaps going to refuse?”

“…”

I’m already so upset, and this guy is doing this. I just slammed the doors open.

Every time a nice item came out from inside, Arum tilted her head this way and that, showing interest.

Dioph, who is not helpful in life, kept picking on me.

“Hey. Are you really not going to go through with the betrothal?”

“…”

Why is he doing that when it’s not even his business? He asked me last time.

“Ah. Did you develop feelings for someone you want to marry?”

“…”

Right to remain silent. Absolutely right to remain silent.

“Or is it because of Christel Rambouillet? Well, that would be convincing.”

“…”

“Looking at your expression, it seems like there are other circumstances.”

“…”

“Why, did His Highness the Crown Prince treat the precious Palace Lord poorly?”

“…”

Click, I rolled my lips and opened another box.

Sir Johan sent me a gentle look of support from over there. Yes, I’ll work hard.

“Did he even hit you?”

“Ah, there’s no way he would do that!”

I looked down at him, bursting into anger.

The previous expression was gone, and Dioph had returned to his usual smirking face.

His personality, really! Does he always have to provoke people like that?

“The Crown Prince is naturally kind and has a gentle side. He would never bully someone weaker than himself.”

“Then why aren’t you getting betrothed?”

“Because I don’t want to hurt him!”

“…”

The man’s eyes widened slightly. I moved my lips several times.

Oh my god. I’m telling this story to Jibril Dioph.

Really, Main God, have mercy… What’s going to happen to this country.

“I. I came from another world, and someday I have to go home where my family is waiting. If I can’t find my way back here…”

“…”

“I don’t want to think about it, but how painful would it be for a mate to lose their partner? Sir Dioph, didn’t you see how much Frederique His Majesty was suffering? Betrothal is not something that can be given and taken away like a title. I heard that the further away you are from your partner, the more it hurts and the harder it is, so how could I…”

“What about someone who doesn’t care if it hurts?”

“Yes?”

I raised my eyes, stopping what I was doing to check the contents of the box.

Arum, who had been waiting patiently, walked up here again, clip-clopping.

Dioph was looking up at me with unwavering eyes.

A cold wind blew wildly through his golden hair.

“…What about a member of the Imperial Family who doesn’t care about that kind of thing?”

“…”

“What about a guy who just needs to stay alive?”

…What is that supposed to mean.

“There’s no such person in the world.”

I answered immediately, dumbfounded. What kind of words are those?

“What?”

“Where is there someone who doesn’t care if they’re in pain because they just need to stay alive? Being happy and healthy is always the top priority.”

“Ha…”

The mage laughed hollowly and looked into the distance.

I’ve heard all sorts of strange things. I muttered to myself as I looked into the drawer.

Arum kept nudging my arm with her nose.

-Snort

“…Huh? What is this?”

It looks kind of cool?