What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 832

Dartanyan and the Moon Hunt (4)

“Sir Mute, His Most Gracious Imperial Majesty requests your presence.”

“…Very well.”

Elisabeth, accompanied by the sign language interpreter, re-entered the command tent.

The warmth from the stove, the dim lighting, and the lavishly embroidered carpet welcomed her in turn.

Servants moved silently, bearing fine tea sets and magically illuminated lights.

The monarch’s temporary residence, more grandiose than ever, resembled a luxurious makeshift mansion rather than a simple tent.

While its exterior was similar to other tents, the interior invariably astonished everyone with its scale and opulent decor.

Inside, the space was divided into the Emperor’s sleeping quarters and a living room-cum-lounge, with a separate reception room for receiving the esteemed Liester knights and nobles from both nations.

Additionally, there were designated areas for staff to move about, prepare meals, and serve refreshments, a true testament to the empire’s wealth and magical prowess.

“Inform His Majesty of my arrival.”

The adjutant strode purposefully towards the reception room.

The servants, who had gathered at the entrance to greet the most important guest of the day—indeed, of this entire war—hurriedly cleared the path.

“Your Majesty, the adjutant has arrived.”

-Thwack!

Knowing her master’s temperament, Elisabeth moved before a response could be given.

Frederik, spotting her, immediately gestured.

“Come closer, Georges.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The air in the reception room was so heavy and stifling that one might have suggested summoning a mage to ventilate it.

Elisabeth instinctively placed her hand on the hilt of her rapier, surveying the room.

Two knights from the Theocracy of Fenetian stood guard, protecting a seated guest.

Elisabeth recognized one of them as the deputy commander of the Royal Guard.

Though all were disarmed, she couldn’t suppress the instinctive urge to reach for her sword.

“······.”

Kristana Fenetian.

The high-ranking monarch of the Theocracy was here to have an audience with Emperor Frederik.

The Emperor, seated across from the King, turned to the adjutant and said,

“…You will be the sword of the next Emperor in the future. But you know that you cannot protect him with only a sword.”

“…Yes.”

As always, numerous holy stones were placed around Frederik’s seat.

Elisabeth could see the beige-tinted golden aether [a magical energy] gently swirling around her, as if embracing her.

The Overlord, separated from her contractor for an extended period, had been suffering from severe headaches and insomnia, vomiting blood every morning and evening, and unable to eat properly, leaving her complexion pale.

However, she was none other than Frederik Liester.

Knowing that a night spent with her bonded would alleviate the pain, the Emperor was enduring all hardships with sheer willpower and mental fortitude.

“As always, listen carefully to the conversation that follows and engrave it in your bones. One who will become the future Margrave must also be well-versed in politics.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Elisabeth nodded.

The sign language interpreters beside the monarchs of both nations stood ready, poised and attentive.

Soon, the Emperor turned to face forward again and began to speak.

“…The trial of Duke Wilhelmina Schneider and other war criminals is being postponed indefinitely, but there are matters I wish to discuss with you at length.”

The interpreter immediately conveyed the meaning to the other interpreter using gestures and expressions.

King Kristana nodded deeply to signal his understanding.

Frankly, Elisabeth found the King more precarious than His Imperial Majesty.

His Majesty would soon meet Princess Aurelia and relieve his longing, but all that remained for the fallen king was…

『…I know not how these words may sound, but I am filled with nothing but gratitude towards you.』

“······.”

The interpreter from the Theocracy translated with a somber expression.

The Empire’s interpreter whispered her words verbatim to the Emperor.

The Emperor silently gazed at the King.

『For a long time… I was blinder than the blind, deafer than the deaf, and more speechless than the mute. In the end, I lost the ability to protect my country, let alone govern it.』

“······.”

『Consumed by instilled madness, I became oblivious to the suffering of my people, dwelling only on my own pain and pity… and ultimately lost even my own child in the heart of the royal palace.』

“······.”

『Yet you have scoured and swept the lands of the Theocracy to reach this place, so rather… haven’t I become indebted to the Emperor of the Empire?』

His voice was rough and hoarse, as if he had been weeping for days.

The King was gaunt as a skeleton, utterly devoid of color, and his flesh-colored eyes lacked focus, making him appear like a walking, talking corpse.

Frederik slowly responded.

“…Eliser Fenetian was a great warrior and would have been an even brighter heir to the throne. I, too, regret that you have lost your successor.”

『······.』

Kristana’s gaze dropped.

The adjutant recalled Eliser, resting peacefully in the embrace of the spirits.

She always had a serene expression whenever Elisabeth visited, unlike her mother before her.

“However… by the grace of the Chief God, your son lives. He was resurrected in the depths of the Imperial Palace not long ago. If you wish to address the matter of the prince’s disposition in the upcoming agreement…”

『With what face could I ever meet that child?』

The King’s voice was as dry and gritty as desert sand.

Even before the interpreter could convey the meaning, Frederik understood what he was saying.

She, too, was a mother.

『…A child whom I could not even hold in my arms, whom my daughter had painstakingly smuggled abroad… ultimately died once because of his mother’s incompetence and absence. Should I rejoice at his return and throw a feast? With what shame?』

“······.”

The Theocracy’s interpreter sobbed quietly.

But the King shed not a single tear.

『…Please, have mercy and divide some of your spoils from my treasury between Yeser and Cornelise. Allow these two innocent children to escape the Fenetian curse. That is all I humbly ask.』

“…The curse is over. This place will be reborn as a completely new land.”

The Emperor said calmly.

Her dark crimson eyes revealed no emotion, not even a hint of shallow sympathy.

“The Holy Kingdom of Fenetian will soon be granted the status of a vassal state…”

『Please, no.』

Kristana replied as if in agony, shaking his head.

This time, Elisabeth clearly understood his words.

The interpreters looked back at the King in surprise.

『…As one who has already failed to fulfill his duty as king and lost his country, I shall act even more shamelessly. You may point fingers at my bloodline for lacking honor. You may scorn me as an ignorant fool who cannot do anything alone.』

“······.”

The King gripped his hands tightly under the table.

Elisabeth saw the red blood seeping from his palms.

『…Bring about the downfall of the Fenetian family.』

The interpreter, struggling to convey the painful words, collapsed to the floor.

The adjutant and the Emperor’s servants gasped.

『Your Majesty!』

『Your Majesty, please retract those words!』

『Your Majesty Kristana!』

『This… this is the only legacy I can leave to the Theocracy. The evil cycle of the Fenetian royal family must end completely here. So, if not for you or the Empire…』

His voice trembled terribly, but a firm resolve was embedded in his tone.

Frederik knew that it was an unyielding will.

Kristana looked directly at her, his pale whites bloodshot.

『…Do so in mourning for my dead daughter.』

“······.”

『Inherit her will, purify this place by burning it… and plant the seeds of a world unknown to my people.』

“······.”

The last sentence flowed from his trembling lips.

『…As the conqueror of the continent.』

『Aaaah…!』

‘My King…!’ The King’s knights knelt on the floor, weeping.

The interpreter, with trembling hands, conveyed the final words and prostrated himself.

Having received the King’s will, Frederik lowered her eyes without a word.

The words her friend had once spoken echoed belatedly in a corner of her mind.

‘Prepare yourself, Your Majesty.’

‘You will soon become the conqueror of the continent. The Theocracy cannot withstand this.’

‘I know, it’s not like you have nothing to fear, right?’

『Aigo, aigo…!』

“······.”

Red eyes flared like the sun rising in the west.

Frederik looked up again and turned to the young man beside her.

‘Hey. Just because your bonded isn’t by your side right now doesn’t mean there’s no one to help you.’

“Elisabeth.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Summon your mother.”

‘Also, urgently summon Duke Corleone, my sister-in-law, and the commanders belonging to the Assembly of Nobles.’

There was a force in her resolute tone that signaled a desire to move forward.

The adjutant bowed her head promptly.

“…I obey the Imperial command. Long live the Emperor.”

Monday evening.

Freshman Jeong Eun-seo was sitting on a fishing chair on the apartment balcony.

-Pop! Clatter, pop!

“Hoo…”

She diligently stirred the bubble solution her older brother had made, poked it, and blew on the stick.

The bubbles, illuminated by the balcony light, sparkled in iridescent colors as they floated out the window.

Blankly watching the peaceful scene, she felt her mind calming down a bit.

It was time to be finishing her assignments, but if she had to make excuses, it was hard to concentrate on studying these days.

So, recalling her days as a test taker and coming out to blow bubbles was perhaps a natural thing to do.

It was nice because it quieted her mind for a while and stopped the endlessly rolling thoughts.

“Ah, my legs are numb.”

I should stand up and blow bubbles. Eun-seo, leaving the fishing chair, stood with her arms on the balcony railing.

A plump crescent moon was rising beyond the windows of the high-rise apartment.

“…Oh. The moon is pretty.”

I’ve seen things like that in my dreams many times.

I’ve been dreaming about the moon and my little brother a lot lately…

“Eun-seo.”

“Eek!”

The little girl jumped up in surprise at the sudden call.

The stick and water container fell with a crash, and cold bubble solution splattered on her cheeks!

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you…”

“No, it’s okay! It’s okay, Uncle. I’m just a little excitable by nature… Huh?”

A chill ran down her spine. Before she knew it, her hands were empty.

The little girl stopped talking and hurriedly looked down below the balcony railing.

“Wow, this is crazy! I think I just dropped the bubble solution container and stick on the first floor! What should I do? I’ll go to the flower bed for a bit! Ugh, I’m going to get an earful from Jeong Hyun-seo [her older brother].”

“The container and stick seem to be up here.”

“Yes?”

Eun-seo hurriedly looked up.

Indeed, the bubble solution container and stick that had left the freshman’s hands were safe!

“Wow! How did this…”

…How…

-Whoosh…

“Uh… How…?”

The water container full of bubble solution and the wet stick were floating in the evening sky.

The child squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again, wondering if this was also an extension of her dream.

But nothing changed.

Under the golden, brightly rising moon, the bubble tools that her older brother had given her were still floating in the air. No, no…

-Whoo…

“Uh-oh…?”

Even though no one was holding the stick and blowing, the stick was creating round bubbles on its own and sending them into the sky.

The little girl exclaimed in shock.

“Crazy, Jeong Hyun-seo! Jeong Ye… [likely referring to another family member]!”

“Shh.”

At the balcony entrance, which she turned to look at in surprise, Uncle Yohan was still leaning.

The man pressed his finger to his lips, winked slightly, and raised the corners of his mouth.

“Come for dinner. Today, I made sujebi [Korean hand-pulled noodle soup] with your brother.”

“…Y-yes? That sounds delicious…”

Is this really a dream? Maybe I haven’t taken the college entrance exam yet?

-Clatter!

“Eek!”

As if to mock her foolish thoughts, the water container and stick that had safely entered the balcony were gently placed on top of the air conditioner outdoor unit.

Eun-seo hovered around the outdoor unit, not knowing what to do, and then tentatively touched the stick with the tip of her fingernail, just in case. ‘Tap!’

“Ugh! Why is nothing happening! Is nothing really happening?!”

“Jeong Eun-seo! Come eat and play!”

“Brother!”

Thump! The little girl jumped up again, ready to break through the balcony ceiling.

Around that time, Yohan had already disappeared into the kitchen.

A faint smile hung on the cardinal’s lips.

Jeong Eun-seo has been a bit strange these past few days.

“Haa… How is the world turning… Is this okay…”

“Eun-ah, what’s wrong with you? Are you worried about something?”

Thanks to the overlap between my quitting time and my sister’s return time, I was lucky enough to meet her at the subway station.

The little girl looked up at me for a long time, but in the end, she just shook her head.

“…Never mind, let’s buy some strawberries. I ate them at Mom’s hospital on the weekend and they were really delicious.”