What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 899

The Finale and the Overture (1)

Around noon that day.

-Whoosh…

“Young Master, His Highness the Crown Prince is arriving!”

Under the midday sun, Jibril Diop looked up sharply.

Simultaneously, the knights of the Liester Empire Army hurried to surround the spirit of Iran, concerned for the Crown Prince’s safety as he emerged from the Celestial Gate.

A black figure descended rapidly, riding a tree of incredible height.

‘Tap, tap!’ The divine tree seemed to welcome and bless him, offering broad branches and leaves with each step.

Understanding the situation, Jibril clicked his tongue and ordered a retreat.

“Fall back. No escort is needed.”

“But, Young Master, what if…?”

“A ‘what if’ situation doesn’t apply to a 9th-grade combat mage. Prepare to depart. You, inform His Highness Orelly first.”

“…Understood.”

The knights bowed deeply and dispersed in an orderly fashion, while a few inspected Charlemagne’s [Cedrick’s horse] stirrups and reins.

‘Thud!’ Cedrick Liester landed lightly on the sand.

Benjamin Girardin and Ganael Calamar, who had been waiting a few steps behind, approached.

The Crown Prince’s arrival after an hour of waiting was a relief to everyone.

“Welcome, Your Highness. Was your journey comfortable?”

-Awoo.

“…It was satisfactory.”

“Oh.”

In royal terms, that meant it was more than satisfactory.

The Crown Prince appeared relaxed and at peace, like a black panther after a successful hunt.

David would have laughed, but Benjamin remained calm.

A servant reached for the luggage, but Cedrick raised an eyebrow and kept the large, blue box.

“It’s from Rambouillet, so I’ll carry it.”

“…As you wish.”

That was unusual as well.

For a noble to carry luggage personally because it belonged to a friend.

Wasn’t that something only the Palace Lord [Juliette] would do?

“Um, how is the Palace Lord…?”

“Seems to be doing well. Said she’s going to work for five days starting today.”

“Ah. He really went to work!”

‘Our Palace Lord is truly amazing. How can he be so diligent and hardworking? Is it because he’s an angel sent from heaven?’ Ganael’s golden eyes sparkled as he praised his master.

Cedrick listened to the young page’s story without complaint, beginning to walk.

Lopi [Cedrick’s pet] skipped along and climbed onto his back.

Jibril noticed the ridiculously small watch on the Crown Prince’s wrist and chuckled.

What is that thing?

“…You seem to be in a very good mood.”

It looked like something a thug would wear.

“There’s no reason to be in a bad mood.”

“Ah.”

‘There’s no reason to be in a bad mood’ meant ‘I’m ecstatic’ in the imperial family’s understated language.

The Duke overheard him entrusting the blue box to a knight, repeatedly warning them to be careful not to open the lid or spill the contents.

“Charles.”

-Neigh

The Crown Prince took out a small snack from his pocket and fed it to his horse.

It was a ‘sugar cube,’ like the ones the Palace Lord fed to Fondue [Jibril’s horse].

Charles ate three sugar cubes and bared his teeth, laughing heartily, a somewhat frivolous reaction for an imperial steed.

The knights laughed as they watched Charles enjoy himself.

Cedrick smiled faintly and mounted his saddle.

“…Oh, Lord.”

Benjamin thought the scene was like a dream.

Soon, they moved towards the Gigolt Caravanserai.

-Clatter, clatter, clatter…

“His Highness Orelly Boutier is at the lodging. I mentioned that my cousin went out to subjugate monsters, so coordinate your stories accordingly.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Jibril informed, and Cedrick confirmed.

The conversation seemed to end there, but…

-Click, click, click…

“We should build a detached palace for the Palace Lord, centered around the place where the spirit resides.”

The Crown Prince declared suddenly. The Duke frowned and turned to look at him.

“…Yes, let’s do that.”

“We need a member of the imperial family to oversee the construction.”

“What are you implying?”

“…”

Cedrick Liester met his gaze proudly.

Damn it. Jibril Diop could count on one hand the times he had felt this threatened.

Everyone expected Juliette, the Palace Lord and angel, to receive more palaces, but it was a disaster for that responsibility to fall solely on him.

“I will summon Marquis Francois Dhuhem to design a direct portal to the imperial palace in the palace, so…”

“Excuse me for interrupting.”

No, Jibril swore he wasn’t sorry at all.

Did I hear wrong? What did he just say?

“…Did you say a direct portal to the imperial palace?”

“It means a direct line connecting this place to the basement of the Romero Palace.”

“Well…”

-Neigh

The mage closed his eyes for a moment. His horse, Fondue, shook his head as if surprised.

The only ones who were calm were Cedrick, Charles, and Lopi, who was wagging his tail on the man’s shoulder.

-Click, click, click…

“…If it’s a direct line to the imperial palace, you must first obtain permission from His Majesty before appointing a supervisor. Your Highness is well aware of how the underground portal of the Imperial Palace was destroyed.”

The empire’s heir apparent must have gone mad after the victory.

“Serenite is not a member of the Venetian royal family.”

“…”

Or he was bewitched by his angel.

How was he planning to persuade the Aristocratic Council with such a plan?

“Rather, with his help, Liester will subjugate Venetian, and the continent will soon become one great empire. I think it’s reasonable to provide convenience in many ways.”

-Hmm.

“Whose convenience is that for…? Never mind.”

Never mind. Jibril suppressed the retort.

Yes, all the next emperor had to do was not be a tyrant and remain a wise ruler.

No matter how much gold and jewels he showered on a celestial angel, it would be enough as long as the people were fed in the end.

“…And.”

-Rustle

Besides, the angel in question was a mere conduit who passed on all the gold, jewels, and silk he received to those below.

Jibril chuckled at the thought that he wouldn’t even notice if he plastered the palace with the finest materials.

Should I just bring paper from the Vancel Palace and wallpaper it?

“This. The Palace Lord told me to give it to you.”

“…What is it?”

He was so dumbfounded that he snickered, but the Crown Prince took something out of his pocket and handed it over.

He was wearing a light pink top under his robe.

A short stick with a round head covered in wrapping paper. And light pink.

Jibril couldn’t decide which was more confusing.

“…Candy.”

“…Huh.”

…Candy. Candy, huh.

The mage stared at the round head printed with ‘Chupa Chups’ for a long time.

It was a darker pink than the Crown Prince’s shirt, and strawberries were drawn on the striped surface, indicating the flavor.

This is ridiculous.

“…Please tell the Palace Lord, I won’t be bribed with just this.”

“Hmph.”

The man made a noise as if he had heard a joke.

Soon after, Jibril peeled the candy wrapper and put it in his mouth.

The toy-like thing wasn’t very appealing, but surprisingly, the taste was 괜찮았다 [Korean for ‘okay’].

And when he had almost finished the candy…

“Your Highness! Your face is beaming?! What’s with the work-look shirt!? You’re giving me Yeouido [a financial district in Seoul, implying overwork] trauma! What did you do there!”

-Screech!

-Awoo!

Kristel Rambouillet, who had come out of the village with her pets, stomped her feet and made a tinkling sound as soon as she found her partner.

The excited divine beasts circled around her, welcoming Cedrick.

Then, the man gestured to the back.

The blue box on the cart was entering majestically, escorted by knights.

“‘Icebox’.”

The Crown Prince spoke. Gaine’s expression vanished.

Jibril felt a thrill along with her. What the heck is that…?

“Huh…? Wait, could it be…?”

‘Seriously? Real?’ Her mouth opened slowly.

Cedrick nodded.

“‘Kimchi’.”

“Ah, crazy, this is crazy! I really love the Palace Lord―!”

‘Aaaah!’ Gaine screamed and ran towards the blue box.

Jibril thought it was some kind of precious weapon until she opened the box and proudly held up a dark red container.

Even after learning the identity of the kimchi, his impression didn’t change much.

Isn’t that something you’re supposed to die from, not eat?

* * *

And as time passed, Tuesday evening.

I calmly organized my desk and threw someone’s candy wrapper that had fallen on the floor into the trash can.

Only then did I realize that I had asked for the candy delivery without writing any memo.

Oh my gosh, it’s vinyl. I shouldn’t leave something that doesn’t decompose on the continent…

Did the Duke already throw it away? I have to ask him to return it when I go on the weekend.

“Good work, Team Leader.”

“Be careful going home.”

“Yeah, good job. Go in. I’m going to turn off my computer and be free now too.”

“Yedael, fighting for your blind date!”

“Huh.”

I was startled and almost fell over as I stood up. I told you I’m not going on a blind date!

“I’m going straight home today, Deputy Manager.”

“Come on, you’ve been grinning all day since yesterday? I asked if something good happened, but you didn’t even give me a proper answer. Isn’t it one of two things? Lottery or a relationship?”

“Hahaha…”

“Deputy Manager Hwayoon! Hurry, hurry! Over there, outside the window!”

At that time, the female colleagues who were gathered by the window gestured urgently towards me.

I blinked and adjusted my backpack.

Seeing that everyone has their bags, it doesn’t seem like the overtime crew, but why are they gathered like that without leaving work?

“Wow, he’s totally handsome. It looks like there’s some kind of filming at our company. Come and see quickly.”

“He must be a model. His proportions are crazy even from above.”

“The man’s hair is white, and it’s so long. But the baby next to him also has white hair!”

…Huh?