What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 902

The Finale and the Beginning (4)

I went to work on Wednesday as usual.

Herrit and Sir Johan even provided escort services on my way to work. The child was beside himself with excitement, as it was his first time riding the subway.

The huge billboards, the soy milk and glutinous rice donuts sold in the underground shopping center, the packed trains, and the announcements for the next station were all new to him, making his fair face beam constantly.

“Well, Uncle’s going to work hard and earn money. I’ll get another bonus and buy you a hundred glutinous rice donuts, Herrit.”

The boy smiled brightly and clenched his fists.

His sugar-coated cheeks were so cute that my expression kept melting.

Eating breakfast, taking the subway, and having dessert, our young master had a very fulfilling time.

“Yeah. Uncle, aza aza fighting!”

“Hahaha. Aza aza fighting!” (A Korean phrase of encouragement, like ‘fighting!’)

I received Herrit’s cheering kisses twice and strode energetically through the Yeoksam Station ticket gate.

Sir Johan, always wearing a black cap, saw me off with a handsome smile, and I waved goodbye, saying I would see him again in the evening.

My steps to work had never been so light.

*

On Thursday, Sir Johan took Herrit back to our world line.

Instead, they decided to come together on the weekend to go to the amusement park with Eunseo and Hyung.

Since Jung Hyunseo, who doesn’t show much physical affection, even made a pinky promise with the child, this was definitely a future that would come to pass.

The Cardinal stood in front of the Einstein-Rosen-Jungye Bridge (Eunseo insisted on calling it that, so I had no choice but to memorize it) for the last time and said to me,

“When you come this weekend, you will be able to attend the war crime trial of Duke Wilhelmina Schneider.”

“Ah… Come to think of it, the second trial is scheduled.”

I nodded with a serious expression.

I had heard about it before returning home.

The first trial of Duke Schneider was held in the Venetian royal capital some time ago, and most of the time was spent with Schneider’s relatives and lawyers presenting their arguments.

The person who brought the Duke to trial for war crimes was His Majesty Emperor Frederick, but the ones judging in his court were the great nobles of Liester (they are called ‘great nobles’ and enjoy privileges because the responsibilities given to them are also great).

They examine all the statements, testimonies, and evidence from both sides, discuss them with each other, make a final decision, and then sign their names in their own handwriting under the verdict and announce it to the people.

This is an act of fully staking their own and their family’s honor, so no one can take it lightly, and it is fundamentally different from the court trials that have been held several times in the imperial palace—such as the trials of Duke Simon de Sarnese and Count Gerald Andreji.

“Court trials are summary judgments that end with the Emperor’s decision. These trials are looked at for a longer period. There are so many intertwined issues and witnesses, and when would he have time to read and confirm them all?”

“…You make a very convincing point, Hyung.”

“It’s largely based on the medieval European trial system. Of course, your world line, especially Liester, is much later than the Middle Ages.”

“Ah.”

“It’s an absolute monarchy, but the reason they have private soldiers is because of the monsters. Since it’s a world where magic and aether exist, the era doesn’t match the actual early modern period anyway.”

Jung Hyunseo adjusted his glasses and explained. I suddenly asked a question that came to mind.

“Speaking of which, I’m curious about something. Is the big age difference between Princess Christel and Cedric and Prince Yeseo because you usually only read martial arts novels?”

“……”

“No, according to the comments on our fanfic… The readers say that if Bridget is really a martial arts writer, then that kind of setting is somewhat understandable. In martial arts, the harmony of yin and yang is much more important than age. The accumulated inner strength is more important than the years lived. But in romance fantasy, that much of an age difference is rare, so there was a lot of fighting about it in the beginning. Is that really true…?”

“…That makes sense. Let’s go with that.”

I don’t usually read martial arts novels, so I don’t know, but since the readers guessed that and Hyung admitted it(?), that must be the case.

Is this what they call a jjambong setting cooked up by the original author…? Anyway.

I saw off the Haines father and son, keeping the important schedule in mind.

Eunseo, who hurriedly packed her school bag in her room, gave Herrit a handful of caramels.

“Eat these secretly, Herrit. Adults only get their blood sugar up if they eat these, so don’t give them any.”

“Hehehe. Thank you.”

“See you soon, Kyung. See you the day after tomorrow, Herrit.”

“See you the day after tomorrow, Mama!”

-Bbippo!

Ddukshim, who had completely subdued the magpies in our neighborhood for two days—I don’t know how he did it, but when the little guy came out on the veranda, the birds outside the window became as quiet as mice—flapped his wings vigorously.

I smiled brightly at the diamond-shaped beak and stroked the feathers on his chest.

Please take good care of Herrit.

-Paaaaat…!

Soon after, the two people and the little bird disappeared beyond the door of the dimension.

Our siblings stood side by side, savoring the afterglow.

“…They’re gone.”

“This is really amazing no matter how many times I see it. Could we cross over too, Oppa? I’m a god, so I feel like I definitely could?”

“Hold on a bit. You’re going to Akaraka on Saturday, right?”

“Jung Eunseo is going to Akaraka?”

I blinked in surprise.

I thought I had heard something like that, but I’ve been so busy with friends visiting our house and crossing world lines that I forgot (to be exact, she was ranting about how boring her school festival was).

“Yeah, it’s awesome. A friend gave me a spare ticket. But another friend was lucky enough to get one too, so we’re going together. I’m going to wear the blue Toegye Gong t-shirt I bought the other day.”

“Aren’t you going to Ipselenti?”

“I’m sorry, but please do something about the school’s location first. Anam is too remote.”

“I have nothing to say.”

Jung Hyunseo answered calmly, and Eunseo and I giggled for a while.

As we left the veranda, Hyung changed the subject in a calm tone.

“Mom’s hospital visits this weekend will be with your Seoul grandma and grandpa.”

“Huh? Is it already their turn? Isn’t it?”

‘Did you switch with your aunt and auntie?’ Eunseo, who came out last, asked as she closed the veranda door.

I listened to Hyung’s response while packing my work bag.

“It’s not their turn, but Mom said she has something to tell them.”

“…Is there anything bad going on?”

I lowered my voice and asked cautiously, and Hyung slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

“It’s not bad. It could be the opposite. Grandpa will meet with the doctor directly on Monday.”

“Really? What is it?”

“Is Mom getting much better?”

A bright light was seeping into the face of the youngest, who had been anxious.

I smiled and looked back at Hyung. Really?

-Thud-!

-Clang!

…Huh?

“Oh my! Oh my, Demi! You can’t break a flower pot as soon as you come to a friend’s house!”

-Kkia, kkia!

“The flower pot was at fault? Our Demi was just standing still, and the flower pot came and bumped into her?”

-Awoong!

My eyes widened and almost popped out of my head at the excessively familiar voice that rang in my ears.

I turned around in a hurry, my mouth agape.

Eunseo, who was closest to the veranda door, was already sitting on the floor.

What is this…?

“Ah, Gungju-nim! I’m here! The troublemakers were crying that they wanted to come too, so I brought them with me!”

Our war hero, with her pink hair tied high and a white baby divine beast strapped to her back…

“Ta-da! I couldn’t come empty-handed, so I got Apfelwein from Uncle Zeromin!” (German apple wine)

“Good heavens…”

“Three bottles! I tasted it in advance, and it’s really delicious!”

She was shaking the bottles filled with bright yellow apple wine in both hands, smiling as dazzlingly as a star in broad daylight.

Eunseo finally started wiping tears on her sleeve.

Meanwhile, Ms. Gain frowned deeply and bowed her head to Jung Hyunseo several times.

The clear voice, even through the thick glass, made my head spin.

“Phoenix Hyung-nim! Long time no see, I’m so sorry! No, on the way over, our child accidentally touched the flower pot, and somehow it ended up like this…!”

“…Please come in first…”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, what should I do? If you give me a broom and dustpan, I’ll clean it up!”

-Kkyaeee!

The tightly closed veranda door reopened as if it were impossible, and the youngest, who had jumped up from her seat, covered her mouth with a flushed face, not knowing what to do.

It was a very different reaction from when she first saw Cedric or Sir Johan.

And as for me…

“Hahaha, ahahaha!”

In the end, I put down my bag and burst into laughter.

The Gugus flocked around and clung to Ms. Gain’s ankles.

Now, happiness was an irresistible force.

*

Two days later, Saturday.

Jung Eunseo left the house in the morning to see Akaraka. (A college festival)

To be exact, I barely managed to get her up, feed her, and dress her because she was lying on the living room floor, saying she didn’t want to go anywhere since ‘Gain Unnie’ was at home.

‘You said you’re going early to stand in line. Get up.’

‘How can I go see celebrities when my baby is at home.’

‘Gain is not your baby, she’s Isabel’s baby.’

‘Are you insulting Isabel right now, Oppa?’

‘That’s not what I meant…’

…It was a scheduled appointment with a friend, and events like Akaraka wouldn’t be as fun unless it was during her freshman year, so she should go when she can.

The youngest didn’t even think about leaving Ms. Gain except for the time she was at school for two days.

They took about two hundred selfies together, and yesterday they even went to Hangang Park together to enjoy chicken and beer.

Even though the flower pot that Demi broke on the first day was the base for her lawn gnome, Eunseo didn’t get angry or sad at all (thankfully, the lawn gnome is safe).

They had enough dates, so it was time to say goodbye.

When I coaxed the little one, who was leaving the front door with a grim face, saying, ‘Gain will come again, so have fun,’ her young expression finally softened a little.

When Ms. Gain added, ‘The blue t-shirt is cute. It suits you well!’, Eunseo finally went out to play, twitching her lips.

The problem was the other young lady lying in the living room.

“Ugh… I don’t want to go to work…”

“Ms. Gain…”

Around her, Demi, Leah, and Perry were spread out like square cushions.

Tete was riding on Hyung’s back, enjoying wandering around the house.

I smiled wryly and looked down at my partner. This person too…

“Ha… I love Korea so much. I really can’t lose Korea.”

“I agree with that.”

“The kimchi that Hyung-nim gave me saved my life. Literally food given by God… Now I have to do spiritual communion with only that for the rest of my life.”

“Keuheup.”

“…Actually, I wasn’t even going to come? I was worried that it would remind me of the old days and make me feel uneasy. But I’m glad I came. Korea is the best…”

“…”

The smile briefly disappeared from my lips.

Ms. Gain was lying sprawled out, wearing the youngest’s school uniform, staring at the ceiling.

“I thought it was just a place I wanted to run away from because I had so many bad memories… But when I actually came, it was good. The people are kind. The food is delicious. Hyung-nim and Eunseo are nice to me. The night view is pretty too…”

“…”

“Just yesterday, I was eating green onion chicken while feeling the river breeze with Eunseo, and I had this thought. Ah, bad memories are covered with good memories. Even if you can’t completely erase them, you can bury them deep.”

“…”

“Bad people are forgotten with good people…”

“…”

Ms. Gain stared blankly at the living room fluorescent light for a long time.

I waited for her without adding any words.

In fact, I had vaguely guessed why Ms. Gain didn’t come to our house first.

She is Korean and at the same time a creation of our Hyung and Mom, so I thought that maybe she didn’t want to know the difference between the Korea she knew and our Korea.

Or maybe she didn’t want to recall the past and didn’t come…

“Ham Gain-ssi. Tie your hair up because it’s falling on the floor.”

“Ah, oh no! I’m sorry.”

As soon as Ms. Gain raised her back, Hyung’s steam cleaner passed by, spewing steam.

I tried my best to close my lips that were about to burst into laughter.

Every time Tete, who was riding on Hyung’s back, flapped his flipper feet, white steam rose in the shape of scallops.

-Shhh, shshsh…!

-Awoong!

“Ha… I was just feeling a sentimental destiny… I’ll go soak in melancholy on the sofa again.”

“Ms. Gain, you have to go to the trial with me.”

“Ugh… I don’t want to wash…”

“We caught the war criminal, you know.”

“That’s right, I forgot!”

Only then did Ms. Gain jump up like someone struck by lightning.

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter and handed her a toothbrush with toothpaste on it.

*

A few hours later, Gigolt Caravanserai.

First floor lobby.

“Where are you? Is it this way?”

“This way, Gungju-nim.”

I left the veranda with Hyung’s farewell (“Please take her away quickly.” “Thank you for your hard work, Hyung…”), packed the troublemakers and one Gugu, and returned to the desert.

Ms. Gain, who had bought a lot of sunscreen, had been beaming ever since.

In a few days, the spirit of Iran had become a more solid ‘World Tree’, and Gigolt Village was much more organized inside and out than when I last saw it.

I looked around busily while being guided by Benjamin.

“The number of guests has decreased a lot… No? The people from the Vatican aren’t here, Benjamin.”

“Her Highness Aurelia personally received them and sent them back through conversation and coordination.”

“I see. They were holding out like they would never back down, as expected of Master…”

“Yeseo?”

Then, a voice that I had longed for for a very long time rang out.

I was overwhelmed for a moment and turned around.

Warm beige eyes were filled with us.