What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 918

The Fifth Season (10)

Three weeks later.

Liester Imperial Palace, late June.

-Clatter, clatter, clatter…

“Your Grace, this is the agenda for today’s event. As usual, you will be seated to the left of His Highness the Crown Prince. Afterward, you will observe all the bestowals…”

Ganael’s clear voice echoed in my ears.

I nodded, listening attentively to the boy’s words.

Just then, a long procession of carriages could be seen turning the corner outside the window.

At the same time, the Imperial Guard escorting us also turned in perfect unison.

The lesser pandas, perched on the windowsill with their front paws, wagged their tails in delight.

The carriages heading from the Juliette Palace to the Imperial Palace were no longer just one or two.

In fact, one or two wouldn’t have been nearly enough.

I couldn’t hide the laughter that escaped me as I listened to the young page’s words again.

Meanwhile, Benjamin was diligently writing various things in his notebook.

“First, those receiving imperial honors will enter. One representative from the common soldiers, one representative from the noble knights, and one representative from the Principality of Corleone each…”

-Clop, clop, clop…

The baby born from the fruit some time ago—the one everyone calls ‘Cerise’—Elise, that is—I called her Cherry a few times because she came from a red fruit, and that quickly spread and became a term of endearment for everyone—ended up living in Juliette Palace with Prince Yeseo and Cornelice (in short, the three became my ‘palace mates’).

Furthermore, His Majesty Frederick appointed a high-ranking noble with children around Cerise’s age to be the baby’s nanny, which was practically a declaration that Cerise was an imperial grandchild, causing a tremendous shock throughout the continent.

With His Majesty the Prince Consort absent, the Crown Prince had gained a younger sister, so it was no wonder everyone was surprised.

“…Next, those receiving knighthoods will enter, including squires and apprentice knights who have greatly distinguished themselves on the battlefield.”

“Then the next in order would be those receiving noble titles.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

However, the shock was temporary, and so far, there has been surprisingly little resistance in the imperial political and social circles.

That’s because Cerise was born under the eyes of tens of thousands of imperial soldiers and desert people, a ‘miracle of the Main God’ itself.

Countless nobles and their families witnessed the baby’s birth before their very eyes, and they clearly saw the scene of that child descending into the arms of His Majesty the Emperor, none other than him.

No one but a heinous traitor could dare deny that it was the will of God.

The Main God’s twins, the Prince and the Palace Lord, and the baby Cerise born from the Main God’s fruit.

The Liester Empire, which unified the continent, and the completely collapsed authority of the Papal States.

And the World Tree that had newly sprouted to the sky….

Every order in the world, from one to ten, was being reorganized without exception.

In the midst of this turbulent era, everyone seemed to feel similar emotions.

The feelings of the imperial family, the nobles, and the commoners who make up the largest proportion of the continent’s population were no different from each other.

So, it was the same for me too.

Excitement, anxiety, anticipation, fear… and hope.

This morning, I looked at Cerise lying in her cradle and whispered, “Baby…”

‘The frustrations you experienced in your previous life will not exist in this life.’

‘Euhut…’

‘You will not be betrayed, nor will you be hurt. There will be no days when you cry alone and suppress your pain.’

‘Kya…’

In fact, I wish those things hadn’t happened in your previous life either.

So many people really wanted to see you become a great ruler.

I decided not to bring up such things.

We will remember the past sorrows and despair on your behalf, so that this child can live only feeling peace.

So that you can enjoy a new life, having been reborn anew.

‘No one will use you anymore. No one will cover your eyes or block your ears.’

‘…You will be a good member of the Imperial Family, Elise.’

An adult who can make your people happy without any worries.

I smiled slightly and held out my pinky finger to the baby.

Then, her blue eyes reflected a clear light as she looked up at me.

Suddenly, the last look in His Highness Eliseo’s eyes came to mind, and one side of my chest collapsed.

‘Lea…’

Cerise waved her arms for a moment, then soon grasped my pinky finger with her tiny hand.

‘…Yeah, Uncle promises.’

‘Uu.’

That was enough. To rebuild the collapsing heart, to bury the pain of loss in the distance.

This much small warmth was enough for us to move on to tomorrow again.

‘Please take care of me in the future too.’

I smiled brightly and shared my joy with the Divine Beasts.

In particular, Ropi stayed by the baby’s side instead of the busy Cedrick.

“…Also, this morning, we received a communication from the Papal States, Your Grace.”

“Ah, yes. Benjamin.”

I suddenly raised my gaze. The middle-aged man who had closed his notebook was wearing a kind smile.

“The work of demolishing the old World Tree that has lost its vitality is almost finished, and the repair work and general cleaning inside the temple are in their final stages.”

“I see. Everyone must be working hard.”

“Yes. Now, the executives of the Papal States’ Sacred Council… seem to be wondering how the person who will become the next Pope will use the temple building in the future. Apparently, there was an announcement that a new palace would be built in the desert…”

“Ah.”

I nodded.

Yes, those people who are still attached to the Papal States would want to know such things.

They must be trembling every day, fearing what their future will hold.

“If Your Grace has nothing else in mind, the Sacred Council suggests using the vacant space in the temple as a banquet hall or special room in the future,” it says.”

“Hahahaha.”

“Yes. I also found it amusing from early in the morning.”

Benjamin politely criticized the attitude of the Papal States.

I picked up Tete from the basket laid out by Demi and smiled.

-Awoo woong

“Heave-ho, well. I want to make that place a library exclusively for the children of the desert. If there is room, I would also like to use it as a shelter for the homeless and an emergency ward. Banquet halls and special rooms are, after all, spaces only for the executives of the Papal States, aren’t they? I know there are already enough guest rooms and dormitories. It sounds like an unnecessary privilege and waste to me.”

“Wise and perfectly reasonable words. I will reply accordingly.”

“Thank you.”

-Frrrr!

At that moment, the carriage stopped with the sound of horses snorting.

“It seems we have arrived, Your Grace. I will help you dismount.”

“Thank you.”

Before I knew it, the majestic Imperial Palace was looking down at us from outside the window.

Dressed in formal attire, I slowly spread my wings with Benjamin’s help and got out of the carriage.

Then, the troublesome darlings jumped out, and Prince Yeseo, holding Cerise, took Cornelice’s hand and got out.

Seeing the three of them with matching fabrics, a question suddenly came to mind.

I lowered my voice and whispered.

“Benjamin, a little while ago.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“You were writing something in your notebook, was it perhaps… about ‘Sense and Sensibility and Divinity’?”

Then Benjamin’s eyes flickered slightly.

“…I apologize. I showed a neglectful side of my profession in front of such a noble person.”

“No, it’s not that. I’m just curious! When I asked you before, you said that ‘Sense and Sensibility and Divinity’ was going smoothly, and I suddenly remembered that you also said that the ending was near. But I still have quite a few stories I haven’t read.”

“…”

Could it be….

“Is it coming to an end soon?”

“…Yes. This deadline’s manuscript is the last.”

Benjamin answered, firmly supporting my palm.

It was a subtle expression, as if he was embarrassed and proud at the same time.

Wow! I exclaimed softly and waved my hand.

The feeling of his laughter spreading to me was quite pleasant.

Then, I loaded the most urgent question into my mouth and fired it like a machine gun at the author.

“Is it a beautiful ending? Do Catherine, Jane, and Heathcliff all become happy? No one gets hurt, dies, or goes missing, right?”

“Oh, of course.”

A very firm and confident voice.

He looked around us and smiled as we climbed the steps of the Imperial Palace.

“They will be happy forever, even beyond the hill where the story ends.”

“That’s a relief. I love it.”

I laughed out loud and entered the entrance of the Imperial Palace.

Then, the nobles who were densely filling the ground floor discovered me and bowed.

“The Main God, we behold the Full Moon of the Continent!”

“We behold the Holy Cardinal!”

“Good heavens, the Guardian Saint of the Empire!”

“…Hello? Nice to meet you.”

Although it was a bit awkward, I was getting quite used to these situations and encounters.

I accepted the enthusiastic greetings of a few people—the act of kissing the back of my hand—and left everyone with the words to have a good time.

And finally, the moment I turned around….

“Huh? Wait, that person is….”

The noblewoman who had bowed to me a little while ago was seen leaving the palace with her husband.

Although she was half-hidden by the crowd, I could clearly recognize her from behind.

It was Lady Sarah Belliard.

“…She’s leaving early. Well, I heard that the sale of ‘Biweekly Liester’ was completed yesterday.”

Ganael said as if muttering. I blinked and turned to the boy.

“The new owner of the magazine is now the Mendy Ducal Family, and the Dium Family will take half of the shares of the Claire & Adrien Printing House. I heard that a lot of the Marquis’s magical resources were invested in the development and support of advanced printing equipment.”

“I see. Well, I received so much help with the production of wartime leaflets….”

Just as I was nodding and answering, it seemed like I made eye contact with Lady Belliard.

The princess bowed briefly and left the Imperial Palace.

And she never entered the palace again of her own will.

A little later, when the heavy door closed behind us….

-Koo Woong…!

“Wow….”

Goodness. This is the first time I’ve seen the Imperial Palace audience hall so crowded!

“Welcome, Palace Lord Yeseo. I will escort you from here.”

“Ah! Thank you, Sir Erbe.”

Sir Erbe Dium, the commander of the Imperial Guard, who had quickly approached, created a barricade around me with his large frame.

The gazes that poured out once again were inwardly burdensome, but thanks to him, I was able to take a breather.

Holding his hand, I was able to move to the upper seat, stepping on the red carpet without bumping into anyone.

During that time, I diligently looked around in all directions with the ‘technique of moving my eyeballs busily while moving my head as little as possible.’

“Wow….”

I tried to recall when I had last been to the audience hall, but it seemed that I had not been here since the court trial of Duke Simon de Sarnese.

Whether it was my imagination or not, the audience hall was much more sparkling than it was then, and it looked several times more splendid.

The crimson silk and luxurious gold thread decorations hanging everywhere, the marble floor that sparkled without a speck of dust, and the sculptures embossed on the walls….

“Cough.”

“Sss!”

I reflexively inhaled.

When I came to my senses, the Crown Prince, who was my partner in charge today, was looking down at me with an expression that he was fed up with me.

No, it was because the ceiling was so pretty. Did you replace the chandelier and candlesticks this time?

Oh, that’s not it.

“I behold the Sun descended to Earth. I behold Your Eminence the Cardinal.”

“Welcome, Yeseo. You look lovely today too.”

“Ahaha. Thank you.”

With Cedrick’s help, I was able to sit down safely, and before long, the buzzing audience hall quietly subsided.

Chief of Staff Laura and Natalie, who had approached silently, quickly straightened my wings.

These friends take a lot of work, thank you.

And around that time….

“The people of the Duchy of Sharré, fisherman Eliakim! And the people of the Principality of Corleone, chef Chiara, enter!”

-Kugung…!

A page who had unfolded a red scroll shouted loudly, and once again the audience hall door groaned greatly as it opened.

Soon, two commoners dressed neatly began to walk in hesitantly.

I heard from Ganael in the carriage earlier that these people were receiving honors for their great contributions on the battlefield—they were heroes whose achievements were truly worthy of being recorded in history, attending as representatives of numerous honorees—but the atmosphere of the Imperial Palace seemed to be making it difficult for them to even lift their heads, which was very unfortunate.

To make matters worse, the nobles lined up on both sides of the audience hall were observing them with curious eyes.

Gentlemen, if you send such gazes, they will naturally become more nervous!

“Chiara, you look great—!”

Right then, a familiar voice rang out from a seat close to the upper seat.

I reflexively smiled brightly and turned my gaze.

Today, without fail, as always.

It was our protagonist, Gain.

“Everyone, that amazing friend was my direct subordinate. You’d be surprised if you heard how amazing she was in the Navy. Everyone, please give her a big round of applause!”

-Clap clap clap clap…!

She shouted cheerfully and set an example by clapping her hands, and I joined in as if I had been waiting for it.

When even Cedrick and my teacher started moving their hands, I had a hard time holding back the laughter that kept bursting out.

Soon, all the nobles in the hall welcomed the honorees with applause, and the complexion of the chef Chiara, who had been pale, finally regained its color.

Then, a knight in the crowd raised his hand and pointed to Eliakim.

“Your Majesty the Emperor, the three Highnesses, and noble lords! I would also like to add a word! Eliakim was a soldier in the same unit as me. Not to mention his excellent operational skills, he was the one who rescued our Duke on the spot, who was about to fall from his horse and suffer an accident. That friend is a hero of the Imperial Army!”

“Ooh…!”

“He’s very brave!”

This time, the nobles gave an even more enthusiastic response, and only then did the fisherman Eliakim straighten his bent shoulders a little.

I could see Gain and her friends looking very happy and laughing.

I clapped my hands hard until they were burning, and sent eye greetings to Chiara and Eliakim, who had come down to the seat below the upper seat.

Although it was our first meeting, I wanted to convey the fact that I, that we all, were cheering them on.

The two still had nervous expressions, but fortunately, they seemed much more stable than before.

Soon, His Majesty the Emperor stood up.

Holding my pounding heart, I looked at his back.

“…Here, my great heroes have come.”

Then, a husky voice echoed through the audience hall. We looked at each other and smiled brightly.

“From now on, I will begin the bestowal of meritorious service in the Great Liester Empire.”