Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 224

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 224

After Ophelia fled, Mikhail searched the entire kingdom but couldn’t find any trace of her anywhere.

So he thought that perhaps she had already escaped abroad.

‘If she’s in the Barrier Forest, it would make sense that we couldn’t find her.’

“You’re certain the Saintess is in the Barrier Forest.”

Belinda affirmed with silence.

“What’s your basis?”

“Because the High Priest, no, Giuseppe headed toward the Barrier Forest.”

When that name came up on the table, Mikhail had no choice but to finally put down his teacup.

As soon as Belinda returned from the dungeon, she explained to Mikhail what had happened in the spire and delivered a written report about Giuseppe’s betrayal and his motives.

At the time, Mikhail couldn’t believe that information, and it was the same now.

It was a delicate topic, but he had to ask.

“Belinda, are you certain the High Priest betrayed us?”

This time too, Belinda answered with silence, but unlike before, it wasn’t meant as affirmation.

Mikhail noticed that a trace of doubt remained in his friend’s heart, but he didn’t rush her and waited, this time leisurely tilting his teacup.

After a long while, Belinda opened her mouth.

“He didn’t join our plan at the Five Nations Conference. What clearer evidence could there be?”

Though it was true, in Mikhail’s judgment, even if the High Priest had proceeded according to plan, it would have been difficult to secure military cooperation from other nations.

After all, when raising issues at the political table, one must also present solutions to debate the pros and cons.

But with Belinda, who was the solution, missing, everyone would have tried to ignore the problem itself rather than think about how to solve it.

However, Mikhail didn’t voice that thought.

But perhaps he couldn’t fool Belinda.

Belinda, who had been staring intently at the Crown Prince’s face with its faint smile, narrowed her eyes.

“You were just about to defend Giuseppe.”

“Rather than defending him, I just can’t believe the fact that he betrayed us.”

“Did you trust him that much?”

“Not at all. What I trusted was my own judgment. As you know, I have excellent insight into people.”

Though it was an arrogant statement, Belinda had to acknowledge it.

The reason he could remain purely as Crown Prince between a king uninterested in state affairs and a queen who courted nobles to put forward a prince as the next heir.

He wasn’t exceptionally skilled in combat like the First King, and having a princess from a foreign country as his mother, he had no maternal relatives to rely on.

Only one thing – he possessed remarkable insight to see through people’s essence and abilities and place talent in the right positions.

Mikhail had planted the talents he had his eye on throughout the political arena, and later, when they achieved high positions, they joined the Crown Prince’s faction.

The current Crown Prince was created that way.

And the Giuseppe that such a Mikhail saw was…

“Though he had somewhat inhuman aspects, he didn’t seem like someone who would betray others. Especially not you, Belinda.”

He might be frustratingly stubborn, but he wasn’t someone who would betray human trust.

Though it seemed he didn’t have many people close enough to betray in the first place.

What reason could such a person have for betraying Belinda?

Just as faint wrinkles appeared on Mikhail’s brow.

“Someone who reads people so well is confined to the palace, unable to understand even one person’s heart – his father’s.”

“…”

At Belinda’s sharp remark, the furrow in his brow deepened.

Normally, Mikhail would have listened to her words, but to Belinda, who was feeling deeply betrayed, his words couldn’t sound pleasant.

Belinda and Mikhail glared at each other silently, then simultaneously let out deep sighs and clinked their half-empty teacups together like wine glasses.

Clink.

It was their way of making peace.

Soon, having said everything she needed to say, Belinda stood up and dusted herself off.

“Ultimately, our plan hasn’t changed. Though we couldn’t get aid from each nation, we’ll try to stop this thing called the Beast King with the Northern forces and the mages from the Gray Tower.”

At her words about heading north to prepare for war, Mikhail couldn’t hide his apologetic expression.

Originally, the Dawn Knights should have joined that group as well.

However, as the price for not being able to endure momentary emotions, the knight order that the Crown Prince had personally raised was now bound to the Royal Palace.

If he rashly moved his army, he would be branded as a rebel force, so he couldn’t even offer to send his knights, not even as empty words.

Perhaps understanding his feelings.

“If things look even slightly strange, I’ll contact you to come running immediately. I’ll work you to the bone then, so rest easy for now.”

At Belinda’s annoying words, Mikhail regained his smile.

He saw off his friend whom he wouldn’t see for a while, speaking dramatically.

“By then, Father will have cooled down too. I’ll definitely show you how capable my knights are, Belinda.”

With that conversation as the last, Belinda headed toward the Northern Barrier Forest, which could be called the beginning of everything.

There could be no more fitting stage to end all tragedy.

* * *

The carriage carrying me, Leo, Cheri, and Chaser is currently heading north at top speed.

It’s been two weeks since we left the Royal Capital.

The air entering our lungs has gradually begun to grow colder.

Thanks to enduring even sleeping outdoors, we entered the Northern Territory faster than scheduled, but we encountered an unexpected obstacle.

“We need to travel for a day and a half more to reach the next village.”

At Cheri’s words as he examined the map with a serious expression, Chaser and I despaired.

“That’s why I said we should rest two more days at the previous estate!”

“Regretting what’s already past won’t improve the situation.”

“Wow, how did a person become even more of a stone than before? Aren’t you sorry to Saesaek-i, Your Excellency?”

At Chaser’s scolding, Cheri immediately apologized to Leo.

“Leo, I’m sorry.”

Leo was the most at a loss in this situation.

“I’m really okay. Birthdays come every year.”

That’s right.

We were facing the enormous ordeal of meeting Leo’s fifteenth birthday on the road.

“Lady Belinda, please stop the knight!”

“Leo, I’m sorry…! If only I had controlled Ker better!”

And without even a birthday cake!

“I’m really okay though…”

The most painful thing was that this whole mess happened because of me.

A week ago, our journey was delayed by heavy rain.

As a result, we ended up meeting Leo’s birthday on the road, but in preparation for such a case, we had bought an easily preserved cake from the previous estate and kept it in the carriage.

But while I was distracted for a moment, Ker ate it all up!

Whine, whimper.

As if knowing he had done wrong, Ker whimpered, and Leo gently petted Ker’s head.

“It’s okay without a birthday cake. I’m incredibly happy to spend my birthday with the people I love most.”

How does our Leo say such pretty things?

“When we reach Baluashten Castle, let’s celebrate your birthday again with an amazing birthday cake. Right, Cheri? …Cheri?”

I was planning an enormous cake in my head and plotting to torment the castle’s chef, but Cheri, who had been beside me just moments ago, was nowhere to be seen.

Looking around, I saw him rummaging through the carriage’s luggage in the distance.

Soon, Cheri returned quickly to our side and spoke with a reverent expression, as if making a vow.

“I’ll make one.”

“…What?”

“We have enough ingredients. What we lack are tools, but…”

Cheri’s gaze turned toward Chaser, who was making a displeased expression.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I think it can work out somehow.”

And so began Cheri’s confectionery work, using Chaser as his tool.

Cheri first beat plenty of egg whites in a concave bowl, then placed that bowl in Chaser’s arms.

Chaser, who was also made to hold a bundle of thin twigs created as a substitute for a whisk, looked bewildered, not understanding what was happening.

“Beat it.”

“What?”

“Keep stirring until foam forms and that foam becomes firm.”

“Why are we doing this?”

“I’m going to make decorative meringue.”

“Protagonist, I think His Excellency has broken down. He says he’s making meringue with just egg whites?”

“Chaser, just do as you’re told.”

At my single word, Chaser whisked the egg whites as if his arms would break.

A short while later, after finishing all the batter preparations, Cheri began nagging the exhausted Chaser about this and that.

“The essence of confectionery is fire control. You must seal it well so heat doesn’t escape.”

“The flame is too weak, make it stronger.”

“Now it’s too strong, make it weaker.”

Chaser, who had become a human oven, baked the batter this way and that with magic according to Cheri’s instructions, but eventually exploded in frustration.

“Protagonist, is this right? You haven’t forgotten His Excellency’s roasted pig flavor, have you?”

“Chaser, just do as you’re told.”

Chaser, who didn’t know that Cheri had honed his cooking skills to an impressive level, constantly grumbled, but I trust Cheri.

Because the three meals a day he made for me in the dungeon had given me confidence in him.

Time flowed endlessly like this, and it was now deep night, long after the sun had set.

Having prepared a suitable place to sleep, we stared blankly down at the collaboration between Chaser and Cheri.

Leo looked at the completed cake and opened his mouth.

“This is…”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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