Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family
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The blaring alarm pierced the air, causing everyone on the street to freeze in place.
Some were pointing at the alert windows and shouting something to those around them.
But whether due to some spell separating us, their gazes didn't reach us.
As Elias whipped his head around, Richthofen waved a hand dismissively.
"Don't worry. They can't see us. No need to advertise that thirty men lost to three new humans, right?"
'Hmm...'
No matter how I looked at it, his attitude was off.
It might just be his personality, but he was far too calm after being overwhelmingly pushed back.
'He must have something up his sleeve.'
Even so... Plan 2 or whatever didn't quite explain this reaction.
I needed to figure out what he was hiding.
"What will you do? Warp magic doesn't work from down here... Surely Sir Nikolaus, who's had plenty of dealings with Pleroma, knows that."
He said, glancing back and forth between me and Leo.
He had a point.
We didn't know the coordinates, so it was useless.
If we could have used it, we would've done so the moment the vigilantes burst into the tavern.
There was no way they hadn't blocked the paths to the surface by now...
More importantly, there was no reason to run.
'If that was the plan, we would've just called Max Richthofen to the inn for a nice chat.'
Of course, the info we'd get would've been limited, and we'd have been barred from here before trying anything.
So getting locked out was better than being chased off.
'Of course, assuming we win.'
Naturally, I had no intention of losing.
Elias, who had been the only one panicking hard because of Marian Baum, now regained his composure and drawled indifferently.
"Let's think. You've already sounded the alarm—what good does it do to have one of them say who's Nikolaus?"
"Your tone..."
He let out a hollow chuckle, as if it was ridiculous.
A normal teen might miss it, but no matter the age, it wasn't speech befitting royalty.
Pointing it out in this situation just showed how deeply ingrained he was in noble society.
"Tell us."
"When the spatial magic lifts, you'll get nabbed by the catacomb defense forces. The vigilantes agreed to let you loose outside if they can't make a move."
"Fine. But will we actually get caught?"
"Of course."
It wasn't bravado.
They'd throw every spell at us. With the catacombs' tech, they could catch us eventually, even if it took time.
Richthofen continued with a mocking edge.
"So it'd be wise to tell us before things get ugly. None of you are lowborn anyway—letting commoner defense forces suppress you wouldn't sit well."
"Sorry, but we're at the point where we might talk after getting suppressed. Didn't you see this guy get beaten just to get in here?"
"......"
Both Richthofen and Leo wore expressions like, "Wait, that's why he got hit?"
Richthofen nodded, as if he'd expected as much.
"Whatever. Here's a proposal."
He looked us over slowly as he spoke.
"Narke Farnese. And Lucas Ascanien."
"......"
"Especially you... We had fun at poker last time. I still remember losing. How about a game together?"
'Come to think of it...'
He knew our names but didn't put them in the alert.
What for? Hiding them wouldn't benefit him.
Something else to consider.
That's when Elias narrowed his eyes.
"Game~? You in the mood for jokes?"
"You're not exactly in a position for brawls, so I'm being considerate."
"What's the gain in beating you?"
"You won't feel guilty revealing who Nikolaus Ernst is."
"So win or lose, you'll spill it? Haha... What'll you do, drag Nikolaus off?"
"If you knew that, it'd make it harder for you to reveal him, wouldn't it?"
"......"
He wasn't planning to let us go easy.
I could really see where Robert Mueller was coming from. Who knows, maybe he'd put on a show killing Nikolaus somewhere.
Richthofen nodded toward Elias.
"And speak plainly. You'll be handed over too."
"Impressive. The fallout won't be a joke."
"It's a win for the catacombs. If His Imperial Majesty learns you infiltrated, he'll shift to defending us and condemning your noble intrusion. The commoner mages can live in peace for about a year."
"......"
Elias stared at him coldly.
Elias hated others knowing more than the fact that the Emperor wanted to crush him.
That's why he'd been ostracized in noble society all this time.
Once, Elias had offhandedly said, "My entire class beats me up, and everyone's just watching." Leo had recoiled, and even I was thrown off since it came from someone who looked like a bully himself—but I got the sentiment.
"You know your stuff. Then hand me to the Emperor."
"That wasn't a call to fight. Pity."
"Enough."
I cut in quietly.
This would go on forever.
Now I knew their goal.
Someone presumed to be Robert Mueller was up top, Richthofen wasn't easy prey, and...
He was hiding something solid.
No reason to suggest a game now unless he wanted something here.
Either way we'd end up dragged off, so might as well spend time with him.
The odds were in our favor.
"What game? Explain properly."
"Oh, you're open to it? Everyone agree?"
Look at him smoothly changing the subject.
"Explanation first."
"Hmm... Something popular then. Let's start with drinks."
Elias glanced my way.
Not tempted by the booze talk.
Leo exchanged looks with me too.
Leo checked Elias's face, then told Richthofen.
"Let's go."
"Good."
Richthofen answered crisply, spun his wand to extend it, and tapped the floor.
In that instant, a dark room without lights unfolded. The only illumination came from the window and the fireplace.
As Richthofen turned to the table, Elias flicked his fingers small.
Boom—!
Richthofen blocked the magic surging from behind and smiled at Elias.
"Well, you can touch it, but obviously I'm not here in the flesh. How could I trust new humans?"
"Aw~ Too bad."
Elias strode over and plopped into a chair.
"But you've been going on about new humans—aren't you one? Old human adopted into the Richthofens as a kid?"
"......"
He stayed mum on that one.
Whatever, if he went to the 3rd Imperial Academy, he couldn't be old human.
Unlike old humans, new humans grew without secondary sexual characteristics, so the differences showed clearly in development.
"No need to know who I am..."
Richthofen lightly tapped the table with his wand.
Champagne glasses matching our number appeared.
"Win the game if you're curious."
"Champagne? Lame."
"It's a bit strong."
He gave a cryptic reply and gestured for us to drink up.
Elias downed his first and twitched an eyebrow.
No change he could sense.
'Of course something's in it.'
No way he'd serve plain.
He stared at us, so Leo and I took light sips.
"How's the taste?"
"This crap's booze?"
Richthofen burst out laughing at Elias's curt review.
Then he smiled softly.
"I agree. Poker? Losers drink per round."
No one looked ready for games, yet here we were.
Anyway, pass.
Leo would chug them all solo.
No one spoke, so he did.
"Four-player chess?"
"Too much hassle."
"Hahaha, knew it. Simple then. Truth or Dare."
"......"
"Naturally, exclude 'Who's Nikolaus Ernst?' Direct questions showing intent too."
I stared at him; he shrugged with a grin.
"Boring otherwise."
Hard to pin down in many ways, but one thing clear now.
He wasn't really after fun here.
He was stalling.
I pulled up the possibility window.
Dawn 777
― To Final Ending 'Chapter X. Death': 654 days, 8 hours, 1 minute, 25 seconds
― Possibility of Change: 25.3%
'8 hours 1 minute.'
While I pondered, Elias squinted and clicked his tongue.
"First time drinking? Ever gone on trips with friends?"
"No idea why you'd ask."
"It's been around since BC—stale and unoriginal."
"True enough."
He snapped his fingers lightly.
"Not sure you'll feel that way this time."
Thud—
Then, my vision brightened instantly.
"...!"
It took time to process what I saw.
We weren't indoors anymore. Nor was it late December.
Sunlight stung my skin.
Incomprehensible foreign words flowed past my ears in a familiar accent.
Amid the strange dissonance, I slowly looked up at the building behind Richthofen.
It was the school I'd attended.
"......"
Not the Imperial Second Academy.
A chill seeped into my blood.
I turned around. Far off, bus stops lined the avenue at intervals, with signs for arts academies and cafes.
"What the hell?!"
Elias shot to his feet, yelling.
Leo just scanned around, face blank with confusion.
"Hmm..."
Richthofen stroked his chin, grinning amusedly.
Then he muttered at me.
"Mr. Ascanien, you get around."
"...Luke?"
Elias whipped toward me.
"......"
"I was curious how famous Pleroma could use magic, wanted to test on the first one who showed—and you fit. Didn't expect some unknown place..."
Elias grabbed Richthofen's collar.
"Explain properly."
"Novel enough now?"
Richthofen shook off Elias's hand.
"Shall we start? Why's this place etched so deep in your memory?"
"......"
It was a solid way to extract info.
Now I knew why he'd pitched it confidently.
Someone here would reveal Nikolaus's memories.
So this situation, without Nikolaus's memories surfacing, was off-script for him.
'But no plans to explain this...'
No choice but to milk what we could.
I pulled up the possibility window again.
Dawn 777
― To Final Ending 'Chapter X. Death': 654 days, 7 hours, 50 minutes, 01 seconds
― Possibility of Change: 25.3%
It was 8 hours 1 minute before.
Subjectively less than 5 minutes passed, but real time dropped 10 minutes.
I'd never seen big time diffs in the catacombs, so this result meant...
'He slowed time on purpose.'
Why since earlier?
Something—or someone—he was waiting for.
I kept my eyes on his face.
"You playing too?"
"Naturally."
I drained my glass and nodded.
"Next."