Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble House
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The Emperor silently stared at Nicolaus.
“You didn’t enter the Catacombs?”
“That’s right. I regret to say we couldn’t find a way to enter the Catacombs.”
‘….’
It slipped away just like that, exactly as I’d thought, ‘If it were me, this is how I’d handle it.’
The Emperor nodded.
‘I let my guard down.’
Honestly, what he’d reported so far wasn’t even real information about the Catacombs—it was just a headache-inducing mess, nothing that spelled real trouble.
If Pleroma emerged during the inspection, it would create an opportunity to exert influence across the entire Empire. In that case, it was a win anyway.
Plus, plenty of people meticulously prepare to avoid personal losses. Nicolaus doing the same wasn’t anything special.
‘But this….’
Who in their right mind charges into Pleroma just to scout Catacomb movements?
‘…My head’s starting to hurt. If my real goal had been to gauge their movements, that would’ve been fine, but it wasn’t, was it?’
He’d only investigated as I instructed, so there was no element of surprise to exploit.
And the result? Documents showing Pleroma trying to unilaterally absorb the Catacombs. Completely opposite from what I’d hoped for.
The Emperor now looked at Nicolaus with a smile.
Was it intentional?
Of course, there was no way to know.
‘But at this point, it doesn’t matter if it was or not.’
The imperial stance was clear.
First off, rejection of Pleroma far outweighed any toward the Catacombs, so touching the Catacombs in this state would mean defeat for the imperial family.
Next…
Nicolaus Ernst was still too valuable an asset to turn into an enemy.
‘If I hold the line well, it’ll pay off.’
Just like he’d held the line with me now.
He was someone to watch closely, but if I could perfectly bring him to my side?
There’d be no better person.
* * *
It was a lie, but he seemed pretty flustered.
Is the door to Pleroma just sitting wide open for anyone?
They’ve grown this big precisely because no one could find a way in. If both take heavy resources, of course you go for the Catacombs.
But caution was needed.
For people like the Emperor who overthink everything pointlessly, the biggest risk is anything that looks like an ulterior motive.
It wasn’t just about building merits with me— I had to consider what the Emperor truly wanted.
‘Using him while grabbing his weaknesses would be the best outcome.’
For the Emperor, the Catacombs were the perfect tool to catch two rabbits at once.
I’d known from the moment he demanded contact with those criminals that he was sending me into a minefield.
So, I had no choice but to move in reverse.
The Emperor spoke to me, keeping his gentle expression.
“To think you went directly to Pleroma— I can’t help but praise your resolve. Well, did you suffer any harm on the way?”
“I’m fine. However, since we entered with a small group, time constraints prevented us from gathering more information.”
“It was an urgent situation, so I can’t fault you for that. The intel you’ve brought is already a great help to me.”
The Emperor maintained his initial amiable demeanor.
There was no one in the Empire who could casually admit to visiting Pleroma, so he wouldn’t risk our relationship just to get more info.
“I’m glad to hear that. Then, Your Majesty, how do you plan to handle this issue? Even if the Catacombs and Pleroma haven’t formally allied, as you said, their combined power could cause major problems.”
The Emperor pondered silently while sipping his tea, then spoke.
“You couldn’t find a way into the Catacombs either, right? Bringing their population back to the Empire isn’t realistic, so let’s set that aside for now. For the immediate future, we’ll need to infiltrate Pleroma frequently, just like you did, to thwart their plans in real time.”
So that’s how he phrases not planning to help.
Politicians’ circumlocutions are impressive, as always.
“We could even consider using Pleroma as double agents. But this isn’t just for us to decide. Let’s send the materials you gave me to the Imperial Pleroma Research Institute. In this situation where Pleroma is expanding and even provoking war, rash decisions could be poisonous.”
Exactly what I wanted.
The Catacombs issue will now fade into ambiguity. Until he finds another pretext, he won’t touch them.
So, I should gracefully accept his evasion here.
I nodded and replied softly.
“If that is Your Majesty’s will, I shall obey.”
* * *
Perhaps because vacation was over, the school atmosphere felt oddly awkward.
It didn’t last long, though.
As class time approached, the school grew noisy as usual.
The classroom quieted only when the professor clapped to call roll.
“You’ve all seen the news, so you know: our Magic Department’s second-year representatives took second place in the Bayern Magic Potion Experiment Competition.”
‘Feels like it was almost a month ago.’
It’s only been a little over a week.
The professor continued, making eye contact with the students who’d participated.
“Three from our class went: Lucas Ascanien, Leonard Wittelsbach, and Narke Farnese. Congratulations.”
Applause rang out from the students.
I gave a casual smile and nod in thanks, then proceeded with divine power studies as usual.
At dinner time, Elias shook off his friends and sat next to me, casting a sound barrier. Then he extended his arm toward me.
“…I’ll let the talking slide here, but no arm around the shoulders.”
“Ah~! It’s just habit. But seeing you out of uniform and in casual clothes makes it feel so weird.”
“You look new with your hair back to white.”
“Haha, it’s not pure white~”
True, technically platinum blond.
Anyway, they’re similar enough— no big deal.
“So, you stocked up on boundaries, right? You went at dawn.”
“I did.”
“O~”
Elias giggled like it was amusing.
With Elias around, stocking up on boundaries was inevitable for me. It was just a matter of when.
“My goal was to wrest the Catacombs from His Majesty while satisfying him. Mission accomplished, no issues.”
“Did he seem satisfied?”
“Not in the direction he expected, but he couldn’t not be.”
If I’d given info about Pleroma from some non-Prussian country, he’d have leaked the documents and then magnanimously combed the nation. He could’ve acted even more boldly than now.
Mentioning Prussia first might irk him a bit, but it’s no real problem in the end.
‘Well, who knows how he took it.’
Subtle wording shifts perceptions, so as long as the Pleroma documents I brought aren’t leaked, it’s fine. The outcome’s similar either way.
“His Majesty didn’t seem upset.”
“How do you know? That guy smiles while stabbing you in the back.”
“He signed the papers I presented.”
He’d prepared with me before going to the palace, so he’d know which ones.
“…The divine power usage permit? Hm… Well, you’re not naive, Luca, so he probably didn’t sign just out of goodwill.”
“The palace has divine power mages too. Even with the intel I brought, His Majesty could’ve sidelined me, but why choose to move with me instead?”
“Hmm, he still thinks openly allying with you is the most profitable.”
Exactly.
Of his two goals— maintaining a friendly public relationship with Nicolaus Ernst, and tying me to the Catacombs— at least one was solidly achieved.
“The key now is how to move forward. He’ll keep trying to use you.”
“Yeah. So if you hear anything at home, let me know too, Eli.”
“Ah, of course~”
Just then, Leo glanced our way. Seeing him frown at Elias, it was probably a signal to wrap up and move.
“Leo worries too much~”
“Haha… You’re too nonchalant about Pleroma.”
I rested my chin on my hand, scanning the class, and said.
A few students glanced at Elias lounging comfortably beside me.
Most didn’t care at all, though. Huge progress compared to first semester.
“I’m heading back to the dorm now. You should go eat dinner.”
“Ah, right. You eat in your room, Luca. We can at least eat together now, right~?”
Elias smacked his lips regretfully. He clearly wanted to talk more about my great-uncle.
Well, at this point, there’s no real point in keeping distance. My brother saw the changes with his own eyes during the potion competition broadcast.
“Suddenly changing would be weird.”
As I stood, I spotted a familiar face at the back door.
Lichtofen, locking eyes with me, smiled and waved.
Elias’s face twisted in displeasure.
Yesterday, Elias had sulked for hours, muttering curses after learning the dog he’d been playing with belonged to that guy.
Finding out the dog he’d been caring for was human must’ve shocked him.
‘I’d be the same….’
“What do you want?”
Elias grumbled sarcastically, lips pursed, but Lichtofen ignored it, grinning and pointing at me.
“Not you— I came to see him.”
“Since when have you been watching?”
“I caught glimpses during the competition. Anyway, junior.”
Seeing him at school felt even stranger. Somehow, he seemed like he belonged only in the Catacombs.
That said…
‘What’s he doing making a scene here?’
I narrowed my eyes without responding. Now I noticed three third-years following behind Lichtofen.
Then, Lichtofen spoke with a smile.
“They say you were key to that potion runner-up win, junior.”
“No, it was a team effort.”
“Really? It was broadcast, so the whole school’s buzzing~”
“What are you getting at?”
He opened the folder under his arm and pulled out a sheet of paper.
“Wanna join the Potion Club?”
* * *
Turns out the whole school was buzzing with club recruitment activities.
A week into the semester, and it was club recruitment season… Of course Luca wouldn’t remember.
‘I’m not planning to join any, but it’s peaceful.’
Watching them fervently promote to fill spots or agonize over choices felt like a breather.
Just three days in and out of the Catacombs, but so much had happened it didn’t feel like three days— especially after taking that sword hit before.
I skimmed the three promo flyers I’d gotten while shoving bread into my mouth.
‘Two are potion academic clubs, one theater club.’
The theater one had hounded me since festival prep.
‘Where’s Pleroma?’
The ones proposing recruitment smiled, while trailing members avoided my eyes… but overall, no strong dislike.
‘Time really is the answer.’
Last semester’s struggles to shed the Pleroma image weren’t in vain. They still feared me, but talking to me was far freer now.
I finished eating and headed to Leo’s training grounds.
Since my leg healed, Elias had been there without fail.
Before starting training, I asked them.
“What clubs are you in?”
“None now… Last second semester, rugby club, but not this year. Gotta baby the leg~”
Leo, who’d been listening quietly, asked.
“Why, you thinking of joining one?”
“No, just curious.”
“You should try one~? Club time’s super short anyway, totally doable.”
Elias chimed in.
Not really short.
School culture prioritized grades.
Non-academic clubs pitched their minimal practice as a plus to recruit.
“So, any in mind?”
“Potions, and theater club.”
“Theater club?”
Elias tilted his head.
I’d find out why soon enough.
Elias told me to hold off training and follow him, so I went along to the school annex as he led.
And in front of the theater club, I faced another familiar face.
“Oh, you’re Senior Elias’s friend.”
I elbowed Elias, who was snickering at the sight of my great-uncle’s kid.
Adelbert offered a formal smile and extended his hand.
“I’m Adelbert Hohenzollern. You’re Senior Lucas Ascanien, right?”
‘Hm.’
I instantly got why Elias was grinning.
His voice was a full tone lower, subdued.
Unlike when he interviewed his revered figure…
‘He talks to others besides Nicolaus like this.’
New.
Maybe because of the Pleroma association, his gaze was oddly stiff.
Adelbert Hohenzollern
Favorability –5
‘Definitely sees me as Pleroma.’
A stark contrast to the +10 when I met him as Nicolaus.
Adelbert narrowed his eyes at silently laughing Elias.
“Why is that?”
“Eekekek!”
“Ignore him.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Hey, don’t do anything you’ll regret later.”
Elias pointed accusingly while laughing, and Adelbert raised an eyebrow as if to say, “What?”
Then the theater club president emerged from the practice room and spotted us.
“Huh! Here to join? Want an application?”
“Yes?!”
Adelbert yelped in surprise, turning to the president. He hadn’t expected me to get an offer.
‘Hm.’
What to do.
No reason to join so far.
But no strong reason not to, either.
‘Good for gathering intel.’
Better as Luca than Nicolaus— no party meant scheduling with Adelbert as Nicolaus could lead to the Emperor gagging him or feeding misinformation through Adelbert.
‘Conveniently, the Crown Prince is a surveillance target too.’
Harder to get news on the guy bold enough to drug his brother’s drink over a broken leg than even the Emperor’s.
Not the main reason, but the reaction was decent enough.
Smiling at the president, I said.
“Yes, give me the application.”