Chapter 177
Chapter 177
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It was Ludovica Schneider.
Truth be told, I usually try to forget the faces and names of people I meet briefly, but since I thought her name was cool, it stuck with me right away.
Ludovica gestured to the guard pinning Narke down.
“I know him. Let him go.”
“You know this guy, Father…?”
“This kind of person?”
The guards looked puzzled but stepped back.
Ludovica looked down at me and spoke in a gentle voice.
“We met at the tavern earlier. You were chugging whiskey and wine straight from the bottles back then too. Looks like you’ve overdone it again.”
Not content with that, she’d blown through the last bottle of wine like a trumpet on her way out.
For the sake of my current persona, I’d gotten another bottle from Elias.
I narrowed my eyes, trying to focus, and tugged the corner of my mouth up.
“You remember me~ What an honor.”
“Did that last drink suit your taste? Or no—looks like you’re on something else now.”
Ludovica said, checking the label on the spilled wine bottle on the floor.
I relaxed my throat and mixed in a laugh. With the tension gone, my voice lilted upward on its own.
“Burgundy white’s been lingering in my head nonstop. Starting to crave something lighter.”
“I figured you’d barely begged your way into a place to crash around here, but here you are wandering again. I’m pretty sure they told you they’re closed for the night.”
“You’re switching to that topic? Cut me some slack. I’ve finally realized I lack self-control.”
No.
Everyone knows we’re all still inside—they just haven’t opened the doors. Having lived through that erased timeline already, how could I not know?
I lowered my voice and shrugged.
“Honestly, I can’t even believe it. A raid? That Primrose Path?”
“Usually you ignore the adjectives people slap on themselves, but you, Mr. Jeremiah, only say what’s true. I recommend building some self-control. They even bundle last week’s papers weekly—check them out yourself.”
“You make it sound so compelling, how could I not?”
My eyes had adjusted to the dark now, and I could make out Ludovica’s expression.
It was mild, but beneath it lurked a gaze that saw me as beyond saving.
*Yeah, that figures.*
Success.
The key was that spark of interest in her eyes amid it all.
“By the way, you’re calling me by name? You said Jeremiah earlier.”
“Felt bad calling you Caetani.”
“Ah….”
Sorry to the Caetani family, huh.
I took her hand, stood, and lightly kissed the back of her glove.
“Thanks for the help. So, you’re a priest? You don’t look that old.”
In our world’s religion, women can’t be ordained. Anglicans might be different.
It’s complicated, but simply put, things changed here when magic power reified—the rules shifted.
So, me not questioning her priesthood didn’t mean I knew about Pleroma.
Jeremiah Caetani shouldn’t know about Pleroma. Just like with all those other issues.
Whether my flattery fell flat or not, Ludovica leveled her wand at me with an impassive face.
“You should sober up.”
*Unlike the wings of the flesh, the wings of the mind are so light.*
Smoke spread from the wand’s tip and seeped into me. With only the light from a finger-sized lantern illuminating the floor, it was hard to see ahead, but it was definitely black smoke.
*Got hit with vitriol.*
Not just any priest.
She had real talent.
I clutched my forehead and laughed with wide, surprised eyes.
“…What was that? Magic?”
“Yes.”
Ludovica smiled faintly.
“Cool. I heard even among old humans, some can use magic. I speak Imperial like a native, but I’m not up on Imperial affairs. This place feels a lot like America, though.”
“Oh~ Haha. Mind if I point something out?”
“Of course. Go ahead.”
“You don’t sound quite like a native.”
“Ah….”
At my awkward sigh, Narke—who’d been hauled up by the guards—snickered.
Thanks.
Truth be told, I’d mixed in some English. Korea’s twelve years of schooling shining through.
“They tend to pronounce ‘ph’ honestly as ‘b,’ like turning ‘ya’ into ‘ja.’ Word choices feel English too.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. But swapping cookies for biscuits still makes it understandable~”
*…Cookies.*
That phrase from my last glimpse at the Ainsidel estate a few days ago came to mind.
Weird as it was, with no incidents tied to it popping up, I was too busy handling the immediate to dwell. I’d mentioned it to Bayern, but no word back, and no mail from the troupe either.
*Focus for now.*
I bit my lower lip lightly and smiled.
“Didn’t know. Thought I was good, raised among Germans. Embarrassing.”
“Oh, just a tip for reference. I go to Italy often too, and it’s annoying when no one corrects my mistakes.”
“Advice from experience, huh. So, Mr. Ludovica, are you the manager around here?”
“Something like that.”
Right.
Having run into Pleroma, time to make a move.
Time to naturally snag contact info.
Buoyed by booze, I let out a laugh and stepped closer.
“Then, one last favor? I still haven’t found a place to stay.”
“What? Still?”
“Asked around my circles, but nothing nearby appeals… or has rooms. Know any walk-in hotels? Ideally Grand Union quality.”
“…!”
Narke, held by the guards and watching us, couldn’t hold back his laugh and covered his face with both hands.
I get it.
He’s probably thinking I’m full of it without even seeing.
Ludovica glanced between me and Narke, then laughed awkwardly.
“What? Grand Union? Why not crash at your friend’s place next to you?”
“That friend’s stuck at home too….”
As I pretended to agonize, Ludovica chuckled and replied.
“Oh, got it. But Pentathlon’s starting in Berlin soon, right? The area’s been booked solid for two weeks. No walk-ins with check-in available now.”
Pentathlon was the grand tournament the Imperial Family had hosted over the past five years, gathering member nations worldwide—an international magic competition.
Think Magic Olympics.
Pleroma had already forced one postponement, turning the Empire upside down, but the Emperor had no plans to delay further.
To him, indefinitely postponing because of Pleroma was tantamount to defeat.
I’d always thought it a terrible personal choice, but this time it proved useful.
“Not the fanciest, but how about that place?”
Ludovica pointed down the alley behind.
She pulled something from her jacket pocket and flicked her wand, stirring a gust. Whatever it was flew off in the wind and burst before a sign, creating light.
It looked like a motel to me, but hey—a hotel.
“I own it.”
“…….”
Talk about luck.
Not only a Pleroma priest, but running a business in Primrose Path? Ambitious bunch.
Of course, even as Pleroma leadership, I’d start slotting our people into profitable spots to skim profits.
As I stared blankly at it, Ludovica smiled softly and teased.
“Oh, does the young master of Caetani balk at sleeping in a dump like that?”
“No way. If it’s yours, Mr. Ludovica, it’s fine. How much?”
“You two? On the house.”
“Don’t like no strings attached.”
“Having you stay is a favor to me. Place is empty anyway—might as well fill a room.”
“Raid’s fault, huh.”
“Exactly. So fill a spot. Better than a ghost hotel.”
I nodded and smiled.
“Deal. Thanks.”
Ludovica, watching me quietly, gave a strange smile and asked.
“You’re really 25?”
“Yeah.”
“Look younger. Just a hunch, but… have you been living off family money for this… entertainment all along?”
“Yeah. Pretty much.”
“Ah~ That explains it.”
“…….”
So, that’s why I act so immature for my age.
Not necessarily true of living off family cash, but if she’s filling in the blanks, great.
Conversation seemed done, so a guard shoved Narke forward.
We headed into Ludovica’s hotel.
And, predictably, no rest.
Once in the assigned room, Narke used divine power to say.
—“You’re heading down, right? I’ll wait here~”
—“Yeah. Gotta leave with you after the talk, so if Pie calls, come right back no matter what.”
Narke nodded.
I unpacked, then headed straight to Ludovica’s room.
Knock knock—
She opened the door soon after, looking puzzled.
“Problem with the room?”
“Nope. Drink?”
“…….”
She stared at me incredulously, then let out a hollow laugh.
No choice. Had to draw out a real talk somehow.
Why Pleroma approached me first was murky, but I couldn’t pass up this rare chance.
Worst case, retries would set a checkpoint—straight ahead it was.
“I’ve gotta head out again soon.”
“Couldn’t you…?”
“…….”
Ludovica tilted her head, then smiled and nodded toward outside.
We went up to the darkened wine bar.
“Opens at 5 usually. Never thought I’d be firing it up at 3. You really love your booze.”
Ludovica pondered, then picked a bottle.
“You were on Chardonnay earlier—Riesling this time. Gotta try it at least once in our country, right?”
“Oh~ Sounds good.”
I quickly seated her, pulled glasses, and set up.
We clinked lightly and sipped. Watching me, Ludovica smiled.
“One drink and you look so happy.”
“Do I…?”
Unhappy. Someone drink this 200,000 won alcohol for me. I could chug alcohol lamp fuel now and barely taste the difference.
We chatted idly after. Sleepy as hell, yawning, but I’d handled strategy HQ work from Bayern till dawn before—holding out was second nature.
“What do you do days?”
Midway through boring talk, she hit with a big question.
“Hm… Studying a bit. Need money to have fun, right? Savings won’t last forever. Lately thinking of starting a business.”
“Business, huh.”
Ludovica rested her chin, urging me on with her gaze.
“Consulting?”
“Of course. What industry?”
“Dunno. Wanna open something in Primrose Path. My own place—booze all day, do whatever.”
I spouted nonsense on nonsense, giggling.
Sure enough, her smile held that beyond-saving glint.
*Haha…*
Right on target—welcome sight.
“Great. Scout it first then. Gotta for Primrose Path, right?”
“Yeah, market research.”
“O~”
I tilted my head at her mocking exclamation.
“…Too much. I graduated high school with top grades, you know.”
“Oh~ Sure. Caetani blood and all.”
Ludovica swirled wine in her mouth, savored long, then dropped.
“Stay till Pentathlon ends?”
“…….”
Smooth.
“Can I?”
“Of course. Fills a room—good for business.”
“Sweet. But I won’t be around much… Few hours at dawn okay?”
“Off to meet girls days?”
*…Image locked in already, huh.*
I shook my head.
“Studying. Human relations, survival skills.”
She eyed me like *don’t bullshit me*.
I snapped my fingers and tilted my head.
“Fine, you got me. How’d you know?”
“It shows. Makes you wonder how a cleric bloodline produces this. Even doubting if Boniface VIII hid this debauchery.”
“Erm, haha….”
I raised my glass, lightly tapping hers.
Clear chime rang out. Her green eyes locked with mine for a beat.
“Then be my accomplice—no more of that.”
“…….”
“Nun-turned-priest, right? Or priest now.”
I said, sipping wine.
Ludovica’s lips slowly curled up.
“Or still think it? Wanna test?”
“Who covers my conscience?”
“Me.”
“Hahaha! Trusting types like you spells doom.”
Ludovica burst out laughing heartily, shrugged, and continued.
“Talented.”
“Talented?”
“Smiled and boldly rejected me saying we’d never meet again—now accomplice? What else is talent?”
“That’s not…”
“50,000 fel weekly.”
“…….”
500,000 won?
What?
I blanked out, puzzling what I’d heard.
Took about 10 seconds to get it.
“Business capital’s just family money anyway. Play as you like, take 200,000 monthly—not bad, right.”
“No thanks.”
“Too low? 100,000?”
“No hobby for that.”
“Make it one now.”
*What the hell.*
I just laughed and downed my drink.
“500,000.”
“…!”
I barely swallowed, wiped my mouth.
2 million won monthly now? No sense of money?
My shock made her laugh and shake her head.
“Oh, 50,000 weekly? I’d consider.”
“Tempted to report you, Schneider. Bottom line: 50,000 weekly? I’ve got millions piled in Imperial Bank—don’t need it.”
Calling her by family name instead, she eyed me intrigued and sipped.
Hearing all this insanity’s giving me a headache.
But pause—think.
Doesn’t add up.
To buy me off with cash, she could’ve bitten when I dangled earlier.
Why offer 2 million monthly?
I sorted my thoughts and smiled.
“You’re testing me.”
Ludovica raised one brow.
I’d played along with the persona till now—time to show a bit of true colors.
“Let’s be straight. Not your real goal.”
“Hahaha… Who knows?”
“Obviously not.”
I said, drinking.
“For that, you’d have said yes earlier. Or hate romance, just old-human breeding? Experience says 99.9% no.”
“Spot on.”
“Chatting with the 0.1% now?”
“You said business.”
“…….”
I pressed down my rising smirk.
Ludovica clasped hands, smiled satisfied.
“Recover investment in 6 months, take 2 million monthly after.”
“…….”
Yeah. Time for true intent.
Proposing partnership like that—world’s full of weirdos, sure…
Grateful, though.
Plenty to weigh.
Her thinking I’d invest based on ‘millions in bank,’ and why approach me first.
Latter cleared a bit in talk—she greets all newcomers here.
Still, luck for me alone? Or her? Need to scrutinize.
She might have her own calculations, like mine.
*For now.*
Learn slow, circle back.
Keeping Jeremiah Caetani’s mask.
“…Trusting you spells doom. Priests okay with this?”
“Haha! That’s my line from earlier. Not Catholic anyway.”
“Heretic. Priest in Primrose Path business was odd—didn’t know weird Calvinist sects existed. Protestants called priests? Which denomination?”
“Protestant? English term. Empire calls us Evangelicals.”
“Imperial lesson? Off-topic.”
“You’re off-point too.”
“…….”
This much stamped it: I don’t know Pleroma—or at best, heard the name, not familiar enough to clock it here.
I kept wetting lips with booze, noticed her staring, and resumed acting.
“Raid incoming, right.”
“Yeah.”
“How recover principal in 6 months. You guaranteeing?”
“Of course. This mess ends quick. Was gonna take longer… but it’ll resolve fast—no worries.”
“How?”
*Was gonna take longer… but resolves fast.*
Good intel.
They planned slow resolution pre-me halting council. Now things souring, rushing before bigger mess. Chairman’s call probably.
Why not sooner?
Fast way has fatal risk.
No risk, they’d have done it.
She says smooth sailing, but they’re desperate.
“Ways exist.”
“What ways?”
“…….”
“And what business.”
“Any letting you slack off’s fine, no?”
Ludovica dodged smoothly.
*Won’t tell?*
How much of a sucker am I if she hides what I need to know? Talent talk hints, but…
Can’t let Jeremiah image slide this.
Nearing goal faster than expected—can’t waste.
I leaned in, eye level.
“Mr. Ludovica.”
“Yes?”
“You said I’ve got talent. Like me as partner?”
Face close, her gaze flickered briefly.
Momentary. She regained poise fast.
“Of course~ Haven’t seen such natural talent.”
“Then give me certainty.”
“…….”
“Can’t invest blind? Words not enough.”
Spill it.
And bring them before me.
“How? Who can fix Primrose Path’s mess?”