Chapter 213
Chapter 213
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 213
Chapter Title: Bring Me Haike's Blood
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Bring me Haike's blood.
He plans to turn Haike Ainsidel into another Marco Schreiber.
As the Crown Prince said, whether he wants it or not, there's every chance he'll become an even worse villain than the future Adelbert.
In a way, handing over Haike Ainsidel might be the right call.
However....
"I don't understand."
"Hmm."
The Crown Prince looked more confused by my words than anything, then nodded as if to say, go on.
"I get that Your Highness wants to pull down Ainsidel to stop Pleroma. But I can't wrap my head around why that intent has to lead to this outcome?"
"As I said...."
"Same unique ability, got it. From what you're saying, it seems Pleroma values that unique ability highly. So why go through me? Plus, you could easily get your hands on someone from the Junker family without involving Eschet."
"...."
"A guy who even used health checkups for this—why the sudden roundabout method? I can't help but be suspicious."
His pale yellow eyes flicked toward the soundproofing spell around me, then fixed on me squarely.
Ignoring my change in tone, he spoke.
"Your reaction is amusing. It's just a proposal. I heard that High Priest Ainsidel is plotting something unusual."
"Something unusual."
"I don't know the details myself. Does it help that the capital is extremely wary of Ainsidel?"
Should I believe him?
No need to approach it that way.
Given Abraham's track record, it could easily be a lie. But no harm in keeping it in mind—worst case, nothing lost.
Ainsidel did secretly contract with the Catacombs to monopolize their tech, after all.
But that's not a sufficient answer.
"So you'll step up for the greater good yourself? That's ridiculous."
At my words, the Crown Prince smiled, interlocking his fingers as he regarded me.
I opened my mouth slowly.
"Let me share my theory. With your ten years as Marco Schreiber crumbling, you needed a replacement. Especially after your plan to break from Pleroma and start a new order went up in smoke, you must have decided to start over from scratch. My guess is you're planning to take over Haike Ainsidel's body and insert it into Pleroma. Assuming there's a bond between High Priest Ainsidel and Haike Ainsidel, you could seize control over the High Priest in the process. Plus, use that ability to climb the ranks inside Pleroma."
I paused there, shaking my head at a sudden realization.
"Ah, now I see—you could even use that ability to oust Ainsidel from Osnabrück. Especially since the High Priest is trying to break from the capital for his own gain, they'd welcome a new figure with the same ability. How's that? Am I off base?"
"...."
"Looks like I hit the mark. That's as far as I go. So, what if I refuse your order?"
At my words, the Crown Prince slowly lifted the corner of his mouth.
No further words.
I stared at him, feeling a chill settle in my gut. He's the type who could resort to force in a situation like this. The Chairman—not the Crown Prince—had done exactly that.
Of course, if he went that route, I wouldn't need to hold back either.
He's shielding himself from my mental manipulation magic with mana. That kind of thorough defense only holds when he's sitting still like this; it crumbles easily when he acts, convinced of his superiority. If he attacks, I could turn the crisis into an opportunity, slip in the mental manipulation to extract info, then rewind time.
But he just smiled faintly. After mulling my words, he spoke.
"Putting Haike Ainsidel under control to secure peace. Why is that so hard? Pleroma wants his unique ability, so we can't let that student loose in the world. You know what could happen if someone with power strong enough for direct adoption falls into Pleroma's hands."
Leaning closer, he said,
"I know you visited the Ainsidel family three weeks ago. So you know there's no proof the High Priest is direct lineage, but Haike Ainsidel, as direct lineage, has the potential to grow even stronger. It's simple enough for a three-year-old to grasp."
Leaving aside that he investigated me....
His intentions aren't pure—that much is clear.
First, no reason it has to go through me.
Second, why include Haike Ainsidel in Eschet still isn't explained.
"Fine, let me explain it simply enough for a three-year-old. If you're so worried, Your Highness can get the blood yourself."
"Hahaha!"
The Crown Prince laughed heartily for once, shaking his head. Ignoring his laughter, I pressed on.
"Tell me why you're dragging me into this. And why you put Haike Ainsidel on the representative team to enter the palace, when you could handle a Junker easily. Otherwise, I'll pretend this conversation never happened."
"...."
"You might have been banking on my wariness of Haike Ainsidel to get my consent. Two birds with one stone—efficient strategy. But...."
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"What are you going to do without my blood?"
He laughed as if I'd said something absurd.
"You think drawing a bit of your blood would be that hard?"
"...."
"Of course, I have no desire to force it. I'll wait until you offer it willingly—otherwise, this relationship ends."
"You'd better face reality."
"You never know until we see it through."
With that, he leaned back into his chair. Exhaling, he muttered,
"You're truly difficult to handle. Tell you one thing, and you infer ten—leaves me nothing to say. But you missed this, it seems."
Smiling, he stared at me and said,
"Ever think Haike Ainsidel's ability could extract info on you and the team? What if someone with the memories and knowledge of all six falls into Pleroma's hands?"
"...."
My expression, devoid of emotion, curved into a smile.
There it is.
One reason he put Haike Ainsidel on the team makes sense now.
To spur me into action. To make me hand Haike over to him myself. With the risk skyrocketing, I'd want to offload him ASAP.
So why insist on going through me? That's the question I need answered.
Of course, I have a hunch.
'He wants me in his debt.'
Save me from danger with his own power, increasing his influence over me?
Classic Abraham thinking.
"Why should I listen to you when you play it like this? In the end, putting Haike Ainsidel on the team was your decision."
"I've handed you countless opportunities, yet here I am getting this treatment—surprising."
I made good use of those opportunities.
But when did I ask for them? If anything, I turned potential losses into gains.
Pushing my teacup forward, I said,
"Excuse me, I'll head out first. At this rate, unless I stop, we'll just waste Your Highness's time."
"My proposal will become absolutely necessary for you."
I paused mid-rise, turning at his quiet voice.
Wearing an enigmatic expression, he said,
"If Haike Ainsidel starts seeming suspicious, come to me anytime. I'm more than willing to take your side."
"You say it like he definitely will become suspicious someday."
After a long silence, I replied.
"I'll keep that in mind."
* * *
It's bait.
Bait to make Haike Ainsidel threaten High Priest Ainsidel?
No. Bait to catch me.
'Feels like he's striking first.'
My proposal will become necessary?
That's how he sees it.
He didn't even explain the evidence that Haike Ainsidel could be used as a threat against High Priest Ainsidel. If he wanted me on board, he should've laid out the reasoning.
So why not?
He believes I'll come crawling to him without it.
That means, in his view, a crisis bigger than Abraham looms for me.
I quickened my pace toward the banquet hall building.
Laughter and chatter grew louder as I approached.
"Huh? Lucas is here~"
Far off, Narke, midway through a sip of wine, lowered his glass with a bright smile.
As I fully entered the hall, every eye turned to me.
Ulrike grinned welcomingly and waved.
"Lucas! What brings you?"
"Just something. Mind if I borrow Narke for a bit?"
"Huh? Oh, sure."
Ulrike blinked between us, flustered.
Narke widened his eyes at me, then nodded as realization dawned.
He whispered to Elias, then hurried over.
"Shall we?"
I nodded, and he grabbed my arm, chanting a warp spell.
When I opened my eyes, we were in a room Elias must have shown him—likely Elias's, though it felt long unused, with faint traces of his mana.
"Let's talk here."
Narke pulled out a chair for me.
Meanwhile, I opened his status window, checking traits.
Traits: Divine Power, Foresight (Lv. 2)*, Insight (Lv. 3)*
Until recently, they were 1 and 2.
Foresight and Insight had each leveled up.
I'd confirmed it last Friday.
'The day of the qualifier announcements, he told me 'Haike doesn't know anything, so don't push him'.'
What Narke said when Haike made Team 1, catching us off guard.
During the second exam, Narke had said Haike's thoughts were hard to read. How could he be so sure if the ability wasn't fully working?
Nothing else fit except Insight's range expanding with the level up.
"Narke. Your Insight feels easier to use now, huh?"
"Oh? You noticed~"
His cheery response made me smile, and he picked up on my curiosity.
"Overused it during the exam that day. Push past the limit, and the range expands sometimes."
"I see. You did look pretty rough that day."
I gave a concerned smile and probed further.
"So, Narke, is that the only reason your unique ability's range widened?"
"You're asking if there's more? Haha, that's it."
Narke stared at me, then laughed.
"Use it too long, and it bursts like a dam. Really, that's all."
"...."
I nodded slowly, meeting his yellow eyes.
They stared straight back.
Now for the real question.
"Narke. Just a few things. Do you think Haike could cause major trouble from now on?"
He scratched his head, shaking it.
"No, at least not within Foresight's range...? Assuming no variables, that is."
"Even if caused by someone else?"
"Yeah. Seems like he'll just keep going as is."
I pondered briefly, then nodded.
"Thanks. That helps."
"No prob~ So, the Crown Prince brought up Haike, huh."
"Yeah. What do you think?"
"Hmm, without meeting him myself, hard to say honestly...."
Narke tilted his head.
"But as you know, his advice doesn't seem logically wrong. Especially if Haike defects, he could leak our info. With variables now, it's plausible."
"...."
Lost in thought, I snapped back as Narke clapped.
"What'll you do? Tell me, and I'll Foresight it!"
"You sure? You've been drinking."
"Got to use it while I can. Exploit me all you want."
Narke joked unusually, smiling. I smiled back and spoke.
"No plans to listen to Abraham. Like you said, his advice has merit, but it doesn't mean hand over Haike."
"Uh-huh."
"Create a second Marco Schreiber? Abraham wields influence rivaling Pleroma. Using his power to stop Pleroma isn't much different in the end."
He rattled off reasons to fetch Haike for the 'noble cause,' but as I told him, to Abraham, Haike Ainsidel is a perfect tool to re-enter Pleroma and rebuild.
After killing the Chairman once, like hell I'd let him make another. Every new identity means another I have to crush.
Whatever, he tried to exploit my doubts and fears for gain—that doesn't change.
"Ah, perfect. Decision made~"
Narke clapped, grinning.
"I like your take, Lucas. You're beat today anyway—call it."
He stood, beckoning me.
"We'll fix the future ourselves before Abraham's words come true. Let's see Haike first."
"Sure."
"Wait, Lucas."
As I reached for his hand, Narke waved me off.
"Before Haike, I'll tell him you're looking for him. Cool?"
"Uh... yeah, go ahead."
"Awesome. Doesn't matter what I say, right?"
What?
Puzzled, I nodded vaguely.
* * *
Narke thinks we can fix the future ourselves.
'Optimistic—nice.'
Best to resolve Haike's issue without Abraham's help.
Abraham's claim boils down to Haike causing problems wittingly or not, so he'll control the body....
'This guy's blind to how both are problems.'
Block Haike from causing issues, wittingly or not. Eschet's formation is lucky here—six people to protect him.
First, confirm if protecting him keeps us safe.
Any hidden Pleroma ties? Does Ainsidel have an ability to extract bloodline info, leaking our real-time data through Haike unwittingly?
If needed, deploy Divine Power. Unlike Abraham, who's wary of mine, these guys are easier to overpower magically.
'And....'
Even with leveled Foresight, Narke hasn't seen beyond what I asked.
Narke, who'd brought Haike, peeked nervously at me before retreating to the Eschet team.
I'd only just shown up at the banquet, so students I hadn't greeted earlier swarmed now.
"I'm Stefan Cooper, third-year Class 1-A. Never properly introduced myself till now."
"Yes, nice to meet you."
We shook hands, chatted briefly.
'One palace entry, and my image flipped....'
Especially with only our school kids here, it amplified.
Wonder how it'd be if they were Eschet. I'd have special rewards by now.
Twenty minutes of greetings in, I spotted a welcome face.
As Adelbert approached, the crowd parted.
"Sunbae."
He handed me an ice cream cup from who-knows-where, greeting me. Not his style, but in this mess, his presence alone was a win.
"Congrats on the palace entry. And about the performance role...."
"Forget that. You did great."
"Huh?"
"Talk later."
Smiling, I slipped away quickly.
"Haike!"
Then, far off, Haike—who'd been snacking with Narke—whipped around. Surprisingly, his face was flushed unlike usual.
Narke beside him wore an inscrutable smile.
Both suspicious, but more unbelievable was the window popping up before me.
Ding—!
Favorability +1
"....?"