Chapter 226
Chapter 226
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 226
Chapter Title: The Freiburg Archbishop
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My friends froze for a moment, looking as if they’d seen a ghost, before spotting my face and rushing over.
“Luca!”
Elias barreled toward me like a madman and literally clung to me. The moment my balance tipped backward, Leo raised his wand and caught my back with magic.
Elias grabbed my face roughly and started inspecting it from every angle.
“Why didn’t you call us?! Are you okay? I was about to ignore you and shatter all the spatial magic!”
“Phew, we were really worried… glad you’re alright.”
Narke let out a sigh of relief.
Leo, standing a few steps back, scanned me from head to toe with a confused expression. He seemed thrown off by the fact that I looked exactly the same as when I’d left.
“You didn’t… no, you look unchanged.”
He meant, did I turn back time?
Worried the stalker might still be lurking nearby, I glanced around, but Narke had already laid down spatial magic barriers.
Leo quickly regained his composure, pried Elias off me, and thrust a transparent vial of antidote in front of my face.
“I prepared the antidote. Drink it.”
“Sorry to waste your effort. Can’t right now.”
“What? Can’t?”
“Yeah. Not until the end of the week.”
“……”
My friends stared at me blankly.
Narke, piecing it together, said with a grave look.
“…Mind manipulation magic didn’t work on you.”
“Yeah. Looked like he boosted his mental strength with an artifact. I tried to find and destroy it, but… he’s on Ainsidel’s level. Tough to take on alone.”
“What? It wasn’t just basic Pleroma stuff?”
“You should’ve called us!”
Elias shouted and latched onto me again like a sloth. Leo peeled him off once more.
Narke seemed to think the same, giving me the same look as Elias before shaking his head.
“If Luca had called us, he would’ve just run. Once he escapes, he can’t lure us out with potions again… no other way.”
He must’ve read my judgment from back then using his ability.
“You ran from someone on Ainsidel’s level? Doesn’t he have any pride?”
Elias said incredulously, clicking his tongue.
“…No, I get it now. I thought he was just some nobody without his special ability, but if he’s that skilled, him lurking without showing up until now changes my view.”
“What do you think he’s like?”
At my question, Elias answered with a weary face.
“This guy has no beliefs. Just full of his own desires.”
I nodded.
I’d sensed it countless times before meeting him, but today it hit hard.
Blinded by love, dragging an enemy to the heart of the Pleroma world to play house?
Even as a fellow combat mage, it was baffling. No respect or regard for his own group whatsoever.
To him, the top priority wasn’t group interests—nothing but his feelings. No logic or value beyond that could stop or sway him.
And guys like that are the hardest to handle, especially if they’re at least your equal.
“The most hopeless opponents in a fight are the ones without convictions… they turn the whole board into a mud pit.”
“Exactly.”
As I said that, Leo asked.
“So, you spent the last two hours talking with that guy?”
Two hours here was two days there, but I hadn’t stayed that long. Time only flowed normally until I passed out from his magic at the start.
I nodded, and Leo asked again.
“…What exactly did you do? Coming back safe after contacting someone that strong… I’m relieved beyond words, but is it even possible?”
“I had a plan. Played along a bit.”
Narke already seemed to know what I’d done, glancing at my hand.
Leo, getting it, clutched his neck and looked skyward.
I wasn’t thrilled either, so I sympathized.
“…There really was no other way?”
At Leo’s mutter, Narke shook his head.
“To call us, Luca would’ve had to hold that guy back. Even briefly, that’s ten minutes minimum—he’d have taken serious injuries alone.”
“……”
Leo rubbed his face with one hand, sighed deeply, and approached me.
“You did well. I’m fine, but you must’ve had it rough. We should wrap this up soon, right?”
“Of course. I even set up the way to end it.”
I smiled to reassure him, and Leo managed a faint grin.
After that, I let my friends lead me into the mansion.
Returning to the Wittelsbach greenhouse felt like coming home.
Confirming I was back fully healthy, the initial strategy worked, and we were set for the next step—the tense atmosphere gradually eased.
Of course, it wasn’t over yet, no reason to relax, but after waiting all evening, my friends seemed mentally drained. The mood lightened as if they’d finally caught a break.
An hour into idle chit-chat, Narke and Elias were busy fooling around with each other. Somehow hooked on board games, they’d spread the board on the floor and were slapping each other’s backs. Leo just rested his chin, alternating glances between me and them, while I…
I slowly leaned back, tilting my chair.
‘The potion’s effects are fascinating.’
With Asman, I’d returned to the dorm and taken the antidote right away, so I hadn’t felt it, but experiencing the potion while the guy wasn’t in front of me was novel. Not enough to hinder the mission, but his ancient human face popped into my head occasionally.
Taking the antidote would burn my finger, and I’d lose the fish on the hook, so no plans to.
Of course, no intention to blindly follow the stalker’s requests. Just skip the ‘antidote,’ right?
“Hot?”
At the question, I looked up at the ceiling before slowly sitting up and turning to Leo.
Out of nowhere.
“Nah.”
“Then why are you the only one in a shirt?”
I glanced around. The greenhouse was warm, but winter outside—friends naturally wore robes. I slipped on my jacket and replied.
“Could happen.”
“It couldn’t.”
Leo stared blankly, then pulled the antidote from his pocket and slammed it on the table.
“Drink.”
“……”
“Potion side effect. You must’ve ingested something else. No health issues, but leaving it will mess with the mission. You’ll keep getting distracted.”
“Doctor.”
“Above all, it disgusts you. Strategy or not, the fact remains. The guy you ‘dated’ today is your stalker.”
I gave him a look like he was stating the obvious, and he let out a hollow laugh.
“…Right, you wouldn’t waver. Skipping it is part of your strategy. No need to go that far—the guy’s already reassured, isn’t he?”
“Nah, it’s ambiguous. He’s still suspicious.”
“Of your love?”
“No.”
I set my glass on the table.
If he doubted my ‘love,’ would he bother with the ring?
Unless there were extenuating circumstances like with Asman, no reason to give leeway to someone who damaged me mentally.
Above all…
“The stalker already knows my love is fake. You think he’d believe it after I showed up drugged?”
“Then what’s he doubting?”
“My intentions after taking the potion. Is my fake affection from exhaustion with the stalking? Or a plan to choke him out—a trap?”
“…Hmm.”
Leo pondered, then nodded. He got it without explanation.
Those two motives are worlds apart.
Think game theory. We’re in a non-cooperative setup, a sequential game branching by choices.
Each player must think strategically: predict opponent’s responses to your choice, map outcomes, pick rationally.
To diagram, put yourself in his shoes. He predicts your choice for his best outcome. So, my ‘motive for choosing love’ determines my path—and his gains.
If resignation and fatigue? I’d play along with his romance game as long as he doesn’t cross lines.
But if the latter? I’d reassure then eliminate him—urgent danger for him.
If he believes I took the ‘trap’ path, he wins this game. So, my rational move: make him dismiss the trap possibility.
Complicated laid out. Simply?
‘Make him unaware he’s in my trap.’
This is the tool. Stronger with his symbol.
I gazed at the mineral shard hidden under my glove.
Game theory isn’t formalized yet, but convincing him won’t be hard.
Boils down to one thing.
“Predict opponent’s moves, weigh possibilities, make yours—both doing it. What do I choose for rational outcome?”
“…That’s why fighting’s exhausting.”
Leo shook his head, clicking his tongue.
Exhausting? Says the guy who dove into combat magic uninvited.
I just smiled.
“Yeah. I’m not saying you’re wrong. You’d endure anything to win. I saw you grind the crown prince’s ten years to dust—what wouldn’t you endure?”
Leo muttered to himself, then said.
“Just… emotionally repulsive.”
“I feel it more. Anyway, I need a favor.”
I removed my glove.
“What…”
Seeing the glowing blue gem, Leo froze silently.
Disbelieving, he rubbed his mouth, exhaled shortly, pressed his forehead, and bowed his head.
The silence chilled. Better I speak first—but as I opened my mouth, a grim, humorless question came.
“How am I supposed to take this?”
In Bayern palace, no one would speak. If I were Nicolaus, I couldn’t reply without permission.
I knew why. Accepting Pleroma courtship defies common sense. Explanation or not, strategy and emotion clash.
But ignoring emotion wins.
I tilted my head and murmured low.
“Don’t. Taking it off soon.”
He stared long, sensing it was pure strategy, and nodded.
He took my hand.
“…Sapphire? Matches the gem I embedded in your artifact.”
“Yeah. And I mentioned a favor.”
I pulled off the ring.
A red scar like congealed blood remained. Artifact magic trace—won’t heal naturally.
He planned to keep it forever.
“Can you erase it?”
“……”
Leo’s face hardened coldly.
“That’s what I think.”
“…Don’t preempt! I haven’t said anything.”
Leo chuckled dryly, then quietly said, face darkening uncontrollably.
“You’re not right in the head.”
“Sorry. But how effective it is, I’ve tested multiple times…”
“That’s what he said.”
Leo inspected the ring’s inside and my finger.
“This why no antidote? It’d detect it here?”
“Something like that.”
“Can I erase it…”
Leo squinted at the scar, probed the artifact magic flowing through my hand a few times, looked up smiling.
“Can’t or not, I’ll erase it. Somehow.”
“Straightforward.”
“You’re straightforward in your own way… Who wears a ring like this to lower guard.”
“Worth it if I profit short-term?”
I smiled softly, but Leo ignored it.
“Fortunately, artifact isn’t too refined. Forced into such a small area—sloppy. When? Just say.”
“This weekend.”
Silent Leo smirked bitterly.
“…Yeah, that’s… soon.”
He wants hardline against Pleroma. After attacking then switching strategy, I understood.
“…Anyway, this should fully reassure him. No more needed.”
“Yeah.”
“So, can you stay clear-headed under the effect? If it hinders mission, it’s over.”
Over for who? Sounded like he’d end me personally.
“Got a way.”
“What way. Any potion with antidote traces will react to the mark.”
I just smiled and shrugged. Leo raised a brow.
Thirty minutes later, I downed hypertension pills Leo fetched.
A sympathetic nervous system blocker.
Detects magic potions? Take non-magic ones.
Mind and body interact. Kill body response, mind can’t fight back.
Think I’d just love him sans antidote? Miscalculated badly.
Satisfied with the pills, I felt Leo’s odd look.
“……”
“What.”
“Versatile… you exploit everything. There’s always someone above.”
“Use all resources. Now, test time.”
Rising, Leo snapped fingers. Vines—don’t know from where—grabbed my hand.
“Test what.”
“See if distractions hit solving a problem set. Probably not.”
Next, meet Hyke.
Vines stayed despite answer. I alternated looks at hand vines and Leo, shrugging.
“More to say?”
“Test differently.”
Leo pondered, brow raised.
“Haven’t trained since exam.”
“Yeah.”
Predicting, I smirked faintly; Leo grinned, standing.
* * *
“Hmm, works great even on ancient human potion. Dodging well in this situation.”
Leo said brightly.
“Up. 5 AM.”
“……”
To check blocker’s effect, he hounded me four hours nonstop.
Incredible results.
Knew from experience: near death, no thoughts.
One lingers: lived fully, no regrets despite much.
Blocker or four hours hanging? Unknown.
Vines crawled to my face, yanking blindfold.
Light hit dark-adapted eyes. Leo beside, untying and sorting cloth.
“Blindfold training reminds of third exam, huh?”
—“A week ago, and you talk like ancient history.”
“Why telepathy not voice?”
Boom—!
I swung fist back. Training ground stone cracked, shards flying from magic.
Need strength to talk, you…
He’d called blindfold insane back then, yet brought one today. Why I’d die harder.
Not exam—why this far? Bickering led to annoying line—‘What can ya do… Don’t wanna get hit? Run harder.’—want to tip Bayern Kingdom Daily on his coronation.
“Bring during no-antidote. Confusing in exam, but great for no distractions.”
“……”
“Not training? Tell me if mission-thoughts intrude. I’ll crush them.”
Leo nodded proudly.
I attacked again, collapsed.
Then emptied two more elixirs, barely back to dorm.
Morning, to imperial mage association.
Leo scratched today’s dispatch, so only team meeting on direction.
Listening to Leo, I watched fountain pen ink leak on notes.
‘Tonight or tomorrow night, he’ll cross over for potion.’
Gather more info first.
Guided with knowledge vs. building from zero—different. He might prepare too.
Questions first.
Which diocese, what cleric?
Rival dioceses?
Threats to Pentaron?
Basics.
‘Plus one.’
Why Wittelsbach face?
I looked up at Leo at long table’s end.
Can’t tell him, but seeing him post-return: ‘Sent stalker, now similar guy here.’ Features alike, family vibe.
Wittelsbach ancient humans can’t have platinum blonde; none exist now.
Stalker not shapeshifting via divinity like Narke/me—real flesh body.
‘Must probe.’
Clap—
Refocusing, Leo stared blankly. Teammates turned.
“Not focusing.”
“Am? Imperial upping Eschet’s berserker rating, our profile shoots scheduled, French Empire academy team visit—we handle protocol.”
“Spot on. Good listening.”
But he smiled softly, pointing outside training ground.
“Three minutes. Five laps.”
“……”
I smiled soullessly.
Thought before: too close to this guy. Caught me staring at face subtly?
Ulrike eyed us shocked.
“Gasp…”
“Leo. Luca heard all.”
Elias said unusually serious.
No smile—likely respecting Leo’s rank.
Unnoticed as classmates same team, but imperial/royal mage groups strict hierarchy.
By batch, captain-vice-members.
Normally, I couldn’t death-glare here.
Leo’s captaincy handed to me at academy finale, I #1 externally captain-treated; he ignores rank deliberately—no need obey.
But no need disrupt discipline. His order considerate.
Blocker great—no help needed, but he doesn’t know.
‘Flick his forehead later.’
Calculated—I dashed out clapping hard post-calc. Leo staggered, inhaling.
Head empty, jogging past three minutes, someone matched pace.
Hyke.
“What? Daydreaming too?”
“No. We’re on break now.”
Hyke deadpanned, cast silence, asked cautiously.
“…You okay? Leo’s bullying you.”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t know?”
Lost for words…
Suppressed laugh.
But self-inflicted—nothing I can do.
“I’m fine. Thanks for worrying.”
Hyke rarely looked worried.
“Say if tough. Leo scares me, but I’ll help my best.”
“…Ahem… Thanks. Hey, Hyke.”
“Yeah?”
“After today, wanna hang out?”
* * *
Getting Hyke’s ok easy.
Now, tailor fun for high schooler needs.
Can’t half-ass—best effort.
And…
As Nicolaus, with Lichtofen’s help, Narke and I to federation guard HQ.
Precisely, top floor end, dusty conference room.
Third visit counting rewound time.
Boom—!
Lichtofen chanted Latin softly, spatial magic. Unknown chair suddenly had congressman.
“…! What the?!”
Alexander Kluger congressman jumped seeing me.
Pleroma in assembly. My enslavement target.
Needed questions; sent letter via imperial for immediate meet.
“See you again, congressman.”
“B-but you weren’t here moments ago?”
Glancing wildly.
“Not important. Nice to see you.”
I smiled, seated Narke/Lichtofen, sat.
Congressman awkward smile, licked lips.
“Ah, yes…. What brings you? Abraham case resolved…”
“Ah, that. Pleroma reaction?”
“…Sir Ernst did good. Curious how.”
“Hmm, good.”
Enough chit-chat.
I clasped hands slowly.
“Need answers from you today.”
“Me…?”
“Yeah, personal investigation. Heads up: many Pleroma contacts—not just you. Cross-check, so no spy worries—answer freely.”
Just two.
Abraham iffy Pleroma, but info ok.
He’d stall like stalker if knows interests. Demand favors.
Optimal for Pleroma info.
“Or…”
Wand tip stroke; eyes locked.
Shaking head, quick.
“O-of course I’ll answer. What ya want?”
“Ah, good. That’s the spirit.”
I smiled; beside, Lichtofen silenced, whispered.
“Your Excellency’s blackmailer type.”
“No.”
“Denying…”
No time nonsense.
Broke silence, leaned to congressman.
“Which diocese?”
“Brandenburg Archdiocese.”
“Ah, explains capital activity.”
“Yes.”
“Hm… Not Brandenburg-limited. Your church have shapeshifters? Which diocese?”
“Shapeshift…?”
Frowned, pondered.
“No such… maybe I don’t know.”
I raised wand; he flailed panicked.
“Ah! Really! Truly! Believe me. I’m in your boat now…”
Brow tilt, shoulders shrunk. Narke nodded slightly.
My face softened; he rushed.
“Bishop maybe? High ranks secret. Possible shapeshifters, but unknown beyond inner circle. Top secret.”
Nodded, silenced, to Lichtofen.
“Senior.”
“Calling me senior in that form?”
“Listen. Met shapeshifter used defense artifact matching my power. Sudden danger prep: full-body artifacts likely, or frequent body?”
“Can’t ignore either. Usually frequent one.”
Yes. Worth trying if he thinks so.
Dropped silence, to congressman.
“Change question. Include laypeople you know.”
“Y-yes.”
“Platinum blonde, blue eyes. Strong mana recall.”
“Too many… more clues?”
“Ancient human woman, Wittelsbach lookalike.”
“Wittelsbach ancient?”
Eyes shifted.
Sensing, rapid-fire.
“Not sure exact Wittelsbach, but stunning beauty? Unforgettable once seen?”
“Yes. Know her?”
“…Yes.”
Rubbed face.
“She shapeshifter? News to me. Even hearing internals from Sir Nicolaus Ernst…”
Shook head disbelieving, leaned in.
“Freiburg Archbishop Excellency. Hard to meet—saw personally?”
Freiburg.
Unforgettable.
In lost time, bishop/monsignor who warped me Primrose Pass, dosed—there. First potion taste.
No way—archbishop.
I smiled, drummed table.
“…You know well.”
“Of course. Our ideal diocese. Without Freiburg Archdiocese, we’d be…”
Trailed, realizing Nicolaus, gauging.
“Now?”
“Ah, no…”
“Speak.”
Gripped wand, flicked divinity tip. Terrorized eyes darted divinity/my face.
Smiled, leaned closer.
“Didn’t you say we’re in same boat?”