Chapter 244
Chapter 244
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 244
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family
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For a split second, I nearly let my confusion show, thinking he was asking if I knew the answer.
In the remaining twenty minutes, the government would scour the city like rats to find the hundred people who saw the terrorist's answer. They were our last shred of hope.
With no idea what tactics of persuasion or coercion they might deploy in the process, I had no choice but to approach his question warily. I'd glimpsed the answer, sure, but I didn't know exactly what to present as the solution. Time constraints meant I'd have to find it in the next loop.
But hadn't this guy never been involved in the decryption? The only ones who'd heard the process were the other federal mages on guard duty and the emergency committee members. So he must have come to ask me something else.
I schooled my expression, tilted my head, and asked.
"What. That I'm about to die in eighteen minutes? That we still haven't found a way to dispel it? Or maybe where the group behind this curse hails from?"
"Eighteen minutes...?"
Lichtofen's brow furrowed.
I pried one of his hands open and checked the mark in the center of his palm before looking back at him.
"The mark's already half gone. You and I both have eighteen minutes left. So let's cut to the chase—it'd be appreciated."
"......"
His eyes trembled faintly, as if he couldn't believe it.
But he quickly regained his composure. He released the collar he'd unconsciously grabbed and took a couple of steps back.
"You must know what magic is woven into this curse, junior."
"God, why does everyone assume I already know everything...? I just piece it together as I go."
"And?"
What magic was in the curse?
Good topic. Right at the heart of this mess.
I met his yellow eyes and answered.
"It looks like a lot, but I know at least two for sure. You seem to know those two as well. Got a solution?"
"Yes. I do."
"...?!"
I'd just asked offhand?
It was the last thing I expected.
A solution, in this short time? Even if partial...
As I stood there speechless, Lichtofen continued.
"I researched it with catacomb knowledge the moment the terror struck. If it's a spell to boost survival odds, we're stronger than the Empire, aren't we? ...Not very hopeful, though. It's still in the conceptual stage, and area casting is impossible—we'd have to grab people one by one. Of course... I still have to tell you."
'...As expected.'
No way he'd seek me out like this without reason.
Area casting impossible.
A shame, but constraints were fine. Perfect as a supporting measure. I never planned for his method to solve everything 100%. Even if I handled 95% in my plan, 5% would linger unsolved. This could cover that 5%.
If hearing one solution at the absolute last second could save even one more life, how could I refuse?
But this would drag on. Seventeen minutes wouldn't cut it.
"Was that dispel method deduced from existing theory alone, or did you figure it out by experimenting on curse victims?"
"Why do you... We grasped it through experiments. Just hearing about it wouldn't have given us the feel."
"I see."
I'd suspected as much, but damn—this complicated things. Rewinding time erases the curse victims, so next loop's Lichtofen would find the solution at the same slow pace.
Couldn't just toss this gain away.
'If time runs out before I hear it, I'd retry two or three more times. But...'
Better aim for success on the first go.
First, one question.
Still holding his nape, I murmured low.
"Senior. With seventeen minutes left, what's your angle in telling me this? We'll all be dead in seventeen anyway."
Even if I planned to rewind, facing death head-on, no one acts rationally.
Lichtofen stared straight through me and shook his head.
"Because you won't just let your life end in seventeen minutes."
"......"
"The you I know wouldn't. I might die, but you'll live. Save yourself. Right now, my concern isn't my life—it's the future of the group that raised me."
I nodded slowly.
The clock now showed sixteen minutes remaining.
"Senior. About that countermeasure."
"Yes."
"Summarize it on one page in under ten minutes. Make it something someone clueless about the terror could start developing from. Since I'm handing it off to you, skip background you already know. Write it so yesterday's you could read and understand."
I'd memorize it and pass it to next loop's Lichtofen.
Give key keywords, tell him to recreate the countermeasure—easy.
His eyes widened at my rap-like spiel.
He'd boldly declared I'd survive even if he didn't, but my weird request didn't click right away.
I checked the clock and patted his shoulder.
"Please, senior."
* * *
Fifteen minutes.
Good call following him.
Conversation done, I bolted like mad and opened my status window.
Check from the retry. Confirm exactly where fifteen minutes from now sends me.
[Retry Lv. 3]
― Most recent checkpoint in [Chapter 7]: 'Alexander Kluger (5)'
― Manual checkpoint setup within 6 hours (1/3)
― 1 use: 2.0 points
― To next level: 6.0 points
*Held points: 40.0 points
*Luck +0.5 until next point gain
Perfect.
'Alexander Kluger (5)' must refer to fifty-six hours ago, when I was trapped in the hospital, suddenly met Pleroma's councilor, and rewound time.
Rewind gives me fifty-six hours' buffer.
Even with two and a half days, I couldn't cancel Pentalon or stop the Imperial News live broadcast. As I thought earlier, pushing too hard would land me in a real psych ward. Claim precognition and a foreseen terror future? Straight to a government lab.
But it bought time for strategy sessions with friends and mental recovery. Enough.
'More importantly.'
'Alexander Kluger (5)' as latest checkpoint means Chapter 7 started right after I got special rewards, not post-terror. The system popped the new chapter window later just for me.
German proverbs as chapter titles were odd enough, but Bible verses? Suspicious. Maybe the system meant to help.
'Chapter 7 title... "Truly, truly I say to you."'
What next? Expecting insight in this crunch? I recall three verses starting exactly that, variations like "I truly, truly say to you" aside.
'...Nah, whatever.'
I already know the terrorists' demand. No need for system help now.
I opened the door to the observatory.
No clue why here of all places. Just closest to where Lichtofen had dashed from earlier, dragging me along.
Staring out evoked memories of two hours ago with friends.
Some Eschet folks must be cursed like me—hope they're holding it together. Too young for this crap. Trust Leo got word to them.
I poured mana into my legs and raced to the top floor. Thirteen minutes left. No guards. Ground level was chaos—screams everywhere, security collapsed. Mages wailed with citizens; unmanaged mana fields shattered. Mana rain fell from the sky. Crosses on palms shrank.
No public decrypt reveal, but everyone knew what full erasure meant.
Time to rethink.
'They said they "showed" the answer.'
"Showed." Not told. And over a hundred saw it. Prime clue—no doubt.
Problem...
'Why the fuck spill so much?'
Gotta prepare for this. When enemies dump info, suspect first.
They have intent.
Test a shaky bridge before crossing? Verify what I gleaned.
I calmly traced my subservience spells' flows. My mana split across multiple spots.
Makes sense. Four people I've subserviated so far.
Target now: the councilor who said 'Pleroma leadership's pulling out of Pentalon.'
Squeeze every drop of info to the end.
'Here goes.'
I set the Imperial News on a small table by the railing and stepped forward.
Pulled paper and pen from my clutch, scrawled the location, cupped hands to whistle sharp. A white pigeon flew to me.
Tied paper to leg, but it just stared, didn't fly.
Trained messengers like this need recipient mana in postal palettes we carry—imprint target mana, bird flies there. These pigeons are bred mana beasts for it.
But I don't carry Alexander Kluger councilor's mana. Not even Elias or Narke's.
I infused my mana into the pigeon. It whipped its head confused, flapped to my shoulder— I shoved it off. Finally getting it, it zipped toward the grounds.
Now a 1/4 roulette's spinning—hope it hits.
I stood, tapped left fingers with right. Focused on one thread of mana I'd planted in someone.
Then clenched fist and slammed the hallway table.
Kwang—!
Wood chips flew at my face. Mana-mixed, the top splintered easier than planned.
Never smashed stuff since middle school thug role. Not mine anyway, and venting on innocents? Hate that most. Not failing emotional control here, but smashing still soured my mood. Had to maximize fist impact, though.
Deep breath, head up. Leo burst through the stair door—face blank as he asked.
"...What the hell. You smash it?"
Nice to see him again.
With eleven minutes to live, Leo wore an indescribable expression.
I just shrugged. Charged again, smashed beside the broken top.
Table tipped, crashed loud.
Thud—! Boom—
Leo grabbed my arm in horror, cast healing.
"No...! What're you doing?! About to die and you're nuts?"
"No."
Thinking straight.
If nuts, I'd be curled fetal doing nothing.
"Then why this crap? Lucas. Snap out of it. Not begging you to save us to guilt-trip, but don't do this. If it's that rough... Not my place as squad leader, but as friend—"
"Misunderstanding. Explain later—wait."
"Later?"
Leo said quietly.
"We got no 'later.'"
"No later for folks here. But you and me? We do."
Leo stared wordless, shook head.
"Must be a mix-up, Lucas. I got no 'me' later."
"What?"
"Next time's me..."
Leo's lips twitched, then shut. He rubbed his face, muttered.
"...I'm on edge. Pretend you didn't hear?"
"......"
Yeah, rattled. Who isn't ten minutes from death? I nodded.
Then our artifacts buzzed simultaneously.
[Excellency Ascanien! Where are you? Minister's looking!]
Magic Ministry clerk. Ten minutes left—no work chat. I tapped to disconnect. New call instant.
[Imperial News? You must see! It's on now...!]
Urgent voice droned; Leo grimaced, snatched floor paper, unfolded.
Title hit—shock bloomed on Leo's face. Rare sight.
"What the..."
[Pleroma just issued first official stance to government ever! Never in thirteen years!]
"...?!"
Before words ended, Leo shoved the paper at me.
Voice-blocked, text only wriggled on Imperial News. Black letter headline screamed—top-tier shocker in this terror saga.
[[Breaking] Pleroma Issues First Official Statement in 13 Years]
"What..."
I scanned from top.
[...Pleroma deployed first official spokesperson. Identifying as 'Therese Gebauer,' Pleroma leadership rep stated: 'This entire incident is unrelated to leadership decisions.' 'Leadership has always wished Empire peace and Pentalon success; ordered all parishes a week ago to halt Pentalon activities.' Also, 53 Pleroma clergy and layfolk victimized by terrorists. Leadership vows hardline against terrorists threatening Imperial subjects and continental lives; ready to aid government if requested.]
"......"
Aid?
The government?
Photo spot: figure head-to-toe black smoke. Pure black—face, neck, hands mushed like living vitriol.
Self-staged? Maybe. If real, Pleroma leadership allying with Empire against terrorists? Shows crisis scale bone-deep.
Confirms Alexander Kluger councilor's prior statement true—grateful.
Ignoring urgent intent-probing voice, I yanked ear artifact, dropped it. Clasped hands tight, twisted. News whatever—councilor's summoned; verify.
Leo flinched—prior core hits?
"Not attacking your core."
"Ri... Wait, core? All that punching till now was...?"
Yeah. Gets it now.
Panting footsteps climbed stairs.
Familiar councilor face through open door.
I'd pummeled his core nonstop. Pale, staggering, he clutched doorframe, scanned. Core-hit plus terror wrecked his face, but eyes held faint hope.
Expected Leo to scowl; even he looked surprised at councilor's odd hope.
Knew why hope gleamed. Three core bashes? No grudge—instead, 'Ernst summoned me; means he'll fix terror.'
I greeted curt.
"Nice to see you, councilor."
He clutched core one-handed, baffled scan.
Pointed other hand at me, head tilt.
"Ernst Excellency nearby? Contact said here..."
"No. Remove the glove."
"Must dispel curse ASAP! Really haven't seen Ernst Exce—!"
I stared blank. Suspicious gaze froze him.
Eyes widened, mouth gaped.
"...W-wait. N-no way. No...?!'
He backed shaking head.
Leo snapped fingers. Vines whipped from somewhere, yanked arm, stripped glove.
Shock of realizing I was Ernst—he ignored vine growth, eyes locked huge on me.
"Gasp...! N-no, Ernst Excellency...!"
"Hm."
Same mark on his palm.
Pleroma statement true; councilor's vanished-timeline words true.
As he gawked speechless, near-faint, Leo yanked him over, pro neck chop—out cold. Knew from catacomb bat-swinging; learned too much boosting combat magic.
Leo laid him flat, asked.
"Got it all?"
"Not yet."
Leo clocked my info-gathering.
Perfect timing. I stepped to rail, reached for incoming messenger clutching something.
Bird dropped paper; I snagged with mana.
Fountain-pen scrawl: cryptic word combos, formulas.
Good.
Lichtofen's countermeasure secured.
Memorize, carry to next loop—done.
Recited inwardly, asked Leo.
"Five minutes left. Why no Elias, Narke? Julia, Heike, Ulri... Louise too."
Wanted last look. See 'em post-rewind anyway.
"No headspace. Came to hear your deductions, plans. Others? Can't talk free."
Leo scanned, sighed.
"...Time up before asking. Looks like no rundown this time either."
"Don't worry. Rewind this, tell you all before going. Need your help."
Leo's face twisted briefly, reset.
Faking calm, but sensed crisis gravity needing friends' aid.
I read Lichtofen's paper three times start-to-end, pocketed it, eyed Leo.
"Three minutes. Last words?"
"......"
Leo hesitated long, then flat.
"Next time, Bayern for sure."
Leo hung up on it? Didn't expect repeat.
Bayern trip? Can't die opening; even curse-free, 1.37 million dead kills mood.
Also meant: solve terror clean. What I wanted.
"Make it happen."
Mood too heavy—I smiled.
"But why Bayern? Obsessed lately."
"Hm... Nothing big; awkward spoiling."
"Not even now?"
Stubborn as hell.
Second hand ticked: two minutes thirty left. Palm cross near-dot.
No delay. Time to rewind, fix all.
I said.
"See ya later, Leo."
"......"
Leo lips moved, nodded.
I opened retry window, soundproofed from him, whispered.
"To latest checkpoint—retry."
* * *
Eyes opened.
Sunlight poured through left bed window.
Fire crackled opposite. Nightstand: Elias's letter folded pristine, pre-ash. Hand gripped mystery herbs—Pie delivery, surely.
[...To you the victor's crown, homeland's leader—Long live His Majesty the Emperor!]
Cheerful music outside window. Moments ago, ground screams and sobs; now, pre-Pentalon opener parade band playing anthem.
And...
No mark on my palm.
'...Back.'
Tension drained; limbs went limp.
Arm-stretched, opened Elias's letter last page, hit Pie summon. Pie dropped mouth-full-herbs before me.
"Peep?!"
Sometimes think: shocks make him chirp kin-like, not translate to head—raw sound.
Grabbed Pie one-handed, flopped back. Pie spat herbs on bed, settled palm. Dirt crumbs on sheets—no biggie now.
Stared clock, blinked long.
Ten minutes passed—no death. Heart steady forever. Sun stabbed eyes; Elias-mentioned mana-shot flags gleamed sky-transparent. Unreal peace, but senses screamed real.
Reality sinking in—no time waste.
Two and a half days to opener. Find terrorists' answer, finalize plan.
Kicked covers, bolted up to window. Pie in hand gawked confused.
"Pie. Tell Leo bring friends here now? Three visitors—visiting ban first."
"Visiting ban?"
"Ah."
Forgot Pie's preschooler mindset.
Scribbled note for Leo, set before Pie.
"This for visiting me. Leo or someone blocked everyone."
"Oh~ Get it now~"
"Good?"
Pie looked smug; I fake-laughed.
Not done. Like Grand Hotel prior, Leo's memories lag mine.
No retry power—normal no recall. But facing me-related trigger loads 'em.
Needs catalyst.
Grabbed warping Pie, continued.
"Pie. Ban might make Leo ignore. Then..."
"Then?"
"Post-opener: let's go Bayern."