Chapter 247
Chapter 247
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 247
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family
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I looked up at the sky.
Every single light in this place had gone out, so the starlight pierced my eyes clearly.
When I turned my head, I saw something sparkling here and there. As expected, it was the marks that had appeared on the hands of those holding the Imperial Newspaper.
My mouth felt parched.
"Whoa, that startled me. It felt like the ground was shaking, but I didn't feel anything?"
"You didn't feel it...?"
"Hey, what's that on your hand?"
"My hand? Huh?"
I heard people's conversations. The murmurs grew louder, and the opening ceremony venue began to stir. Even if only a few people had fallen under the curse, it was natural for them to be surprised by the sudden oddity.
'The screen went out.'
There were two possibilities for why this had happened.
First, my actions, different from the past, had changed the present.
Second, if the player 'originally' hadn't committed suicide, the future would unfold like this. In other words, even if I hadn't assigned the catacombs to tech development, reduced the screen volume to 70%, or set an entry time limit—such minor changes—this was how the possible world where the player didn't suicide would play out.
'Hmm. I could tell which one is right by turning back time once more...'
But there was no need to go that far. All roads lead to Rome.
Just then, Elias called me in a chilling voice. I'd already removed my soundproofing spell when he had dispelled his.
"Luca."
"Yeah?"
"Is this part of the plan?"
"No. Now we have to resolve it."
Elias blinked, then grinned.
"...Ah~ Feels refreshing. Good. But you're not saying you're going to personally cast an omnidirectional curse spell like nothing happened, right?"
"Of course not. If I did that, I'd be the criminal."
I glanced around as I continued.
"It's already happened. Now we have to adapt to the changed situation. We'll advance the plan but try something not in it."
"Something not in the plan, huh."
The original plan was to 'let' the 1.37 million people fall under the curse for now.
But now that things had gone awry and fewer had been affected, we needed to make it even fewer.
Why?
Because if left like this, more than the previous 1.37 million would fall under it.
At that moment, an announcement echoed through the darkened stadium.
[We apologize for the inconvenience. Mana in the circuits has been depleted, and we are currently reconditioning the mana circuits. We apologize for the inconvenience. Mana in the circuits has been depleted, and we are currently reconditioning the mana circuits.]
"......"
Depleted.
Others might see this as just a possible accident, but we knew from the previous timeline exactly how well the screen's mana had been functioning.
Moreover, the volume was now capped at 70% max, significantly reducing mana consumption. Fewer people had entered, so we'd also reduced the number of duplicated venue grounds via spatial magic.
Someone had deliberately depleted the mana.
Or the government had cut the screen using depletion as an excuse.
'I need to think about this.'
If the second possibility I'd considered earlier—that this was the original future of a world without the player's suicide—held, then this was information that made it hard to raise its probability based on my deductions.
Either way, a variable had arisen that prevented us from following the initial plan, so what we had to do now was clear.
'First, head straight to the Emergency Committee.'
The terrorist hadn't mobilized that tech and vast mana just to curse this many people. As expected previously, they could forcibly revive the screen or cast amplification magic to spread the curse again, so we had to block sound immediately. That would require a lot of mages, so we needed the Committee's orders.
However, the problem was I had no way to contact them first unless they called me. I'd asked for their contact, but they'd firmly refused.
Even after resolving the mana lamp terrorism, I was still an outsider to them.
Since meeting the Committee right away was difficult, I had to use a workaround to summon them.
Of course, that was for later.
Right now, preventing the curse from spreading again was more urgent.
"Ellie. How about the artifacts and potions I requested from Bavaria? Are they done?"
"No. It'll take a bit longer."
Potions for air and ground—my order was tricky, and the quantity large, so they were delayed.
I patted Elias and prepared to move.
"Got it. Recast the soundproofing spell."
"Huh? Where are you going!"
"To cast reverse soundproofing on the other buildings."
As I answered and dashed toward the staff corridor, Elias chased after me like a madman.
"Uwaaaah! You're not going to cast spells—you're up to something else!"
"Why do you think that?"
"It's too inefficient!"
Hm.
I stopped running and turned. Elias, nearly colliding with me, jumped back in surprise. I grabbed him and said,
"What method do you have? By the book, I should go to the Committee right now."
"The Committee?! Just tell me. I don't have authority to enter the Committee, but..."
Elias muttered with a reluctant expression.
"If you have something for the Committee, it's faster to tell my father. Isn't this urgent?"
Elias's father was the Emperor's brother.
Elias wasn't on bad terms with his father. Of course, regardless of their relationship, Elias hated begging adults for help. Ultimately, his father lacked the power to protect his child from the Emperor's attacks and lived by currying favor.
The issue was Elias refusing help from his father or any Hohenzollern. As seen during the polluted beast incident, why else would he move alone, even falling off a cliff and breaking his leg? It was his stubborn pride and conviction against relying excessively on the Hohenzollerns.
Elias grabbed and shook me.
"Just say it. Quick! Nearly two million lives in here are on you! I can relay only if you direct!"
"......"
I shook my head.
"Not your father. I don't want to tell him. Can you contact His Majesty the King of Bavaria?"
"No. Even he takes Committee-level time. If you want to save lives, tell me."
True.
Not because His Majesty ignored us, but because deploying Bavarian mages required Prussian diplomatic approval. Obvious.
I sighed deeply at Elias's firm gaze.
I didn't want to put Elias in a tough spot, but no choice.
"...Tell them to control access to each building and cast reverse soundproofing on every building. As fast as possible, starting from the outskirts without screens on roads or buildings."
"Outskirts, reverse soundproofing. Got it."
Elias replied expressionlessly and contacted his father.
After about three minutes, Elias nodded at me. Fortunately, his father had approved immediately without objection.
As expected. In the novel, Elias's father felt guilty for failing to protect his son from the Emperor and tended to grant any request.
More importantly, using his father this way wasn't entirely proper. Jurisdiction here belonged to the Emperor; the Emperor's brother had less real power than the government body delegated by him.
Obvious.
This was akin to mobilizing Elias's father's private forces for quick response. It could draw overreach accusations from the Committee and Emperor—beheading in medieval times—but since the Emperor favored his brother (surprisingly true) and this was clear terrorism, punishment could be avoided. With luck, it might even earn merit.
After the call, I looked at Elias's somewhat bitter expression and said,
"Sorry."
"Psh, whatever. You're giving me something in return, so I'm relieved—why apologize."
Elias led me back to the stadium, muttering.
"If only I had power like my father, I'd think—but yeah."
"You will soon."
"Ooh."
Elias grinned and whispered.
"Thrilling to hear that from you. But mess up, and it's real prison!"
Not prison-worthy. Saying 'you'll gain power soon' to other Eschet friends wouldn't be an issue.
It was only problematic because it was Elias.
"Didn't expect that from you."
"Yeah. I was fine blabbing treasonously before."
I nodded instead of replying and headed to the stadium staff entrance.
For now, the immediate fire was out, so we needed to observe more. Better to enter the stadium than stay in the corridor.
'In the previous timeline, the Committee contacted me first around here.'
We had to check if it unfolded the same. Smooth plan required Committee contact.
Thinking that, I cast reverse soundproofing on Elias and me. External sounds were now blocked.
"Luca. They've spelled the twentieth building."
"Fast."
"Oh, thirty-five."
"It increases every time you speak..."
"They deployed tons of mages."
Clunk—
"...?!"
The soundproofing shook.
My eyes met Elias's; he was receiving an artifact call from his father.
[Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.]
[Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.]
[Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.]
Mumbling leaked faintly as the soundproofing wavered. Overlapping from all directions. I couldn't make out words, but the content was likely the same as before.
"......"
Elias gaped at me. I immediately dispelled the soundproofing and rushed into the stadium's first floor.
'Screen.'
The screen was still off. But...
The ominous blue lights had multiplied hundredsfold. Murmurs grew proportionally to the increased marks.
"Ugh, so noisy."
"What was that just now... Uh, what's this?"
"Huh?"
People peered at their hands.
The sound hadn't come from the screen. It was closer to amplification magic over the entire grounds.
'As expected.'
No way the terrorist would stay idle.
Possessing mana for venue-wide amplification—did they have a mana-generating machine?
In the previous timeline, the Committee called me around now, when the incident scaled up.
I tapped my ear artifact and said,
"Leo."
[Lucas. Can you hear me?]
"Yes. The Committee?"
[Can't reach them well. I'm with Narke at least, but...]
"......"
[They know it's the curse by now... Communication cut suggests they have their own plan. You won't believe it, but.]
Right. No plan last timeline. Probably none now.
Maybe they now 'believed' they had one.
"Got it. The player?"
[Narke interrogated. Just ended. No memory again—nothing gained.]
"Can you make that player recite the curse once more?"
Leo, grasping what I ultimately wanted to confirm, replied quickly.
[The incantation is one-use. You know that.]
"Having the person say it tests if the curse works again from their mouth."
[Obviously.]
Got it.
One-use magic only.
Not like repeating normal words infinitely casts infinite magic—obvious, but wished for multiple uses.
One-use made even me tired.
"Thanks anyway. Contact if you learn more."
[Will do.]
I reached to end the connection. Then, I doubted my ears.
Pah— Pah-pahm—
Trumpet sounds blared out of nowhere. Not just me; murmurs paused. Then, light from mana lamps at the dome's far end filtered in.
"What is this...?"
Elias, who'd been listening slantwise to my convo with Leo, widened his eyes.
No choice but to be flustered.
On stage, children in choir robes stood in two lines.
[Glória in excélsis Deo—.]
"...?!"
[et in terra pax homínibus bonæ voluntátis.]
The choir began the Greater Doxology.
Elias stared at them in disbelief.
I was dumbfounded too.
'What the hell?'
"Suddenly? This?"
"......"
I slowly turned to look at the crosses on people's hands.
A chill swept the air as divine power poured from the sky.
[grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam—.]
'Ah, these bastards.'
I got why they brought the choir.
Couldn't imagine this countermeasure—funny. Variable on our side? Enemy solved our ankle-grab, but ours grabbed theirs?
The government was trying a wildly ingenious way to break this.
'Divert attention, buy time to find a solution.'
Yes. Hilarious.
I pondered while watching the choir.
'Situation's changed.'
Previously, the player shot himself on live Imperial Newspaper broadcast.
Enough to panic everyone. Amid Pleroma unrest, an unnatural suicide signaled terrorism; venue flipped with escape attempts.
But not now. No player death, so people saw palm 'white magic'-like crosses, not thinking curse. Just casually 'what's this' while seated.
Same.
No suicide meant different Committee response.
'Still, this is卑劣.'
To whom?
卑劣 to the citizens. What madmen.
The Committee knew the cross was the issue.
Expected them to quietly resolve if visible danger low—secret meetings, etc. Not this deception to hide behind.
They planned to treat the hand crosses as an event.
But wrong response. They didn't know the 30-minute limit. Or even if unaware, assuming ample time—who thought that?
Magic Minister's blunder? Pointless now.
Summary:
Unlike previous timeline, Imperial government hiding curse issue.
Player death left no choice before; now different. No panic atmosphere, so they believed 'safe, peaceful, quiet' cleanup possible.
Problem: Not feeling panic themselves, more complacent than last time. They'd deny complacency, frantically seeking curse experts their way.
Laughter from rear seats above us; children's songs from vast stage ahead.
Casual reactions everywhere.
"Whoa, scale's huge."
"Yeah. No heads-up—amazing."
"But why these crosses?"
People reacted as government intended. Magic-savvy spectators might suspect, but outnumbered by civilians—no odd reactions visible.
Elias's face soured.
Variable here.
Last timeline, Committee called me by now. But strategy shift meant less likely to call me.
Like mana lamp incident, they sought external help only when unsure, rushed, cornered. And I was outsider.
Naturally, they'd handle internally now. If no call, I had to go there.
'About now.'
One thing to consider.
Curse dissolution method?
Simple.
As per white phosphorus match code: 'Sagt es allen—tell it to everyone.' Per setter's intent.
So, what to tell?
The 'answer' the terrorist showed to 100+ people.
Recap curse mechanism: Affected those who 'heard' specific phrase. Per my info, dissolution same way. Details later.
Assuming dissolution shares curse mechanism, to use terrorist's answer, can't mumble alone. Must reach ears of all cursed.
Thus, 95% my power, but 5% impossible. Even via screen/newspaper, concentrating venue crowd—can't assure all listen. 5% optimistic.
Fortunate: Broadcast-focused (cursed) pool might stay till I chant dissolution—approach that figure.
Dissolution likely one-use like curse, so timing critical.
As I moved to leave, Elias grabbed my arm.
I asked the serious-faced him,
"Why."
"Luca. You said you saw the answer before. Found it too."
"Yeah."
"Tell me."
"......"
Silence. Elias shook his head.
"You're planning to go to the Committee now and say you know the answer."
"Yeah."
"Terrorists didn't give book code. Saying you know now means post-this, straight to detention. Why? Moment you say 'I know something,' prosecutors dash for arrest warrant."
"I know. So, you go in?"
"Better me! Haven't done detention, but juvenile cell yes."
"......"
Beyond imagination. Not real crime (no record)—still chills.
But no.
"Won't work. I have to say the answer."
"Why?"
"Meaningless if someone else says it."
Elias furrowed brows.
I'd explained two days ago. Despite details, reaction undesirable.
I shook head again; Elias deep-breathed, slowly said,
"Fine. At least wait till book code emerges."
"It'll come soon."
He grabbed my shoulders, shook.
"Aaah... Luca... You really don't listen."
"Don't wanna hear that from you..."
Elias sighed at me. No rebuttal anyway.
Right. Never one to dissuade hard originally. I smiled, said,
"Ellie. Find one thing."
"What..."
"Where's the sound booth?"
* * *
Didn't expect sound booth access.
Lucky if brief intrusion to chant dissolution over grounds, but safest/most lives saved: Pre-draw venue crowd attention—also hard.
Obvious. Audio-curse crime; they'd never open door. Block me for sure.
As expected, guards packed sound booth front. Imperial divine mages everywhere.
Mage before me said gravely,
"No. No private use."
"Not private. Told full situation."
"Even if Duke Anhalt comes, no direct use. Dangerous."
"For whom?"
"The subjects."
Hm. Yes. They knew. 'Hearing curses.'
Thorough. Good.
Problem: Shutting barn after horse gone—but couldn't warn them prior, so understand.
Apparent head mage smiled.
"You say you know terror solution. His Majesty ordered: No leaks except curse experts. Thus, even Excellency Ascanien, Imperial affiliate, knowing this—not entirely safe."
"......"
"Won't mention Your Excellency knows terror. Understood? Please leave."
Understood, leave. Thorough threat too.
I smiled, exhaled.
As thought earlier, seizing briefly for direct sound control—low success. Hard to seize; securing permitted time safer.
But...
Boom—!
Could provoke for Committee meet?
Stomped; red mana shot everywhere. I aimed wand at startled retreating mage.
"Come at me."