Chapter 264
Chapter 264
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 264
Chapter Title: What If It's Not Okay?
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Of course, I didn't say that out loud. It was just a fleeting, cheeky thought, given who I was dealing with.
"Yes, I'm fine. Go ahead."
"Excellency, at the end of the match, you shouted, '[The Diocese of Osnabrück is looking for you].' The truth is, no matter what the phrase was, our government couldn't be certain that hearing it would dispel the curse. As you know, there weren't any clear grounds for that confidence."
Yeah, exactly.
So you're wondering what I knew to shout that code.
No need to overthink it. In an interrogation like this, I don't have to politely explain every little thing I know. Naturally, what I have to do here is play dumb.
The aide leaned toward me, clasping his hands together as he spoke.
"I've heard plenty about your insightfulness, Excellency."
"That's a rather unfamiliar compliment."
"You're modest. The professors at the 1st Imperial Academy told me many stories. They say that even if it's a problem anyone could solve given enough time, your ability to approximate the answer in less time marks exceptional insight. With enough time and will, anyone can crack even the toughest puzzles, right? What makes the difference is speed. By now, I'm sure you've guessed what I want to ask..."
I get it. You're laying the groundwork so thoroughly. And at the same time, making sure I can't slip away.
Even they know this is a high-risk question. They must realize I've grasped some of their intentions, so they're being extra cautious in the conversation.
"Our government knows full well that you dispelled the curse with your own abilities. If possible, could you walk us through the process in detail?"
"You seem to think I had some special clue."
At my response, the aide narrowed his eyes and smiled.
That's the reaction I'd expect. This question was already over.
What they really wanted to ask was this.
Did I have separate information given to me? In other words, did the terrorist give info only to Pleroma Ascanien, or did I get something shared from Pleroma?
They praised me to wrap this real question as "Please explain your thought process from start to finish." The benefits they get from that are as follows.
First, people who receive praise don't easily betray that expectation. An unconscious sense of duty to prove their value to the praiser takes root. So instead of saying something like "There wasn't really any special evidence; I just had a hunch and tried it," which dodges the truth—they came here to dig for proof that I'm the terrorist's accomplice—I'd be more likely to give a logical false answer.
Second, if I fall for it, game over. The more you talk, the more info you give away. Even if the "accomplice me" tries to tailor what I know to their perspective, it'll likely draw on my criminal knowledge. Even if I'm not the culprit, it doesn't matter to them. Right now, suppose I know 1 through 50, and they know 1 through 20. Their goal is to catch any suspicious slip, so I can't give them an inch.
Too bad for them, but it failed from the start.
I have no desire left to prove anything. Whether proof ends in failure or success, it's endless exhaustion.
"I'm sorry I can't be more helpful. But all the clues I used to arrive at the answer are ones the government already knows. The White Match's 'Tell it to everyone.' As I told the Minister of Magic at the time, I just judged it worth a shot and shouted what I guessed 'it' was right there."
"Hmm, I see. Understood."
He could have pressed more, but he didn't on this topic.
The reason was obvious. The government had surely heard about the White Match's code too, but they mistook it for the terrorist's orders and missed the chance to solve it themselves. They probably don't want to dig their own grave.
"Next, a question about this: '[The Diocese of Osnabrück is looking for you].' While compiling the places where Your Excellency stayed, our government found several phrases made from those letters. They were in notes you wrote. How did you know that anagram code?"
They probably think this is the clue to pin me as the culprit. But it's also evidence I can use to claim innocence.
The reason they didn't indict me right away and came probing like this stems from that ambiguity.
Either way, what they found was paper I deliberately left unburned. And his question is a good one I hoped for. No way it wouldn't come up.
First, think about this. Before rewinding time, I intuitively cracked the book code. But in this timeline, I haven't heard about the book code. The Minister of Magic just said during the tournament, "Three book codes arrived at our office, and we've decoded them all. Forfeit and come now."
Slight issue, but I can slither past this one too. Just need to shift the response order to steer the mood in my favor.
"Alright. But first, let me explain why I thought '[The Diocese of Osnabrück is looking for you]' was the solution. That might help understanding. Is that okay?"
"As you wish. I wanted to ask that too."
"Good. To cut to the chase, shouting that phrase was quite experimental for me. As I said earlier, I still had doubts about 'Tell it to everyone,' and I had no proof that 'it' was this phrase. More precisely, I had no evidence this anagram was the answer."
"Then?"
"I just went with analogy. Sounds a bit lame, I know."
"No, not at all. If you don't mind, please elaborate."
"I was already on edge about the White Match's code. The imperial government was too, right? I simply assumed the terrorist's clue style would be consistent."
At my words, the aide nodded with a soulless smile.
My statement differs from the facts. The two methods look similar since both use codes, but different entities provided them. Ainsidel deliberately made his code mimic the Freiburg Archbishop's method—an anagram "code."
But right now, I'm glossing over that and assuming one culprit. They think it's one person too; they don't suspect multiple factions clashing to cause this mess.
So even as I cleverly craft logic, to them, I'm just stating the obvious.
Ignoring his soulless expression, I gestured animatedly and spoke enthusiastically.
"'I assumed the terrorist's clue style would be consistent.' In other words, as you mentioned earlier, I had the code in advance. Now for the details. A month ago, at the 2nd Imperial Academy, I received a note with a strange phrase. After the nationwide frenzy incident, the only day outsiders could enter the nearly sealed academy was the arts festival. The culprit slipped in a bouquet with the strange phrase then."
"The 2nd Imperial Academy."
The aide repeated it with a slightly dismayed look.
Not just anywhere, but a school backed by the imperial family—hard to take well. If there's an issue here, the academy shares blame.
"Yes. Why not check the entry logs from then?"
"Yes, I'll report it upstairs."
He composed his expression and nodded.
In a normal situation, I'd let it drop, but not now. I need to push once more. I hardened my face and leaned toward him.
"No, Aide. This isn't a 'I'll mention it' matter. The culprit's surely among those entrants. Even if it was experimental, hasn't it been confirmed post-facto as the curse-dispelling code?"
"Ah, yes, of course. But these things need discussion even with His Majesty the Emperor now, and above all, I have no authority to decide. Still, I fully empathize with what you're saying, Excellency."
He mustered the most sincere look he could and changed questions.
"For now, nothing more on that... Do you have witnesses from the time?"
"Of course. His Highness Elias von Hohenzollern, Duke of Prussia, was with me. Plus, several classmates can testify I received the strange phrase in January."
"Understood. If it's not too much trouble, please list them here."
The aide handed me a notepad.
I wrote Leo, Narke, my second-exam team members, and theater club folks like Adelbert, then returned it. Anyway, they all heard the story from me within January—most not directly, but still. I deliberately omitted Heike.
Seeing it, the aide smiled ambiguously. Before he could show more displeasure, I asked.
"So, any other reports like this? I'm reluctant to say this to an aide sent by the Minister, but I can't just let this slide either."
"Of course. Our government knows you suffered greatly from this and feels apologetic."
He caught my drift right away and defended the government.
Meaning I, as a terrorism victim, planned to turn the tables on them.
I waited silently without responding. The aide shook his head and continued.
"You may not have heard, but right before you chanted on terrorism day, a book code arrived at the emergency committee: 'Showed the answer to over 100 people.' So it didn't just come to you. Still investigating, but you're likely one of those 100."
"I see. No one else has come forward besides me?"
"For now... yes. We'll contact you after the investigation. Please wait a bit."
At that, I narrowed my eyes and nodded.
'Hmm.'
Good.
Up to here, as planned.
They had room to press me with the terrorist hint "Showed the answer to over 100 people." Like, "We scoured Prussia, no one else got strange phrases. How? Why only you? Makes self-staging hard to dismiss."
Codes to Ainsidel mansion and catacombs couldn't be reported, so the case flows inevitably this way.
Announcing all five codes reveals much: my identity, Nicolaus-catacombs link, catacombs-Ainsidel link, Nicolaus-Ainsidel link, Heike family having a Pleroma bishop, etc.
Narke said he'd handle the code issue in our friend meeting, but I still don't know how.
But now the aide defended the government and wasted that great attack tool. They could raise it at government level later, but I've blocked its first use against me.
The aide glanced at his papers and spoke.
"Then, one last question. How did you decode it? Did anyone help? It's essential for our merit investigation."
"What kind of help exactly?"
"For example, someone telling you key words like 'diocese' or 'Osnabrück,' or more related codes?"
I'd already answered sufficiently earlier.
Merit investigation my foot. Last one, and blatantly so.
I listened expressionlessly, then shook my head.
"No. As you know, I got that code over a month ago. In five weeks, I idly rearranged letters into possible words. Not 270 characters, just 27. Naturally, I didn't think much at first, but by terrorism time, I realized it was no ordinary code."
"I see. Then, back to basics, your certainty it was a code..."
"It's hard to see nonsense like 'Audienz dubioses schockiertes' as trying to convey the plain meaning."
"Heh heh, true enough."
The aide chuckled vaguely, scribbled something, and closed his notepad. Still soulless.
Fruitless interview. Zero goals met.
Judging nothing more to squeeze, he extended a hand.
"Thank you sincerely for cooperating with the government's request. It was quite helpful."
"Glad to hear it."
"Heh heh, once you're better, I'll visit again about the Pleroma matter."
"Yes, understood."
I shook his hand. The moment he left the room, I sat back down.
After zoning out for about ten minutes, a servant opened the door.
"The Anhalt government spokesperson has arrived. Shall I show them in now?"
"Yes, please."
Soon, someone in Anhalt formalwear entered and greeted me.
"Excellency Ascanien. Long time no see. I'm Ulrich Oster, spokesperson for the Anhalt government."
"Pleased to meet you."
I replied and gestured to the seat. The spokesperson sat, observing me intently before saying.
"You really look just like they said. You've changed a lot."
"Hm."
Now's not the time for talk about how I've changed.
When I didn't continue, he shrewdly switched topics.
Most of his talk was about the Prussia alliance. Endless pleas to not antagonize Prussia, prove loyalty as his ally. Unlike the imperial security aide, no terrorism aftermath questions—just begging.
With press conferences piling up soon, it was expected.
He eagerly explained I'd be the empire's second Adrian Ascanien, and Anhalt expected it too.
I expected it, but...
'Surprising.'
Anhalt and the Ascanien who treated Luca like a murderer, locked him in the castle, acted like he didn't exist—now they want to make me the second Adrian?
Shameless aside, this proves my brother hasn't schemed. From Eschet to now, even through third exam and Gabriele Caetani match, he hasn't blocked me.
'This means...'
Can't let it slide.
Would that man really sit idle?
"Anhalt citizens are in turmoil. Before the nationwide tour, a press conference in Anhalt first..."
"I'll do it. More importantly, one thing I'm curious about."
I cut him off, but he answered without displeasure.
"Yes, go ahead."
"I've been unable to contact my brother. Have you spoken to him?"
"Ah, of course. The Vice Minister was very worried. We exchanged letters nonstop these two days about Your Excellency Luca Ascanien's condition. When he heard you woke safely today, he was thrilled. I'd love to show you, but I didn't bring them."
"I see. Good. Anything else from him?"
"Well..."
Yeah. If brother has words for me, he'd tell Ascanien folk more than a spokesperson. Core stuff likely went there. Maybe similar empty talk.
I asked the next question right away.
"Understood. I'd like to greet him in person. No plans to return home yet?"
"No, not yet. Actually, the Vice Minister requested the imperial government expand his jurisdiction. He'll be busier, so repatriation as planned in August."
I nodded. He smiled and resumed terrorism admonitions.
'...Why so quiet.'
There must be a reason for the silence. What does he trust to act this way? We've exchanged a couple letters since Eschet uprising; he's been nonchalant throughout.
He has a plan I don't know.
That's the only answer.
The Anhalt spokesperson droned on solo with precautions, then left. Their goal: look good to Prussia fully. Like the imperial aide, he asked about the incident truth, but just fearing Prussia blame.
'Smooth so far.'
Now time to hear from Leo why go to Bavaria.
This is Bavaria now, and I'd go there daily without him suggesting—why say it specifically?
In the corridor, an elderly noble suddenly greeted me—who wasn't there before.
"Pleased to meet you, Excellency Ascanien. I'm Marquis Hohenloe-Oeringen, chief steward of the Wittelsbach royal house."
"Pleased. What's the matter?"
Meeting so many today.
Anyway, he smiled appropriately, his attire oddly proving Bavarian ties. Not met as Nicolaus, since he's house staff, not kingdom official.
He handed a letter.
"His Highness the Crown Prince left this for you. Please read."
'Leo?'
I unfolded the white letter he offered.
Blank at first, but upon opening, navy ink appeared.
[To Lucas]
[I never thought I'd talk like Elias, but only you read.]
"......"
'Only you read' probably why. Displeased at sounding like Elias; even plain text conveys his bad mood.
[Meeting dragged forever. Waited for your interview to end, but no time with schedule—leaving note first. See you later.]
"Hm?"
Busy, but slipped in why invite to Bavaria?
No arrival time even?
'Not like him.'
What's with today.
I flipped the letter and asked.
"Where did His Highness go?"
"Can't discuss royal duties. Read all?"
"Yes."
The letter dissolved into light. The steward eyed my robe.
"Is that imperial robe you're wearing?"
Out of nowhere?
"Yes."
"I see. You must come with me now."
"...?"
We stared silently for a while. Finally, I broke it with a hollow laugh.
"Why?"