Chapter 266
Chapter 266
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 266
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family
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“Yeah.”
“Took a while, didn’t it?”
Leo’s calm question reached my ears. I didn’t answer and just smiled.
It had taken a while. I’d turned time inside out once and endured two terrorist attacks before I could finally keep my promise.
Leo had told me to go to Bayern after the opening ceremony, even before the archbishop’s terrorist plot surfaced. So even back when I hadn’t accomplished anything noteworthy, he’d planned to give me a medal just like this...
Thinking about it made me chuckle dryly. Leo had prepared this in advance for Lucas Ascanien’s identity. Even without any real basis for awarding me one.
“You lied about having work and went ahead just to pull this off?”
“I do have work.”
Leo brazenly pointed to my medal and then himself.
I wanted to smack him for teasing me, but I held back, remembering that for now, he and I were the same age.
I had no idea when this walking FM had become like this. Sure, he was still an FM at school and in Eschet, but seeing these rare moments when he acted like a normal kid made it twice as absurd.
“Were you surprised?”
Leo asked with a mischievous glint in his eye. He seemed to expect me to say yes. He’d probably kept quiet all this time, waiting for today to give me this surprise gift.
I tilted my head and asked,
“What do you think?”
“You must’ve been.”
“Nope, not surprised.”
“No way. You had to have been pretty shocked. I can picture your face when you got the letter.”
“Let’s talk later.”
“Huh? Sure.”
Why take that seriously...? I meant like, let’s fight or something.
I couldn’t tell where the joking ended and the sincerity began in our conversation. Giving up on talking more, I relaxed my shoulders and straightened my posture. The distance we’d closed while chatting returned to normal. Then I said seriously,
“Thanks.”
“......”
Leo looked at me silently.
This knight order’s grand master was the king, not the crown prince. The one who approved my enlistment was the king, not the crown prince, and the letter I’d received earlier was sealed with the king’s signature and stamp.
But this was his doing. Others might not know, but Leo, the king, and I did. The one who gave me the medal and brought me into the knight order was none other than Leo. Looking at the numerous insignia on his uniform, I continued,
“This is a first for me. Now I owe you a debt under this name too.”
Leo smiled faintly at that.
“A debt? Sounds nice, but it’s not true.”
“Why does it sound nice?”
“This is something you earned, Lucas.”
He continued in a calmer voice.
“We can receive honors more easily than anyone else just by coming of age and achieving minor feats because of the burdens we carry. But you were born like us and still couldn’t have that. This is the moment you should’ve had long ago.”
“......”
“The one who overcame all those trials to get here is no one but you, right now.”
You, right now.
Contrary to his intent, those words hit me differently.
Yeah, me. I’m the one who got here. I knew that, but I hadn’t really acknowledged it. How many times had I truly accepted my achievements as wholly mine? Had I ever? In this surreal reality where I’m a butterfly and the butterfly is me, it felt like ‘me’ was suddenly pulled out, and my strength drained away. I laughed. To think such thoughts through the words of a human oblivious even in dreams.
It was joyful yet despairing, and still joyful. But my heart felt clogged.
Better not to think too deeply. At least not now.
Meanwhile, Leo smiled warmly and said,
“So... you don’t owe me thanks. If anything, I should say it. Thanks for entrusting your first knighthood to Wittelsbach. It’s an honor.”
“This is a first too. Thanks.”
It wasn’t a response to what he’d just said. A beat late, Leo tilted his head slightly, pondered my meaning, and smiled.
The sounds of the national anthem grew louder. It was time to wrap up the event. He patted my shoulder once.
“See you later.”
* * *
I thought I could head back to the lodging after it ended, but no—I had to go to the waiting room.
Apparently, we had to go out to the Hofgarten, the palace garden here, for photos. Having to face reporters in this unstable situation. It was ceremonial, so unavoidable, but not exactly comfortable.
Creak—
“Lucas!”
The door opened, and a familiar voice rang out.
Elias was lounging sideways on the waiting room sofa. A welcome sight. The moment I entered, he sprang up like a spring and pulled me into a hug by the shoulders.
“Congrats! Our Lucas did so well~”
“Did so well? It’s embarrassing.”
“Embarrassing? Even now, saying that with your poker face, it’s surprising.”
You saying I don’t look embarrassed at all? I was pretty shocked when Saint Hubertus suddenly came up. Leo must’ve been the one who didn’t specify the medal type in the letter.
I brushed it off with a rough laugh, and Elias grinned while eyeing my outfit. His attention was on the medal.
“This is really... Saint Hubertus.”
Elias carefully gathered mana in his hand and lifted my medal.
Now that I looked, Elias was wearing a Prussian dress uniform too. It was hard to tell because he’d loosened it like a slob, but at a glance, he didn’t have an insignia with the same ribbon color as mine.
“You’ve gotten a medal from Bayern before too.”
“Yeah. Bayern Crown Merit Medal. From the polluted mosquito incident last year.”
Elias pointed to his sky-blue and white insignia and grinned. He’d received a slightly lower one. From Bayern’s perspective, it’d be hard to give a huge medal right away to a collateral Hohenzollern subtly checked by the emperor. Still, Elias would get the Saint Hubertus someday. He’d become emperor, after all.
Elias fiddled with my medal for a while before saying something unexpected.
“Ah~ Too bad. I wanted to give you a medal too...”
“Not one you want to receive?”
“Hmm.”
He raised an eyebrow and shrugged. His eyes shifted from the medal to me.
“Save a spot for me, Lucas.”
“......”
“Got it?”
His eyes held a fanaticism that could land him in treason charges.
That explained his lukewarm reaction to my earlier words. To be in a position to give me a Prussian medal, he’d have to become emperor.
‘I like it.’
That ambition.
I tilted my head.
“Hard to save a spot.”
“Ah~ As expected. Guess I’ll have to step up.”
Elias cackled and flopped back onto the sofa. I sat next to him, and he whipped his head around to say,
“And how’d you know it’d be hard to save a spot?”
“What?”
He clenched his fists with an itchy-mouth expression, made some weird wild-animal noise, then leaned in close.
“Now we gotta go on a nationwide tour, Lucas. Right after photos in the Hofgarten!”
“Right now? Why? We have to wait for the schedule.”
“Why? Our Lucas~ doesn’t know~”
I gave him a what’s-this-about look, but he didn’t seem inclined to explain. He just kept teasing. He pulled a quarter-sized crumpled newspaper from his clutch and waved it.
“Well, you couldn’t have read the papers~ Right?”
“You know me well. Hand it over then.”
“Wonder if I should...”
“Wondering?”
Yeah, right. I moved my hand to my waist and swiftly drew my wand.
Boom—!
“Uwaaak!”
Elias threw up his arms to block and tumbled onto the sofa.
He stared at me wide-eyed, chuckled dryly, and dispelled the barrier. Our mana dispersed in the air. He grasped the tip of my wand with his hand and said,
“Lucas, is your motto something like ‘life is real battle’?”
“Too many high schoolers today.”
“Huh? You too.”
“Yeah, fair...”
Elias glanced between the paper and me, then said decisively,
“You gotta head out soon, right?”
“Yeah.”
Elias stood and led me out.
He knew the palace well from frequent visits since childhood. We quickly entered the corridor leading to the Hofgarten.
The sunset was fading.
He stopped in front of the mana field connecting the Hofgarten and Munich Residenz. It looked like a thick marble block, but it wasn’t—anyone with mana could pass through easily.
Elias pulled out the crumpled newspaper from his clutch and said seriously,
“Lucas. I’ll show you. But don’t be disappointed. I’m serious now. There’s a reason I didn’t show you the paper earlier.”
“Hmm.”
From the PR talk with the margrave and Anhalt, I’d already guessed somewhat. The Anhalt government was trying to seize this opportunity, but negative, anxious reactions—like suspicions and future terror fears—were inevitable.
“Give it. I’m braced. But why only a quarter of the paper?”
“Be grateful for this much.”
Elias shoved the crumpled sheet into my hand with a grave face and curled my fingers around it. I frowned slightly at his intensity and unfolded it.
[Imperial Mage Lucas Ascanien’s Noble Sacrifice Saves 600,000 Lives]
“...?”
Didn’t you say there was a reason not to show me? Isn’t this the opposite?
“Uhahaha!”
Elias laughed and slapped my back.
“Weak to praise~ I’d have devoured it.”
Devoured what? The paper? I shook my head vigorously and said,
“This isn’t the point right now. We need the whole Imperial Gazette. What good is clipping one article?”
“Oh~ Gotta see the whole thing? Think I only brought good ones?”
Elias tapped his ear. At that moment, a familiar face warped in. Naruke was beaming with a newspaper in hand. His eyes resembled Leo’s from earlier.
“......”
Now I got it all.
I should’ve realized from the start when they kept me from checking the papers. From Leo to everyone, they’d planned to tease me.
They’d even scripted this moment, but since they brought the paper, I’d endure. I snatched the newspaper and read.
[[Breaking] Terror Plot Uncovered at Pentaron Venue, Lucas Ascanien Missing]
‘Hm?’
“A bit old, right? Arranged chronologically from a few days ago~”
Naruke smiled, reading my thoughts.
I nodded and read the next front-page title. Even just pages 1 and 2 went on forever.
[Horrific Terror Targeting 1.9 Million Ends in 53 Minor Injuries... Who Is the Hero?]
[Pentaron Emergency Committee: “Collaborated with Imperial Mage Lucas Ascanien to Resolve Terror”]
[Pentaron Emergency Committee: “Cannot Rule Out Lucas Ascanien’s Terror Involvement... Notifying in Advance Was Strategy to Prevent Panic”]
6 PM and 7 PM articles. Flip-flopping in real time.
[‘Osnabrück Diocese Seeks You’ Shouter Lucas Ascanien Missing—Where Did He Go?]
[Duke Gustav Hohenzollern: “Imperial Mage Lucas Ascanien Grasped Terror Signs Right After Cross Appeared... Lukewarm Response from Emergency Committee”]
[Lucas Ascanien Highly Likely Phleroma Abductee]
[Imperial Academy Faculty Statement: Government Must Reflect on Endangering Students]
[Decisive Action Prevented Catastrophe: Testimonies from Government Officials on Lucas Ascanien]
[Terror Victims’ Alliance: “Respect for Imperial Mage Ascanien’s Dedication”]
[Dedicating to Subjects Who Slandered Congenital Disease as Phleroma... Anhalt Royal Repays Enemies with Grace]
[Hero’s Triumph: Lucas Ascanien Shatters Diabolical Terror Aimed at 600,000 Lives]
[Lucas Ascanien Returns Near Death, Unconscious but Recovering]
‘Wait... How many editions did they print in that short time?’
And the progression? Embarrassing to read further. Couldn’t stomach more. They expect me to read this?
That ‘repays enemies with grace’ one could spark backlash. Could lead to articles warning not to drop vigilance since I might be real Phleroma. Gotta block those.
As my hand slipped from the onslaught of burdensome articles—or maybe reading my mind—Naruke covered his mouth and giggled.
“Wow... Lucas looks like his head’s gonna explode.”
Don’t read my thoughts.
“Got it.”
Anyway, I was starting to get the picture.
How those cringeworthy praise pieces ended up plastered on the Imperial Gazette’s front page.
Crowd psychology made reporters and the public accept them without resistance. Idolization via collective hallucination. Classic in chaotic situations. Public opinion had clearly tilted one way.
“......”
I wiped my mouth and smiled faintly.
If so, the margrave’s PR talk meant as a politician, my first step would be solidifying my position on firm ground.
The Anhalt aide’s ‘subjects in confusion’ meant they were thrown because their hated nuisance became the empire’s hero. So show my face ASAP as a ruling family member to restore order.
“Good. Thanks.”
Even this as a surprise. Could only laugh.
As I tried handing the paper back to Naruke, Elias shoved it back into my arms.
“No, look more! You didn’t finish!”
“What now...”
I read the last headline.
[Wittelsbach Bayern Royal Family Awards Saint Hubertus Medal to Empire’s Hero Lucas Ascanien]
Empire’s hero? Could the Imperial Gazette use that term? Naruke laughed again as I thought it. There must be a reason Elias wanted me to see it, so I checked the marked body text.
[Kingdom of Prussia and Duchies of Brunswick-Saxe-Altenburg-Saxe-Meiningen-Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Are Discussing Medal Awards; Grand Duchy of Baden and Duchy of Anhalt Have Confirmed Types and Classes.]
‘...Huh.’
As I just mouthed silently, Elias caught my shock and teased,
“Told you why the nationwide tour starts tonight? You’re not just doing press conferences, Lucas. Until the final schedule back in Bayern, you’ll be collecting medals nonstop.”
“Hah...”
So that’s how he knew saving spots was hard. I’d joked earlier, but I had plenty of room for insignia anyway.
I burst out laughing and said,
“Didn’t see this coming.”
“Worth keeping the papers from you!”
“Sigh...”
“Oh, and you gotta travel with us too.”
“Travel? With this schedule?”
“Yeah. Julia said after Yulia ends, let’s go on a trip. Baden’ll support!”
Figures. I already knew. That this day would really come felt so far away.
I chuckled dryly reading the medal announcements I hadn’t known about.
“So matching my schedule means the trip’s nationwide? In 2 nights 3 days?”
“Pretty much. Too short for a full tour? If we beg the king to delay the audience, maybe more playtime?”
“You beg...”
I chuckled and offered the paper to Elias.
An alert chimed from the artifact on my ear. Time for Hofgarten. As I turned, encouragement came.
“Don’t worry—go enjoy it more, Lucas.”
Naruke’s words. He’d sensed my reporter jitters from the start.
I turned, and he smiled softly, pointing outside.
“The empire’s on your side now.”
* * *
“We’ll end here. Thank you.”
After photos, the Bayern government held a brief press conference in the Hofgarten. More like a press meet— they limited reporters to ten for my health and banned civilians.
This was my first official public appearance.
Just before dismissal, a reporter got guard permission and approached.
“Congratulations on your knighting with Saint Hubertus. I’m truly impressed by Your Excellency’s courage.”
“Thanks.”
“Many subjects want to see you. It’s an honor to meet you first.”
“Don’t know where to put myself.”
I shook his hand in farewell. Maybe he overdid it because I’m ruling family, but as Naruke said, no one eyed my words for political ammo like a government aide. I could relax. The overall vibe eased me.
The reporter grinned at my words.
“Don’t know where to put yourself? Your Excellency fully deserves the honor. See you in two days.”
He’d attend the next sovereign audience too. I exchanged brief greetings with other reporters and finished today’s official duties.
It was already 6 PM.
After media left, I sat at the tea table in the Hofgarten pavilion. Naturally with Leo.
From photos to sitting here, he’d said nothing, just smiled, so I scanned around first and spoke.
“Isn’t this kinda awkward?”
“Hm, why?”
“The medal giver and receiver posing for pics then sitting together at a table? Feels like I gotta PR future potential and ambitions for points.”
“Hahaha.”
Leo laughed out loud for once, propped his chin, and said,
“Then say it. First, impressions on becoming a Wittelsbach knight?”
“Told you in the antiquarium. It’s great.”
“......”
Leo chuckled dryly, then muttered like self-hypnosis,
“Yeah, knew you were this kind of friend.”
“This guy...”
“Lucas.”
I raised an eyebrow instead of answering. Leo composed his smile and continued calmly,
“You checked the papers, right.”
“Yeah.”
“You know you’re the empire’s hero now. From here on, you’ll get merit plaques and medals from several of the 26 federal states. How’s it feel?”
“......”
I crossed my arms and leaned back. I stared piercingly at Leo’s face. When he showed discomfort under prolonged scrutiny with an ambiguous smile, I smiled and replied,
“The first honor from Bayern is something I’ll never forget my whole life. No, I can’t.”
“......”
“That’s what you wanted, right.”
“...Yeah. Can’t deny it.”
Leo looked away and mumbled.
What’s this guy thinking? Obvious. That ‘you won’t go to Baden, right’ from long ago still lingered strongly.
He’d planned to medal me for some reason even before the archbishop terror, but with Phleroma’s big attack and me lined up for medals from many states, he couldn’t claim ‘exclusive’ title. He wanted to seem like he spotted my potential first, but it’d get buried in everyone’s choice.
And he’d wanted a more memorable gift for me, but that got ambiguous too—from his view. Maybe worried I’d take medals lightly.
Wrong. His sincerity in filling what I lacked came through fully. Bluntly, even top medals from kingdoms like Saxony or Württemberg—one of the four—wouldn’t evoke this gratitude.
‘Anyway... planning this as a surprise.’
Funny guy.
Then, Leo, chin-propped and looking around, murmured,
“Glad you’re coming to Bayern now too.”
You too. Meaning not just Nikolaus but Lucas Ascanien. I twisted one corner of my mouth and said,
“Knew you’d say that.”
“Yeah? Prediction skills improving.”
And he’s getting bolder. Satisfaction over securing human capital seeped through, making me chuckle.
“Sorry, but I pledged loyalty to your mother. Grand master’s not you.”
“Yeah, doesn’t matter.”
Leo sipped tea and replied curtly.
Yeah, wouldn’t to you... He’d become Bayern’s sovereign later anyway.
I smirked and said,
“Someday I’ll drag you to Anhalt.”
“Oh, put me in your knight order?”
Leo’s eyes widened, then he laughed.
“Sounds good. Do it.”
Assuming I’d become sovereign.
Anyway, deepening ties with Bayern was a good deal.
Not just him chasing human capital.
I was pulling in ruling family members starting with Leo, and I’d keep at it. I drained the last of my tea, stood satisfied, and said,
“Alright, time to go. They said depart after this.”
“Hm, heard already. Know where to?”
“Anhalt first. Press conference there.”
Elias said he’d pack. Time to warp to Bayern border. I extended my hand to warp, but Leo shook his head.
“Carriage coming.”
“Carriage?”
Suddenly? I narrowed my eyes, and Leo smiled faintly.
“We’re taking the train from here. First trip—gotta enjoy it properly.”