Chapter 270
Chapter 270
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 270
Chapter Title: The Grand Cross
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The head butler entered the room, handed me the Anhalt ceremonial attire, and left.
Naturally, like all the other servants I'd met so far, he had tried to dress me himself, but my request got through to him. I took the attire and said seriously,
"I'll dress myself."
"Then do so."
The head butler smiled and left the room.
His constant smiling felt a bit suspicious, but just the fact that he could have a conversation with me seemed novel to him every time. And that made sense—ever since Luca had become a shut-in, up until I arrived in this world, Luca hadn't properly spoken to anyone.
In any case, my modern self finally felt a bit at ease. Sure, having someone dress you was a privilege among privileges, but since I hadn't lived as a noble, having a stranger put clothes on me didn't feel like a privilege—it just made me awkward. Any modern person would relate, right?
[May I come in now?]
"You may, but why do you want to?"
"I need to do the final adjustments myself."
He came in with a beaming smile and straightened my clothes. As he aligned the seams of my shirt and vest, he said,
"I'm so proud of how you've grown."
"There's no need to feel proud."
"From your expressions to your speech, it's like seeing His Grace as a boy. His Grace was quite different back in his youth. Around this age, he really resembled you now..."
I already knew that. The head butler had graduated from the Imperial Second Academy with Georg Ascanien. They were childhood friends, like Elias and Leo. I couldn't see the resemblance with that ice block of a man right now, but knowing that Georg Ascanien had changed like this after Luca was said to have Pleioma's temperament made it understandable. The deep furrows between his brows and his cold, indifferent eyes weren't his original state—they came from the lethargy and exhaustion afterward.
"I'm curious about him from that time."
"You won't see that side of him again."
A gentle smile still played on the head butler's lips, but his tone was firmer than expected.
I could understand his resignation. Time corrodes people.
He patted my jacket and grinned.
"You look splendid. You're probably taller than me now, aren't you?"
"Haha."
No telling how much taller I'd get. Since both Adrian Ascanien and Georg were tall, maybe I could hope for more.
The head butler glanced at his watch and said,
"You'll head to the ballroom now, young master. It's been nearly ten years since you've been in there, hasn't it."
"Yes."
"Your friends will all be going too, but since there's a scheduled time for the event, we've set it for ten minutes before. Now, chin up a bit?"
The head butler reached for my chin. I gently pushed his hand away and recited what I knew.
"I know. Eyes slightly down. No unnecessary smiles, pull the neck back a touch but don't tense up the body. Good?"
"You know it well."
Where else would I have learned it from?
Leo taught me. No wonder I called that guy my teacher.
He looked at me quietly and asked,
"Will you go see His Grace first now?"
"No."
Did I have to rush off just because Father was here? He wouldn't want that. And neither did I.
When noon arrived as promised, that's when I'd meet him.
"...I see. Then I'll come back here later. You'll head straight to the ballroom then."
I nodded and sent the head butler out.
Every time the door opened, the noisy chatter of my friends drifted in from outside.
I put the shellac plate that Adrian Ascanien had bought as a gift for his brother into the phonograph. It played classical music with sound quality that rivaled LPs. LP records probably didn't exist in this world. The mages had improved on the flaws of shellac plates, after all. Things I knew were drifting further from me like this.
Even me. When I'm here, I become Luca more than anyone else in the world. To everyone except me, it's obvious that I'm Luca, and it's starting to feel that way to me too. Maybe I hadn't noticed because I'd been away from this place since the beginning. His memories and emotions seep into me more vividly than usual.
Not long after, Leo opened the door and came in.
"Time?"
"Not yet."
Even as he said that, Leo locked the door with a refreshed face and sat on the sofa in my room. Looking around, he said slowly,
"This building hasn't changed much from ten years ago."
"Good memory."
What more could Georg Ascanien have done to this place? Maintaining the status quo would be a blessing. As I turned my back to him, guarding the shellac plate and needle, he called softly,
"Lucas."
"Don't use my name. Get to the point."
"You must be tired."
I stomped my foot to cast a soundproofing spell around Leo and me. If he wasn't going to get to the point, I'd say what I had to. Noticing I was about to speak, Leo layered another soundproofing spell on top.
"I had something to discuss with you anyway. Let's talk about Nikolaus."
"Yeah. It's about time for your brother to make a move."
Leo got my meaning right away. He'd realized I was considering integrating Nikolaus into myself preemptively to counter my brother's attack.
"Then you already know without me saying. We need to decide: high return high risk, or low return low risk."
"Risk? The priority is keeping Lucas Ascanien's identity intact."
Of course. I was just preparing for the 'worst case' assumption. It wasn't happening right now, and I wasn't leaving it alone either.
I shrugged to convey that, and Leo nodded as if he understood.
"I didn't come to say this, but... fine. Nikolaus Ernst was created to nullify your brother's attacks. So timing-wise, revealing it now while he hasn't moved is right. But the problem is, even if you reveal it, we don't have evidence to take him down, so Nikolaus and your brother will keep fighting. And you've already played your ace with Nikolaus, so no insurance left. From that angle, it's too early to reveal your identity."
"Exactly. So now it's time to prepare not just defense, but offense."
As I said that, I offered him the hip flask I'd refilled with whiskey from the train. Uncharacteristically, Leo took a sip and looked out the window.
"...But it's true that right now is the perfect chance to reveal your identity. So you're wrestling with this, right? If you don't integrate, you've got one body but two political identities to manage. You'll neglect one eventually. Plus, your brother is already wary that Nikolaus might be you, so even if you don't reveal now, you'll have to defend both identities from attacks. In that sense, if the gains from revealing are clear, it might be better to do it now."
Leo shook his head, looking complicated, and sank into thought. Soon he spoke again.
"Lucas. This flashy debut opportunity might never come again. Integrating Nikolaus now could solidify Lucas Ascanien's position right away. Sure, you'd take on more enemies in politics, but..."
I nodded.
Truthfully, this chance shouldn't come twice. If it did, it'd mean another insane incident like this, and I'd be dragged into it again.
'...No guarantee it won't come twice...'
I didn't want to think about it.
From my perspective, hoping this never happens again, revealing now is right. No rule says I have to always pick low risk low return. Sometimes that's too safety-oriented and misses gains—a foolish choice.
Leo capped the hip flask and set it on the table.
"You're worried your brother might be waiting for the day Nikolaus reveals himself on his own, or that he'll bring some attack beyond our imagination to crush both your identities."
"You know me well."
"But the return potential is much greater. Wait until your brother's attack comes."
"..."
"You know I mean possibility, not value, right? Your brother is now in a position where no attack we can imagine will land effectively on you. Of course, he's not the type to stay calm, so I get why you're worried. Afraid he might have some plan to topple you? So gauge the attack's scale and time it. Announce then."
"That's your conclusion."
Wise answer. Pursuing gains stably—very Leo. Best method for now. I'd considered it too.
"Leo. That thing you said you'd tell me before..."
"Not something to say while visiting for fun. And it's not for you to factor into your strategy."
He cut me off sharply, checked his watch, and stood.
"I came for something else. Aren't we leaving in 30 minutes?"
"Yeah. You too."
"I actually need to leave earlier."
As Leo said that, he pulled a small box from his pocket.
"Here."
"Hm?"
I frowned, doubting what I saw. In his hand was a familiar artifact box covered in blue velvet. The one I'd left behind.
"...You brought it? This? How? Your preparedness is giving me chills."
"What are you talking about... You have 24/7 access to my core, so you wouldn't notice, but I can feel my mana drain. You expect me to live like that alone?"
Leo shot back with a laughing face.
'Access' was putting it nicely—it was like I'd rigged it so I could shatter his core at will. He probably didn't want to say it that directly.
"You could've mentioned it on the train. Why hand it over so ominously late? What's on your mind."
"Didn't feel right to say it there."
"..."
Didn't feel right there?
Maybe the mood was too light. Friends could barge in anytime.
I pondered.
If I summed up what he'd said on the train in one phrase:
If you absolutely have to use yourself as a means to deal with the archbishop, would you go to the worst extremes to take him down?
That was it from start to finish.
My decision to half-destroy the archbishop's core, even matching his engagement's rhythm—it all looked to him like a chance for mutual destruction using me as the tool.
This extended his worries from Primrose Pass. I'd saved 1.9 million lives, but hadn't quelled his anxiety since.
'...Bitter.'
Let's rethink. If I decided on mutual destruction, it'd have to be secret from my friends. So his initial baffling remark was to not let me deflect or dodge. While I panicked old-human style, he cornered me with new-human logic, naturally twice as baffling since his opener was something that'd shock new-humans double. In a society producing people via contracts, marriage sounds like declaring you'll contract a mana provider from the opposite side of the earth with no ties. Possible, but pointless, happens rarely, someone else's story. Yet he knew what marriage meant to old-humans. Bafflement amplifies between absurdity and nausea.
Meanwhile, he'd spotted the fundamental similarity between the archbishop and me, and knowing he might know panicked me new-human style too. It confirmed his mutual destruction fears once more.
So it's complex. First, between his genuine two questions and deliberate pressure. Second, he thinks I'd compromise clashing desires—love and justice via marriage—to destroy with the archbishop.
Actions rarely stem from one motive, so oversimplifying collapses intent.
A scholar must escape simple beginner frameworks.
To truly engage people, grasp their multifaceted psyche over surface words. Enough thinking. I'd already given my answer then.
"I've always moved assuming your help. Shameless, but I will going forward. You're handing this now because you want a more serious answer from me?"
"Shameless? That's what we want. Sounds touching from Anhalt."
Leo said that, then continued while glancing around.
"You always see right through me. Yeah, I first gave you the artifact to watch over your safety. Honestly, can't say there's no intent like that this time. But it's different now. I didn't want to mention bringing the artifact on the train—not for the reason you think."
I raised an eyebrow, and he gestured toward the window.
"Lucas. You've returned rightfully to the land that cast you out. Your shattered core is restored, stronger than ever, and your honor, steeped in needless malice, rises defying all obstacles."
"..."
"You've come back to that land where you had to drink your brother's poison your whole life."
I let out a hollow laugh, twisting one corner of my mouth. Leo, saying this, was smiling.
"Come on, interpret this one too. Curious what you'll say."
Suspicious from midway. From 'that land where you had to drink your brother's poison your whole life,' I knew why he'd held back the Wittelsbach artifact.
What else? My core, smashed by brother's poison, now under Wittelsbach protection. Delaying till Anhalt to recreate the reversal symbolically.
This guy makes me chuckle sometimes. Born a prince, pampered—reeks of it, mixes textbook with weird mania that subtly annoys. Undeniable fact.
But one thing remains. Despite it all, he's a friend giving his best every moment. Clutching my forehead, I chuckled.
"Aren't you too obsessed with symbolism? You're too sentimental, in my view."
"Am I? Nah, you're the weird one."
"..."
Boldly calling me weird... By this era's standards, maybe.
I mulled his words and quietly spoke.
"...You packaged what could've been infuriating pretty well."
"Not packaging—as the first to hear your story, isn't it worth thinking?"
He said that and turned to the window again.
"Lucas. Anhalt. I..."
His gaze lingered on the Anhalt crests dotting the castle and the confluence of the two rivers beyond. Soon Leo smiled brightly at me.
"I'm happier to be here than that I could invite you to Bavaria."
Is that so. I pulled my lips into a smile. Leo's pure, age-appropriate grin felt genuine.
How many friends worry and rejoice over your affairs like their own in life? Whether he uses me as Bavaria's human capital or ponders people and justice, his heart is true. I see in him the light that once went out in me. Can't tell if I had it now, but not blind—I know the light he shows me is bright.
"Give it."
I beckoned to the artifact in his hand.
No room for my usual gruff words or dismissal.
May this uprightness that truly cares for others not be dyed in fatigue and pessimism. Unsure if possible, but I want to let him hold what I failed at once. Relieved I failed first, letting him give his best to this shining uprightness.
Even if his meaning feels overblown to me now, I won't misconstrue or gloss over his respect and support—I'll take it as is.
Piercing flesh with the artifact tip instead of needle was overkill. I wiped blood with gauze, tossed it in the fireplace. Unlike burning ears, my core cooled refreshingly. Offensive mana filled micro-cracks in my core, enveloping them. Squeezing my ear with fresh gauze, I sighed out words.
"Depends on the packaging. Feels more valuable than what's coming soon..."
"Packaging? But what?"
Leo tilted his head. Ignoring, I said my piece.
"Just days ago, brother's poison broke my core; now Wittelsbach healing mana protects it. Yeah, novel. Returned to this land that made me no different from a non-mage, in the opposite situation. Never specifically imagined this day..."
"..."
"Bittersweet. Said as felt. Good interpretation?"
"Yeah."
Leo smiled back.
As talk wrapped up, I approached the hearth, burning more gauze.
"Without your help, I wouldn't be here. Not asking for thanks, but."
"You know me. Didn't expect thanks from you already."
"True. Not done yet."
I turned and faced him.
"Please take care of me going forward."
"..."
Leo's blue eyes blazed with resolve. His lips curved softly.
"Yeah. Me too."
* * *
"This is your second time, isn't it."
The head butler said as he led me. I didn't reply, but he continued.
"It's an honor to see this sight."
I was now heading to the banquet hall for Anhalt's medal ceremony. The first official event of the day.
Listening to his one-sided talk, I moved under the guard escort. Soon, a familiar yet strange door appeared.
"Young Lord Lucas von Anhalt has arrived."
The old-style name again. The guards flanking the door opened the heavy banquet hall doors.
Sunlight flooded in; I squinted slightly.
The banquet hall was a place I'd seen a few times in young Luca's memories. The structure with a podium at the end resembled Bavaria's, but no Antiquarium frescoes or statues. Massive chandeliers, a skylight for natural light, and higher ceilings merging two floors stood out. The pouring sunlight made the chandeliers' light nearly pointless.
On both sides of the hall sat collateral Ascanien, Anhalt politicians, and my friends. Anhalt nobles from Luca's memories too.
I walked the aisle between seats.
—"Lucas."
A voice using divine power registered to me. Looking, Narké next to Elias showed a fist. Encouragement, probably.
I wasn't lacking energy anyway. Rather, I had so much leisure a sneer nearly formed unwittingly. I smiled back and stood to the right of the podium.
The head butler had brought me earlier than Bavaria's. After standing with hands behind back for about three minutes, noon bells rang from the distant church.
Creak—
[His Grace the Duke of Anhalt has arrived.]
"..."
Through the open door entered a familiar-faced mage. Luca's—my—heart began pounding faster. The sneer I'd held back till now was tame, I realized. I composed my face and watched him.
He paused briefly, then fixed me with his signature chilling gaze that dismissed all. Then, like Leo, with the guard captain and prime minister, he walked to the podium.
Anhalt's national anthem began. Music Luca disliked. Thus I, influenced by him, couldn't like it either—but now mine to claim, time to change tastes.
Georg Ascanien took the podium; I turned to him. From that face like mine flowed a low voice utterly unlike me.
"Can Lucas von Anhalt swear to become a member of the Albrecht Order and pledge loyalty to the Duchy of Anhalt?"
Not a breath sounded. Probably due to that chilling, hollow voice unlike a human's.
Unlike Bavaria, no explanation for the medal. His personality, but also natural. Anhalt's sole medal: Albrecht. All direct Ascanien deserved it. Luca hadn't received it because Georg didn't recognize him as ruling house.
Mentioning merits at length like foreign lands would backfire.
"I swear."
I answered without breaking gaze from those icy blue eyes. As before, I knelt on my left knee and bowed my head.
Georg Ascanien raised the sword he held. Cool wind grazed my cheek. The flashing blade in left vision slowly arced right.
"..."
Georg Ascanien sheathed the sword, gripped hilt with both hands, lightly pressing tip to floor.
Second knighting. The low, hollow voice echoed through the hall.
"From this moment, Lucas von Anhalt is a member of the Albrecht Order. In recognition of his deeds and merits, the Duchy of Anhalt bestows upon him the Grand Cross of the Albrecht Order."
Grand Cross.
For ruling house or founding merits only. Adrian Ascanien got his long ago; my ruling house friends too.
The Grand Cross meant I stood equal to brother as Ascanien heir. In this world where birth order ≠ succession, it signaled Adrian's decade-long play ended—only our fight left.
This tiny duchy couldn't instantly elevate me beside Adrian Ascanien. Especially my house. Thus obligated to give Grand Cross.
Yet as my house, monumental.
Highest medal, birthright for heirs, I claimed with my hands. Fate brother dumped off a cliff—I dragged it here myself.
No one could deny: Anhalt's reclusive second Ascanien son was now ruling house. Whether thinking of Luca or me, irrelevant. One name now; he is me, I am he.
Anhalt ceremony done.
I rose, gazing at the impassive mage before me. He just looked down, saying nothing.
One who drove Luca to death—and will drive me too. His memories swirling in my head like mine confused enough. Luca's father. Yet as I live by Luca's name, inescapably mine too. This body his blood; die by him; live, next ruler as his son. Distinction meaningless now.
One thing matters.
Staring into his blue eyes at my red pupils reflected, I said,
"It took a long time, Father."