Chapter 271
Chapter 271
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 271
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family (271)
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Georg Ascanien slowly closed his eyes, then opened them. Even under the light, shadows draped over his gaze.
I could see the others' eyes widening in surprise. Since no soundproofing spell had been cast, my words had reached everyone. A silence stretched on as if time itself had stopped. Georg Ascanien's gaze, chilling enough to raise goosebumps just by looking at it, remained fixed on my eyes.
"Yes. It took you long enough."
A low mutter came as his response.
It wasn't a question seeking an answer, yet here was a reply. Unexpected. I hadn't anticipated one from him. Expectations require value, and he was someone unworthy of them.
He gestured toward the medal case Usher was holding. My gaze followed.
The Prime Minister, a distant relative of Ascanien, watched us with a proud expression. Of course he did—after all, I was soon to embody the national interest.
Ascanien's numerous other collateral branches wore different looks. Many collaterals harbored no particular thoughts toward the direct line, but some hoped to advance by cozying up to them. And among those, a few awaited the day we direct-line heirs would fall, hoping we'd become no threat to their survival. Usually a pipe dream, but unfortunately, I had become a perfect tool to satisfy their sense of superiority.
"……."
Among the collateral Ascaniens passing through my view, some faces showed shock and contempt, as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing. People tend to delude themselves that eliminating others' shares means more for themselves. If paltry triumph and unacknowledged bravado could multiply one's descendants, it would be a miracle. Mistaking blame toward me and perfunctory concern for the family as proof of another Ascanien's nobility to puff up their pride—such incurables are truly pitiable. Right up until entering the coffin, his happiness would remain hostage to others' free will.
My concerns lay elsewhere.
The one who hadn't yet handed over control to me. The one who could still influence me. This man before me was, for now, the most important.
With an expressionless, restrained motion, Georg Ascanien walked over and handed me the ribbon adorned with the Grand Cross. A golden medal gleamed from below his left hip.
Luca heard words he'd scarcely encountered in his life.
"See you later."
* * *
"You weren't summoned?"
Georg Ascanien pointed with his wand to the seat before him without looking at me. My last memory of entering his office was ages ago. I remained standing instead of sitting.
Georg Ascanien spoke without lifting his gaze from the book he still held.
"That last dinner was our final meal together."
"Yes."
"You've changed a great deal. Why?"
There was no real difference between then and now. He'd sensed my changes since our meal earlier this year, yet he was asking only now.
"Is there a reason? I simply changed my mind."
Georg Ascanien idly flicked his fingers, as if urging me to continue.
"I didn't want to trouble Father or Brother. I wanted to bring glory to the Ascanien name. Does that suffice as an answer?"
Georg Ascanien's eyes flicked toward me. In an indifferent tone, he said,
"You'll need to restart your etiquette training."
"Sir Johan remarked that I resemble Father greatly—not just in appearance. Now I understand why."
"……."
Thud—
Georg Ascanien closed the book and turned his chair to face me.
I met his gaze with hands clasped behind my back. He didn't seem particularly offended. He simply showed 'no emotion.' The same phenomenon occurred even before Adrian Ascanien.
And that was a good sign from him.
In fact, he despised hesitant behavior mimicking the real Luca more. He didn't want to believe weakness had emerged from his own blood. What did he expect after raising him that way, despite it not starting so?
Georg Ascanien spat curtly, his face saying it was a bother to speak again.
"Sit."
"Very well."
"To your judgment, how far have your resolutions been realized?"
As expected.
Such abrupt questions were nothing unusual from him.
He was referring to my declaration of elevating the Ascanien name. With 'Lucas Ascanien' producing the best outcomes in history right now, asking my thoughts meant his desired answer was obvious. Naturally, I shared his view. Besides, I had words for him, and to draw the outcome I wanted, I needed to raise this topic myself.
"Not yet."
"……."
"You know the reason, Father. My temperament is secondary—everyone in the Empire already knows it's hardly ordinary. The greatest threat that could disgrace Ascanien right now exists. That's why you've summoned me."
The greatest threat that could disgrace Ascanien.
It was Prussia pinning the accusations on me.
Observing me, Georg Ascanien replied dryly.
"Comport yourself well."
"Of course, that's what I want too."
Leaning back comfortably in the chair, I gazed at the window behind Georg Ascanien.
"Unlike Prussian subjects, Anhalt subjects' resentment was quite noticeable. Though it's more astonishment than resentment, of course."
"As long as facts remain facts, no one can defy the crowd's tide."
His nobleman's experience put me at ease. There were politicians who couldn't grasp even basics, hesitating or asking for repeats—but he instantly understood and countered a step ahead. Even if he was clearly refusing my point.
With Anhalt not supporting me, how could he tell me to triumph in political strife? To escape Prussia's frame-up via their evasion of blame, I needed a support base. That meant Anhalt's government and Ascanien aid in the opinion war were crucial against Prussia's ploy. Yet now, he refused to shoulder Ascanien's responsibility.
"Quite right. But if I may venture a differing view—no. The crowd's reaction to facts depends on how those facts are presented."
"……."
"My core remains the same as ever: a wicked temperament seeking others' mana. Though dormant now, with danger ever lurking, why aren't subjects rising to demand my dismissal? You know why they could hate and tear at an 8-year-old child—who posed no political retaliation and no Empire-wide threat—with more ferocity than the 18-year-old Prussian mage today."
Georg Ascanien's brow twitched.
Of course it did. It meant Anhalt had given grounds to trample me. He understood perfectly. That was my intent.
But Georg Ascanien wouldn't want to be devoured by his own child, so if he knew I harbored enmity toward Ascanien, he might side with Adrian Ascanien. Though he wished Luca's personality resembled his own—and showing something similar was no issue—I had no need to antagonize him.
Instead of prolonging family blame, I needed to pivot naturally, merging it with my original intent.
"The difference between then and now is my political influence. With everything else unchanged, just my growth and entry into politics shifted public reaction—so I well know why you're speaking to me now, Father."
"……."
"I'll secure Prussia's support first, as you wish."
Georg Ascanien stared without reaction. Only after a long pause came his stiff reply.
"Speak."
He's easy to talk to. He grasps what I mean so well.
He understood I had demands. From the moment I mentioned Anhalt amid instructions to navigate Prussia's frame-up carefully in imperial politics, he'd foreseen my intent.
Anhalt's support couldn't be built overnight—it required steady accumulation over time—but now that I was here, laying the foundation was essential.
Clasping my hands in a steeple, I said,
"Grant the Eschet Executive Committee authority over tonight's press conference."
* * *
Eschet Executive Committee.
'Wordplay.'
It meant handing it to me. The Eschet Executive Committee was effectively split between Imperial Academy 2 and the Imperial Household. Eschet's Captain Leo could input opinions there, and I could convey my will through him.
Ignoring Elias's tantrum about drinking celebratory wine, I'd waited until evening. Now I was in the carriage. The sky visible outside the window was pitch black.
The conference was indoors—why the carriage?
'They moved it outdoors.'
We were heading to the Anhalt Triumphal Arch. Built by Georg Ascanien, it stood before a square he'd also created. The press conference would happen there, not in the house's reception room.
A small nation of about a million residents, quieter and duller than great powers, so major events drew over half the population. How could I miss this chance?
And...
Anhalt
2/28 Favorability +1301/?
'Hm.'
A favorability window counting only Anhalt citizens had appeared.
Thoughtful.
This system seemed to watch me every moment.
Now, if only it gave points too.
Knock knock—
The carriage halted right on cue, and the chamberlain knocked. He swiftly opened the door.
His tense face and the masses beyond came into view. The square and streets were packed breathless with people—from midway to the far end, all Anhalt citizens.
Camera flashes already erupted. The era's cameras produced slow shutter sounds and bursts of light. Some palace guards from earlier flanked me. Before stepping away finally, the chamberlain quietly asked,
"Young master. Are you truly alright with this?"
"Yes."
He must have thought a small press conference with just 20 reporters at home suited my temperament.
'Comfortable, sure.'
Held at Ascanien Castle, no onlookers, chance to correct slips. How safe.
But safety meant missing opportunity. Here, I'd lay the foundation unyieldingly.
As I arrived, those seated in the square's front row stood. Familiar faces appeared.
Ah, here's why I delegated authority to Imperial Academy 2.
Adelbert and the 1st-year cadets watched me tensely. Not just 1st-years—the other two 2nd-year teams were here too. Some classmates I hadn't seen in ages waved discreetly.
I nearly smiled at them, schooled my expression, and approached Adelbert at the front.
"Senior...!"
Adelbert grabbed and shook my hand as he spoke. His eyes sparkled with a strangely familiar gleam.
"Glad you're back safe. We Hohenzollerns have awaited your arrival in Prussia."
Can you say that so freely?
Excluding you, other Hohenzollerns plot to brand me a Pleroma at every chance. It lets the Empire gloss over its faults and unites the continent against a common foe: Pleroma.
Of course, Adelbert wasn't reckless—those must be Hohenzollern's official stance now.
"Thank you. Let's talk more after this."
"Yes, gladly."
Releasing Adelbert's hand, I checked the favorability window.
Anhalt
2/28 Favorability +2781/?
'...Two thou... what? Blatant.'
The number kept surging. Sure, quantifying hearts felt overt, but it amused me.
This wasn't over a thousand new supporters from his endorsement—it meant this many felt surprised by me. Our talk wasn't audible anyway. Just the sight.
To Anhalt citizens, Ascanien's second son wasn't someone conversing normally with imperial kin. So the handshake and greeting alone sufficed as shock. Exactly the effect I aimed for. Success.
I briefly shook hands with the other Prussian nobles—politicians—Adelbert led, then moved beside them. Bavaria and Baden's security and magic undersecretaries appeared. Papal envoys, still lingering after Pentaron aid to the Empire, were here too.
The common thread? All tied to Eschet, as known. Using connections this much—overkill? Survival demanded it. Not breaking rules or harming others; folly not to use what's available.
"Excellency Ascanien."
An incoming greeting from another politician drew my smile as I approached him.
* * *
[Your Excellency Maria Bergheim, Undersecretary of Magic for the Grand Duchy of Baden. I'm touched you came on such short notice.]
Luca's voice carried from the left end, greeting Baden officials. At the right end, Elias stretched his legs, leaned back, and watched his friend.
Now, all of Eschet had been dragged from the castle to before the Anhalt Triumphal Arch. His annoying cousin sat right beside him, but it didn't grate. He knew Luca's intent—no reason to mind.
What intrigued him more. Elias cast a soundproof spell and spoke to Leo on his left.
"Luca just had a proper talk with Duke Georg Ascanien... first in like 10 years, right?"
"Probably."
The home press conference venue change, inviting masses from abroad—all Luca's doing.
Anhalt, long Prussia's vassal, avoided political spotlight. Risking Prussia's ire meant losing their alliance. So Georg Ascanien yielding to this was unlikely.
Thus, anyone could see it clearly.
Not Georg Ascanien suddenly magnanimous—Luca had negotiated success.
'...Feels fresh.'
Especially since he shared Luca's position.
[For one who strove for imperial subjects inviting me, this is nothing. Honored to meet first.]
Baden's magic undersecretary snapped fingers mimicking warp in reply. Luca's ambiguous expression cracked into a grin as he responded.
'He definitely thought it cringeworthy just now.'
He must've pondered if the reply stemmed from crowd psychology or the Cherlingen family's politics.
Luca lightly greeted the papal envoys and ascended the podium. Anhalt's Prime Minister stood left, magic minister right. They would assist responses.
Beside him, Leo crossed arms, clenching and unclenching his fist. Elias knew why he seemed so tense.
Anhalt citizens showed sharper wariness and shock than outsiders because they knew the old Lucas Ascanien well. They'd seen the ruling family's child bow headlow, unable to speak properly before people. Their direct 'pity' bred distrust of imperial papers. Despite Luca's efforts—magic potion contests, launch ceremonies—for image rehab, Anhalt's shared victimhood and image of Lucas Ascanien remained entrenched, unyielding.
What method remained?
Show them directly, before their eyes.
Now Luca would speak publicly to his citizens for the first time. With aides' aid, seated Luca cast amplification, tapped the table to test sound. He soon raised his head.
The surroundings hushed abruptly. In the unguided heavy silence, a relaxed voice emerged.
[I'm honored to formally greet Anhalt subjects this way. Good evening, everyone.]