Chapter 272
Chapter 272
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 272
Chapter Title: Surviving as the Second Son of a Magical Noble House
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Silence.
An overwhelming silence washed over the crowd.
*Whoa~ Suffocating.*
Elias chuckled to himself and clapped enthusiastically. He hadn’t even turned around, but he could feel the bewilderment from behind. Of course. For their first greeting upon appearing before hundreds of thousands, to say “Good evening”? Our nation’s etiquette culture is among the stiffest and most rigid on this continent. This isn’t America, and is that the kind of attitude someone with zero political experience would have? He might look even stiffer than Adrian Ascanien from his appearance alone, so everyone probably thought that if Luca wasn’t trembling in fear, he’d treat the subjects like Georg Ascanien would.
That tiny detail of knowing exactly what he lacked and what to poke at to make people feel the reversal—it’s so uncharacteristic of the drama club type. Well, it might not matter, but I think it’s thanks to his keen observation of human nature and acting skills.
Right on cue, applause began to ripple from the politicians seated in the VIP section.
Luca gave a slight smile and waited for the clapping to die down. Soon, he continued.
“The memory of the terror attack is still fresh, as if it happened just moments ago, yet here I am greeting you all on this peaceful evening. It’s a truly meaningful moment. First, I know that the Pleroma terror attack at the Pentaron opening ceremony posed a grave threat to the Empire’s security network and safety, shocking many of our subjects. Disasters inevitably leave long-lasting trauma shared by the state and its people. That is why I have arranged this platform today to honor the right to know of Anhalt and the Empire’s subjects. I hope my statement here can alleviate the burden of that terror, even if just a little.”
*Oh, nice.*
That’s not the speech of a rookie.
I’d noticed it since Nikolaus’s time, but how can he speak so fluently in front of people when he’s never done this before?
As Elias leaned forward grinning, Leo kicked his shoe from the seat next to him.
“Before the press conference, as one of the victims of the terror attack, I extend my deepest condolences to the other 52 victims. I wish you all a swift recovery.”
Of the 53 moderate-to-severe casualties, more than half—36—had been discharged before Luca regained consciousness. Excluding Luca, the remaining 16 were severe cases who had suffered damage because the double-space magic in their hearts hadn’t been fully dispelled. Even they had most of the curse magic spreading through their bodies removed during the two days Luca was unconscious and were preparing for discharge.
Luca had briefly regained consciousness only to collapse again, spending two days on a ventilator in the worst condition of them all. Fortunately, Bayern and Baden had defended against the negative public opinion well, so everyone in the nation knew that Luca had the highest chance of death among them—and that no one would commit terror just for a bit of honor.
As soon as Luca finished speaking, the Prime Minister gestured to the reporters and opened his mouth.
“We will now take questions.”
Luca pointed to the first reporter who raised their hand, granting them the floor. The reporter alternated between their notebook and his face as they asked.
“I’m Lea Frost from the Anhalt Daily politics desk. At the time, Your Excellency shouted, ‘The Osnabrück Diocese is looking for you,’ before disappearing. The Catholic Osnabrück Diocese of our world denied any connection to the terror, and according to authorities, it was highly likely the Pleroma Osnabrück Diocese. What reason did the Pleroma Osnabrück Diocese have for seeking you?”
Elias stroked his chin and glanced at the New Humanity reporter in the press section.
The most critical question right from the start. And a tricky one for Luca. Unless he immediately revealed himself as Nikolaus, he had to keep the connection to Pleroma Osnabrück hidden until then. No, even after revealing he was Nikolaus, he’d need to be cautious about the Osnabrück link. Because the Catacombs were involved. The Empire’s government could only move for the Catacombs after being pushed to the brink. Revealing anything about them beforehand would be a bad move.
The reporters here weren’t particularly hostile to Luca. They were carefully selected by the Ascanien and Anhalt governments, so aggressive statements were off-limits.
*If they piss them off too much, they won’t get access to the press room next time.*
So, overly provocative questions ignoring reporting standards or ones laced with malicious personal grudges wouldn’t fly. This question was tricky for Luca, but it was something the public desperately wanted to know, and the intent was legitimate.
Now, Luca’s response was key.
Luca nodded calmly, listening intently to the reporter’s question, and answered the moment they finished.
“I understand that since I was the one who cast the spell, there’s ample reason to assume the ‘you’ in that spell referred to me. But that’s not the case. There are numerous clues and ciphers obtained from the provisional counterterrorism committee organized for the Pentaron attack. According to information they received from 2:30 to 3:00 a.m. that day, the spell was disseminated to over 100 people, and I was merely one of many targets who received what we suspect was the cipher in spell form.”
Luca spoke at a measured pace, looking alternately at the reporter and the crowd.
“I can say here that I judged the content of that spell to be a Pleroma ploy intended to delay the investigation. The Pleroma diocese I was taken to was not the Osnabrück Diocese.”
At those words, the Anhalt subjects’ seating area behind them stirred. What started as whispers grew into a buzzing noise as the shock of hundreds of thousands merged.
Nice skill at redirecting public interest all at once. Instead of giving a false answer to the reporter’s question, Luca was saying the question’s target was wrong from the outset.
“It wasn’t Osnabrück? Could you explain in more detail?”
The reporter asked, looking flustered. This hadn’t been announced before. Our side hadn’t released information Luca could use as a weapon. When we reported the situation, we said “successful entry into Pleroma” rather than “successful entry into Pleroma Freiburg Diocese.” The public wasn’t widely aware of Pleroma’s dioceses anyway and had vaguely lumped it all as Pleroma up to now.
The Empire government had received real-time updates that we’d entered somewhere other than Osnabrück, but they hadn’t announced it themselves to frame Luca as the culprit.
If Luca had moved to a different diocese, the “Luca culprit scenario” became overly complicated. If he’d staged it himself, why drag in the unrelated Osnabrück? If he was really Pleroma and Pleroma had planted a spy in the Empire government safely, making Luca a hero, wouldn’t it be more natural and logical to dramatically shout “Osnabrück” and destroy “Osnabrück”? Shouting Osnabrück only to be captured in Freiburg, failing to destroy it, and returning unconscious—what was that about? Twisting it once more to avoid getting caught as the terrorist?
Announcing Luca’s movement to another diocese meant the Empire government had far more to prove. They needed ironclad evidence of the twist. That’s why they kept quiet about the Freiburg transfer.
*Do well~*
Now that we’ve spilled it.
Actually, the Empire told us not to reveal the Freiburg transfer. But we haven’t violated that threat. Why?
Luca answered the reporter’s question with a serious expression.
“Yes. The place I was taken to and held wasn’t located in Osnabrück, and not a single Pleroma member affiliated with the Osnabrück Diocese was there. This is a fact that Eschet, the Bayern-Baden forces, and the Papal Court can testify to. His Eminence Baldovino Catania, representing the Papal Court, is here today. Your Eminence, would you testify here and now?”
“Yes. The location where our support forces rescued Excellency Lucas Ascanien had no connection whatsoever to Osnabrück, nor was it an adjacent diocese.”
The elderly cardinal stood, casting an amplification spell as he spoke.
Securing the subjects’ trust in the response—this was likely one reason Luca brought politicians and mages from across the nation.
A reporter from Prussia raised their hand and got the floor to ask.
“I’m Melanie Smul from the Imperial Newspaper politics desk. So, Excellency, where exactly were you taken?”
“I’d like to provide details, but since it involved cooperation with intelligence agencies from multiple nations, it’s currently classified by the Empire and other authorities, prohibiting disclosure. Our media reports are accessible to Pleroma as well. For the sake of preventing secondary damage from Pleroma, I ask for your cooperation, subjects. I sincerely hope for the day when we eradicate Pleroma from the Empire and reveal everything.”
Why we didn’t violate the Empire’s threat?
We just didn’t specify Freiburg, did we?
“Hahaha.”
Elias let out a small laugh, then shut his mouth under Leo’s glare. Anyway, if you try to use loopholes, you get blocked by them! Serves them right. Uncle’s probably watching this too.
For the Empire government, it was hard to tell Luca, “Say you were captured in Osnabrück”—or more politely, “Even if asked, don’t reveal you moved to another diocese.” There wasn’t sufficient justification, and it’d look like declaring they’d use him as the fall guy.
That’s why they used the security pretext of “mentioning Freiburg specifically could make them a target” as a shield to order, “Don’t tell anyone about the Freiburg transfer.” Even that reasoning was flimsy, making it an absurd request on our end.
So now, they should drop their attempts to sacrifice Luca.
*That’s why we can’t drink Goje because of the government.*
We had to get out of here at dawn, but we needed to try that salted beer even for an hour before leaving, yet Luca kept rejecting our fun requests while preparing this.
As the previous reporter thanked him and sat, the Prime Minister gave the floor to another.
“I’m Alexander Schultz from the Prussian Imperial Newspaper politics desk. I understand you returned here with assistance from the 101st Squadron of the Imperial Mage Alliance. Was this prearranged?”
“Our Empire government and the Imperial Family spared no effort to prevent the terror attack and various threats on Pentaron, successfully thwarting several attempts. In that process, my comrades in the Eschet Squadron—Imperial Mages—had established safety protocols and contingencies in case any of us got caught in a terror attack. It’s just that our constant preparedness paid off. I am deeply grateful to my fellow 101st Squadron members from the Imperial Second Academy, and to the royal families and governments of Prussia and other nations.”
Good. From first word to last, this props up Prussia’s face. Though I don’t want to praise the Imperial Family for even a second, these courtesies are essential in politics, so Luca’s choice is wise.
And so, the 30 minutes scheduled for the press conference stretched into two hours before it ended.
Luca handled it flawlessly without a chance to worry, so I nearly dozed off toward the end, but my annoying cousin kept staring weirdly, keeping me awake.
Many reporters got their turns, and the conference was nearing its close.
“It’s an honor to meet and speak directly with Anhalt subjects here for the first time. This terror wasn’t something I could resolve alone. I extend my deepest thanks to the many who made it possible for me to stand here today. As I said earlier this year, I will do my utmost to fulfill the duties I couldn’t during the past ten years of treatment.”
Luca continued with a composed expression.
“With this, we conclude today’s press conference. I hope it has been helpful to you, subjects. It’s late. Please head home safely.”
It was 10 p.m. Elias checked the time and looked around. The Imperial Mages sent from Prussia would handle security until the crowd dispersed.
Whether they use Luca as a scapegoat or not, it’s obviously beneficial for them—no need to spell it out.
Luca came down, shaking hands one by one with those mages, then greeted the Anhalt subjects approaching timidly.
By the time we returned to the mansion, it was 11.
* * *
In the carriage on the way back, I glared at my status window.
Anhalt
2/28 Favorability +153,905/?
*Are you insane?*
Earlier, this even triggered the Chapter 7 special reward.
Chapter 7 Special Reward
Points +20
It was odd that it appeared from Chapter 7, skipping Chapter 6’s reward. Anyway, I dismissed the points screen and stared back at the favorability, thinking.
I hear about 500,000 people gathered here. Giving roughly 3 points per person? From Anhalt?
Bringing in numerous Empire politicians trusted by Anhalt citizens to boost my image was a successful strategy. With so many gathered, it was even more so. It advertised me as a “normal” politician who could mingle with them unscathed. As if there was anything I couldn’t mingle with, but Anhalt’s stereotypes are far worse than other regions.
Of course, that alone doesn’t solve everything. Judging by the score, my subsequent answers didn’t come off as unsatisfactory to them either.
They might have compared me to Adrian Ascanien. Whatever, it’s a win for me. Now that I’ve taken my first step in Anhalt, I need to find ways to steadily increase this favorability and secure a position in Empire politics without getting stepped on.
“Where you going? Time for a debut party to celebrate your Anhalt politics launch.”
As we arrived at the mansion and I headed to my room, Elias grabbed my nape and shoved me into his.
*Probably for the Goje.*
What a great excuse, “debut party.”
Fine. Elias had held back for quite a while by his standards.
He’d rounded up all the other Eschet team members too. Now I saw seven glasses on his room table.
Leo asked, incredulous.
“What’s this? Seven of us crammed in here, and suddenly the room feels tiny.”
“Drinking here? Wouldn’t the brewery building be better? There was a restaurant attached.”
I’d heard Naruke was curious about Goje almost as much as Elias. Even he tried to dissuade him, but Elias shook his head firmly.
“No. Listen up. If we go to the brewery, we’ll have to mind our dignity, kids.”
“Since when do you...”
“Speak for yourself, conscience-wise.”
Despite Leo’s and my words, Elias didn’t budge. He persuaded us with enthusiastic gestures.
“We need to be somewhere no one can see us. Otherwise, His Highness the Crown Prince here will sip daintily to keep up appearances.”
“It’s not dignity; don’t you think you drink like a maniac?!”
“Hm. I agree.”
An unexpected voice chimed in. It was Cherlingen, who’d been leaning against the wall watching Leo and Elias bicker.
“We can’t drink properly at a restaurant. The waiters will watch us the whole time. We’re heading out soon anyway—let’s rest properly while we can.”
Cherlingen smiled as he replied. Even reliable Cherlingen was saying we should drink for real, so Leo clutched his nape. Ulrike hadn’t spoken but seemed to have waited for Goje just like Elias, and Naruke nodded in agreement with Cherlingen. Emboldened, Elias pointed out the window.
“That’s why we’ll set up a barrier out back and drink. There’s a garden by the river. Seen it, Luca?!”
“No. But deploying a barrier just to drink?”
“Yeah. Perfect chance for you to learn the layout too, Luca. This’ll be your house soon...!”
Leo clamped his mouth shut.
“You... when did you drink Goje alone.”
“Mmph? Wha’s i’ mean?”
“Already drunk, huh? Got it?”
“Got it.”
Ulrike glanced at me and nodded vigorously. Seven of us, so nothing too risky, but Leo had made it a habit.
*Well, drinking outside doesn’t sound bad?*
Elias doesn’t force heavy drinking once we start, but matching his pace risks overdoing it, and we can’t drag a keg, so we’ll drink moderately anyway.
“Fine. But where are the bottles to take out?”
At my question, Elias snapped his fingers smugly and slammed the set glasses on the table. Beer that hadn’t been there moments ago filled them to the brim.
“See this? Haike taught me an amazing spell.”
“......”
Whether they all thought the same as me, Naruke and Cherlingen’s smiles froze solid. No need to mention Leo.