Chapter 282
Chapter 282
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 282
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family (282)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Even after the light of divine power faded, the bookshelves still sparkled in places. Andrea Friedman's eyes shook wildly as she stood there with her mouth agape. I waited until the divine power had completely dissipated before rising from my seat.
"Quite a lot, huh."
"...Wait, what...!"
Boom—!
"Aaack!"
I swung my staff, and Friedman, who had kicked off her chair and lunged at me, collapsed to the floor. She clutched her bleeding nose and snapped her head up. She wasn't familiar with divine power spells, but she grasped the situation quickly. She had to protect this place's secrets, even if it meant throwing herself at me.
I pinned her head to the floor with mana and pulled out the nearest glowing document. There was a photo stamped from a letter, labeled 2/28. A confidential document from a week ago.
"Too bad your obsession hasn't let up for even a moment since you built this archive. And not content with that..."
If it contained secrets worth burning, she'd use ink that fades over time like with Genda Asman or attach artifacts with time limits. Despite begging to burn it, she'd taken photos and labeled them by date? A truly delightful method. I squinted and smiled, flipping to the next page of the letter.
"You're the type who never listens, aren't you?"
"You...!"
"Upset?"
I grabbed glowing documents at random. Then I approached where she lay, forced her head up, and read the letter aloud. The feel of her hair in my hand was unpleasant.
"...! Aaack!"
"You've already been taking kickbacks. Even if relations between nations aren't great, with the Emperor's personal physician being a Bavarian doctor, it was odd that the Imperial Central Hospital doesn't use Bavarian drugs. Guess you want to buy from the companies lining your pockets? Even if they're counterfeits. Where'd you spend the money?"
"...On... hospital operations..."
"So what did you record in the books for the extra cash coming through you? If that's true, we could audit right now."
"......"
I just smiled and dropped stamped confidential documents onto her. Flipping to another letter, I saw a name from the list Jurgen Beck had written.
"A letter from a familiar name. Wasn't she an Adrian Ascanien supporter too?"
It was verbose, but boiled down, it was about whether they could get more of the drug from last time. I read it aloud.
"I don't like the class system. But setting aside my preferences, when it comes to the practical differences it creates, that's a different story."
"Why bring that up now..."
"Seeing you use the Friedman name despite being New Humanity suggests your paternal line was Jewish commoners. Your maternal line had a noble-common marriage, so your paternal ancestors were probably of decent rank, but the number of servants and this mansion are still surprising. Answer me. Have you lived here for generations?"
Friedman's face was filled with fear, her lips tightly shut. She seemed unwilling to answer, but divine power made her shake her head unconsciously. I pulled out more glowing letters and documents.
"No, right? With multiple servants and a Berlin mansion, you look like a bourgeois with roots from the start, but the question is why someone like you is so hung up on Adrian Ascanien. Sure, with his ascension, there's big money moving on this continent, so supporting him makes sense, but you're excessively desperate. Someone of your stature could rise smoothly in Anhalt or even Prussia, but you judged you couldn't. That means something in your resources is unusually lacking. What could that be?"
What else could it be.
I memorized every letter on the page and smiled.
"It means you have no connections. You're a parvenu."
"......"
"The old nobles and politicians are too solidly established to join hands with you. To them, you're just a doctor they can summon anytime. No reason to see you as an equal. Same with Adrian Ascanien, but he has his reasons, so whatever."
"How... "
"Which is why you wanted to pull in Adrian Ascanien's followers in similar positions to your side, I suppose. Familiar names pop up in every letter."
"......"
Lucky me. Finally, someone with usable intel. If she hadn't tried to kill me, I might never have known. She's digging her own grave.
What I need isn't money, but people and imperial public opinion. She can't fulfill that without a political base.
Just then, a familiar sound rang out.
Ding—!
Retry Lv. 6
― Checkpoint
* 1. ‘Theatinerkirche Cathedral Eucharist’
* 2. ‘Andrea Friedman Mansion’
One wrong move, and I'd lose the chance to return to the cathedral. Time to wrap this up.
I touched my ear. No artifact. She must have taken it out and tossed it. I sighed and tapped the mana linked to Leo's core to send a signal. Then I grabbed Friedman's collar and hauled her up.
"Guh...! Wait, wait...!"
"Alright, now talk."
From the moment I ransacked the archive, despair had filled her eyes, now even deeper. Not that it mattered to me.
"What exactly are the defense spells on this archive?"
* * *
"The blood of Christ."
"......"
My eyes snapped open.
The familiar moment unfolded again. Theatinerkirche Cathedral. I'd extracted all info from Friedman before Checkpoint 1 could push me out, rewinding time with Retry.
Now, I was rising to line up for the consecrated blood, with Leo and Narke ahead in line.
Back.
A day I didn't want to return to, but here I was. Memories of what happened here prickled my skin. At the same time, I laughed. From here, I'd erase the last three days' sleep deprivation by any means, leaving no trace for my brother.
"...!"
Then, Leo whipped his head around from the front row. His once-calm face froze, then filled with shock. As I smiled to greet him, my head slammed into the chair.
Crash—thud—!
"Ow."
I clutched my bumped head and winced. Not intentional, but Leo grabbed my collar.
"How...! Wait, you..."
Has this guy finally lost it? I sensed the frozen atmosphere and hurriedly cast a sound barrier. I pushed to free myself from his grip.
"...Yeah, good to see you again. We'll chat later."
"That's not... that's not the point."
Now chills for a different reason. The people around us stood stunned by Leo's outburst. Even Elias.
"Your Highness...!"
"Leo?! Hey! What the...!"
"Come out."
I started to kick him away as usual but glanced at the king and carefully helped him up instead.
"Lucas. Wait, I need to tell you..."
"What's the matter?"
The king said in a terrifying voice. Leo pressed his temple blankly, staring at me. He hadn't pieced it together yet. Fair reaction. The current Leo would be confused that I'd died and revived here, even drunk human blood. The awkward atmosphere lingered. Finally, Leo spoke.
"I'm sorry."
His tone held no sincerity. The king's eyes grew icy. He changed his tone to Leo.
"I've failed in your education. Follow me after it ends."
"...Yes, Your Highness."
"......"
A gag order would soon fall on this incident. Even if it leaked, it wouldn't be a huge issue, but for royal dignity.
The line shortened, and soon it was my turn. My heart, calm until moments ago, began to quicken. By the time I stood before the deacon, it felt like someone was pounding my eardrums.
"The blood of Christ."
"......"
The same voice, same words as before.
I snapped to attention and carefully took the chalice the deacon offered. I felt Leo's gaze clinging persistently, pinned down by Elias. I'd do the same in his shoes. This would test our hypothesis.
The second approaching the chalice felt eternal. When the wine touched my lips, no sound registered. The taste spread on my tongue—ordinary wine diluted with water, like before. I felt the liquid slide down my throat vividly.
"......"
The deacon gave an awkward smile as I didn't pass it back. I stared blankly, thinking.
‘...Nothing.’
Nothing happened.
Success. Our prediction was spot on.
Then let's take it a step further. The consecrated blood reacted to my soul back then. Soul stuff sounded unreal to a 21st-century guy like me, but with precedent of altered contents, I could accept it. I had to.
Now, why did it react to my soul? That's the issue.
On the way back, I saw Elias pinning Leo's legs. I signaled Leo and sat.
After that, I don't know how I sat there. I just stared ahead.
"...Eternal Father, for all sinners in purgatory, all sinners in the Church throughout the world, and all sinners in my home and family, we offer You the most precious blood of Your Son Jesus together with all the Masses celebrated today throughout the world. Amen..."
The priest's voice signaled the Mass's end.
Unlike the previous timeline, it went smoothly. Now, to Berlin.
* * *
"Lucas. Let's go take photos. I've been waiting for the day to come to Berlin."
Berlin.
In this timeline, Heike was tagging along with me. Friends' reactions shifted slightly each rewind—amusing.
I opened the warp mailbox and asked.
"Photo studio?"
"Yeah. Then we'll wander the park taking bird pics. Wanna join?"
"You really like taking photos, huh."
I smiled and replied, unfolding the letter.
Four hours since I sent mine. This time, brother's letter arrived four hours later. Content different.
[You're back in Berlin. Glad you're enjoying time with friends. Sincere congrats on the Anhalt Grand Cross. Truly monumental. Wish I could host a celebration in person, but can't—such a shame.
....
I often praise you to the imperial government, Lucas. Hope Eschet life gets easier. As I said when first selected, if anything's tough as imperial mage, tell me, no matter how small. As your brother and senior, I'll advise and help. Want you, who's endured so much, to live more comfortably.]
Calm. Much more peaceful than before up to here. But the next part was similar.
[Also, asked the Imperial Central Hospital vice director for precise core check and supplementary treatment. She always wanted to examine you, and her skills are top-notch. She'll come to school soon to pick you up.]
In the last timeline, he didn't request it; instead, she got the physician role from Adrian Ascanien. She said she contacted 'the day before yesterday,' which is future from now.
This time, brother prepared first. As expected, he wants to know my core status.
"......"
This solidifies it. Adrian Ascanien predicted the Mass would cause me issues.
‘How.’
Bavaria mobilized divine mages, scoured everyone at the cathedral like rats, no culprit. How in a game without one? Ash Wednesday the variable? Absurd.
I shook my head, staring through the letter.
[Wanna come to Italy this weekend if free? Miss the family.]
Wants to check personally.
Another confirmation. Last timeline, he was nearly certain something happened to me. My collapse mid-Mass tipped him off to changes.
But not this time. Doubting his prediction failed, he wants to see with his own eyes.
I pocketed the letter and headed to Leo's room. I'd asked him to draw a little blood earlier. He was rolling up his sleeve, applying a bandage.
"...A sight that makes me sorry right away..."
"You know remorse too?"
Leo shrugged with a grin. What does he think of me? I ignored it.
I took the blood vial, transmuting it to elixir form. Couldn't change taste, but this way I might swallow without vomiting. I shook the blue liquid, closed my eyes, and downed it.
Nausea surged, but I swallowed. Leo, arms crossed watching, tilted his head.
"Tasty?"
"......"
I nearly spat out the lingering blood.
"Why say absurd things? Would it taste good to you?"
"Not that. I mixed in lots of healing mana—worried it might alter the taste."
"...Ah, yeah. Better than straight blood."
Overly sensitive about blood. Maybe because I'm doing something unforgivable religiously, socially, humanly. Calming myself, Leo said something to ruin it. That was the point of asking about taste.
"You puked it all up last time."
"......"
"What happened?"
"You know roughly."
"Need to hear it from you. Until then, I don't know what you went through."
I shrugged. Felt his gaze sharpen. Nothing to say. No desire to confirm-kill with words; better unknowing past for friends' mental health.
"Thanks for the meal."
Not sure if that's right for eating part of a person. I set the vial down and left.
This time too, I saved the comm artifact and reached the main gate. Andrea Friedman messaged if we could meet in 30 minutes. Her impatience same. In this timeline, she wants evidence to off me ASAP.
"Hello, Excellency."
We met.
The somewhat irritable-looking New Humanity woman offered a mild smile and her hand.
"I'm Andrea Friedman from Imperial Central Hospital. Here for your core precise exam as requested. These two are our core specialists."
"Heard about it. Nice to meet you."
I smiled, shook hands, and warped to the hospital holding hers.
"Quite crowded."
"Core exam areas always are. Many wanting exams, many rooms. This way first, please."
Same response as before. She led me to the left room. Exam device like Bavaria's. I eyed one doctor who'd come with her.
"That one uses divine power?"
"Sharp eye. Yes. Mind emitting mana briefly?"
Same instructions. Red mana spread on silver tray; doctor checked artifact numbers, nodded.
"No issues. Now we'll infuse mana into you. Gauge damage by core reaction—might sting, bear with it."
Another doctor took my arm, ungloved, infused mana below wrist. She smiled wonderingly, released.
"No problems again. Core in excellent shape—surprising."
"Is it?"
I feigned slight unease, touching my chest, asked. Then Andrea Friedman began scrutinizing me intently.
Waist-zap timing soon; she'd prepared. Can't let it happen again—time to change course.
"I've a slight discomfort. Mind if I ask about it?"
Doctors glanced at Friedman. Opportunity flashed on her face. She put on a serious expression.
"Of course. Tell us. Fixing that's our job."
"Probably psychosomatic, but feels like slight play still. Aftereffect of last year's core malfunction? Balance off during training sometimes. Cure?"
"Does it fade naturally?"
"Elxir supplements mana, improves temporarily."
"Any Imperial Central tools or methods to check?"
To a doctor knowing elixir mechanics, dismissible. Yet Friedman's eyes sharpened briefly. 'Supplement mana' hit different for her. Makes sense—she wants to know if I absorb mana.
"......."
Friedman and doctors exchanged looks.
Obvious thoughts. Friedman stroked her chin, spoke.
"Not safety-tested yet, but we have a device. Can't guarantee it fixes core discomfort; lack clinical data on varied patients, but..."
Hook set.
As she spoke, divine-power doctor's subtle divine flow shifted. Preparing to use it on me now. After device, if issue, erase memory, make me seem berserk.
I smiled, nodded.
"I see? What's the worst? Try it."
Friedman smiled, gestured; doctor warped, fetched the machine from before.
"Will sting."
Same machine wrapped my forearm. Two needles from wrist pierced skin. Doctors exchanged tense glances, mana waves stiffening. One pressed second button from top.
Jolt—
Core shook hard; struggled to steady. Andrea Friedman's gaze sharpened over me, wrist, chest. Mana drained, dizziness hit. Fleeting; then core surged mana wildly through body. Healing magic spread as I endured sober—stomach churned slightly.
Kept calm face, gazing at wrist; doctors exchanged confused looks again. Now confusion on their faces. Normally, all ten out of ten drain mana and collapse. All humans same there. They want to know if core sucks others' mana in crisis.
I exhaled, leisurely observed expressions, asked.
"This normal? Expect different reaction?"
"Pardon? No, not that..."
"What is this exactly?"
"...Core impurity cleanser."
"I see. Still, discomfort lingers."
"Exactly what feeling?"
"Feels like mana sucked into machine. Dizzy—barely standing."
"...Any sense of something returning to core? Machine shoots mana into core."
Clever lie.
Mana flows in from machine—true. But doesn't normally return to core. Framing as if it should.
"Really? Check pulse; no such feel, whatever's happening."
Doctor placed hand on arm. More confused, eyed colleague, pocketed hand. Surely syringe with anesthetic or sedative. Friedman showed no conflicted signal, so doctor withdrew. Before another shock, I said.
"Need more checks? I'll come tomorrow. Free?"
"Of course. Anytime for you, Excellency."
Friedman said soullessly.
Smooth again. Got prescription, exited to lobby. Friedman followed; staff kept rising to greet us. Surprisingly, she grabbed me.
"I'll escort you."
I smiled, stared. Doing my job for me—thanks.
"...Sure. But back gate this time—not these coords, Spree River ones, please."
Friedman unquestioningly took hand, warped. Tree-lined street, empty. Buildings hidden by forest-like trees.
"Excellency, if time now, visit my home?"
As expected, aligned goals.
"Hm, why?"
"More on core health to discuss."
"......"
"If with friends..."
"Yes. Tricky. Weekend instead?"
"Weekend. Fine."
Friedman blinked, licked lips. Smiled apologetically.
"Got ahead of myself. Wanted to fix your core discomfort ASAP."
"Haha, thanks, but no need. Appreciate today. Tomorrow 3 PM hospital?"
Smiled with insincere words.
"Yes."
"Good. See you."
I turned, walked bit, ran back to doctor.
"Doctor!"
"Yes?"
Friedman paused warp hand, asked.
"Long-time acquaintance of brother?"
"Not well-known, but indebted since his childhood."
"Changed mind. Want to visit now."
"Pardon?"
"Want gift for brother, no one to ask."
"Asking me won't..."
"Yeah, no help."
Tone shift; her face stiffened. I yanked her hand.
"...!"
—Enter through the narrow gate.
Caught her as she faltered, whispered in ear.
"You won't remember what I say now. No issue, let it pass. And..."
Placed hand below her wrist, said.
"Heard Imperial Central kickbacks leaked to press. Wasn't just you and pharma? Check home security now..."
"...!"
Unconsciously, she grimaced, tried lifting head. Secured her initiative.
Patted shoulder, smiled.
"Warp home now."
* * *
Dusk. Andrea Friedman paced her mansion hall.
After Lucas Ascanien's exam and escort back, she warped home. No reason to linger hospital. Discard failed hypothesis, devise way to expose his nature fully.
‘No way.’
Can't be that fine.
Adrian Ascanien's letter requesting core exam meant something, yet no anomalies.
Even with prepared tool—last resort due to danger from absorbing user's mana—he took it like a shot, unfazed. Unforeseen.
‘...Didn't even fully drain mana.’
How much mana does he have?
Improve device maybe. But he said "feels like my mana draining," pulse confirmed same, so by his nature, machine mana should absorb into core. Only his drained, machine's not absorbed—hypothesis wrong?
Or not.
‘Might need to grind it all to know.’
Comes tomorrow—execute then. Have divine doctor; no fear. Friedman entered room, soothed self on sofa. Turned on phonograph beside, closed eyes; odd noise outside.
[Excellency, the appointment...!]
[What appointment! Outta way!]
[Aaack!]
'Hm?'
Boom—!
Friedman eyes snapped open. Someone mana-tore door, burst in. Servant down clutching arm, rolling. Spotting Friedman, red-faced New Humanity huffed angrily.
"You...!"
"Doctor?"
Federal Council doctor he'd known, furious, grabbed collar. Friedman gaped dumbfounded.
"You...! What have you done?! Know what you've done?!"
"Pardon? Wait, calm down. No word you'd come, barge in like..."
"Calm?! Calm?!"
Doctor yelled, clutched own throat. Slammed newspaper in hand. Bulging eyes, suppressing rage.
"You're fired. Done. Board unanimous oust, prosecutor's warrant just requested. Need me to spell it? Clueless till I said?"
"...Pardon? Warrant?"
"Ah, your firing's not my biz! What about me?!"
Doctor's renewed freakout irrelevant.
Fired? Board? Prosecutors why? Warrant?
Money fed those two...! Misinfo. No reason fired. No intruder alarm. Letters/docs safe in room; bribe-takers won't talk. Yet Friedman snatched paper frantically. Imperial News front page: unbelievable.
[Imperial Central Vice Director Insider Trading Suspected Docs Found... Paper Company-Relatives Mobilized for 23M Fel Kickbacks Over 5 Years]
[Exclusive] [10K Ghost Patients? Central Hospital Board Unaware of Dean-Vice Dean Embezzlement Over 5 Years]
[Central Hospital Falsified Metrics with Federal Council Help... Illicit State Subsidies, Grants, Insurance 48M Fel]
"Emperor's zero tolerance post-Pentalon, and now...! I trusted you! Told you burn it! Now what!"
Doctor's voice muffled like underwater. Spine chilled. Friedman felt neck cool, reread, reread. Unchanged.
"...What?"