Chapter 283
Chapter 283
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 283
Chapter Title: Winning Over Trout
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"What a mess."
I dumped the water from my glass and said. Opening the tea leaf jar released a floral scent I didn't particularly like.
A sigh came from behind me, and I smiled as I replied.
"Even people you know well, Professor, were caught up in it."
"Caught up is an understatement..."
"It was pretty significant involvement, though?"
I set the teacup in front of him and took my seat.
Stefan Trout drew in a deep breath, his face darker than usual. He tossed the newspaper down like it was trash and sank back into the chair. I could see the huge headline on the French-language paper.
[Pentalon Terror Followed by Friedman Scandal... What Is the German Empire Doing?]
['Friedman Scandal'—We Now Understand Why the Pentalon Terror Happened]
The French sure know how to mock. Trout, who had been pressing his eyes with his hand, let out a breath and muttered.
"How can one doctor shake the entire empire's politics like this..."
"Yeah."
You reap what you sow. I picked up the English newspaper beside it.
[Friedman Gate: Corruption in Germany's Political and Business Circles Exposed One After Another]
[Friedman Gate Isn't Someone Else's Problem... We Need to Stay Vigilant]
The scandal had grown big enough to make headlines across the ocean. The secret documents from Andrea Friedman's archive didn't stop at the medical world—they spread to politics, ballooning into an unprecedented corruption case.
Under normal circumstances, it would have been buried. People care less about politics than you'd think. But after the Pentalon terror, public discontent was sky-high, and even the emperor couldn't turn a blind eye anymore.
He couldn't just sacrifice one Friedman in this golden opportunity. As a result, while they hadn't touched my brother's "allies"—his handpicked core supporters—his staunch backers and followers were taking hits and falling one by one. Half of the dozens on Jürgen Beck's list were now under prosecutorial investigation.
That's why Trout was sighing like the world was ending. Not for any other reason, but because Adrian Ascanien's support base was weakening.
'I barely slept pulling this off.'
I'd tried sneaking into the extra chapter while my friends slept, but I hadn't even had a moment to spare.
Still, the effort was paying off. Directly attacking Adrian Ascanien with scandals would be reckless, dangerous, and unlikely to work. He was in a position to shrug off typical smears and even gain sympathy, leaving the attacker to bear all the risk.
So what do you do?
If there's no evidence to hit Adrian Ascanien directly, you cut off his limbs. That's my approach. From now on, I'll infiltrate his supporters naturally, become his top backer, and gradually dismantle the group from within. This is the first step.
With foreign press latching onto the story, the emperor couldn't bury it completely. If he planned to abandon the throne, he could ignore the overseas attacks, but as a hereditary monarch, he couldn't just coast for a few years. He had to avoid getting his head chopped by the masses like in the 17th-18th centuries, a mages' coup, rebellion, massacring his subjects, nationalist brainwashing, or ramping up expansionism to quell domestic unrest. Ultimately, he'd fall back on populism, as always. Here, he'd mix diversionary tactics while defaulting to the last route.
And the result? I picked up the Imperial Newspaper.
[Emperor Friedrich: "Emperor's Direct Investigation Team to Be Established—Root Out Empire's Corruption Strictly"]
Now, Adrian Ascanien's scandal-tied supporters and corrupt politicians had no escape.
'Tough timing for them.'
Normally, they could have muddled through, but now they'd never set foot in politics again.
Of course, without oversight, there's no guarantee this investigation team would function post-scandal. Sure enough, the Imperial Newspaper wasn't reporting much—likely due to the emperor's orders. It only covered updates on people he'd pre-approved as "fair," not preemptively detailing where scandals erupted or who did what. That led to the bizarre phenomenon of France and Britain breaking Empire scandals first. Where scandals should have been in the Imperial paper, this filled the space instead:
[British New Guinea Implements Shared Rule with German Empire]
[Empire's Victory! Eastern New Guinea Becomes German Soil]
[German Trading Company Generates 80 Billion Pfennig Annually After Acquiring Spanish East Indies]
[Support for New Guinea Migration and Settlement: A New Future in New Lands]
From a 21st-century Korean perspective, this imperialist expansionism was absurd every time. But that's not what mattered now.
I set the newspaper down, sipped my tea, and asked.
"Are you alright, Professor? I came because I had something to discuss, but first and foremost, I was worried about your well-being."
"...I'm fine. Though the chaos is leaving me disoriented, I can't help that."
I figured as much. Many of those swept up were Adrian Ascanien's followers. From Trout's view, his colleagues faced dismissal at best, prison at worst. We hadn't reached Adrian's inner circle—his personally vetted core—but knocking out half his political followers was cause for celebration.
Suppressing a smile, I glanced at the article Trout had been reading.
[Federal Councilwoman Marlene Staupenberg Arrested for 30-Minute Rampage at Friedman Vice Director's Home]
"...Huh. All sorts involved."
"She had reason to. She's about to be impeached by imperial decree."
"Too bad getting tangled with that doctor. They all did wrong together."
"That's why it's chaos now. The press is using her and his circle as scapegoats..."
Pity those Adrian followers who knew the hospital vice director—they'd been rounded up en masse. Yeah, that's what you're thinking.
"Too bad. But if they did wrong, they should face punishment. Good thing you've lived cleanly, even if you knew them well."
"...Hoo..."
Trout nodded reluctantly.
Notice anything off? Why was he opening up so much to me?
His tone and expression weren't friendly, but he'd become more talkative than our first one-on-one.
Why? Because I'd occasionally drop by, forcing chats like today. I could see it stressed him at first, but he'd grown accustomed and was gradually opening up.
What does that mean?
He's ripe to become my frontman soon.
Let's think rationally one more time.
To eliminate Adrian Ascanien and claim the Anhalt dukedom, what do I do in politics?
First, ally with his enemies or attack his supporters. Externally, I aim for Anhalt and become Adrian's foe.
Second, absorb his supporters as mine. Externally, I don't chase Anhalt and become Adrian's backer.
I've mulled this endlessly.
'The answer's obvious.'
The first is idiotic—like Hamlet killing Claudius right after deciding revenge.
Rumors I'd attack my own brother's backers as his brother? I'd turn all his followers hostile. My political life ends.
The confrontation line is already taken by Nikolaus allied with Bavaria. Throwing Lucas Ascanien in too would be waste and error.
'Can't let that happen.'
To clear his protectors and force a 1-on-1 with him, I must publicly declare myself truly on his side. Disguised as his shield, I infiltrate; that shield crumbles, and externally, he can't attack me.
'Neutralize his defensive card and restrict his moves.'
How could I miss turning his cards to trash? But he must realize I'm not truly his. He's trapped by his "nice guy" image. To keep his reputation, he'll play nice big brother along with my nice little brother act. Turning an enemy's non-blunder into a blunder is always low-cost, high-reward.
Key here: fully integrate into his supporters. Once I control them, Adrian has nowhere to run.
And the first to deploy? This man. Stefan Trout must become my frontman, willing or not. I'll make it so.
He has wide connections, close to my brother—perfect two-way intel. Clean enough unscathed by scandals. Personality aside, loyalty to my brother precludes warmth toward me. To him, I'm blocking Adrian's ascension. Spot on. Externally, I want it—but it's buildup for spying.
Yet he's falling for it.
Stefan Trout
Favorability +1* [Can be攻略ed (Stage 1/5)]
'...Classic tsundere.'
My past pretense of supporting my brother must've helped. I closed the window, rustled the newspaper, and said.
"That's why you need reliable people close by."
Given our talk, it sounded a bit antisocial, so Trout eyed me curiously.
"That's actually what I came to ask you about, Professor."
His expression hardened instantly. I could hear him swallow. Already blackmailed once, he knew "request" meant threat.
"...What kind of request...?"
"What do you think Anhalt's people need most?"
Trout's eyes widened. Expecting another veiled threat. He stubbed out his cheroot in the ashtray and asked seriously.
"Suddenly?"
I waited silently. He squinted, studied my face, then spoke slowly.
"We have ample mana reserves, but lack manpower."
"More."
"...More? Efforts to shift from primary to secondary industry are good, but focusing solely on growth leaves education neglected. Few proper higher institutions, and subpar compared to neighbors—studying's tough."
"A professor's answer. I agree. Next issue?"
"...I hesitate to call it a problem before Your Excellency—or student—but primary workers losing jobs while importing foreigners empire-wide for secondary industry breeds resentment. Also, lacking magical medicine infrastructure, high national mana but low baseline human incomes—national power doesn't match living standards..."
He trailed off, gauging me. Realizing he'd been too frank. A bit longer, and I'd see sweat.
Stroking my chin, I replied.
"You're right."
"...Ahem... So why this...?"
"Baden has great higher education. Like us, agriculture-dominant primary industry, but their education beats Anhalt's."
"...True..."
"We signed an MOU with Baden. Article drops once unrest settles."
Trout's eyes widened.
"Pardon? So now..."
"Baden branch campuses in Anhalt. Warp-capable baseline humans get study support in Baden."
Trout gaped at me.
Anhalt students from Baden branches must work there post-grad awhile, but for us chronically short on schools, it's fine. Our high-educated leave anyway—no industries for them. This boosts Anhalt high-ed rates.
'Externally, yes.'
Really, to lock in my Anhalt support. Politics isn't just brother's game.
Ding—!
Favorability +1
"......"
Like with Philip. I'd watched his face closely, but now didn't care to.
Good news, though. To absorb Adrian's base, I need one loyal pusher. Gain trust via that "one," and the rest's easy.
Time to seal this favorability game.
"Details in the article later. But I came for something else. I'm founding a charitable medical institution in Anhalt under the Ascanien name. Want you to handle staffing."
Nikolaus aside, Lucas Ascanien needs pro-Prussian—neutral at least—lines.
Brother built Imperial Central Hospital ties. Now I claim them. While he questions my core, I'll plant mine in Prussian medicine.
Killing birds: invite to Adrian's supporter circle.
"Prioritizing those available for outpatient twice weekly at Central. Staff pay from my name—Central level, so recruitment easy. But my worry is..."
"...What?"
Trout gaped shocked, then cut in belatedly.
"Brother trusts you greatly. Selecting amid scandal solo's tough. Your connections helped before. Need your eye."
Sure, "help" was coerced, but still.
Trout bit his lip tensely. Clasping hands, I smiled.
"Not confident? With scandals bursting, me demanding vetting—burdensome?"
"...No such thing."
He ignored my rudeness.
Too busy pondering else.
Done.
Stefan Trout, backed by Adrian Ascanien, walked into my trap. Unaware, his naivety handed me the key to topple Adrian.
Then, words no teacher says to student:
"I'll do my best."
* * *
Key acquired already.
Trout's favorability up 2 more, now +4.
'Likes Adrian types, huh.'
Seemed I fed his validation. Thought he'd brought me closer to Adrian.
Wake up. As Trout's favorability rises, Adrian's downfall odds soar.
Creak—
"Fancy."
Entering, Leo was there. Without looking, he rustled his paper.
"Your bro must've gotten thunderstruck asleep."
"You're early. Maybe somewhat."
"'Somewhat' hell—headache city. Half political base prison-bound overnight."
Leo chuckled lightly. I chuckled back, shaking the wine bottle from before leaving.
"Can't let him alone take it. Gotta feed underground blows like this. Drink?"
"Yeah."
I handed him the glass. Leo sipped, asked.
"From Trout's now, right? Like him?"
"Not like—useful. No dirt if shaken, trusted by bro. Reputation known wide."
"Using him to masquerade as bro's backer, huh."
I nodded silently over my sip. Sharp as ever. Leo snickered.
"You play politics like cards... Didn't peg you'd use him so."
"Not much different."
"Yeah. Succeed."
Leo waved dismissively. Different styles—no advice.
Then, he nodded at the paper.
"So, drew blood for this? Blood and scandal link?"
"No link. Blood to tip bro his plan failed."
"Hm."
"They had new core scanner. Snagged me first, but your prep blood? Nullified. So faked disruption from start."
"Got it."
"Tossed machine hint in letter to bro—he'll query Central docs. Core results hit his ears soon. Fun times."
"Hanging all insurance."
"Yep."
Backstab needs intel disruption first. Leo eyed me curiously but stayed mum. Knows I'd counter-question. Gazing out window, chin propped, I asked.
"Oh yeah, what happened that day?"
"Scolded like kid. Couldn't spill your power—made me the nutcase."
Got it despite mess. Laughing at his hollow chuckle, I apologized.
"Sorry."
"Quit apologizing."
"Even when I do..."
"Doesn't suit."
"...Right..."
Yesterday too? Thought I wasn't like that—image warped bad. Maybe no need sorry for His Highness scolding him, but not just that.
"Planned verbal farewell, but you ditched artifact—couldn't."
Muttering out window. Leo paused mid-sip, looked. Shrugged.
"Fine. Decoded your final Morse. Got the goodbye."
Silence after. Much unsaid, but no urge now. Leo gazed out relaxed.
"Wish every day like today."
Calm flow wish.
Not why I called him, but craving peace, I went casual.
"Yeah. Oh, no Eschet mission yet?"
Prior timeline, weird one for Ulrike. Leo shook head.
"None yet. Oh, Narke wants you. Papal stuff—team up."
"Papal?"
"Yeah."
"...Hmm... Okay."
What now.
Today Leo time, tomorrow Narke.
Then, Leo touched ear. Alert sound—he frowned slightly.
"Ah. League contact."
'He hates calls too...'
All hate mid-fun, but Leo showing? Unimagined. Hides from class, raw with pals.
"Yes, received."
While he took it, I snatched his paper. Politician page I'd dumped. Done with this. Flipped to quiz. Morning edition, Leo-style—crossword unsolved. No pen, solved mentally.
"Now...? Understood. Going now. Pardon? Vice leader too?"
Leo darkened per phrase. Hung up stiff-faced. I ditched quiz, asked.
"What. Spill."
"Abraham summoned us. Gotta go now."