Chapter 291
Chapter 291
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 291
Chapter Title: The Grand Duke of Österreich-Este
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“That seems to be someone pretty close to him.”
I kept my eyes fixed on his face as I continued. Emanuel grinned and rested his chin on his hand.
“Why do you think that?”
“Well, just a hunch?”
“...”
First off, insight and appraisal are similar in nuance but distinctly different abilities.
With insight, Narce can read others’ thoughts, discern the nature of objects or people, and grasp the truth of events to some extent. It’s mostly on the level of “probably this,” but even so, he can intuitively conjure images we wouldn’t know.
Appraisal, judging by its name and past experiences, is the ability to judge the truth or falsehood of something, its good or evil, or specific qualities. I don’t know if he has all of these or just one. I don’t know much about it myself.
In summary, each boils down to core traits of “intuitive imagery” and “discernment.”
So how did he, with his discernment ability, know I was looking for someone from the Austria-Hungary Empire?
A few days ago, I’d approached him the wrong way but still survived his “appraisal.” From that, I could infer his appraisal includes judging good and evil.
And from the fact that he’d just asked a question his ability couldn’t answer, I could speculate further on its details. His good-evil appraisal doesn’t apply blanket to a target but to each relationship that target has with others. No one can be good to everyone, so it’s logically sound.
He judged I wouldn’t harm the Kingdom of Bavaria—in fact, I’d be beneficial—so he sent me to the match. But at the same time, his appraisal picked up that I might harm someone from the Austria-Hungary Empire. So why specifically someone from there? Why not look on the opposite side of the globe?
That’s why I asked if it was “someone he knows.”
‘It’s probably an ability to simulate interactions between himself-known entities and new targets. And that Austria-Hungary person just happened to ping.’
Of course, if I were a major threat to that Austrian, he wouldn’t have let me anywhere near in the first place, so he’s probably on the fence about it.
It’s all inference, and I’m just forming hypotheses.
Even at my lukewarm response, he kept smiling and staring at me before turning his head away.
“Want to grab a drink?”
“No, I’m good.”
“You’re about to deal with His Highness soon. Oh, looks like he’s been watching us from over there anyway.”
“...”
Emanuel’s hand, pointing toward the Crown Prince’s palace, rose pretty high.
I lacked the confidence to turn my head that way. I tried not to let my eyes wander as I said,
“Let’s go.”
“Ah~ Sounds good.”
In that instant, Emanuel warped us somewhere together.
It was a familiar tavern. Right before taking the train to Anhalt, I’d had drinks here with Elias.
Can royalty even come here? Dressed this shabbily? Elias is Prussian royalty too, of course. And imperial as well. They’d make a perfect pair.
“It’s not playing around—it’s checking on the common folk. Hofbräu is the absolute best.”
“You’re awfully chatty when I didn’t even ask.”
“Haven’t you noticed that before?”
Emanuel found a seat by the window and ordered two beers. Weisswurst too.
‘Leonard likes this stuff.’
I thought as I eyed the steaming white sausages.
I’d learned a lot of new things this time. I wasn’t sure if 17-year-old Leo still loved it, but after being hounded for three straight days, I’d naturally picked up plenty about 5-year-old Leo. Not that it was particularly useful, but it was fresh.
“Cheers~ No toasts, let’s just drink.”
Emanuel shoved his glass toward mine, urging me to hurry. I clinked lightly and took a sip.
Drinking in broad daylight. Though here, beer’s basically water, so culturally fine.
“I watched the match from afar. You did splendidly.”
“Thank you for the high praise. It’s all thanks to you, Your Highness.”
“I do have a knack for flexibility. Seems His Highness liked it too, and keeping a mage like Sir Everett in the kingdom was a smart choice.”
He nodded toward my glass again, as if to say drink up.
“How are the lessons with Crown Prince Highness going?”
“Very well, Your Highness. He’s keeping up with no issues.”
“Good.”
After that, he tossed out trivial topics, just like I did with Leo.
Calmer than Elias, but still freer than most royalty. This man would still be in Bavaria 12 years from now. He was probably there when I received the Hubertus Medal from Leo. Never crossed paths otherwise, so I hadn’t known his personality.
And...
‘He’s a pro.’
Unlike Elias, his skill at seamlessly pouring drinks was next-level. Before I knew it, I had to fight off creeping drowsiness. As I propped my chin, I heard Emanuel ordering from across.
“One more round here, please.”
“Yes, right away.”
“I’m not drinking.”
I clutched my head and closed my eyes. Did the ghost of someone who died from bad liquor possess me...? Just inject the alcohol into my brain.
“How’d you know I ordered for you, Sir Everett? Come on, drink.”
“You’ve been forcing drinks on me this whole time. You have it.”
“I’ve already had seven.”
“Jeez... Don’t you need the bathroom?”
“Hm, just went. This is a fresh order.”
“...”
Too late—I realized as he nodded with a grin.
“Fun taking a break from teaching like this, right? Where to next?”
After that, he dragged me around central Munich.
“Why avoid warping on purpose?”
“...”
“I don’t get why a mage with working legs wouldn’t warp. Especially one as powerful as you, whom everyone envies. You must be brimming with mana.”
I slowly turned my head. People in crisp outfits sat at tables. This was more restaurant than tavern. Indeed—we’d been bar-hopping all day, and by the time he said that, evening was nearly upon us. Emanuel, somehow changed into fitting attire, sat properly dressed.
Like Elias and Heike, he burned alcohol with mana—a booze fiend. He matched me bottle-for-bottle without getting sloshed. Or at least appearing so. I wasn’t visibly hammered either.
I grimaced and pressed my forehead.
“Lessons...”
“They’re done. Crown Prince combat magic’s in the morning, right?”
“He comes asking questions in the afternoon too.”
“Not during contracted hours. One day off won’t kill you. Here, wine for a chaser.”
“With what? Make sense.”
Ignoring me, Emanuel raised his wine glass for a toast. When I didn’t join, he sipped alone. I gripped my head and scooted my chair back.
“Sorry, but I need to head out.”
“Ever met Grand Duke Österreich-Este?”
“...”
“He’s a friend of mine. Just like you said, Sir Everett.”
He forked apart the escargot that arrived as an appetizer. As he brought it to his mouth, he wagged it teasingly.
“Don’t just stare at my fork—eat yours. Don’t like snails?”
“You’ve met the Grand Duke? Is that why you dragged me around all this time?”
“Busted.”
“I knew from the start.”
“Figured. You stayed sane longer than expected, so I had to wrap it up.”
He feigned a cold expression, then beamed brightly.
“Kidding. Honestly, no such intent, but there are things you need to prepare for soon, so that’s why. Was my first impression that bad?”
“No.”
I wouldn’t have made it this far without you.
Anyway, I couldn’t reveal my true aim of seeking Grand Duke Österreich-Este here. “Twelve years from now, something shady happens where his possession gets stolen—maybe tied to Pleroma somehow, so I’m digging.” How do you say that? Since his ability isn’t insight, I need to slip away artfully.
Key here: I can’t say “It’s all a misunderstanding; I have no interest in the Grand Duke.” Sure, if he only discerns good-evil, I could dodge, but he specifically mentioned Austria-Hungary for a reason—denying it risks needless exposure.
So how to maintain the conditions and escape smoothly? There’s a way.
“Lately, I’ve been interested in occult artifacts.”
“...Occult?”
He furrowed his brow, puzzled.
“I don’t know Grand Duke Österreich-Este well, but I’ve heard rumors he’s deep into the occult.”
“Hm...”
He still looked thrown, rubbing his mouth with his hand.
Guess he knows him well. Must be disorienting. Linking two unrelated parties.
I’d studied occult originally to find the Holy Cross and Holy Blood. The Grand Duke’s stolen item was a gem.
We’d planned to target both occult and gem clubs before—occult just happened first by chance.
“Even so, I’ve never met him. What I heard is likely baseless rumor. I’m curious, but I don’t take it as gospel.”
“I see. Not all good rumors, huh?”
My earlier inference holds. Not outright malice, but he sensed my info could tip toward positive or negative. True enough. Slim chance, but if he’s tied to Pleroma, no letting slide.
“Well, heard whispers of artifact black market stuff, but I don’t fully buy it. Royalty get those rumors all the time. Especially from across the ocean in America—hard to trust.”
“Mm~”
He nodded seriously at my words. Then quipped unnecessarily.
“Should’ve swapped the snails if you weren’t gonna eat ’em.”
“No.”
I picked up the escargot tongs and fork.
Perfect. Success. I’ve spouted enough nonsense; he’ll assume any suspicion was a misunderstanding. That should clear what he discerned.
“The Crown Prince’s birthday gala is soon.”
“I know. Ten days away.”
“Want to go together? I’ll introduce you to Grand Duke Österreich-Este. Meeting him should clear things up.”
“...”
Introduce me personally?
Unexpected. I’d planned to attend and work up a conversation gradually, but an intro beats cold approaching.
I pondered briefly before replying.
“Sure.”
* * *
Already seven o’clock. Evening seven.
No real reason, but anxiety’s creeping in. Finished dinner insanely fast and came straight to the tailor. No chance to bolt—he warped here with me.
“Your clothes are too plain. Gotta prep for the gala.... After this fitting, what next?”
“Back to the Crown Prince’s palace. No need for more measurements?”
“Yes, we’re set. Now pick a design you like, Your Excellency. This way, please.”
“Sorry, but next time. No time now.”
Emanuel raised an eyebrow at my words.
“Heading back this early? It’s the weekend. Tailor in advance to get it before the gala.”
Perfectly reasonable. But then why bar-hop all afternoon and say this now? If I’d known, I’d have dragged him here first.
“You told me to act like I’ll play with kids forever, even if it’s just quick visits.”
“...”
“Annoying as it is, have His Highness pick anything. I’m off.”
Your nephew’s gonna cry. I shook him off and warped to the Crown Prince’s palace point. External entry, so the outermost one.
And that moment, my eyes met the child waiting at the warp point. I stumbled; his secretary steadied me.
But...
“...”
Waiting here? Darkness clouds my vision...
I’m not his secretary—not a big official issue for stepping out on free time—but humanly, knowing this kid tails only me, leaving him hanging pricks my conscience. Especially since he’s not tracking my magic; he’s just following the “nice adult.” Worse guilt.
“Were you waiting here?”
“Yes.”
The secretary answered for him, then smiled apologetically at me.
“Well, I’ll take my leave.”
“Wait—what? Take him with you.”
What if you go? You’re the nanny? At my confusion, Leonard replied.
“I asked him to.”
“...Figures. Let’s head in.”
I led him inside. Late March, but his red cheeks suggested the air was chilly for a 5-year-old. As we walked, Leonard looked up.
“Teacher. At the gala, you’ll be with other adults, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then I don’t wanna go. I wanna do lessons that day.”
What...? Kids’ trademark nonsense stubbornness.
Then I recalled 17-year-old Leo was no different. Personality sticks.
‘At least he’s 5. What’s a 17-year-old sulking for?’
Suddenly wanna flick his forehead again. Anyway, I soothed Leonard.
“You have to go. Skipping as Crown Prince defeats the event’s purpose.”
“Yeah. Everyone’d talk about me. They’d pry for issues with the Crown Prince.”
“...”
Advanced for his peers—book-smart or naturally sharp?—he nailed the facts. Must need this to become a politician at 17. Social norms aside... yeah, that’s Leo’s past.
Not one for long rebellion, Leonard moped.
“Got it. I’ll go.”
“Good. Smart choice.”
“If I don’t invite you, Sir Everett, Uncle Emanuel will, right?”
Not calling me teacher? Clever kid. Royalty knows rank early. As I chuckled wryly, Leonard halted and said,
“Sir Everett. Be my guardian there.”
“...”
Translation: Play with me the whole time.
I’d already committed to Uncle for the Grand Duke intro...
How do I say that? After who-knows-how-long waiting. Dry laugh escapes.
Time with Grand Duke might shrink, but how to refuse this?
Original plan was tagging along with Leo. Once the king hinted at a higher seat, I didn’t need to hold his hand—but initially, yes. I can handle solo, no need to crush a kid’s heart.
“Will do.”
* * *
“Ending up at the gala with my nephew? And I only hear about it yesterday?”
Emanuel unusually crossed his arms, displeased. Legs on the desk—not a good look. Amazing he sat straight at our first meeting.
Ten days later by local time: gala day. I’m at his Munich suburb mansion. I glanced around before answering.
“You’ll be there anyway. Why summon me pre-departure?”
“Whew...”
Emanuel shrugged and stood.
“Thought I’d give you a gift.”
“Why?”
“Guess I’ve gotten comfy with you?”
Not fishing—just asking. Emanuel smiled and continued.
“Anyway, you’ll be stuck with Crown Prince Highness all day, so better meet him early.”
He beckoned me to follow.
I trailed him outside. Mansion so vast, garden’s end invisible.
‘Wonder what’s here.’
Booze, probably. No expectations.
Emanuel stopped somewhere and stood silently awhile. Asking’s pointless—learned over ten days—I waited wordlessly. Much later, he murmured low.
“He’s here.”
Clack—
“Emanuel!”
“...!”
Someone shouted his name loudly. Turning toward the sound, I saw someone vault the fence, gripping it.
“Huh.”
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing—speechless. The lion gong treasure chest needing holy water and blood was child’s play. This was real.
Eyes met with a figure decked in occult artifacts, standing awkwardly. Medieval helmet-like thing and weird symbols I didn’t want to know caught my eye. Shoes? No clue, but he’d flown over the fence in them.
He hadn’t expected anyone else, equally stunned—soul visibly fleeing his face. Amid frozen expressions, smiling Emanuel patted my shoulder.
“Introduce yourself. That’s Grand Duke Österreich-Este.”