Chapter 337
Chapter 337
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 337
Chapter Title: A Chance with Elias
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“Hahaha~”
“……”
I shook the brandy in my crystal glass, staring at Elias’s foolish expression. Even after boarding the train to Baden, he was still wearing that navy beret and pair of cotton gloves he’d had on earlier. For someone who always hated anything bothersome, it was obvious why he hadn’t ditched them despite the perfect chance to toss everything aside. He was like a kid dying to bolt out the door right that instant. Naturally, Elias couldn’t stay put—he kept crossing and uncrossing his legs, leaning this way and that, all while knocking back drinks nonstop.
“Good. Luca’s drinking with me~”
“You think there’s ever been a time I didn’t? I’m the one always matching your pace.”
Elias’s words were ripe for misunderstanding. I’d sensed it once back in the hospital room but let it slide out of exhaustion, and now here he was spreading misinformation again. It’s not like I had any obligation to drink with him, but I glanced around anyway, fretting over potential mix-ups. Fortunately, none of the friends on the train were paying us any mind.
“I’m just saying, you know. When you said you’d catch up later because you had business, I figured we wouldn’t get to drink together.”
“It wrapped up early, luckily.”
“What were you up to? Talking to that senior again?”
“No, not him.”
Elias nodded casually at my answer. He tossed back the rest of his drink and started eyeing mine. I ordered a fresh round of what I’d been having and handed it over, then broached the subject carefully.
“Uh, Eli.”
“Yeah?”
“…Anything bothering you?”
“Is Luca bothered by something?!”
“No, you. I’m perfectly content right now.”
Elias studied me for a moment before shaking his head.
“Me too. Oh yeah~”
I shut my eyes as he flailed his arms around.
‘…What do kids even like these days?’
I’d definitely been that age once. Hell, even figuring by my twenty-first-century standards, the gap wasn’t some massive chasm, so my tastes couldn’t be that far off from what guys our age enjoyed. Not identical, but close enough that I could mimic them without it feeling off. And yet nothing came to mind. What the hell was I supposed to do to win his favor?
“Eli. Hungry for anything?”
“We’re eating at Julia’s place later, aren’t we?”
“Right… What about something you want?”
“Something I want?! Me…!”
“Ah, something we can get today.”
Elias pondered for a second before shaking his head.
“Nope! Just messing around today is plenty.”
“I see…”
In the end, I had no choice but to settle for this.
“Ugh! Ow, that hurts. Uwaaaaa!”
“Oh.”
I eased off and patted his back lightly. Only then did Elias relax. Massaging someone brought back memories of those filial piety drills during performance evals. Dusting off skills over a decade old—gotta thank the system for that.
“Feels great~ Though it’s kinda making the booze rise up.”
“……”
I called it quits and propped him up, sending him off to the bathroom. I could hear him retching dryly.
‘Yeah, this ain’t it.’
Not like they’re my parents, and no way this boosts friend favorability. Hell, even actual parents would barely react. Right. Definitely not the way. Juggling massive incidents only to pivot to an affection quest had my brain screeching to a halt.
‘How do I win Elias’s favor?’
Big problem. By now, the train had already passed through Württemberg and crossed into Baden. Coming from Bavaria, it wouldn’t take long.
Tell me to raise the affection of someone whose value was already sky-high. I hadn’t even checked his current level. For one, I didn’t want to reduce my friends’ feelings to numbers. For two, seeing it wouldn’t change a damn thing. Whether it was -10, +8, or +9, I still had to bump it up by one—what could I do?
‘…Gotta be +7 or higher, at least.’
No doubt about the insane difficulty at this stage. That’s how it was, sitting there playing chess with Elias, when the train suddenly lurched to a stop. I hadn’t even peeked out the window yet when Elias sprang up like a coiled spring and hollered.
“We’re heeeere!”
‘My eardrums…’
Thinking that, I snatched Elias’s luggage bag. He clawed at thin air, stared at his empty hand in confusion, then looked at me. I flashed the straightest smile I could muster.
“I’ll carry it. Let’s go.”
“Ehhh~? No way! Luca, you rest~”
“Rest what? I’ve rested plenty.”
As I said it, I straightened his crooked jacket. Elias stared at me hard, then piped up.
“Luca’s being extra nice today~”
“Today? I’m always nice.”
“Hahaha!”
“……”
Why are you laughing? Ignoring it, I turned away. Lugging his bag along with mine, I stepped off the train. Cheringen—who’d gotten off from another car earlier and waited—spotted me and waved. I approached with a smile, and he beamed back.
“First time you and I are heading to Baden together.”
“Yeah. Thanks for the invite.”
“No need—hell, I’m the grateful one. Hope Baden makes for some good times for you.”
That’s when Elias, standing beside me, cut in.
“What about me~?”
“Elias, you’re here all the time.”
“Gotta come less often if you want me to seem precious.”
I glanced around. The other four had already piled into a carriage bound for the palace. We climbed into the one Cheringen and his chamberlain guided us to, off toward Karlsruhe Schloss—Baden’s palace. Just like in Anhalt, servants lined the place in droves. I exchanged brief greetings with the Baden nobles on palace staff before entering the reception hall to meet the Grand Duke.
“Presented by Her Highness Grand Duchess Wilhelmine Cheringen!”
The servant’s announcement ended, the doors swung open, and the Grand Duke entered the reception hall. Cheringen set his glass down first and stepped forward.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duke.”
“Pleased to see you. Wonderful to meet in good health once more. I’m especially grateful to see Lord Ascanien and Lord Wittelsbach here.”
The Grand Duke offered Cheringen a gentle smile before turning to us as we approached, giving us a warm wink. He nodded to the others before addressing me first.
“Lord Ascanien. We’ve met a time or two before, haven’t we? I’ve heard plenty about you, as always.”
We had crossed paths, but never for long. This was our first real face-to-face.
“You must have endured great hardship getting tangled in that incident. Fortunate you destroyed the Pleroma Brandenburg Archdiocese and returned safely. The Crown Grand Duke has spoken of you often before this. I knew of you well already, but this affair let me confirm your capabilities anew. I’m delighted.”
Cheringen and I locked eyes at that. He smiled my way. I returned it with the same and offered a polite reply. The Grand Duke made quick work of greeting our group of seven before we shifted to the dining hall, where he gave the opening remarks.
“I know the situation is unsettled and your permitted time is short. It’s brief, but I hope you can rest and recover here.”
He wasn’t wrong about the limited time. The attack on ruling family scions at Pleroma had rattled the government and court. The four dragged off to Brandenburg Archdiocese counted as victims, so they’d been granted a bit of recovery leave—but even that ended with a return order for the morning after tomorrow. Meaning we only had until then to rest. Plenty to mull over afterward, but for now, I needed to zero in on Elias’s affection.
At dinner, Elias cleared his plates way faster than anyone. At the right moment, I slid a water glass his way.
“Digging in well.”
Ulrike, seated to my right, grumbled.
“Watched you two from the train—Luca, you’re acting like Elias’s parents today.”
“Good~”
“Good, huh…”
Narke just giggled for some reason and shoved meat in her mouth at my awkward mutter. Leo eyed us both weirdly, just like Ulrike—specifically wondering what wind had blown up to make us act so out of character. Heike was locked in, observing us intently. I sliced some bread, slathered it with cheese, and held it out to Elias. He snapped it up like he’d devour my fork too. When I passed him a handkerchief, he gave a quick nod of thanks and wiped his mouth without a second thought. That’s when my core prickled.
“…!”
I bit my lip hard and tensed up. Thankfully, disaster averted—no stares drawn.
‘This is for real…’
If Leo had been right across, I’d have kicked his shin. But no chance. Hit the core the same way? With adults present, it was clearly a “keep up appearances” signal, so no arguing back. Even I figured I’d overdone it thanks to the tight 24-hour window. Accepting Leo’s point, I was about to eat when Elias murmured low.
“Anyone up for a board game before the spa after dinner?”
“……”
Here? Now?
Even I, obsessed with finishing the quest, broke a cold sweat at that. I reflexively scanned the Grand Duke’s face. But no one batted an eye at his nonsense. That’s when I remembered the Cheringen family had long since built immunity from all his chatter. Narke laughed and shrugged at the mention of board games.
“Ugh… I’ll sit this one out.”
“Why?”
“Studied strategy games so much lately, I’m over anything similar~”
“Leo? Julia?”
“I’m good, Elias. Pass.”
“Me too. Next time.”
“And Your Highness?”
“I’ll pass as well.”
“……”
Treating a foreign sovereign like a friend’s folks… Fair enough, but still wild. The Grand Duke explained why board games were off the table—duties calling him away soon. Leo listened intently before asking.
“I see. So no plans to bolster the military this month.”
‘Right—this is normal talk. What’s with the board games?’
“It falls to the upper house now, but fortunately, they’re against it too. Better to redirect that budget to papal aid. Though with Prussia—the Protestant hegemon of the German Empire—and their history of harsh Catholic suppression, it’s anyone’s guess how well our pro-church policies will hold if we unify under Germany.”
He had no clue about the Vatican cardinal disguised as a seminary student right there. Narke pretended not to hear the Grand Duke as she sipped her wine. When our eyes met, she smiled. Julia Cheringen joined in, turning it into a serious three-way chat. Meanwhile, Elias turned to me with the eyes of a hunter spotting prey.
“Luca?”
“……”
* * *
What choice did I have?
I picked up a black chip and set it in front of me, thinking. I was playing the game at his insistence. And of course… no quest completion popup.
‘This won’t cut it.’
Games like this were a dime a dozen. I flicked a chip over with my finger and said.
“Eli, let’s head back to the hall for some billiards…”
“Let’s go out!”
Elias felt the same, thankfully. I shot up and tugged him outside. He grinned.
“Haha, Luca’s playing so nice with me today~? You usually ditch for Narke or Julia by now.”
I flinched and clammed up.
“…Did I? Wasn’t on purpose.”
Elias had already tuned out my words. Didn’t seem to hold it against me either. We reached a massive hall with a small orchestra, and he cocked his head at the empty center.
“First floor’s dead empty. If there were any old-school types, they’d be dancing here. You know, that stuff from culture class at school.”
“Waltz?”
“Yeah!”
Just tossed it out there, got a sunny reply. Hit me that I’d never danced with a beanpole like this—brief reality check—but fine. Five points on the line, and even without them… if Elias was having fun, it wasn’t a bad deal.
“Familiar with any steps?”
“Honestly, no clue. Just know how to do it like this.”
Elias took a few steps and raised a hand to his head. Spotting he didn’t full-spin, I matched with the opposite.
A few minutes later, one try in and realizing it was no big deal, Elias looked refreshed and marched proudly up the stairs. Then, out of nowhere.
“I actually hate ballrooms.”
“……”
I nodded. Didn’t like being there, didn’t like doing stuff there. I’d read his novel—knew the reason. Leo did too. Elias, ahead of me, whipped his head around. A bright grin lit his face.
“But today’s fun~ Being with Luca makes everything fun, huh.”
“Good to hear. Same here.”
Eight hours since departure, still no affection window. Wasn’t planning to fish for it, but I sensed an issue and muttered without thinking.
“Wonder why. Maybe ’cause we’re in the same boat, feels more comfy?”
Elias froze for a beat, then nodded.
“Yeah. But now it’s more than…”
He grabbed the railing and spun back around. Spotting someone, he yelled.
“Ah! Heike. Luca, you tired? Save your stamina—gotta drink at the hot springs later. I’ll grab a quick one with Heike.”
“What? Hold on, Eli!”
Elias bounded up the last few steps to the second floor. Like hell I’m hitting the hot springs. More crucially, I couldn’t let him slip away now. Chasing after in a panic, Leo—who’d been chatting with Cheringen up there—spotted me and grabbed my arm with a blank face.
“Ah, perfect timing. Luca.”
“What. Make it quick.”
“About the new unit HQ’s putting together—got something to tell you ahead. Remember the exam? You and I are up this time…”
My eyes were glued past Leo’s arm. Elias took a paper from Heike and was about to snap his fingers. Teleport prep.
“Wait—later! Eli!”
“Huh? Luca!”
Leo rarely panicked as he called after me. The second he clamped my arm, I channeled mana through it to shake him off and bolted for Elias.
“Huh.”
A cold, incredulous exhale hit my back. Sorry, but no time. Elias was about to follow Heike. I charged in, shot Heike an apologetic look, and yanked Elias into the corridor off the hall.
“Whoa~ Luca, what’s gotten into you? Clinging extra hard today?”
“What’s ‘what’ about it.”
Catching my breath, I tried for a smooth tone. Hadn’t hung with Elias enough to earn this rep. Was today’s quest betting on me spending the whole day with him? I dragged him to a spot out of noble sightlines and murmured.
“Truth is.”
He grinned and pinched my cheek.
“Eh? Truth~?”
“Wanted to hang out just the two of us today.”
“……”
What the hell am I saying… Kid shit. Might even net affection. Whatever happens, happens—I let out a deep sigh. Elias’s eyes went wide before he flashed a grin.
“It’s a chance.”