Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble House
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As expected, you knew.
No need to ask any more.
"Yeah. Got a minute?"
"Of course. I've already collected six stamps, so I've got plenty of time. I'll just grab something to eat on the way."
He hadn't said where to meet, but we both knew exactly where we were headed.
"Thanks. Take your time."
I said goodbye to Narke and headed back to Elias and Leo.
In the meantime, Pie had moved to Narke's shoulder and was waving at me.
Elias grinned at me as I approached and jerked his chin toward Leo.
"Luca, he got the prize."
"Looks like he stuck it out to the end."
"What'd you expect from me? If I could just hold steady, I'd win one too~ You gotta see it sometime!"
Elias winked.
I'd seen him solve incidents with a gun more than once, so I knew the protagonist's skills without him saying a word.
Just then, Leo came over cradling the prize, his face scrunched up.
"What're you talking about? You're not saying you wanna try now, are you?"
"Later, later."
"Good, that's a relief. If you tried walking without crutches right now, you'd be laid up another month."
Elias flinched reflexively. He clearly hated even the thought of it.
Leo hefted the prize—a doll half the size of a person—and asked,
"Anyway, what do we do with this?"
"Sleep with it."
"...If we leave it in the dorm, someone who wants it will take it, right?"
Now that I looked, the doll was the same color as Pie.
It was bear-shaped, but still, the round, plump build was a dead ringer.
"Don't need it?"
"Nope."
"Then give it to Pie. He'd probably like it."
"Hm? Would a rock-house-building animal like this?"
"We'll find out when we get there. I'm heading to see Narke anyway—hand it over if you're giving it away, and I'll deliver it."
"Oh, right, you said you had something to talk about."
Leo passed me the doll.
"Think we can wrap it up in an hour?"
"Dunno. Why?"
"So we can hang out after."
He really hated running around in packs. Hanging with just one or two close friends was more his speed.
Either way, once I finished this conversation, my day was done, so I didn't mind.
"Sure, then I'll head out from the dorm later. See you then."
* * *
"Oh, there you are."
Narke, who had been playing with Pie, waved at me. He pointed to the doll tucked under my arm.
"What's that?"
"Leo won it at the shooting gallery. Said he had no use for it, so I came to see if Pie wanted it."
"It's for me?!"
Pie spun circles on Narke's shoulder, shouting.
I set the doll on the desk, and Pie leaped onto it.
No idea how long it'd last, but if he liked it, I'd hand it off to Narke.
"Haha, thanks. It's his first doll this big, so he's thrilled. Oh, and I got this from the admin department booth—let's share."
Narke pulled a chocolate cake from a small box.
I'd had my suspicions, and sure enough, the top was loaded with cherries.
"......"
"The kids really nailed it~ I had some earlier, but I couldn't resist buying more. Here."
Narke slid the box toward me.
"Thanks."
"No problem~ So, I'm dying to know what you wanted to talk about."
Either he truly didn't know that far, or he was playing dumb despite suspecting.
I brewed some coffee, set it in front of him, and sat down.
"Narke, fair warning: what I'm about to say might put you in a tough spot."
"Hmm, is that right?"
"So if it's hard to answer, feel free to pass. But I'm asking anyway because... from my position, I have to clear this up. Sorry to bring it up today of all days."
Our conversation from here would likely shift the affinity.
Assuming Narke was someone important to me in any sense.
If it dropped, I'd have to assume he'd been hiding his true colors all along and was lying to me even today. The moment it fell, I'd treat him as an enemy.
"Nah, I get where you're coming from without you saying."
Narke paused briefly before continuing.
"I can kinda guess what you're gonna say next, too. You wanna know exactly why I'm here, right?"
"Yeah. I can't go into detail on my evidence either, but you being here is tied to me. Right?"
Pie must've sensed the heavy turn, pausing mid-bite of a cherry Narke had set aside to glance between us. Though with his cheeks stuffed, "mid-bite" was a stretch.
I turned back to Narke. He stroked his chin with a finger.
"Hmm...."
He didn't seem like he'd dodge, but maybe I should cut off any excuses.
"When you pulled me from the Strauchi coordinates, you saw my magic and said, 'As expected, my judgment wasn't wrong.'"
"...Ah."
Narke's eyebrows rose slightly.
"Whether you thought I wouldn't remember because I was dying, or it slipped out reflexively—I don't know. But I need to address this to understand why you're here."
"Haha, I can't say where I got the info, but it's suspicious.... And that ties into what I said that day."
"Exactly."
"I let my guard down. Yeah, I already knew you'd gained some kind of divine power too...."
A vibe I'd never sensed from Narke's smile before emanated from him. It didn't feel intentional, so I just sipped my coffee and watched without reacting.
"You're right. It's earlier than my plans, but no reason to hide it from you. There's one more reason I came here."
"...I see."
Cleaner admission than expected.
"Of course, what I told you all is true too. Don't get that wrong. Living a life chosen from a moment I can't even remember... it still gets to me sometimes...."
Narke trailed off, lost in thought, then smiled softly.
"There are times even I can't make sense of myself. I believe in my faith, but separately, the disgust wells up knowing a life I didn't choose is set until I die, that I'll never escape the path my family and the Papal Court laid out."
'...Hm.'
I couldn't hide my surprise. Never expected such raw words from a cleric.
Thinking that way, it clicked why he'd left the Papal States. I'd known him as a friend first, yet it was hard to see past the image built later.
After saying that, Narke let out a short, wry breath and fiddled with his rosary.
"...Lord, Almighty Father, Creator of heaven and earth, I believe."
"Drink some coffee, Narke."
Now I understood why the king had offered me tea in my position.
Narke burst out laughing.
"Haha, thanks. I'm not saying I wanna upend everything now. Just wondering if a life with choices was impossible. I flip through scriptures over and over, pore through meeting minutes, hole up for days sorting my thoughts, but nothing resolves."
I nodded.
A small reaction seemed necessary to keep him talking.
"Watching people come to me for confession makes me wanna laugh. Here I am, having accomplished nothing on my own, sitting there pretending to absolve others' sins."
"......"
"I even crave validation for my own faith."
Narke muttered and chuckled.
I'd clocked it when they started mass-ordaining kids for divine power. The institution was fine overall, but individuals were in rough shape.
"What I told you all was truly what I've felt, and one real reason I came here."
"Yeah. I don't doubt that."
"And I said there's one more reason. Your guess is spot on. I came looking for you."
I stared at him.
No flicker in his golden eyes.
Either he had a lie prepped, or he had no intention of lying at all.
"Why?"
"His word... would rub an atheist like you the wrong way, huh?"
Nailed the atheist bit.
Still, I wanted a more comprehensible answer.
When I didn't reply, he continued.
"I'm not here just as a student. Officially, it's to protect the Empire from Pleroma."
"The Empire won't want Papal Court meddling."
"Haha, not dismissing it—Pleroma's home base, after all~"
No arguing that.
Pleroma originated in the Empire but spread continent-wide, and the Empire couldn't stop it.
The Roman Papal Court was holding it back, somewhat paradoxically boosting its declining authority.
But that wasn't the point now.
"Then using your cardinal status makes more sense, but coming as a high schooler doesn't explain it yet. That's what I want to know."
"Hahaha... Sharp as ever~"
Narke sipped his coffee and went on.
"I knew you'd gained divine power. Taking you to the Roman Papal Court? That's part of my mission."
'Gained.'
My actions had altered his behavior.
"How'd you know I could use divine power?"
"Sorry, like you, I can't explain exactly."
Dodging at the crucial part.
But I couldn't exactly cite the novel or affinities as evidence either, so I got it.
Still, some survival-critical points needed clearing.
"Then how many know? How many know Lucas Ascanien can use divine power?"
"Fortunately, just the people you know, Lucas."
"You said taking me is your mission—doesn't that mean your superiors know too?"
"No, I haven't told them about you. I already knew your situation."
"......"
Two months observing him showed the limits of my Level 2 Insight.
My own Level 2 Charm proved traits weren't omnipotent fix-alls.
'Not Insight—something else.'
As first impressions suggested, worth watching closely.
But keeping the most dangerous nearby was safer. Especially if he'd known my affairs before meeting.
'Guess I'll have to keep him close from here on.'
Insight was too risky as an enemy and too valuable otherwise.
Frankly... treating someone I'd grown used to as foe now would be tough. If needed, I would, though.
As I stared him down, Narke continued.
"Honestly, the Roman Papal Court wants you."
"Not me—they want the divine power."
"Haha, yeah. That. Now that it's out... what do you say? Wanna come to the Papal Court with me?"
Pie snapped his head up. Going anywhere together sounded great to him.
"...Isn't this a bit sudden? I just heard about it."
"It's just what I think benefits you. Honestly, I don't wanna force a fate like mine on you."
Fair... I got why he'd call it beneficial.
"But even one honorary title would make facing Adrian Ascanien easier. And if I block excessive demands from the Papal Court, you won't end up on my path—so no need to kick away a good deal over my gripes."
"Yeah, I know."
"So, what'll it be, Lucas? Join under me? Or stay low-key with the church, no introductions? I'll respect your choice."
"Just the option of joining you?"
My smile drew a gentle one from him.
"That's how I can protect you."
Makes sense—divine power's valuable, and places want to exploit it. It's no easy ability.
And...
He'd come for me, and no one else knew about my power.
Pushing further seemed pointless; time to check affinity.
Dawn777
― Until Final Ending ‘Chapter X. Death’: 693 days 22 hours 43 minutes 47 seconds
― Possibility of Change: 18.5% (+0.1%p)
18.4% before and after poker, now up 0.1%p.
'From receiving the offer.'
Verification complete.
No reason to antagonize him now. Lingering mysteries remained, but divine revelations wouldn't yield much.
"Not yet. Doesn't feel like decision time."
"Got it."
"I'll think after this event wraps. Thanks for the offer."
"No problem~"
"And... tough questions, but thanks for answering."
As Narke tidied up, he stared wide-eyed, then grinned wordlessly before pivoting lightly.
"This event—you mean the festival?"
"Oh."
I'd only told Elias; skipped the others. I gave him a quick rundown.
Narke stroked his chin.
"Just find the list? Simple."
"For now."
Different time from then, so caution needed, but no major changes in the area yet.
"You'll handle the list. Leave spotting Pleroma to me?"
"...Yeah. Please."
"Hahaha! Why the face? It's not like this is new~"
I chuckled lightly instead of answering and stood.
"Time to head out. Meeting Leo."
"Only 40 minutes passed. I gotta get to theater practice soon."
"Right.... Speaking of, what role were you again?"
Heard he was lead in Faust, but no details. Classroom time went to divine power study, so festival talk flew by.
"Didn't know? I've been Mephisto from the start."
"Hm?"
Silence stretched.
"...No matter how hard I try ignoring your image, this is too much. Papal Court guy in Faust isn't bad enough—you're straight-up playing the devil?"
"Hahaha! Course not~ But it's my chance. No way I wanna live scripted by the family."
This guy...
Personal take: didn't seem the blindly obedient type.
Good he was living on his terms.
"Won't get excommunicated?"
"If I burned all my divine power, maybe—but till then, I could tour as Mephistopheles and be fine."
Nothing to say to that.
Who argues against Papal Court shade?
I gave a casual goodbye.
"Alright. Break a leg, thanks for today. I'm off."
"See you at dinner."
"Might skip."
"Haha, catch ya later~ 1st Squad's comparing audience numbers with us."
Narke brushed it off with a wave.
After, I met Leo and Elias like morning and relaxed.
At sunset, Leo tapped the guidebook.
"All stamps done?"
"Oh, need one more. Skipped shooting."
"Me too."
No clue what full collection did, but better finish clean after gathering most.
As we picked our last spot, three or four magic department students with badges rushed up.
"Leo, seen Faust? Fifth hour he's been missing."