Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magical Noble Family
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"Good. Thanks."
"No problem."
Leo replied with a smile.
Elias nodded toward Leo and asked,
"You're not curious how it went down? I was having a perfectly logical conversation with Pleroma like an intellectual, and then this guy suddenly swings a fist."
"...Intellectual...?"
Leo shot back in disbelief.
"I didn't swing first. I asked if there were similar cases in the Papal States."
*Whether it's after or from the start...*
I chuckled and said,
"That's unexpected. Didn't think you'd go there."
"We can't use mental magic, so if I want to be helpful, I have no choice but to use force."
Leo replied flatly.
Fair enough. In the novel, mages were constantly brawling too.
Elias, who had been listening with a grin, clapped his hands.
"You've made a good friend. Even thinking about drumming up work for Adrian Ascanien in the middle of all that—impressive timing, right, Luca~?"
"You're my teacher now? Impressive?"
"Exactly."
"......"
Leo was speechless when even I agreed with Elias.
Elias probably kept teasing because Leo's reactions were so immediate.
Seeming to blame even my response on Elias, Leo glared at him for a while, sighed deeply, and handed over the newspaper.
"Speaking of which, you must be curious how it turned out. Read the paper."
I took the newspaper from Leo. Then I froze at the huge headline.
Nikolaus Ernst, the Second Adrian Ascanien?
"......"
What a shitty start.
Of course, from a third-party view, it was a success.
No one could argue his popularity, so if he followed in his brother's footsteps, the results would be just as solid.
*Come to think of it, time to check how it went.*
Lucas René Ascanien
Title: Lord Nikolaus
Stamina: +2.5 (+0.3)
Mental Strength: +0.9 (+1.0)
Mana: ?
Skills: +4.1 (+0.1)
Impression: -9.9 [-6.8] [+7.50587849]
Luck: +2.25 (+0.5)
Traits: Dawn777, Divine Power, Charm (Lv.2), Retry (Lv.1)
*7.5.*
I couldn't help but smile.
Getting closer to my minimum goal of 8.
Plus, finally, every score except Impression was in positive territory.
*Thanks to Leo, I grabbed big bro's ankle too. If time holds, 10's possible.*
One worry, though.
In the original, Elias handled this.
It didn't blow up nationwide like now, but this is when Elias started his rise.
*Sure, the insect presentation got a bigger reaction than the novel, but this should've been the explosion.*
Worried the plot might change.
That worry vanished in 5 seconds.
Elias Hohenzollern·Nikolaus Ernst, Back-to-Back Victories
"True Noblesse Oblige" Elias Hohenzollern·Nikolaus Ernst Enter Pleroma Directly Amid Surging Missing Persons Cases
[Breaking] 10 Orphanages, Poorhouses, Elderly Homes Revealed as Pleroma Foundations Nationwide
"Pleroma Facilities" Fooling Federal Government for 2 Years
No matter which paper I flipped through, my name and Elias's appeared together.
And... these two below weren't my finds.
*Elias and Leo must've uncovered them.*
I smiled in satisfaction without taking my eyes off the articles.
As expected, the protagonist wouldn't sit idle. Elias's popularity should follow the novel's track now.
Muttering while watching Elias's press conference footage,
"That's why you showed up in uniform."
"Ah, you noticed~ Uniforms like this aren't common, so it sticks in your brain."
"Ugh...."
Leo shook his head, face full of genuine disgust.
Elias cackled at the reaction, then turned to me.
"I was gonna hold off on releasing it, but the response was explosive, so embargoing just my finds was tough. Atmosphere wasn't right for strict enforcement anyway."
Before, when we first met, we'd talked about why we were chasing Pleroma.
Elias knew I was building public recognition to oppose my brother. No need to hold back his announcements for me, but it must've bothered him.
"It's fine. Now it'll look like we're still teaming up."
Bam—
The door flew open then.
Had Leo locked it? He jumped up.
"Who...!"
"Sorry, Leo. Should've told you, but it was urgent."
Narke, in bishop's robes, removed his mask and sat.
"You're up, Lucas. How's the body?"
"Fine."
"Fine~? Is my definition of fine wrong?"
I heard Elias from the side, nitpicking about my blue arm.
It was just a bruise visually, so before Narke worried again, I spoke up.
"Really. But weren't you in the Papal States?"
"I was until just now. Didn't expect to be late back, but I had something to tell you today. Remember what I mentioned before?"
Too many things.
"What?"
"The honorary priesthood. Perfect timing with the portal open, right?"
* * *
Despite Leo's strong objections, I had enough stamina to walk.
My issues were just blood loss and a few days of starvation—recovered quick.
Compared to Strauch's concussion, it was nothing.
*Perfect timing.*
Didn't expect to use the portal opening like this, but lucky.
Train would've taken days; going to the Holy See in person for ordination was impossible.
—"Sorry for dragging you out like this. You don't look great yet."
Narke muttered, eyeing my blue arm.
—"Don't worry. Looks worse than it is."
—"Portal closes in five hours anyway. Only open this long because the Holy See mentioned you, so had to tell you today."
I adjusted my mask and nodded.
Ordination would boost survival odds and more.
Knowing Pleroma used divine power too, I needed Holy See certification of purity.
But was I fit for that position?
Needed to check for issues.
—"One question. You know I have no real faith."
—"Yeah, you're an atheist."
Narke laughed.
—"......"
He'd labeled me atheist before too.
As a kid, I went through motions following parents—atheist fits.
—"No need to worry, though. Honorary mage priests are all formality. Only criterion is divine power."
Got it.
No more questions; I followed silently.
Then Narke changed topics.
—"Lucas, ever been to Rome?"
—"No."
I'd gone in the 21st century for travel.
But here, same names and geography, but magic made it different from reality.
World map had Daehan Empire, but research showed differences from what I knew.
Papal States much larger here.
—"Really? Exciting~ Wanted to show you around after, but no time. Shame."
—"It's fine. Bro would track me if I toured."
—"...Huh, didn't think of that. He'd probably show."
Narke shook his head with a hollow laugh.
We got palace entry clearance, warped to the garden edge 10km from the main palace.
Approaching the underground portal, armed guards appeared.
A priest spotted Narke from afar and spoke.
"You've arrived, Your Excellency."
The priest turned to me and bowed.
"Pleased to meet you, Lord Ernst. I'm Pacondo Palerma. Crossing now—Your Excellency and milord follow right after."
The priest nodded at us and crossed to the other side.
Even as a portal, disguised as stone wall normally.
Touching rippled it like water.
—"First time? Sticking your face in a wall feels creepy, right?"
—"Yeah."
Knew it was safe, but visuals screamed head-smash.
—"Everyone says that. Here, some help."
Before I could reply, Narke shoved my back.
"...!"
This guy's no better than Elias.
I cracked open my tightly shut eyes.
Same dim underground corridor as entry.
"You've entered the west end of Vatican Gardens. Welcome to the Roman Holy See."
The priest gave brief guidance and led on.
Narke matched stride and spoke.
"I've nominated you for honorary priest."
"I see."
Narke switched to direct speech and honorifics, no divine power.
"Honorary" meant divine power-based, unlike regular.
Originally Holy See army roles, now symbolic for magical authority, freer on theology quals.
*Not that anyone can just climb up.*
Right on cue, Narke brought up quals.
"One issue, though. Four requirements total. You—Nikolaus—lack even baptism, let alone confirmation."
Obviously; fake ID this year, no church record.
"Others simple: pure missionary/service intent, bishop/cardinal recommendation, Holy See divine power certification. That's it. Then diocesan bishops approve, ordination done."
"Approval's the hurdle."
"Yes. I'll push for yes votes, but no baptism cert for you makes it tough."
"Understood."
How long had we walked? Narke asked the priest.
"How much left?"
"Nearly entering St. Peter's Basilica basement, Your Excellency."
"Almost there."
Narke grinned, messaging me via divine power.
—"Might be sharp, but don't tense up. Got it?"
—"Saying that makes me tense."
—"Haha, true. But... no plans to task the newbie. I'll handle this—trust me."
He's got something planned.
I nodded at Narke's excited tone.
Earthlight appeared ahead.
We climbed stairs, passed corridors and buildings, stopped at the central door.
Waiting guards opened it, shouting,
"Cardinal Farnese, Your Excellency, has arrived!"