How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 101

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magic Family (101)

People walking on the street stopped at the loud alarm sound.

Some were pointing at the notification windows and shouting something to people around them.

But whether they had cast magic to separate us, their gazes didn’t reach us.

When Elias quickly looked around, Richthofen waved his hand dismissively.

“Don’t worry. They can’t see us. There’s no need to advertise the fact that thirty people lost to three new humans.”

‘Hmm…’

No matter how I look at it, his attitude is strange.

It could be his personality, but he’s too calm even though he was completely overwhelmed.

‘He must have something he’s counting on.’

But… even if he has a Plan 2, it’s not a very convincing reaction.

I need to think about what he’s hiding.

“What will you do? Warp magic doesn’t work on the surface… Count Nicolaus, who has frequent contact with Pleroma, surely knows this.”

He said while looking back and forth between me and Leo.

He’s right.

I can’t use it since I don’t know the coordinates of this place.

If I could have used it, I would have done so from when the vigilante corps entered the tavern.

At this point, they wouldn’t have left the path to the surface unblocked either…

Most importantly, there’s no reason to flee.

‘If I had intended to do that, I would have called Max Richthofen to the lodging for a comfortable conversation.’

Of course, if I had done that, the information I could obtain would have been limited, and I would have been prevented from entering this place before trying anything.

So, being unable to leave is much better than being kicked out.

‘Of course, that’s under the premise that we win.’

Naturally, I have no intention of losing.

Elias, who had been seriously panicking alone perhaps because of Marian Baum, now found his composure and spoke indifferently.

“Now, let’s think. You’ve already sounded the alarm, so what’s the point of saying who among us is Nicolaus?”

“Your manner of speech…”

He let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded.

It might be fine for an ordinary teenager, but regardless of age, it’s not the way of speaking a member of the imperial family should use.

Of course, the fact that he was pointing out speech patterns in this situation meant he was adapted to noble society down to his bones.

“Speak.”

“When the spatial magic is released, you’ll be captured by the Catacombs Defense Force. We agreed to release you outside if the vigilante corps can’t handle you.”

“Well, fine. But will we really be caught?”

“Of course.”

It’s not a bluff.

They’ll mobilize all kinds of magic. With the Catacombs’ technology, they can capture us even if it takes time.

Richthofen continued mockingly.

“So it would be better if you told us before seeing unnecessary trouble. Since you’re all people of high status anyway, I don’t feel good about letting commoner defense forces subdue you.”

“Sorry, but we’re in a situation where we might or might not talk even if we have to be subdued. Didn’t you see this guy get ganged up on trying to enter here?”

“…”

Both Richthofen and Leo showed expressions asking if that’s really why he got beaten up.

Richthofen quickly nodded with an expression that said he should have expected this.

“Well, fine. Then, let me make one proposal.”

He said while slowly looking around at us.

“Narke Farnese, and Lucas Ascanien.”

“…”

“Especially this one… we had an interesting poker game before. I still remember losing, so shall we all play a game together?”

‘Come to think of it…’

He knows our names but didn’t write our names in the warning message.

For what purpose? There would be no benefit to him from hiding our names.

I need to think about this too.

Then Elias squinted his eyes.

“A game~? Are you in the mood for jokes?”

“Since none of you are in a position for physical fighting, I’m being considerate.”

“What’s the benefit of beating you?”

“I won’t feel guilty when revealing who Nicolaus Ernst is.”

“So you’ll reveal it whether you win or lose? Haha… What are you going to do after capturing Nicolaus?”

“If you knew that, it would be difficult for you to reveal Nicolaus, so why bother.”

“…”

So he won’t let him go peacefully.

I can really tell what kind of guy Robert Mueller is. I wonder if he’s going to put on some show of killing Nicolaus somewhere.

Richthofen nodded toward Elias and said.

“And let’s be direct. You’ll be handed over too.”

“Impressive. The repercussions won’t be a joke, will they?”

“It’s beneficial for the Catacombs. When His Majesty the Emperor learns that you entered the Catacombs, he’ll change course to defend the Catacombs and condemn your intrusion as a noble. The commoner mages will be able to live peacefully for about a year.”

“…”

Elias looked at him with a cold expression.

Rather than the fact that the Emperor is trying to bring him down, Elias can’t stand that others know about it.

He’s lived being ostracized in noble society because of that.

Once Elias had described it in passing as ‘getting beaten up by a semi-bully while everyone just watches.’ Leo was disgusted, and I was a bit flustered that someone who looked like a bully himself said such things, but I could understand what kind of emotion it was.

“You know well. Then hand me over to the Emperor.”

“I didn’t mean to fight, but that’s unfortunate.”

“Stop.”

I quietly interrupted.

This would go on endlessly.

Now I understood their purpose well.

I learned that someone presumed to be Robert Mueller is upstairs, that Richthofen isn’t an easy opponent, and also…

I learned that he’s properly hiding something.

There’s no reason to propose a game right now. He must want to gain something here.

If we’re going to be dragged away either way, I should spend time with him.

The odds are also on our side.

“What kind of game? You should explain properly.”

“Oh, you seem to have something in mind. Do you all have the same opinion?”

Look at him naturally changing the subject.

“Explanation first.”

“Hmm… Let’s do something you all like. First, let’s drink together.”

Elias turned to look at me.

It wasn’t because he was tempted by the talk of alcohol.

Leo also exchanged glances with me.

Leo looked at Elias’s expression, then said to Richthofen.

“Let’s go.”

“Good.”

Richthofen answered cleanly, then swung his wand to extend it and struck the floor.

At that moment, a dark room without lighting unfolded. The only light came from the window and the fireplace.

The moment Richthofen turned around toward the table, Elias flicked his hand slightly.

Bang―!

Richthofen, who blocked the magical force that came from behind, smiled and said to Elias.

“Well, you can touch me, but naturally I didn’t come here in person. How could I trust new humans?”

“Ah~ That’s disappointing.”

Elias strode over and plopped down in a chair.

“But you’ve been going on about new humans since earlier, aren’t you one? Are you an old human who was adopted into Richthofen when you were young?”

“….”

He remains silent to this question throughout.

Whatever the case, if that guy attended the 3rd Education Institute, he wouldn’t be an old human.

Unlike old humans, new humans grow as they are without secondary sexual characteristics, so differences are clearly visible during the growth process.

“You don’t really need to know who I am….”

Richthofen lightly tapped the table with his wand.

Champagne glasses matching the number of people appeared.

“If you’re curious, you can win the game.”

“Champagne? Not really my thing.”

“The taste is a bit strong.”

He gave an incomprehensible answer and gestured for us to drink up.

Elias drank first in one gulp and raised his eyebrows.

He seemed to feel no change at all.

‘Of course there must be something in it.’

He wouldn’t have just told us to drink it.

Since he was staring at us intently, Leo and I lightly took a sip each.

“How’s the taste?”

“You call this stuff alcohol?”

At Elias’s brief assessment, he burst into laughter.

Then he smiled smoothly and said.

“I think the same way. Shall we play poker? With the losers drinking each round.”

Nobody looks like they want to play games, but it’s hard to adjust when game talk comes up.

Anyway, I’ll pass on that.

Leo would definitely end up drinking it all alone.

When nobody spoke, he opened his mouth.

“How about four-person chess?”

“Too bothersome.”

“Haha, I thought so. Then… let’s keep it simple. How about a truth game?”

“….”

“Of course, we’ll exclude the question of who Nicolaus Ernst is. We’ll also exclude indirect questions with obvious intentions.”

When I stared at him intently, he smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

“Because it wouldn’t be fun.”

He’s a person I can’t get a read on in many ways, but now I understand one thing.

He’s not really seeking fun in this situation.

The Antagonist is stalling for time right now.

I called up the change possibility window.

Dawn777

― Until final ending ‘Chapter X. Death’: 654 days 8 hours 1 minute 25 seconds

― Change possibility: 25.3%

‘8 hours 1 minute.’

While I was lost in thought, Elias narrowed his eyes and clicked his tongue.

“Is this your first time drinking alcohol? Have you ever traveled with friends?”

“I don’t see why you’re asking that.”

“I’m saying it’s been around since before Christ, so now it’s neither fun nor fresh.”

“That’s true.”

He lightly flicked his finger and said.

“Though I’m not sure if you’ll feel the same way this time.”

Kuwoong―

At that moment, my vision suddenly brightened.

“…!”

I needed time to comprehend what had entered my sight.

We were no longer indoors. It wasn’t late December either.

Sunlight touched my skin painfully.

Foreign words that were hard to understand flowed past my ears in a familiar accent.

With a strange sense of unease, I slowly raised my head and looked at the building behind Richthofen.

It was the school I had attended.

“….”

It’s not the Imperial 2nd Education Institute.

I felt my blood run cold.

I turned around. In the distance, I could see the boulevard with bus stops lined up section by section, and signs for various art and physical education academies and cafes.

“What the hell?!”

Elias jumped up and shouted.

Leo also just looked around with a face that couldn’t grasp the situation.

“Hmm….”

Richthofen stroked his chin and laughed as if amused.

Then he looked at me and muttered.

“Mr. Ascanien has quite broad experience.”

“…Luca?”

Elias whipped around to look at me.

“….”

“I was curious about how the famous Pleroma could use magic, so I actually wanted to open yours first, and you happened to be caught. But I never expected what would come out would be such an unknown place….”

Elias grabbed Richthofen by the collar and said.

“Explain properly.”

“Is it a bit more fresh now?”

Richthofen brushed off Elias’s hand and asked.

“Shall we start? Where is this place that it remains so deeply in your memory?”

“….”

It’s certainly a proper method for extracting information.

I understood why he had confidently proposed this.

Naturally, someone among us would reveal Nicolaus’s memories.

So rather, the current situation where Nicolaus’s memories didn’t come out is an unexpected development for the Antagonist.

‘Still, he has no intention of explaining this….’

Since it’s come to this, I’ll just scratch what I can.

I called up the change possibility window again.

Dawn777

― Until final ending ‘Chapter X. Death’: 654 days 7 hours 50 minutes 01 seconds

― Change possibility: 25.3%

It was 8 hours 1 minute earlier.

Less than 5 minutes had passed subjectively, but 10 minutes had decreased in reality.

I’ve never experienced such a significant time difference within the Catacombs, but getting this result now means….

‘He deliberately slowed down time.’

For what purpose since earlier?

It means there’s something he’s waiting for.

I kept my eyes on his face and said.

“Are you participating too?”

“Of course.”

I emptied my glass and nodded.

“Let’s move on to the next one.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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