How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 177

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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 (177)

It was Ludovica Schneider.

Actually, I usually try to quickly erase the faces and names of humans I’ve only briefly met, but since I thought the name was cool, I remembered it quickly.

Ludovica gestured to the Caretaker who was trampling on Narke.

“This is someone I know. Please let him go.”

“Someone the Priest knows…? This… this kind of person?”

The Caretakers looked puzzled but stepped back.

Ludovica looked down at me and spoke in a gentle voice.

“We met at the tavern earlier. You were buying whole bottles of whiskey and wine earlier too, so you’ve definitely had too much to drink.”

As if that wasn’t enough, I came out blowing the bottle like a horn with the last wine.

Now I had received another drink from Elias for the sake of my act.

I squinted my eyes to focus and pulled up the corners of my mouth.

“You remember~ I’m honored.”

“Did the last drink you had suit your taste? No wait, you’re drinking something different now.”

Ludovica said while checking the label of the wine bottle spilled on the Floor.

I relaxed my throat and mixed in laughter. When I relaxed, my speech naturally became slurred.

“The Burgundy white wine keeps swirling in my head. I’m starting to crave something lighter.”

“I thought you had barely managed to find somewhere nearby to stay, but here you are wandering around again. I clearly said you weren’t operating anymore.”

“Are we moving to that topic? Look at me. I’ve realized that I lack self-control too.”

No.

I just didn’t open the door, but everyone knows what’s inside here. I already experienced it in the erased time, so how could I not know.

I lowered my voice and shrugged my shoulders.

“Honestly, I couldn’t believe it. A search and seizure? At Primrose Pass?”

“It’s right to ignore the adjectives one uses for oneself, but Jeremaiah really only says accurate things. I’d recommend developing self-control. Last week’s newspapers are also sold in weekly bundles, so check them out yourself.”

“Since you put it that way, I have no choice but to do so.”

My eyes had adjusted to the darkness, so now I could see Ludovica’s expression.

Gentle, but within it I could read a gaze that strangely seemed to view me as beyond salvation.

‘That would be right.’

Successful.

The important thing is that even so, I could read interest in his eyes.

“Come to think of it, you’re calling me by my first name? You called me Jeremaiah earlier.”

“I felt a bit sorry to say Caetani.”

“Ah…”

He meant he felt sorry for Caetani.

I took his hand, stood up, and lightly kissed the top of his glove.

“Thank you for helping me. By the way, are you a Priest? You didn’t look that old.”

I know that in this religion in our world, women cannot be ordained to the priesthood. Unless it’s Anglican.

It’s a bit complicated, but to put it simply, the rules changed here as magical power became monetized.

So just because I don’t question his priesthood doesn’t mean I ‘know he’s from Pleroma.’

Jeremaiah Caetani shouldn’t know about Pleroma. Just like he was ignorant about other issues.

Perhaps my words sounded like cheap flattery, as Ludovica pointed his wand at me with an unimpressed face.

“You should sober up a bit.”

—Unlike the wings of flesh, the wings of the heart are so light.

Smoke spread from the tip of the wand and seeped into me. Since only the light from a finger-sized lantern was illuminating the Floor, I couldn’t see clearly ahead, but it was definitely black smoke.

‘I received Vitriol.’

He’s not just a Priest.

He must be someone with some ability.

I grabbed my forehead and laughed with surprised eyes.

“…What was that just now? A Mage?”

“Yes.”

Ludovica smiled faintly.

“That’s cool. I heard there are Humans who can use magic. I can speak Imperial like a native, but I’m not well-versed in Imperial affairs. But the atmosphere here is quite similar to the United States.”

“Ah~ haha. But can I point out one thing?”

“Yes? Go ahead.”

“You don’t really sound like a native speaker.”

“Ah…”

At my embarrassed sigh, Narke, who had been grabbed and lifted by the Caretaker, snickered.

Thanks.

Actually, I mixed in some English. It was a moment when Korea’s 12-year regular education shined.

“You tend to honestly pronounce ‘f’ sounds as ‘b’ sounds. Or pronounce ‘ya’ as ‘ja.’ Your word choices are also English-style.”

“Oh, did I do that?”

“Yes. But it’s just things like substituting cookies for pastries, so it’s still understandable~”

‘…Cookies.’

I remember that phrase I last saw at Ainsiedel Manor a few days ago.

Even though it was strange, since nothing related to that phrase has happened, I’m too busy dealing with what’s right in front of me to spare any more thought for that phrase. I told Bavaria about it, but nothing has come back, and there were no letters sent to me from the Theater.

‘Let’s focus for now.’

I bit my lower lip slightly and smiled.

“I had no idea. I grew up among Germans and thought I was good at it, so this is embarrassing.”

“Oh, I just mentioned it for reference. I often go to Italy too, and it’s troublesome when everyone doesn’t point out my mistakes.”

“So it was advice from experience. But are you a Caretaker of this Street, Ludovica?”

“Something like that.”

Right.

Since I’ve encountered Pleroma, it’s time to start moving.

I should naturally get his contact information.

I approached him closer with a drunken smile.

“Then, could you help me just one last time? Actually, I still haven’t found a place to stay.”

“What? Still?”

“I contacted everyone I know, but nothing around here appeals to me… and they said there were no rooms available. Do you know any hotels that accept walk-ins right now? Preferably Grand Union quality.”

“…!”

Narke, who had been watching us while being held by the Caretaker, couldn’t hold back his laughter and covered his face with both hands.

I understand.

Even without looking, he’s probably thinking I’m being ridiculous.

Ludovica looked back and forth between me and Narke, then asked with a slightly flustered laugh.

“What? Grand Union? Couldn’t you just go to your Friend’s house?”

“That Friend also has family issues…”

As I pondered deeply, Ludovica smiled and answered.

“Ah, I understand. But Pentalon is opening in Berlin soon, right? This area has been fully booked for 2 weeks already, so there won’t be any hotels you can walk into and check in right now.”

Pentalon is an international Mage competition that the Imperial Court has been attracting member countries from around the world for the past 5 years.

Think of it as the Mage Olympics.

It’s a competition that was already postponed once because Pleroma turned the entire Empire into chaos, but the Emperor doesn’t seem to want to postpone it further.

He thinks postponing the competition indefinitely because of Pleroma would be tantamount to defeat by Pleroma.

Personally, I’ve always thought it’s absolutely not a good choice, but this time I used it advantageously.

“It’s not such a nice Hotel, but how about that place?”

Ludovica pointed to the Alley behind us.

He took something out of his jacket pocket and created a gust of wind with his wand. Whatever flew away in the wind burst in front of a sign, creating light.

It looked like a Motel to me, but anyway, it was a Hotel.

“I’m the owner.”

“…”

What luck.

Not only are you a Pleroma Priest, but you’re also running a business in Primrose Pass? These guys have great ambition.

Of course, if I were part of Pleroma’s leadership, I’d gradually start placing Pleroma personnel in profitable ventures and have them extract benefits.

As I continued staring blankly in that direction, Ludovica smiled softly and teased me.

“Oh, does the young master of the Caetani family perhaps have trouble sleeping in places like that?”

“Not at all. How could that be when it’s a place you operate, Ludovica? How much would it cost?”

“It’s free for you two.”

“I don’t like things without a price.”

“Having you stay would actually be good for me. My establishment doesn’t have any guests anyway, so I’m just giving you a spot in an empty place.”

“It’s the effect of the search and seizure.”

“That’s right. So please fill at least one spot. It’s better than becoming a ghost hotel.”

I nodded and smiled.

“Alright. Thank you.”

Ludovica, who had been quietly watching me, smiled strangely and asked.

“You’re really 25?”

“Yes.”

“You look younger. Perhaps… I think this might be the case, but have you been living off your family’s money for entertainment expenses like this all along?”

“Yes. That’s right, isn’t it?”

“Ah~ so that’s why.”

“…”

So I look exactly like someone who’s immature for their age.

Living off family money doesn’t necessarily make someone like that, but I’m grateful they understand it that way.

When the conversation seemed to end, the guard pushed Narke forward.

We entered the hotel that Ludovica operated.

And, naturally, we couldn’t rest.

After entering the room we were shown to, Narke used divine power to speak.

―”You’re going downstairs, right? I’ll wait here~”

―”Yeah. I need to leave with you after the conversation ends, so even if Fai calls, make sure to come back.”

Narke nodded.

I unpacked in the room and immediately went down to Ludovica’s room.

Knock knock―

Not long after knocking on the door, Ludovica opened it with a puzzled expression.

“Is there some problem with the room?”

“No. Would you like to have a drink?”

“…”

He looked at me incredulously and let out a hollow laugh.

It can’t be helped. I need to draw conversation out of him somehow.

Why Pleroma approached me from the beginning is suspicious, but I can’t miss this rare opportunity.

If it’s really a problem, retry will provide a checkpoint, so I have no choice but to go straight ahead.

“I need to go out again now.”

“Won’t that work?”

“…”

Ludovica, who had only been tilting his head, smiled and gestured outside.

We went up to the wine bar with the lights off.

“This place opens from 5 o’clock. I didn’t know I’d be turning on the lights myself at 3. You really love alcohol.”

Ludovica pondered and chose a bottle.

“You were drinking Chardonnay earlier, so let’s go with Riesling this time. If you’ve come to our country, you should try it at least once, shouldn’t you?”

“Ah~ sounds good.”

I quickly seated him and took out glasses to set up.

After lightly clinking glasses and putting the alcohol to my lips, Ludovica, who had been observing me, smiled and said.

“You look really happy just from one drink.”

“Do I…?”

This is miserable. Someone please drink this 200,000 won alcohol for me. I think I wouldn’t notice much difference now even if I drank alcohol lamp fuel.

We chatted about trivial things after that. I was yawning from sleepiness, but since I usually handled Crisis Response Headquarters work that piled up from Bavaria at dawn anyway, I was already skilled at staying awake.

“What do you do during the day?”

When boring conversation had been going on for a while, he asked a very important question.

“Hmm… I’m studying a bit. You need money to enjoy yourself, right? The money I’ve saved up will run out someday too. So recently I’m thinking about starting a business.”

“A business.”

Ludovica rested his chin on his hand and looked at me as if telling me to continue.

“Will you give me advice?”

“Of course. What kind of industry are you thinking about?”

“Well. I want to open some kind of shop in Primrose Pass. If it becomes my business, I can drink all the time and do whatever I want, right?”

I spouted complete nonsense while giggling.

As expected, the other person’s smile still contained a look as if viewing someone beyond help.

‘Haha…’

Since it was the intended reaction, I was pleased.

“Good. Then you should do some advance scouting. You’d need to do that to open a shop in Primrose Pass, wouldn’t you?”

“Mm, that’s right. Market research.”

“Oh~”

I tilted my head at that mocking exclamation.

“…That’s too much. I’ll have you know I graduated high school with quite high grades.”

“Ah~ of course you would. You’re Caetani bloodline.”

Ludovica swirled wine in his mouth, savored it for a long time, and said one thing.

“Do you want to stay here until Penthalon ends?”

“…”

This is going smoothly.

“Would that be okay?”

“Of course. It would be better for attracting customers if you fill even one spot.”

“Good. But I probably won’t be in much… if two or three hours at dawn is okay, I’ll do that.”

“Are you going to meet women during the day?”

‘…I guess the image is already firmly established.’

I shook my head.

“I’m studying. Studying human relations and social skills.”

The other person was looking at me with eyes that said not to talk nonsense.

I snapped my fingers and tilted my head.

“Fine. I’ll admit it. How did you know what I’d be doing?”

“Your behavior is exactly like that. I’m wondering what to do about such a descendant coming from priestly bloodline – didn’t you know? Looking at you now, I’m starting to suspect whether Pope Boniface VIII also lived hiding such debauchery.”

“Umm, hahaha…”

I raised my glass and lightly tapped the upper part of his glass.

A clear sound rang out as the glass cups clinked together. Ludovica’s green eyes met mine for a long time.

“Then, if you become an accomplice, you wouldn’t think that way.”

“…”

“You’re from a convent. No, you’re a priest now.”

I said that and took a sip of wine.

The corners of Ludovica’s mouth slowly curled up.

“Or would you still do it? Want to try an experiment?”

“Who’s going to take responsibility for my guilty conscience?”

“I will.”

“Hahaha! If you trust someone like this, it’s all over.”

Ludovica burst into hearty laughter, then shrugged and continued.

“You have talent.”

“Talent?”

“Earlier you rejected me with a smile saying we’d never meet again, and now you’re asking me to be your accomplice. If this isn’t talent, what is?”

“Let’s forget that…”

“50,000 fel per week.”

“…”

500,000 won?

For what?

I spaced out for a while, trying to figure out what I had just heard.

Of course, I realized what it meant after about 10 seconds.

“The business capital is just family money anyway. How about it? Playing around as you like and taking home 200,000 a month isn’t bad, right?”

“This is a bit much.”

“Too little? How about 100,000?”

“I don’t have that kind of hobby.”

“You can develop one with this opportunity.”

‘What is he talking about.’

I just burst out laughing and downed my drink.

“500,000.”

“…!”

I barely managed to swallow my drink and wiped my mouth.

20 million won per month now? Does he have no sense of economics?

Seeing my intense reaction, he smiled and shook his head.

“Oh, 500,000 per week makes it worth considering?”

“I’m thinking of reporting you, Mr. Schneider. Setting that aside, 500,000 per week – I already have tens of millions of fel accumulated in the Imperial Bank, so I don’t really need that.”

When I called him by his surname instead of his name, he looked at me with interested eyes and drank his alcohol.

Listening to all this crazy talk is giving me a headache.

But wait, let me think about this for a moment.

This doesn’t add up.

If he wanted to buy me off with money, he should have responded when I tempted him earlier.

What’s he trying to achieve by offering me 20 million won every month?

I organized my thoughts and smiled.

“You’re testing me.”

Ludovica raised one eyebrow.

I’ve been playing along with the concept so far, but I need to act a bit more like my true self.

“Let’s be honest. That’s not your real purpose.”

“Hahaha… Who knows?”

“It’s obviously not.”

I said that and drank my alcohol.

“If that were your purpose, you should have responded to my words earlier. Or do you dislike romance and are only interested in human reproductive activities? In my experience, there’s a 99.9% chance that’s not the case.”

“You’re accurate.”

“Am I talking to the 0.1% right now?”

“You said you wanted to do business.”

“…”

I firmly pressed down my slightly rising lips.

Ludovica clasped both hands together and smiled with satisfaction.

“I’ll help you recover your investment principal within 6 months and take home 2 million fel every month.”

“…”

Right. It’s time to reveal the real intention.

To bring up a business partnership proposal like that… I guess there are all kinds of people in this world…

But I’m grateful for those words.

Of course, there are many things to examine.

The fact that he thought I could provide investment money just from hearing ‘tens of millions of fel accumulated in the Imperial Bank,’ and why he approached me specifically from the beginning.

At least for the latter, the fog cleared a bit while talking with him. He said he greets new people who come to this place.

Still, I need to carefully examine whether this lucky situation is just for me, or if it was also luck for him.

Just as I have calculations, he might also have deep calculations.

‘For now.’

I’ll find out, but take a roundabout approach.

While maintaining Jeremaiah Caetani’s concept.

“…If I trust someone like this, it’s over for me. Is it okay for a priest to be like this?”

“Haha! That’s what I said earlier. I’m not Catholic to begin with.”

“A heretic then. It was already strange that a priest was doing business in Primrose Pass, but I didn’t know such weird Calvinist sects actually existed. For Protestants to be called priests, what denomination is this exactly?”

“Protestant? That’s English. In the Empire, we call Protestant believers Evangelists.”

“Is this an Imperial language classroom? That’s not the point.”

“You’re also going off-topic.”

“…”

This should be enough to imprint on him that I don’t know Pleroma, or at least that ‘even if I’ve heard the name, I’m not familiar enough with it to think of it here.’

I kept wetting my lips with alcohol, then noticed he was staring at my actions and started acting again.

“I heard there was a search and seizure.”

“That’s right.”

“How can you recover the principal in 6 months? Can you guarantee that, Ludovica?”

“Of course. This issue will be resolved quickly. Originally it was supposed to take some time… It’ll be resolved soon, so no need to worry.”

“How?”

‘Originally it was supposed to take some time, but it will be resolved quickly.’

Good information.

They were planning to solve the problem slowly until I shut down the Council. But now that things have started going wrong, they’re trying to handle it quickly before the problem gets bigger. Probably the Chairman’s will.

But why didn’t they do that from the start?

It means that quick method has fatal risks.

If there were no risks, they would have handled it quickly from the beginning.

Ludovica is telling me things will go smoothly, but in reality, they’re feeling urgent right now.

“There are ways for everything.”

“What method is that?”

“…”

“And what kind of business is it?”

“Didn’t you say any business would be fine as long as you could live comfortably?”

Ludovica smoothly avoided answering.

‘Won’t tell me?’

How much of a fool does he think I am to hide even what I need to know? Seeing him talk about talent, I can roughly guess…

No matter how much I think about Jeremaiah Caetani’s image, I can’t just let this slide.

I’m getting closer to my goal faster than expected, so I can’t waste this opportunity.

I lowered my body to match his eye level.

“Ludovica.”

“Yes?”

“You said I have talent. Do you like me as a business partner?”

When I brought my face close, his gaze wandered around briefly.

But it was only for a moment. Ludovica quickly regained his composure.

“Of course~ I’ve never seen anyone this naturally gifted.”

“Then you’ll need to give me confidence.”

“…”

“I can’t invest without information, right? Words alone aren’t enough.”

Tell me.

And bring them directly before my eyes.

“How, and who can solve Primrose Pass’s problems?”

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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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