How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 237

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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 (237)

Let me be direct.

The Chief of Public Security’s proposal is an argument not even worth considering.

Even if I invested this entire meeting time to prove the absurdity of that proposal, it wouldn’t be enough.

But the fact that the Chief of Public Security just seriously spouted nonsense like someone who just woke up is no longer important at all.

Because a new problem has arisen.

“….”

The gazes of countless mages, including the Minister of Magic, fell upon me. A bewildered atmosphere flowed.

I am the lowest of the low in this place. I’m only here because I directly witnessed the scene, not because I have some great authority. Even Leo came here as Prince of Bavaria, not as Captain of Eschete.

I put down the fountain pen I was holding onto the report and looked at him.

The Crown Prince was smiling faintly with his eyes narrowed. Without taking his gaze off me, he lightly took a puff from the cigarette he was holding and exhaled. The light from the magic screen illuminated the smoke coming from the tip of his cigarette. In the space frozen as if time had stopped, only the cigarette smoke was moving.

“I am….”

I was about to say that I’m not in a position to discuss His Excellency the Chief of Public Security’s proposal, so please reconsider your judgment, but my statement was cut off from the start.

Because the Crown Prince exercised that damned insight of his and interrupted me.

“It’s fine, so please speak comfortably. I’m curious about what our new civil servant who first discovered the terror scene thinks about this terrorist situation.”

“….”

My eyes naturally turned to my surroundings.

Wariness briefly flashed in the Minister of Magic’s eyes. Leo was looking at me with a slightly flustered expression….

The King of Bavaria sitting next to the Crown Prince was looking at me with dry eyes. He had no reason to protect the heir of Anhalt, not Nicolaus who was a royal retainer.

No, to be precise….

‘Defending would be a loss in calculations.’

He’s in the only position here where he can add words to the Crown Prince’s actions. So suppose he restrains the Crown Prince by saying ‘Now is not the time to ask for opinions from the lowest of the low scum with 72 hours left until opening.’ Any other defense is currently impossible.

In that case, the Crown Prince would gain an opportunity to reduce Bavaria’s influence over me.

How?

‘Knowing well what kind of evaluation Lucas Ascanien received to come up here, it’s worth hearing his judgment at least once.’

This statement would provide every opportunity.

Why is such an apparently absurd claim possible?

The professors ranked me first in the 3rd Military Academy exam because of my situational judgment ability.

And the Crown Prince recruited me, Eschete, to the Imperial Court because of that quality. Because he’s a mage he pushed through and recruited, and because the Crown Prince holds the highest position here, there’s room for his stubbornness to be allowed.

As a result, if my judgment is correct, the King’s insight in stopping the Crown Prince would be diminished. Conversely, the Crown Prince who paid attention to my judgment while Lucas Ascanien’s political foundation doesn’t exist yet would be able to exercise influence over me in Imperial politics.

The King of Bavaria would want to maintain absolute superiority over Nicolaus, so he wouldn’t want to back down regarding Lucas Ascanien, the main body either. The King’s choice to remain neutral is the best choice.

Now the problem is me.

What answer should I give to this situation?

‘There’s no point in thinking about that.’

From the moment the Crown Prince entrusted verification of a high-level demand to a low-ranking person, the Chief of Public Security’s pride was already shattered. Whether I agree or disagree with the Chief of Public Security’s opinion, the very act of a low-ranking person reviewing the validity of a high-ranking official’s proposal is presumptuous.

I’ll be criticized whether I agree or disagree.

I suppressed the urge to snatch and smoke the Crown Prince’s cigarette and thought.

‘Is this telling me to pick the right side from now on?’

He’s asking which I’ll choose between himself and other officials.

I looked at his golden eyes that shone brilliantly even with just faint rays of light in the darkness.

Without saying it, he surely thinks the same as me. He must find the Chief of Public Security’s demand pathetic.

Let me draw conclusions for each case, assuming the Crown Prince doesn’t betray me.

If I agree with the Chief of Public Security’s proposal, it just becomes a paradise of fools. What’s the point of saying more? I become the fool among fools who applauded foolish logic out of fear of future troubles. I gain neither the Imperial Court’s support nor the support of Imperial agency officials and government officials.

Even if I oppose it, naturally I won’t gain the officials’ support. However, in this case, a clear connection is created for the Crown Prince to grab my hand and pull me forward. It means starting my political debut by standing with the Elizabeth Hohenzollern line.

If the Crown Prince’s judgment goes wrong, it also becomes a structure where responsibility can be shifted to me.

Then what if I don’t answer? As I thought earlier, from the moment he entrusted verification to me, I’ve already earned the officials’ resentment.

The Chief of Public Security would have already prepared in his mind to order a background check on me and find a way to get rid of me as soon as he returns. The desperation of incompetent people who can’t compete with skill is extremely severe beyond what ordinary people can imagine.

‘I understand well.’

I’ve decided what I should do.

‘Definitely stay out of it.’

If the Crown Prince supports me, do you think pro-Emperor politicians will accept me? Even if they treat me with smooth smiles on the surface, the established generation who have been rolling around in politics for decades, seeing all kinds of unsightly things, won’t easily accept a new generation that just parachuted in.

Moreover, in this case, I’d be handing over my political life to the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince helps raise my position by holding my hand, the moment he lets go, I’ll be torn apart by those who were waiting underwater like piranhas for a chance to bite me.

To summarize:

Whatever I answer here, or even if I don’t answer, there’s a high possibility I’ll be positioned in the middle of political strife. However, in this current situation, it’s better not to answer.

“Your Highness. I still have many difficulties speaking in this place. Also, I cannot add my opinion to the proposal His Excellency the Chief of Public Security made to Your Highness. I would like to report my opinion by meeting Your Highness directly after the meeting ends.”

The Crown Prince answered with a gentle smile.

“The words that you’ll meet me directly to tell me sound quite pleasant. But since we must establish the big framework for the future during this time today, it seems we won’t have time for a separate second meeting with me.”

“….”

It’s a refusal.

I can’t retreat any further from here.

In this case, I have no choice but to just accept the risk and state my opinion.

‘I’ll need to secure one more political background after the meeting ends.’

A background for Lucas Ascanien, that is. I can’t just meekly let him grab me by the collar here.

As I was thinking that and about to open my mouth, an unexpectedly calm voice was heard.

“Crown Prince.”

It was Leo. He looked at the Crown Prince without any emotion on his face.

The Crown Prince raised his eyebrows as if encountering an interesting situation.

“I apologize for interfering despite not being the party involved. I ask that you postpone the opportunity to convey opinions to Your Highness. Vice-Director Ascanien’s current condition is not good.”

“Condition?”

“He was found collapsed behind this building 10 minutes before the meeting. When briefly examined, it appeared to be due to extreme tension and fatigue.”

“….”

The Crown Prince slowly nodded.

“Good. I’d like to say thank you for kindly explaining the situation to me. The fact that he answered no when I already asked if his condition wasn’t good… I’m curious whether it’s in the realm of loyalty or due to insufficient self-assessment.”

He said while looking at Leo and me alternately with gentle eyes.

“While it’s proper not to burden a patient, right now I have no choice but to ask for some understanding from His Highness the Prince of Bavaria and Vice-Director Ascanien.”

As expected.

He has no intention of ending this situation.

The Crown Prince now looked at the Chief of Public Security and spoke.

“War with rats, splendid words. The main culprit who killed this continent long ago is threatening our Empire’s security again. The difference is that what was plague back then has now returned as rampage.”

The Chief of Public Security tried to relax his stiff face and answered.

“Yes.”

“His Excellency the Chief of Public Security claimed that the Russian-made bombs are a kind of deception.”

“…That’s correct. They’re probably planning to release the rats they’ve positioned throughout the capital and Empire while we’re distracted by focusing our manpower and attention on the bombs.”

The Crown Prince, who had been sitting slightly askew and smoking his cigarette expressionlessly, smiled and exhaled smoke. Tension filled the air. The Crown Prince shook his head with a smiling face and straightened his posture.

At the words that followed, we doubted our ears.

“From this time until the final day of Penthalon, I will transfer the Public Security Bureau’s Prussian security jurisdiction to the Ministry of Magic.”

Everyone’s eyes widened. The Crown Prince continued in a leisurely voice, unconcerned by such reactions.

“Let’s have a democratic show of hands vote. The distinguished guests from the federal nations may simply observe comfortably. Starting from Imperial government vice-minister level and above, if you do not agree to transferring the Imperial Public Security Bureau’s Prussian security jurisdiction to the Ministry of Magic, please raise your hand. Not raising your hand will be considered agreement.”

A public show of hands vote is democratic while discussing this topic?

No one moved. Everyone was trying not to look at the Crown Prince, remaining rigid and just breathing. The Minister of Magic’s face maintained dignity as before, but the color could be seen draining from his face.

“Everyone agrees.”

The Crown Prince said while leisurely looking around at people.

“But in this place, the Minister of Magic’s opinion would be important. Do you agree to temporarily transferring the Public Security Bureau’s jurisdiction to the Ministry of Magic until before Penthalon? Even if you disagree, there will be no disadvantages whatsoever.”

“…Your Highness, please reconsider….”

“What.”

“….”

“Transferring the Public Security Bureau’s jurisdiction? Or giving that authority to the Ministry of Magic?”

I looked into the Crown Prince’s eyes.

He’s not Abraham for nothing. He’s making full use of the Crown Prince position he seized.

‘His manipulation skills are quite something.’

I gave him one chance, but since he didn’t answer, I cornered him completely.

If the Minister asks to reconsider the former, that would be overstepping his authority.

If he asks to reconsider the latter, that would be foolish. If the Crown Prince intends to suspend the Public Security Headquarters anyway, there’s no point in the Ministry of Magic maintaining loyalty alone. The Public Security Headquarters belongs to the Imperial Court while the Ministry of Magic is under the government, so there are no connections between them aside from personal friendship between the two officials.

The Minister spoke in a low voice.

“I will follow Crown Prince’s will.”

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. I have never pleaded for you to follow my will. I asked what Your Excellency’s will was.”

The Crown Prince’s voice was utterly gentle, and the smile on his face was the same. However, everyone knows that those words aren’t quite right, and that speaking one’s true mind in this situation would mean the end.

Now there’s only one thing that can come from the Minister of Magic. ‘My will is the same as Crown Prince’s will.’

The Crown Prince was looking for someone to share the weight of sending one person away, and the Minister of Magic was caught in that trap.

When the Minister of Magic was moving his lips and swallowed his saliva, the Chief of Public Security urgently spoke up.

“Your Highness. I, I was merely giving a situation report and offering suggestions for future direction… No, if there were errors in my suggestions and reasoning, I will correct them immediately. If you could tell me…”

“Tell you. Are you saying that to me?”

The Chief of Public Security tried to wave his hand with a dazed expression, then realized that wasn’t proper etiquette and came to his senses. He must have been extremely nervous, as I could see cold sweat flowing down his temples.

It was natural. Did he think he could return after Penthalon ended? If the Crown Prince truly stripped him of his authority, replacing the Chief of Public Security position was a foregone conclusion. There was no need to openly tell him not to come in starting tomorrow, and no noble would say such a thing. This was a dismissal declaration.

“It seems we’ve reached a conclusion now. The Ministry of Magic will…”

“Ah, Your Excellency Ascanien!”

The Chief of Public Security looked at me and shouted urgently.

Despite the interruption, a gentle smile remained on the Crown Prince’s face.

“…”

I stared at the Crown Prince expressionlessly.

The Crown Prince gently raised the corners of his mouth with an expression asking if a burden-free environment had been prepared.

He is Abraham, and he is the Chairman of Primrose Pass. His expression showing little guilt is surprising. His image that had somewhat faded, his track record, was being revived in this moment.

Even though I wasn’t looking at the Chief of Public Security, he spoke to me urgently with a trembling voice.

“I would like to hear Your Excellency’s opinion. I will modify my suggestions, my suggestions according to what Your Excellency says… and again…”

Now the Chief of Public Security owed me a debt. He could no longer go back and prepare to bury me.

The Crown Prince showed me his resolve not to betray me in this situation, a signal that his will was the same as mine, while completely toying with the Public Security Headquarters under the ‘Imperial Court.’ He showed everyone that he could cut down his own subordinate for my sake.

To create an opportunity for me to speak naturally.

Now the risk given to me was drastically reduced compared to the beginning.

Even if they’re temporary allies, the nauseating method aside…

“…”

I never asked for such an opportunity, but it was better than the Crown Prince thinking ‘since problems at Penthalon are inevitable, it would be good to listen to the Chief of Public Security’s nonsense and dump all responsibility on him’ and actually listening to the Chief of Public Security.

Honestly, it was a good situation to distribute responsibility in case Penthalon failed.

I cast amplification magic and opened my mouth.

“Everything I’m about to say is merely my personal opinion.”

“We, we want to hear that opinion, so please speak without burden.”

“Chief of Public Security, you said the Russian bombs were a kind of deception, and that ‘they intend to release the rats stationed throughout the capital and Empire while we’re distracted by focusing our manpower and attention on the bombs.'”

The Chief of Public Security nodded.

“But if they intended deception, it shouldn’t have been in the same space.”

“That…”

“Of course, I understand you brought this up because you were concerned that our government’s attention would be divided between bombs and rats. However, I thought we needed to consider an even greater danger than that.”

“A greater danger…?”

“What if that basement was prepared to mislead us from the original plan?”

Silence followed.

It was natural since there was no evidence for it yet.

“Deploying most of our available manpower to investigate the rats – in my estimation, that’s exactly what Pleroma wants. Only then can they have the leisure to prepare and execute their real plan.”

At those words, the Vice Minister of National Security sitting close to me asked with his arms crossed.

“Real plan?”

“There’s no way to know their real plan yet.”

“Did you reach that conclusion because of the white phosphorus matches placed there? The alphabet written below was classification by production factory and lines. A was Factory 1 Line 1, B was Factory 1 Line 2, and so on. I understand mistaking it for code since two matches had already been delivered to Imperial 2nd Education Institute… but isn’t it a bit hasty? Common sense suggests it’s more likely a bombing notice.”

This content was written in today’s distributed report.

Since the matches were produced too long ago, neither Haike nor I knew this fact. However, this point isn’t important at all.

Those alphabets are still code after all.

“Let’s set aside the white phosphorus matches for now and examine this. As shown in this report, the two rampagers were caretakers of that mixed-use building. After receiving complaints from residents about bad smells for several days, they opened an unused underground storage and were bitten by rats. After being bitten, they went outside to find tools to kill the rats, and after 30 minutes, contaminated Vitriol spread throughout their bodies and they went on a rampage.”

I held the report and turned to the back page.

“The results of examining the resident with divine power to see if he maliciously induced the caretakers to enter the basement are written here. He was innocent. The problem is that divine power examinations were conducted on all citizens on that street, but they were all innocent.”

“Rather than a problem…”

When an objection was heard from somewhere, the Crown Prince extended his hand to stop him.

I glanced at them and continued speaking.

“This basement is located 500m away from Tis Hotel. Since no residents in the vicinity had used the basement, it means the one who occupied the basement was an outsider. Why did they use a place near the VIP accommodation as storage, especially one that could be easily opened with duplicate keys without any special locking devices… That was my biggest question. If the cage accidentally opened, rats could spread and rampage phenomena like today could occur. Right in front of the hotel, no less.”

Perhaps catching on, people who had been listening expressionlessly began to narrow their eyes and nod slightly.

“Currently, the Imperial Government is preserving the scene and lying in wait for the perpetrator to appear. I dare say that attempt will be meaningless. The perpetrator didn’t accidentally let us discover that location – they intended to show us that place.”

“…”

“Besides that, the plan sheet that was coincidentally wet only in the middle was quite suspicious. The white phosphorus match that was dropped exactly on the ground floor, whether it was to lure us to the basement, was the same.”

When the white phosphorus match topic came up again, the Vice Minister of National Security made a face trying to suppress a hollow laugh.

I understand.

If the alphabet on the matches we confirmed was stamped to identify production lines, then as he said, it would be reasonable to interpret it as notice of arson or bomb installation.

But there’s a crucial problem.

“How many matches were reported to police previously plus the ones found today in total?”

“Hmm… I believe it was 11.”

“Good. Then you’ll remember the match that had holes in it. The one where the cut surface was cut once more.”

“Yes.”

“Did you check how many holes there were in total?”

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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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