How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 266

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

How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magic Family (266)

 

“Right.”

 

“It took a long time. Didn’t it?”

 

Leo’s calm question reached me. I smiled without answering.

 

It did take a long time. Only after overturning time once and experiencing two terrorist attacks was I finally able to keep my promise.

 

Leo had asked me to go to Bavaria after the opening ceremony ended even before the Archbishop’s terrorist attack appeared. So that means he was planning to give me a medal like this even when I hadn’t achieved any particular merit…

 

Thinking about that made me chuckle. Leo had been preparing this from the beginning for Lucas Ascanien’s identity. Even when there was no real basis for giving me an award.

 

“Is this why you lied about having business and left first?”

 

“I do have business.”

 

Leo shamelessly pointed to my medal and himself.

 

I wanted to punch him for teasing me, but I held back thinking that I’m currently the same age as this guy.

 

I don’t know when this rule-following mass became like this. Actually, he’s still a stickler for rules at school and in Eschede, but seeing these rare moments when he jokes around like other kids makes it twice as absurd.

 

“Were you surprised?”

 

Leo asked with a subtly mischievous expression. He seemed to expect me to say I was surprised. He must have waited for this day without telling me properly, wanting to give it as a surprise gift, so that’s understandable.

 

I tilted my head and asked.

 

“What do you think?”

 

“You must have been surprised.”

 

“I wasn’t surprised.”

 

“No? You must have been quite surprised. I can picture your expression when you received the letter.”

 

“Let’s have a talk later.”

 

“Hm? Okay.”

 

Why is he taking this seriously again… I meant let’s fight.

 

I don’t know how much of this conversation is joking and how much is serious. I gave up saying more in this unpredictable conversation. I just relaxed my shoulders and straightened my posture. The distance that had gotten closer during our conversation returned to normal. And I said seriously.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“…”

 

Leo looked at me silently.

 

The grandmaster of this knightly order is the King, not the Prince. The one who permitted entry was also the King, not the Prince, and the letter I received earlier was completed with the King’s seal, name, and stamp.

 

But this is his doing. Even if others don’t know, I, Leo, and the King know. The person who gave me the medal and brought me into the knightly order is none other than Leo. I looked at the numerous insignia on his uniform and continued.

 

“…This is the first time for me. I’ve become indebted to you with this name too.”

 

At those words, Leo smiled slightly.

 

“Debt, you say. It sounds nice, but it’s not true.”

 

“Why does it sound nice?”

 

“This is something you accomplished, Lucas.”

 

He continued in a calmer voice.

 

“Because we carry many burdens on our shoulders, we can receive honor more easily than anyone else just by coming of age and achieving some merit. You were born like us, but couldn’t have that. This is a moment you should have had long ago.”

 

“…”

 

“The one who came through all hardships to get here is none other than you as you are now.”

 

Me as I am now.

 

Contrary to Leo’s intention, those words sounded somewhat different to me.

 

Right, it’s me. I’m the one who came this far. I know it, but it’s a fact I wasn’t conscious of. How many times have I truly accepted my achievements as completely ‘my’ achievements? Were there any? In this surreal reality where I am the butterfly and the butterfly is me, it felt like ‘I’ was suddenly pulled out for a moment, and my strength drained away. I laughed. To think I’m having such thoughts through the words of someone who would never know the truth even in dreams.

 

It was joyful but desperate, and yet still joyful. But my heart feels blocked.

 

It’s better not to think deeply. At least not right now.

 

Meanwhile, Leo smiled warmly and said.

 

“So… it’s not something you should thank me for. Rather, I should be the one saying it. Thank you for entrusting your first knighthood to Wittelsbach. It’s an honor.”

 

“This is also a first. Thank you.”

 

It wasn’t an answer to what he had just said. At the delayed response, Leo tilted his head slightly, thought about what I meant, and smiled.

 

The sound of the national anthem grows louder. It’s time to end the ceremony. He patted my shoulder once.

 

“See you later.”

 

* * *

 

I thought I could return to the dormitory after it ended, but I had to go to the waiting room.

 

They say we need to go out to Hofgarten, the court garden here, to take photos. Having to meet journalists in such an unstable situation as now. It’s ceremonial so it can’t be helped, but it’s not very comfortable.

 

Creak—

 

“Luca!”

 

As soon as the door opened, a familiar voice was heard.

 

Elias was lying diagonally on the sofa in the waiting room. It was a welcome face. As soon as I entered, he sprang up like a spring and pulled my shoulder.

 

“Congratulations! Our Luca did well~”

 

“Did well? That’s embarrassing.”

 

“Is it really embarrassing? It’s surprising that even now as you say that, you have a machine-like expression.”

 

Does it seem like I’m not embarrassed at all? I was quite flustered when Saint Hubertus suddenly came out. Not telling me the type of medal even in the letter must have been Leo’s doing too.

 

When I roughly answered with a laugh, Elias grinned and examined my appearance. His interest was focused on the medal.

 

“This is really… Saint Hubertus.”

 

Elias carefully wrapped his hand with magic power and supported my medal.

 

Now I see that Elias was also wearing Prussian dress uniform. He had loosened his clothes like a playboy, making it hard to confirm, but at a glance, there was no insignia with the same ribbon color as the medal I received.

 

“You’ve also received medals from Bavaria before.”

 

“Oh, right. The Bavarian Crown Merit Order. I got it last year during the contaminated mosquito incident.”

 

Elias pointed to his sky blue and white insignia and grinned. He received a slightly lower one. From Bavaria’s perspective, it would have been difficult to immediately give too high a medal to a collateral imperial family member that the Emperor subtly keeps in check. Still, someday Elias will also receive the Saint Hubertus medal. Because he will become Emperor.

 

Elias fiddled with my medal for a while then said something unexpected.

 

“Ah~ What a shame. I want to give you a medal too…”

 

“Don’t you want to receive one instead?”

 

“Mm.”

 

He raised his eyebrows and shrugged. His eyes that had been fixed on the medal now turned to me.

 

“Save a spot, Luca.”

 

“…”

 

“You know what I mean, right?”

 

In Elias’s eyes as he said that, I could feel an obsession that seemed like it could get him dragged away for treason.

 

This is why he reacted lukewarmly to my earlier words. Well, of course, because for him to be in a position to give Prussian medals, it means he needs to become Emperor.

 

‘I like it.’

 

This ambition.

 

I tilted my head.

 

“It might be hard to save a spot.”

 

“Ah~ As expected. I have no choice but to work harder.”

 

Elias giggled and plopped back down on the sofa. When I sat down next to him, Elias turned his head sharply and said.

 

“And how did you know it would be hard to save a spot?”

 

“What do you mean.”

 

He made a strange sound that you’d only hear in the wild, clenching both hands with an expression that his mouth was itching, then brought his face close to mine.

 

“Now, from now on we have to go on a national tour, Luca. As soon as we finish taking photos at Hofgarten, we depart!”

 

“Depart right away? Why. We should wait until the schedule comes out.”

 

“Why, you ask? Our Luca~ doesn’t know~”

 

I looked at him with eyes asking what’s with him, but he didn’t seem inclined to explain. He just kept being annoying. He took out a newspaper cut to 1/4 size from his clutch and waved it around.

 

“Well, you couldn’t read the newspaper~ right?”

 

“You know well. Just give me that first.”

 

“I’m torn between giving it or not…”

 

“You’re torn?”

 

I suppose so. I moved my hand to my waist and quickly drew my wand.

 

Boom—!

 

“Uwaaah!”

 

Elias blocked in front with both arms and fell onto the sofa.

 

He looked at me with wide eyes, then chuckled and swept away the barrier. Mine and his magic power scattered in the air. He grabbed and covered the tip of my wand with his hand and said.

 

“Is Luca’s life motto something like ‘life is real combat’?”

 

“There are too many high schoolers today.”

 

“Huh? You too.”

 

“Yeah, that’s true….”

 

Elias looked back and forth between the newspaper and me, then spoke as if he had made up his mind.

 

“You need to leave soon.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Elias got up from his seat and led me.

 

Having frequented this castle since childhood, he knew the layout well. We quickly entered the corridor leading to the Hofgarten.

 

The sunset was gradually beginning.

 

He stood in front of the magic field connecting the Hofgarten and Munich Residenz. This magic field looked like a thick marble block, but it actually wasn’t. Anyone with magic could just pass through it.

 

Elias pulled out a crumpled newspaper from his clutch and spoke seriously.

 

“Luca. I’ll show you. But don’t be disappointed. I’m being serious now. There’s a reason I didn’t show you the newspaper.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Between the public opinion war talk and Anhalt, I’m already expecting it to some extent. Even though the Anhalt government is trying to seize this opportunity, there’s bound to be a considerable mix of negative and anxious reactions—like various suspicions and concerns about future terrorism.

 

“Give it to me. I’m prepared. But why is there only 1/4 of the newspaper?”

 

“Be grateful we even have this much.”

 

Elias pushed the crumpled paper into my hand with a solemn face and wrapped my hand around it again. I slightly frowned at that solemn expression and unfolded the paper.

 

[The Noble Sacrifice of Royal Mage Lucas Ascanien, Saved 600,000 Lives]

 

“…?”

 

Wait, you said there was a reason for not showing me the newspaper? This is the complete opposite.

 

“Uhahahaha!”

 

Elias laughed and slapped my back hard.

 

“Weak to compliments~ If it were me, I would have devoured it.”

 

Devoured what? The newspaper? I shook my head vigorously and said.

 

“This isn’t what’s important right now. I need to see the entire Imperial Newspaper. What am I supposed to do with just one article cut out like this?”

 

“Ah~ You need to see the whole thing? You think I only brought you the good articles?”

 

Elias tapped near his ear. At that moment, a familiar face warped in. Narke was grinning while holding a newspaper. Those eyes were similar to Leo’s eyes I saw earlier.

 

“….”

 

Now I understood everything.

 

I should have noticed from the very beginning when they were trying to stop me from checking the newspaper. Right now, starting with Leo, everyone is conspiring to tease me.

 

Anyway, even though they planned this situation too, they brought the newspaper so I’ll forgive them. I snatched the newspaper and read it.

 

[[Breaking News] Terrorist Activity Discovered at Penthalon Venue, Lucas Ascanien Missing]

 

‘Hmm?’

 

“It’s a bit old, right? I arranged them chronologically from a few days ago~”

 

Narke, who read my thoughts, said with a smile.

 

I nodded and read the title of the next issue’s article. Even though it was just the front and second pages collected, the papers seemed endless.

 

[Heinous Terrorism Targeting 1.9 Million People, Limited to 53 Serious Injuries… Who is the Hero?]

 

[Penthalon Committee: “Resolved Terrorism in Cooperation with Royal Mage Lucas Ascanien”]

 

[Penthalon Committee: “Cannot Rule Out Lucas Ascanien’s Possible Connection to Terrorism… Not Warning About Terrorism in Advance Was a Strategy to Prevent Chaos”]

 

These are 6 o’clock and 7 o’clock articles respectively. The change in narrative is confirmed in real time.

 

[Lucas Ascanien Who Disappeared After Shouting ‘The Osnabrück Diocese is Looking for You’, Where Did He Go?]

 

[Duke Gustav Hohenzollern: “Royal Mage Lucas Ascanien Identified Terrorist Activity Right After the Cross Appeared… It Was the Committee That Responded Lukewarmly”]

 

[Lucas Ascanien, High Possibility of Pleroma Kidnapping]

 

[Imperial Academy Faculty Statement… Government That Drives Students to Death Should Reflect]

 

[Decisive Response Prevented Tragedy: Government Official Testimony About Lucas Ascanien]

 

[Terrorism Victims’ Association: “Respect for Royal Mage Ascanien’s Dedication”]

 

[Dedication for Citizens Who Slandered Congenital Incurable Disease as Pleroma… Anhalt Royal Who Repaid Citizens’ Enmity with Grace]

 

[Hero’s Victory: Lucas Ascanien Who Crushed Heinous Terrorism Against 600,000 Lives]

 

[Lucas Ascanien Returns Alive in Critical Condition, Unconscious but Recovering]

 

‘Wait… How many times did they publish the newspaper in that short period?’

 

And not just the quantity, but the content gets more embarrassing to read as it goes on. I literally can’t read anymore. They wrote this for me to read?

 

Even that article about repaying enmity with grace seems like it could cause significant backlash. Articles saying we shouldn’t let our guard down because I might really be Pleroma could come out. Such articles should be prevented.

 

Whether it was because my hands were trembling from this barrage of burdensome articles, or because she read my thoughts, Narke covered her mouth and giggled.

 

“Wow… Lucas’s head is going to explode.”

 

Don’t read my thoughts.

 

“Got it.”

 

Anyway, I’m starting to get the picture.

 

How those embarrassingly praising articles ended up prominently on the front page of the Imperial Newspaper.

 

Mass psychology prevented both journalists and individual members of the public from feeling aversion to those articles. Idolization created by collective hallucination. This is a representative characteristic of mass psychology in chaotic situations. It means public opinion has already clearly tilted to one side.

 

“….”

 

I touched my lips and smiled faintly.

 

If this is the case, the public opinion war the Duke mentioned means I need to start solidifying my position to take my first step as a politician on solid ground.

 

The Anhalt aide’s statement that ‘Anhalt citizens are in confusion’ means they’re confused because the troublemaker they extremely rejected and despised has become the Empire’s hero. That’s why they want me to show my face as soon as possible and establish national discipline as a member of the ruling family.

 

“Good. Thank you.”

 

To think they tried to make even this a surprise. I can only laugh.

 

When I tried to hand the newspaper back to Narke, Elias put it back in my arms.

 

“No, look more! You haven’t seen it all!”

 

“What else….”

 

I read the last newspaper title.

 

[Wittelsbach Bavaria Royal Family Awards Order of Saint Hubertus to Imperial Hero Lucas Ascanien]

 

Imperial Hero? Was that a term the Imperial Newspaper could use? As soon as I thought that, Narke laughed again. Since Elias had a reason for showing me this, I shifted my gaze to the main content he had marked.

 

[The Kingdom of Prussia and the Principalities of Brunswick-Saxe-Altenburg-Saxe-Meiningen-Saxe-Coburg-Gotha are discussing medal awards, while the Grand Duchy of Baden and Principality of Anhalt have already confirmed the types and grades of honors to be awarded.]

 

‘…Huh.’

 

When I just moved my lips silently, Elias noticed my confusion and said playfully.

 

“Why did I say you have to do a national tour starting tonight? Luca, you don’t just have to do press conferences. Until you return to Bavaria at the end of your schedule, you have to keep going around receiving medals.”

 

“Huh….”

 

So that’s why you asked how I knew it would be difficult to leave the medicine cabinet. I was joking earlier, but there’s plenty of space for medal cases anyway.

 

I burst into laughter and said.

 

“I didn’t expect this.”

 

“It was worth telling you not to read the newspaper!”

 

“Geez….”

 

“Oh, and you have to travel with us too.”

 

“Travel? With this schedule?”

 

“Yeah. Julia said let’s go on a trip when it’s over. Baden said they’d support it!”

 

Of course. I already know about this. To think this day would really come, it’s been such a long journey to get here.

 

I chuckled while reading the medal award announcements I didn’t even know about written in the newspaper.

 

“So, if it’s adjusted to my schedule, we’re traveling nationwide? In just 2 nights and 3 days?”

 

“Something like that. It’s a bit short for a national tour, right? If you whine to His Majesty to postpone the audience schedule a bit, he might let us play longer?”

 

“Use the word ‘request’….”

 

I chuckled and handed the newspaper to Elias.

 

A notification sound was coming from the artifact hooked on my ear. It was time to go to the Hofgarten. The moment I turned around, I heard encouragement.

 

“Don’t be anxious and go have more fun, Lucas.”

 

It was Narke’s words. He must have sensed that I was conscious of the journalists from the very beginning.

 

When I turned my head, he smiled gently and pointed outside.

 

“The Empire is on your side now.”

 

* * *

 

“We’ll conclude here. Thank you.”

 

After taking commemorative photos, the Bavarian government held a brief press conference at the Hofgarten. Though they called it a press conference, the government limited the number of journalists who could enter to ten, considering my health. Citizen entry was completely prohibited.

 

This was my first official conference where I directly appeared.

 

Just before dismissal, one journalist asked the guards for permission and approached me.

 

“Congratulations on being appointed as a Knight of Saint Hubertus. I was truly amazed by the courage you showed, Your Excellency.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“There are many citizens who wish to meet Your Excellency, so it was truly an honor for me to meet you first like this.”

 

“I don’t know where to put myself.”

 

I said that and shook hands with him as a farewell greeting. Perhaps he was speaking a bit more excessively because I was from a ruling family, but anyway, it was as Narke had said. There was no one like a government aide who would flash their eyes trying to find something politically useful in every word I said. It was fine to approach this with less tension. The fact that this was the overall atmosphere made me feel more comfortable.

 

The journalist grinned at my words and replied.

 

“You don’t know where to put yourself? Your Excellency is more than qualified to receive such honor. I’ll see you again in two days.”

 

He seemed to be someone who would also participate in the next royal audience ceremony. I briefly greeted the other journalists as well, and finished all of today’s official schedule.

 

The time was already 6 o’clock.

 

After all the media outlets had withdrawn, I sat at the tea table set up in the Hofgarten pavilion. Naturally, it was with Leo.

 

From when we took commemorative photos until sitting at this spot, he hadn’t said a word and was just smiling, so I looked around and spoke first.

 

“Isn’t this a really burdensome situation?”

 

“Hmm, why?”

 

“The person who gave the medal and the person who received the medal are sitting together at a table after taking commemorative shots? It feels like we should be doing PR about development potential and future aspirations to score points.”

 

“Hahaha.”

 

Leo laughed out loud for once, then propped his chin and said.

 

“Then tell me. What are your thoughts on becoming a knight of Wittelsbach?”

 

“I already said it in the Antiquarium earlier. It’s good.”

 

“…”

 

Leo let out a hollow laugh. Then he muttered as if giving himself a suggestion.

 

“Right, I already knew this was the kind of friend you are.”

 

“Look at this guy…”

 

“Lucas.”

 

I raised my eyebrows instead of answering. Leo organized his laughter and continued calmly.

 

“You must have confirmed the knighthood.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“You’re well aware that you’ve become a hero of the Empire. From now on, you’ll receive merit badges and medals from several countries among the Empire’s 26 federal states. How do you feel?”

 

“…”

 

I crossed my arms and leaned back against the backrest. Then I observed Leo’s expression intently. When Leo showed an uncomfortable expression with an awkward smile due to my continued observation, I smiled and answered.

 

“The first honor Bavaria gave me is something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life. No, I can’t forget it.”

 

“…”

 

“This is the answer you wanted, right?”

 

“…Yeah. I can’t say it isn’t.”

 

Leo turned his gaze away and mumbled.

 

What this guy is thinking is obvious. The ‘You won’t go to Baden, right?’ I heard a while ago still remains vivid to me.

 

Even before I solved the Archbishop’s terror incident, he had thoughts of giving me a medal for whatever reason, but since Pleroma happened to carry out a large-scale terror attack and I ended up receiving medals from numerous countries, he probably felt a bit bothered that he couldn’t take the ‘unique’ title. He wanted to seem like he recognized my potential first, but it would end up being buried among everyone’s choices.

 

And he probably wanted to give me a more memorable gift, but that too became somewhat ambiguous—this is entirely from his perspective—so he might be thinking whether I would treat the medal lightly.

 

He’s wrong. The sincerity of trying to find and fill what I lacked was fully conveyed. Frankly speaking, even if the Kingdom of Saxony or the Kingdom of Württemberg, one of the Empire’s four kingdoms, gave me the highest grade medal, I wouldn’t feel this much gratitude.

 

‘Anyway… you’re thinking of making this a surprise.’

 

What a funny guy.

 

Then, Leo, who was propping his chin and looking around, muttered.

 

“I’m happy that even you have come to Bavaria now.”

 

Even ‘you’. He means not just Nicolaus but Lucas Ascanien too. I twisted up one corner of my mouth and said.

 

“I knew you’d say that.”

 

“Really? Your prediction skills are getting better.”

 

And this guy is getting more and more shameless. I can feel the satisfaction about securing human capital contained in those words, making me let out a hollow laugh.

 

“Sorry, but I promised loyalty to your mother. The Grand Master isn’t you.”

 

“Yeah, it doesn’t matter.”

 

Leo drank his tea and answered briefly.

 

Yeah, why would it matter to this bastard… He probably thinks it doesn’t matter since he’ll become the ruler of Bavaria later.

 

I chuckled and said.

 

“I should bring you to Anhalt sometime later too.”

 

“Ah, you’re going to put me in your knight order?”

 

Leo’s eyes widened, then he smiled and said.

 

“Good. Make sure you do that.”

 

He’s treating it as confirmed that I’ll become a ruler.

 

Anyway, if I can strengthen relations with Bavaria more, it’s a decent deal.

 

It’s not just him who’s enthusiastic about securing human capital.

 

I’m also trying to gradually draw people from each ruling family to my side, starting with Leo, and I’ll continue to do so. I finished all my remaining tea and stood up, saying with satisfaction.

 

“Now, let’s get going. We said we’d depart after finishing this.”

 

“Hmm, you already heard about that. Do you know where we’re going?”

 

“Anhalt, right? Since the first press conference is there.”

 

Elias said he’d take care of the luggage. Now I should warp to the Bavarian border. When I extended my hand meaning to warp, Leo shook his head.

 

“I called a carriage.”

 

“A carriage?”

 

Suddenly? When I narrowed my eyes, Leo grinned and said.

 

“We’re going to take a train from here. It’s our first trip together, so we should enjoy it properly.”

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