How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 267

—————
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 (267)

 

Julia’s family had reserved half of the overnight train that traveled from Munich to Dessau, the capital of Anhalt.

 

The problem was this. When we boarded the carriage, it was 7 o’clock, but the train Julia had reserved was a route that departed at 10 o’clock and arrived at 6 o’clock.

 

“Why did we already board the carriage?”

 

I let out a sigh while looking at the purple sky where the sun hadn’t completely set yet. Now Elias and Narke were all aboard with us.

 

“Huh? We’re going to tour Munich first.”

 

Leo said with a smile only when I asked.

 

If this was the plan, there was no need to depart right away. Could it have been Elias’s arbitrary decision?

 

I became exasperated again and leaned my head against the backrest with a thud as I inhaled.

 

“No, why didn’t you tell me in advance today? This is something you could have told me, right?”

 

“Hahahaha! Luca’s sulking~”

 

“Does this look like sulking to you?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“This is driving me crazy…”

 

I just closed my eyes and tried to sleep. However, that attempt didn’t last long.

 

Fai landed on my clothes, whether Narke had thrown him or he had jumped directly like a rabbit.

 

I petted Fai while looking outside. Perhaps thinking we would stand out too much, the carriage we rode in had no royal insignia. Therefore, there were no people particularly paying attention to us. We were crossing through Munich’s city center like this.

 

‘It’s been a while since we wandered around like this.’

 

A New Human taking a train? How ridiculous, I thought, but if you travel by snapping your fingers once… it would be convenient from a Human’s perspective, but for New Humans who have lived their entire lives moving that way, it might not feel like fun.

 

Even for me, this moment of riding a carriage through Munich feels fresh.

 

Elias kept trying to communicate with Fai in my hands through gestures. Seeing Fai’s completely flattened ears, I couldn’t just ignore it and decided to divert Elias’s attention.

 

“Elias, come to think of it, what about that thing you mentioned in the letter?”

 

“I took care of everything while you were sleeping~”

 

I nodded. Previously, Elias had said he would return the poor people who had been driven to the outskirts of the capital back to where they used to live. Canceling the fines imposed on those with below-average appearance was also included in his goals.

 

This time, since I could meet my friends before Penthalon, I didn’t promise to meet after Penthalon ended like before, but withdrew all the money from my account at that time and handed it over to Elias. It seemed he meant he had taken care of everything with this.

 

“The city hall doesn’t have the authority to impose fines. So fortunately, that was easily resolved.”

 

“Come to think of it, how did you persuade them?”

 

“I just said it was illegal conduct, so if they didn’t withdraw everything, I would file a lawsuit. Pretty standard.”

 

“I don’t think you only said that much…”

 

Leo, who had been listening to our conversation, frowned as if he found it unreliable.

 

I think the same. Elias shook his head and clapped his hands.

 

“Anyway, the Penthalon opening ceremony is over, and many tourists have left, so they probably thought there was no need to drag it out any longer. They said they’d cancel the red line!”

 

Just listening to it, it seemed like an incredibly hopeful process that ended ridiculously easily. But as you could tell just from the issue, it wouldn’t have been an ordinary matter. Elias had a tendency to talk about complex and tiresome matters as if they were nothing, both in the novel and here. He himself didn’t feel much fatigue, and he didn’t like showing it either. The reason he started joking around instead of asking if I was okay like the other friends when he first saw me yesterday was because of that personality.

 

“What about the almshouse you’re going to build? It must have been difficult to negotiate with the surrounding residents.”

 

“It was pretty tough~ Even when I said I’d pay double, the only landowner willing to contract with me was the graveyard owner. Guys, anyone want to drink?”

 

As expected, he didn’t try to elaborate. Elias shook a hip flask containing whiskey. Leo glared at him and stopped him.

 

“Drink after getting off. Don’t make the smell of alcohol here, it’s nauseating.”

 

Fortunately, Elias listened to Leo well.

 

We got off the carriage before 8 o’clock and bought Munich street food.

 

“Here, this is for Luca!”

 

Elias handed me a sausage and loudly opened the hip flask cap with one hand. He repeatedly alternated between eating sausage and drinking alcohol. I let out a hollow laugh and asked.

 

“Did we come here to do this? There are still 3 hours left?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Then what do we do?”

 

Narke asked.

 

There wasn’t much to do, but somehow I felt like I should be doing something productive even at this moment.

 

Anyway, since this was Bavaria, Leo had to keep his robe hood pulled down and walk around slightly hunched. Of course, it seemed like his daily routine, so he didn’t look particularly troubled, and rather seemed happy to be with us.

 

Elias, who had been devouring his third skewer of sausage in 5 minutes, patted Leo’s back and said.

 

“What useless effort. Even with your face covered, you’re so tall that you stand out. You didn’t really think you were fooling anyone, did you? Your citizens actually all know it’s you but pretend not to know.”

 

“…”

 

“They’re really kind. Well, when His Highness the Prince is trying so desperately…”

 

Leo’s mouth, visible under the robe, hardened. Elias dodged Leo’s fist and ran away. I took this opportunity to ask something I’d always been curious about.

 

“How tall are you?”

 

At my question, Leo said quietly in a slightly sulky voice.

 

“I won’t tell you.”

 

“You shouldn’t ask him about his height~ He’s even taking medicine to stop growing.”

 

Elias, who had run far away, whispered while hiding behind me.

 

Going that far? I thought momentarily, but I understood when I remembered he was a Wittelsbach.

 

His ‘Human’ direct ancestor was also over 190cm tall.

 

As I recall, the average height of German men in the 21st century was about 180cm. Since they’re among the tallest in the world, the figure of 190cm might not seem that unusual in this country. But considering the era, it’s quite exceptional.

 

That tall gene seems to have been completely fixed in the post-magic era. While Hohenzollern people over 30 years old have heights of about 185cm to 190cm, the Wittelsbachs were even taller.

 

The King is also quite tall, and judging by the height difference of more than half a span between him and me, he seemed to approach 2m. I don’t know if the King has also been suppressing his growth, but since he’s a New Human with definitely high risk, if Leo doesn’t suppress his growth, he might really exceed 2m someday. Like me, most people probably wouldn’t want to be 2m tall.

 

‘Especially with Leo’s personality…’

 

If only he didn’t have a personality that loves averages and standards, it would be different. Still, not many people would want to grow to 2m.

 

“Cheer up.”

 

“If you’re going to say that, take some height and then say it.”

 

He really hates it.

 

Yeah, I know how tiring it is to receive attention for unwanted traits. I patted his back and followed the path Elias was taking.

 

It wasn’t a very good choice. I had to prevent Elias’s crazy antics the entire time I followed him.

 

‘I was wondering how we’d spend all 3 hours.’

 

I didn’t need to worry.

 

He quickly downed two beers at the Löwenbräu restaurant, came out, and headed to Hofbräu. There he drank more beer while eating meat, then suddenly charged toward St. Peter’s Church. I wasted 30 minutes trying to stop Elias from knocking on the church door. I threw him onto the plaza floor and lay down next to him, saying.

 

“Are you kidding me?”

 

“Hehehe…”

 

“Is this the time to laugh? How did you come up with the idea of going up to St. Peter’s Church observatory at this hour? Are you joking? They’re having mass inside.”

 

“If you drink and go up there, it’s perfect. Your legs hurt, but the Munich panorama you see from there in a tipsy state is really beautiful. I once downed a bowl of Löwenbräu, dragged Leo there, and it was really the best.”

 

What’s your nationality?

 

More than that, you went to church while drunk? My vision goes dark. And isn’t this guy Protestant?

 

“Show some respect… This is a Catholic church.”

 

“The head priest gave me permission before! He said it’s okay if I promise not to drink inside the church and not to act drunk. And of course I have common sense! I always said I wasn’t drunk!”

 

What’s okay about that? I can tell he’s generous, but that priest is quite something too. He might be the clergy version of Elias.

 

I decided to turn off my brain. Instead, I needed to ask about a person from whom I could expect some common sense in areas other than magic.

 

“But Leo went along with that? What does this mean?”

 

“He was dragged by me. I had fed him a whole bottle of whiskey in an hour before that, so he couldn’t think straight. That was probably Leo’s first time drinking whiskey.”

 

“What a great thing to do…”

 

This must be a story from the 3rd Education Institute.

 

It’s only possible because it was back then. Leo wouldn’t have gone along with it again after being tricked once.

 

I became conscious of the Bavarian citizens passing through the plaza glancing at us and got up to sit next to Elias. Whether I did or not, Elias placed both hands on his chest, lay down like a dead person, and muttered.

 

“Löwenbräu is always the best alcohol in my heart…”

 

“You just came back from Hofbräu and you’re praising Löwenbräu?”

 

“It’s fine as long as the brewery owner doesn’t hear.”

 

I pulled his robe hood over his face, worried someone might see. While I was wondering how to get this guy up, I heard a familiar voice.

 

“Before, you said Bordeaux wine was the best.”

 

It was Leo’s voice. When I looked up, I could see the carriage we came in and Leo. Elias slightly lifted his hood to check his face and closed his eyes again.

 

“That’s just a ranking my past self made.”

 

“Why are you lying down again? Get up, you drunkard. We need to go to Central Station.”

 

“Drunkard? I’m not drunk!”

 

Although he’s acting like this, he might really not be drunk. Elias lives like this every day even when he hasn’t been drinking.

 

I didn’t need to try to get him up. Elias got up on his own and clapped his hands.

 

“Ah! When we get to Anhalt, I should drink gose! Are there any famous Gosenschenke?”

 

Gose is a salty beer, and Gose Schenke is a tavern that only sells gose.

 

He seems to be saying this because there was a gose enthusiast among Anhalt’s past rulers.

 

“I’m not really sure either. If you want to go somewhere famous, shouldn’t we go to Leipzig instead of Anhalt?”

 

“What?!”

 

“Still, there’s plenty of gose. We even have a brewery at home, so you can drink as much as you want.”

 

“Wow, that’s a relief. Nice~”

 

Elias said that while grabbing my hand and pulling me close, shoulder to shoulder.

 

Seeing him go through this kind of ceremony, this guy is definitely following along just to drink.

 

Then, Elias pursed his lips and looked toward the street where the church was located.

 

“Ah~ If we had come at dawn, I could have shown Luca something good to see… Let’s go together next time.”

 

I smiled silently.

 

I already know since I’ve been there in the 21st century. Munich looks amazing from there.

 

Still, I think it would feel different going with friends from this place.

 

“Sure.”

 

As soon as I answered that, Leo firmly refused.

 

“No, we’re going to Neuschwanstein Castle next time.”

 

“What? You didn’t tell me! I want to go too!”

 

Elias completely stood up from his seat and shouted.

 

It’s not that he only didn’t tell you – he didn’t tell me either. My schedule that only I don’t know about is absolutely packed.

 

I was already tired before we even departed, so I left them alone and got in the carriage first. Narke was already there. He was cutting baguette and feeding it to Fai. Seeing me and Leo and Elias who followed behind me, he smiled and said.

 

“Let’s go now, kids. The children have arrived at Central Station.”

 

* * *

 

“Lucas!”

 

When we arrived at Central Station, Ulrike, who had been standing on the platform, dropped her luggage bag on the floor and ran toward me.

 

“Are you okay?!”

 

“I’m fine. I woke up perfectly healthy. I did an interview with the Kingdom of Bavaria newspaper – did you see it?”

 

“I saw it. Seeing your face puts my mind at ease a bit. But your medal… wow, it’s cool.”

 

Fortunately, the conversation topic jumped to the medal. While Ulrike was examining my medal, Haike approached hesitantly and just blinked her eyes.

 

“Hello, Haike.”

 

“Hello.”

 

Don’t tell me our intimacy got reset while we were apart… For me it’s been about 2 weeks, but for her it would have only been three days.

 

Just in case, I opened the affection window, and fortunately the value was the same. Haike paused for a moment and said.

 

“I’m glad you’re healthy.”

 

“Thank you. I guess I was able to return healthy thanks to you all worrying about me.”

 

I smiled and tried to ease Haike’s tension. Haike smiled at my words, but Elias, who had been watching from behind, whispered quietly.

 

“Luca can say things like this too… He never said that to me, isn’t that strange? Ah… this isn’t right?”

 

“…”

 

What am I supposed to do about that…

 

Just then, an announcement that the train was arriving could be heard. The station worker raised his hand. As he cast reverse sound-dampening magic, the train entered the platform at a terrifying speed.

 

Rumble rumble rumble—…

 

Even with the sound-dampening magic cast, vibrations came through the ground.

 

Soon the train stopped, and the station worker sent various hand signals to communicate with another station worker at the far end. It didn’t take long to board.

 

We had reserved both the dining car and sleeping car, but since we had already substituted our meal with sausages, we didn’t feel like eating anything more. We first boarded the first-class compartment cars separately.

 

I entered the compartment furthest from the door and said.

 

“Hey guys. Don’t come looking for me from now on.”

 

“Huh?! I brought a 7-person board game!”

 

“Let’s play it when we get to Anhalt. Sorry.”

 

Bang—!

 

I closed the sliding glass door.

 

Through the gap in the door, I could hear Ulrike’s flustered voice. I really felt sorry, but I couldn’t respond any further…

 

Is it normal to be tired before even starting? This is all because of Elias.

 

I threw my luggage somewhere and sat down in the chair. The hip flask that Elias had shoved into my pocket was helpful at times like this. I cleared my mind a little with whiskey and opened the book I had brought.

 

Thud—

 

[Ugh!]

 

[Hey, get up!]

 

“…”

 

From the sound of someone falling in the next compartment, it was clear that if I had gone there together, I would have had to deal with more commotion.

 

As I lay almost flat and leisurely read my book, I gradually felt the train starting to depart. By tomorrow dawn, we would arrive in Dessau.

 

“…”

 

To think I’m going back to Anhalt again.

 

Going back to Anhalt in this state. It feels very strange.

 

What will be different this time from my January visit? It could be the start of getting caught up in an even bigger political whirlwind, or it could be one of the steps toward finding stability. Either way, whether I want it or not, time flows on and public opinion is changing.

 

Knock knock— Creak—

 

There was no time to continue my thoughts.

 

Leo entered my room with a tired expression on his face.

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