How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 270

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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 (270)

 

The head servant entered the room, gave me the Anhalt formal wear, and left.

 

Naturally, he too tried to dress me like the other servants I’d met so far, but my request got through to the head servant. I accepted the formal wear and said seriously.

 

“I’ll dress myself.”

 

“Then please do so.”

 

The head servant smiled and went out of the room.

 

His constant smiling is somewhat suspicious, but the fact that I can actually have a conversation with him seems to always feel new to him. That makes sense, since from when Luca became a shut-in until I came to this world, Luca hadn’t properly conversed with anyone.

 

Anyway, my modern self finally felt somewhat comfortable. No matter how much receiving clothing assistance is a privilege among privileges, since I haven’t lived as a nobleman, having a stranger dress me doesn’t feel like a privilege but just embarrassing. I think any modern person would relate.

 

[May I come in now?]

 

“You may, but why do you want to come in?”

 

“I should do the final adjustments for you.”

 

He came in with a beaming smile and adjusted my attire. As he realigned the seams of my shirt and vest, he said.

 

“I’m truly proud that you’ve grown up like this.”

 

“There’s nothing to be proud of.”

 

“From your expression to your way of speaking, it really feels like seeing His Grace the Duke’s childhood. His Grace was also very different in his childhood from now. His Grace at exactly this age was so much like the current young master…”

 

This was something I already knew. The head servant had graduated from the Imperial 2nd Education Institute together with Georg Ascanien. The two were childhood friends like Elias and Leo. I couldn’t understand how that ice-cold man resembled me based on the current situation alone, but knowing that Georg Ascanien had changed to his current state after Luca was known to have Pleroma traits, I could understand. The deep wrinkles between his brows and his cold eyes indifferent to everything weren’t originally like that, but came from the helplessness and fatigue afterward.

 

“I’m curious about him from those days.”

 

“There will be no day to see that again now.”

 

A gentle smile still lingered on the head servant’s lips, but he spoke more firmly than expected.

 

I could understand his resignation. Time corrodes people.

 

He patted my jacket and grinned.

 

“Splendid. You’ll be taller than me now, won’t you?”

 

“Haha.”

 

I don’t know how tall I can grow. Since both Adrian Ascanien and Georg are on the tall side, I think I can expect a bit more.

 

The head servant glanced at his watch once and said.

 

“Now you’ll be moving to the ballroom, young master. You haven’t entered it in nearly 10 years, have you?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Your friends will all be going too, but since there’s a scheduled event time, I’ve arranged for you to enter 10 minutes before that time. Now, could you lift your head a bit?”

 

The head servant brought his hand toward my chin. I gently pushed his hand away and recited what I knew.

 

“I know. Eyes should be slightly downward. No need for unnecessary smiles, and pull the neck slightly back but don’t tense the body. Is that right?”

 

“You know well.”

 

Where would I have learned it?

 

I learned it from Leo. This is why I can’t help but call that guy teacher.

 

He watched me quietly and then asked.

 

“Would you like to go see His Grace the Duke first now?”

 

“No.”

 

Should I immediately go see him just because father came? He wouldn’t want that either. I don’t particularly want to either.

 

When the promised noon comes, I’ll meet him then.

 

“…I see. Then I’ll come back here later. At that time, you’ll need to move directly to the ballroom.”

 

I nodded and sent the head servant out.

 

Every time the door opens, I can hear the noisy chatter of my friends from outside.

 

I put the shellac plate that Adrian Ascanien had bought as a gift for his younger brother into the phonograph. Classical music with clean sound quality that could rival LPs flowed out. LPs probably won’t come out in this world. The mages have improved upon the shortcomings of shellac plates to develop them further. Like this, the things I know drift away from me.

 

Even I am like that. When I’m here, I become Luca more than anyone else in the world. While it’s perfectly natural to everyone except me that I am Luca, it’s gradually becoming that way for me too. Maybe it was like this from the beginning, but I didn’t notice because I was away from this place. His memories and emotions seep into me more vividly than usual.

 

Not long after, Leo opened the door and entered.

 

“Is it time?”

 

“No.”

 

Despite saying that, Leo came in with a refreshed face, locked the door, and sat on the sofa in my room. He looked around and said slowly.

 

“This building is similar to 10 years ago.”

 

“Good memory.”

 

What more would Georg Ascanien have done to this place? It would be fortunate if he just maintained the status quo. While I was watching the shellac plate and needle with my back to him, he called me quietly.

 

“Lucas.”

 

“Don’t call my name, just tell me what you want first.”

 

“You seem very tired.”

 

I stomped my foot to cast a sound-blocking spell around Leo and me. If he wasn’t going to get to the point right away, I might as well say what I had to say. Perhaps noticing that I was about to discuss something, Leo layered another sound-blocking spell on top of mine.

 

“I actually have something to discuss with you too. Let’s talk about Nicolaus.”

 

“Mm. It is about time for your hyung to start moving.”

 

Leo immediately understood what I meant. He too had noticed that I was considering ways to integrate Nicolaus with me first, in preparation for hyung’s attack.

 

“Then you understand without me saying it. We need to decide whether to aim for high return high risk, or low return low risk.”

 

“Risk? The priority is to prevent the Lucas Ascanien identity from collapsing in the first place.”

 

That’s obvious. I’m just ‘assuming’ the worst case and preparing for it. It doesn’t mean this will happen immediately, nor that I’ll just leave it be.

 

When I shrugged with that meaning, Leo nodded as if he understood.

 

“This isn’t what I came to talk about… Fine. Nicolaus Ernst is an identity created to neutralize your hyung’s attacks. So timing-wise, it’s right to reveal the identity now when hyung isn’t moving. But the problem is that even if you reveal it, we haven’t caught evidence to send your hyung away, so ultimately Nicolaus and your hyung will have to continue fighting. We’ve even already used the trump card called Nicolaus, so there’s no insurance. From this perspective, it’s still too early to reveal your identity.”

 

“Accurate. So it’s time to prepare for offense beyond defense.”

 

I said that while offering the hip flask I had refilled with whiskey on the train. Leo unusually accepted the drink and looked out the window.

 

“…But it’s true that now is an excellent opportunity to reveal your identity. That’s why you’re having these concerns too, right? If you don’t integrate, your body is one but you’ll have to politically manage two identities. You’re bound to neglect one or the other. Moreover, your hyung is already sufficiently wary of the possibility that Nicolaus might be you, so even if you don’t reveal it now, you’ll have to defend against attacks on both identities. In that sense, if the benefits of revealing are clearly large, it might be better to reveal it now.”

 

Leo shook his head as if things had gotten complicated and fell deep in thought. Soon he spoke again.

 

“Lucas. Perhaps an opportunity to start this brilliantly may never come again. If you integrate Nicolaus now, you can immediately solidify Lucas Ascanien’s position. Of course, you’ll have to accept that the enemies you’ll face in politics will increase…”

 

I nodded.

 

Actually, it would be normal for such an opportunity to never come again. If it came twice, that would mean crazy incidents like this one would happen again, and I’d get caught up in them again.

 

‘…There’s no guarantee it won’t come twice…’

 

I don’t want to think about it.

 

From my position of hoping such incidents never happen again, it’s right to reveal the identity now. There’s no law saying I must always choose the latter between high risk high return and low risk low return. Sometimes the latter becomes a foolish choice that’s too stability-oriented and misses opportunities.

 

Leo closed the hip flask and set it down on the table.

 

“You’re probably worried about risks like your hyung perhaps waiting for the day Nicolaus reveals his identity himself, or bringing an attack beyond our imagination to completely destroy both your identities.”

 

“You know well.”

 

“But the possibility of return is much greater. Wait until the attack hyung has prepared comes.”

 

“…”

 

“You can tell I said possibility of return, not value of return, but your hyung is now in a situation where it’s hard to land an effective hit on you no matter what attack we can imagine he uses. Of course, he’s not someone to be complacent despite that, so I understand you’re worrying now. You’re concerned he might have a plan to bring you down, right? So watch the degree of attack and turn back time. You can announce your identity then.”

 

“That’s your conclusion.”

 

A wise answer. Pursuing gains stably, that’s like Leo too. It’s the best method for now. I hadn’t not considered it either.

 

“Leo. That thing you said you’d tell me before…”

 

“That’s not something to discuss on a social visit, right? And that’s not something for you to consider in your strategy.”

 

He cut off my words decisively, checked his watch, and stood up.

 

“I came to talk about something else now. We have to go out in 30 minutes, right?”

 

“Right. You too.”

 

“I actually have to go out earlier.”

 

Leo said that while taking out a small box from his pocket.

 

“Here.”

 

“Hm?”

 

I frowned, doubting what I was seeing. What he held was a familiar artifact box covered in blue velvet. In other words, it was definitely the artifact box I had left behind.

 

“…You brought it? This? How? I’m about to get goosebumps at this preparedness.”

 

“What are you talking about… You have 24-hour access to my core so you wouldn’t particularly feel the difference, but I can’t not notice my mana being drained. You expect only me to live like this?”

 

Leo shot back with a smiling face.

 

Access sounds nice, but it would be more accurate to say it’s nicely arranged so I can destroy the core at will. He doesn’t seem to want to put it so directly.

 

“Then you should have told me on the train earlier. What’s the reason for ominously presenting it late? You have something in mind.”

 

“I didn’t want to mention it there.”

 

“…”

 

He didn’t want to mention it there?

 

Was it because the atmosphere was too light? Since friends could barge in at any time.

 

I fell into thought.

 

To summarize the intent behind what he said on the train in one word, it would be this.

 

If you absolutely had to use yourself as a means to deal with the Archbishop, would you be willing to deal with the Archbishop even if it meant resorting to the worst possible method?

 

From beginning to end, this was what he was saying.

 

My decision to half-destroy the Archbishop’s core, and my cooperation with the Archbishop’s engagement ceremony schedule, all appeared to him as possibilities for mutual destruction with the Archbishop using me as a means.

 

This is an extension of the concerns he’s had since Primrose Pass. I saved 1.9 million lives, but I haven’t been able to ease my friend’s anxiety since then.

 

‘…My mouth tastes bitter.’

 

Let me think back again. If I were to decide on mutual destruction, it would have to be kept secret from my friends. In other words, his making that absurd statement from the beginning was to prevent me from deflecting or subtly avoiding the topic. While I was primarily flustered in a human way, he tried to fluster me with quite new-human reasoning, and naturally, his opening words were twice as flustering for new humans to hear than for humans. Among new humans who produce people by writing contracts, marriage sounds identical to declaring you’ll seek a mana provider from the other side of the earth with no connections and make a contract. It’s possible but there’s no particular reason to do so, and while it does happen occasionally, it’s nothing more or less than other people’s business. Yet he fully understands what marriage meant to the old humans. Bewilderment is amplified between absurdity and nausea.

 

Meanwhile, he grasped the fundamental commonality between the Archbishop and me, and I was flustered as a new human according to Leo’s intention at the point where I didn’t even know he knew that. Of course, thanks to that, I was able to confirm his concerns about mutual destruction once again.

 

So this problem is quite complex. The reason is first, because it was positioned between Leo’s two genuine questions and intentional refutation, and second, because he thinks I’m someone who could use marriage to perish together with the Archbishop by finding a compromise point—a compromise between love and justice—even if my desires conflict.

 

Since actions are rarely based on just one reason, they’re inevitably complex, and trying to think of them too simply destroys the intention.

 

A beginner who wants to devote themselves to learning must eventually break free from the simple framework they prepared for entry.

 

In the moment of truly dealing with a person, I must ultimately catch the other person’s complex psychology instead of skimming the surface of what I heard. I don’t need to think about this any further. I told him my answer then too.

 

“I’ve always moved with the premise of your help. It’s shameless, but I’ll continue to do so in the future. You brought this up now because you wanted me to answer more seriously, right?”

 

“Shameless? That’s what we want. Those are touching words to hear in Anhalt.”

 

Leo said that and continued while shifting his gaze around.

 

“You always feel like you see right through me. Yes, I gave you that first artifact to watch over your safety. Honestly, I can’t say there’s no intention behind your words this time either. But this time is a bit different. The reason I didn’t want to say I brought an artifact on the train wasn’t for the reason you think.”

 

When I raised my eyebrows, he gestured toward the window and said.

 

“Lucas. You’ve come rightfully to the land you were driven from. Your core, which was breaking, has now found its original state and become stronger than anyone else’s, and your honor, which was submerged in undeserved malice, is rising despite all obstacles.”

 

“…”

 

“You’ve returned to that land where you had to drink your brother’s medicine for a lifetime.”

 

I let out a hollow laugh and twisted one corner of my mouth. Leo was smiling as he said this.

 

“Come on, interpret this one too. I’m curious what you’ll say.”

 

I had my suspicions from the middle. From the moment he said ‘that land where you had to drink your brother’s medicine for a lifetime,’ I was certain of his intention in offering the Wittelsbach artifact.

 

What else could it be? My core, which was shattered by my brother’s medicine, is now under Wittelsbach’s protection. He delayed until here for the symbol of wanting to recreate the reversal of circumstances in Anhalt.

 

Sometimes this guy makes me laugh hollowly. Anyone can see he was born a prince and lived being revered, and there’s something about him that subtly annoys people somewhere between orthodoxy and strange madness. This is an undeniable fact for me.

 

But this one thing remains. Nevertheless, he’s a friend who does his best in everything at every moment. I grabbed my forehead and laughed hollowly as I said.

 

“Aren’t you too obsessed with symbolism? I think you’re too sentimental.”

 

“Really? But it’s not me who’s strange, it’s you.”

 

“…”

 

He boldly says I’m the strange one… By this era’s standards, that might naturally be the case.

 

I mulled over his words again and quietly opened my mouth.

 

“…This… You really packaged something that could have been annoying well.”

 

“It’s not packaging, isn’t it a reasonable thought for someone who first heard about your circumstances?”

 

He said that and turned his gaze back to the window.

 

“Lucas. This is Anhalt. I…”

 

His gaze lingered on the Anhalt emblems throughout the castle buildings and the confluence of two rivers beyond. Soon Leo looked at me and smiled brightly.

 

“I’m truly happier about the fact that I got to come here than about being able to invite you to Bavaria.”

 

Is that so. I pulled up the corners of my mouth and smiled. Leo’s pure smile, like kids his age, came across as genuine.

 

How many times in life can you meet a friend who worries about and rejoices in others’ affairs as if they were their own? Whether he uses me as Bavaria’s human capital or not, his heart that thinks of people and justice is real. I see in him a light that once went out in me. I can’t even tell now if such light ever existed in me, but I wasn’t completely blind, so I can tell this light he shows me is bright.

 

“Give it to me.”

 

I gestured toward the artifact in his hand.

 

There’s no room for the usual crude words or dismissal.

 

I hope this uprightness that can truly think of others won’t be tainted by fatigue and pessimism. I don’t know if it’s possible, but I want to give him for a long time what I already failed at once. I’m just relieved that I failed a little earlier than this person, so I can do my best for this shining uprightness.

 

Even though his meaning-making doesn’t seem particularly impressive to me anymore, I want to accept the respect and support he shows me as it is, without misinterpreting or glossing over it.

 

Piercing flesh with the artifact’s tip rather than a needle was quite a stretch. I wiped the blood with gauze and threw it into the fireplace fire. Unlike the feeling of my ears burning, my core gradually became cooler. The mana that should have been aggressive filled the minute cracks in my core and wrapped around it. I squeezed my ear with other gauze and let out a sigh-mixed remark.

 

“It depends on how you package it. Seeing how this feels more valuable than what I’ll receive soon…”

 

“Packaging? But what?”

 

Leo tilted his head. I ignored his question and only said what I wanted to say.

 

“Until recently, my brother’s medicine shattered my core, but now Wittelsbach’s healing mana is protecting my core, so yes, it’s quite new. I’ve returned to this land that made me no different from a non-mage in the completely opposite situation. I never specifically imagined such a day would come…”

 

“…”

 

“It’s quite moving. I spoke as I felt. Did I interpret it correctly?”

 

“You did.”

 

Leo answered with a smile.

 

As the conversation seemed to be wrapping up, I approached the fireplace and burned other gauze in the fire as I spoke.

 

“Without your help, I wouldn’t have been able to be here. Though you probably didn’t want to hear this specifically.”

 

“I know well. I didn’t think I’d hear thanks from you already.”

 

“You wouldn’t have. I haven’t finished saying everything yet.”

 

I turned around to look at him and said.

 

“Please take care of me in the future too.”

 

“…”

 

Leo’s blue eyes blazed with determination. The corners of his mouth drew a gentle arc.

 

“Yes. Me too.”

 

* * *

 

“This is the second time.”

 

The head servant said this while leading me. I didn’t answer, but he continued speaking.

 

“It’s truly an honor to witness this scene.”

 

Right now I’m moving to the banquet hall for Anhalt’s medal ceremony. Today’s first official schedule.

 

I moved while listening to his one-sided talk and being escorted by the guard. Before long, a familiar yet unfamiliar door came into view.

 

“Prince Lucas von Anhalt has arrived.”

 

The old-style name is heard again. Guards standing on both sides of the door opened the thick doors of the banquet hall.

 

Sunlight rushed in and I squinted slightly.

 

The banquet hall was a place I’d seen several times in young Luca’s memories. The structure with a platform at the end of the passage was similar to Bavaria’s, but there were no frescoes and sculptures like the Antiquarium. The massive chandelier, skylights made for natural lighting, and the much higher ceiling created by combining two floors into one stood out. The sunlight pouring from overhead was so strong that the chandelier’s light was almost meaningless.

 

In the seats on both sides of the hall, I could see branch Ascaniens and Anhalt politicians, as well as my friends. I also saw Anhalt nobles from Luca’s memories.

 

I walked down the aisle between the seats.

 

—”Lucas.”

 

I perceived a voice speaking using divine power. Looking that way, I saw Narke standing next to Elias showing me a clenched fist. It seemed to mean ‘stay strong.’

 

It’s not like I lack strength anyway. Rather, right now, I had enough composure that cynicism formed without my knowing. I smiled at him and stood to the right in front of the platform.

 

The head servant seems to have brought me earlier than Bavaria. After standing with my hands behind my back for about 3 minutes, I heard church bells announcing noon from afar.

 

Creak—

 

[His Highness the Duke of Anhalt has arrived.]

 

“…”

 

Through the open door entered a mage with a familiar face. Luca’s, my heart began to beat faster and faster. I realized that the cynicism I’d been holding back until now was nothing. I tried to compose my expression as I looked at him.

 

He paused briefly in place, then stared at me with those characteristically cold eyes that looked down on everything. Then, like Leo had done, he walked toward the platform accompanied by the captain of guards and the prime minister.

 

Anhalt’s national anthem began to play. It was music Luca didn’t like. Therefore, I, influenced by him, couldn’t like it either, but since it’s music I’ll make mine from now on, I need to change my taste.

 

When Georg Ascanien stood on the platform, I turned toward him. From that face resembling mine came a low voice quite different from mine.

 

“Can Lucas von Anhalt swear to become a member of the Albrecht Order and be loyal to the Duchy of Anhalt?”

 

Not a single breath could be heard. It was probably because of that cold, hollow voice that gave an inhuman impression.

 

Unlike Bavaria, there’s no explanation about awarding the medal. This is his personality, but it’s also natural. Anhalt has only one medal, the Albrecht Medal. This medal is rightfully received by all direct descendants of Ascanien. The reason Luca hadn’t received this medal until now was because Georg Ascanien didn’t recognize him as part of the ruling family.

 

A brief mention might be fine, but listing my achievements like other countries would actually be a minus.

 

“I swear.”

 

I answered without taking my eyes off those ice-like blue eyes. And as before, I knelt on my left knee and bowed my head.

 

Georg Ascanien raised the sword he was holding. A cool breeze brushed past my cheek. The blade that had been glinting in my left vision slowly moved to the right.

 

“…”

 

Georg Ascanien withdrew the sword and grasped the hilt with both hands, lightly pressing the sword tip to the floor.

 

This is the second knighthood ceremony I’ve experienced. The still low, hollow voice echoed through the hall.

 

“From this moment, Lucas von Anhalt is a member of the Albrecht Order, and the Duchy of Anhalt awards the Grand Cross of the Albrecht Order in honor of Lucas von Anhalt’s achievements and merits.”

 

Grand Cross.

 

A medal that can only be received by the ruling family or those who have made contributions close to founding fathers. Adrian Ascanien already received this medal long ago, and all my ruling family friends would be the same.

 

The Grand Cross means I’m in a position where I can compete with my brother as a legitimate son of Ascanien. In this world where birth order doesn’t determine succession rights, this means that the play Adrian Ascanien has been building for over 10 years has come to an end, and only the fight between Adrian Ascanien and me remains.

 

Of course, this small duchy’s evaluation can’t immediately move me to Adrian Ascanien’s side. Especially since this is my family’s domain. As such, they have no choice but to be generous with the Grand Cross.

 

However, even so, because it is my family, this is a monumental event.

 

I obtained with my own hands the highest honor that could only be received by being born as the legitimate heir of that family. I personally dragged up to this position the fate that Adrian Ascanien had thrown down below the cliff.

 

With this, Ascanien’s second son, who had been stuck living in an empty manor in a corner of Anhalt unwanted by anyone in the world, has now officially become a member of the ruling house. I couldn’t tell whether I was thinking about Luca or about myself. As long as I must live under one name, at this point he is me and I am him.

 

Now the ceremony in the Duchy of Anhalt is finished with this.

 

I rose from my seat and looked at the mage standing before me with an expressionless face. He only looked down at me without saying anything.

 

He is one of the people who drove Luca to death, and also one of the people who will drive me to death in the future. The memories of him swirling in my head like they were my own were enough to confuse me. He is Luca’s father. Yet as long as I must live under Luca’s name, he is inevitably my father as well. This body I’m trapped in was born from his blood, and if I die, it will be because of this person, and if I live, I must become the next lord as this person’s son. So at this moment, distinctions are meaningless.

 

What’s important is one thing.

 

I stared at my red pupils reflected in his blue eyes and said.

 

“It took a long time, Father.”

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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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