How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 271

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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 (271)

 

Georg Ascanien slowly closed and opened his eyes. Even under the light, darkness was cast over his eyes.

 

I could see the eyes of others widening in surprise. Since I hadn’t cast a sound-blocking spell, my words were heard by everyone. Silence continued as if time had stopped. Georg Ascanien’s gaze, which sent chills down one’s spine just by looking at it, remained fixed on my eyes.

 

“Right. It took a long time.”

 

A low muttered response reached me.

 

I hadn’t said those words expecting an answer, so this was unexpected. I hadn’t expected a response from him. Even expectations require value, and he’s someone who doesn’t deserve to receive expectations.

 

He gestured toward the medal case that Usher was holding. My gaze also turned in that direction.

 

The Prime Minister, who was a distant relative of the Ascaniens, was looking at us with a proud expression. Well, since I’m practically a national asset, that makes sense.

 

The numerous other branch members of the Ascaniens had different looks in their eyes. While many cases showed no particular thoughts about the direct line, some among the branches hoped to succeed by currying favor with the direct line, and among those people, some waited for the day when those of us lucky enough to be born into the direct line would fall, hoping we’d become beings who couldn’t threaten their survival. Usually this would be a pipe dream, but unfortunately I had become a good tool to satisfy their sense of superiority.

 

On the faces of several branch Ascaniens that flashed through my vision, shock and humiliation at not being able to believe what they were seeing now were evident. People tend to mistakenly think that if they eliminate others’ possessions, more will come their way. It would be truly marvelous if one’s welfare could be enhanced through petty feelings of victory and arrogance that no one acknowledges as status. If they could raise their noses by mistaking the courteous concern for the family that accompanied criticism of me as the nobility of other Ascaniens, that too would be a pitiably hopeless situation. Until the moment before entering their coffins, their happiness would be dependent on others.

 

My interests don’t lie in such trivial matters.

 

The person who hasn’t yet handed over control to me, the person who can still influence me. This person before my eyes is the most important for now.

 

Georg Ascanien, with an expressionless face and restrained movements, placed the sash with the Grand Cross medal on me. The golden medal glinted from below my left waist.

 

Words that Luca had rarely heard in his lifetime reached me.

 

“See you later.”

 

* * *

 

“Didn’t you call for me?”

 

Georg Ascanien pointed to the seat in front of him without even looking at me. My last memory of entering and leaving his office was situated very long ago. I continued standing without sitting down.

 

Georg Ascanien spoke while still not taking his eyes off the book he was holding.

 

“The previous dinner was the last time.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You’ve changed a lot. What’s the reason?”

 

There’s not much difference between then and now. He had been feeling that I’d changed a lot since we had dinner at the beginning of this year, and he’s asking about it now.

 

“Is there a particular reason? I simply changed my mind.”

 

Georg Ascanien casually flicked his finger as if telling me to continue.

 

“I don’t want to cause trouble for Father and Hyung. I wanted to elevate the Ascanien name. Does that answer your question?”

 

Georg Ascanien’s eyes glanced toward me. He spoke in an indifferent voice.

 

“You’ll need to receive etiquette education again.”

 

“Count Johann said I greatly resemble Father. Not just in appearance, and now I understand the reason.”

 

“….”

 

Thud—

 

Georg Ascanien closed his book and turned his chair to look at me.

 

I also faced him with my hands clasped behind my back. He didn’t particularly look displeased. He simply had ‘no emotion at all’. This same phenomenon occurred in front of Adrian Ascanien as well.

 

And this is a good sign from him.

 

Rather, this person disliked it more when I acted hesitantly like the real Luca. He didn’t want to believe that a weak person had emerged from his bloodline. He didn’t act that way, but after raising me like that, what did he expect?

 

Georg Ascanien briefly spat out words with a face that showed he found speaking again bothersome.

 

“Sit.”

 

“Very well.”

 

“In your assessment, how far has your resolve been realized?”

 

As expected. It wouldn’t be strange for him to bring up the topic so suddenly.

 

He’s talking about what I said about elevating the Ascanien name. To ask for my thoughts when ‘Lucas Ascanien’s’ actions have produced the best output in history, the answer he wants is obvious. Of course, I think the same as him. I had something to say to him anyway, and I also needed to bring up this topic with him to extract the result I wanted.

 

“It’s still early.”

 

“….”

 

“It’s for the reason Father knows as well. As for my temperament, since everyone in the Empire already knows that my temperament is still far from ordinary, that’s a secondary issue. There’s currently the greatest risk that could disgrace the Ascaniens. Father called for me because of this as well.”

 

The greatest risk that could disgrace the Ascaniens.

 

That would be Prussia framing me with false charges.

 

Georg Ascanien observed me and answered dryly.

 

“Conduct yourself well.”

 

“Of course, I want that too.”

 

I leaned back comfortably in my chair and looked at the window behind Georg Ascanien.

 

“Contrary to the Prussian citizens, the resentment of Anhalt citizens was noticeable. Though it’s probably more surprise than resentment.”

 

“As long as facts don’t change, no one can go against the flow of the masses.”

 

His experience as a nobleman makes me comfortable. Even when there are politicians who can’t understand even this much and hesitate or ask again, he immediately understands what I mean and quickly provides answers that go one step beyond. Though he clearly refused my words.

 

When Anhalt doesn’t support me, how can he tell me to win in political strife? To escape from Prussia’s slander due to their responsibility avoidance, I need my support base. In other words, regarding the problem of Prussia trying to frame me with false accusations, the assistance of the Anhalt government and Ascaniens in public opinion warfare also plays an important role. And right now, he hasn’t accepted that I’ve passed the responsibility to the Ascaniens.

 

“Those are wise words. But if I may dare to present a different opinion, no. The masses’ reaction to facts depends on how those facts are presented.”

 

“….”

 

“My core has always had the wicked temperament of trying to take others’ mana, then and now. Currently, the temperament is said to be dormant, but when danger is always lurking, why don’t the citizens rise up demanding my dismissal? You must know the reason why they could tear apart an 8-year-old child from 10 years ago, who couldn’t carry out any political retaliation and posed no risk of harm to the entire Empire, with more hatred and murderous intent than the current 18-year-old Prussian mage, Father.”

 

In other words, this situation is not a matter of facts but a matter of how they’re packaged.

 

Georg Ascanien’s brow twitched. Well, of course. I was saying that Anhalt had given the public room to trample on me. He understood exactly. That was my intention.

 

But Georg Ascanien wouldn’t want to be devoured by his own child, so if he knew I harbored hostility toward the Ascaniens, there’s a possibility he’d side with Adrian Ascanien. Since Georg Ascanien had hoped that Luca’s personality would rather resemble his own, showing a similar personality wouldn’t be a problem, but there was no need to antagonize him.

 

Instead of continuing to blame the family, I needed to naturally shift the topic so it would merge with my original intention.

 

“The difference between then and now is the political influence I possess. Even though everything else remained unchanged, just the difference that I grew up and entered politics changed public reaction, so I well understand what Father is telling me by calling me here now.”

 

“….”

 

“As Father wishes, I will first gain support from Prussia.”

 

Georg Ascanien looked at me without reacting. Only after a long while did a stiff answer come.

 

“Speak.”

 

He’s easy to talk to. Since he understands so well what I want to say.

 

He understood that I had demands. From the moment I brought up Anhalt while discussing how to conduct myself well to avoid getting caught up in Prussia’s slander in Imperial politics, it was predictable to him that I had intentions.

 

Anhalt’s support isn’t something that can be built immediately but becomes a task that must be built up carefully over time, but there is a need to lay the foundation now that I’m here.

 

I clasped my hands together, interlocking my fingers, and spoke.

 

“Please hand over the authority for tonight’s interview to the Eschete Management Committee.”

 

* * *

 

The Eschete Management Committee.

 

It’s wordplay. This means to hand it over to me. The Eschete Management Committee is practically divided between the Imperial 2nd Education Institute and the Imperial Court. Leo, who is Eschete’s captain, can input opinions there, and I can convey my intentions through Leo.

 

I ignored Elias’s pestering to drink ancient wine and waited until evening. And now I’m inside a carriage. The sky visible outside the window is pitch black.

 

Why am I in a carriage when the interview takes place indoors? Because we moved the interview location outdoors. We will move to the Anhalt Triumphal Arch. The Anhalt Triumphal Arch was built by Georg Ascanien and stands in front of a plaza he also created. The press conference won’t be held in the house’s reception room, but there.

 

Though it’s a small country with about 1 million residents, since it’s a quiet and peaceful country compared to large nations, many people participate when important events are held. So how could I miss this opportunity?

 

And….

 

[Anhalt]

 

[2/28 Favorability +1301/?]

 

Hmm.

 

I rested my chin on the back of my hand and let out a long breath. A favorability window that seems to count only Anhalt citizens appeared.

 

How thoughtful. This system seems to be watching me every moment. I’d like it to give me points now too.

 

Just then, the carriage stopped, and the head servant knocked on the door before quickly opening the carriage door for me.

 

I could see his tense face and the countless crowds beyond. So many people that it was breathtaking filled this plaza and roads. From the middle to the far end, they were all Anhalt citizens.

 

Camera flashes already began going off. The characteristic slow shutter sounds and light of cameras from this era poured out in bursts. Part of the guard unit I had seen during the day followed beside me. Before the head servant finally moved away from me, he quietly asked.

 

“Young Master. Are you really sure this is alright?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The head servant seemed to think that a small press conference with just 20 journalists invited to the house would suit my disposition well. It would certainly be comfortable. It would be held at Ascanien Castle, with no onlookers, and if I misspoke, there would be opportunities to correct it. How safe would that be?

 

But as safe as it is, it means missing opportunities. I will definitely lay the foundation here before leaving.

 

When I arrived, the people sitting in the front row of the plaza stood up from their seats. I could see familiar faces.

 

Now, here’s the reason I said to entrust the authority to the Imperial 2nd Education Institute.

 

Adelbert and the 1st year military corps members were looking at me with tense faces. Not just the 1st years, but the remaining two teams of 2nd years were also here, and I could see some classmates I hadn’t seen in a while secretly gesturing to acknowledge me.

 

I almost smiled at them, but composed my expression and approached Adelbert, who had come to the very front.

 

“Senior…!”

 

Adelbert said that while grabbing my hand firmly and shaking it. His eyes sparkled with a strangely familiar light.

 

“I’m glad you returned safely. We Hohenzollerns are only waiting for the day Senior comes to Prussia.”

 

Can you really speak so arbitrarily like that?

 

The other Hohenzollerns excluding you are probably scheming to drive me to Pleroma at any opportunity. That way they can gloss over the Empire’s mistakes and induce continental unity against the common enemy called Pleroma.

 

Of course, since Adelbert isn’t someone who acts rashly, that must be Hohenzollern’s current official position. I answered simply.

 

“Thank you. Let’s have more conversation once this is over.”

 

“Yes, that sounds good.”

 

I released Adelbert’s hand and checked the favorability window.

 

[Anhalt]

 

[2/28 Favorability +2781/?]

 

‘…Two thousand… what? How blatant.’

 

The numbers keep soaring. Of course, it feels blatant because I’m looking at people’s hearts through numbers, but it’s amusing.

 

This doesn’t mean over 1,000 people suddenly declared their support, but rather this many people felt surprised by me. Our conversation isn’t even audible to them anyway. They can only see our appearance.

 

In the minds of Anhalt’s citizens, Ascanien’s second son wasn’t someone who could have a proper conversation with royalty. So just the sight of us shaking hands and exchanging greetings was shocking enough.

 

I aimed for that effect, so there’s no problem. It’s successful.

 

I briefly shook hands with the other Prussian nobles—politicians who had followed Adelbert and moved on. I could see the deputy ministers of security and magic from Bavaria and Baden. Papal clergy who had come to the Empire for emergency aid during the Penthalon incident and were still staying here were also present.

 

There’s a common thread here—as you know, they’re all personnel connected to Eschete. I wonder if it’s okay to exploit connections this much, but I have to do it to survive. It’s foolish not to do what you can when you’re not using underhanded methods, committing crimes, or harming others with such activities.

 

“Your Excellency.”

 

At the timely greeting from another politician, I turned my head toward him.

 

* * *

 

[You must be Deputy Minister Maria Berkheim of the Grand Duchy of Baden’s Ministry of Magic. I was moved that you came despite my urgent request.]

 

Luca’s voice could be heard as he greeted Baden’s civil servant at the left end of the seating area. Elias, sitting at the right end, stretched out his legs and leaned forward to observe his friend.

 

Right now, everyone from Eschete had been dragged out of the castle and gathered in front of Anhalt’s triumphal arch. There was that annoying cousin right beside him, but that didn’t particularly bother him now. He knew well what Luca intended, so there was no reason to be bothered.

 

Rather, something else was fascinating. Elias cast a sound-blocking spell and spoke to Leo sitting on his left.

 

“Isn’t this the first proper conversation Luca’s had with Duke Georg Ascanien in roughly… 10 years?”

 

“Probably.”

 

The change of press conference venue from home, the invitation of numerous people from other countries—all of this was Luca’s doing.

 

Since Anhalt was in a vassal position to Prussia, it tries not to do anything politically conspicuous. If they fell out of Prussia’s favor, it would mean losing their alliance. The possibility of Georg Ascanien agreeing to such a request was extremely low.

 

So this point was clear to anyone.

 

It wasn’t that Georg Ascanien had suddenly become more magnanimous, but that Luca had successfully led the negotiations.

 

‘…This feels strange.’

 

It felt even more so because he and Luca were in the same situation.

 

[When someone who has worked hard for the Empire’s citizens invites me, this much is nothing. It’s an honor to meet you first like this.]

 

Baden’s deputy minister of magic snapped her fingers, mimicking teleportation as she spoke. Luca made an ambiguous expression before grinning and responding with something.

 

‘He definitely thought that was embarrassing just now.’

 

Luca must have wondered whether the deputy minister’s response was due to crowd psychology or the result of the Cheringen family’s political decision.

 

Luca also briefly greeted the Papal clergy and stepped up to the dais. To his left was Anhalt’s Prime Minister, and to his right was Anhalt’s Minister of Magic. They were there to assist with answering questions during the conference.

 

He could see Leo in the adjacent seat crossing his arms and slowly clenching and unclenching his fist. Elias understood well why he looked worried.

 

The reason Anhalt’s citizens showed more extreme wariness and shock compared to people from other regions was because they knew the previous Lucas Ascanien well. They had seen a child who, despite being from the ruling family, hung his head low and couldn’t even speak properly in front of people. The ‘patheticness’ they had directly witnessed and heard made them distrust the Imperial Newspaper. He thought Luca had worked hard to improve his image through various means like magic potion competitions and launch ceremonies, but the collective victim consciousness shared by the special group called Anhalt and their image of Lucas Ascanien seemed hardened and resistant to easy change.

 

So what method remained in the end?

 

Only showing them directly, before their very eyes, remained.

 

Now Luca opens his mouth for the first time before his people. Luca, who had taken his seat with his aide’s help, cast an amplification spell and tapped the table with his finger to check the sound. Soon he raised his head.

 

The surroundings suddenly became quiet. Without anyone’s guidance, in the heavy silence that settled, a relaxed voice was heard.

 

[Good evening, everyone.]

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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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