How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 283
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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 (283)
“What a complete mess.”
I said as I poured out the water from my cup. When I opened the tea leaf container, a floral scent I didn’t particularly like wafted out.
I heard a sigh from behind, and I smiled at the sound as I spoke.
“Some people Professor knows well were involved in this too.”
“I wouldn’t say they were just involved…”
“They played quite a significant role, didn’t they?”
I set the teacup down in front of him and took a seat.
Stefan Traut took a deep breath with a face darker than usual. He threw down the newspaper and buried himself in the backrest. I could see the large letters written on the French newspaper.
[Following the Penthalon Terror, Now the Friedmann Scandal… What is the German Empire Doing?]
[‘Friedmann Scandal’ We Now Understand Why the Penthalon Terror Occurred]
France’s sarcasm skills are quite impressive. Traut, who had been pressing his eyes with his hands, exhaled and muttered.
“How can the entire Empire’s politics be shaken because of one doctor…”
“Hmm.”
Well, they should have lived properly from the start. I picked up the English newspaper lying next to it.
[Friedmann Gate: German Empire’s Political and Business Corruption Exposed One After Another]
[Friedmann Gate, Not Someone Else’s Problem… We Must Be Vigilant]
This incident became big enough to be reported overseas. The classified documents found in Andrea Friedmann’s archive didn’t stop at the medical field but spread to politics, developing into an unprecedented large-scale corruption case.
Normally, this kind of story could be buried. People aren’t as interested in politics as you’d think. But after the Penthalon terror, the citizens’ dissatisfaction is sky-high, and the Emperor has reached a situation where he can’t turn a blind eye to such problems.
With such a good opportunity, they can’t just send away Friedmann alone. As a result, even if they weren’t quite Hyung’s ‘colleagues,’ people who were his solid supporters and followers are being damaged and falling out because of this incident. Half of the dozens of people on Jurgen Beck’s list are currently under prosecution investigation.
The reason Traut is now sighing deeply with a worried face like someone facing the end of the world is not for any other reason, but because Adrian Ascanien’s support base has weakened.
‘I couldn’t even sleep doing this.’
I tried to enter an extra chapter when my friends would be sleeping, but I couldn’t because there wasn’t even a moment’s gap.
However, the effort is paying off. Spreading scandals with Adrian Ascanien as the protagonist to lower his approval rating is hasty, dangerous, and has a high probability of not working. Rather, Adrian Ascanien is in a position where he won’t be swayed by ordinary scandals and can gain sympathy from public opinion, so there’s a high chance that only the attacker would bear the risk.
So what should I do?
If there’s no evidence to attack Adrian Ascanien, I cut off his limbs. This is my method. From now on, I will naturally infiltrate Adrian Ascanien’s support base and become his number one supporter, and gradually dismantle this group from within. This is the first step.
Since foreign media has caught onto the case, the Emperor cannot completely bury this matter. If he were thinking of abandoning his monarchy, he could let foreign countries tear into this case or not, but he’s not an elected official who can just serve a few years and leave. Before the 17th-18th century style of having his neck cut by citizens’ hands, or waiting for a mage coup, or killing all citizens before rebellion occurs, or creating mass brainwashing scenes with nationalist propaganda, or focusing more on expansionist policies to reduce domestic political instability, he has no choice but to rely on populism as he has done so far. Here, the Emperor will perform several diversionary policies while basically choosing the last route.
The result is this. I picked up the Imperial Newspaper.
[Emperor Friedrich “Establishing Emperor’s Direct Investigation Unit, Will Strictly Root Out Empire’s Corruption”]
With this, there’s no way out for Adrian Ascanien supporters and corrupt politicians involved in this scandal.
‘What unfortunate timing.’
Normally, even if something happened, they could have glossed over it, but they won’t be able to set foot in politics anymore.
Of course, since there are no checks and balances, there’s no guarantee that investigation unit will function properly even after this scandal. As expected, whether the Emperor’s orders had already come down, the Imperial Newspaper wasn’t reporting much. It only reports when investigation status of people the Emperor has marked as acceptable to send away is announced, but it doesn’t report in advance exactly where more scandals broke out and who did what. Because of this, the strange phenomenon of scandal reports being published first in France and Britain is occurring. In the Imperial Newspaper, where scandal news should go, these kinds of things were filling the space.
[British New Guinea, Implementing Divided Rule with German Empire]
[Empire’s Victory! Eastern New Guinea, Land of Germans]
[German Colonial Company, Generating 80 Billion Fel Annually After Purchasing Spanish East Indies]
[New Guinea Immigration and Settlement Cost Support: New Future in New Land]
As a 21st-century Korean, I’m dumbfounded every time I see these imperialist expansion policies. But this isn’t what I need to check right now.
I put down the newspaper and asked while drinking tea.
“Are you alright, Professor? I came here because I have something to tell you, but first I visited because I was worried about your safety.”
“…I’m fine. But I can’t help being confused and unable to collect myself.”
I suppose so. Most of those who are leaving now are Adrian Ascanien’s followers. From Traut’s perspective, his colleagues are facing minimum dismissal and maximum imprisonment, so he can’t help but be afraid. Although I couldn’t send away Hyung’s ‘colleagues,’ that is, core supporters personally selected and allied with by Adrian, just blowing away half of Adrian’s followers in the Empire’s political circles is enough to throw a celebration party.
I suppressed my smile and checked the newspaper article Traut was reading.
[Federal Legislator Marlene Staufenberg Arrested for 30-Minute Rampage at Deputy Director Friedmann’s Residence]
“…Hmm. All kinds of people exist.”
“This person has good reason. She’s about to be impeached by the Emperor’s direct authority.”
“She got into trouble by being involved with that doctor. Though they all committed the same wrongs.”
“That’s why it’s such a mess right now. The media is using people around that doctor as scapegoats…”
You’re saying it’s unfortunate that Adrian followers who knew that hospital’s deputy director got swept away in droves. Yes, you would think that way.
“How unfortunate. But if they committed wrongdoings, they should be punished. Fortunately, Professor, although you knew those people well, you’ve lived honestly.”
“…Phew…”
Traut reluctantly nodded.
Isn’t there something strange so far? Why is this guy talking to me so much?
His tone and expression of not treating me warmly remain the same, but he’s become more talkative than when I first had a one-on-one conversation with him.
Why? Because occasionally, but I visited and forced conversations like today. Each time, I could see Traut getting stressed, but gradually getting used to it, he’s opening up to me more and more.
What does this mean?
It means the future where he’ll be used as my pawn is near.
Let me think rationally once more at this point.
To eliminate Adrian Ascanien and ascend as the ruler of Anhalt, what should I do in politics?
First, ally with Hyung’s political enemies or take the route of attacking Hyung’s supporters. In this case, I externally become Adrian Ascanien’s enemy while aiming for the Anhalt dukedom.
Second, absorb Hyung’s supporters as my supporters. In this case, I externally don’t aim for the Anhalt dukedom and become Adrian Ascanien’s supporter.
This is an issue I’ve thought about countless times until just now.
‘The answer is obvious.’
There won’t be another foolish choice like the first one. This is as absurd a choice as Hamlet deciding on revenge and immediately killing Claudius.
Suspicion that I, Hyung’s younger brother, attacked Hyung’s supporters? From that moment, I’d have to turn all of Hyung’s followers into enemies. My political life would be over.
Anyway, the confrontational route with Adrian Ascanien’s support base is being taken by Nicolaus, who allied with Bavaria. Deploying Lucas Ascanien here too would be serious waste and a mistake.
‘I can’t let that happen.’
To remove the supporters protecting Hyung and make it a 1:1 fight between Hyung and me, I must ‘advertise’ to the world that I’m truly on Hyung’s side. When I disguise myself as Hyung’s shield and infiltrate, that shield becomes useless, and Hyung also cannot attack me externally.
‘Neutralize the supporter defense card and narrow Hyung’s range of movement.’
How could I miss this best opportunity to turn Hyung’s cards into waste paper? However, only Hyung will know that I’m not on his side. Hyung will be trapped by the good act he set up. If he doesn’t want to lose the impression points he’s built up so far, he’ll have no choice but to follow my lead and play the good older brother to match the good younger brother act. A strategy that turns what wasn’t a blunder for the enemy into a blunder always produces high efficiency at low cost.
In this strategy, the most important thing is for me to perfectly integrate into Hyung’s support group, and once I control the supporters, Adrian Ascanien will have nowhere to run.
And the first person to be deployed in my strategy is this person. Stefan Traut needs to become my pawn whether he wants to or not. I will make him so and use him.
He has wide connections and a close relationship with Hyung, making him perfect to function as a two-way information source, and he’s honest enough not to be damaged even when scandals like this break out. Of course, having no risk of exposure is separate from character. A guy loyal to Hyung can’t be warm to me. In his view, I must be a figure obstructing Adrian Ascanien’s ascension. That’s accurate. I externally hope for Adrian Ascanien’s ascension, but that’s just buildup to become a spy.
However, this guy is also gradually being deceived.
Stefan Traut
Favorability +1* [Conquerable (Stage 1/5)]
‘…It’s positive.’
The memories of pretending to support Hyung in the past must have had a good influence on him. I closed the window and rustled the newspaper as I spoke.
“This is why you should keep good people close.”
Considering our conversation so far, it was a somewhat socially awkward comment, so Traut looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Actually, I came to ask Professor for a favor regarding that matter.”
Instantly, Traut’s expression hardened. I can hear him swallowing from here. Since he’s already been threatened by me once, he knows that though I call it a favor, it’s not really a favor.
“…What kind of favor…?”
“What do you think is most needed for the people of Anhalt?”
Traut’s eyes widened. He must have expected to hear something close to another threat. He stubbed out the cigarette he was holding in the ashtray and asked with serious eyes.
“Suddenly?”
I didn’t speak and waited for an answer to my earlier question. Soon he frowned, observed my expression, then slowly said.
“The amount of mana stored in the national treasury is large, but human resources are insufficient.”
“More.”
“…More? …The effort to move from primary to secondary industry is good, but education has been left in a blind spot due to focusing only on economic development. There’s a lack of proper higher education institutions, and the educational level of surrounding countries is also poor, causing many difficulties in studying.”
“A very professorial answer. I agree. Then, what’s the next problematic area?”
“…I dare not call it a problem in front of Your Excellency, no, the student… but there’s much dissatisfaction about bringing in foreigners from across the Empire for secondary industry when primary industry workers have lost their jobs. Besides that, magical medical infrastructure is insufficient, and although the nation’s mana reserves are large, the actual Human income level is low, so national economic power and citizens’ living standards are not proportional…”
Traut glanced at me while saying that much. He seems to realize now that he was too honest. If I wait a little longer, I might see cold sweat on his face.
I stroked my chin and answered.
“You’re right.”
“…Ahem… So why is this…?”
“Baden has many good higher education institutions. Baden also has developed agriculture-centered primary industry like us, but at least in education, it’s better than our Anhalt.”
“…That’s… true.”
“We’ve concluded an MOU with Baden this time. The article will come out once this commotion dies down.”
Traut’s eyes widened.
“Yes? So right now….”
“We’ve decided to establish a Baden university branch in Anhalt. We’ll support the new human students who can warp so they can go directly to Baden to study.”
Traut opened his mouth and stared at me.
Anhalt students who study at the Baden branch would have to work in Baden for a certain period after graduation, but from Anhalt’s perspective, which has always struggled with a shortage of educational institutions, these are decent conditions. Anyway, Anhalt’s highly educated people don’t stay in Anhalt but go to live in other countries. This is because there aren’t enough industries to accommodate them. This is a policy to increase the proportion of highly educated people from Anhalt.
‘That’s the external purpose.’
In reality, it’s to secure my approval rating in Anhalt. Politics isn’t something only my brother does.
Ding—!
Favorability +1
“….”
The feeling I got when I gained Philip’s favorability…. I was closely observing his expression until just now, but now I don’t really want to observe it anymore.
However, it’s good news. To be absorbed into Adrian’s support base, I need someone who’s loyal to me and pushes for me. Once I enter through that ‘one person’ who’s trusted by the group, the rest becomes ridiculously easy.
Now it’s time to drive the wedge into this favorability game.
“Let’s check the details in the article later. The reason I came to see you today, Professor, is different. I’m thinking of establishing a charitable medical institution in Anhalt under the name of House Ascanien, and I’d like you to handle the personnel matters.”
I don’t know about Nicolaus, but Lucas Ascanien needs to walk a pro-Prussian—at least moderate—line.
It was Adrian Ascanien who built connections at the Imperial Central Hospital. Now I’ll take that position. With my brother potentially questioning my core, it would be good for me to cultivate my own people in Prussia’s medical community too.
Since it’s bothersome to move around multiple times, I should use this opportunity to create an invitation to Adrian Ascanien’s support group as well.
“I’m primarily considering those who can provide outpatient care at the Imperial Central Hospital twice a week. The medical staff’s compensation will come from my name. I can offer the same salary as the Imperial Central Hospital, so I don’t think there will be difficulties in hiring, but what I’m worried about is….”
“…What did you say?”
Traut had his mouth open with a shocked expression, then belatedly interrupted and asked.
“Doesn’t my brother trust you greatly, Professor? After this incident, I feel it would be difficult to select people with just my own power. Your connections have helped me a lot before. That’s why I’m saying I need your discernment.”
Of course, that help was assistance I extorted through blackmail, but anyway.
Traut bit his lips with a tense expression. I clasped my hands together, smiled, and asked.
“Are you not confident? Just when everyone’s being exposed due to scandals, I’m asking you for personnel verification… it might have been a bit burdensome?”
“…That can’t be.”
He didn’t mind even though I spoke rudely.
He already seemed to be thinking about something else and didn’t have the capacity to care about my tone.
It’s over.
Stefan Traut, backed by Adrian Ascanien, walked right into my hands. He probably doesn’t even realize he’s fallen for it, but with his characteristic naivety, he handed me the key to bringing down Adrian Ascanien.
Then, I heard words that couldn’t be considered something a teacher would say to a student.
“I’ll do my best.”
* * *
I already got the key.
Traut’s favorability went up 2 more points, now at +4.
‘He must like people like Adrian Ascanien.’
It seems I satisfied his desire for recognition. He probably thinks this brought him one step closer to Adrian Ascanien.
Wake up from that dream. The possibility of Adrian Ascanien’s downfall will grow larger as Stefan Traut’s favorability toward me increases.
Creak—
“Spectacular.”
As soon as I entered the room, I saw Leo. Leo said that without even looking at me, flapping a newspaper.
“Your brother must have been struck by lightning in his sleep.”
“You came early. Well, that might be somewhat true.”
“It’s not ‘might be somewhat true’—this level would be quite a headache. Half of his political support base ended up going to prison overnight.”
Leo laughed lightly. I laughed along and shook the wine bottle I had drunk before going out.
“I can’t be the only one getting screwed. If you want to mess with someone from behind the scenes, this is how you do it. Want a drink?”
“Yeah.”
I handed him a glass filled with alcohol. Leo drank and asked.
“You’re coming back from visiting Professor Traut. Do you like him?”
“It’s not that dimension—he’s not bad to use. He’s someone who won’t produce dust even if you shake him down, and he’s someone my brother trusts. That reputation must be well known to others too.”
“So you’re going to disguise yourself as a supporter of your brother through him.”
I silently nodded while drinking. His intuition is sharp as always. Leo chuckled.
“How do you do politics like playing card games…. I didn’t know you’d use that person like that.”
“It’s not that different.”
“Right. Good luck.”
Leo waved his hand dismissively. Since our strategic styles are different, he doesn’t seem to have much to add.
Then he gestured toward the newspaper and asked.
“So, did you ask me to draw blood for this? What’s the connection between causing scandals and blood?”
“No connection. I needed the blood to inform my brother that his plan failed.”
“Hmm.”
“Those guys had new tools to examine my core. At first, I was troubled because I got caught by it… but when I drank the blood you prepared before and tried again, it didn’t work. So this time I asked you to disrupt it thoroughly from the beginning.”
“I see.”
“This time I threw information about that machine to my brother in a letter, so he’ll ask the Imperial Central Hospital doctors about the facts. Now the core examination results will reach my brother’s ears, and I’m looking forward to that too.”
“You’re taking out all the insurance you can.”
“That’s how it should be.”
If you want to backstab someone, you first need to disrupt the information reaching them. Leo seemed to have many things he wanted to ask me, but he didn’t open his mouth. He knows that if he brings that up, I also have topics that would require answers from him. I propped my chin and asked while looking out the window.
“Come to think of it, what happened with that thing you had that day?”
“I just got scolded like when I was young. Since I couldn’t mention your ability, I became the only crazy person.”
Though he spoke crudely, he understood properly. I burst into laughter following Leo’s helpless laugh and apologized.
“Sorry.”
“Why do you keep saying sorry.”
“Even when I say sorry, you complain….”
“Because it doesn’t suit you.”
“…Right….”
Was that what he said yesterday also because it didn’t suit me? I didn’t think I was living like that, but my image seems to have been established quite strangely. Well, I might not necessarily need to feel sorry about Leo getting scolded by His Highness, but I didn’t say this just because of that.
“I wanted to say my final goodbye with words, but I couldn’t because you discarded the artifact.”
I muttered while looking out the window. At my words, Leo stopped drinking and looked at me. Then he shrugged.
“It’s okay. I decoded the Morse code you sent at the end. I received your goodbye well.”
After that, neither of us opened our mouths. There was much to say, but I didn’t feel like saying it now. Leo looked out the window with a comfortable expression and said.
“I wish every day could be like today.”
He probably means he wishes things could flow peacefully like this.
Though I didn’t call him to my room to have this kind of conversation, wanting to enjoy the peace a bit more, I brought up everyday topics.
“Right. Oh, hasn’t any mission come down to Eschete yet?”
In the previous timeline, Ulrike said some strange mission had come down to Eschete. Leo shook his head.
“Nothing yet. Oh, Narke was looking for you. She says there’s something the Papal States requested, so she needs to move with you.”
“The Papal States?”
“Yeah.”
“…Hmm… I see.”
What kind of business is there now.
I can’t do it today since I need to spend time with Leo, so I should go see Narke tomorrow.
Then, Leo touched his ear. After hearing a notification sound, he frowned slightly.
“Ah. The Alliance contacted me.”
‘This guy also doesn’t like receiving work calls….’
Of course, everyone dislikes receiving them while playing, but I couldn’t imagine Leo showing it. He wouldn’t have shown it in front of classmates, but since it’s in front of a close friend, he seems to be revealing it as it is.
“Yes, I received it.”
While he was taking the call, I snatched the newspaper he was reading. It was the page with articles about the politicians I had sent away. I don’t want to see this anymore. I flipped through the newspaper and opened the page with puzzles. It was this morning’s newspaper, and true to Leo’s character, he hadn’t even touched the crossword puzzle. Since there was no pen, I solved the quiz in my head.
“Right now…? I understand. I’ll go now. Yes? Even the vice-captain?”
With each sentence ending, Leo’s face was rapidly darkening. Leo hung up with a stern expression. I gave up on the crossword puzzle and asked him.
“Why. What is it.”
“Abraham called for us. We have to leave right now.”
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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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