How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 333

—————
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 (333)

 

Mecklenburg felt something wrapped around his heart shatter as he stared ahead expressionlessly. The person beside him had just driven Monsignor’s core to the brink of destruction. The cold eyes visible between disheveled ashen blonde hair were chilling. It felt like all the blood in his hands and feet was draining away. Ascanien took out a handkerchief to clean Monsignor’s face and helped him stand upright.

 

“Nothing happened to you. You thought you were under attack for a moment, but you simply tripped over yourself. Someone of Monsignor’s stature wouldn’t feel pain from something like this.”

 

“…”

 

“Nothing happened.”

 

Ascanien muttered as if brainwashing while looking into the dazed Monsignor’s eyes. It sounded like he wasn’t speaking to the Monsignor right in front of him, but to other Monsignors beyond. That might have been correct. When Monsignor’s legs gave out and he swayed, Ascanien caught and embraced him, patting his back.

 

“It’s difficult, isn’t it? Let’s turn off the mental communication for a moment. There won’t be any problems. Put down your thoughts and relax.”

 

“…”

 

“Now, first let’s split into two. I have somewhere to stop by for insurance, so Senior, please stay here. If anyone comes in, say no one was here, and if they ask for identification, say you’re a Monsignor who came to support from Hamburg Archdiocese at the leadership’s request, and give a false name with a commoner surname.”

 

Mecklenburg felt his mind go completely blank for a moment. It felt like all the blood in his body was draining out through his heels.

 

He was alone. While he feared the one who threatened by cracking others’ cores, he also feared being left alone. Where was he going? What place would he visit in this place full of enemies? It was too dangerous. Wasn’t this a situation where blood was flowing backward? Mecklenburg moved his lips, feeling like he should tell him not to go.

 

“…”

 

No matter how hard he tried to squeeze out words, no sound came. In this situation, no, even if it weren’t this situation, he couldn’t hope for others’ help. He shouldn’t appear that way either. Above all, Mecklenburg, who prioritized probability, didn’t think he could produce better results than Nicolaus.

 

Mecklenburg nodded. Ascanien also seemed afraid, showing a smile with an uncomfortable expression.

 

“See you later.”

 

* * *

 

Ascanien continued walking while holding Mecklenburg’s arm. He occasionally sent divine power, but rather than that intention, it seemed like he was just holding on while walking. Mecklenburg endured and endured before speaking bluntly.

 

“How old are you?”

 

Ascanien remained silent as if he didn’t know his own age, then answered vaguely with empty eyes.

 

“However you calculate it, I’ve probably lived less than you, Senior.”

 

Though he didn’t know what he meant by “however you calculate,” seeing him answer like that even while half-dazed showed he understood the point of the question. Anyway, it meant he had no intention of letting go of his arm. Mecklenburg glanced at the mysterious scrap metal carrier Ascanien had brought from where he stopped earlier and turned his head. Actually, though he had sarcastically asked about age, rather than such childish sentiment, it felt more like being escorted. Due to Ascanien’s grip strength, he even had the illusion that blood wasn’t flowing to his arm, and since he was pressing the hostage Monsignor’s back with his left hand, Mecklenburg felt like he had become Pleroma as well.

 

At this point, it was necessary to recall what Ascanien had said to Monsignor in the basement earlier.

 

[Now, you will answer what I said earlier like this: ‘We are here under orders to capture those crossing into this building, we don’t know the Bishop’s location.’ That makes sense. Such an affair wouldn’t be something one diocese undertook independently, so the Bishop must have gone somewhere we don’t know.]

 

When did he say to find the Bishop? How was he going to do that knowing it was impossible? When he thought that, light flowed from Ascanien’s hand on his back and Monsignor’s shoulders flinched. Fear returned to his dazed face. Ascanien stared at Monsignor without blinking once and continued speaking.

 

[Let’s go to the control room.]

 

So now we were heading to the control room.

 

Control room. He had a sense of what he meant but couldn’t be certain. Mecklenburg looked at Ascanien’s blue eyes that seemed to have lost focus and narrowed his eyes. His condition was getting worse. Ascanien stayed close to Monsignor with his hand on his back and spoke to Mecklenburg.

 

“We’ll have to get in with our own strength.”

 

“…”

 

Mecklenburg’s hand passed the wand holster at his waist toward the revolver holster beside it. The familiar metal fit perfectly in his hand. Shooting at something made of Vitriol was something Mecklenburg was confident about. When they reached the massive door of the control room, two Pleroma were visible. Ascanien opened his mouth to them as they took a step closer to him, Mecklenburg, and the hostage Monsignor.

 

“Friedrich Schmidt from Görlitz.”

 

“Are you an Auxiliary Bishop or Monsignor? We heard support was coming from Görlitz, but…”

 

Boom―!

 

“…!”

 

The Pleroma’s faces contorted. Light that burst without warning stabbed into their eyes like blades. Ascanien cast sleep magic without even chanting spells now. Their eyes loosened for a moment then tried to return to normal filled with shock, and the sight of their hands holding black wands rising toward Ascanien appeared stretched out slowly in Mecklenburg’s vision.

 

Bang―! Thud―

 

But they were too late.

 

The same noise repeated five more times. The sound of flesh and blood splattering could be heard. Clear blood flowed then Vitriol quickly filled the floor. Mecklenburg pushed the empty cylinder into the clutch and inserted a new cylinder. Ascanien lifted the sound-blocking spell and stared intently at the control room door.

 

“How many revolver cartridges did you bring?”

 

“…36 rounds. Didn’t you give them to me? Did you forget?”

 

After telling me not to use firearms, he suddenly took two months’ worth by himself… He brought an absurdly large amount that couldn’t be forgotten, and now what was this person saying? The remaining 30 rounds would be with Ascanien.

 

Ascanien stayed still then answered dryly.

 

“Right. How many are left?”

 

“I don’t know.”

 

“Are you returning half your Defense Force officer salary?”

 

“…”

 

Mecklenburg smiled faintly while clenching his fist but didn’t refute Ascanien’s sarcasm. Unlike Nicolaus, he couldn’t remember how many times he had changed cylinders in this situation. The entire time being captured and brought here wasn’t training. Enemies were everywhere and this was enemy territory. The raw smell of blood from the fallen Monsignor vibrated around them. He could even feel Ascanien’s magic power fluctuating greatly beside him. But for some reason, no sign of tension could be felt on his face, and only deep fatigue was rising. It seemed like he was doing unwanted work or in an unwanted situation. After putting the Monsignor he had been leading to sleep, Ascanien swallowed a couple times then said quietly.

 

“Perfect timing to get your head blown off. How many minutes have passed?”

 

“12 minutes.”

 

Ascanien had been continuously asking about time. The time from when they first fell into this place until now. Ascanien muttered without expression change.

 

“You’re doing well.”

 

“How much did you expect that you’re saying we’re doing well?”

 

“18 minutes.”

 

Before the question was even finished, an immediate answer without a soul came. Such answers were enough to embarrass the questioner. Hearing such a uselessly specific number, it was impossible not to know he was just throwing out answers because he was annoyed to respond.

 

Then Ascanien pulled Mecklenburg and carefully touched the door beside them. Whether it was an empty room, Ascanien smiled faintly and gestured to Mecklenburg. Seeing him spread three fingers and point at the door handle like shooting, it meant to shoot here.

 

‘Not going into the control room?’

 

Mecklenburg thought that then shook his head. The control room door would be blocked by Pleroma magic now. The thought crossed his mind that he shouldn’t have dealt with those guard Monsignors, but seeing that Ascanien didn’t stop him either, maybe using the guard Monsignor wasn’t the answer.

 

As Ascanien cast sound-blocking magic, Mecklenburg shot beside the door handle and keyhole.

 

Bang―! Click―

 

Crash―!

 

Ascanien kicked the door to completely remove the handle, went in, then carefully fitted the door back. Mecklenburg watched the scene absurdly and said.

 

“…I’ve been feeling like playing hide-and-seek with Pleroma. So, how are you planning to break through this wall after coming here?”

 

Ascanien smiled silently, positioned Mecklenburg against the wall behind the door, and stood beside the door himself. Then he muttered.

 

“Senior, you don’t look like it, but you sometimes have creative thoughts. Is it because you’re nervous?”

 

Crash―! Boom―

 

At that moment, Mecklenburg saw the door panel flying in his vision. Ascanien’s magic power spread like a net above their heads, then grabbed someone standing in the hallway and threw them into the room. Ascanien, who had somehow drawn his revolver from the holster, lifted the Pleroma and wrapped around his neck, pressing the gun to his temple. He gestured toward the open adjacent room door, that is, the control room door, and said.

 

“How kind of you to open it.”

 

“This…!”

 

“…!”

 

Mecklenburg gritted his teeth and aimed his wand at the pitch-black air that approached. He had no choice. Ascanien’s divine power was defending against Vitriol as much as possible, but it wasn’t enough. The moment the Pleroma’s foot was about to scrape the floor, the magic power output from Mecklenburg’s wand increased. But the other side was faster.

 

Bang―! Splat―

 

After the explosion, there was a sound like bursting mud. It was a familiar sound.

 

“Aaaaaaaah!”

 

The Pleroma screamed and collapsed to the floor. Only then did Mecklenburg understand the situation. Ascanien had shot the Bishop in the back without a moment’s hesitation. Pleroma don’t die from just one shot. Even though he shot right behind the heart, he wasn’t acting like he’d lose consciousness but was just writhing in pain. Because Vitriol replaces the destroyed area. After the gunshot, Mecklenburg was inwardly flustered and looked at Ascanien. Right, he knew. Ascanien’s opposition to firearm use was definitely regarding civilians. There was absolutely no reason not to use it against Pleroma, who were enemies of the state and had put them in this situation, and no reason to be flustered. Hadn’t Mecklenburg himself been using them enthusiastically? But it was an unfamiliar sight from Ascanien, who had been minimizing firearm use all along.

 

Bang―!

 

―Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain!

 

“Uaaaah! Aaaah!”

 

Even as his eyes were closing, the Pleroma tried to get up, striking everywhere with Vitriol and screaming. Even though he dispersed his nerves, whether due to wariness or something else, it didn’t work immediately. Vitriol shot up in all directions. If they maintained this, Ascanien’s sound-blocking magic would also be dispelled, and Pleroma reinforcements would come. Even while Ascanien’s purification was taking place, the air turned so black that he couldn’t distinguish what was ahead, so Mecklenburg aimed his gun at him.

 

“That’s enough.”

 

As if reading Mecklenburg’s plan, Ascanien’s voice was heard. Strangely, his voice came from below. The sound the Pleroma was making also gradually decreased.

 

Thud―

 

Ascanien threw a syringe on the floor and stood up. The Vitriol gradually cleared, and now the situation could be understood. Ascanien had injected the drug he had taken from the first priest into this Pleroma. Did he know what kind of drug it was?

 

“I thought drugs would be better for conserving divine power. I needed to buy time to transfer the medicine.”

 

Ascanien spoke expressionlessly. Though he didn’t know what it was an explanation for, he quickly realized it was an answer about using firearms. Whatever it was, Ascanien was different from usual now. His patience was gradually disappearing and fatigue was replacing it. Mecklenburg bit his lips, realizing Ascanien’s condition was worsening.

 

Ascanien glanced at the control room Pleroma who had collapsed on the floor with unfocused eyes and fallen asleep, then nodded.

 

“If he’s in the control room, he must be a Bishop. There’s the question of whether he’s an Auxiliary Bishop or Assistant Bishop, but… we can definitely achieve our purpose.”

 

Our purpose. The words almost came to his throat asking for a clear explanation of how they would achieve their purpose after already making him unconscious, but since he had some idea, Mecklenburg nodded and entered the control room. After Ascanien also entered, Mecklenburg locked the door while overlapping locking spells he knew. He examined whether there were spatial spells on the objects here, but fortunately there were none. Seeing they didn’t carelessly create entrances, it was definitely an important place.

 

While Mecklenburg investigated the surroundings, Ascanien was examining mysterious pipes, input ports, and buttons made of iron. Whether magic formulas or artifacts were attached, strange magic power was emanating from the entire wall.

 

Mecklenburg, who had been observing the room with a sour expression, tapped his back and said.

 

“I’ll take some more cartridges.”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

Ascanien unfastened his clutch and threw it to Mecklenburg. While rummaging through his clutch, Mecklenburg pulled out a small box that caught his hand.

 

‘Hm?’

 

Was there something like this? When he pushed the lid with his thumb, there was an earring with a red gem. Mecklenburg glanced at Ascanien and asked.

 

“What is this earring? If it’s an artifact, use it now.”

 

“…”

 

Ascanien silently snatched it away and put it inside his sleeve. Then he went back to examining the iron input ports and said incomprehensible words.

 

“Pleroma is trying to secure influence over the Empire. This would be their second activity, and might be their first activity aimed at full-scale advancement.”

 

“Are there people who don’t know that?”

 

“Crisis is still opportunity.”

 

It sounded like he was talking to himself, so Mecklenburg reflexively looked at him. Yet there was no anxiety in Ascanien’s voice. He continued speaking calmly in the same clear voice as before.

 

“An opportunity to inflict massive damage on the Archdiocese of Brandenburg and other dioceses friendly to it. If they’re preparing for war, all we need to do is cut off their limbs before they begin in earnest. Isn’t that right?”

 

“….”

 

Mecklenburg fell silent for a moment at this unexpected conversation, then nodded.

 

“If you say so, then it must be so.”

 

What does it matter anyway. You are Nicolaus Ernst, after all. At that response, Ascanien smiled gently. He turned his head and opened his mouth.

 

“I have a friend who can read other people’s thoughts. Once, I felt sorry for that friend having to build intimacy alone….”

 

Ascanien looked straight ahead with an uninterested expression, then muttered.

 

“Come to think of it, I don’t seem to be in much of a position to do that either. Now then.”

 

Thud—!

 

Ascanien loudly set down the bag he had been floating around with him onto the desk. Then he leaned on the desk and looked around quickly.

 

“Now, Senior. There’s quite a lot of stuff here, isn’t there? Honestly, I don’t know what I should touch here.”

 

“Why are you being so bold? Where do you think this place is anyway?”

 

At Mecklenburg’s question, Ascanien smiled and shrugged as if asking why he was asking something so obvious.

 

“This is where we touch the air of the Pleroma world. It interferes with the air in all spaces created by Pleroma belonging to the Archdiocese of Brandenburg.”

 

As expected. Just as I thought. Mecklenburg looked at Ascanien with a serious expression. He glanced at the massive metal tubes and input ports behind them and said.

 

“You know what? That drug we brought earlier. It’s something I’ve been injected with before. It’s something Pleroma developed to produce the same effects as mental manipulation magic through drugs.”

 

You’ve been injected with it before? You were injected with a drug that has such effects? Mecklenburg was flustered but tried to calm himself as he asked.

 

“…That vial didn’t have a label on it, so how did you know it was the same as what you were injected with before? You wouldn’t have known until we injected that Pleroma with it.”

 

“….”

 

Ascanien stared at Mecklenburg, then instead of answering that question, said something else.

 

“The Pleroma really put in tremendous effort. It’s the same drug, but they have intravenous versions, oral versions, and they even made it into gas form. Fortunately, I managed to escape before encountering that drug in gas form, but knowing such a thing exists was good information.”

 

When Mecklenburg looked at him silently, Ascanien smiled and explained.

 

“If the Bishop isn’t here, we just need to call him over.”

 

“….”

 

“Or we could go to him.”

 

He opened the bag. It was filled with solid chunks of magical drugs. The moment Ascanien tore open the packaging and put it into the input port, it turned into gas and disappeared. No, it didn’t disappear….

 

Crash—

 

Ascanien struck down with his staff, deploying purification magic as he poured all of it into numerous input ports. So now, in every place where the Archdiocese of Brandenburg’s spatial magic is installed…. Mecklenburg let out a hollow laugh in disbelief while unconsciously moving his hand toward where his gun was.

 

“This is my first time casting mental manipulation magic on the entire Pleroma Sect. How refreshing to be able to give back exactly what I experienced.”

 

A smile appeared on Ascanien’s face. It seemed like there was ecstasy visible too. It wasn’t simply because he was retaliating against Pleroma. Mecklenburg intuited it. This was….

 

Crash—!!

 

An ear-splitting roar echoed.

 

If the Bishop isn’t here, we just need to call him over, or we could go to him. Of the two, what was given to us was the latter.

 

Countless clergy in bishop’s robes spread out before their eyes. Ascanien wasn’t flustered at all, as if he had seen this situation before. A satisfied smile spread across his face.

 

“They’re all here.”

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