How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 341

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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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Mecklenburg briefly grabbed my hand and then let go as if throwing it away. I let out a hollow laugh at the absurdity. I stared at that hand before raising my head.

 

“What should we do now?”

 

“How would I know…”

 

Mecklenburg spoke carelessly then cleared his throat and smiled.

 

“The 91st will be coming soon. Let’s discuss it together then.”

 

“You’re impressive as always.”

 

“…”

 

He seemed to understand what I meant by impressive, took a deep breath, then widened his eyes and cast a soundproofing spell.

 

“So you don’t like it? Here, say something…!”

 

“No, how could I dare evaluate what you say, Senior?”

 

“Was it my imagination when you just said I was impressive?”

 

“Probably. There’s no way I wouldn’t like what you say, Senior. More importantly, why were you staying here instead of moving?”

 

“We just arrived too. Come out now.”

 

Mecklenburg waved his hand dismissively, meaning get lost, then began conversing with Leo. I found it fascinating the whole time I watched, wondering what made him so happy that he’d put on such a gentle expression while spouting honeyed words.

 

After that, we met with the 91st and participated in a welcome banquet hosted by the Kingdom of Bavaria before moving locations. The Representative Mage of Class 91 opened his mouth as usual in the Kingdom of Bavaria’s council chamber.

 

“First, you all know that we previously discussed selecting a small number of A-class members for deployment in special operations. However, after the recent terrorist acts by the Pleroma Brandenburg Archdiocese, we’ve decided it’s right for us to move on a large scale as well, so while keeping the existing selection, we’ve decided to deploy everyone during entry.”

 

‘It’s strange seeing this person speak here.’

 

And I feel like I should be sitting here wearing a mask. It feels odd sitting here with my bare face without a mask inside this stone architectural building full of lions. I tried to avoid looking at the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Bavaria embedded in the sky-blue curtains while listening to their words.

 

“…Finding a route to enter the Munich-Freising Archdiocese is our first objective. We will find an entry route within the next two days, 48 hours from now, and then establish a strategy for Munich-Freising within 24 hours after that.”

 

’24 hours…’

 

Since we’d already be stirring up Bavaria plenty just from finding the entry route, I understand wanting to proceed quickly in case the plan leaks… but this is dangerous.

 

“We may die in the process.”

 

At those timely words, I looked into the eyes of the Representative Mage of Class 91.

 

“While we should approach ensuring all forty-five of us return alive as an important task, we must not think we can necessarily do so. Our primary objective is the destruction of the Munich-Freising Archdiocese and weakening the power of the Kingdom of Bavaria’s Pleroma led by the Munich-Freising Archdiocese.”

 

“…”

 

“Anyone who would fear death should not have come here. Consider it an honor to be able to die for our homeland.”

 

Short responses burst out from the many people seated. I didn’t respond and turned my gaze away from their faces. It was better not to know what they looked like. Though knowing wouldn’t change my feelings much anyway.

 

No matter how I thought about it, I wasn’t someone who belonged in the Special Operations Command. Because I had no loyalty to the homeland. Yes, no matter how I thought about it, my top priority wasn’t the homeland.

 

“Interesting.”

 

“Haike! Don’t talk, just run.”

 

As soon as Haike, who was running alongside me, spoke quietly, Leo shouted. We were currently doing our usual training before the next meeting. The training wasn’t much, and today there was even less. Even that boring training felt fresh doing it in a different location. I’d frequented the sparring grounds often, but this was my first time here. I returned to my spot with my friends. And immediately heard something absurd.

 

“Lucas, run ten more laps.”

 

“What, why?”

 

Leo just nodded his head. This bastard is picking on me… Since you can never have enough stamina anyway, I decided to follow without complaint. You never know what might happen.

 

So, back to the council chamber. This time only I, Leo, the Representative Mage of Class 91, and Mecklenburg were there. The participants of the final strategy test.

 

“Since the Munich-Freising Archdiocese and Passau Diocese are adjacent, there seems to be frequent exchange. While investigating Munich-Freising entry routes, identifying Munich-Freising and allied dioceses is the priority… but after briefly speaking with current Bavarian intelligence agents, they said they don’t know that much. Bavarian intelligence agents have captured 36 Pleroma as hostages in the past month, but since 4 of them are priests and 32 are laypeople, it wasn’t very helpful.”

 

“I see.”

 

“From interrogating the priests… two fell asleep as soon as we put magic restraints on them and we couldn’t converse with them, and the other two knew almost nothing, and when we searched for entry routes according to what they answered under mind manipulation magic interrogation, they said there was no way since it had already been dismantled.”

 

I nodded. This point wasn’t different from what had been delivered to Nicolaus in a brief report. Though Nicolaus has significant weight in Bavaria regarding Pleroma matters, that doesn’t mean he participates in every process. Naturally. Bavaria handles Bavaria’s administration, and most of what I do is suggest or advise on rampage-related policies. Therefore, what I knew about this wasn’t much different from what they knew.

 

“Which diocese do those two Pleroma who fell asleep belong to?”

 

I know but I’m asking. At my question, I feel Mecklenburg looking at me with great intensity in his eyes. I tried to guess what was causing this burdensome gaze, then just decided to ignore him—I had a rough idea why he was acting this way—.

 

“The Augsburg Diocese.”

 

“What about the other two?”

 

“The Munich-Freising Archdiocese.”

 

Yes, they’re answering as I read. I only asked to avoid suspicion, so now I just need to pretend to scribble appropriately then state my opinion. Even though the three people here know who I am, I need to cover the remaining one person and the other 40-plus people, so being thorough is better. I put the cap on the back of my fountain pen and greeted them.

 

“Mm, thank you.”

 

“Did you figure something out?”

 

I was casually writing down the diocese names I’d just heard on paper when I looked up again with an ambiguous smile.

 

“…Yes?”

 

The Representative Mage of Class 91 was looking at me with a satisfied face. Leo’s calm face and Mecklenburg’s face, squinting his eyes alone, turned toward me. I haven’t done anything yet, so why are they looking at me…

 

‘It’s like having a professor in front of me.’

 

Thinking about it, this person had high expectations of me from before, and since I imitated traces of myself from the first timeline, there was no reason for his evaluation of me to change. I looked at them once and opened my mouth.

 

“There’s probably a Pleroma with unique sleep-related abilities among the Augsburg Diocese’s episcopal council. Since this place is also adjacent like Passau, there’s a lot of exchange and a high possibility of support coming, which will be troublesome. Munich-Freising is operating entry routes more severely and fluidly than the general tendency. Their spatial magic technology seems higher than other dioceses. From the fact that even though those captured are priests, they know nothing, it’s quite a closed and thorough diocese, so it may be difficult to find an entry route within 48 hours.”

 

“Good. Seeing immediate deductions from brief words, you’re extremely knowledgeable about Pleroma. You must have studied a lot.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Actually, that study—the data on Pleroma tendencies—mostly came from me… My conscience is pricked. Feeling Mecklenburg scanning me, I was about to hit his core but stopped and smiled instead. The 91st mage nodded with the same satisfied face as before and continued speaking.

 

“I was just thinking it would be good if someone so capable with Pleroma helped us. How about safely receiving help from Count Nicolaus Ernst this time?”

 

“…!”

 

At that moment, Mecklenburg’s mouth fell wide open, so I had no choice but to hit his core. Mecklenburg clutched his heart and jerked his body.

 

“Huk…!”

 

“Is something wrong?”

 

“…N-not at all. Nothing.”

 

Mecklenburg straightened his upper body and cleared his throat. The moment Leo’s gaze, which had been flustered, turned to me, I saw his face crumple. It’s been a while since I subjugated Mecklenburg, but with so many memories coming in, he probably didn’t recognize this far. Yes, it’s not humanitarian. I know that too, but what can I do? That wasn’t the expression this guy who came here imitating that inhumane method with an artifact should make.

 

‘More than that, I’m breaking out in cold sweat.’

 

What is this person that he can’t manage his expressions like this? He definitely smiled annoyingly well in any situation until he knew my identity, so why does he freeze up whenever Nicolaus is mentioned? I’d prefer if he maintained that ruling family dignity here too.

 

“So. Would it be alright to request Count Nicolaus Ernst’s cooperation?”

 

The 91st mage’s gaze and hand naturally turned to the right. He finished speaking while looking at Leo.

 

“Count Wittelsbach.”

 

“…”

 

That Nicolaus Ernst is right in front of you. Thinking that I have no voice in this matter made me feel quite unpleasant. Leo answered sharply without looking at me.

 

“I’m sorry, but that won’t work.”

 

“The reason?”

 

“Though everyone knows you came here secretly, news that Brandenburg’s residence is empty may have already reached the Pleroma. We shouldn’t reveal that Count Nicolaus Ernst is also coming and going on top of us being here. Instead, though it’s impossible for him to come here for meetings, I’ll continuously communicate with Count Ernst to secure materials.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

The 91st mage who had been stroking his chin smiled and nodded.

 

“Good. This means we can receive cooperation through Count Wittelsbach.”

 

So, as soon as I came out of the council chamber, I patted Mecklenburg’s shoulder.

 

“You looked like flies could enter your mouth without you knowing.”

 

“What are you saying…!”

 

Right, I guess the noble ruling family can’t even say such things. I observed Mecklenburg, who couldn’t make eye contact with me, then turned my head.

 

“From now on, 24 hours of the remaining 48 hours will be data analysis time. The others will move back to Brandenburg and Berlin to avoid suspicion… They’ll return tomorrow, so ultimately the only people staying here until tomorrow are Eschete, Senior Mecklenburg, and Senior Hohenzollern. Senior Albertina Hohenzollern will be in contact with the Bavarian royal family.”

 

I gestured to Leo beside me as I spoke.

 

“His Highness the Prince here is supposed to be in contact with me, on the surface.”

 

“…”

 

Mecklenburg looked back and forth between the two of us with wary eyes and nodded. I smiled and pointed beyond the window.

 

“All the guest rooms are in Nymphenburg Palace as I understand, so there’s no need to stop by, right?”

 

“…That’s true, but why?”

 

“Senior, come with me from now on. There’s something I want to show you.”

 

At those words, Leo interjected.

 

“Where are you planning to go? Say something before you leave.”

 

“Nicolaus’s office.”

 

“There isn’t one.”

 

“What?”

 

* * *

 

I covered my face with my hands. The midday sunlight was uselessly dazzling. The sun was so hot I felt like I might hit my friend’s core. After pondering for a while, I looked at Leo and shouted.

 

“Are you kidding me?!”

 

“Your office and lodging from now on is here. I hope you use it well.”

 

“This is your room!”

 

“Right. So what?”

 

So you’re doing this, you crazy bastard… I was about to grab his collar but turned around and banged my head against the wall instead. My forehead feels cool.

 

“There won’t be a room for me at Nymphenburg.”

 

“Of course not. I assigned rooms excluding you. Even after this operation ends, whenever you come to Bavaria in the future, you can come here.”

 

Leo’s voice was so incredibly warm as he said this that I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh. He’s definitely doing this on purpose.

 

“…Is this punishment?”

 

“Yes.”

 

He literally removed my desk – how could I not be angry about this? I mean, I had an office in one corner of the Ministry of Magic building, and this is acceptable? Why did I even set that up there in the first place? Because all my activities are closely tied to the Ministry of Magic. This stubborn guy has caused trouble again. Unless he’s installed a warp mailbox in this room, I’ll take this as him telling me to just laze around. I gritted my teeth while cooling my head against the cold emanating from the wall.

 

“…How considerate. I’ve never seen such luxurious punishment. I’m going to raid all your room service, so be prepared.”

 

“What room service…? This is my house. And was that even something you could raid?”

 

“Don’t argue with me. Is there any way I won’t come to Bavaria?”

 

I pushed him aside and slammed the room door shut. I looked around this room, curious about where it ended. It would be more accurate to call it a house rather than a room… Unfortunately, the doors to other rooms besides the living room are locked. He was using the living room like an ordinary room. I threw my bag onto my familiar desk and collapsed face-down on the newly brought bed. Naturally, the room’s owner casually opened the door and came in, organizing the bag I had thrown.

 

“Who lies in bed in broad daylight?”

 

“I’m pissed off because of you.”

 

“Sit up. Let’s have a meeting.”

 

“Call Senior Mecklenburg too.”

 

“He’s here.”

 

“I see. You’re quick, Senior.”

 

I said this to Mecklenburg, who was looking at me with eyes that said he didn’t understand, and got up from my seat. While Leo and I were talking, he had been standing apart from us for a moment, but he came quite quickly. He sat down cautiously, looking at everything with suspicious eyes like someone who had fallen alone onto an alien planet.

 

“Well, let’s begin. The office has kindly warped here. Senior, you can come here for the next two days as well.”

 

“Why did the office warp?”

 

“That’s what I’d like to know. Amazing, isn’t it? Now, first.”

 

I leaned over and pulled out an envelope from the bottom drawer of my desk. When I gestured for him to open it, Mecklenburg still frowned with a wary expression and carefully untied the string. After checking what was inside, he looked at me with dumbfounded eyes.

 

“Isn’t this an official document issued by Pleroma?”

 

“I brought this from the Osnabrück diocese previously. Looking at this, you can clearly see that they’ve planted political spies in each diocese. Since Pleroma operates differently between dioceses and changes policies frequently, it couldn’t be used in various ways, but it was useful for accumulating data.”

 

“…W-wait a minute. Osnabrück? When was that…?”

 

“Senior wouldn’t know, but I previously made a promise with His Majesty the Emperor to root out Pleroma. I gained the authority to summon politicians suspected of being Pleroma and use divine power on them. I actually conducted Pleroma detection work for the Imperial government early this year.”

 

“Early this year?! I didn’t know about this?!”

 

“Of course you wouldn’t know. How would you know otherwise? How close do you want to get with me?”

 

“…”

 

Mecklenburg quickly turned cold. I could see the light disappearing from his eyes. Finally, as he began to calmly look straight ahead, I pulled out and handed him a copy of the report I had sent to the Bavarian Ministry of Defense.

 

“I’ve already completed Pleroma detection for the Kingdom of Bavaria as well. Here, two in the Bavarian lower house, and three judges in local courts. The three judges are on promotion hold and the lower house members are under close surveillance. If we include the business world, the numbers would increase, but that’s dangerous so let’s hold off. Instead, we can find an entry route using these five from politics.”

 

Mecklenburg stroked his chin while flipping through the papers.

 

“That informant earlier didn’t mention any of this – how interesting.”

 

“Why do you think they’re still in the lower house and courts? What I’m showing you now is top secret.”

 

“…What? But I’m…?”

 

“Since this is something we must succeed at no matter what, the command staff should know well from now on. The route for the two lower house members to approach Pleroma is also in my hands. However, I don’t know if we can move there directly or if there are other safety measures.”

 

“Safety measures…”

 

“One legislator in the Federal Committee is set to explode and die under certain conditions, and the reason Pleroma took such measures is because these people are in politics. I personally haven’t seen cases where they go to such trouble for Pleroma who haven’t received special missions. Also, when we entered the diocese, we directly confirmed that they didn’t all explode and die. If there are safety measures, there would be problems like multiple overlapping spatial magic, but for now we have the key to the entry route in our hands. Now the problem is how we can achieve victory in Munich-Freising.”

 

At those words, Mecklenburg gestured for us to wait a moment.

 

“It’s certainly not a completely hopeless situation, but we should test those safety measures in advance. We might be blocked from entry itself.”

 

“What test could there be? For this part, we have no choice but to interrogate them. Carefully, so they don’t know it’s an interrogation.”

 

“Directly?”

 

That was Leo’s comment. Both Mecklenburg’s and my gazes turned to him.

 

“In times of extreme vigilance like now, any approach should be minimized. Just as the Kingdom of Bavaria knew they were Pleroma, Pleroma can also know they’re being monitored.”

 

“You’re saying to consider the possibility they’re bait. But what other method should we use?”

 

“…”

 

“You’re right, but we can’t obtain information without taking action.”

 

Leo didn’t answer my words and just smiled. Mecklenburg, who didn’t understand the meaning, looked back and forth between me and him.

 

In the end, I couldn’t leave. After Mecklenburg, who had been meeting with us for a while, returned to Nymphenburg Palace, dusk had already fallen. I was lying on the bed, then slowly got up and said.

 

“I need to use the bathroom.”

 

“Why are you going out to the corridor to use the bathroom? There’s a bathroom inside the room.”

 

“…”

 

Having approached the door, I was about to curse but turned around and plopped down on the sofa. Leo glanced at me like that and turned his gaze back to the documents.

 

“I thought you were going to the bathroom.”

 

“You knew what I was trying to do, so are you going to keep milking this?”

 

This is how escape attempts get blocked. I also knew well why he wanted me not to take action. Why he wanted to solve everything with brainstorming and strategic planning if possible. I called a servant to bring alcohol and set it down on the table. Leo looked at the wine once, then looked up at me.

 

“Go to sleep now. We have another strategy meeting tomorrow.”

 

Leo nodded silently. Leo, who hadn’t touched alcohol alone during the entire vacation, finally drank. Though it was only one glass.

 

“The residence was attacked before. In time that has already disappeared.”

 

“…”

 

After drinking silently, Leo’s mouth suddenly opened out of nowhere. I nodded at those words.

 

“I was reminded of what happened in your dormitory early this year. I didn’t want to put you at risk anywhere anymore.”

 

“I see. That’s a solution just like you.”

 

So you’re going to confine me to your room. Lying sprawled on the bed, I muttered while tearing open the pretzel Leo had brought. Reading the thoughts on Leo’s face as he looked down at me, I continued speaking.

 

“Well, whatever. It’s fine. I thought about this before, but this is actually the best place in this country, isn’t it?”

 

“…”

 

“It’s good for me to freeload in the best place. Though your unilateral decision is annoying.”

 

Leo laughed at those words. My saying I’m annoyed probably doesn’t even sound serious anymore. That would be right. I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of Leo simply clearing the dining table. When I opened my eyes again, it was past midnight. A day was passing without having accomplished anything. All the lights in the room were off.

 

“…”

 

I had been waiting for this time. Naturally, I can’t leave things like this. This time the points are woefully insufficient, and there are only two days left. Since I couldn’t know what would happen to us again in two days, I immediately got up from my seat.

 

‘The bathroom is…’

 

Here. Looking at the familiar-shaped door, I turned the handle. After locking the door and layering magic on top, I sat down heavily in the empty bathtub and looked out the window. From here too, I could see the lake of the Crown Prince’s palace.

 

So, what am I going to do this time?

 

Extra Chapter

 

Stage 1: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new

 

Stage 2: Turn away from his sins and act according to law and righteousness

 

Stage 3: ―

 

…

 

―

 

S Stage ■ : ■■■■■■…

 

The place I’m entering this time is not Leo’s extra chapter. Considering the trust built there, as a divine mage trusted by the kingdom, it would be better for me to continue staying by Leonard’s side, so I can’t act recklessly.

 

The place I’m entering now is Stage 2, Mecklenburg’s extra chapter.

 

How am I certain it’s his? I can be certain because I put it to my lips and confirmed it with my own two eyes afterward. I don’t want to think about it anymore. I took out the rum Elias had given me from my jacket and drank it. The nausea that surged just from thinking could be settled with this.

 

Preparations are complete. Thinking that, I glared at Stage 2.

 

“…What? Are you okay?! This person…!”

 

“…!”

 

Someone shook me awake, and I bolted upright. It had definitely been night just moments ago, but sunlight was stabbing my eyes. Several students I’d never seen before frowned as they looked at me.

 

“What a shock. You are okay, right?”

 

I roughly nodded and looked around. I didn’t have the mental capacity to speak… and I see a suitcase again. An unidentified suitcase was lying on the ground.

 

Fortunately, the place I had fallen this time wasn’t the middle of a road, but looking now, it was a school building converted from a church. I picked up the suitcase and checked my appearance. For some reason, I was wearing a school uniform.

 

‘Clothes I’ve never seen before.’

 

Unlike the cold-toned Imperial 2nd Education Institute uniform, this time I was wearing a dark brown jacket, and the pants were black too. I read the text on the emblem written on the jacket.

 

Mecklenburg-Strelitz National Magic School.

 

‘…So it starts here.’

 

This is the country Albert Mecklenburg will come to rule. I need to go to Bavaria, but I’ve come to the opposite end of the Empire.

 

“…”

 

For now, since I can’t carelessly destroy what Lukas Everett has built up, it was inevitable that I had to enter here. But whatever the system is doing, one thing is clear. I can’t be tied down right now! Even though it’s still in the planning stage, this goes against my plans. In Leo’s extra chapter, it left me with just a passport and dropped me off, and now it’s a national magic school? Am I a student here now, or have I become someone impersonating a student? More importantly, what color are my eyes right now?

 

I stood there holding my forehead and came to a conclusion.

 

‘Fine. Let’s go for expulsion.’

 

Expulsion it is. Whatever the system does, I create my own future. I absolutely have to go to Bavaria’s capital this time too. Thinking that, I grabbed the arm of a passing student.

 

“Excuse me, I’d like to ask something. The warp coordinates here…?”

 

“Huh? Lucas.”

 

A person I’d never seen before widened their eyes and tapped my shoulder.

 

“His Highness the Duke’s heir is coming soon, so what are you doing? You need to go take your oath!”

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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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