How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 344

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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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“Good. No backing out.”

 

I grinned and patted Mecklenburg’s shoulder. Mecklenburg looked a bit annoyed but forced a smile as he spoke.

 

“So what do we do now? You must have some plan in mind…”

 

“What are you asking? Pack your bags now!”

 

“Now?”

 

Mecklenburg looked flustered and narrowed his eyes. Then after thinking it over, he nodded.

 

“…Right, going now would be best.”

 

* * *

 

Going now would be right. If we returned to the Imperial 2nd Education Institute, there wouldn’t be time to make contact with me.

 

Thwack—

 

I hit the train window with a rolled-up newspaper and spoke.

 

“Mosquito. How pathetic.”

 

“Ugh… Could you just get rid of it instead of talking?”

 

“Are you going to keep showing you’re the Crown Prince? Getting all worked up over one mosquito.”

 

“I can’t help what I dislike.”

 

Mecklenburg, who had retreated far to the end of the train seat, grumbled with a twisted smile. Meeting as upperclassman and underclassman versus meeting as equals really is quite different. Maybe he’s loosened up a bit because I’m acting so boisterous.

 

I lured him with getting stronger, but naturally this guy isn’t going to get stronger. He’s going to beat me up. In short, we have the same goal – we’re both going with one heart and mind to beat up those Pleroma mosquito bastards. This guy is thinking of beating up the mosquito sitting in front of him, but anyway. I looked outside the Munich-bound train while imagining the possibility of becoming a mosquito crushed to death by Mecklenburg.

 

“Tomorrow at school should be interesting. The student council president and the week-long exchange student both disappeared together.”

 

At the mention of week-long exchange student, Mecklenburg’s expression became subtle. It seemed to be because I called him that when he had the title of Crown Prince. He shook his head.

 

“I made proper excuses to my family, and also informed the school, so it’s fine.”

 

“What did you tell them?”

 

“You don’t need to know, Lucas.”

 

“How cold.”

 

I rolled up my sleeves to adjust my clothes and grinned. The skin where the thin metal band had been was slightly darkened. Right, I took it off. We warped to the Bavarian border, then with Mecklenburg-Strelitz Principality’s consideration, passed through inspection and are now taking a train to Munich. Why we chose the train specifically was to have even 30 minutes to ease his wariness and put his mind at ease.

 

And one more thing. Naturally, receiving the Principality’s consideration wasn’t something he openly informed me about. Mecklenburg tried to disguise his identity by wearing round glasses and pulling his hat down low. This guy is doing his best not to reveal his true intention to me—beating up Lucas Muller.

 

‘Idiot. Two high school students coming alone from the north wanting to cross the southern border – would they let us pass this easily?’

 

Anyone could see he got help from his family. I wanted to tell him that and say to stop the disguise act, but instead I swallowed my words and just burst out laughing.

 

“Why are you laughing?”

 

“The more I think about it, your 18-year-old self is so… ridiculous.”

 

“I don’t know what you mean.”

 

Of course you don’t. This would be 18-year-old Albert Mecklenburg’s best effort. 25-year-old Albert Mecklenburg probably wouldn’t act this carelessly – it’s refreshing. As always, he dismissed my words as nonsense and let them go in one ear and out the other. I whistled and stuck my hand in my pocket as I asked.

 

“Albert. What do you want to do when you get stronger?”

 

“…When I get stronger.”

 

After staring out the window for a while, just moving his lips, he spoke in a faint voice.

 

“I’ll go to school and take exams.”

 

“…”

 

I nodded and looked into his eyes. What a boring bastard. Getting stronger to be recognized by everyone, to be loved more than Adrian Ascanien… How much he wants that is truly amazing and fascinating. That desire doesn’t disappear even at 25, twisting a person completely.

 

“What about you, Lucas?”

 

“I’m going to become the strongest in the world.”

 

“I mean what will you do when you’re strong…”

 

“Just being strong has meaning. It’s cool, isn’t it?”

 

“…”

 

Mecklenburg turned his head with an expression of realizing what he was trying to have a conversation with. It was truly a look of seeing something hopeless, making me briefly embarrassed.

 

The mana for power gently spread throughout Munich’s train station touched my skin. I brought this careless guy who was looking around like it was his first time on a train out of the station. The black sky at 3 AM was clear. Gas lamps and mana lamps standing here and there brightly illuminated downtown Munich. Mecklenburg adjusted his glasses and looked at Munich’s city center.

 

“Coming to Munich… It’s my first time coming alone.”

 

“Am I not a person standing next to you?”

 

“Munich is really bustling too. As expected of a big city. I wish our Neustrelitz could be this bustling.”

 

Right, you’re just going to keep saying what you want to say. I nodded beside him and then spoke.

 

“You know what, Albert?”

 

“Hm?”

 

“Actually, I don’t know anyone here.”

 

“…”

 

Mecklenburg’s mouth fell open as he thought about what I meant. He unconsciously dropped the carrier he had brought. I flicked my wand to lift up the carrier he had dropped.

 

“That won’t do. If you’re not careful, someone might steal it.”

 

“That’s…! That’s not what’s important right now! You don’t know anyone?! You definitely said there was someone who could take us to Munich-Freising or somewhere!”

 

“I’m happy to be traveling with you.”

 

“You…!”

 

Mecklenburg, who had gone pale with panic, grabbed my collar tightly. I realized the easiest way to unmask Mecklenburg. Just go so wild that he can’t maintain his mask. Honestly, I’m starting to feel a bit sorry now, but it couldn’t be helped. Mecklenburg’s hands trembled.

 

“You, you…! Even you’re making fun of me?! What are we supposed to do…!”

 

“Did your friends make fun of you?”

 

“Is that important?!”

 

Mecklenburg’s mana burst from his hands, making my skin tingle. He was so flustered he couldn’t control his mana. Maybe he was angry too.

 

“It’s a joke. Don’t think about fighting, just wait. I lost.”

 

“We’ll have to see about that.”

 

His voice was the most ominous I’d ever heard from him. Just as he was about to let go of my collar, I quickly grabbed both his wrists. If I let go, he would draw his wand.

 

“No, hey, you go to the Imperial 2nd Education Institute. How could I fight someone like you? This is the middle of Munich, you ruling family bastard. Do you want to get dragged home? I don’t want to see blood here. I’m sorry. Okay?”

 

At my rapid-fire words, Mecklenburg made an even more annoyed expression and gritted his teeth. But it was effective. Just how much does he like being praised… The moment I realized the strength in Mecklenburg’s hands had reached a standstill, I hugged him and patted his back.

 

“You’re the best. Hey, the best, really. You won.”

 

“Ah, stop clinging to me!”

 

I fell back as Mecklenburg pushed me away. He looked at me and spoke coldly.

 

“Tell me it’s a joke. You didn’t come here without any thought.”

 

“Right, I didn’t come completely without a plan.”

 

When I answered seriously, Mecklenburg finally closed his mouth and glared at me while catching his breath. It meant he wanted to hear what I had to say.

 

“You have two choices, Albert. First, graveyard plus blood. Second, people.”

 

Even though he couldn’t understand what it meant, or perhaps because of that, Mecklenburg immediately put his hand to his forehead upon hearing those words. Now no expectation or hope could be found on his face. He muttered in a pained voice.

 

“…I think I was briefly blinded by something strange. I must be crazy…”

 

Right, you know yourself well too. Someone who follows this far isn’t ordinary either. Because his inferiority complex is too severe… I don’t understand it, but since we’ve become Pleroma comrades, I’m trying to understand. When I patted his back, Mecklenburg irritably shook off my arm.

 

“…People. I’ll go with people. I don’t know what plan you have, but whatever it is, it’ll be more moderate than blood.”

 

“Good choice.”

 

I immediately dragged Mecklenburg back into the station. When I tried to enter the bathroom, even the last bit of composure remaining in Mecklenburg completely disappeared. He was horrified at the thought of setting foot in the station bathroom and said he’d wait in the station. After quickly changing clothes and coming outside, Mecklenburg, who had been waiting for me, raised his eyebrows.

 

“…Oh.”

 

“How is it?”

 

“It suits you well.”

 

Acting nice again. I smiled lightly and properly adjusted the black leather gloves that felt awkward after three days. The formal wear I often wore when acting as Nicolaus was in my carrier, and I had initially wondered why they gave me clothes that would be burdensome for a lower noble high school student to wear. Now I’ll put it to good use. Mecklenburg looked me over and asked.

 

“But why did you suddenly change clothes?”

 

“You chose people.”

 

Mecklenburg smiled with puzzlement and narrowed his brow.

 

From now on, I need to find those who were in Pleroma even in 1891. Now, unlike 1886, this is a time when negative perceptions about Pleroma have already spread widely. But even so, it’s not to the level where everyone fears them like in 1898 – they’re regarded as troublesome yet dangerous heretics.

 

Coming out of the station with the warp coordinate book, I spoke cheerfully as I did at school.

 

“Since you like common sense, I’ll try to act sensibly too. From now on, what you’ll see will be extremely sensible. Don’t worry.”

 

“…I’m glad I seem to have chosen properly. Then why did you mention graveyard plus blood?”

 

“Except for taking some time and having a high risk of getting caught by police, that’s not bad either.”

 

I trailed off as I opened the coordinate book. Then Mecklenburg hastily snatched my coordinate book away.

 

“Wait! Tell me where we’re going first. Explain everything to me.”

 

“From now on, we’re going to factory owners’ houses.”

 

I said that much and snatched the warp coordinate book back. Mecklenburg seemed to give up on understanding and shook his head, waving his hand. It meant to do as I pleased.

 

There are Pleroma in the Bavarian government too. I know who they are, but I won’t look for them now. I hope they’re still in Pleroma even now, seven years ago, but honestly the possibility is low based on various evidence.

 

Instead, I’ll visit the owners of small factories who will become owners of respectable corporations in the future. I heard there are Pleroma in Bavaria’s business world too. Naturally, Bavaria is monitoring even them, and I remember the materials that tracked their past. Of course, among them I need to find someone who has continued Pleroma activities since before this point, not people who joined in the seven years since…

 

“Six places. Let’s visit them all.”

 

Speaking boldly, I firmly grabbed Mecklenburg’s hand and recited the warp coordinates. When I opened my eyes again, a different floor spread out in my vision, and Mecklenburg’s shoes were in front of me. He pulled up one of my arms and asked in a flustered voice.

 

“…What kind of mage can’t even warp properly while standing? Come to think of it, it was strange when you warped to the border earlier too… You were definitely in first place for all three days.”

 

“What does being first place have to do with warping?”

 

I really can’t understand your way of thinking. I grabbed Mecklenburg’s clothes and stood up from my seat. He supported my shoulder while grimacing. Seeing that expression, I giggled and asked.

 

“If you hate it so much, why are you helping me up?”

 

“Look at your complexion and then talk.”

 

“Right, thanks.”

 

I searched through the data I remembered about them—particularly their past residential histories—in my head as I looked for houses. In front of a shabby apartment building, I grabbed and released the door handle a couple times while calling for someone. Then a plump, brown-haired middle-aged Human came out rubbing his eyes and looked us over with an unpleasant gaze. He quickly composed his expression after seeing my attire, apparently convinced we were nobles.

 

“Are you the landlord?”

 

“Yes, that’s me. What brings you here at this hour…?”

 

“Stop, moment. You are truly beautiful.”

 

“…”

 

“You know it.”

 

Silence flowed. Mecklenburg, who seemed momentarily stunned and lost his wits but quickly came to his senses, cast a sound barrier spell and said coldly.

 

“What are you doing? How embarrassing.”

 

“Could you be consistently nice?”

 

As expected, the landlord tilted his head with an ambiguous smile.

 

“It’s Faust. What do you want to say at this dawn, sir?”

 

Yes, this was the first attempt.

 

“Faust? But why are you telling me that…?”

 

Five minutes later, at the house we found, an old man wearing glasses answered as if bewildered. The second attempt was the same, and I immediately turned around and opened my coordinate book. And then, the third attempt. A gaunt Human with a nervous impression examined us thoroughly, then turned around.

 

“Come in.”

 

“…!”

 

Mecklenburg frowned at those words. Then he cast a sound barrier spell and asked.

 

“What was that just now?”

 

“Pleroma baptism incantation.”

 

“What?! How do you know that…?”

 

I held up my hand to cut him off. Just then, the landlord walking ahead in the darkness asked quietly.

 

“Where did you come from?”

 

“Berlin. If you’re asking where we just came from, we came from Salzburg.”

 

“You’ve returned from Austria-Hungary. But you surely know that’s not what I meant.”

 

Of course. Your question is asking which Pleroma Diocese we came from. I answered calmly.

 

“We are not believers.”

 

Swish—

 

In the darkness, the reflection of metal moved, leaving an afterimage. A gun barrel was thrust before my eyes, and with it, Mecklenburg’s wand pointed toward the landlord. Judging by his reaction speed, this guy’s skills are indeed worth praising. Looking at the small scratches remaining on the gun barrel from long use, I continued.

 

“But you could make us believers.”

 

“Nonsense.”

 

“I thought you people would be active in missionary work.”

 

“Of course we’re active. But would there be reason to be active toward people who visit in this manner at this dawn? How did you know I was Pleroma?”

 

“I didn’t know. I simply heard in Salzburg that one of the Christian sects called Pleroma in Munich could guide us to the world of eternal life, and that we could enter through one of Munich’s businessmen.”

 

“…”

 

“The information I heard about that person is more specific than what I just said but uncertain, so we’ve already visited several factory owners. If you can’t believe my words, go to the newspaper office when dawn breaks and place a personal ad. Ask if anyone saw two mages who recited passages from Faust and left during the night. You’ll surely get a response.”

 

Silence continued. The gun gradually lowered. The landlord holstered his gun and spoke.

 

“I don’t know where you heard such news.”

 

“So, aren’t you? We came here from Salzburg to receive the blessing of eternal life.”

 

I could see Mecklenburg’s expression gradually hardening at my smoothly flowing words. This guy really is weak-spirited no matter how I look at it. The landlord paid no attention to Mecklenburg and stared intently at me alone as he spoke.

 

“I’m not in charge of missionary work. Besides, I can’t understand how such rumors spread across the border. Even if it’s right next door.”

 

“You’re not in charge of missionary work, but you are involved with Pleroma.”

 

“I recently became a deacon.”

 

Even as he said this, he examined us with a face that couldn’t abandon its wariness. His hand still held the gun and I could see tension in his arm. His assessment of us was still ambiguous, and he was ready to shoot if necessary. I recognized the hostility contained in his gleaming eyes. I looked around, then gazed at the ledger on the desk.

 

“Congratulations. You run a business, don’t you? Since you’re a factory owner.”

 

“…”

 

“I can offer you some assistance.”

 

* * *

 

Money is right. This was something Elias had taught me before. I properly remember his crazy act of spending 50 million won in Korean currency value to recruit Eric Asman. It was pocket money scraped together from Father—money from the Hohenzollern imperial family—so he could spend it lavishly without reserve, and this time the system had put a frighteningly large amount of money in my suitcase. It’s not my money but the system’s money. So what should I do? I should spend it.

 

“Was that common sense?”

 

Mecklenburg, having had his soul crushed throughout this dawn, stood beside me muttering like that. In other words, we had succeeded, and we were now in the world of Pleroma. I patted Mecklenburg’s shoulder. This guy had caught an opportunity to throw me into Pleroma’s prison bars, yet his face was pale.

 

“Going smoothly, right? So just trust me. We got here in half a day.”

 

“Haah…”

 

Mecklenburg bit his lip. It’s too late to regret now. I chuckled and looked ahead. Just then, the priest who had been guiding us to the education hall turned around.

 

“We’re here.”

 

We passed through a dark corridor and stood before a black wooden door. The priest looked at us and continued.

 

“You seem quite nervous. Prospective believer education takes place anytime. Especially if you’re someone Father Paul knows.”

 

“We’re both from Berlin, so I’m a bit worried.”

 

I played it cool instead of the stiff Mecklenburg. The priest shook his head firmly.

 

“Of course it would be easier to adapt if you were Bavarian, but there’s no problem. We have Prussians in our Munich-Freising too. A Junker, no less.”

 

Creak—

 

“There they are.”

 

The priest pointed to someone sitting in their seat. Among the many people in the dark room, there was someone with snow-white hair reaching to their waist, tied up high. That mage with hollow blue eyes turned their head toward me. That inhuman, unforgettable face fixed on me.

 

“…”

 

Could I not recognize who it was? I had the illusion that all sounds in the world were being turned off. Without blinking once, he stared intently at me, then spoke in his characteristic languid, soulless voice.

 

“You look familiar.”

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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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