How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 345

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

A person who should be in the Osnabrück diocese is in the Munich-Freising diocese? Why? Why are you, who should be in northern Germany, in the south? No matter how I looked at it, that face was the same as the one I saw back then. That empty face devoid of any humanity, those features that were strangely familiar yet seemed like I was seeing them for the first time—how could I, or anyone else for that matter, forget such a thing? Why did you in 1891 say I looked familiar? Didn’t you only meet me in the fall of 1897?

 

Ainsiedel’s blue eyes pressed down on me. Leaving behind countless questions that became hazy like fog, my gaze moved past that mage’s face to his shoulders, then from his shoulders down to his legs. The sensation of boot heels that would be under that table settled on my fingertips, and immediately extreme malice crushed my bones. My left fingers went numb, so I deliberately bent my hand.

 

“Brother?”

 

The priest looked back at me. With the feeling of rising from underwater, I forced up the corners of my mouth that remained rigidly in place.

 

“Where should we sit?”

 

“Please sit here.”

 

The priest pointed to an empty seat at the white table. Somehow sensing something amiss from me, Mecklenburg grabbed my shoulder.

 

“What’s wrong.”

 

“There are some people I know.”

 

“…What?!”

 

As I had felt with Maria Osterreicheste, the system’s spacetime settings were not random. The system wanted me to know something while simultaneously not wanting me to know it. So it was time to think. Bishop Ainsiedel had joined Pleroma seven years ago at this time, and before becoming the bishop of Osnabrück, he was a prospective believer in Munich-Freising. Why?

 

Even considering that Pleroma was a heretical group that showed rubber-band flexibility to suit their own purposes, generally it was both priority and common practice to become a believer in the diocese of one’s own region. To reduce problems that might arise from the ambiguity of the term Junker—which encompasses both regional and political meanings, or in the narrow sense, East Prussian landowner families—I now examined precisely where the main line of the Ainsiedel family was located. Their direct line existed in the Kingdom of Saxony, and like the pro-Prussian ruling family and nobles of the Duchy of Anhalt, the main activities of the principal Ainsiedels were mostly conducted in Prussia, so residential properties of the direct line also existed in Brandenburg. Moreover, the collateral branches had long since established themselves in Brandenburg. Therefore, if a member of the Ainsiedel family joined Pleroma, they should rightfully enter the Dresden diocese of the Kingdom of Saxony or the Brandenburg archdiocese of the Kingdom of Prussia, not the Osnabrück diocese in the northwest of the empire or the Munich-Freising archdiocese in the south of the empire. Incomprehensibly, this bishop was active in unrelated territories both seven years ago now and seven years later. If he had only been active in Osnabrück, I might have accepted it, but in yet another region as well.

 

‘Considering the Junker class, no matter how I think about it, this person should belong to the Brandenburg archdiocese…’

 

What was the reason he specifically came to the Munich-Freising archdiocese instead of the Brandenburg archdiocese? Let me trace back the information I knew about Munich-Freising. The federal legislator from the Pleroma Brandenburg archdiocese whom I had interrogated before Penthalon said their diocese was in competition with the Munich-Freising archdiocese. Useful information ended at that line. I was seriously lacking in knowledge about Munich-Freising.

 

“It happens to be a day when we’re having a very important lesson, so I’m truly pleased that new prospective believers have come. Please give us a brief introduction.”

 

A solemn voice came from the priest standing at the podium. I stood up at the priest’s request and greeted them with a smile.

 

“I’m Emil Abel from Austria-Hungary. This person who came with me is my servant, Clemens Schmidt.”

 

“…!”

 

Mecklenburg whipped his head around at the uncoordinated servant act. However, despite Mecklenburg’s protest, no one in this place questioned it. I too turned my gaze back to Ainsiedel.

 

“Good. Now, let’s begin right away. Yesterday we spent an hour explaining about the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Shall we look at where we left off yesterday? I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who comes after me is more powerful than I… Who exactly is this ‘one who comes after’? Do you remember Malachi chapter 3, verse 1?”

 

Ainsiedel stared at me for a long while before turning his head. After that, he never looked at me again.

 

* * *

 

“You said I looked familiar. Have we met before?”

 

I couldn’t let him go like this. After the education ended and I had sent Mecklenburg elsewhere, I spoke to that tall mage. He was in quite disheveled condition, with dark circles under his eyes. Ainsiedel looked at me for a long while before answering briefly.

 

“I don’t know.”

 

He passed by me as if uninterested.

 

I couldn’t help but hesitate at his attitude. This person was different from the human I had known. That person was someone who wrapped malice close to murderous intent in laughter, not someone who let everything flow away with such an expressionless face. Of course, his reaction might have changed according to the value of the person he was dealing with, and in this case, the conclusion would be that although my face was familiar to him, he didn’t know exactly who I was. He might have simply overlapped someone he knew with me. I called out toward that white hair.

 

“What is your name? Since we’ve met like this, it’s also fate.”

 

At those words, Ainsiedel stopped walking and looked back at me. His pure white robe fluttered. He stared at me intently before muttering.

 

“Ain.”

 

The same answer I had heard at our first meeting. The only difference was that this time there was no smile on his face. I nodded without bothering to press further.

 

“I see. I’m Emil Abel.”

 

“…”

 

“Why did you come to Munich-Freising? I heard you’re a Junker.”

 

Junkers were the military foundation of Prussia. They were virtually the pillars of Prussian militarism and conservatism. There was no reason to come to liberal Bavaria.

 

“Then why did you, who should be in Austria-Hungary, come here?”

 

“This organization doesn’t exist there.”

 

“Ah. That’s right.”

 

Ainsiedel replied in a flat voice devoid of any soul.

 

“Then what did you follow to come all the way here? Moreover, your accent is quite distant from Austro-Bavarian, so I don’t understand why you say you came from Austria-Hungary.”

 

“My place of origin is Berlin.”

 

“Same situation then.”

 

Ainsiedel burst into laughter and shrugged his shoulders.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Both you and I have come through many places, so what are you curious about? How different do you think your circumstances and mine could be?”

 

Listening to Ainsiedel’s languid voice, I couldn’t shake the thought that it was exactly like the result of melting hypnosis into sound. While feeling drawn into the transparent irises of his profile, he continued speaking.

 

“It’s obvious what you came here looking for. Eternal life… I can’t understand why you’d buy and chase after misfortune.”

 

I had an intuition. I would need to answer carefully. I thought about the numerous possibilities floating in my mind and slowly spoke. It was words that contradicted the lies I had used earlier to enter this place.

 

“I have no intention of living forever. What meaning would eternal life have in a world where everything has left and I remain alone?”

 

Only then did Ainsiedel raise his eyebrows, open his previously unfocused eyes wide, and chuckle as if amused. Elias briefly flashed across that face, so I had to work hard not to stiffen my expression. The laughter was brief, and Ainsiedel turned around and disappeared just like that.

 

“…”

 

I was about to say something to him but slowly closed my mouth. The air entering my lungs and lingering on my clothes was unusually cool, as if mixed with unfamiliar magic.

 

Good.

 

Holding onto him any longer would have been meaningless. I found Mecklenburg and came out of Pleroma’s world. Coming out was no problem.

 

“Let go, will you…”

 

I said crookedly while glaring at the empty back alley. As soon as we returned outside, Mecklenburg bound both my hands with magic and pushed me against the wall. Do they train high school students to be police at Imperial Education Institute 2… I’m sure it wasn’t like that in my time. Even trying my best to turn my head, feeling the bricks scrape my cheek, I opened my mouth once more. At that moment, Mecklenburg coldly took the initiative.

 

“What do you mean there were people you knew there?”

 

“Sorry, but could you put up some sound-blocking magic? Talking here is…”

 

Sound-blocking magic, what for. There’s no need to put it up. It might even be more advantageous not to. Though I spoke words I didn’t mean, those words were immediately cut off as the force pushing against my back grew stronger.

 

“Why do you have people you know in the heretics in Munich? And what exactly have you been doing all this time to be so skilled?”

 

“…”

 

“Speak. No matter how I look at it, you weren’t someone doing this kind of thing for the first time.”

 

“I guess you’re not thinking of capturing and sending me away anymore? Looking at your face, you were only thinking about turning me over to the police.”

 

“Speak!”

 

“Right. I’m not doing this kind of thing for the first time, Albert.”

 

When I answered gently, composure briefly disappeared from Mecklenburg’s face. He might wonder why I was saying such things in such a way, but I had no intention of lying to this guy.

 

“You said let’s get stronger. I’m sorry. I didn’t come to get stronger. I came to overthrow the Munich-Freising archdiocese.”

 

“…”

 

The magic binding my hands weakened at the thunderbolt-like statement. I forcefully thrust my hands down to shake off the magic and turned toward Mecklenburg. Stomping my foot hard to cast sound-blocking magic, I calmly opened my mouth.

 

“The priests here, or deacons, or prospective believers—whoever they are, these people will soon harm me and the people I know.”

 

You too. I looked straight into the eyes of Albert Mecklenburg from seven years ago and spoke clearly. Mecklenburg blinked rapidly in confusion.

 

Seven years of time would change Munich-Freising’s structure considerably, but that’s why starting from the bottom now was useful. The believers-deacons-priests who were showing prominence now would rise to at least the position of monsignor through seven years of time.

 

“I now know well that there are limits to what I can change with my power. This is now a predetermined matter. I came to know how to deal with the Munich-Freising diocese before they harm us, and I must fight with them now. This is all I can explain to you.”

 

“What are you saying? These grave robbers will harm us? …Yes, it’s historically common for such heretics to recruit believers and handle them as they please. I’m not saying this is right, but honestly speaking, historically they’ve rarely dared to touch even nobles. Where did you hear that information…”

 

“They’re not at the level of grave robbers.”

 

“Of course they’re not at that level! Well, they’ve been going around claiming for years that they can revive the dead, that drinking blood makes you stronger. Among the numerous heretics existing in our country, these might be the most vile and apostate ones.”

 

Could it be explained with just the words vile and apostate? I laughed hollowly at the continuing empty words. Yes, you would know it that way. Pleroma was at that level of status until the summer of 1897, so you’re right. According to what I read, it should have been that way at least until 1907.

 

“Albert. I didn’t come here with just that kind of resolve. I don’t know how you’ll hear this, but my goal was truth. I will fight here and must find preventive measures before returning.”

 

“…”

 

Mecklenburg frowned and moved his lips. It was clearly evident that while thinking it was nonsense, he was also feeling confused. I opened the suitcase that was rolling on the ground from the wind Mecklenburg had created and took out one artifact. Among the numerous artifacts the system had provided, there was a simple portal generator, and like the school’s, this was something that wouldn’t come off once put on. It would be illegal, but surviving and getting out was the priority. I put it on the wrist of Mecklenburg, who was just standing with his mouth open.

 

“I’m sorry for dragging you this far. I’m giving this to you, so escape immediately if it becomes dangerous. I set something up in the bathroom earlier, so with just this, you’ll move directly to Munich train station.”

 

“Why are you giving me this?”

 

“I don’t want you to die. Even if you’re someone whose ethics are backward for our era and twisted somewhere, creating catastrophe, I don’t want you to die a dog’s death here due to a group’s greed.”

 

“…What did I do so wrong to you that you’re saying this much… I should ask more precisely. Do you hate me? Then why are you doing this much for me?”

 

I’ve already seen too many versions of you. The point that your existence is suitable for opposing Adrian Ascanien is useless in this world. So, even if it’s a brief relationship in a world that will disappear when I open my eyes, a relationship that can’t create any long-term benefits, I couldn’t say I’d be fine with whatever happened to you.

 

Though there were no other words I could offer besides those, I didn’t even utter those words. I knew well how they would sound. Since Mecklenburg, who had been staring at me for a long while, nodded, I grinned and patted his shoulder.

 

“You’re believing my words? You’re not going to report me now~?”

 

“Honestly speaking, I don’t know. I’ve never seen someone who acts as irrationally as you, and I don’t know how to handle someone like you either. But…”

 

“But?”

 

“Don’t repeat my words! …Still, I…”

 

Mecklenburg paused for a long while before looking elsewhere and saying.

 

“Why did I feel relieved after hearing your words? I want to try believing that my guess might be true.”

 

“…Wow.”

 

I was briefly stunned and unconsciously muttered shortly. Since Mecklenburg’s eyes widened, I answered seriously.

 

“I wasn’t joking. I was just surprised. Thank you.”

 

“Enough. And I’ve been wanting to say this since earlier, but who decided I’m your servant?!”

 

“Ah, that. I’m counting on you, Clemens.”

 

“Do you think that makes sense? What are you doing when you should be my servant based on social status?”

 

“We’re friends.”

 

“So what?! Can’t servants and masters originally be friends?!”

 

“It wouldn’t be bad to live with our roles reversed for once. Ah, I’ll be under you for life, so cut me some slack just this once.”

 

Mecklenburg let out a hollow laugh and turned around.

 

“…I’ve never met someone who acts like you in my life, so I’m flustered. I don’t know how to take it…”

 

“That’s unfortunate. If there had been someone who acted like me around, it would have covered for that personality of yours a bit…”

 

“What?”

 

“Never mind. Now I need to find a place to sleep.”

 

I looked at the purple sky where the sun was setting and thought. Ah, I want to barge into the Prince’s Palace. I want to warp to the teacher’s room that Lukas Everett had received. Though that would be the end of me. I smiled and asked Mecklenburg, who was clearly contemplating whether to say something or not.

 

“Don’t you have lodging that your family arranged under your name? Your family pulled strings for the inspection too.”

 

“…!”

 

* * *

 

Mecklenburg suddenly made a big fuss for a while about how all student council presidents are annoying—just seeing the student council president getting dragged out tells you what kind of guy he is—then entered the best hotel in Munich.

 

So we went to the factory owner’s house the next dawn and moved to the education location. With this, 5 days. Outside the extra chapter, 4 hours had passed.

 

‘Already 4 hours.’

 

I’m breaking out in a cold sweat. I trust that the model student will sleep soundly and exemplarily.

 

Thinking that next time I come to Bavaria, I should come without Leo knowing and stay at a hotel, I committed all of that day’s education to memory and followed the priest in charge of education along with Mecklenburg. I needed to hear answers I couldn’t get from Ainsiedel.

 

“Among the believers here, there are people from other regions. In what cases do people usually come to dioceses in other regions?”

 

“What cases… I’m not sure about that. Actually, I’m from Freising.”

 

“Then what’s the reason for accepting people from other regions?”

 

“We have a very small religious influence compared to Catholicism or Protestantism.”

 

“Well, there’s no comparison.”

 

“…Ahem, anyway, so we tend to actively welcome those who come. Moreover, the more people with outstanding abilities and deep faith there are, the more it helps the diocese’s development, so there’s no reason to refuse.”

 

“I see. I’m curious about one thing—what circumstances brought that Junker here?”

 

“He’s such a quiet person that I don’t know either. It seems like he deliberately doesn’t speak. We’ve already arrived. Let’s go in and talk.”

 

The priest opened his office door and gestured with a kind face.

 

“Please go in first.”

 

“…”

 

Such touching consideration. I looked quietly at the priest’s face, then glared at the floor while smiling. The oiled ebony floor swayed heavily before my eyes. This happening meant that one of the many hypotheses I had established was definitely correct, but that wasn’t something to spend time thinking about at this point. The moment I took a step forward, that day’s memory ended there.

 

I opened my eyes in darkness. Someone was blocking my airway, forcing me to wake up semi-involuntarily.

 

‘Again…’

 

How many times had I been transported like this with Mecklenburg? Whether I expected it or not, I secretly hoped this kind of experience would end that day. This time it was with 18-year-old Mecklenburg instead of 25-year-old Mecklenburg, but I was sick to death of this situation. The large hand pressing my nose and mouth fell away. The smell of blood stabbed sharply into my nose with the air rushing in like crazy.

 

White hair caught my eye even in the darkness. Someone’s painful groaning could be heard. The smell of blood was getting thicker. Ainsiedel muttered as if sighing.

 

“Not bad… at all.”

 

“…”

 

He must have drunk Mecklenburg’s blood. Why didn’t that bastard use an artifact to move? I bent my fingers and felt around what was hanging on my wrist. A typical Pleroma mana restraint device. To think they’ve been using this model since 7 years ago—these bastards have been building their system for a very long time.

 

“For what reason did you enter this place?”

 

The sound of something hitting the floor could be heard. Having gradually adapted to the darkness, I slowly turned my head to check on Mecklenburg. Fortunately, aside from the skin on his wrist, there were no noticeably injured areas. When I maintained no response, an appropriate answer came.

 

“You won’t speak. I would have been disappointed if you had.”

 

Ainsiedel let out a meaningless laugh. Just then, the sound of a door opening came from behind, and two people walked in. They sighed and spoke quietly.

 

“Brother Ainsiedel’s abilities are truly outstanding. It’s fortunate that we caught these cunning spies early.”

 

“…”

 

“If we had accepted them as believers, what would have happened…”

 

Ainsiedel narrowed his eyes and smoothly pulled up the corners of his mouth. After listening to the priest’s lengthy speech, he exhaled deeply and raised his head. Only then did the priests stop talking and look at Ainsiedel.

 

CRASH—!

 

—The Son of Man will come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

 

Along with an eerily soulless voice, white light stabbed sharply into my retinas. The sound of urgently drawing wands followed, then two impact sounds. I could see Mecklenburg’s mouth falling open.

 

“Get up.”

 

While the world’s colors kept shifting from red to blue due to the sudden light, a gloved hand was thrust in front of me. Ainsiedel wore the same smile I had seen in Osnabrück.

 

“You said you would overthrow this diocese.”

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