How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 363
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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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“There seems to be a misunderstanding.”
Mecklenburg said quietly, looking down at the bedsheets.
“Nothing more, nothing less, that’s exactly what he said. He kept maintaining his smile the whole time.”
“…”
I stroked my chin and exhaled. Could it really be a misunderstanding? What if it doesn’t feel like a misunderstanding? Of course, now that an enemy among enemies has appeared, this isn’t the time to debate whether Narke is lying or not…
I slowly asked Mecklenburg again.
“Narke said he couldn’t use mind manipulation magic on Mikhail Ismailov, but Ishmailov countered that Narke could use mind manipulation magic on him… And then Narke denied it, saying no. What happened next?”
“Mikhail Ismailov didn’t say anything more either. Since he had actually demonstrated it, what more could he argue about?”
“He demonstrated it?”
“He placed his hand on Ishmailov’s forehead and used mind manipulation magic. ‘Enter through the Narrow Entrance,’ he said.”
“Did he recite the full incantation?”
“Of course he did. But even so, Ishmailov didn’t even blink once.”
“…”
My head hurts. Even when none other than Narke cast mind manipulation magic, it didn’t work. If they’re going to attach such bizarre titles like ‘Messenger of the Covenant,’ then he’s certainly not an ordinary guy to begin with…
‘Then why did Mikhail Ismailov make such a wrong judgment about Narke?’
Hmm. I made that sound while closing my eyes. While I was racking my brains, Mecklenburg placed something on my lap with a thunk.
“Have some apple.”
“…Excuse me…?”
I felt the blood drain from my face as I looked at the plate on my lap. There were sliced apples on it.
“Why aren’t you eating it yourself, Senior?”
“Eat when given.”
“Why are you acting so uncharacteristically kind, Senior? I’m getting goosebumps and feel like I’m going to die…”
I can see the muscles in Mecklenburg’s jaw tightening. Not taking jokes as jokes and getting worked up all the time – his personality really hasn’t changed. My facial features still seem to irritate him.
‘By the way.’
Is it because this guy handles knives? Why does a nobleman know how to peel fruit? I’ve had over 20 years of commoner experience, but sadly when I peel fruit, 1/3 of it disappears. Of course, it’s still edible. I’ve peeled fruit for Leo and Elias before, and they all ate it without saying anything.
‘But I should never peel fruit in front of this person.’
Then Mecklenburg spoke in a crawling voice.
“…You.”
“What.”
“What?”
“No, please take your time and tell me when you’re ready, Senior.”
Mecklenburg hesitated for a long time. Since silence continued, I politely asked once if he was satisfied now, but he just stared at the ground without much reaction. Soon he cleared his throat and opened his mouth.
“…Isn’t it because you were stressed from being cornered by Pleroma that you ended up hospitalized like this?”
“Suddenly? More than that, me?”
“Then who else is the patient here if not you?”
“Of course I’m the patient.”
“…”
“…”
What is this guy suddenly saying… Is this the answer to ‘why are you acting so uncharacteristically kind’? Why? We just blinked and stared at each other. Silence continued. Soon Mecklenburg made an expression like he was about to realize something and widened his eyes.
‘Ah.’
I figured out what this human was thinking. Wait, time out. When his mouth started to open, I quickly said:
“Now that I think about it, I guess I was a little stressed?”
“You weren’t?! Then why the hell did you collapse?!”
“No, you’re right, Senior.”
“…Of course, who do I think I’m…!”
He wasn’t even listening to me anymore. He’s going to be clueless to the end, what a waste. I closed my mouth and leaned my back against the headboard.
“Just keep being kind to me.”
“Why would I do that for you? Wake up from your dream. Seriously…”
Mecklenburg jumped up with a flushed face, pressed his forehead, and paced around the hospital room. The fact that he had shown kindness to someone who resembled Adrian Ascanien seemed quite irritating to him – judging by his complexion, that guy should be lying in the hospital bed instead of me. Mecklenburg threw open the window and took deep breaths. Meanwhile, I quietly picked at the fruit he had cut and said with a snicker:
“Senior. My mental state isn’t that weak.”
“You…!”
Before his anger could reach me, I picked something visible at random to change the subject.
“I’m sorry. But for a nobleman, you seem to have peeled fruit often?”
“You’re curious about such useless things. Why are you curious about that?”
Mecklenburg shot back in a subdued tone.
“Because it’s cut so round and smooth.”
“Well, it should be cut round and smooth – how else would you cut it?”
If you ask me that… There might be people in the world who cut fruit at angles, you bastard. Have you ever seen me cut fruit? I glared at Mecklenberg, but he was already uninterested in me. Instead, lost in thought, he was kindly answering my question.
“Not often. This is maybe the third time. I think the only other times were when I cut fruit to eat with friends at the 1st Academy.”
“I thought so. But this isn’t the result you’d get after just three attempts, is it?”
“Don’t you know what shape fruit comes in on the dinner table? You just cut it the way the cook used to do it.”
“That’s not something you can just do by watching.”
“I could do it though?”
“How nice for you.”
Isn’t this the kind of human who would say you can just draw pictures by copying what you see? Anyway, I successfully changed the subject. Mecklenburg looked at me with a frown, then sat back down in the chair beside me.
“…Fine. Anyway, what I’ve told you so far is about one-third of the negotiation. After that, it proceeded no differently from an ordinary negotiation scene. But I think there are some suspicious aspects.”
I nodded while picking at the apple, indicating for him to continue.
“When we were kidnapped together in Brandenburg, the bishops said that Germans should join forces against France and England. The current leadership said the same thing. They already have tremendous power. No matter how unstable the external environment is, there’s absolutely no reason for them to support the German Empire. To them, humans are only divided into Pleroma and non-Pleroma, not Germans and French. Rather, we should be grateful if they don’t try to make the French go berserk too, taking advantage of the chaos of war.”
“Hmm… So you think they made excuses to reassure the government and then stab them in the back?”
Mecklenburg answered with a look. I nodded and continued.
“It wouldn’t be an excuse. Another cult group in France has started activities. The kidnapping of magical scholars at the beginning of the month was also something Pleroma did to keep them in check, but since the Empire’s power was stronger than Pleroma expected, they changed strategy this time and proposed negotiations.”
If they all joined forces, they could certainly eliminate our command, but having already lost two dioceses, if they consumed more power, it would become difficult to keep the French cult in check. If you think about what situations typically lead to ceasefire agreements, this is quite understandable. I was about to say all this, but stopped because he might get angry at me for stating the obvious. Just then, Mecklenburg narrowed his eyes.
“…Wait. Where is what doing what to whom?”
“There’s an organization in the French Imperial Family that’s similar to Pleroma but definitely different.”
The color drained from Mecklenburg’s face.
They are the ones who stole Maria Osterreicheste’s jewels and are presumed to be the main culprits behind the relic theft incident. Those words came up to my throat. It’s such an obvious fact to me, but I can’t tell him. He doesn’t know what abilities are contained in Osterreicheste’s jewels, so he wouldn’t take the matter seriously. Since he seemed to need more explanation, I continued:
“That French cult’s technology is better than we expected. If Pleroma is wary enough to be on guard, you can well imagine what kind of situation this is. Therefore, their desire to put up valuable items as collateral and strengthen their power has nothing particularly problematic from their desire perspective. They probably have many capable people even without the Messenger of the Covenant, and by handing over a symbolic figure to reassure the Empire and buy time so domestic attacks don’t come, their purpose would be fulfilled.”
“…”
Mecklenburg exhaled with a confused expression. He had to quickly compose his expression, but seemed unable to easily accept the fact that there was another similar crazy group. I crossed my arms and said thoughtfully:
“But my curiosity is this. The name ‘Messenger of the Covenant’ is quite strange and no matter how much I think about it, it’s so strange that it doesn’t immediately click, but if you examine its essence, where is their reason for approaching us like this?”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s think through this step by step. They see ‘the Lord you seek’ and the ‘Messenger of the Covenant’ as different beings. By now, the imperial government is probably bringing theologians and captured Pleroma members to analyze what their leadership said… If I dare to speculate, and regardless of whether this is theologically correct or not, thinking only from their perspective, I would say this: Pleroma is thoroughly emphasizing that the Lord and the Messenger of the Covenant are different persons.”
Una substantia, tres personae—one essence, three persons. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit do not have the same personality but are the same being in essence. As an atheist, I don’t particularly want to invoke the Trinity to deduce the interpretation of these ridiculous cultists, but right now I have to.
Let me also bring in a clue of a somewhat different nature. Previously, the Archbishop of Freiburg said this:
[When Christ came, people did not know that He was the Lord. Then, did Christ know His own essence from the womb? Opinions are divided on this, but… the interpretation that He learned as He grew up is currently dominant.]
Based on this, I hypothesized that ‘the Messenger of the Covenant would only know his humanity and not grasp his divinity.’ So Pleroma just had to wait patiently until the Messenger of the Covenant grasped his own divinity.
‘But these crazy bastards sent the Messenger of the Covenant before us…’
Of course, even so, my hypothesis didn’t change. What I just told Mecklenburg wasn’t much different from my hypothesis either. Mecklenburg immediately responded to my words.
“The Messenger of the Covenant is the Son and the Lord we seek is the Father?”
“Similar. Then the two are essentially the same being, but only the Messenger of the Covenant, who is the Son, would appear before us in human form. Since the Father sent the Son to the holy war, it means ‘the Lord that Pleroma seeks’ has already recognized them. Since they judge the ‘Lord’ and ‘Messenger of the Covenant’ as different persons, even considering that there might be a slight time difference between the day the Messenger of the Covenant appears and the day the new era opens…”
Mecklenburg nodded slightly. I smiled and continued:
“If a new era is about to open, wouldn’t they just need to quietly wait for it? Why are they trying to reassure us by handing over the Messenger of the Covenant? Common sense tells us that the French cult can’t drastically expand their influence during that short ‘soon’ period, they already have a guaranteed success ticket in their hands, and if the command really bothers them, they could just crush us to death even while accepting the damage they’d suffer. After all, they’ll be saved soon anyway. And even if they don’t go that extreme…”
“They could have appropriately retreated in this negotiation, secured each other’s interests, and tied down the Empire’s feet.”
That was Mecklenburg’s words. I snapped my fingers and replied:
“That’s it, Senior. You’re quick.”
It was a simple story, but I didn’t expect it from you, so thanks. Mecklenburg just seemed impressed by the praise, pressing down the corners of his mouth and turning his head away. I suppressed the urge to chuckle and continued while looking away from him:
“Even if we can understand that they truly want to join hands with us or reassure us, there’s no reason why some bizarre symbol needs to appear. So doesn’t this mean they have a clear reason why the Messenger of the Covenant must be by our side?”
“He would act as a spy and later stab the Empire in the back…”
“How ordinary.”
Mecklenburg’s eyebrows twisted. He shouted with a reddened face again:
“Other than the hypothesis you sarcastically called ordinary, there’s no other answer. Logically speaking!”
“Two hypotheses have come to mind now. In that case, Senior.”
I turned my head toward Mecklenburg and asked.
“Did the Imperial government accept Mikhail Ismailov?”
* * *
At the same time.
Narke looked at the student before him. Leonard was also looking at his classmate in front of him. After a long silence, Leonard was the first to speak.
“Mikhail Vladimirovich Ismailov, you said. That’s quite a name. His patronymic is Vladimir… Since when was God Vladimir?”
“Haha. You know Russian names well too.”
Narke chuckled lightly, took a sip of tea, and continued.
“It’s an intentional name to make him more complete. A strategy to brainwash himself into who he is through his name.”
“Hmm.”
How do you know that? Is that also a product of insight? Leonard swallowed those words, nodded, glanced out the window, and said.
“You can use mind manipulation magic on Ismailov. Can’t you?”
“You saw directly that I couldn’t, Leo.”
“Then why did that person misunderstand your ability? It couldn’t have been a simple misunderstanding.”
“You trust Ismailov’s words more than mine? Haha.”
“You know how Lucas ended up like that.”
Even at these seemingly random words, Narke didn’t panic. He just looked at Leonard with a gentle smile. Leonard pointed outside the lounge and continued.
“Why did Lucas’s mana suddenly become depleted at that exact moment? And one more thing. When the Envoy of the Covenant first appeared there, when everyone was wary of him, why weren’t you? You didn’t even stand up from your seat or draw your wand.”
Narke lightly gripped the teacup handle. Leonard glanced at Narke’s fingertips and then looked back into his yellow eyes.
“No, should I ask it this way? Narke. Why did you stay still when you knew you’d be suspected by me? You could have at least acted surprised.”
“Because you’re my friend.”
“…”
“Other people don’t have much interest in me as a theological school student. You’re the only one who watches me closely enough to suspect me, Leo. You know this fact too, which is why you’re asking me like this. Right?”
“Yes.”
“Should I act to deceive a friend? Is that what you want?”
Narke smiled looking at Leonard’s expressionless eyes.
“Then now it’s time for me to explain why I wasn’t surprised. Because I could see the future. I had confidence that no one would get hurt for at least half a day from then.”
“Then what about this future now? Didn’t you foresee the situation where Ismailov would refute your words and you’d be questioned by me like this?”
“It was inevitable.”
Leonard quietly listened to Narke’s words, even though the answer seemed to skip a conversation or two. He could predict what words he and Narke had exchanged in their minds.
“The Imperial government would have reached the same conclusion no matter what we did, and Pleroma would have tried to persuade us until the end. So I knew it was inevitable, but… I just wanted to try at least once to see if there was a way to change everyone’s minds. Even if Ismailov refuted my words and you suspected me, I had to say those words.”
“…”
“Sometimes you have to take a detour even when you know better. There are things you can’t bear without trying yourself, even if it looks foolish. Isn’t that what conviction is?”
Narke’s clear voice pierced Leonard’s ears. It sounded like a voice that didn’t belong to this reality. Leonard clenched his fist below his knee, driving his nails into his palm. The mage before him didn’t resemble Mikhail Ismailov at all. Ismailov didn’t resemble anyone to begin with. But clearly, Narke Farnese was not unrelated to Ismailov. Why?
“You brought up those words to drive him away, knowing you’d be in trouble like this. Why? Is there some reason you shouldn’t face Ismailov?”
“There’s no reason I shouldn’t. That child just irritates me. Does that answer your question now?”
As if that could be an answer. Leonard knew well that he couldn’t uncover what Narke Farnese was hiding, unable to use divine power against him. Farnese wouldn’t tell the truth no matter what. Why did he think that? He had answered everything we asked until now. Leonard recalled what he had asked Narke last year when he returned after jumping from the Clock Tower.
“A theological school student from the Vatican who’s a Papal States cardinal and Minister of the Doctrine of Faith.”
Leonard let out a light laugh. Gradually, the corners of his mouth hardened downward.
“That was enough. But now that’s not sufficient, and you seem to know the Envoy of the Covenant that Pleroma is putting forward. You’re even said to be the only one among the Empire’s mages who can read him.”
“I showed you directly that it wasn’t…”
“Showing is easy. I don’t understand why Mikhail Ismailov didn’t press you further about your lies.”
“…”
“Narke. Who have I been friends with all this time?”
There was no answer. The sound of ice floating on lukewarm tea breaking and hitting the porcelain wall could be heard clearly. Again, Leonard broke the silence and asked.
“What’s your relationship with Mikhail Ismailov?”
Narke readily shook his head.
“No relationship at all. Really.”
“Then why can’t anyone in this Empire use mental magic on him, but only you can read his mind? Why did he recognize your words even though you had cast a sound-blocking spell, and how could you be so calm even if you had foreseen it?”
“…”
“Sorry, but the situation isn’t good enough to believe you have no relationship. In this completely insane situation where Pleroma designated Lucas and said only Lucas could handle Ismailov, in this situation where that monster has come to look directly at Lucas, I can’t just let it slide.”
“So Mikhail Ismailov is a monster to you.”
“Anyone would think so.”
Could someone who subdued a Rampage with a single verse of Requiem and confiscated Vitriol not be a monster? That’s why we need to know the truth. Whether we’re enjoying temporary peace because we’re in the eye of the storm, or not. I don’t want to interrogate a friend, but I can’t ignore dangers brewing in unknown places either.
“…”
Narke smiled and drank his tea. The expression on his face contained no emotion whatsoever. Leonard intuited that he had smiled at the word “monster.”
“If your rank is higher than such a Mikhail Ismailov, whether right or wrong, if it’s higher than even that Envoy of the Covenant, then you…”
“Stop.”
Divine power lightly pressed Leonard’s lips and then dispersed. Narke, who had slightly raised his hand, began speaking in a bitter voice.
“You don’t believe my words. I know you’re asking me this because you’re worried about everyone’s safety, Leo. I too wish for you all to be safer than anyone.”
His voice began to gain strength gradually. It was still gentle and clear, but Leonard could tell. The quiet golden river in those eyes was an ocean, and what erupted from beneath the trench faintly stirred the surface. So slightly that most people would never notice. The cool heat gradually intensified.
“If I had intended to let something like Iconoteca end it, I wouldn’t have come this far.”
By the time he finished speaking, those eyes that had been directed at the teacup were looking straight at Leonard’s face. Leonard had no leisure to figure out the meaning of that Italian word. Narke, who took another sip of tea, opened his mouth in a subdued voice.
“Aren’t you tired?”
* * *
I entered a dim building with Mecklenburg and Albertina Hohenzollern. Actually, I couldn’t tell if they were following behind me or not, nor could I tell what building I had entered. Since I was approaching top secret information, I wasn’t allowed to see ahead.
Even though I hadn’t completed my discharge procedures yet, the government had called me and the representatives of the two orders to take us to Mikhail Ismailov. Simply because Mikhail Ismailov seemed to be related to me.
‘Those Pleroma bastards spilled everything, so they had no choice but to think that.’
If it had been unacceptable, I would have refused, but now I also had things to ask him. A mage who had been assisting my steps stopped and removed the blindfold from my eyes.
“This is the place. Ismailov’s main body is in another room, so you can worry less. If problems arise, we’ll handle it immediately.”
“Understood.”
The reason the government called me was to understand the true intentions of Ismailov and Pleroma. They must have realized that Pleroma, who handed over Ismailov, was somehow fishy. Even if they realized it, they probably only made speculations at Mecklenburg’s level. I entered the room with the question sheet they had prepared in advance.
“Nice to meet you.”
A pure white human with eyes bound by white cloth sits in a chair. More precisely, he’s restrained. I looked at where his eyes should be. According to Mecklenburg, there should be white irises inside there.
“You must know who I am too. The government called me to determine whether you can be released.”
“…”
No answer. I skimmed through the question sheet I brought and shrugged my shoulders. Then I brought up a topic not written on the question sheet.
“Your name is interesting. Mikhail Ismailov… In a way, it’s ironic, I’d say.”
“…”
“I know someone with a name like yours.”
“…”
“A person named Gabrielle Caetani. Do you know him?”
[Count Ascanien, questions not previously agreed upon…]
A troubled intervention comes through the artifact. I raised my hand toward the mage who would be watching my video from outside. His words stopped.
There was still no answer. I checked the pocket watch given to me. Silence continued for a full minute. The moment Mecklenburg behind me placed his hand on my shoulder, an empty voice was heard.
“He is my brother.”
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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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