How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 365

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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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They’ll entrust information gathering to the only person Ishmailov opens up to.

 

It’s the right strategy. It’s the right strategy, but the moment Pleroma said ‘we hope Lucas Ascanien will take care of Ishmailov,’ this becomes a dangerous choice. Nevertheless, the government has assigned Ishmailov to me. What could be the reason for that?

 

‘…Maybe they’re thinking differently because those guys came out so openly.’

 

Since they directly revealed their intentions, they think that pairing me with Ishmailov is probably not Pleroma’s ultimate goal. Both the government and I think alike in believing they have a real hidden objective, but our reasoning leads to different conclusions.

 

‘My head hurts.’

 

I can’t be completely certain about what Pleroma ultimately wants either, but I still partially believe Narke’s statement. It wasn’t long ago that Narke said I should stay as far away from him as possible, and now we’re being put together like this?

 

“Lord Mecklenburg.”

 

As soon as Narke began to speak, Mecklenburg immediately responded.

 

“I don’t want to relay such orders either. I’ve already suggested multiple times that you reconsider, but it wasn’t accepted.”

 

“…”

 

Should I send a letter to Abraham? No, that bastard would say ‘I’m curious what relationship you have with the Covenant’s messenger that made them designate you.’ He’d find it interesting.

 

‘I’ll keep that bastard as a last resort.’

 

Let me try what I can attempt right now first.

 

“No matter how I think about it, this is too much for me.”

 

I can see mixed emotions swirling in Mecklenburg’s eyes. He seemed to be thinking something like ‘what couldn’t Nicolaus Ernst handle,’ but also seemed to empathize with this unreasonableness because I’m from the 101st class. He quickly seemed to settle on the latter. Mecklenburg turned his gaze away and said.

 

“…I’ll keep trying to persuade them. If that person gradually adapts to the Empire, things might change.”

 

What would change? It sounds vague, but he meant that if Ishmailov starts opening up to people other than me, he’d immediately remove him from me. In other words, there’s no way out for now.

 

“This doesn’t look like a very good choice to me. It’s still too early to have Ishmailov face our mages. Besides, that person toward you…”

 

Mecklenburg gestured instead of speaking and made a disgusted expression. He too seems to feel strong revulsion at Pleroma’s second coming of Christ saying ‘I like you.’

 

“I’m surprised Senior is saying something sensible for once.”

 

“…Don’t joke around. This isn’t the time for that.”

 

‘I was being sincere, what joke?’

 

“The meeting with France is this week. I think they’re trying to extract information from Ishmailov to gather all the cards the Empire can use. Please just endure until then.”

 

“If I endure?”

 

“After that, whether there are gains or not, I’ll report that it would be better to gradually withdraw.”

 

Mecklenburg seems to think there won’t be any gains. I’m scared there might actually be some. I looked at the government mages waiting for us and said quietly.

 

“What would happen if I refused to follow orders?”

 

“The Chief of Staff would meet with you to decide on disciplinary action. Do I need to tell you that? Beyond that, you could even be expelled from the Imperial Mage Association.”

 

“Expelled? Me? They would never expel me.”

 

I snorted while casting a sound barrier spell with a finger snap. But at the same time, a certain possibility crossed my mind, and my laughter gradually began to fade.

 

What if these crazy bastards actually expelled me? The way countries operate, as you can see anywhere in history books, is never rational and reasonable. Individuals and groups have different natures and produce different outcomes for the same situation. Reason, rationality, and optimal choices are fantasies that only appear in economics textbooks, and this is especially true in politics. Thinking of that possibility sends chills down my spine. If I get expelled leaving these 18-year-old high school students behind, if I end up staying in daily life while they’re on the front lines… it’s over.

 

I looked back toward where Narke was. Narke was staring at the floor expressionlessly. If he had any clever plan, he would have given me some hint by now, but since he’s not doing that, does it mean it’s difficult to easily escape this situation? Even thinking about it myself right now, that seems to be the case. Since Mecklenburg—this loyal pro-Emperor faction member—already tried to dissuade them first but they reacted like this, even if I step forward, there’s a high possibility nothing will change significantly. This is especially true since I don’t have any concrete evidence to present to them right now.

 

“From now on, Ishmailov will accompany you. More precisely, you’ll need to accompany Ishmailov and take care of him. Without that, we won’t be able to draw words out of him.”

 

“…”

 

“In case Ishmailov shows abnormal symptoms while with you, we’re monitoring his heartbeat and magical power in real time. If his rhythm becomes even slightly abnormal, an alarm will sound immediately so you’ll know too, and you can just get away. We’ll head there right away.”

 

Get away… I think I should be the one subduing him, not running away. I couldn’t say it out loud since they’d probably make a fuss about me showing off.

 

For now, I have points for retry, so I’ll experience it at least once. Even if not, there’s no way to avoid it right now anyway.

 

I left Mecklenburg behind and walked toward Ishmailov.

 

“Nice to meet you.”

 

Ishmailov looked down at me and blinked. Looking at those pale water-colored eyes similar to white reminded me of Narke from the Papal States, and before that, his high-tied hair and artificial whiteness reminded me of Ainsiedel. Thankfully, that itself was a clue.

 

Since Ishmailov just stood still, I extended my hand. The government mages holding him watched Ishmailov’s movements closely. Ishmailov looked down at my black-gloved hand, then examined his own hand once before slowly taking mine. The way he gripped my hand blade so it filled his palm completely was exactly like someone shaking hands for the first time. Feeling somewhat disgusted, I immediately let go of his hand. Even at this rudeness, or perhaps like someone who didn’t even know it was rude, Ishmailov looked at me normally. I smiled and greeted him briefly.

 

“I heard the story briefly. Let’s get along well from today.”

 

—”I wanted to say that, Lucas.”

 

I turned my head toward where I heard that voice. Narke, who had been standing fixed in the same spot where we were talking earlier, was looking at me. He, who had been unusually without a smile, smiled when our eyes met.

 

—”I thought about various things, and this seems best. Let’s get along well from today.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

I smiled awkwardly and raised my eyebrows. Suddenly saying let’s get along well? Haven’t we been getting along well until now? More than that, the guy in front might hear, so why say it now?

 

But he didn’t give me the answer I wanted. After looking at Ishmailov, there was no further explanation. Leo, who noticed something strange from my reaction, frowned and looked at Narke, but he didn’t answer Leo’s and my questioning either.

 

“…”

 

Ishmailov just silently stared at Narke. I received an explanation from another government official nearby and moved to Bavaria National Medical Center. After visiting the hospital and experiencing a situation where hostage human rights hit rock bottom, we entered Nymphenburg Palace again. Everything that could be information had been completely cleared away in preparation for his arrival. Since Leo went to protest this treatment—I suggested going together but Leo didn’t even pretend to listen—only Narke and I led Ishmailov up to the top floor room of Nymphenburg.

 

Creak—

 

When I opened the door, my friends who had been sitting around the table stood up. When I was called away from morning, they said they would wait for me here. Ulrike looked at Ishmailov behind me and asked.

 

“…Who is that?”

 

“A hostage from Pleroma’s side.”

 

“What?!”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

Elias asked while keeping his gaze fixed on Ishmailov. I looked at him and shrugged my shoulders.

 

“Exactly what I said. Please introduce yourself, Mr. Ishmailov.”

 

“…”

 

He didn’t open his mouth. It would be information, but he didn’t even look at the 101st class friends. He just stared at the wall beyond them. Ulrike cast a sound barrier spell and asked.

 

“…Ishmailov? Is he Russian? Was the reason you were called from this morning to introduce us to this person?”

 

I wish it had been just that. When I hesitated to answer with an enlightened smile, my friends’ expressions began to stiffen. I shook my head and explained.

 

“More precisely, he has to live with me.”

 

“…What?!”

 

“What kind of crazy talk is this?”

 

Ulrike and Elias reacted simultaneously. Cheringen looked back and forth between us with slightly narrowed brows.

 

From the government’s perspective, since I’m the only one Ishmailov opens up to, they want me to talk with him and extract something. But is there a guarantee that this Pleroma messiah will only open up to me? It was just lucky earlier, but now he might not open up to me either, and once he relaxes, he could talk to other people anytime, couldn’t he? I knew I was being somewhat unreasonable, but I thought that way and let out a long breath.

 

When I led Ishmailov to sit at the round table, my friends also sat down with wary eyes. Their gazes were directed at Ishmailov and me. I answered my friends who were waiting for a response.

 

“Just as I said. I don’t know how long it’ll last, but I have to take care of this person.”

 

“Why?!”

 

“…”

 

The Pleroma messiah says he likes me…

 

I couldn’t say that. My friends might all need to wash their ears with holy water too. Who wouldn’t be shocked hearing such an irresponsible statement? I hadn’t even mentioned that he was the Pleroma messiah in the first place. I shook my head instead of answering.

 

“They must have basically judged that we won’t suffer irreparable damage from this person. The senior mages from other classes and the government are continuously managing this person too. I just need to help with adaptation.”

 

“Then what about your sick leave?”

 

“It flew away, obviously. Anyway, since I’m living together with you all, this also means we all have to be with this person.”

 

My friends’ expressions became serious. Even Haike narrowed her eyes slightly and looked at him this time. She returned to her usual expressionless face quickly, but the fact that such an expression appeared on Haike’s face, even briefly, was truly surprising.

 

I asked Ishmailov, who was still only looking at the table.

 

“Do you have any tea you like?”

 

“…”

 

I didn’t expect an answer. I ordered black tea from a servant and sat quietly looking at him. Ulrike cast a sound barrier spell again and whispered.

 

“Lucas. Are you really sure it’s okay to be with that Pleroma?”

 

“I don’t know either. And even with the sound barrier spell, he can probably hear everything.”

 

“Huh…?!”

 

“Is that right? Or does this also depend on the situation?”

 

Ishmailov glanced at me and turned his gaze away again. Seems like it’s right. Good. I broke the silence and spoke once more.

 

“As long as you’re Pleroma, you know well that your image isn’t very good. If you want to live comfortably while you’re here, please have some conversation when opportunities arise.”

 

There was no answer. Now Elias frowned and glared at him.

 

“Why don’t you say something? What conditions were you exchanged under exactly?”

 

“We didn’t give anything. Just, they asked us not to attack their diocese for the time being.”

 

Elias spread both hands with an incredulous face and let out a hollow laugh. Even without words, I could understand everything from his expression alone. It was an expression that said ‘does that make sense?’ Paraphrasing, it would be something like ‘would that stop the attacks?’

 

“…I’m going crazy. No, everyone’s gone crazy. What if our information gets leaked through this person?”

 

“No.”

 

Everyone’s heads turned at the sudden voice. I looked at Narke, who had spoken for the first time since coming to this place. He continued with his still expressionless face.

 

“They didn’t use such shallow tricks. Initially, they were supposed to share senses, but everything was canceled when returning.”

 

Elias, who had become much sharper than usual with Pleroma in front of him, slowly nodded, then propped his chin and asked coldly.

 

“Then what did you come here for?”

 

Ishmailov was still only looking at the table regardless of what Elias said. I answered immediately after he finished speaking.

 

“Peace promotion, friendship.”

 

“…I know they can do this for such purposes, but why does it feel so unsettling?”

 

“Since the opponent is Pleroma, it can’t be helped. Also, we haven’t received their surrender, so there’s no reason to take such a mage as hostage.”

 

My friends seemed to guess from ‘such a mage’ that he was quite a skilled mage. More than that, I need to do something else now. To separate Ishmailov from us, I need to make him adapt to the Empire or practice conversing with people so he’ll open up to others as well.

 

‘…Should I leave just the two of us alone to get him to start talking?’

 

“Guys, could you give us some space for a moment?”

 

Surprisingly, those weren’t my words. Narke said something that seemed to read my thoughts exactly and smiled. Meanwhile, Elias bared his teeth and spoke in a voice that seemed to be grinding something down.

 

“Can’t leave until this Pleroma opens his mouth.”

 

“I’m trying to get him to talk. Please.”

 

“…”

 

At Narke’s words, Elias pursed his lips, sighed, and went outside. Cheringen also nodded as if he had no objections, stood up from his seat, and said quietly.

 

“Let me know if anything happens.”

 

“I will. Thanks.”

 

Even after everyone left the room, Narke remained sitting beside me. I cautiously called out to him.

 

“Narke.”

 

“Hmm? Me?”

 

“Yeah, you… Could you step out for a moment too?”

 

“Ah~ that won’t do.”

 

Narke smiled brightly and flatly rejected my request. Won’t do? Why…? I was momentarily speechless, opening my mouth before shaking my head.

 

“Narke. I have something I need to ask this person…”

 

“Go ahead and be comfortable~”

 

Be comfortable, he says. I was planning to start by asking what he meant by saying I was to his liking. I swallowed and ran simulations. If Narke already knew, that would make me laugh bitterly, and if he was hearing it for the first time, that would make me want to end this gathering immediately.

 

“If you’re here, I don’t think he’ll give any answers or say anything.”

 

Narke made a face that said that was also true, then smiled and looked straight at Ishmailov.

 

“Give up.”

 

“…”

 

Ishmailov, who raised his gaze to Narke’s eyes instead of the table, slowly blinked. I looked back and forth between Ishmailov and Narke before giving up and blurting out a different question.

 

“What did you do before coming here?”

 

“…Pleroma.”

 

“…”

 

At his voice, which I was hearing for the first time since the interrogation, I looked at Narke. Narke, who had been staring intently at Ishmailov, felt my gaze and smiled gently.

 

Did Narke’s words to “give up” have an effect? I stroked my chin and asked again.

 

“I mean what work did you do within the order.”

 

“…”

 

“Then what about before you joined Pleroma?”

 

“…”

 

Both silences were similar in nature. Judging by the movement of his pupils, neither seemed to be deliberately withholding information. Earlier, he appeared to recall something but seemed unable to express it in words. I definitely had a precedent of having to interpret countless signals contained in such an expressionless face – someone who had been sitting at this table until just now. It gives me quite a sense of déjà vu. Since there was no malice or hostility in that expression, I answered briefly.

 

“We’ll get to know each other gradually.”

 

* * *

 

From the moment I took charge of Ishmailov, I had essentially returned to being Eschete again. What does that mean I have to do?

 

On a street in Nuremberg, Bavaria, I took out my signal device, tapped it, and said.

 

“Mission completed. Returning.”

 

Thud—

 

As Narke struck down his staff, pure white divine power spread in all directions. After purifying the Vitriol spread on the floor, Narke changed his staff to a wand and smiled.

 

“Who would have thought you and I would be on the same team. It’s been a while since we had an 8th-grade victim.”

 

“Mm, that’s right.”

 

We took on everything as reports came in. No, actually, I should say ‘I’ did. Our 101st unit, which handles high-risk victims, doesn’t need to take on low-risk victim reports. Right now, I chose to go alone, and Narke just followed along.

 

‘…Hmm.’

 

When Narke’s words from this morning crossed my mind again, Narke smiled and patted my shoulder.

 

“Let’s go back, Lucas.”

 

“…Yeah.”

 

When I turned around, I could see Ishmailov standing blankly in the distance, doing nothing but watching us. Right, that guy followed me too. Narke and I warped directly to Nymphenburg Palace, and Narke quickly transported Ishmailov over.

 

And so, a day that was less eventful than expected continued. After the morning when I heard shocking news and the confusing noon, it was now approaching evening.

 

If I try to think positively about this, there was one good thing about taking charge of Ishmailov. I finally escaped from Leo’s room in the Prince’s Palace and got a room at Nymphenburg Palace just like my friends.

 

“…”

 

And right now I’m letting out a bitter laugh.

 

Regardless of what the government wants, I don’t particularly need to extract information from Ishmailov. So my choice was laissez-faire. I did my usual work, had appropriate conversations with my friends, went to take victims to the hospital, and drank tea.

 

And Ishmailov followed me around all day long.

 

“Stop.”

 

I turned around in front of the library bathroom and threatened the two humans.

 

“If you’re not here to use the facilities, get out.”

 

Why two humans? Because not only Ishmailov but also Narke has been following me around. All day long, without missing a single moment.

 

“Ah, this is a bit much.”

 

Narke chuckled and waved his hand dismissively to show he understood. This guy knows what he’s doing and is just messing around, so there’s nothing more to see.

 

I turned my head toward Ishmailov, and he tilted his head expressionlessly. I was at a loss for words.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Only silence flows. This is deeply bewildering. Even Haike wouldn’t ask for the reason… What kind of crazy person follows someone to the bathroom and sits there when they’re not even going to use it themselves? I could understand it if it were Elias, but for anyone who isn’t Elias, it’s humanly incomprehensible. I achieved enlightenment and gestured to him.

 

“Get the hell… no, please leave.”

 

“…”

 

Ishmailov obediently retreated. I’m curious whether this counts as being socialized or not. Still, he was on a completely different level from Haike, who belongs to the relatively normal category—though that might just be because I’ve adapted to him now.

 

I returned to the library and looked at the empty bookshelves. There was some information control because Pleroma was staying here. I said to Ishmailov, who was standing silently.

 

“Why don’t you read a book. They moved everything else to other places for you, leaving only things like fairy tales.”

 

Since he remained still, I pulled out an appropriate picture book and handed it to him. Actually, I wasn’t sure whether he could read or not. Meanwhile, I headed toward a bookshelf that had relatively more books.

 

‘This guy is following me again.’

 

I wanted to look at some magic texts, but naturally none remained here. I pulled out an appropriate history book and opened it. Ishmailov stood at some distance from me and slowly turned the pages of his book.

 

“…”

 

And five minutes later, I admitted it. Concentrating was hopeless. Being here reading books with some Pleroma messiah, I couldn’t concentrate at all. I closed my book and looked at Ishmailov, who was handling the picture book like someone seeing one for the first time—though he probably hadn’t actually seen it for the first time, his behavior was just…

 

What I saw at the hospital crossed my mind. I have no idea how many artifacts and drugs were put into that body to suppress the magic power within. Right now he was in a state not much different from a non-mage, and he had to be. I don’t know if the suppression would work, but at least when shaking hands, I couldn’t feel his magic power. Even while I was observing him, he paid no attention and continued turning pages, then quickly closed the picture book and arbitrarily pulled out another book to open. I pointed to the heart rate monitoring artifact embedded in his wrist and asked.

 

“Isn’t it uncomfortable?”

 

“…”

 

“Well, even if you said it was uncomfortable, there’s nothing I could particularly do to help.”

 

“I know.”

 

I could see Narke sitting far away, smiling with a face that asked why I bothered asking then. I shrugged and brought up another question.

 

“What are you reading?”

 

He blinked as if thinking about his answer, then replied briefly.

 

“Augustine.”

 

“…”

 

Augustine? My head feels fuzzy. Why is this Pleroma reading a theologian’s book? Suddenly, everything from the Trinity onwards began flashing through my mind. I approached him closely and closed the cover of the book he was reading.

 

“Let me see.”

 

“…”

 

What he was reading was indeed “On the Trinity.” It was a bit concerning because of this person’s position, but there was no problem beyond that. Still, I found it unsettling why he would be curious about the Trinity. I was about to laugh bitterly and say it would be better to read a different book when I heard an unusual warning sound.

 

Beep beep beep—

 

“…Hmm?”

 

Heart rate? Wait. I don’t remember doing anything problematic just now?

 

Narke also looked at me with a bewildered face, and I too looked up at Ishmailov in disbelief. At that moment, Albertina Hohenzollern and Mecklenburg warped here simultaneously.

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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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