How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 501

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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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“Where are you going?!”

Archduchess Maria quickly chased after me, matching my pace as she shouted. I turned my head slightly back and asked.

“What about Emanuel?”

“I don’t know! He must have gone out to help.”

“That’s why we need to go find him now.”

“Wait! Don’t you need to go to Prince? You postponed the morning lesson to evening!”

“Oh, damn.”

I bit my lip and stopped. It was time for the lesson. Right, when I was attacked by Ishmailov and collapsed, I escaped to an extra chapter and met Leonard at dawn, and much later… in Gizing, I skipped the morning lesson to recover my stamina. Since I attempted astral projection after that, it would soon be time for the lesson. I stood there and pressed my head that was ringing as if it would split.

I felt dizzy at the options that came to mind. Raising the time difference level by one more was reckless. I didn’t want to spend indefinite time inside while outside time was almost stopped. What made me hesitate? I simply didn’t want to lose anything more. What? I didn’t know. I didn’t want to know.

But going out and entering Mecklenburg’s extra chapter was even more problematic. It would take more time to return home than to finish the morning lesson. Even if I moved to Bavaria, if I needed to investigate more about Yuri Alekseyev later, I’d have to move to Russia once more, causing double waste, and above all, I couldn’t receive help from the Kingdom of Bavaria there. Now that I had to ransack churches in the Bavarian region, naturally I couldn’t receive help from the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz facing the North Sea.

A little while would be fine. One day here is 48 minutes outside, about 3 hours here is 6 minutes outside. I pressed my forehead and around my eyes, muttering in a sunken voice.

“Then I’ll go in for the lesson. Ah, I can’t enter the prince’s palace like this… Wait a moment. Your Grace, please find Emanuel and ask if he can spare time today. And…”

“And?”

“There’s a priest named Ralph Huber, he should belong to Bamberg Cathedral. If you have time, please ask them to check if someone with this surname is involved in Bavaria’s clergy. The first name might be different.”

“Wow, I guess I should buy a house in Bavaria.”

So you’re saying you’ll settle down in Bavaria since you’re being called around without even having time to return to your homeland? But, right now the apostle you are…

The reflexive thought was soon a useless thought. I lifted my head and dry-washed my face on the spot. Archduchess Maria said.

“Alright. I’ll convey the message. Then I’ll go look for Emanuel! Tell me the details about what happened earlier when you’re done.”

“Ah, wait a moment.”

“Hmm?”

“I’d like some help with magic studies. Could I get some explanation later?”

“What field?”

“Anything.”

Archduchess Maria’s eyes widened in surprise, then his eyes immediately lit up with joy. He patted my shoulder and ran out of Emanuel’s mansion corridor, whistling.

Dazed by the subsequent slight shock, I stood there with my gaze lowered, then lifted my shirt to smell it. The scent of crushed plants and coagulated magic powder for astral projection had permeated my body. Since astral projection wasn’t easy, I had to stay in that room for a long time. As a result, it smelled like burnt tree bark, so if I didn’t want to advertise to His Majesty that Prince’s teacher was wandering around the palace soaked in some crazy experimental drugs, I had to wash immediately. Though I didn’t have Emanuel’s permission, for the sake of his cousin, Leonard, and my own well-being, I had no choice but to find an appropriate bathroom and enter.

* * *

The lesson with Leonard went smoothly. I remembered what we had been doing in the previous curriculum, and even Leonard’s weaknesses and strengths shown in every lesson were all as clear as yesterday. No one knew that I had returned from astral projection.

I kept my mouth shut and swallowed. The evening breeze cooled the sweat. I was sweating even while sparring with a child. Leonard was that enthusiastic and persistent. Those eyes were exactly the same as his 12 years later, so it might be natural. The gaze that endlessly wanted more magic without knowing the end clung to the wand, hands, and air. Only when I heard the bell from the clock tower did I hold my wand with both hands and say.

“Please rest now, Your Highness.”

Leonard, who had already used magic beyond his physical limits, slowly lowered his wand only after my words fell, finished his greeting, and sat on the bench. It was just like him not to collapse where he stood. I opened the water bottle I had set aside and approached him. Leonard, who received and drank the water, hesitated for a moment then carefully spoke to me.

“Teacher. Do you have time after this?”

It would be disappointing if you didn’t ask. I put my wand at my waist and answered politely.

“It would be difficult to spare time today, Your Highness.”

At those words, I could see the energy instantly drain from Leonard’s face. The grown Leo wouldn’t show such an extreme reaction, but a five-year-old couldn’t easily manage his expressions. Since it was a natural fact, I felt sorry for even reading his expression. Leonard tried to look into my eyes but let his gaze wander and blinked rapidly. Horrified that he might cry, I grabbed his shoulder, but fortunately, unlike my expectation, he was calm in a way unbefitting a five-year-old. Just still somewhat dispirited. He asked, trying his best to pronounce clearly with articulation organs that wouldn’t follow his will.

“May I ask the reason?”

Because I have to go help you and your country. I have a duty to make your plan succeed no matter what, and it’s also my plan. I looked into five-year-old Leonard’s eyes for a long time, thought, and said exactly that.

“I want to be helpful to Your Highness in the future, so I can’t be with you now. How about this weekend instead?”

The words about wanting to be helpful might sound vague, but Leonard wasn’t flustered. Don’t young children usually not easily accept promises for the future? My thinking seems wrong. He thought for a moment, then answered with a smile, though his melancholy hadn’t completely cleared.

“I’m glad to hear you’re considering future matters.”

So that’s how it works. I stopped those words from rising to my throat and smiled awkwardly. Since Leonard was looking up at me with shining eyes, having no words to reply, I carefully spread my arms from where I sat. Leonard stared up at me blankly, then likewise cautiously hugged me. The frequent embraces today came to mind, and at the same time thinking of the grown Leo, the fact that he was this much smaller felt strange again. I wouldn’t be dragged away for lese majeste, of course. Though it seemed somewhat illogical to treat the smaller Leonard so carefully while squeezing the grown Leo’s heart, there was definitely a difference between the two periods. For example, the existence of those people—I avoided the gazes of the secretaries watching from afar and lightly patted the kindergartener’s back. This time I didn’t cast anything like a binding spell.

When this matter is over, I should invest two or three hours to play with him for a few days in an extra chapter. It bothers me that I can’t be with him in an extra chapter meant for him. Surely, since it’s Leo’s extra chapter, there must be something I can confirm from Leonard here, or something I must influence Leonard here with. I couldn’t know exactly what I should accomplish in every extra chapter. Perhaps there’s no predetermined absolute goal. If the fact that I gained the right to be with someone during the most important period of their life so far is the most important power and ability—only the fact that this right frightens me is clear.

After the lesson ended, I returned to Emanuel’s mansion again. The mansion decorated as darkly as Halloween was definitely Maria’s doing. I don’t know why the house became like this. I quickly walked down the corridor, swatting away yellow lights floating in the air with my hand.

“You’re here.”

Emanuel waved from the middle of a large room. Since the door was wide open, I just nodded and entered. Emanuel asked playfully.

“What are you trying to do by gathering us? Going to do astral projection again?”

“No.”

I answered calmly, feeling my cheeks grow cold.

I couldn’t go to 1898 through astral projection. Maria’s blood made future travel impossible, which was “theoretically possible through astral projection.” If I had my blood, going to 1898 would be possible, but even if functionally possible, the risk of that plan would rise to the extreme. If I could obtain information through other methods, it would definitely be better to use other methods.

Pleroma was desperate to obtain Maria Osterreicheste’s technology. Both 10 years ago when Maria died and now. In such a situation, show something presumed to be Maria’s soul before Pleroma in 1898? I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t make him suffer even after death. No matter how much I tried not to reveal myself, thinking of the slightest possibility, I couldn’t gamble with another’s dignity rashly. If I were human, I couldn’t have confidence to continue that method even knowing others’ danger. I shouldn’t do that. Unless everything became truly irreversible to the point where I’d have to tell Maria everything and manage to get permission from his steeled resolve…

Likewise, I couldn’t show myself to Terminus Yukairya. They also knew that Maria Osterreicheste was an important magical scholar. Even “a world where impurities were removed to easily feel only nature’s magic” existed in 1898. A world easy to enter the astral plane—with such a world existing, could I say the future was safe? I couldn’t put Maria in danger anymore.

I also considered targeting this world’s time for astral projection, but having some concerns, I decided to directly travel around this world unless there really was no other way.

Emanuel and the Archduchess noticed my expression had changed and silently looked at me. I looked at their faces and asked quietly.

“Can you not ask about what I’m going to say from now on?”

“We won’t be in danger, right?”

To Emanuel’s nonchalant question, I answered bleakly.

“I don’t know.”

“Hmm, that much. Then Bavaria won’t be in danger, right?”

“I want to do today’s work to prevent such things.”

Only now did the playfulness disappear from Emanuel’s face. I immediately said.

“Tonight, we need to go to Bamberg City Hall. I also need to find a priest.”

“Bamberg City Hall. Northern Bavaria. The city hall on the bridge?”

“That’s right.”

The path to enter Bamberg Archdiocese was said to be in the third bookshelf of the last room on the third floor of Bamberg City Hall. At this time, Pleroma was just beginning their activities. I didn’t know if the diocese had been established, but I had to go find out. And if it was already built, I needed to know where it was built. My goal was to find out the place that moved to those high-ranking clergy’s offices.

Emanuel asked quietly.

“Why?”

“I can’t answer that, which is why I asked you earlier.”

However, I had no intention of staying completely silent. I looked at Emanuel and Maria and continued.

“If I answer that it’s for Bavaria’s safety… could you believe that?”

Everyone’s bewildered faces came into view. I continued.

“Both Emanuel and Maria probably find it hard to believe that a mage from America would say such things. I understand.”

“Well, it’s not that I can’t believe it. You receive His Majesty’s favor… and that makes me more worried.”

Emanuel regained his earlier playfulness and subtly joked with a serious face. I knew well that sincerity might be hidden in that expression. I asked with my eyes closed, leaning on the desk.

“Do you know a mage group called Pleroma?”

“You asked that before! I know them.”

Archduchess Maria shouted.

“Your Grace. How was the scene you saw with me today?”

“It was fascinating. Worth researching.”

“Also?”

Archduchess Maria knew there was an answer I wanted and waited. He also wanted me to explain when and what time that world was. Instead, he didn’t ask first.

“There were dying people there. Those who first made people become like that were Pleroma. You only know them as a simple spiritualist sect now, but they are capable of committing extraordinary crimes beyond that. I heard they’re trying to expand their influence in Bavaria.”

“How do you know that? In America?”

“They’re not in America. They’re basically a German community composed of Germans.”

“Are they that dangerous?”

Emanuel asked me with a slight doubt and a smile. Dangerous? Emanuel from 12 years later overlapped. I couldn’t say anything. Emanuel inhaled his cigarette and said.

“Dangerous enough that we need to deal with them now.”

“Yes.”

I slowly closed my eyes, then looked at him and said.

“I can tell you, staking everything I have.”

Emanuel looked down at me and shrugged. He muttered.

“What’s good about having friends? It’s new that Count Everett is asking us to directly do something beyond just going along with us, so let’s hear it once.”

Going along with us, it must have been going along with Archduchess Maria. I took another deep breath, lowered my gaze to the table, and asked.

“Even though we’ve only known each other for a few months, do you consider me a friend?”

“The period doesn’t matter. The spirit is important, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. Absolutely.”

Archduchess Maria spoke seriously, perhaps due to occult camaraderie, but Emanuel spoke leisurely as if even these words were somewhat playful, and finally pulled out a cigarette and held it toward his lips.

“In that sense, ah.”

“I don’t want it.”

“It’s a new one.”

“…”

I had no choice but to take it, raise an eyebrow, and put it in my pocket. Since it’s a token of friendship, I couldn’t not accept it. I don’t even carry fire, so I don’t know what use this is. Emanuel seemed satisfied and winked at me with one eye close to me.

“…Anyway, Your Highness Emanuel. Is the person you asked me to find earlier really affiliated with the Bamberg Archdiocese?”

“Yes, well. That’s right. Ralph Huber. A virtuous priest who will soon be in his 40s.”

I utilized the information Ainsiedel had told Ulrike. This person would later become an auxiliary bishop of the Pleroma Bamberg Archdiocese, and among the auxiliary bishops of the Bamberg Archdiocese, he was the only one without a unique ability. Given that he became an auxiliary bishop despite not having a distinct unique ability, I speculated several reasons. First, he’s an excellent combat mage even without a unique ability. Second, he has connections with the diocesan bishop. Third, he has served in the diocese for a long time.

All three could be true simultaneously. Especially the second and third reasons overlap to some extent. And indeed, it was as I thought. Emanuel just said that the priest named Ralph Huber was truly a priest of the Bamberg Archdiocese. Perhaps he joined Pleroma aiming for promotion. Whatever it was didn’t matter. Ralph Huber had been there since the Pleroma in the Bavaria region began to rise.

“From now on, we need to stop by the city hall and follow Ralph Huber’s trail.”

Right now, Emanuel and the Archduchess don’t understand the weight of having to chase after a human presumed to be from Pleroma. They were thinking of it as casually as going for a neighborhood stroll. Their bright expressions let me guess their thoughts. Unlike them, I had many things to consider and needed to organize my thoughts. I would not let them know about Maria Osterreicheste’s techniques at this time. Excluding Terminus Yukairya, the biggest factor that could reveal Maria’s techniques was the Hermetic Society, so stopping their activities was the priority, but even at this moment, I had to be on edge to ensure their future wouldn’t go wrong due to my intervention. That’s what I was doing.

“Your Highness Archduchess. Are you also well-versed in spatial magic?”

“I’m confident, but since you’re asking like this, I’m a bit worried. I wouldn’t say I’m particularly well-versed.”

“Maria’s ‘not well-versed level’ is still equivalent to other mages’ ‘well-versed’ level.”

Emanuel interjected. Maria smiled at his words, tilting one corner of her mouth, and I smiled too.

“Good. The reason I want to stop by the city hall is because they’ve connected spatial magic using specific objects. I received information that spatial magic is connected to the city hall, and in this case, for example, the moment you pull out a book spine like this, another building appears. They live in such spatial magic of different coordinate systems. It seems like it’s probably connected to a different place than the information I obtained in advance now….”

I looked at the Archduchess again and asked.

“Your Highness Archduchess Maria, don’t you have any tools that can detect whether spatial magic has been cast on objects?”

“Such tools are….”

The Archduchess stroked her chin and furrowed her brow.

“Spatial magic is also magic, so using a mana detector should work. Have you tried it?”

The Empire of 1898 already knew such a simple approach. Even when examined that way, it usually doesn’t get caught.

“It doesn’t get caught by ordinary detectors.”

“Hmm, so that’s how it is. Why is that? Are their spatial magic skills that excellent?”

“Something like that. They can conceal it very precisely. But in the current situation, it might not be the case….”

I wonder how impressive the Pleroma technology of 1886 could be. Then Emanuel made a whooshing sound by brushing his lips.

“What exactly is this information that Count Everett obtained….”

Maria cut off his question and spread her hand to ask.

“So you just need to move an object slightly to cross over to another location?”

“That’s right.”

“Oh ho…. It’s like a kind of portal. It’s just such ordinary spatial magic, so I don’t understand why it can’t be detected. I’ve become quite eager to meet this Priest Ralph Huber.”

Does she want to meet him to get an explanation of the magic? As Emanuel and I exchanged glances awkwardly, Archduchess Maria hit the nail on the head with a calm expression.

“Which object needs to be touched to cross over to another space is something we’ll find out by following Priest Ralph Huber’s trail. Seeing that you’re asking me about methods to find spatial magic, there must be another reason why you need that method.”

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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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