How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 515

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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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How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magic Noble Family (515)

Yanina Schweitzer gave Chairman Anze Draher a meaningful look, and Chairman Anze Draher nodded and raised his hand as if taking an oath.

“I request a 10-minute recess.”

“Granted. We will reconvene in 10 minutes.”

With those words, not even the slightest sound could be heard from the Crown Prince’s side. The royal side and the Catacombs side were separated by dark magical power between their seats.

This is not the end. This is just the beginning.

For Yanina Schweitzer, this was merely the starting point of equal footing. Whether the hereditary future ruler, whom Schweitzer had been wary of in terms of influence and dismissive of in terms of ability, had not wasted 17 years of time and his duties—that is, whether he possessed the capability to be elected even under democratic rule if the monarchy and his family were to disappear from history as a secondary option? Had he cultivated the qualifications as a politician to maintain governance while being sufficient to implement good policies each time?—by judging this fact, Yanina Schweitzer was now ready to treat the Crown Prince as both a politician and future ruler. Everything up to now had been groundwork, nothing more.

Even so, what must be made clear here is the fact that unless we enter his mind and come back out, we have no way of knowing what the Crown Prince truly thinks, and that we will not obsess over this. First, the reason we cannot know is that he will not allow the dignity of the Kingdom of Bavaria to collapse in this place.

What does this mean? Whatever thoughts the Crown Prince may have internally, even if he feels affection as a comrade of an era and sympathizes with the Catacombs as a member of the establishment, feeling responsibility and compassion, he will not create an easy government that Yanina Schweitzer can grasp and shake. He will not allow that to happen. Therefore, as long as the Crown Prince approaches this not as a soft student but as a representative of Bavaria, we as negotiating parties cannot know his true intentions under any circumstances.

If the Crown Prince had passionately expounded his ethical views and ethical orientation as a righteous young man trying to liquidate undecided rights as Marian Baum argued, Yanina Schweitzer would not have evaluated him as worth dealing with, considering him a fool who confuses personal feelings with responsibility.

What if we could know?

Then there would be no need to worry. The Catacombs would immediately devour Bavaria and begin plans to establish an oligarchy. At least that’s what Yanina Schweitzer intends. He felt no solidarity with non-magical commoners and rather, recognizing the intelligence and power of the masses, regarded them as major accomplices comparable to pro-Prussian states, so for Yanina Schweitzer, non-magical commoners who were accomplices to massacre are not a consideration. The 98% of non-magical commoners individually lack power, but they could stop the German government with their overwhelming numbers. However, they did not do so and instead, intoxicated by ethnic growth or immersed in thoughtlessness, supported Prussia-led Germany, resulting in inciting the Catacombs massacre to this day. Schweitzer knew that such thoughts and conclusions were worthy of criticism, and at the same time believed that if citizens had been awake enough to severely criticize him, strong criticism should have been directed at non-magical commoners indifferent to current issues long before that, and civil society should have stopped Prussia’s despotic tyranny disguised as constitutional rule. The monarch is the nation’s foremost public servant—as Prussia’s enlightened monarch Friedrich II said, Prussia, no matter how hegemonic, knew the importance of the people enough to ostensibly lay down ‘despotism’ and bow before the people. If there had been citizen unity and action, at least today’s extremes would not have existed. Then Yanina Schweitzer would not have had to watch fellow citizens being legitimately executed according to constitutional spirit and would not have needed to be driven from German soil. Therefore, oligarchy is undesirable—this judgment is not important to Yanina Schweitzer, who only looks toward Catacombs liberation. While Schweitzer thought that the logic of power ultimately becomes a driving force for destruction, he also saw it as partially correct for eliminating the oppressed under oppression, and saw it as possibly correct as a beginning even if it might fail in the long term.

Yanina Schweitzer thinks this is precisely the role of politicians and rulers. To prevent unjust death and discrimination now and in the future, above all else, to work for the prosperity and strength of one’s own country, to expand without hesitation when expanding, to hold one’s breath without hesitation when holding breath, to retreat without hesitation when retreating, to reveal when it must be revealed and not reveal when it must not be revealed. Therefore, if Bavaria is a weak nation, Yanina Schweitzer will swallow it and reorganize it for the Catacombs, and for the same reason, Leonard Wittelsbach respects the Catacombs while not allowing disrespect in this place. Yanina Schweitzer began to enjoy this chess game with this politician.

Then how can we proceed without knowing Leonard Wittelsbach’s true intentions? It means that knowing true intentions in a political dialogue was impossible from the start. What can be known from the Crown Prince’s preparation is Bavaria’s external will, and what’s important in politics is such external will. It’s no different from how Yanina Schweitzer, who considers even establishing an oligarchy in the most extreme case, suppresses his own will and moderately engages in moderate peaceful negotiations. Having confirmed that they recognize each other as equal politicians, what was needed next was clear.

If there are ten people, there are ten value systems and ten judgment criteria. If Yanina Schweitzer was captivated, it’s impossible that others weren’t, but at least the Crown Prince had to meet Yanina Schweitzer’s next expectations. Schweitzer awaits his self-proof.

“How is it?”

Chairman Anze Draher looked around the Catacombs leadership with a solemn yet elegant smile. They were somewhat dazed, intoxicated by the future potential and explosive power of the powerful slogan of becoming members of the Sixth Coalition against France and writing the Trachenberg Plan together—an analogy that any intellectual of our time would understand—yet their eyes and cheeks held the light of hope. Yanina Schweitzer was not pleased with his Catacombs colleagues’ state of mind, but this scene certainly proved how appropriate a choice Leonard Wittelsbach had made as a leader. Above all, those who must be logical do not use analogies. However, those who must captivate above all do use analogies. Knowing this well, Yanina Schweitzer judged it necessary to prevent the Catacombs leadership from becoming too intoxicated with this powerful language, while finding this scene quite interesting in its own way. The talks that began with severe contempt and scorn were shifting toward recognition that this emerging politician’s hand was worth shaking at least once.

“I judge it worth continuing.”

Chairman Anze Draher spoke first in the silence. Then the other leadership’s gazes turned to Yanina Schweitzer. They wanted to hear the decision of the two leaders and were fully willing to follow it.

What would the answer be?

Yanina Schweitzer nodded.

“Indeed so. However, is there anyone among us who opposes continuing?”

None of the standing committee chairmen spoke. Yanina Schweitzer didn’t think they couldn’t anticipate what would follow, but as a leader, he impressed it upon them once more.

“From now on, it’s time to draft serious negotiation proposals. We will discuss how far we can provide our services, how to protect our unique technologies, and how much influence we can exert in which operations.”

Then the Catacombs National Defense Committee Chairman said in surprise.

“Are you saying we’ll ultimately negotiate operational command of the anti-Pleroma liquidation operation?”

Yanina Schweitzer spoke with a face that asked what he was questioning.

“That is our right. Just as His Highness said he would ‘summon generals to directly show the protocol of the Trachenberg Plan,’ we have earned the right to participate in Kingdom Army general-level operational meetings. And in my judgment, that is entirely appropriate.

However, we do not wish to blindly follow along without pride. This also means we would completely reveal our identities once the signing is completed. Also, just because we continue now doesn’t mean we must sign the negotiation agreement, so don’t be swayed. Each department should judge and give your opinions.”

Then after a brief pause, answers came through sound-blocking magic.

“No objections.”

“We want to continue.”

Chairman Anze Draher made eye contact with Yanina Schweitzer and communicated through glances.

“Good. It’s unanimous.”

* * *

Leonard Wittelsbach maintained an immobile posture looking straight ahead, then moved his head as a signal as soon as the black barrier was erected.

In a place where one cannot even blink an eye or lower one’s gaze, nothing can be done carelessly. This was not difficult for the Crown Prince. And he regards this composure deeply embedded in his body as if it were completely unfamiliar territory. That attempt itself becomes an unexpected event. Everything began rolling along as it originally was. Leonard, who had been staring at the dust under war chariots and blood-stained grass, turns his head forward while remembering it.

Chairman Yanina Schweitzer showed the appearance of the seasoned politicians he had faced in the Bavarian Senate. The difference was that instead of treating the Crown Prince with respectful courtesy, the Catacombs members were evaluating whether he was someone who could stand against them. The Crown Prince inevitably knew this functioned more like foreign affairs than domestic affairs, yet because it was domestic affairs, he knew he was in more serious confusion than ever. In an evaluation starting from negative infinity, Leonard Wittelsbach knows he has finally reached the position of zero. And he neither resents nor rejoices about this phenomenon he felt in the air. He neither swallows saliva nor sighs from tension nor frowns nor rejoices in relief. Similarly, maintaining a state of composure is not difficult, so the Crown Prince feels an unexpected emotion. And again, that unexpected emotion becomes unexpected in itself. He only realizes that he will be used for Bavaria and can do his best for that purpose.

The Crown Prince’s vassals and the Kingdom Army superiors of Colonel Wittelsbach await orders. Colonel Crown Prince, who should receive orders from them, knows again every moment that his inherent position has elevated him to higher authority than theirs. And it should stop there.

The Crown Prince’s adjutant standing behind carefully approached and said.

“Special Minister Nicolaus Ernst has returned. He plans to have an audience with His Majesty and then move to the Kingdom Army barracks.”

The Crown Prince nodded. Then he asked for the most necessary information right now.

“What about Baden?”

“They haven’t sent any separate communication yet. I’ll tell the intelligence department to investigate the situation and report.”

The Crown Prince answered with a nod that he understood, dismissed the adjutant, then spoke to the officers.

“From now on, the Catacombs will discuss military organization for this operation. Whether to organize them into the Bavarian army or form an allied force. This is expected to be an issue where positions are sharply divided even within the Catacombs.”

“That’s correct.”

“Both options have considerations for both sides, but the Catacombs will prefer an allied force system over the Bavarian army. And Bavaria’s decisive position is ‘it doesn’t matter.'”

From our Bavarian perspective, organizing the Catacombs into the Bavarian army would allow strong control and increase resistance against Prussia, but would face deeper information leakage problems than forming an allied force. If organized into an allied force, the possibility of Catacombs defection increases, and it also becomes a source for the Catacombs to elevate this opportunity into forming independent national status. This would be welcome in the short-term and personal sense, but there’s a possibility it won’t flow positively in the long-term political sense. From the Catacombs’ perspective, being incorporated into the Bavarian army would cause autonomy issues, but has advantages in obtaining Bavarian army information. However, since having independence is a greater advantage, they are bound to consider an allied force system.

The problem then is Catacombs defection, that is, the possibility of alliance change—where does this problem originate?

Before discussing the origin, the basis for considering the defection possibility as a significant size is as follows: First, they are by no means weak technically and are rather powerful. Therefore, there’s great possibility of external persuasion.

Second, the Catacombs have previously joined hands with Pleroma. It was close to former Chairman Eberhardt’s arbitrary decision, but the situation is no different now. Since Chairman Yanina Schweitzer, who has similar positions to Chairman Eberhardt, has risen to co-chairman position. Even if not, it’s common for any group to abandon existing collaborators and cooperate with other groups when more beneficial partners appear. To prevent defection, it’s true that their interests must be guaranteed, but a bottom line is needed here too.

Protecting Catacombs human rights is something to be achieved after breaking Prussia’s influence, so it’s not considered now. That’s something to be accomplished during King Hildegart’s era regardless of how things turn out. Until Hildegart Wittelsbach abdicates the throne to his Crown Prince, the Crown Prince was determined to achieve this goal before ascending. It had to be so. However, when negotiating with the Catacombs as a force now, their power must be considered.

“The biggest problem at this time is the Grand Duchy of Baden, which has the possibility of being included as the same allied force.”

The officers slowly nodded at the Crown Prince’s words. There are those who argue that the Catacombs should be incorporated into the Bavarian army and differ in opinion from the Crown Prince, but they fundamentally oppose it because they worry about a Baden-Catacombs alliance. Leonard continued speaking with calculations.

“The Papal States are not part of the same Germany and show ambition to absorb the Catacombs, so they’re not high priority from the Catacombs’ perspective. But the Grand Duchy of Baden is a federation of the same German Empire, currently on an anti-Prussian, pro-Bavarian line, and while it cannot compare to the Kingdom of Bavaria in all sectors, it belongs to the category of having considerable economic and military power.”

Currently, the Grand Duchy of Baden and the anti-Pleroma liquidation operation are not closely connected. The operation’s outline was explained to Crown Prince Julia Zehringen, and that was sent to the Grand Duchy of Baden just a few hours ago.

The Grand Duchy of Baden is a good partner for Bavaria to join hands with. Their only Pleroma diocese, the Freiburg Archdiocese, has already been destroyed with few remaining Pleroma, so Bavaria can borrow their strength, but if Pleroma dioceses had remained in their territory, Baden would immediately begin individual diocese liquidation upon obtaining information, and there would be a possibility of operational leadership transferring. However, since they have no Pleroma to liquidate, they have no cards to use to seize leadership. Consequently, Baden’s choice is only one: they can gain a prominent position during this watershed period of reestablishing German hegemony by cooperating with Bavaria’s anti-Pleroma liquidation operation. In that process, Baden won’t miss the opportunity, so they will extend their hand to the Catacombs, who are in similar circumstances in terms of power, to strengthen national power and prepare to confront Bavaria.

“We will preemptively block power reversal due to an alliance of two forces with great development potential.”

The Crown Prince looked into his officers’ eyes and spoke slowly, without wavering.

“Whether we choose Catacombs incorporation into the Bavarian army or allied force incorporation, we ultimately need friction with the Grand Duchy of Baden. Therefore, there’s no need to send support requests to the Grand Duchy of Baden for this operation. Since we allowed Crown Prince Julia Zehringen to contact her home country, if they judge Bavaria’s chances are high in the anti-Pleroma, anti-Prussian international situation, they’ll contact us first.”

The officers briefly bowed their heads in agreement then raised them. The Crown Prince finished speaking to them.

“And in this place, let’s propose forming a Catacombs allied force while addressing the issue of power balance.”

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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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