How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family - Chapter 554

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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 (554)

“I keep looking around but can’t see him. The two from the ruling families are from the south so they didn’t come, but I see that Junker and theology student are here, so he should have come too, shouldn’t he?”

Haike, he means. I twisted my stiff tongue. Lafayette is analyzing the composition of our alliance members with an unremarkable face. Where he looked, there are Ulrike and Narke. The members of the multinational team that Ulrike had been leading scattered throughout the banquet hall, but the mage team with more Italians added was still noticeably attached to Narke’s side. And naturally, Haike is nowhere to be seen no matter where you look. He’s a Junker so he should be here, but why isn’t he, that’s what he’s saying.

The question was unwelcome. To talk about Haike, I’d have to go back to Bishop Ainsiedel of Osnabrück, and tracing back to the cause that made Ainsiedel act, ultimately there’s Pleroma. I’d be in there too somewhere… Ainsiedel joined hands with Terminus Yukairya to eliminate Pleroma, and at the same time, thinking that Terminus Yukairya might cross the line, he also wanted to reduce dependence on them. No, before that, he subdued Haike with the holy nature obtained through cooperation with Terminus Yukairya. I looked at Esperanza Lafayette, who was struggling to lift his long eyelashes. This person is a mage from Academy Puissance operated by Terminus Yukairya. Despite being unrelated, everything connected didn’t approach me welcomingly. Even if it wasn’t to the point of being repulsive. This is why our team friends don’t bring up stories about Haike, or the difficulties we experienced in past events, or memories of various hardships. Everything is connected and digs deep into the brain. It silences everyone.

There was no reason to continue the frozen state. The fact that Esperanza Lafayette is unknowingly serving France under Terminus Yukairya wasn’t reason enough to dislike him, and I didn’t dislike him. If I were to show the minor discomfort arising from the ‘French bureaucrat’s’ question without filtering, I’d be no different from Mecklenburg who flares up at the sight of any Frenchman. Lafayette thinks their Academy Puissance is receiving the grace of the Imperial Court and government, not knowing that some cult has eaten into their imperial brain.

I looked at Lafayette, who was smiling cheerfully, and smiled satisfactorily. Then I changed the subject.

“At least I’m here, aren’t I? How nice to meet you.”

“Yes, it’s a pleasant thing. I know about everything that happened. You must have been greatly distressed.”

“I appreciate the concern, but I wasn’t particularly distressed. What Pleroma does has always been beyond common sense.”

“The German subjects were merely manipulated?”

Lafayette asked, pulling up his eye muscles. He easily grasped the implied meaning. I just raised the corners of my mouth to answer instead and asked.

“How about the high school valedictorian?”

“Hmm…”

Antonie Gramont, he means. A friend who wanted to spar with me once during Penthalon.

Lafayette showed a subtle smile and looked around, changing the subject.

“The Riesling is delicious. This grape is famous in France too. There must be grades for Sekt, and this seems like high-quality liquor.”

“Of course. We can’t be negligent in treating our guests, can we?”

“Originally, champagne would have been in this place, right?”

“That’s right. You know well.”

Lafayette, smiling conventionally so you couldn’t tell if he was dissatisfied or not, took a sip of Riesling for no reason and said cheerfully.

“I saw the unity of Germans well. Still, it’s a matter between governments, yet civilians are interfering.”

He’s talking about the boycott of French imports. Through this statement, Lafayette might have wanted to probe me, saying, ‘Actually, that boycott was the German government’s doing, right?’

“A matter between governments, I can see well why France still remains an empire.”

Having no intention of answering as he wanted, I picked at the surface of his words. Lafayette puts strength into the corners of his mouth.

In the history of the world I lived in, France was extremely proud of having won a republic through the power of the people. Just as the English of this period were proud of having won democracy bloodlessly and maintaining a powerless royal family as tradition. There are no such sources of pride here.

In 1871, after France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, the French Second Empire collapsed. After that, a republican government briefly took power as in the history I knew, but after the suppression of the Paris Commune—the socialist autonomous government of Paris citizens—the Third Empire was established instead of the Third Republic. It was a foreseeable event on the soil of what was essentially the failure of the Ancien Régime that occurred a hundred years earlier.

France has the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. A cathedral that stands firm on Montmartre Hill, overlooking Paris. On the Jesus statue of Sacré-Cœur Basilica is written the slogan GALLIA POENITENS, ‘France Repents.’ Repentance for what?

It means reflecting on France’s lack of faithfulness to God. The Catholic perspective that the wounds of defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris civil war originated from religious infidelity is melted into that basilica. After the defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, the French republican government, which included many royalists, was suspected by citizens of conducting a French self-destruction operation. The republican government decided to bow their heads so Prussia could freely manipulate France and suppress the protests of Paris citizens with force. The republican government and their provisional president, with Prussia’s permission, held their breath in Versailles, reorganized their army, and suppressed the Paris Commune. Right where the Sacré-Cœur Basilica is now being built, that’s where Paris citizens died.

The Third Empire was established by squeezing through that gap. Although the House of Orléans gained power from the royalists of the republican government and was restored, they fiercely criticized the republican government’s suppression of the Paris Commune, drawing a line from them, and claimed that the House of Orléans could fully embrace the will for democracy that the dead citizens had. In Paris, where only wounds remained, a wave of reflection flowed, and as mourning in a way the Paris Commune wouldn’t have wanted and as evidence of French-Catholic solidarity, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica bearing ‘GALLIA POENITENS, France Repents’ was built on Montmartre Hill.

The stiff corners of his mouth naturally came down as Lafayette’s lips moved cheerfully.

“That’s a compliment. The empire is indeed the most proud form of state. It’s a powerful collective that can seize the future the nation wants.”

This is France’s repentance. Blood that couldn’t be completely wiped flows beneath the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. His words briefly placed me, who was in Berlin, on Montmartre Hill.

In an era full of such people, it’s hard to hear different words, but antipathy made me turn away from him. I have unpleasant feelings about Lafayette’s pride in the empire, but knowing that the French ‘republic’ also spurred imperialist expansion policies, I have no expectations. The French Republic, under the surface mission of civilizing uncivilized tribes and nations, competed fiercely with Britain, and despite opposition from some intellectuals and activists, the majority of the people welcomed such expansion. Before the fantasy of economy and national power, knowing shame was a distant matter.

Similar thinking exists in magical society of this period. By this point, it’s a natural cycle—it’s not just one country that’s the problem, but the soil that drove Europe toward imperialism is the fundamental issue. The soil of common historical times that had been accumulating layer by layer is sprouting similar shoots in the world branched by magic.

I held out my greenish Sekt glass, lightly clinking it with his, and cursed.

“Very typical of a French grand noble.”

“Thank you.”

“How are your Academy Puissance activities?”

Whatever he might say, having met like this, I couldn’t just part ways immediately. The people I was looking for in front of Mecklenburg were precisely the high school people from Academy Puissance. Why did I need to find them…

Let me think about that a little later. I asked the same thing I had asked the Frenchman who mentioned eye color earlier, and Lafayette led me to the window, leaning against the wall and speaking comfortably.

“What would there be to say about it? I’m busy writing my graduation thesis.”

“My. They greatly encourage scholarship.”

“That’s right. That’s France.”

Looking at this guy reminds me of Mecklenburg… I had to try not to helplessly release the strength that had entered my eyes. Then Lafayette, who had been thinking for a moment, leaned slightly and whispered.

“Actually, our Academy Puissance is a sister organization to the Académie française… that is, the honorable academic body, so this requirement was attached, but I can’t deny that it’s viewed as somewhat bothersome. All we’ve done so far are research papers for assignments.”

“You’re honest.”

“It’s a French virtue.”

I lost words and laughed emptily while drinking.

According to common notions, in the 21st century, Germans are considered the most honest and direct. Just as there are commonalities between 19th-century Joseon yangban and 21st-century South Korean people, but also significant differences, this doesn’t work completely in this era due to differences between 19th-century noble Germans and 21st-century Germans, but due to future common notions, this Frenchman’s claim inevitably feels fresh.

I played along, but seeing how he brings up France whenever he says anything really reminds me of Mecklenburg’s patriotism. If that guy had definitely been here, they would have competed over how great their respective countries are and talked endlessly, losing track of time.

“Then you must be very busy studying. What brings you to Germany during such a busy time?”

“As you know, being minors, we could choose whether to come here or not… But that’s nominal, and it’s actually considered an obligation. We couldn’t not go. I was also curious about what Germany is doing.”

Lafayette made an apologetic face and spoke quite cheerfully. Since it was an impertinent remark, I narrowed my eyes and looked at him just as mischievously. Lafayette continued.

“Still, I understand our French authorities’ decision. Socialists have rapidly increased in France recently.”

“It’s a worldwide phenomenon.”

“Ah, no good. We especially can’t have it.”

Lafayette snorted and shook his head. He’s saying this thinking I’ll sympathize, but I just crossed my arms silently.

The reason they particularly dislike socialists is based on historical facts. They want to prevent another Paris Commune from arising and toppling the imperial family. Despite appearing to lack the power to topple it, Terminus Yukairya is being cautious. Terminus Yukairya is busy both domestically and internationally.

It was good information. The French visit didn’t just give information to them. It also gave me a good hint. I spoke with an attitude of indifference.

“Since you’re racking your brains over socialists, you had to show that mages are doing something for France to suppress dissatisfaction. Still, it’s strange to send students.”

“What’s strange about it? Rather, it’s a better thing. Isn’t the Imperial Mage Alliance the same? Why are you students guiding us?”

“It’s a German thing for Germany. Germans, whether young or old, serve loyally for the fatherland. Is there a problem?”

This wasn’t what I said. A dark shadow that appeared beside me spoke gently. I should either leave the banquet hall or something won’t work.

“Pleased to meet you, Your Highness Mecklenburg.”

Lafayette greeted him fairly pleasantly, just as when he greeted me, but my nerves were on edge. Swallowing saliva, I pushed Mecklenburg back and asked Lafayette one last time.

“Come to think of it, where are the other high school members?”

“They’d be in the same situation as the valedictorian. They probably haven’t come yet.”

I conveyed my gratitude with a smile, finished the conversation, and firmly stepped on the toe of Mecklenburg’s shoe with my heel. Mecklenburg makes an irritated “ah” sound. I took him back up the stairs.

“What about the Frenchman? Didn’t I come too late?”

“Now that I think about it, it’s fortunate that Senior volunteered to take charge of my team.”

“What are you talking about? Just answer me.”

I checked my watch and muttered.

“Senior, please continue to lead the mages we brought. Preferably take charge of the team Narke Farnese brought too, and receive my communications on time.”

I tapped the artifact at my ear. Mecklenburg, who had been pondering for a moment, scowled deeply.

“What? Now you want me to take charge of Italians too?”

“They’d be more lovable than the French.”

“Why state the obvious?”

“…”

It was just a throwaway comment. Tired, I ground one side of my teeth hard and rolled my eyes, so Mecklenburg cleared his throat and tried to correct his words. Not worth listening to, I waved my hand and continued.

“Senior. Please find out which team and which location each Academy Puissance high school member has been scattered to. Also whether they’ve returned to the banquet hall and dining room.”

“Why?”

Mecklenburg asked with an increasingly suspicious face, squinting his eyes. I glanced at him and answered curtly.

“Because it’s necessary.”

Mecklenburg fell silent. He sighed lightly and muttered.

“I don’t even want to think about France.”

Even so, he left the banquet hall.

Going back downstairs, I acknowledged Narke, who was surrounded by Ulrike and various mages, and pointed outside. Narke readily came out and followed behind me. I was planning to slowly start talking while walking through Berlin city, so I hadn’t said anything yet, but he came out to the banquet hall exterior without expressing any doubt.

“Narke.”

Just as I opened my mouth, an unfamiliar but familiar silhouette appeared in the distance. The French student who made eye contact with me hesitated for a moment, then bit his lips with a complicated expression.

“Count Gramont.”

He looks exactly the same as when I saw him a couple months ago. He seems to have lost some weight and looks gaunt. I approached the student familiarly, acknowledging him.

“Nice to see you. What are you doing here?”

“I’m on my way into the banquet hall.”

Gramont answered somewhat curtly without greeting. Then, as if his words weren’t finished, he licked his lips with his tongue and muttered.

“That…”

“Yes?”

Gramont just shook his head from side to side, then pursed his lips and spoke in a crawling voice.

“The recent events are truly regrettable. I’m glad you look healthy.”

I briefly exchanged glances with Narke and answered gently.

“The same to you, Count Gramont. Have you been well in the meantime?”

“Of course.”

Silence… No words followed. I felt the cold air flowing between us and nodded my head. Gramont opened his mouth again.

“That…”

“Please take your time.”

“I’m sorry about before. When I think about it.”

Gramont muttered while keeping his gaze slightly averted from my face. He glanced around to see my expression, and seeing that we were all quite surprised, he added a word.

“I got in big trouble when I went back too.”

“You got in trouble.”

I said that while laughing lightly. It was meant as a sign of friendliness, but it didn’t seem to be received that way as Gramont’s eyes widened, then he frowned and snapped back.

“Yes. Why?”

“No…”

[—He was temporarily suspended and then returned.]

Narke spoke to me using divine power. I showed my gratitude with a glance for the unexpected help and answered Gramont.

“No, the adults know a lot of things.”

“I suppose it’s because emotions show easily on my face. I’m always being questioned.”

Gramont spoke awkwardly, with none of the angry demeanor from when we first met. I nodded to this naive student.

“I’m glad we can talk like this.”

“Me too. Um, later…”

I waited but the words didn’t continue. I didn’t know what he was going to say, but I could clearly feel the embarrassment he must be experiencing. As I waited patiently in silence, a presence that was no longer surprising suddenly spoke up.

“Later what?”

He came quickly. I gently pushed Mecklenburg behind me. Gramont saw Mecklenburg’s piercing eyes and became flustered—he must have wondered why his eyes were like that, but this person had been like this all day—grimaced, then mumbled vaguely.

“Later… Never mind.”

He nodded slightly and hurriedly returned to the banquet hall. Mecklenburg opened his eyes wide and asked.

“What was that?”

“What do you mean what… But you came quickly. Where are you going after Academy of Puissance?”

“Esperanza Lafayette, who you spoke with earlier, is scheduled to visit Berlin Magic School. Antonie Gramont, who just passed by, will go to the rampage control center with the research department people…”

“Hmm, I believe there’s a Social Democratic newspaper office near the control center.”

“You mean the Vorwärts daily? It’s across the street. Where are you going?”

Mecklenburg finally asked the important matter. I shrugged and said.

“I’m going there.”

“Why?”

“A walk. Please stay in contact.”

* * *

“The Italian people don’t have much hostility.”

Narke and I wandered around Berlin City chatting. The topic was mainly the attitudes of foreigners. I agreed with Narke’s words.

“That makes sense. Our side was the same. The French…”

“They’re trying to learn something.”

Narke smiled and intercepted what I was about to say.

“Right.”

With such a short stay, they wouldn’t be able to learn much. The French with unusual inherent abilities had already been blocked from entering Germany, and while I had confirmed through status windows that those who arrived today still had their conscience intact… Such measures were natural precautions, but not enough to put one’s mind at ease.

On the way to the rampage control center, I slowly struck the floor with my staff, letting my mana flow. Narke, who was watching what I was doing, did the same. Watching mana and divine power scatter alternately made me laugh. When I chuckled, Narke laughed too.

Narke thankfully asked me without using insight.

“Why did you come here?”

“Because they said Gramont’s team would be going here next.”

“Right. I heard that too, Lucas.”

At Narke’s words, I smiled with the corners of my mouth turning down and entered the street arcade. As I was grasping the mana of the street, I gave another hint with a “hmm.”

“In terms of schedule, the first part is over, but nothing has happened yet.”

“Haha. Are we playing twenty questions~?”

“Right. And coincidentally, there’s a Social Democratic newspaper office near the center.”

Social Democratic Party refers to the Social Democratic Party. Now Narke made a “hmm” sound. He must be wondering what the connection could be. I spun around and warned.

“Don’t use insight.”

“Hahaha. You caught me. But shouldn’t I know what you’re thinking for there to be any effect from you bringing me along? If you’re looking for something, wouldn’t two people be better than one?”

Narke lightly tapped his head with his index finger.

“Especially, shouldn’t I know whether what you’re looking for… remains in the realm of speculation or actually exists?”

“No, it exists. Probably.”

“Hmm.”

At my vague certainty, Narke tilted his eyebrows and curled up the corners of his mouth. He clapped his hands and concentrated, then passed by the residential building where the Social Democratic newspaper office was located. I carefully tried pulling the door of the newspaper building, but it wouldn’t open. It seemed they didn’t keep the building open due to the many threats related to socialism. It was somewhat messy, perhaps because it wasn’t well maintained.

Narke used divine power freely while crossing one street. I could see the Berlin people passing by welcoming him with joy. It would be partly due to the image that divine power gives.

When we arrived at the rampage control center, the guard at the door was flustered to see us appearing unexpectedly early. We said we would just look around briefly and come out, then entered inside. Thanks to our uniforms, there was no problem with entry. I walked in, leisurely examining the mana of the doors, door handles, lights above the doors, and the air.

Narke, who hadn’t found anything particularly noteworthy on the way here, tilted his head and looked at me.

“Lucas, did you discover anything?”

“No.”

“Haha, what is it then. Just tell me~”

Narke said with a smooth laugh. I smiled and tapped the floor with the end of my staff for no particular reason.

“That’s—”

I stopped speaking and looked at the floor. Judging by the dirt stuck between the tiles, it had been a while since this lobby was cleaned. Every time I tapped the floor with my staff, there was a sound of sand moving. I narrowed my eyes and muttered.

“It’s dirty.”

Narke let out a puzzled laugh at the unexpected comment. I knelt on one knee, took off my gloves, and rummaged through the dirt between the tiles. Then I tapped the artifact by my ear. Mecklenburg answered the contact shortly after.

[I asked about it.]

This also wasn’t something I had said. Mecklenburg was speaking in a displeased voice. What? I wrinkled my nose bridge and squinted at his sudden words. Mecklenburg continued with an unnecessary topic.

[He said he wanted to see you briefly before the banquet ended. He said he had something to apologize to you about. Did that Frenchman say something nonsensical?]

This wasn’t the time for that.

“Senior.”

I rubbed my fingers. Red powder finer than dirt dissolved between my fingerprints. This time I lightly dabbed the dust with the back of my hand. It disappeared quickly. Was it because the particles were too fine? Could that be possible? I looked at the powder, no, the spot where the powder had been that seemed to have disappeared without a trace, and said.

“As quickly as possible, please. Please call the magical crime unit.”

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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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