Chapter 278
First of all, I'm relieved that my identity is secured. It ans Lukas Everett can legally move around in this world.
Now that I know which areas are restricted, let's find the areas I can travel to. I need to check the limits and possibilities of this great ability.
‘The parliant building first.’
The mont I took a deep breath and snapped my fingers, the texture of the wind changed, and a green park and a building appeared before my eyes.
Okay. I can warp to the parliant.
I tried not only in Berlin but also several other governnt ministry buildings in Brandenburg, and it was possible. It seed to be fine as long as it wasn't a place where Askanians would be.
‘Good. This is enough.’
Let's not warp anymore… I feel like throwing up. Now that I know a few places I can go, it's ti to check the situation here. Feeling my stamina completely drained, I bought a copy of the Imperial Newspaper from a nearby kiosk.
[March 20, 1866]
[The Dead Revived? Following Prussia, Bodies Resurrect in Bavaria]
“……”
This kind of news on the front page?
I was briefly happy to be in a world where neither Pleroma, nor temperant, nor my brother would interfere, but my stomach feels tight again. How nice to encounter the Pleroma's insane acts in the news from 12 years ago.
Just then, the kiosk owner, chewing on sothing, abruptly offered a new pastry.
“Have this.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s a madeleine I bought a little while ago. It’s delicious.”
“……”
I couldn't even accept a kind gesture purely. I purified it at an angle where the kiosk owner wouldn't see. Fortunately, there was nothing wrong with it, and since my heart was using up all its energy from warping, I felt I should eat sothing, so I put it in my mouth. As I ate the pastry, the owner stared intently at my face and asked.
“High school student? How old are you?”
“I’m 23.”
At least, according to my passport. And emotionally, it wasn't a lie. I was 23 years old the last ti I was in my world. My birthday has passed since then, so I wonder if I could add another year.
“Oh, are you a New Human?”
“Yes.”
“That's nice.”
“Why?”
“Why? How cool is it to be a mage.”
Back in the day, when did they ever round up innocent people for using magic that didn't even exist and burn them to death… Actually, both that magic and this magic could be accepted in the sa way, but the reaction changes so much depending on who holds the power.
The kiosk owner pointed to the front page of the newspaper I was reading and said.
“These days, it makes wonder if soone will take there too.”
“Sir, it's Pleroma. What are you talking about….”
“So it really is their doing, right? It seems like a Gnostic sect, so it's a bit much, but aren't they reviving the dead? And letting them use magic.”
A Gnostic sect? Is that all they perceive it as? Gnosticism or whatever, those people are doing sothing insane with no precedent in history. It's true that this isn't a ti when Pleroma is as infamous as it will be 12 years later in 1898. There must be significant negative public opinion, but it seems their current image hasn't been established yet. I skimd through the newspaper and asked.
“Anyway, that aside, do you know anything about Anhalt? I’m curious about recent news, but I don't know what to look for.”
“Anhalt? Hmm… I heard the imperial family has its eyes on the kid there. Actually, if the story has reached our ears, his appointnt is practically confird.”
“Is that so. That kid is Adrian, right?”
“Yes, that's right.”
“I heard he attends the Third Academy.”
“That's true, but he's already at the imperial court. The imperial family is raising him like their own child. I wonder what they're planning to have him do later….”
“……”
I slowly nodded my head. This is how I learn information that Luka, at six years old, wouldn't have known well.
‘Well now, the age difference is a landmine.’
The brain is not related to age. Although one might be lacking in aspects that must be learned from society, since age and intelligence are not proportional, even a child in their early to mid-teens can have the processing speed and calculation skills of an adult. eting such a human in person can be disillusioning enough to make you understand. Anyway, what could a six-year-old do against such an older brother?
‘…Of course, that's assuming the knowledge I had was true.’
Even if it was wrong, I have to survive in this political arena. The opponents I have to contend with now include not only my brother but also the Prussian governnt and public opinion.
The system told from the beginning to survive within 777 days. What I have to do hasn't changed. I organized my popping thoughts and, while half-listening to the kiosk owner's chatter, I flipped the newspaper to the job search section. As soon as I did, my vision flashed.
Tiring—!
Suggestion 2. Find the Host
— Reward: EC point 3
It was written as Gastgeber. Host. Sponsor. Does it want to find the host of this world? Wasn't this world created by my ability?
Besides, what exactly are these points used for?
‘Let's set that aside for now.’
A job first. I happen to have an idea…
Tiring—!
Extra Chapter
— Stage 1 Special Reward
: We will grant you a trait even in the Extra Chapter!
“Co to think of it, you look a bit similar.”
The status window and the owner's words broke my thoughts at the sa ti.
Perhaps because it's just the beginning, the windows are popping up very frequently. It's a frequency that reminds of when I first ca to this world. Of course, since it's a ti of nothingness, I welco it, but it's overwhelming.
Thinking I should leave this place soon, I asked briefly.
“Who do you an I look like?”
“Georg Askanian. Ah~ that's strange. Is my mory wrong? It's not you, right?”
“……”
“Of course not. I was just saying you look cool~ Hahaha!”
A shiver ran down my spine.
He might have said it without thinking, but I didn't take it that way. I should go before that person rembers again that I'm a New Human. I quickly said my goodbyes and left.
I found an alley between buildings where there were no people and cast a small space magic. It was a magic that would break with a slight touch, but it was useful at tis like this.
‘This won't do. I need to grow my hair first.’
It's not enough to be relieved just because I have an identity. I need to make it so that people don't imdiately think of Askanian when they see my face.
Georg Askanian 12 years later has long hair, but as far as I know, the Georg Askanian of this period does not. If he has short hair, I should change my appearance to be different from him to delay recognition.
As I recited the formula and snapped my fingers, my black hair grew long. With this, I think I've bought about three years' worth of ti. I swept the hair covering my eyes back and brought up the notification window that had disappeared earlier.
‘A special reward for Stage 1, huh.’
What else are you giving ?
I should be happy to get a trait, but skeptical thoughts co first… I suspect the trait appeared because I was just thinking, ‘What do I use the points for?’
A familiar cluster of light appeared before my eyes. A pile of notes, as if torn from a book and folded, appeared. It was a scene similar to when I drew the Charm trait. This ti, too, I couldn't check the contents because of the light.
‘Hmm, well, if possible, I hope sothing good cos out.’
As I snatched a note and unfolded it, a new window appeared before my eyes.
Congratulations!
The 'Ti Lag' trait has been added!
‘Huh.’
It's definitely watching . Isn't ti lag what I was just thinking about? I don't know the ti difference between here and the outside, so let's find out whatever I can quickly.
Ti Lag Lv. 1
— Current Ti [Extra Chapter:Chapter 7] [1:1]
— Next Ti [2:1]
— 1.0 EC point until next level
1:1, huh.
It seems to an that if one minute passes here, one minute passes outside as well.
“……”
A chill runs down my spine. What about Leo? I've spent about 20 minutes here. Am I even there in the first place? Am I sleeping?
‘Let's get out.’
Job or not, now that I know how ti flows between here and the outside, I can't stay here indefinitely. It's enough to co back to this stage and find a job when my friends aren't looking for and I'm left alone in the room.
The mont I thought that, I snapped my eyes open. The room sowhere in the Crown Prince's palace, with only artificial lighting, unfolded before again.
“…!”
“Luka!”
Elias, who had co into the room while I was away, grabbed my shoulder. Behind him, I saw Leo's face. I turned my eyes back to Elias, who was shouting at .
“Where did you warp to?! I should have blocked it both ways!”
“Ah.”
So it's perceived as warping. Anyway, it was a good thing I ca back even a second sooner. I pushed away Elias, who was shaking my shoulders, and said.
“…It was a mistake. Sorry.”
Leo, who was visible behind Elias, made a questioning face for a mont, then let out a deep sigh.
“I told you to wait. I was surprised when you suddenly disappeared….”
“Co to think of it, Luka, you can warp on your own now?!”
“It was more of a mistake than my own will. But didn't I co back pretty quickly?”
To my words, Leo answered firmly.
“We waited here for 10 minutes.”
“I see.”
I leaned back against the backrest and muttered.
I'm back. Returning to this world, the excited feeling I had in the other world disappeared. My temperant, traits, blood. There was a lot to worry about, so it couldn't be helped.
Actually, the world from before was normal, and this is the down state.
“Luka.”
Elias called in a serious voice.
I knew what he wanted to talk about, but I didn't want to hear anything right now.
“I worked so hard to fatten you up, and it's all gone again~”
“……”
I quickly glanced at my forearm and scowled at Elias. How hard is it to stuff food into your mouth even when you're not hungry, and now all that effort has been reset? Seeing my expression darken, Elias chuckled. Then he shot up from his seat and said.
“I'm on your side, Luka.”
“……”
I looked up at Elias at the sudden, out-of-the-blue words. Elias pointed a finger at Leo and grumbled.
“I followed him, but he said he had sothing to say for a mont, so I have to go out again. See you later.”
“Eli, wait a minute….”
Elias just waved his hand playfully and slipped out.
I stared at the spot where he had left for a long ti. I rember how he was the only one who joked with when everyone was worried after I returned from the Archbishop's world. This is his consideration. Elias's way of consideration. He had always given the reaction I wanted.
Leo didn't say anything and leaned back in his chair for a mont with his eyes closed. It was clear that fatigue had built up again during those 10 minutes. Leo paused, then asked .
“You're going to turn back ti, right.”
For such an important topic to co up right away.
I hadn't heard his story about ti yet. Because I collapsed on the day I was about to listen. Just then, Leo said firmly.
“You have to turn it back, Lukas.”
“I know.”
“Even if you turn it back, this trait might not disappear. That's my prediction.”
Leo mumbled sothing more, then closed his mouth. I could hear him swallow hard. I couldn't not know that he was reluctant to speak.
“…I heard an explanation from Narce the day before yesterday. People often think that magic power is inherited, but it's not. What's inherited is not magic power, but the core. If so, the unique ability would also be a function of the core.”
“Right.”
“Honestly, our research on magic power still has many uncertain parts. We thought the reason for the correspondence of unique abilities among relatives was genetics, but what if it's actually because the texture of the soul is similar among family mbers?”
“That's horrifying.”
“Hmm, I suppose so.”
Leo seed to be thinking of the sa person I was. He made a subtle expression, then cleared his throat and continued.
“…Heike is still on the pure side, so let's try to block it sohow. Anyway, magic power and the core interact with each other, so over a long period, they co to resemble each other. In the end, both have beco your unique traits, so the distinction is originally aningless. But if magic power is of the soul and the core is of the body, then when you turn back ti, the core will return, but the magic power will remain.”
“Hmm.”
“The core, which is bound by ti, will improve. But if your magic power has been altered, the core will also gradually assimilate to your magic power.”
“Yeah, I know. It ans it can't go back completely.”
I expected that. If even half of it returns, if I can slow down ti, it's a gain.
I answered nonchalantly and looked at him.
“But the political problem is definitely different. You must have said I should turn back ti with this in mind, right?”
“You know well.”
At Leo's affirmation, I looked into the air and said.
“My brother must have wanted to absorb everyone's magic power and dry them up on the spot. collapsing was not in his plan.”
“How were you so sure of that?”
“I'm not sure myself. I shut down instinctively.”
I made a rough excuse. My heart stopping was the result of a special reward. It was sothing that wasn't supposed to happen. If I hadn't been forced to stop there, I would have sucked up the magic power of everyone present. With the thirst and hunger I felt before the cardiac arrest, only that result was possible.
In other words, my brother did not want such a peaceful ending. For , it was just confusion, but for him, this event must have been a very disappointing result.
As I finished speaking there, Leo, knowing what I was about to say, began to talk about public opinion.
“Right now, the public thinks you lost consciousness because you pushed yourself too hard while you hadn't even recovered yet. The public opinion towards you is still positive, and in fact, it's even rising because of this incident. If this incident was really ticulously planned by your brother, you could say it's flowing in the complete opposite direction of that plan.”
The special reward for Chapter 6 was definitely a reward. A drastic thod of killing and reviving was used, but without it, I would have been buried by my brother's intentions right now. Because I would have been absorbing everyone's magic power. But I was still in the position of a victim of terror and a hero to the public, and this incident was helpful to my public image. ‘Externally.’ And currently, the external aspect is the most important issue. It's a situation where the confusion of the self must be set aside.
I smiled and tapped my fingers.
“Yes, you know well. I have a chance of winning here, and you know that I'm already known to the subjects as having a temperant, right.”
“I know.”
“The people of this empire and continent already believed that I had the temperant to absorb others' magic power. They believe it's in a temporarily subsided state, so as long as I didn't show signs of running rampant, this situation won't be a negative for externally. It's the sa, I an.”
Leo crossed his arms and nodded. I paused for a mont, then recalled our previous conversation.
“But if Nicolaus cos out in this situation, it's a different story. Before, you said we should see what kind of attack my brother makes, then turn back ti and reveal that I am Nicolaus, right?”
“…I did. But….”
“I think the sa as you.”
I looked at Leo. Leo, who had a troubled expression, closed his mouth when he saw my eyes. I slowly turned my head from him and continued, lost in thought.
“I can't show my hidden card here. My brother's card has inflicted enormous damage on , so I can't do sothing that would please him at this mont.”
That weapon that dropped my Probability of Change by 30%p, the most crucial defensive and offensive tool that is my possession of Divine Power, to use it here…. It's very premature. If I confirm that I am Nicolaus at this mont, it would be giving my brother a chance to send off in a very grand style.
Let's think a bit more about Nicolaus at this point. The most important characteristic of Nicolaus is his Divine Power. The most crucial reason why Prussia is wary of Nicolaus and Bavaria is trying to win him over is, above all, his imnse Divine Power. Of course, since he is loyal to Bavaria with his imnse Divine Power, it is difficult for Nicolaus to exert great political influence in Prussia. Prussia will not give a position higher than Vice-Chairman of the Magic Security Advisory Committee in the future. They will maintain a friendly relationship but will not give a permanent position beyond a temporary organization. They will not entrust Nicolaus with the position of Minister or Vice Minister of the Ministry of Magic or the Ministry of Security, nor will they nominate him as a candidate for Imperial Chancellor. The mont they raise my na value, it becos a case of doing Bavaria a favor. Such intentions of Prussia were clearly revealed during the preparations for the Pentalon opening ceremony terror attack. When a eting was convened after I discovered a basent covered in contaminated rats near the Tis Hotel, why was Nicolaus not summoned even when the King and Crown Prince of Bavaria were present?
Even without listing the reasons, their intentions are clear. All the answers ca from here. From Nicolaus's perspective, it could be taken as outrageous, but a crisis is an opportunity. I found a possibility for political use in this fact. I originally thought I had done enough and didn't intend to use it this far, but….
‘Since the situation has turned out this way, I have no choice but to use it.’
I will conquer even Prussia.
In order not to let the empire join hands with Adrian Askanian, I must not be satisfied with Bavaria and must make Prussia my ally as well. In other words, I will make Prussia raise Lukas Askanian as a second Nicolaus Ernst, a counter to Nicolaus Ernst.
At the sa ti, as Nicolaus Ernst, I will nurture Bavaria well and make Bavaria devour Prussia.
For this reason, I must not yet reveal that I am Nicolaus.
I looked at Leo's eyes again and said clearly.
“The cleaner, the better. My brother would have known that my trait manifested just by collapsing at that ti. If my trait remains even after turning back ti, the trigger has already been pulled, so I won't collapse even if I drink the Holy Blood this ti.”
“…Hmm, under the premise that the trait remains even after turning back ti, that's highly probable. Should I consider this a relief?”
Leo rested his chin on his hand, tapped his lips with his fingers, thought for a long ti, then nodded. I smiled and clapped my hands once.
“Good. That's settled. How's the situation outside?”
“You an explain in more detail than what I said before?”
“That's right. You know well.”
“I should have known when you used as a newspaper shuttle….”
Leo muttered with a displeased face. This guy hates being called Crown Prince outside, but his actions are exactly like a prince.
“There are many people who want to see you. You are still the hero of the empire. For the next month, you will have to go around eting the political and business leaders of the empire.”
“Hmm, right. But the empire's… don't call that.”
It doesn't matter when I'm calculating the public opinion battle on my own, but it gives the creeps when soone else says it. It reminds of the ti of the Blue-Eyed Hunter….
Leo chuckled and asked.
“What will you do with the train ticket to Italy? Are you going to use it?”
“No, I'm going to Berlin. Not Italy.”
“You're going to send a letter?”
“Yes.”
I can check my brother's next plan without going all the way to Italy. He said to write a letter when I arrive in Berlin. I need to hear his demands before turning back ti.
Leo's words were also asking if I would go to et my brother in person before turning back ti. Of course, it's a good suggestion. But there's a problem. The maximum range I can arbitrarily set and turn back ti is 6 hours. Since three days have already passed while I was sleeping, I have to rely on the previous checkpoint. Fortunately, my previous checkpoint is saved at the Eucharist liturgy at the Theatiner Church, but if I delay any longer, there is a risk that it will be updated to a later point.
‘I need to calculate the points and upgrade my traits first.’
Just then, Leo stood in front of .
“Wait. We're not done talking yet.”
“Is there sothing more to say?”
Leo unwrapped a box that was on the side table and took out a dicine bottle. For a mont, I felt a chill run down my spine.
Anyone would feel that way seeing this. It was the size of a perfu bottle, so maybe about 30ml. I could see the red liquid inside the vial. It was a bit thicker than water….
“…Blood?”
“Of course.”
“What do you an, of course? What did you bring it for? No, whose blood is this in the first place.”
“……”
“It's not human blood, is it.”
Leo didn't answer. Instead, he smiled an inscrutable smile and held out the bottle.
Then ca the crazy words.
“Drink it.”
User Comments
0 comments from readers