Published at 5th of December 2025 3:23 pm

Chapter 164

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Elias just blinked before suddenly falling onto me.

Saying he fell is the right way to put it. Because the bastard roared as he got up and hugged me.

You thought of using that here?! Hey, the timing is perfect~

Lucass face went pale.

My heart skipped a beat for a moment, afraid Id fall backward, but Elias didnt care at all.

Anyway, even if it hadnt been me, Elias would have found a breakthrough. Although someones career might have been threatened in a groundbreaking way in the process

That would have been more fun, though.

But now that Ive fallen into this world, it was hard to just let it happen.

There was a significant gap between watching a fire from across the river and standing right next to the flames myself.

Talking to Luca solves everything. Thanks.

No, its not over yet. Well have to see how it goes. And.

I looked back and forth between my friends and said.

Im not saying theres a definite connection to Pleroma. This is purely to extend the investigation. Just in case you thought we could catch two birds with one stone.

Ah, I know~ I didnt take it as meaning theyre related. Since a full investigation means using the ability on everyone anyway, youre just trying to find politicians tied to Primrose while youre at it, right?

He gets it.

Elias chuckled and continued.

Besides, isnt that not two birds, but double the headache? Even if they show up, its tricky to just beat them down.

So you know its tricky too.

Hey, I know what I know! If it were easy to beat them down, you would have already blown Osnabruck away. Blatantly blowing up Osnabruck means having to face the entire Pleroma, and theres no way thats easy.

Hes right.

We needed time to hone our skills enough to defeat the entire Pleroma cult.

But now, I wonder if it would even be possible if every mage in the country joined in.

Narce, who had been listening quietly with a smile, spoke up.

Maybe its possible if you defy fate.

Huh? But can you even defy that? Looking at the scriptures, it always turns out to be part of Gods plan, or something like that.

Hahaha, you know it well. Youve read the scriptures too much.

Even setting all that aside.

Is it okay for a Cardinal, cradle Catholic, to say things like this?

Sometimes I get scared hell be excommunicated.

Since Narce ended his words blandly without further explanation, Elias lightly shifted the topic.

Hmm~ If I had my way, forget Primrose and everything, Id just want to laze around, eat, and sleep. Right?

Right~ Im just waiting for summer vacation.

Ah, I think well be out training the entire summer vacation.

At those words, the light vanished from Narces eyes.

It seems he didnt use Foresight for things like this.

Anyway, the two of them now started chatting eagerly, leaving me out.

Wanting to just play and eat is unexpected.

It strikes me as strange that the future Emperor thinks like this. Its uncertain if he can even become Emperor in this world, which has changed so much from the novel, but because of his nature, that bastard will never just laze around.

Born as a New Human, as royalty, how could he just play and eat with that nature of his, constantly questioning his position?

Anyway, since thats what I liked about him, leading me to devour that insanely long novel without noticing the time pass, theres no reason for me not to go along with Eliass intentions now.

My friends have gone along with my tune quite a bit until now, too.

Anyway, theres no time for such thoughts now.

Its 4 AM now.

If Im going to see His Majesty today, I need to at least give Bavaria a heads-up.

Just in case, I pressed the artifact to send a signal to Leo.

Then, before the signal even finished, Leos voice came through.

[Lucas?]

Oh.

That was fast.

[Why?]

You didnt sleep? Your voice sounds wide awake.

[How could I sleep? I heard from Elias that you went there.]

Right, this guy was also wary of Heike.

Fortunately, nothing happened, so go to sleep now. But theres something I need to tell you. Im going to request an audience with His Majesty today as Nicolaus, and I thought you should know beforehand.

[So you do know that I need to know, Lucas.]

Its because I usually handle things on my own.

Anyway, I belong to the royal family, and this guy is my superior. In this situation where the Emperor is using Nicolaus while also keeping him in check, its safer for the Bavarian royal family, my backing, to know my entire schedule.

[Alright. Ill send a letter to His Majesty in the evening.]

Thanks.

As I disconnected, Elias waved the photo.

This, should we try asking Heike to read its memory? Im curious who took it and who brought it to school.

Good idea.

I said that and added a thought.

But if Heike contacting Pleroma is the real future, its best not to reveal any information, as much as possible.

Even if it doesnt become a huge problem, you never know what information might cause a butterfly effect, so its better to be careful.

Elias seemed to think it made sense, nodding slowly before looking at me.

Luca. But shouldnt we stop Heike before those bastards capture her~? Im going to do that.

If being unconquerable meant we cannot change the future with our strength.

I was so caught up in that, I failed to think of the obvious.

Yeah. We have to.

We have to stop it before it happens.

We cant just give up before even trying.

Narce smiled and held out his hand.

Shall I try reading it? I can read it if you dont mind potentially useless information.

Yeah!

Elias handed the photo to Narce as if hed been waiting.

Narce fiddled with the photo, then gripped his forehead.

If the person in this photo knew it was taken, thered be big trouble. More importantly, I wonder if the person who took it thought it was you, Elias.

Why would they think its me? Is the person in the picture really Ainsidel?

At those words, Narce stroked his chin for a long moment.

Elias. Dont get angry, just listen.

Yeah. Why would I get angry at you~

Its you.

What?

Silence followed.

Subjectively, one second felt like a minute.

Narce tilted his head and smiled.

Well, my ability reads it that way but I know better that its not true~ I even dyed your hair black back then, remember? Its just speculation, but maybe because the person who took the photo mistook that person for you, it reads that way to me too. Anyway, if everyone could mistake her for you, circumstantially, its likely Ainsidel, dont you think~

Just how similar are we? What are her features! Tell me so I can prepare myself mentally. You said you die if you meet your doppelganger~

Then, Narce spoke to Elias, who still hdnt quite grasped it.

Whats important now is one thing. Primrose Path holds immense hostility towards you, Elias. That much is certain.

Right.

Whether it was a mistake or not, trying to take a picture of Elias was surely intended for blackmail, wasnt it?

Elias, seemingly having the same thought now, clutched his head for a while.

He slowly opened his mouth.

And like I said before, you guys be careful too. Primrose Path will try to kill me from now on. Of course, they wont actually kill me.

Narce nodded at Eliass words.

Theyll kill you socially~ Especially with nobles, inflicting physical damage just harms the attacker more Lately, its common to start by gradually weeding out those around the target, right?

What, how do you know? The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith doesnt do things like that, does it~?

Silence followed.

A subtle smile appeared on Eliass face, who had thrown out the question just in case.

Haha, not me, people from hundreds of years ago. Since I do study the history of the place I belong to~ Just in case, Im telling you, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith absolutely doesnt do things like that nowadays!

It seems hes talking about the days of the Inquisition.

Yeah. Anyway, its like Narce said. Theyll try to slowly cut off the relationships around me. Of course, they wont be able to pose a physical threat to you, but as I said before, it will become annoying.

The methods of thugs are obvious.

Harassing the people around the target to make them feel guilty, grinding them down isnt that their method?

Thats not Eliass fault. He was just trying to stop a crime; the criminal group acting like thugs is the one in the wrong. Anyway, just like in the novel, all of this will affect his ascension to the throne, so I have no major reason to oppose it or back out.

I gathered my thoughts and spoke to Narce.

Narce. When we get back to school, theres something you need to do.

Hmm?

About the rampage incident, until now, its all been internal school investigations. When the professors were informed of the victim, you had already used your friend Leos help to request a drug analysis from the Bavarian Magic Medical Center.

Right, we arranged the story that way~

Ill convince Adelbert, so now, tell the professors. Tell them the Prince is ready to report the entire situation to His Majesty.

***

Adelbert hesitated slightly but eventually followed my lead.

That perfectionist didnt want to reveal even to his own family that he had taken a drug and almost rampaged.

I dont intend to tell everyone anyway. Three or four professors from the Imperial Second Academy and the Emperor. Only that many need to know.

The culprit has lost their mind and even messed with Elias now.

That means the bastard is still letting their guard down.

I cant let this situation slip by.

That evening, I visited the Emperor in the guise of Nicolaus.

I sent the letter around dinnertime, and surprisingly, the Emperor agreed to meet me immediately, less than 30 minutes later.

The shock of his son almost rampaging must have been significant.

He currently thinks I will somehow provide a solution.

I stood before a room I had never seen before.

Seeing that it was in the most secluded place and the entire room was covered in special magic, I could feel how anxious he was.

As a servant announced my arrival, the command to enter came immediately from within.

Have you been well, Your Majesty?

Yes.

The Emperor finished the greeting simply, without further pleasantries.

I sat down in front of him and said.

You dont look well.

Ive received unpleasant news, so it cant be helped. Id appreciate your understanding.

Before I could even reply, the Emperor continued immediately.

You know as well, dont you? My nephew was also a victim in this incident.

Yes, I am aware.

The Emperor slowly lifted the teacup placed before him and took a sip.

His attempt to regain composure was futile; his face was still flushed.

To think they still havent caught the culprit, it makes my blood boil. The fact that I only heard about this after a week is also infuriating.

Of course, receiving the report only now was Adelberts wish, so I can forgive that, but the complacency of the Imperial Second Academy is intolerable.

He sighed and spoke in a subdued voice.

Of course, theres the possibility the culprit isnt within the school. If its someone capable of attempting such a thing against my child, where should I even begin to deal with it My head hurts.

He definitely seems flustered.

Starting right off with his sons story without any preamble.

I wasnt about to think something like, No matter what, hes still a father with a child.

Its just nauseating that someone who can do his best for his own child sits as the leader of the Empire, trampling his own people, the Old Humans, to death.

God shed the blood of his only son for humanity, yet this man ignores the suffering of the Old Humans just to keep one nephew in check, while endlessly raging and worrying before the crisis of his own sons potential rampage.

Although I, thinking this, am an atheist, the Emperor is nevertheless a Protestant. This man is acting completely contrary to the teachings of the religion he believes in.

But I cannot reveal this disgust in front of him.

Your Majesty, there is something I must tell you regarding that. Someone capable of committing such a crime against royalty would not be an ordinary person. Its clear they must have deep ties to Pleroma.

That would be the case.

Previously, I mentioned that Pleroma exists within the Imperial government as well. As promised then, how about we proceed with vetting all public officials of the Imperial government? I will fully abide by Your Majestys decision.

Silence fell.

The Emperor drank his tea again, then looked out the window and spoke.

Sir Nicolaus. The reason we postponed that vetting was because Pleroma began ruining the lives of our subjects. Even at this moment, there must be people rampaging and dying.

It was clear what he was trying to say.

Considering his own political survival even in this situation.

The Emperor spoke slowly.

Lets proceed with the vetting in utmost secrecy. Even after the vetting is complete, this matter must not leak anywhere.

Just what I wanted.

If the fact that we raided the Prussian government today gets reported, how do you think other countries would react?

Theyd obviously prepare.

This vetting would be ruined if the Emperor acted even slightly complacent, so if he takes the initiative like this, I welcome it.

I shall do so, Your Majesty. And, there is one more thing I must report. Its not directly related to this assassination attempt, but I have learned of an incident presumed to involve Pleroma. The timing is coincidental, so I thought it would be best for you to be aware of this as well.

What is it?

The Emperors eyebrows beganto tense slightly.

It was clear that he had no intention of letting this information pass idly by.

Its done.

I placed the photo I had received from Elias on the table.

A Pleroma Bishop visited Primrose Path.

***

After that, things proceeded swiftly.

The materials obtained through the search and seizure were not returned. This was what Elias had told me earlier.

The Emperor didnt know the Bishops face, but the Pleroma disposal unit image he basically had of me seemed solid.

It wasnt a situation where doubting would gain him anything more, and trusting me was advantageous, not detrimental, so it was natural.

And, starting immediately today, I visited the Police Bureau for the vetting.

Accompanied by a Divine Power-using mage belonging to the Imperial family. This meant the Emperor was also keeping me somewhat in check. It meant I was being watched to see if I was implanting wrong ideas into government officials.

Of course, its beneficial for me.

I dont want to be framed later.

So I also brought an attendant of the King from Bavariawith permission from both countriesso there shouldnt be any problems with this.

I talked with the Police Chief for a while, and when there was nothing more to gain, I placed my hand on his forehead and muttered.

Enter through the narrow gate.

Hmm?

As soon as I finished speaking, focus returned to the Police Chiefs eyes.

Seeing that the magic worked with just this one phrase, it seemed his Mental Strength wasnt particularly strong either.

More than that, his actual way of thinking

I dont want to get involved any further.

Anyway, I couldnt read any connection to Pleroma from him.

Instead, there was collusion with Primrose Path.

Just how much fucking money did he take.

I snapped my fingers, removing the lingering effects of the brainwashing from him, and said.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Not at all. Please feel free to ask about Pleromas movements anytime.

Hearing him say something so out of the blue, it seems the false memory I implanted blended in well.

I stood up from my seat, gave a brief nod, and went outside.

The Divine Power mage assigned by the Emperor followed me. He probably already knew from watching so far, but I summarized it once more.

First, among the people I met today, none were related to Pleroma. Likewise, there was no connection to His Highness the Prince.

Understood. I will report it as such.

I exchanged simple greetings with him too and immediately boarded the carriage the Emperor had arranged.

Im tired.

My head hurts from using too much Divine Power in one day.

Still, this much is a success.

Its going smoothly.

Its almost questionable how things are unfolding exactly as planned.

Lost in various thoughts for a while, the carriage stopped in front of the inn Elias had arranged.

I immediately changed clothes there and warped to the dormitory. The familiar room I had seen just yesterday spread out before my eyes.

Before I could even relax, my legs wouldnt move, as if stuck to the ground.

?

Its not a rampage.

I didnt feel anything done to the air.

The problem is.

I looked down at the floor.

Its unfamiliar magic, but I know what this is.

Someone cast warp magic on the floor.

The moment I thought that, my vision turned black.

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