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Reborn as the Doomed Heir of a Mage Dynasty (Web Novel) - Chapter 178
Chapter 178
This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl
Ludovika stared at me for a long time, then replied just as lightly.
“Curious? But unfortunately, I can’t tell you for nothing.”
“For nothing…? In this situation where I don’t even know the investment capital, what should I trust to invest?”
“Your debauchery?”
I gazed at Ludovika with a smile.
Ludovika shrugged and leaned back.
“If you don’t like it, that’s fine.”
“No, no. Dislike it?~ But even Ms. Ludovika must think my question is perfectly normal curiosity, isn’t that right?”
I furrowed my brows and pulled up the corners of my mouth.
“We just met, so how can you make me such an offer? I haven’t even heard how much I need to invest yet… Do you think I can afford that much?”
“Since you’re so talented, I’m just making an offer. Whether you take it or not is your freedom.”
Ludovika continued softly.
“To begin with, I’ll be putting in more of my own money as capital, and for the initial funds, around 50,000,000 Pel… I don’t think you couldn’t afford that, could you?”
500 million won?
I let out a hollow laugh.
It might seem like a lot on its own, but it's little compared to the amount she's expecting from me.
This is even more true when you consider this is the investment capital for a business that involves Pleroma.
Perhaps understanding my expression, she laughed lightly.
“It’s not like only your money is going in. Since you want to live a life of leisure anyway, I’m just offering you a position. It’s convenient and good for us too if the right person is in that spot.”
“…….”
“Furthermore….”
Ludovika removed her gloves and took my hand. Her pale fingers overlapped the artery on my wrist with a soft touch.
“You seem to have talent in other areas too.”
“…….”
My heart started beating rapidly.
Not because of the reason she was expecting.
It's no different from the bishops of Isa or Freiburg.
For Pleroma to openly feel my Magic Power and say something like that means they've recognized my aptitude.
‘…Since Jeremiah seems to know nothing, she's probably being this blatant.’
Since the building is run by Pleroma, there was a high probability that the atmosphere they use in their world was present in the air. Besides, those bishops also immediately grasped my aptitude.
‘Thank goodness.’
It was good that I led the atmosphere in this direction.
I can naturally disguise my instinctive sense of danger as if my heart is being moved.
Anyway, I gained one more piece of information.
If they're thinking of recruiting me into Pleroma and using me to boost their performance, then I can understand their reason for approaching me.
“I'm not saying I won't tell you. Instead, I'll tell you after you go through a test.”
“A test?”
“Yes.”
While maintaining a carefree expression, I couldn't stop my shoulders from tensing up.
These bastards… what are they going to make me do?
“First, shall we check your passport and bank account?”
***
That was the most anticlimactic sound I’d heard all week.
And it was also an absurd statement.
Of course, seeing as they are openly trying to swindle me, the situation is going smoothly. Defeat is the fate of those who underestimate their opponents.
I leaned my arm over the back of the chair and asked.
“Are you done with the bank account now?”
“Yes.”
Forging it wasn't difficult.
I started with the investor concept in the first place.
Thanks to Leo ordering the technicians in Bavaria to create the forged documents as quickly as possible since yesterday evening, they were already completed by midnight.
Since it wasn't the first or second day I'd created a new identity, he handled these preparations without a hitch.
‘There's nothing that can't be done with money and status.’
This isn't a country where things are processed that quickly.
Apart from his change in attitude, I couldn't help but be grateful for his consideration.
Of course, unlike last year, now Nicolaus also has the power to prepare such things.
Although I don't really want to imagine it, in case something happens between Leo and me in the future, I need to have the power to handle things myself.
‘Of course, that bastard… isn't the type to betray me as I'm worried about.’
I know. The lord-vassal relationship between him and me would have no problems even if it were reversed right now.
I know Leo's loyalty and trust well.
From the novel, he didn't hesitate to elevate a friend who was in a lower position than himself to the top position in the Empire.
From the age of 17 when he first stepped into politics with the single unconscious conviction of making Elias Emperor, he maintained neutrality throughout every moment until he was 27, disregarding his own political leanings, while still handling situations flexibly so as not to appear opportunistic or lacking his own opinions.
And, he placed the weight he had accumulated over those 10 years on the card he had hidden at the most critical moment. He supported Elias's coup d'état.
That was possible because of his blind faith in Elias.
In other words, all those emotions of Leo that I read were directed entirely towards Elias.
I cannot be certain… that they are directed towards me in the same way.
Especially if he knows all the facts about Luca?
“…….”
I cannot read his heart, and he never reveals his true intentions.
This is because he himself doesn't try to be conscious of what his true feelings are.
In the end, I know the Leo who is in front of Elias well, but I know nothing about the Leo who is in front of me.
In this situation, all I can do is maintain an appropriate distance until I grasp the situation.
“…Can't you hear me? Hey.”
A gloved hand waved in front of my eyes.
I snapped back to attention and looked at Ludovika.
“What are you thinking about so deeply? And, your passport isn't here.”
I didn't show her my passport earlier. For the bank account, I showed it to her after covering the last name with magic.
If I don't want them to investigate my background, I shouldn't reveal my full name to her, even if it's a pseudonym.
Not yet.
“I'll show it to you when Ms. Ludovika has nothing to hide from me. You can accept this much stubbornness, can't you? So.”
I leaned my body towards Ludovika.
“It seems like this isn't the end of the test, is it?”
“You're quick on the uptake.”
“…….”
I could tell instinctively.
The next test is the real one.
Ludovika smiled gently and asked.
“Or was that also a remark with an intention?”
Are you asking if it was a pickup line? Impossible.
Of course, she created the situation herself, so there's no reason to just discard it. I didn't deny it and shrugged.
Ludovika stood up and said.
“It's already late today, so let's go to bed. Instead, let's meet tomorrow at dawn.”
***
Around 5 AM, we warped outside the capital, then traveled through several locations to avoid pursuit before heading to the school.
Due to the disappearance of the homeroom teacher, even the morning classes at our school were gone.
In the end, we had to do nothing but training from 7 AM to 6 PM.
‘Instead, the evening training is gone, so it's not bad.’
This gives me time to find clues to find the homeroom professor.
At 6 PM, after training ended, Narce approached me and said with a smile.
―“Your condition isn't bad~ Even after pouring down all that alcohol yesterday.”
“Haha….”
I responded with a light laugh.
Narce turned around and greeted our team members.
“Hey guys, thanks for doing well today too. There's no evening training now, so see you tomorrow~”
We'd see them at roll call in a minute anyway.
Except for Heike Ainsidel, our team friends waved and went outside.
Since the start of the 3rd phase, Heike had been silently following me and Narce around, so she would probably leave with us when we left.
In any case….
‘Going smoothly.’
Although I had thought this since the team was first announced, the training for the 3rd phase test was incomparably smooth compared to the 2nd phase.
As we came out of the training area, I saw Leo and students lined up in the lobby.
As soon as Leo spotted me, he turned his head towards the other students.
“Alright, all 2nd year 3rd phase qualifiers are here, right? Let's check attendance and go to dinner.”
From today onwards, attendance checks are done at the beginning and end of all activities.
Leo put a checkmark next to his name and came towards the back, calling out the students' names in the order written on the roster.
“Auguste, Victoria.”
“Yep.”
“Narce.”
“Eung~”
Leo glanced at me with an expressionless face, tapped my shoulder, and moved to the back row.
Magic Power seeped into my shoulder.
“…….”
That bastard keeps doing scary things, like shaking hands in front of the kids before….
I thought it passed by quietly for some reason.
Narce was just snickering repeatedly.
Meaning, other students didn't notice his strange behavior and cause problems.
Seeing that Magic Power imbued with his unique ability seeped in, it seemed he was trying to check if I kept my promise.
“Heike is here too. Alright, you can all go back now. See you all tomorrow morning.”
Leo went back to the front and clapped his hands. As the students dispersed, some of his friends approached him.
“They say Bavarian food is being served today! Let's go quickly.”
“Really? I'm not eating today. You guys eat without me.”
“Oh? Why?”
“Because I have a lot to do.”
‘He must have a lot to do.’
There's the student council president election soon, and the school has been constantly calling the student council because of this incident.
Thinking various thoughts, I walked to the infirmary room.
And, after opening the infirmary room door and finding the person sitting next to the bed, I froze.
“…….”
“You're here?”
Leo, who was reading the notes I had written, raised his head.
“You have a lot to do?”
“The Head of Department told me to visit the infirmary every day.”
Although it seemed like an excuse, I couldn't say anything more since he said so. I sat down without replying.
“Did you go well yesterday? I read all the notes you wrote for me this morning.”
“Then why are you reading them again?”
“I was wondering if I had misunderstood or investigated incorrectly. That person called Ludovika Schneider, that's a pseudonym. The prosecution said there were no testimonies or records about such a person at Primrose Path. The owner of the hotel you entered is also a male from Old Humanity.”
That's natural. It's the same for the business being under someone else's name.
You shouldn't assume that the correct information would be in the records.
Even in the 21st century, transferring one's family register to someone else's house for tax reasons happens frequently, so would it be different in this era, and with this kind of criminal organization?
“Perhaps the person called Ludovika Schneider let her guard down a lot thanks to your acting. Anyway, since you've discovered a Pleroma who even received Vitriol, it seems you can now withdraw and leave the investigation to the Imperial Family and the government.”
“…….”
Leaving aside the fact that the achievements would go to them….
There's no guarantee the investigation will be successful.
The Imperial Family will try to intervene in Ludovika's mind using methods anyone could think of, namely, using Divine Power Mages.
“You know. If it were something that could be resolved that way, I wouldn't have stepped forward.”
“…….”
“Today, I need to go to the assemblymen. Let's put our hope in this.”
I pulled out the letter sandwiched among the bundle of documents Leo brought and waved it.
I additionally requested the interrogation of the two prosecutors I had found before, and identified the assemblymen who had discussed Primrose Path with them.
“Just as I thought, Ludovika Schneider has no intention of giving me information. I'm in a situation where I have to obtain new information myself.”
“Your image is too firmly established.”
That's right.
There are good points, but also bad points have arisen.
Ludovika is thinking, what's the point of giving many explanations to a wastrel?
Furthermore, their initial calculated needs, namely money and connections, have now become largely meaningless. Since they are trying to solve things through revelation, that's inevitable.
I need to find a new need so that I can even confront the Chairman.
Thinking that, I flicked my fingers.
The black hair that obscured my vision turned bright. My eyes probably turned blue as well.
Leo smiled a smile I couldn't understand the meaning of and said.
“I never get used to it. It's already been half a year.”
“That's understandable.”
“Narce seems to have already detoxified the alcohol, and your health isn't bad. I'll go now. Because having a lot to do is true.”
Leo stood up.
I simply greeted him and sent him out.
And, I recalled something I had only been thinking about since the warp incident yesterday.
‘Shall I raise it soon?’
I'm talking about the Retry Trait level.
The current situation isn't very safe, so I need to invest a bit and raise it.
I opened the window to check the details.
[Retry Lv. 1]
― Move to my previous checkpoint
― 2.0 points per use
― 2.0 points until next level
Points held: 19.0 points
Luck 0.6 points until next point gain
‘19 points.’
This is enough.
Let's raise the level a bit.
The moment I thought that, the text in front of my eyes changed.
[Retry Lv. 2]
― My previous checkpoint: ‘Room 511 Warp Magic’
― 2.0 points per use
― 4.0 points until next level
Points held: 17.0 points
Luck 0.6 points until next point gain
“…!”
It showed where the previous checkpoint was.
Just in case, I raised the level one more time.
[Retry Lv. 3]
― My previous checkpoint: ‘Room 511 Warp Magic’
― Manually set one-time checkpoint within 6 hours (0/3)
― ― 2.0 points per use
― 6.0 points until next level
Points held: 13.0 points
Luck 0.6 points until next point gain
I can choose the point to revert to myself?
It's a shame there are only three opportunities within this chapter, but since I don't use it often anyway, it's useful.
‘Isn't this crazy….’
I should have done it sooner.
Of course, I didn't have enough points last year, so there was nothing I could do.
Just then, Narce warped into the infirmary room.
“Oh, looks like Leo just left~ I came to tell you to go to the assembly now, are you ready?”
“Yes.”
I handed the letter to Narce and said.
[Rudolf Tirpitz]
[Alexander Kluger]
“Read this. These are the Federal Committee assemblymen who had conversations about Primrose Path with those prosecutors.”
“Ah, not many this time either~ There won't be much burden. Alright, let's go then.”
I changed into Nicolaus's ceremonial robes and, with Narce's help, warped into the Federal Committee building via a checkpoint.
It didn't even take 3 minutes to get here.
As we entered the building, someone wearing a pure white robe opened their mouth.
“You've arrived. We've been waiting.”
It's a Divine Power Mage from the Imperial Family.
Seeing that the person changes every time I come, the Emperor must not be able to rule out the possibility of these Mages colluding with Nicolaus.
“Let's start right away.”
“Yes, please come this way.”
The Mage led us up to the very top floor, then grabbed a dusty doorknob.
“It's correct to start with Assemblyman Rudolf Tirpitz first, isn't it?”
“Yes.”
The Mage opened the door.
In the very front seat of the conference room, a middle-aged Mage was sitting.
That person is one of the two Federal Committee assemblymen who discussed Primrose Path with the prosecutors.
The other one will be brought later for safety reasons.
“Hello, Assemblyman.”
“Ah, Sir Nicolaus. The reason you suddenly wanted to see me like this is…?”
“It's for no particular reason.”
I said that and drew my Wand.
―Enter through the narrow gate.
“…!”
The assemblyman's eyes glazed over briefly, then returned. He opened his mouth with a flustered look.
“Wait, Sir! What is this…!”
―Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
As I recited up to there, his eyes glazed over completely.
I held his head as he was about to collapse and looked around.
Perhaps because the magic didn't work immediately, the Mage from the Imperial Family was looking at us with a flustered expression.
Narce, on the other hand, seemed to grasp what was happening.
‘This much….’
It's Pleroma.
Pleroma within the government.
To be precise, it's the Assembly, not the government, but they use the terms interchangeably.
‘It was good I only called one person first.’
“Could you please call the other assemblyman as well?”
“Yes? Now…?”
“Call them right now. As quickly as possible!”
I yelled at the Mage.
I told him to bring the other assemblyman as quickly as possible, and I don't know how he understood it, but surprisingly, the other assemblyman appeared before us with a flustered look in less than a minute.
“You've arrived!”
“I came because I was told it was the Emperor's command, but wait. Why is His Excellency Nicolaus Ernst here…?”
Emperor's command?
Thanks for the flexibility.
I drew my Wand and quickly chanted the spell.
―Enter through the narrow gate.
At that moment, the assemblyman's body collapsed weakly. I flicked my Wand and held him up.
Narce, who was holding up the assemblyman who had collapsed first next to me, frowned and said.
―“Both of them were Pleroma. I had a bad feeling.”
―“Both of them are probably guys in high positions within Pleroma, like Strauch. Or maybe slightly lower.”
Someone like this who isn't affected by the spell is at least not an ordinary priest/priestess.
To begin with, you can't help but give a good position to an important person acting as a spy.
The reason Favorability changes weren't detected when I visited the Federal Committee last October regarding the insect incident must be because they belong to a different diocese than Strauch.
I already knew that the competition between dioceses was not ordinary.
“Ugh…”
Groans began to come from the mouth of the person who was first hit by the manipulation magic.
“…!”
In any case, what's important now is this.
After finishing the interrogation, I must turn back time.
Otherwise, it will be like giving Pleroma leadership time to defend themselves.
Earlier, I answered Leo with the nuance that ‘it would be difficult to contact the Chairman through Ludovika using mind manipulation magic.’
How easy and effective is this method?
But I must remember this.
The priest who turned Gelda Asman into Pleroma and Gelda Asman's brain were connected to each other. That's why Gelda Asman immediately realized the situation when I cast mind manipulation magic on the priest.
It will be the same this time.
Especially since Ludovika Schneider is a priestess who works closest to the Revelator.
I cannot complacently think that there won't be a safety mechanism installed on her.
I looked down at the two assemblymen and said.
“Alright, let's finish this quickly. Who is the ‘Chairman’ of Primrose Path? What is his name?”
“Ugh…”
“Gregorio…. Wait, no more….”
“Okay. Where do I need to go to meet Gregorio?”
He shook his head like crazy.
Narce quickly interpreted for me.
“That person doesn't know either, Sir.”
“Ughhhhhhhhh!”
Splatter! Crack, thud—
“Hu, huff…!”
The Imperial Family Mage stepped back in horror.
Vitriol burst out from the body of the assemblyman who was first affected by the manipulation magic. Parts where Vitriol touched began to corrode and fall off. The moment black sludge covered the assemblyman's body, he shot up from his seat.
BOOM—!
I suppressed the assemblyman first affected by the manipulation magic with magic, while releasing the manipulation magic on the other assemblyman's head.
“Is it self-detonation magic? You people think human lives are as cheap as flies.”
“Stop, just stop…! Sir, we also know nothing about Gregorio!”
Although I didn't reply, he spewed words like a Gatling gun.
“Gregorio is not part of Pleroma…! That person just helps us….”
“How do they help?”
“Besides the Mission, we don't know either! You know our ecclesiastical system well, but I, I'm not even a bishop, so I don't know about that. No, even a bishop probably wouldn't know. Usually, they don't even know of Gregorio's existence.”
He's rambling quite a bit, but since death is imminent, he's spilling everything.
If I cast mind manipulation magic on him again, he will die. That's why that guy quickly finished his calculations and decided to spill everything to me.
“Then why do you know about Gregorio?”
“…….”
As he hesitated, I grabbed him by the collar and opened my mouth.
―Enter through the narrow gate….
“Th- that, Gregorio might betray us. Gregorio might not help Pleroma and instead create a religion…! So, just surveillance….”
“…….”
For a moment, my eyes met Narce's.
The corners of my mouth twisted upwards on their own.
This is amazing information.
“A religion, you say.”
“Yes, yes.”
“The target?”
“Th- that, I don't know that much… but they would probably start with Old Humanity in Primrose Path….”
“Why isn't Gregorio within Pleroma?”
“That side didn't want to.”
“Evidence that they will create a new religion?”
“I don't know. Something like that was probably figured out through the unique abilities of those in leadership.”
He doesn't know much.
Certainly, there are no people who know the Chairman well, neither here nor there.
Instead, he knows the internal currents within Pleroma regarding Gregorio well.
“It seemed you people were still utilizing Gregorio well. Keeping someone who is obviously going to betray you close?”
“Because there's no one else who can use mental magic that powerful. W- we aren't on bad terms with him either.”
I see. Understood.
“I understand. Is Gregorio the one who gives commands mentally? Is your ‘Mission’ given through him?”
“Yes, yes. As far as I know, that's correct. But I don't know anything more than this! I'm telling you, I'm not part of the Primrose Path Task Force!”
“Then the Primrose Path Task Force would know a lot about Gregorio, wouldn't they?”
“That would be the case….”
He glanced at his colleague and was almost whimpering.
The assemblyman next to him, who was already suppressed by my barrier, had become unrecognizable.
Unlike the Imperial Family Mage, whose face had turned almost pure white as if he was about to faint from witnessing a person melt, Narce looked down at it with a nonchalant expression and was purifying it.
For now, it was a gruesome sight even for me to see sober. I suppressed my churning stomach and fixed my gaze back on his face.
“Finally, I will ask only this and finish. I will make sure you absolutely don't die. Can you believe that?”
“Yes, yesss!”
“Is this kind of self-detonation magic placed on everyone?”
“Ah, no. Only on politicians like us….”
“Are there no bishops among the politicians? Bishops? The Primrose Path Task Force?”
If self-detonation magic that threatened his life was also placed on bishops, then the Monsignor from the Freiburg Diocese wouldn't have so naively and confidently protested, ‘Why can't you handle just one student and let this go on?’
“Yes, yes. That's correct. It doesn't apply to those in such high positions. That task force isn't politicians, so it won't be placed on them…. I- is that all?”
Understood.
They must be placing this magic only on personnel who are in positions where it's easy to divulge secrets and who are also replaceable. To begin with, bishops wouldn't easily succumb to the mind manipulation magic of ordinary Divine Power Mages.
“Okay. That's enough.”
I released his collar and brought up the Retry window.
“Retry, to 30 minutes ago.”
***
I opened my eyes in the infirmary room.
Just like before, Narce warped in front of the bed.
“Oh, looks like Leo just left~”
“…….”
“I came to tell you to go to the assembly now, are you ready?”
As I didn't reply, Narce waved a hand in front of me.
“Are you okay? Your condition right now is….”
“No, there's no need to go.”
“Eung~?”
He said there's a possibility of betrayal.
And yet, they are still using each other out of necessity?
The answer is clear.
“Let's go to Primrose Path. There's no need to delay any further.”
