Published at 5th of December 2025 8:02 pm

Chapter 193

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

I had hoped our first meeting would be more formal and wholesome.

She laughed as if amused, tapping the table with her fingertips. The metallic bracelet clinked rhythmically against it.

But sitting before me is some rogue priest, far from refined, solving problems in the most unheard-of, worst possible ways. Im experiencing firsthand that your abilities as Nicolaus know no bounds and keep reaching new peaks, but honestly, I didnt expect youd go this far.

Whatever you say, that wasnt the plan.

Do you think anyone lives exactly according to plan? Your exceptional trait is turning variables into opportunities. Ah, now I seethis is the key.

She snapped her fingers and whispered, as if luring me in.

You made it this far because you took risks others wouldnt dare. Youve never adapted to the waves of those ordinary fools, have you? Am I wrong? Your dimension is one level higher than theirs, so you and those fools can never mix, nor have you ever tried.

I dont think that way.

Be honest. Have you ever understood the ridiculous movements of that crowd?

When I didnt answer, she quirked the corner of her mouth.

We have more in common than I thought. So, who knows your true face? Your adjutant, whos never far from your side, must know, and His Majesty the King of Bavaria, too, of course.

She smiled, her eyes crinkling.

Its an honor. To be one of the few who know who you are. I wish Id been the first, but that wasnt possible, was it?

I know where this is going.

As expected.

She doesnt just know Im Nicolaus

Deputy Minister Adrian Askanian must be feeling quite complicated.

She knows Im Lucas Askanian, too.

Of course. If she didnt, thatd be disappointing in its own way.

A 20-year masterpiece has gained a will of its own and is smashing every board, and knowing this, hes already missed his chance to act. Even what Adrian Askanian knows is just the tip of the iceberg. If he finds out his little brother has become the Empires saint thatd be a sight. Im really curious what theyre preparing now.

Youre curious about all sorts of things.

Of course, Deputy Minister Adrian Askanian will safely inherit his dukedom and keep thriving. If you attack me, Ill send Nicolaus Ernst after you.

That should balance the scales, dont you think?

I sneered and shook my head.

Youre full of hot air. Your Highness wont attack me.

Id like to hear why.

With Adrian Askanians approval rating far surpassing yours right now, how could you?

How could you let such a golden opportunity pass? Your Highness is in a position where you should be grateful and accept it if Nicolausthat is, Iinterferes with Adrian Askanians ducal succession.

I spat the words with a mocking laugh.

Perhaps sensing the flow of my magic power, she raised an eyebrow in surprise and let out a small chuckle.

The people want Adrian Askanian as Emperor over Elisabeth Hohenzollern. Sure, its just talk, but Adrian Askanian, despite being a mage, considers the lives of non-mages and throws himself into danger for the people. In that situation, does it seem likely Your Highness would take the high-risk move of bloating Adrian Askanians influence?

To this countrys people, Adrian Askanian is close to a true reformer from above, the only noble who genuinely cares for the common folk.

Its a path Adrian Askanian deliberately chose to boost his approval.

Your choice of words is a bit surprising.

Are you shocked by people or by just talk? Be precise.

Both. The Empires 100 million population are loyal subjects who obey the Hohenzollern dynasty. Theres no German who isnt a vassal of the Hohenzollerns. Subjects is the most fitting termnot people or citizens. You likely judged that, given the Empires quasi-absolute monarchy, even citizens implies subjects of the Second Empire, inseparable from subservience. So, you use peoplejust people, not Hohenzollerns or the Second Empires.

You know well.

Hahaha

She shook her head. Her yellow eyes gleamed with brimming intrigue.

A whisper came low amid the sound of rain.

Treason, Sir.

This, above all else, is treason. Saying Adrian Askanians approval far exceeds mine isnt the issue. Freeing the 100 million populationthats the most decisive, grave treason.

Of course. No surprise there.

She stared at me with a lingering smile before speaking.

As the Crown Prince, I can say this. But at my core, my thoughts arent so different from yours.

She murmured, lost in thought, as if chewing on something.

I like it.

Humans should be human. We know what happens when human identity is tied to being someones subject or a nations component. They live not for themselves but for the collective, internalizing its ideology and values, ultimately dying as fodder for an illusory group. But what happens if you strip away that affiliation? Does a utopia unfold?

It wasnt hard to guess what shed say next.

Her argument partly aligns with my thoughts.

No. Were left with ethnicity, race, women and men, new and old generations, bourgeoisie and laborers.

She looked at me with warm eyes and said,

Your attempt is futile, Sir. Humans cant escape classification. Finding a group to rely on is the fundamental principle of human life, and the barbaric sense of security from destroying out-groups instinctively drives them.

The imperial family, the Empire, are human constructs. Humans gave us the right to rule them to secure a comfortable group, and we must respond to their instincts.

In the end, we cant find common ground.

We start from the same thoughts, intersect a few times, but diverge irreconcilably at the conclusion.

From my perspective, knowing the history beyond this era, her insight into the future is sharp and accurate, but she uses it to defend absolute monarchy.

As a leader guiding the masses, her insight should point toward belief in humanitys self-improvement, but it doesnt.

Perhaps she had no intention of prolonging the talk as before, as she quickly wrapped up.

Thats not what I came to discuss today. Lets get to the point.

Fine by me.

You said you didnt come to kill me today. Im the same. Not just today, but going forward, I have no intention of killing you.

Her arm remained unchanged. She tapped her still-pristine white wrist with her fingers and said,

You know why.

Your Highness has a goal you havent told me about, and you need me to achieve it.

Its not probably need. You *need* me.

Based on my deductions, she cant kill me. Her ability requires me. Considering the Chairmans insight, I mustnt let anything slip or say too much in her presence, but this one thing I can make clear.

Her goal is to melt me into the furnace of Abraham.

Hm, I love how your thoughts are always unexpected. Usually, people would say, If Im killed, Ive set up a mechanism to expose your identity, so you cant kill me. Thats the easiest story to come up with, isnt it?

<>

Dont you know why I didnt say that?

I asked with a smile, and she grinned, satisfied.

Of course. The moment you present meticulous evidence and logic proving Abraham is the Crown Prince, every media outlet you arranged to publish it will cut contact with you. The Emperor and the imperial government will end the Abraham investigation, find a scapegoat to execute, and youll end up in the execution chamber for spreading falsehoods.

You know well.

Even if Im willing to be punished, the environment around me wont let it happen. Punishment goes to those who prioritize truth over structure. Thats why, instead of putting me in front of a camera, you teamed up with a Pleroma senator to expose Abraham.

The Crown Prince exhaled as if finishing a major task and gazed out the window. As raindrops pounded the glass, she said in a leisurely tone,

Father, our goals are now clear.

Her tone shifted again.

I raised an eyebrow slightly at her eccentricity.

Of course, it also means she wont treat me as Nicolaus.

Youre sitting here to collect data on me, predict my future actions, and gather information to kill me. Your goal isnt the Crown Princes downfall but Abrahams death.

No surprise there. Its not much different for Your Highness.

Indeed.

A serpent-like voice slithered into my ear.

Your knowledge exceeds my comprehension. How you baptized Marco Schreiber, how you fueled his resistance through the Labyrinthits all a mystery to me. I know nothing about you, but Id wager you have abilities beyond common understanding, just like me.

Like rewinding time.

Or seeing others Labyrinths.

Accurate words.

She fiddled with her bracelet, aligning it precisely over her artery again.

Father Caetani, I have a proposal. Lets get along well from now on.

Having reached this conversation, youre already prejudiced against me, viewing everything I say as wrong and rejecting it. Even if I say something aligning with your values, youll find flaws and reasons to disagree. Thats human cognition. So, we must proceed with this premise.

The Crown Prince looked into my eyes and said,

Youre biased. Im neither objectively right nor wrong, and neither are you.

I just smiled.

Shes laying the groundwork well.

She slowly swirled her now-cold teacup and said,

Father, let me say it again. You may resist agreeing, but we have much in common. We both have abilities others cant comprehend, cant understand the dull masses, and know whats fundamentally wrong. I may not be the first to see Nicolauss true face, but I can be the only one to understand your essence.

Her eyes glowed deeper in the darkness.

What do you think, Father?

I snorted. When I didnt answer, the Crown Prince smiled and asked,

So, your answer? Wasnt this question part of your plan?

You overestimate me.

I said it deliberately. It *was* part of the plan.

How could it not be?

Since Abrahams status isnt that of a mere entrepreneur or politician but the Empires Crown Prince, killing her immediately is impossible.

Also, while I already have a way to kill her, its not in my hands. Shes bound to draw me in, so I just need to wait. Shell bring about her own downfall.

But saying its part of the plan would let her glean ten pieces of information about what I know and dont.

I cant give her that.

You already know my answer. Lets do as you wish.

The Crown Prince nodded, as if she expected as much.

Good. I promise. No matter what, I wont reveal youre Nicolaus, nor will I prepare to kill you. For the time being, Ill refrain from acting as Abraham.

Her wrist remained unchanged.

I looked up at her, correcting her words with precise phrasing.

Not refrain from actingyou cant, Your Highness. Try if you dare.

Haha true. Thanks to your spectacular work, thats how it turned out.

She laughed lightly, wrapping up the conversation.

Checking the time, I pushed my teacup forward and said,

Its getting late.

She nodded, stood, and extended her hand. I ignored it and got up on my own. As we left the room and reached the library, she grabbed my arm and said,

Were warping.

I closed my eyes and opened them, and we were back in front of the investigation scene. She turned to me with a smile.

Im delighted to have had this brief moment of peace with you, Sir.

Glad you think so.

Ill send a letter to your office soon, so let me know a date we can meet again. You dont intend to cut contact like this, do you?

No, lets meet here tomorrow.

At my immediate reply, the Crown Prince tilted her head slightly, staring at me without a change in expression.

***

I adjusted my mask and read the newspaper in my hand. Or rather, listened to the sound coming from the filter.

Alexander Kluger, the senator whod drawn the publics attention with the Abraham announcement in just two days, was broadcasting in the same passionate tone Id heard yesterday.

[Most of what Ive announced to the subjects about Abraham combines my basic investigation with facts uncovered by His Excellency Nicolaus Ernst in cooperation with the Prussian Investigation Bureau. His Excellency Ernst will appear in person in the Imperial Times this Saturday]

Same street, same time as yesterday.

This time, even approaching the cordon, no one stopped me. A detective spotted me, hurried over, and greeted loudly.

Youre here, Your Excellency Ernst.

Indeed. We meet again.

We last saw each other at the Imperial Central Hospital. Congratulations on your appointment, Your Excellency.

Thank you.

Yesterdays paper mentioned the Crown Prince overseeing the Abraham investigation. She volunteered to lure me to Primrose Path.

Investigating herselfdoes that even make sense?

I cant give her a chance to destroy evidence.

I handed the investigation log to the detective and said,

Ive reviewed all the investigation records from yesterday.

Oh, youre fast, appointed just today. Shall we move now?

We need to move immediately.

Thats why I secured the position of investigation chief.

There should be evidence items collected by Her Highness the Crown Prince yesterday. Move them all.

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