novelraw Chapter 341
Chapter 341
Chapter 341
Mecklenburg held my hand briefly and then dropped it as if throwing it away. I laughed incredulously. I stared at that hand before raising my head.
“What should we do now?”
“How should I kno….”
Mecklenburg spoke haphazardly, then cleared his throat and smiled.
“The 91st class will arrive soon. Let us talk together then.”
“You are amazing, no matter how many times I see it.”
“…….”
Whether he understood in what sense I meant he was amazing, he took a deep breath, glared at me, and cast a sound insulation magic.
“So you do not like it? Watch your words here…!”“No, how could I dare to evaluate what you say, Senior?”
“Was it my hallucination that you just called me amazing?”
“Probably. There is no way I would dislike what you say, Senior. More than that, why were you staying here instead of moving?”
“We just arrived as well. Now, come out.”
Mecklenburg waved his hand as if telling me to get lost and began to converse with Leo. I found it fascinating to watch him as he kept churning out honeyed words while maintaining a gentle expression.
After that, we met the 91st class, participated in the welcome banquet hosted by the Kingdom of Bavaria, and moved to another location. The representative mage of the 91st class spoke in the Kingdom of Bavaria's conference hall as usual.
“First, you all know that we previously discussed selecting a small number of A-class students to deploy for a special operation. However, after this act of terrorism by the Pleroma Brandenburg Archdiocese, it was decided that it is right for us to move on a large scale as well. Thus, the existing selection will remain, but it has been decided that everyone will be deployed during the entry.”
‘It is strange that this person is the one saying it here.’
And I felt like I should be sitting here wearing a mask. It felt strange to be sitting with my bare face inside this stone building full of lion statues without a mask. I tried to ignore the emblem of the Kingdom of Bavaria embroidered on the sky-blue curtains as I listened to their words.
“…Our first goal is to find the route to enter the Munich-Freising Archdiocese. Starting from now, we will find the entry path within two days—48 hours. After that, we will establish a strategy for Munich-Freising within 24 hours.”
‘24 hours….’
Since we would already be poking around Bavaria quite a bit while searching for the entry path, I understood they wanted to proceed quickly in case the plan leaked, but… this was dangerous.
“We may die in the process.”
At those words, which came at just the right time, I looked into the eyes of the representative mage of the 91st class.
“We must carry out our mission while considering it an important task to ensure all forty-five of us return alive, but we must not think that it will definitely be possible. Our primary objective is the annihilation of the Munich-Freising Archdiocese and the weakening of the Pleroma forces in the Kingdom of Bavaria, led by the Munich-Freising Archdiocese.”
“…….”
“Those who fear death should not have come here. Consider it an honor to be able to die for our fatherland.”
Short responses burst forth from the many people seated. I did not answer and took my eyes off their faces. It was better not to know what they looked like. Even if I knew, my impressions would not change much.
No matter how much I thought about it, I was not the kind of human who should be in the Special Operations Command. It was because I lacked anything like loyalty to the fatherland. Yes, no matter how much I thought about it, my priority value did not lie with the fatherland.
“Interesting.”
“Heike! Run instead of talking.”
Leo shouted as soon as Heike, who was running alongside me, spoke in a low voice. We were currently doing the usual training until the next meeting. It was nothing special as far as training went, and there was even less today. Even that tedious training felt new when the location was changed. I had frequented the sparring grounds, but this place was a first. I returned to my seat with my friends. And as soon as I did, I heard something ridiculous.
“Lukas, run ten more laps.”
“What, why?”
Leo only tilted his head. This bastard is picking on me…. Since health was something one could never have enough of anyway, I decided to follow without a word. Because I did not know what might happen.
And so, back to the conference hall. This time, only Leo, the representative mage of the 91st class, Mecklenburg, and I were present. We were the participants of the final strategy test.
“Since the Munich-Freising Archdiocese and the Passau Diocese are adjacent, it seems there will be frequent exchanges. Identifying Munich-Freising and its allied dioceses while investigating the Munich-Freising entry path is the priority…. According to the results of a brief conversation with the Bavarian informants, they said they do not know that much. Although the Bavarian informants have captured 36 Pleroma members as hostages within the last month, 4 of them are priests and 32 are laypeople, so they were not of much help.”
“I see.”
“As a result of interrogating the priests…. Two of them fell into a sleep as soon as the magic power restraint devices were put on them, making it impossible to talk, and the other two knew almost nothing. They searched for the entry paths as they answered under mental manipulation magic, but those had already been dismantled, so there was no way.”
I nodded. This point was no different from the contents delivered to Nicolaus in a brief report. Although Nicolaus was significant regarding Pleroma in Bavaria, that did not mean he participated in every process. Naturally. Bavaria's administration was handled by Bavaria, and I mostly made suggestions or gave advice on policies related to berserkers. Therefore, what I knew about this was not much different from them.
“Which diocese do those two Pleroma priests who fell asleep belong to?”
I knew, but I asked. At my question, I felt Mecklenburg looking at me with great intensity in his eyes. I tried to guess the reason for this burdensome gaze and then just decided to ignore him—I felt like I roughly knew why he was doing this—.
“The Augsburg Diocese.”
“And the other two?”
“The Munich-Freising Archdiocese.”
Yes, he was answering exactly as I had read. I only asked to avoid suspicion, so now I could just pretend to jot things down and then state my opinion. Even if three people in this room knew who I was, it was better to be thorough since I had to cover the other person and the forty others. I capped the back of my fountain pen and greeted them.
“Hmm, thank you.”
“Did you find something out?”
While I was scribbling the names of the dioceses I just heard on the paper, I raised my gaze again with an ambiguous smile.
“…Pardon?”
The representative mage of the 91st class was looking at me with a satisfied face. Leo’s serene face and Mecklenburg’s face, which alone had narrowed eyes, turned toward me. Why are they looking at me when I have not even done anything yet….
‘It feels like I am facing a professor.’
Thinking about it, this person had high expectations of me from before, and since I had mimicked the traces of my first timeline, his evaluation of me would not change. I looked at them once and opened my mouth.
“Among the board of bishops in the Augsburg Diocese, there will be a Pleroma member with a unique ability related to sleep. Since this place is also adjacent like Passau, there is a high possibility they will come to support due to frequent exchanges, which will be a headache. Munich-Freising is operating its entry paths more fluidly than the general trend. Their space magic technology seems likely to be higher than other dioceses. The fact that the captured ones knew nothing despite being priests proves that point, but it is a quite closed and thorough diocese, so it might be difficult to find the entry path within 48 hours.”
“Good. Seeing that you can make inferences immediately from short words, you are very knowledgeable about Pleroma. You must have studied a lot.”
“Thank you.”
Actually, since most of that study—the data on Pleroma’s tendencies—came from me…. My conscience felt a sharp sting. Feeling Mecklenburg scanning me, I considered hitting his core but stopped and smiled instead. The 91st class mage nodded with a satisfied face as before and continued speaking.
“In fact, I thought it would be good if someone so proficient in Pleroma like you could help us. How about receiving help from Sir Nicolaus Ernst safely this time?”
“…!”
At that moment, Mecklenburg’s mouth fell wide open, so I had no choice but to strike his core. Mecklenburg clutched his heart and his body jolted.
“Heugh…!”
“Is something the matter?”
“…No, not at all. There is nothing.”
Mecklenburg straightened his upper body and cleared his throat. The moment Leo’s startled gaze returned to me, I saw his face crumple. It had been a while since I had subjugated Mecklenburg, but since there were so many incoming memories, he must not have realized this far. Yes, it was indeed inhumane. I knew it too, but what could be done? It was not a face that this guy, who had imitated that inhumane method with an artifact, should be making.
‘More than that, I am breaking into a cold sweat.’
What is with this person that he cannot manage his facial expressions? Clearly, before he knew my identity, he went around smiling unpleasantly and gracefully in any situation, so why does he turn into ice as soon as Nicolaus is mentioned? If possible, I hope he maintains that ruling house dignity here as well.
“So. Would it be alright to request the cooperation of Sir Nicolaus Ernst?”
The 91st class mage’s gaze and hand naturally turned toward the right. He finished speaking while looking at Leo.
“Sir Wittelsbach.”
“…….”
That Nicolaus Ernst is right in front of you. Thinking about how I had no right to speak at all made me feel quite unpleasant. Leo answered sharply without looking toward me.
“I am sorry, but that is not possible.”
“The reason?”
“I know well that everyone came here in secret, but the news that the official residence in Brandenburg is empty may have already reached the Pleroma. We must not reveal that Nicolaus Ernst is coming and going, on top of us being here. Instead, even if it is impossible for him to come and conduct meetings here, I will continuously communicate with Sir Ernst and secure materials.”
“Hmm.”
The 91st class mage, who was stroking his chin, smiled and nodded.
“Good. If it means we can receive cooperation through Sir Wittelsbach.”
Thus, as soon as I came out of the conference hall, I tapped Mecklenburg on the shoulder.
“I would not have known even if a fly entered your mouth.”
“What are you saying…!”
Yes, I suppose the noble ruling house cannot even handle such words. I observed Mecklenburg, who could not meet my eyes, and turned my head.
“From now on, 24 of the remaining 48 hours is data analysis time. The others will be moving back to Brandenburg and Berlin to avoid suspicion…. Since they will return tomorrow, the only people remaining here until tomorrow are Eszett, Senior Mecklenburg, and Senior Hohenzollern. Senior Albertina Hohenzollern will be in contact with the Bavarian royalty.”
I said while gesturing toward Leo beside me.
“The Crown Prince here is scheduled to be in contact with me, on the surface.”
“…….”
Mecklenburg nodded while looking back and forth between us with wary eyes. I smiled and pointed out the window.
“I believe all the guest rooms are in the Nymphenburg Palace, so there is no need to stop by, right?”
“…That is true, but why?”
“Senior, let us go together from now. I have something to show you.”
At those words, Leo cut in.
“Where do you think you are going. Tell me before you go.”
“Nicolaus’s office.”
“It is gone.”
“What?”
***
I covered my face with my hands. The midday sunlight was pointlessly dazzling. Because the sun was so hot, I felt like I might even hit my friend’s core. After moaning in distress for a long time, I looked at Leo and shouted.
“Are you kidding me?!”
“Your office and lodging from now on is here. I hope you use it well.”
“It is your room!”
“Yes. So?”
So this is what is happening, this crazy guy…. I was about to grab his collar, but I turned around and banged my head against the wall. My forehead felt cool.
“I suppose I will not have a room in Nymphenburg.”
“Of course. I assigned them to everyone except you. Not just after this operation, but from now on, whenever you come to Bavaria, you can come here.”
The voice of Leo saying those words was so warm that I could not help but let out a hollow laugh. It was clear that he was acting this way on purpose.
“…Is this a disciplinary measure?”
“Yes.”
He literally removed my desk, so how could I not be angry? No, even so, I had something called my office in a corner of the Ministry of Magic building, so was this allowed? Why did he install it there in the first place. It was because all my activities were closely related to the Ministry of Magic. This stubborn man has caused trouble again. Unless he had installed a warp mailbox in the room, I would take it as a command to just loiter around and play. I ground my teeth as I cooled my head with the chill coming from the wall.
“…How kind. I have never seen a more luxurious disciplinary measure. I am going to raid all your room service, so be prepared.”
“Where is there room service…. It is our house. And was that something that could be raided?”
“Do not argue. I might not come to Bavaria.”
I pushed past him and slammed the room door BANG. I looked around this room, wondering where its end was. It seemed more correct to call it a house rather than a room… but unfortunately, the doors to the other rooms were locked, except for the living room. He was using the living room like a normal room. I threw my bag onto my familiar desk and flopped down on the newly brought-in bed. Naturally, the room’s owner opened the door and entered as if it were nothing, then organized the bag I had thrown.
“Who lies in bed in the middle of the day.”
“I am lying down because I am pissed off because of you.”
“Sit down. Let us have a meeting.”
“Go call Senior Mecklenburg too.”
“He is here.”
“I see. You are fast, Senior.”
I spoke to Mecklenburg, who was looking at me with an uncomprehending gaze, and stood up from my seat. While I was talking to Leo, he had been away from us for a moment, but he arrived really quickly. He sat down cautiously while looking at everything with a suspicious eye, like a person who had fallen into an alien world alone.
“Now, let us begin. The office has kindly warped here. You can just come here for the next two days as well, Senior.”
“Why does an office warp?”
“I wonder as well. Isn't it fascinating? Now, first.”
I leaned over and took out an envelope from the very bottom of my desk drawer. When I gestured for him to open it, Mecklenburg still had a wary face and frowned as he carefully untied the string. He checked what was inside and looked at me with blank eyes.
“Isn't this an official document printed by the Pleroma?”
“It is something I brought from the Osnabrück Diocese previously. Looking at this, you can sufficiently tell that they have planted political spies in each diocese. Although it could not be utilized in various fields because the Pleroma has different operating methods for each diocese and changes policies from time to time, it was useful for gathering data.”
“…Wa-Wa-Wait a minute. Osnabrück? When was that again….”
“You might not know, Senior, but I once promised His Majesty the Emperor to root out the Pleroma. It means I obtained the authority to call in politicians suspected of being Pleroma and use divine power. In fact, I carried out the Pleroma rooting-out operation for the Imperial government early this year.”
“Early this year?! I did not know that?!”
“Of course you should not know, then would you? To what extent do you want to become close with me?”
“…….”
Mecklenburg quickly became cold. I could see the light disappearing from his eyes. Since he finally began to look forward calmly, I took out a copy of the report sent to the Bavarian Ministry of Defense and handed it over.
“I have already completed the Pleroma rooting-out for the Kingdom of Bavaria as well. Here, two in the Bavarian Chamber of Deputies, and three judges in the District Court. The three judges are in a state of suspended promotion, and the Chamber of Deputies members are under close surveillance. If we include the business world, the number increases further, but that side is dangerous, so let us put it on hold. Instead, if we use the five in the political world, we will be able to find the entry path.”
Mecklenburg stroked his chin while flipping through the papers.
“There was no such talk from the informants earlier, it is quite strange.”
“Why do you think these people are still in the Chamber of Deputies and the court? What I am showing you now is top-secret information.”
“…What did you say? But why am I….”
“Since it is something that must succeed no matter what, the people from the Command should know well from now on. The path through which the two from the Chamber of Deputies approach the Pleroma is also in my hands. However, I do not know if they can be moved immediately or if there are other safety devices.”
“Safety devices….”
“A certain member of the Federal Council is set to explode and die under specific conditions, and the reason the Pleroma took such measures is because they are in the political world. Personally, I have not seen cases where they go through such trouble for Pleroma members who have not received special missions. Also, we personally confirmed that not everyone exploded and died when we entered the dioceses. If there are safety devices, there might be issues such as multiple layers of space magic overlapping, but for now, we essentially have the key to the entry path in our hands. Now the problem is how we can win in Munich-Freising, that is it.”
At those words, Mecklenburg waved his hand as if telling me to wait a moment.
“It is certainly not a completely hopeless situation, but we should test those safety devices in advance. Might we not be blocked from the very entry.”
“Is there even anything to test. Regarding this part, we have no choice but to interrogate them. Carefully, so they do not know that an interrogation is an interrogation.”
“Personally?”
It was Leo’s voice. Both Mecklenburg’s gaze and mine turned toward him.
“In a period like now when vigilance is extreme, any approach must be minimized. Just as the Kingdom of Bavaria knew they were Pleroma, the Pleroma could also know that they are being monitored.”
“You are telling me to consider the possibility that it is a bait. But what other method should we use?”
“…….”
“You are right, but we cannot obtain information without acting.”
Leo did not answer my words and just smiled. Mecklenburg, who did not know the meaning of that, looked back and forth between him and me.
In the end, I could not go out. Mecklenburg, who had been in the meeting with us for a long time, returned to the Nymphenburg Palace, and by now, dusk had already fallen. I was lying on the bed, then slowly stood up and said.
“I need to go to the bathroom.”
“Why are you going out to the hallway to go to the bathroom? There is a bathroom inside the room.”
“…….”
I, who had approached the door, considered flipping him off but turned around and flopped down on the sofa. Leo glanced at me and returned his gaze to the documents.
“I thought you were going to the bathroom.”
“Did you intend to keep milking that when you knew what I was trying to do?”
The escape attempt was blocked like this. I also knew well why he did not want me to act. I knew well why he wanted to solve everything through brainstorming and strategy formulation as much as possible. I called a servant to bring some alcohol and set it down on the table. Leo looked at the wine once and then looked up at me.
“Sleep now. We have to have another strategy meeting tomorrow.”
Leo nodded without a word. Leo, who had not touched alcohol alone throughout the vacation, only now drank. Even so, it was just one glass.
“The official residence was once attacked. In the timeline that has already disappeared.”
“…….”
Leo’s mouth opened unexpectedly after he had been drinking in silence. I nodded at those words.
“I was reminded of what happened in your dormitory early this year. Now, I did not want to give you a risk of danger anywhere.”
“I see. It is a solution like you.”
So you are going to shove me into your room, is that it. I, who was lying sprawled on the bed, muttered while tearing into the pretzel Leo had brought. Having read the thoughts from Leo’s face as he looked down at me, I continued speaking.
“No, well. It is fine. I had this thought before, but isn't this the best place in this country anyway?”
“…….”
“It is good for me to sponge off the best place. Although your arbitrariness is annoying.”
At those words, Leo laughed. My words about him being annoying would probably not even sound like the truth to him now. I suppose so. I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of Leo simply clearing the dining table. When I opened my eyes again, it was past midnight. The day was passing without having done anything. All the lights in the room were off.
“…….”
I had waited for this time. Naturally, I could not leave it like this. This time, the points were desperately lacking, and now only two days remained. Since I could not know what might happen to us again in two days, I immediately stood up from my seat.
‘The bathroom is….’
Here. I looked at the door with a familiar design and turned the handle. After locking the door and even casting overlapping magic, I sat down in the empty bathtub and looked out the window. The lake of the Crown Prince’s palace could be seen from here as well.
Now, so what will I do this time.
Extra Chapter
Stage 1: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!
Stage 2: Turn away from his sin and do what is just and right
Stage 3: ―
…
―
S Stage ■ : ■■■■■■….
The place I would enter this time was not Leo’s Extra Chapter. Considering the trust built there, it was better for me to remain by Leonard’s side as the Kingdom’s trusted divine power mage, so I could not act recklessly.
The place I would enter now was Stage 2, Mecklenburg’s Extra Chapter.
How was I certain it was his? I was certain because I had tasted it and then confirmed it with my own two eyes. I did not want to think about it anymore. I took out the rum Elias had given me from my jacket and drank it. The nausea that surged just by thinking about it could be settled with this.
The preparation was finished. Thinking so, I glared at Stage 2.
“…What is this. Are you okay?! This person…!”
“…!”
Someone shook me awake, and I bolted upright. It was clearly night just a moment ago, but the sunlight pierced my eyes. A few students I was seeing for the first time frowned as they looked at me.
“You startled me. You are okay, right?”
I roughly nodded and looked around. I did not have the mind to speak… and I saw a carrier again. A carrier of unidentified origin was lying on the floor.
Fortunately, the place I fell into this time was not the middle of a road, but it was a school building that seemed to be a converted church. I picked up the carrier and checked my appearance. For some reason, I was wearing a school uniform.
‘It is a set of clothes I am seeing for the first time.’
Unlike the cool-colored uniforms of the Imperial Second Academy, this time I was wearing a dark brown jacket, and the pants were also black. I read the text on the emblem printed on the jacket.
Mecklenburg-Strelitz National Magic School.
‘…It starts here.’
It was the country that Albert Mecklenburg would come to rule. To think I would come to the opposite end of the Empire when I had to go to Bavaria.
“…….”
For now, since I could not recklessly destroy what Lukas Everett had built up, it was inevitable that I had to enter here. However, though I did not know what the system was doing, I knew this one thing clearly. I must not have my feet tied down right now! Although it was in the conceptual stage, this was something that went against my plan. In Leo’s Extra Chapter, it dropped me off after leaving only a passport, but now a National Magic School? Does this mean I am a student here now, or have I become a student impersonator? More than that, what do my eye colors look like now?
I stood there holding my forehead before reaching a conclusion.
‘Fine. Let us go for expulsion.’
Expulsion was the only way. Whatever the system did, I would create my own future. Because I had to go to the capital of Bavaria no matter what. Thinking so, I grabbed the arm of a passing student.
“Excuse me, let me ask you one thing. The warp coordinates here are….”
“Hmm? Lukas.”
A person I was seeing for the first time widened his eyes and tapped my shoulder.
“The Hereditary Grand Duke is coming soon, what are you doing. You have to go take the oath!”