The Emperor silently stared at Nicolaus.

“You didn’t enter the Catacombs?”

“That’s correct. I apologize, but I couldn’t find a way inside.”

‘…….’

He got out of it exactly as I had expected.

The Emperor nodded.

‘I let my guard down.’

Honestly, what he had heard so far wasn’t really about the Catacombs at all. It was just a headache-inducing turn of events.

If the Empire conducted inspections and uncovered Pleroma, it would give the Imperial Family a strategic advantage. So, in that sense, this was still a win.

And, of course, many people prepare thoroughly to avoid personal risk—Nicolaus wasn’t unique in that regard.

‘But this…’

Who in their right mind would be ordered to investigate the Catacombs and instead storm into Pleroma?

‘…This is turning into a real headache… If I had actually wanted him to investigate, this wouldn’t be a problem—but that’s not what I was after.’

Nicolaus had done exactly what the Emperor had asked.

So there was no room to criticize him.

And the result?

Instead of exposing the Catacombs, he uncovered Pleroma’s plans to absorb them.

A direct contradiction to what the Emperor wanted.

The Emperor, now smiling, studied Nicolaus.

Had he done this on purpose?

It was impossible to know.

‘But at this point, does it even matter?’

The Imperial Family’s course of action was clear.

First—anti-Pleroma sentiment was far stronger than anti-Catacomb sentiment.

If the Emperor acted against the Catacombs now, it would be his side that suffered.

Second—

Nicolaus Ernst was still too useful to make an enemy of.

‘As long as he stays within bounds, I can use him.’

Just as Nicolaus had carefully respected the Emperor’s boundaries.

A dangerous asset, but if he could be fully brought to heel…

There would be no better person for the job.

***

He looks quite shaken for something that’s a total lie.

Did he think Pleroma’s gates were just left open?

The whole reason Pleroma had grown so strong was because no one could find a way inside.

Between two difficult options, it only made sense to go after Pleroma first.

Still, I had to be careful.

When dealing with people like the Emperor—people who overanalyze everything—the most dangerous thing was giving them something to latch onto.

To the Emperor, the Catacombs were the perfect tool to achieve two goals at once.

The moment he ordered me to engage with criminals, it was clear he wanted to set me up.

So I had to flip the game.

The Emperor, still smiling, spoke again.

“To think you went to Pleroma yourself… I can’t help but admire your resolve. So, did you suffer any injuries?”

“I’m fine. But because we had so few people, we couldn’t gather as much information as we would have liked.”

“It must have been a difficult situation, so I can’t fault you for that. Even this much has been a great help to me.”

He was still maintaining a friendly tone.

There was no one else in the Empire who could casually say they had been inside Pleroma.

He would have to maintain a good relationship with me if he wanted more.

“I’m glad you think so.

“So, what does Your Majesty plan to do about this?

“Even if the Catacombs and Pleroma didn’t officially join forces, you said yourself that if they combine, it’ll be a disaster.”

The Emperor sipped his tea, lost in thought, before finally speaking.

“As it stands, even you couldn’t find a way into the Catacombs.

“And it’s not realistic to forcibly bring their population back into the Empire.

“So for now… we’ll have to focus on Pleroma.

“Just as you did.”

What a roundabout way of saying, ‘We won’t help.’

Politicians really had a talent for talking in circles.

“Perhaps… we could even use Pleroma as a double agent against them.”

The Emperor leaned back, voice cool.

“But this isn’t something we should discuss alone.

“The Imperial Pleroma Research Institute will have to review the information you provided.

“If they’re really trying to start a war, we can’t afford to act rashly.”

Perfect.

The Catacombs issue would now be quietly buried.

Until a new excuse emerged, the Emperor wouldn’t be able to touch them.

Which meant—now was the time to gracefully accept his retreat.

I nodded politely.

“If that is Your Majesty’s will, I will follow.”

***

The academy felt strangely quiet now that break was over.

Of course, that didn’t last long.

As class time approached, the school grew loud as usual.

It wasn’t until a professor clapped his hands that the classroom fell silent.

“You’ve all seen the news, I’m sure.

“Our second-year magic team placed second in the Bavarian Alchemy Competition.”

‘That was almost a month ago now.’

It had actually only been a little over a week.

The professor turned to three students.

“We had three competitors from our class.

“Lucas Askanien, Leonard Wittelsbach, and Narce Farnese.

“Congratulations.”

Applause echoed through the classroom.

I smiled, nodding in thanks, and soon class continued as normal.

As usual, I spent the time studying divine power.

At dinner, Elias ditched his friends to sit next to me.

He cast a soundproofing spell and threw an arm over my shoulder.

“…Talk all you want, but don’t lean on me.”

“Aw, come on! It’s a habit.

“But man, seeing you without a mask in uniform—it’s weird.”

“And your white hair is still strange to me.”

“Haha, well, it’s not totally white—more of a platinum blond~”

I mean, sure.

Not that it really mattered.

“So… you secured favor with the Emperor, right? You went to see him at dawn.”

“I did.”

“Oooh~”

Elias grinned, amused.

As long as I was around Elias, the Emperor’s attention was inevitable.

It was just a matter of when.

“My goal was to take control of the Catacombs issue while still satisfying the Emperor.

“And I did.”

“Was he happy?”

“Not in the way he expected—but he couldn’t be unhappy.”

Elias chuckled.

“…So, what’s next?”

I smirked.

“Now we see how he moves.

“He’ll keep trying to use me.”

Elias grinned wider.

“Well then, Lucas.

“If I hear anything at home—

“You’ll be the first to know.”

At that moment, Leo glanced over at us.

Seeing him frown at Elias, I could tell he meant, ‘Wrap it up and get lost.’

Elias grinned.

“Leo, you worry too much~”

“Haha… Maybe you’re just too relaxed about Pleroma.”

I leaned on my chin and swept my gaze across the classroom.

Some students were sneaking glances at Elias, comfortably seated next to me.

But most of them weren’t paying attention at all.

Compared to the first semester, that was a huge improvement.

“I’m heading back to the dorms. Go eat dinner.”

“Oh, right! You eat in your room, don’t you?

“Shouldn’t we at least start having meals together now~?”

Elias clicked his tongue, pretending to be disappointed.

It was obvious he wanted to keep talking about his uncle.

Well, now that I thought about it—there wasn’t really a reason to keep acting separate.

My brother had seen the broadcast of the alchemy competition with his own eyes.

But still—

“That’d be a bit sudden.”

Just as I was getting up, I spotted a familiar figure at the back door.

Lichthofen met my gaze and waved with a grin.

Elias’s face twisted in pure disgust.

Yesterday, he had found out that the dog he had been taking care of was actually this guy in disguise.

And for hours, he had been muttering curses in shock.

Honestly, I couldn’t blame him.

If I were him, I’d feel the same…

“What do you want?”

Elias sneered.

But Lichthofen didn’t seem to care at all.

Still smiling, he pointed at me.

“Not you. I’m here for him.”

“Oh yeah? Since when?”

“I saw him a few times during the competition.

“But more importantly—junior.”

Seeing him at school actually felt stranger than seeing him in the Catacombs.

Somehow, he just belonged there.

But setting that aside…

Why is he acting so familiar here?

I narrowed my eyes.

Now that I looked, there were three more third-years standing behind him.

Lichthofen grinned.

“They say you played a big role in the alchemy competition.”

“No, it was a team effort.”

“Oh, really? But the whole school saw the broadcast—everyone’s already talking about it~”

“…What exactly are you getting at?”

Lichthofen unfolded the file under his arm and handed me a piece of paper.

“Want to join the Alchemy Club?”

***

It turned out the entire school was buzzing with club recruitment.

The first week of the semester was club sign-up season—

And, of course, Lucas had no memory of that.

I don’t plan on joining anything, but… it’s nice to see things so peaceful.

Watching students excitedly promote their clubs and others debate their choices…

It finally felt like the school had settled into a normal rhythm again.

I had only been in the Catacombs for three days, but so much had happened that it felt like far longer.

And after getting stabbed, everything felt even more surreal.

I absentmindedly flipped through the three flyers I had collected while shoving bread into my mouth.

Two were for alchemy research clubs…

And the last one was for the drama club.

The drama club had been waiting for me ever since the festival—

They practically held me hostage trying to recruit me.

But where’s Pleroma?

Of course, only the students inviting me had smiled—

The others trailing behind them couldn’t even look me in the eye.

Still, at least they weren’t avoiding me completely.

Time really does fix everything.

The first semester I had spent struggling to shake off the Pleroma stigma hadn’t been for nothing.

People were still wary, but at least they could talk to me without hesitation.

After finishing my meal, I headed to Leo’s training grounds.

Since his leg healed, Elias had been showing up here regularly.

Before we started training, I asked them both—

“What clubs did you two join?”

“None right now.

“I played rugby last semester, but I quit this year—gotta watch my legs~”

Leo glanced over.

“Why? You thinking of joining one?”

“No. Just curious.”

“Why not give it a shot~? Club activities are short anyway, so it’s not a big commitment.”

Elias chimed in.

That was true.

Since grades were the top priority here, non-academic clubs had minimal practice time to attract students.

“So, which ones are you considering?”

“Alchemy.

“And the drama club.”

“…Drama club?”

Elias tilted his head.

It wasn’t long before I realized why.

We paused training, and Elias led me to a side building of the school.

And in front of the drama club room, I ran into yet another familiar face.

“Oh, you’re Elias’s friend?”

I glanced at Elias, who was barely holding back laughter.

Adalbert Hohenzollern extended a hand with a formal smile.

“I’m Adalbert Hohenzollern.

“You’re Lucas Askanien, right?”

Oh.

I instantly understood why Elias was laughing.

His voice was lower than when we had first met—calm, almost indifferent.

Back then, he had spoken to me like a fan meeting his idol.

So this is how he talks to anyone who isn’t ‘Nicolaus.’

Interesting.

His gaze was oddly rigid, probably because he still thought I was Pleroma.

Adalbert Hohenzollern

Favorability: –5

Yeah, he definitely thinks I’m Pleroma.

When I had met him as Nicolaus, his favorability had been +10.

The contrast couldn’t be more extreme.

Adalbert’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at Elias, who was silently shaking with laughter.

“…What’s so funny?”

“BWAHAHAHA—”

I sighed.

“Ignore him.”

“…Ah. Yes.”

“Oi. Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

Elias wagged a finger, still grinning.

Adalbert simply raised an eyebrow, confused.

At that moment, the drama club president walked out of the rehearsal room and spotted us.

“Oh! Are you here to join? Want an application?”

“…Excuse me?!”

Adalbert blurted out in shock, turning to look at the president.

He clearly hadn’t expected me to receive a direct invitation.

Hmmm.

What should I do?

Until now, I hadn’t seen any reason to join.

But then again—

There’s no real reason not to, either.

Could be useful for gathering information.

Sure, Nicolaus could approach Adalbert more easily,

But if people found out Nicolaus was trying to meet him, the Emperor might intervene—

Or worse, use Adalbert to spread false information.

And then there was the Crown Prince.

The guy was insane enough to try poisoning his own brother—

And if I wanted to hear about his movements, I’d need inside sources.

That wasn’t the main reason.

But still—

Adalbert’s reaction was amusing.

I smiled and turned to the president.

“Sure.

“Give me the application.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep