Chapter 283

“It was quite a mess.”

I said, emptying the water I had poured into my glass. When I opened the tea leaf jar, a floral scent I didn’t particularly like wafted out.

A sigh came from behind, and I smiled at it and said.

“Some people you know well were involved in that, Professor.”

“I wouldn’t say they were just involved…”

“They did play a rather large role, didn’t they?”

I placed the teacup in front of him and sat down.

Stefan Traut, with a darker face than usual, took a breath. He threw the newspaper down and sank into the backrest. I could see the large headlines on the French newspaper.

[From the Pentalon Terror to the Friedman Scandal… What is the German Empire Doing?]

[‘The Friedman Scandal’ We Now Understand Why the Pentalon Terror Happened]

France’s sarcasm is quite impressive. Traut, pressing his eyes with his hands, exhaled and muttered.

“How can the entire politics of the empire be shaken like this because of one doctor…”

“Hmm.”

He should have lived a straight life then. I picked up the English newspaper next to him.

[The Friedman Gate: Corruption in German Empire’s Political and Business Circles Revealed in a Row]

[The Friedman Gate, Not Someone Else’s Problem… We Must Be Vigilant]

This incident grew large enough to be reported even across the sea. The classified documents in Andreas Friedman’s archive did not stop at the medical world but spread to the political world, developing into an unprecedented large-scale corruption scandal.

Normally, it’s a story that could be buried. People are not as interested in politics as one might think. But after the Pentalon terror, the subjects’ dissatisfaction is soaring, and the Emperor is also in a situation where he cannot turn a blind eye to such problems.

I can’t just send Friedman away with this great opportunity. As a result, people who, even if they couldn’t be my brother’s ‘colleagues’, were his staunch supporters and followers are being hit by this incident and falling out. Half of the dozens of people on Jürgen Beck’s list are now under investigation by the prosecution.

The reason Traut is sighing so deeply with a worried face, like someone on the eve of the world’s end, is not because of anything else but because Adrian Askanian’s support base has weakened.

‘I couldn’t even sleep because of this.’

I tried to enter the Extra Chapter while my friends were sleeping, but I couldn’t because there wasn’t even a moment’s gap.

But the effect is proportional to the effort. Spreading scandals with Adrian Askanian as the main character to lower his approval rating is rash, dangerous, and has a high probability of not working. In fact, since Adrian Askanian is in a position to gain sympathy without being swayed by general scandals, it’s highly likely that only the attacker will bear the risk.

So what should I do?

If there is no evidence to attack Adrian Askanian, I will cut off his limbs. This is my method. From now on, I will naturally blend into Adrian Askanian’s support base and become his number one supporter, and from there, I will gradually dismantle this group. This is the first step.

Since the foreign media has caught on to the incident, the Emperor cannot completely bury this case. If he intends to abandon his monarchical duties, he can let the foreign media tear this case apart, but he is not an elected official, so he is not someone who can rule for a few years and leave. Like in the 17th-18th centuries, he can either have his head cut off by the hands of his subjects, wait for a coup by the mages, kill all his subjects before a rebellion occurs, create a scene of mass brainwashing with nationalist propaganda, focus more on expansionist policies to reduce domestic political instability, or rely on populism as he has done so far. Here, the Emperor will carry out a few diversionary policies while fundamentally choosing the last route.

The result is this. I picked up the Imperial Newspaper.

[Emperor Friedrich “Establishment of an Imperial Investigation Team Directly Under the Emperor, Will Strictly Root Out Imperial Corruption”]

With this, there is no way out for the Adrian Askanian supporters and corrupt politicians involved in this scandal.

‘It’s a shame they were caught at the wrong time.’

Normally, they could have gotten away with it even if something happened, but now they won’t even be able to set foot in the political world.

Of course, since there is no check and balance institution, there is no guarantee that the investigation team will function properly even after this scandal. As expected, perhaps because the Emperor’s instructions have already been issued, the Imperial Newspaper was not reporting much. It would report when the investigation status of those the Emperor deemed okay to be sent away was announced, but it was not reporting in advance exactly where more scandals broke out and who did what. Because of this, a strange phenomenon is occurring where scandal reports are being released first in France and England. In the place where the scandals should have been in the Imperial Newspaper, things like this were filled.

[British New Guinea, Joint Rule with the German Empire Implemented]

[Victory for the Empire! Eastern New Guinea, Land of the Germans]

[German Trading Company Creates 80 Billion Pel Annually After Purchasing Spanish East Indies]

[Support for New Guinea Migration and Settlement: A New Future in a New Land]

As a 21st-century Korean, it’s absurd every time I see this kind of imperialist expansion policy. But that’s not what I need to check right now.

I put down the newspaper, drank my tea, and asked.

“Are you all right, Professor? I came to talk to you about something, but I came first because I was worried about your safety.”

“…I’m fine. But I can’t help but be confused and unable to get a grip.”

I’m sure he is. A considerable number of those who are leaving now are followers of Adrian Askanian. From Traut’s perspective, his colleagues are facing at least dismissal and at most prison, so he must be scared. Although I couldn’t send away my brother’s ‘colleagues’, that is, the core supporters Adrian had handpicked, it’s worth throwing a celebration party just for blowing away half of Adrian’s followers in the imperial political scene.

I suppressed a smile and checked the newspaper article Traut was reading.

[Federal Council Member Marlene Stauffenberg Arrested for Causing a 30-Minute Disturbance at Deputy Director Friedman’s Residence]

“…Hmm. There are all sorts of people.”

“She has every reason to be. She’s about to be impeached by the Emperor’s authority.”

“It’s a shame she got involved with that doctor. They all did wrong together, though.”

“That’s why there’s such a commotion right now. The media is using that doctor’s acquaintances as scapegoats…”

He’s saying it’s a shame that the Adrian followers who knew the hospital’s deputy director are gone in a group. Right, that’s what you would think.

“It’s unfortunate. But if you’ve done something wrong, you must be punished. It’s a relief that you, Professor, have lived a clean life even though you knew them well.”

“…Hoo….”

Traut reluctantly nodded.

Isn’t there something strange so far? Why is this man talking to me so much?

His tone and expression, which are not friendly towards me, are still the same, but he has become more talkative than when I first spoke with him alone.

Why? Because I’ve been visiting him occasionally, like today, and forcing a conversation. I could see Traut getting stressed every time, but as he gradually got used to it, he is opening up to me more and more.

What does this mean?

It means that the future where he will be used as my pawn is near.

Let’s think rationally one more time at this point.

What should I do in the political world to remove Adrian Askanian and be enthroned as the monarch of Anhalt?

First, I take the path of joining hands with my brother’s political enemies or attacking his supporters. In this case, I publicly become Adrian Askanian’s enemy, aiming for the ducal title of Anhalt.

Second, I absorb my brother’s supporters as my own. In this case, I publicly do not aim for the ducal title of Anhalt and become a supporter of Adrian Askanian.

It’s a matter I’ve been thinking about countless times until now.

‘The answer is obvious.’

There will never be a more foolish choice than the first one. This is an absurd choice, like Hamlet killing Claudius right after deciding on revenge.

Rumors that I, my brother’s younger brother, attacked his supporters? From that moment on, I have to make enemies of all of my brother’s followers. My political life is over.

Anyway, the confrontational line with Adrian Askanian’s support base is being walked by Nicolaus, who has joined hands with Bavaria. If Lukas Askanian is also thrown into this, it would be a serious waste and a mistake.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

To get rid of the supporters who are protecting my brother and make it a 1:1 fight between me and him, I have to ‘advertise’ to the whole world that I am truly on his side. When I enter his protective shield in disguise, that shield becomes useless, and my brother also becomes unable to attack me publicly.

‘Neutralize the card of the supporter’s defense and narrow my brother’s range of movement.’

How can I miss this best opportunity to turn my brother’s card into a piece of scrap paper? But my brother alone cannot help but know that I am not on his side. My brother is bound to be caught in the pretense of being good that he has set up. If he doesn’t want to lose the impression points he has accumulated so far, he has no choice but to play along with the act of being a good younger brother and become a good older brother as I lead him. A strategy that turns what was not a self-destructive move for the enemy into one always yields high efficiency at a low cost.

In this strategy, the most important thing is for me to perfectly blend into my brother’s support group, and once I have the supporters in my grasp, Adrian Askanian will have nowhere to run.

And the first person to be mobilized for my strategy is this man right here. Stefan Traut, whether he wants to or not, needs to become my pawn. I will make him so and use him.

He is well-connected and has a close relationship with my brother, so he is a perfect person to function as a two-way source of information, and he is a clean man who will not be hit even if a scandal like this breaks out. Of course, being safe from scandals and having a good personality are two different things. A guy who is loyal to my brother can’t be friendly to me. In his eyes, I am a person who is interfering with Adrian Askanian’s enthronement. That’s accurate. I publicly wish for Adrian Askanian’s enthronement, but that’s just a build-up to become a spy.

But this guy is also gradually being deceived.

Stefan Traut

Favorability +1 [Conquerable (Stage 1/5)]

‘…So it’s a positive number.’

The memory of pretending to support my brother in the past must have had a good influence on him. I turned off the window and said, flipping through the newspaper.

“This is why you have to keep good people around you.”

Considering the conversation so far, it was a slightly socially awkward thing to say, so Traut looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“As a matter of fact, I came to ask you for a favor regarding that.”

For a moment, Traut’s expression hardened. I can hear him swallowing from here. Since he was already threatened by me once, he knows that even though I say it’s a favor, it’s not really a favor.

“…A favor, what kind of…?”

“What do you think the people of Anhalt need the most, Professor?”

Traut’s eyes widened. He must have expected another threat-like remark. He stubbed out the cigarette he was holding in the ashtray and asked with serious eyes.

“Suddenly?”

I didn’t say anything and waited for his answer to my earlier question. Soon, he frowned, observed my expression, and then said slowly.

“The amount of magic power stored in the state treasury is large, but there is a shortage of human resources.”

“More.”

“…More? …The effort to move from primary to secondary industries is good, but because they are focusing only on economic development, education is left in a blind spot. There is a shortage of proper higher education institutions, and the educational level of neighboring countries is also poor, so there are many difficulties in studying.”

“A professor-like answer. I agree. Then, what is the next problem?”

“…I dare not say it’s a problem in front of Your Excellency, no, a student, but… while primary industry workers have lost their jobs, there is a lot of dissatisfaction with bringing in people from other countries throughout the empire for the secondary industry. In addition, there is a lack of magic medical infrastructure, and although the country has a large amount of magic power, the income level of Old Humans is low, so the national economic power and the people’s standard of living are not proportional…”

After saying that, Traut glanced at me. He seems to have realized now that he was too honest. If I wait a little longer, I might be able to watch the cold sweat on his face.

I stroked my chin and answered.

“That’s right.”

“…Ahem…. So why this…?”

“There are many good higher education institutions in Baden. Baden, like us, has a well-developed primary industry centered on agriculture, but at least in terms of education, it is better than our Anhalt.”

“…Well… that’s true.”

“I have signed an MOU with Baden this time. The article will be released once this turmoil subsides.”

Traut’s eyes widened.

“What? So now…”

“We have decided to establish a branch campus of a Baden university in Anhalt. We will support New Human students who can warp to go and study in Baden right away.”

Traut looked at me with his mouth agape.

Anhalt students who study at the Baden branch campus have to work in Baden for a certain period after graduation, but for Anhalt, which has always had the big problem of a lack of educational institutions, it’s a good condition. Anyway, highly educated people from Anhalt don’t stay in Anhalt but go to other countries to live. Because there is a shortage of industries to accommodate them. This is a policy to increase the proportion of highly educated people from Anhalt.

‘That’s the public purpose.’

In reality, it’s to secure my support rate in Anhalt. Politics is not something only my brother does.

Tiring—!

Favorability +1

“……”

The feeling I got when I gained Philip’s favor…. I was staring at his expression until just now, but now I don’t really want to observe it anymore.

But it’s good news. To be absorbed into Adrian’s support base, I need one person who is loyal to me and pushes for me. Once I enter through that ‘one person’ who is trusted in the group, the rest is ridiculously easy.

Now it’s time to put the final nail in the coffin of this favorability game.

“You can check the details in the articles later. I came to see you today for another reason. I am thinking of establishing a charitable medical institution in Anhalt in the name of the Askanian ducal family, and I would like you, Professor, to be in charge of personnel.”

Nicolaus may not, but Lukas Askanian has to walk a pro-Prussian—at least a moderate—line.

It was Adrian Askanian who had connections at the Imperial Central Hospital. Now, I will take that place. Now that my brother can make an issue of my core, it’s good for me to cultivate my own people in the Prussian medical world.

Since it’s a hassle to move around multiple times, I’ll use this opportunity to create an invitation to Adrian Askanian’s support group as well.

“We are primarily considering those who can provide outpatient services twice a week at the Imperial Central Hospital. The medical staff’s salary will be paid in my name. I believe there will be no difficulty in recruitment as I can offer a salary equivalent to that of the Imperial Central Hospital, but what I am worried about is…”

“…What did you say?”

Traut, with a shocked expression, just had his mouth open and belatedly cut me off and asked.

“My brother trusts you a lot, Professor. With this incident, it seemed difficult to select people with my own strength. Your connections have also been of great help to me before. So I am asking for your insight.”

Of course, that help was help extorted through threats, but anyway.

Traut bit his lip with a tense look. I clasped my hands and asked with a smile.

“Are you not confident? I’m asking for a personnel screening in the midst of everything blowing up because of the scandal… perhaps it was a bit of a burden?”

“…Of course not.”

He didn’t mind even though I spoke rudely.

He seemed to have no room to pay attention to my tone of voice as he was already thinking about something else.

It’s over.

Stefan Traut, with Adrian Askanian at his back, came over to me on his own accord. He probably doesn’t even think he’s come over, but with his unique naivety, he handed me the key to bringing down Adrian Askanian.

Then, a remark that was unthinkable for a teacher to say to a student was heard.

“I will do my best.”

*  *  *

I’ve already got the key.

Traut’s favorability has increased by 2 more points and is now +4.

‘He seems to like people like Adrian Askanian.’

It seems I have satisfied his need for recognition. It also seems he thinks he has taken one step closer to Adrian Askanian with this.

Wake up. The possibility of Adrian Askanian’s downfall will increase as Stefan Traut’s favorability increases.

Kkik—

“It’s fancy.”

As soon as I entered the room, I saw Leo. Leo didn’t even look at me and said, flipping through a newspaper.

“Your brother must have been struck by lightning in his sleep.”

“You came early. Well, to some extent, that might be true.”

“It’s not ‘might be true’, this is quite a headache. Half of his political support base is about to go to jail overnight.”

Leo laughed lightly. I laughed along and shook the wine bottle I had been drinking before I left.

“I can’t be the only one to suffer. This is how you have to do it to screw someone over from behind the scenes. Want some?”

“Sure.”

I held out the glass of wine to him. Leo drank the wine and asked.

“You’re on your way back from Professor Traut’s, right? Do you like him?”

“It’s not about that, he’s not bad to use. He’s someone who doesn’t have much dust to shake off, and he’s a man my brother trusts. That reputation must be well-known to others as well.”

“So you’re saying you’ll use him to disguise yourself as your brother’s supporter too.”

I nodded silently while drinking wine. He’s quick on the uptake. Leo let out a hollow laugh.

“You play politics like a card game…. I didn’t know you’d use him like that.”

“It’s not that different.”

“Right. Good luck with that.”

Leo waved his hand dismissively. It seems he has nothing much to add since our strategy-making styles are different.

Then, he gestured with his chin at the newspaper and asked.

“So, did you ask me to draw blood for this? What does a scandal have to do with blood?”

“It’s not related. I needed the blood to let my brother know that his plan failed.”

“Hmm.”

“Those guys had a new tool to examine my core. I was in a difficult situation at first because I got caught by it… but after drinking the blood you prepared before, I tried it again and it didn’t work. So this time, I asked for it to disrupt them completely from the start.”

“I see.”

“This time, I threw the story of that machine at my brother in a letter, so he’ll ask the doctors at the Imperial Central Hospital for the truth. Now the results of the core examination will reach his ears, and I’m looking forward to that too.”

“You’re taking out all sorts of insurance.”

“I have to.”

To stab someone in the back, you first have to disrupt the information that goes to the opponent. Leo seemed to have a lot he wanted to ask me, but he didn’t open his mouth. He probably knows that if he brings it up, I also have a topic that I would demand an answer from him about. I looked out the window, rested my chin on my hand, and asked.

“By the way, what happened to you that day?”

“I just got scolded like when I was young, what else. I couldn’t tell them about your ability, so I just became the crazy one.”

I spoke in a roundabout way, but he understood perfectly. I burst out laughing at Leo’s dejected smile and apologized.

“I’m sorry.”

“What’s with all the apologies?”

“You’re giving me a hard time even when I apologize…”

“Because it doesn’t suit you.”

“…Right….”

Was what he said yesterday also because it didn’t suit me? I didn’t think I was living like that, but my image seems to have been established in a very strange way. Well, maybe I don’t need to be sorry that Leo was scolded by His Majesty, but I didn’t say that just because of that.

“I wanted to say my last goodbye in words, but they threw away the artifact, so I couldn’t.”

I said, as if muttering, while looking out the window. At my words, Leo stopped drinking and looked at me. Then he shrugged.

“It’s okay. I deciphered the Morse code you sent at the end. I received your goodbye well.”

After that, no one opened their mouth. There was a lot to say, but I didn’t feel like saying it now. Leo looked out the window with a comfortable face and said.

“I wish every day was like today.”

He must mean he wishes things would just flow peacefully.

I didn’t call him to my room to have this kind of conversation, but I wanted to enjoy the peace a little longer, so I brought up a casual topic.

“I know, right. Ah, is there any mission from Eschet yet?”

In the previous timeline, Ulrike said a strange mission had come down to Eschet. Leo shook his head.

“Not yet. Ah, Narce was looking for you. He said he has a request from the Papal State and needs to move with you.”

“The Papal State?”

“Sure.”

“…Hmm… okay.”

What’s going on again?

I have to spend time with Leo until today, so I can’t, I’ll have to go to Narce tomorrow.

Just then, Leo touched his ear. He heard a notification and frowned slightly.

“Ah. A call from the Association.”

‘This guy also hates receiving work calls….’

Of course, everyone hates receiving them while they’re having fun, but I couldn’t imagine Leo showing it. He wouldn’t have shown it in front of his classmates, but since he’s in front of a close friend, he seems to be showing it as it is.

“Yes, I’ve received it.”

While he was on the phone, I snatched the newspaper he was reading and read it. It was the page with the articles about the politicians I had sent away. I don’t want to see this anymore. I flipped through the newspaper and opened the page with the quizzes. It was this morning’s newspaper, and as expected of Leo, the crossword puzzle was not even solved. Since I didn’t have a pen, I solved the quiz in my head.

“Right now…? I understand. I’ll go right now. What? Even the vice-captain?”

With each word, Leo’s face was getting darker and darker. Leo hung up the phone with a stiff expression. I gave up on the crossword puzzle and everything and asked him.

“Why. What is it.”

“Abraham has summoned us. We have to go out right now.”

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