Chapter 293

Oh dear.

‘Did I mishear him?’

Is it possible that the club I was just trying to get into…

But wasn’t that a relic trading club based in Berlin? What the Archduke mentioned was a research society for occult relics.

“What are we making?”

“Hermetische Gesellschaft.”

“Why a Gesellschaft? This isn’t a union. There’s nothing related to profit.”

“A name must be mystical to conceal its true nature.”

‘Hmm. What is he talking about.’

A name should be intuitive. Is he kidding me?

‘…Still, while it’s a bit different from what I know, I can’t rule out the possibility that it changed over 12 years.’

Let’s consider all possibilities. There couldn’t be two things in the world with that strange name.

If this is the real Hermetische Gesellschaft, then I’ve just stumbled upon an unexpected connection. I was looking for that occult relic auction club because of the holy relics, not the sapphire parure. I was planning to look for the parure in a jewel or valuables trading club.

But the owner of the sapphire parure is the founder of the Hermetische Gesellschaft? There’s 100% something here. The sapphire parure wasn’t stolen for no reason. I wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t being overly sensitive, I was right. There is something between Maria von Österreich-Este and the Pleroma, and between the holy relics and the sapphire parure. It was right not to dismiss even the slightest suspicion.

He said he moved up the founding of the organization he had only been planning for ‘a few years,’ so it’s highly likely that I artificially created and seized this opportunity. If so, there must be some connection between the Archduke and the Pleroma, so I need to ask questions focusing on that.

Emanuel, who seemed to find the Archduke’s words absurd, remained silent with a smile, then asked in a small voice.

“Me too?”

“Yes. Your Highness Emanuel must also participate. What do you think, Sir Everett?”

“…Do as you please. But I know almost nothing, so is it really okay for me to join like this?”

“Starting today, we will study the origins of Hermeticism. First, Gnosticism!”

“What?”

“You’re a Christian, right? If you study Gnosticism, you’ll be able to understand the occult and mysticism more easily. After that, we’ll move on to pre-Gnosticism. We’ll focus on the Kabbalistic mysticism you mentioned earlier then.”

“……”

I was at a loss for words. Knowing I’m a Christian and pushing Gnosticism on me? If he had said this to a ‘truly’ devout Christian, someone might have collapsed from a stroke. Of course, such a Christian wouldn’t have dabbled in the occult in the first place.

Anyway, now that I’ve come this far, I will let go of everything and treat all studies as the footprints left by humanity.

“Let’s do it.”

“Great. This makes it day one.”

“Is that expression really used in this context?”

Despite Emanuel’s question, the Archduke didn’t stop.

“We should have the founding ceremony on the day the three of us gathered like this, but it’s a shame the full moon isn’t out today.”

“Does it have to be…?”

“Not necessarily, but the energy is strongest during the full moon, so it’s better to do it then. We usually decide the rituals of the day by looking at the phases of the moon.”

“Why?”

“If you ask why… First, I must explain what meaning the moon has in the occult and the astral plane. The moon, for us humans, has been since long ago…”

“I think I get it now. So we can’t have the founding ceremony today?”

“Not necessarily. In cases like this, there’s something called an ‘amplification ritual’.”

“As expected, humanity has been systematic since ancient times.”

Emanuel patted my shoulder and laughed, perhaps because I spoke in a soulless voice. Still, it would be rude to look soulless after approaching someone so enthusiastic about the occult. I too must act as if I’m sincere about the occult. Then, although it doesn’t seem likely, maybe one day I’ll become enthusiastic about the occult too.

The Archduke drew his wand and began to draw a magic circle.

“This is a hexagram. You know it.”

“I do.”

Isn’t it the star with two overlapping triangles? The Star of David on the Israeli flag. The Archduke extended his hand to Emanuel and said firmly.

“Candle.”

“Did you leave it with me?”

Emanuel asked with an exasperated look, but still warped somewhere and brought back a black candle. There were also orange and purple candles. I narrowed my eyes slightly at the sight.

“The candle is black?”

“The color is also important…”

Emanuel replied with an expression of someone forced to say something he didn’t want to. He didn’t seem very interested in the occult either. I suspect he just learned things here and there by listening to the Archduke’s ramblings. While the Archduke performed some unknown purification ritual and carefully lit the candles, I asked.

“So what are we doing after this?”

“What do you mean, what are we doing? We have to study!”

“……”

“Now, after I chant the spell, you must draw blood with this knife, smear it on the paper, and burn it. Understood?”

After lighting all the candles, the Archduke turned off the magic lamp with his wand and waved a worn-out piece of papyrus-like paper and a silver knife. I almost asked why on earth we had to do that, but fortunately, I kept my mouth shut. Silence fell, and only the sound of the window rattling in the wind could be heard. The Archduke began to speak solemnly.

“Here, where the soft moonlight flows, we gather.”

‘A hurdle from the very beginning.’

It’s hard to hold back my laughter…. I must not laugh. I can’t do something so inconsiderate.

“We seek the unknown knowledge that time has not revealed, and with a true heart, we revere our secret society.”

‘Why revere it…’

I have to just accept it. Questions are popping up not just for sentences, but for every word, and at this rate, it’s going to be a disaster.

“May our aims be pure, and our hearts be strong, in the unknown world to which we belong. With ancient wisdom, all wrongs we will right, in our secret society, forever in light.”

‘Does it always have to be so disjointed.’

My resolve to just accept it ended in less than 30 seconds. Fortunately, the spell seemed to be mostly over. Emanuel hadn’t even tried to hold back his laughter and was already snickering.

The Archduke, with a grim face, held out the knife to me. I looked down at it and said.

“That’s scary.”

“You must not speak! And it’s not scary. Here!”

“I’m saying I’m scared, why are you saying it’s not scary…. Let’s use Your Highness the Archduke’s blood.”

“All three of us have to use it. I’m…”

The Archduke trailed off and then asked.

“By the way, how old are you? I’m twenty-six. And you, Sir Everett?”

“I’m twenty-three.”

“You’re the youngest. The youngest should go first.”

“What? We’re only three years apart. At this point, we don’t even know who’s going to kick the bucket first.”

“In the East, respect for elders is a virtue.”

“In the spirit of respecting you, why don’t you go first, Your Highness the Archduke.”

A tense silence hung in the air. I broke the silence and continued.

“And why are you making us do something you don’t want to do either, Your Highness the Archduke.”

“It’s not that I’m scared, I just don’t have experience with this part.”

“I didn’t say you were scared? Then His Excellency Emanuel can go first.”

At my words, the Archduke nodded.

“Excellent. He’s twenty-nine, so that’s just right.”

“Didn’t you just say respect for elders is a virtue? I don’t want to do it either. If we’re going to be like this, let’s just not use blood.”

As the argument continued, I gave up and sat down on the sofa behind them. Is this the beginning of the Hermetische Gesellschaft…. Why does a founding ceremony require blood?

In the end, the Archduke drew his own blood. I didn’t give my blood, just in case, and since I insisted I wouldn’t do it, Emanuel went along with the mood.

“Well done. Please continue to do so in the future.”

Emanuel whispered in my ear. He seemed quite pleased that I hadn’t given my blood. After the ritual, the Archduke, with a satisfied face, cleared the table—it looked like a disaster to me, but his satisfaction suggested he wasn’t a perfectionist—and called us over.

“Well. That was rough. Now, before we get to occult relics, we will first study occult theory.”

“Excuse me, but I’m afraid I can’t today as I have to go home early.”

“…!”

The Archduke didn’t seem to care much when the ritual was a mess, but he looked devastated when I said I didn’t have time.

“Th-then…. I have so much to talk about. How about we meet at this place tomorrow at noon?”

“Who said you could borrow my house?”

“Excellent. Don’t you have to go back to Austria, Your Highness the Archduke?”

“I’m in charge of work that can be handled from here, so I’ll be staying here a little longer.”

Hmm, right.

The Österreich-Este is the imperial family of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the title of Archduke is given to members of the collateral branches. Compared to the direct line members who have to go back and stay in the country, a young collateral branch member like him could live a little more freely.

And so, I made an appointment, went back, and sparred with Leonard. He seemed to have no energy for some reason, but Leonard perfectly executed what he had learned for about two weeks. It was amazing that even at this age, he could prevent his mood from affecting his duties.

After finishing the morning class the next day, I warped to Emanuel’s mansion, and two more days passed while I studied the occult at Emanuel’s mansion.

Emanuel rubbed his eyes and asked me and the Archduke, who was in his living room.

“Why haven’t you gone home?”

“I’ll pay rent.”

“What rent? Get out. It’s time for you to go back to Austria.”

Emanuel pushed the Archduke. The Archduke fell helplessly from the sofa and shouted.

“No, that’s not the problem. Three people are not enough…”

‘Is that finally becoming important?’

He’s fast.

I think this club could really grow as big as the one I saw in Berlin. The Archduke grabbed me and said.

“We need more people… Should we promote it? How can we promote this? Sir Everett. Could you use your Divine Power to create some hype?!”

“Why do you need so many people?”

“It’s just not fun to research when there aren’t enough people.”

“Is that so…”

You’ve been doing fine on your own all this time, and now you’re like this just because you got one beginner? Later on, it becomes the largest occult relic auction club in Berlin and even screens its members, so it’s a new experience to hear him complain about not having enough people.

“I wish there were more people like Sir Everett who are interested in the occult. Then I could teach you anything…”

“…Well, yes. Instead of just studying theory, why don’t you engage in activities related to profit, just like the name? Make it a relic trading club. The concept is abstract, but the objects are clearly visible to the eye. There are many people interested in relics, so attract people with occult-related relics and gradually get them hooked.”

“…!”

The Archduke shot up, then slowly lay back down on the floor.

“I can’t put my relics up for sale. They were all very difficult to obtain…”

“…I’m sure they were. Then how about creating an appreciation club? Build a small museum and hold exhibitions. Your Highness the Archduke can camp out there and lure in interested people one by one.”

“Hmm, that’s a good idea.”

“And if you create a club where each person can show off their own relics, you could expand the scope to auctions as I mentioned earlier. Even if you don’t have to put up Your Highness’s items, you could do that later.”

After saying that, I swallowed without realizing it. Am I really accelerating the development of this club like this?

The Archduke clapped, so I smiled lightly and changed the subject. There was something I needed to ask him soon.

“In that sense, I’d like to take a look at the relics you have, Your Highness.”

“Ah, excellent. Should we look at those today instead of studying? Fortunately, I brought a lot with me this time to show this friend, so I have many things to show you, Sir Everett. Just a moment!”

“Ah, just a moment. Do you also handle holy relics?”

“Holy relics… you mean Christian ones?”

The Archduke shook his head.

“That’s not my field. And there are many fake holy relics, so you have to approach them with caution.”

“Are there many people who try to use holy relics for occult rituals?”

“I can’t say there aren’t. If you think about it, holy relics are really good materials. I just prefer not to do personal things with objects related to Christ.”

Good materials. Then why were such holy relics and his items stolen in the same way?

“Do you know any colleagues in the occult world right now, Your Highness the Archduke?”

“Right now, it’s just the people here.”

“I’m included again~?”

Emanuel said from a distance. I observed Emanuel’s expression and then turned my head.

“I see. Understood.”

If he had acquaintances, I was going to ask if there was anyone interested in holy relics. Since there’s a possibility that person also stole the Archduke’s jewels. Even if the current Archduke doesn’t know anyone, the culprit is likely among the people he will get to know in this organization over the next 12 years.

However… that’s that, but I still don’t know ‘why’ the jewels were stolen. Even in the investigation report Leo brought, when the investigator asked if there were people interested in the jewels, the Archduke said, ‘I have no idea why they were stolen.’

‘I can’t just directly ask about the sapphire parure.’

Why?

First, suddenly? I’m asking because I know it was stolen, but from the listener’s perspective, it’s quite random. It’s not often you talk about the jewelry you have.

Second, it’s because I have the ‘commoner’ surname of Everett. This time, there’s no problem because the Archduke willingly took my hand, but normally, me, a commoner, trying to associate with an Archduke could make him wary. I don’t lack for money or status, so I would just laugh if I were misunderstood like this, but anyway, to others, I could be seen as a snob who approached him for his class and wealth, so a misstep could render all my efforts so far useless.

That doesn’t mean I won’t ask at all. I have no choice but to ask in a way that connects it to the occult and get information indirectly, but I won’t rush it for now. If there was a special reason for the parure to be stolen along with the holy relics, then it means there’s a clue that can be obtained from the Archduke in the first place.

As I finished my thoughts, the Archduke warped over, holding all sorts of copper-colored objects in his arms. Before he could even lay them all out, I asked.

“It’s been a hot topic lately. Do you know about the Pleroma?”

“I’ve heard there’s a group with that name, but I don’t know much about it. What was it, they said they could bring the dead back to life…”

“Are you interested?”

“……”

The Archduke rested his chin on his hand and thought, then nodded.

“I am curious. Turning back the time of the dead… It means there’s someone with the ability to resurrect in that group, or that the group has been faithful to its research activities, right? It would be a lie to say I’m not curious about what kind of magic formula one would have to use to achieve that.”

“……”

“If it’s not a magic formula but someone with that unique ability, I’d like to meet them once.”

“With what nerve?”

That was Emanuel’s question.

Indeed. With what nerve? If you have the ability to bring the dead back to life, you’re no different from a god.

Even if the perception of the Pleroma in our time hasn’t formed yet, to be able to casually say ‘I’d like to meet them once’ about someone with such a transcendent ability.

The Archduke shook his head.

“It’s not that I’m courageous. But if he’s at least a good person, I thought I might be able to negotiate.”

“What kind of negotiation?”

“I would have to ask if he has any intention of making the world a happier place.”

It sounded rather trivial, so I just remembered his good intentions and nodded. He began to lay out the relics he had brought. With my eyes fixed on them, I said.

“Your Highness.”

“Yes.”

“If I were to build a museum as I mentioned earlier, where would you build it?”

“Shall we build it in Berlin? Berlin has the largest population.”

“Not in Austria?”

“If we do that, Sir Everett can’t be with me. It would be difficult for you to cross the border since you have your work as a teacher.”

“That’s true.”

Berlin, of all places. And for my sake? In the original past, how on earth did the Hermetische Gesellschaft end up being based in Berlin?

I thought for a moment, then smiled and said.

“Shall we start looking for a place in Berlin from tomorrow?”

*  *  *

I was wrong.

It looks like I’ll have to call and say I can’t go.

Leonard caught a cold, and I, not even a secretary, was caught by him.

He hadn’t been looking well for a few days, and it finally came to this. I’ve never seen this kid catch a cold before, but I guess when he was young, he grew up just like any other Old Human kid.

‘But he’s really…’

At this point, am I not just a teacher but family?

Aside from feeling sorry for him, I feel like I’ve gained a nephew. Let me be an uncle too. Experiencing Bavarian royalty is nice. I looked down at the bed and thought. Beside me, Emanuel said with a pitiful tone.

“We can’t go to Berlin~”

“Uncle…”

Leonard, with a wet towel on his forehead, grimaced and said in a barely audible voice. Emanuel held up his hand as if to say ‘wait a minute’ and whispered to me.

“It might be better that we don’t go. Let’s just stay here and look at the artifacts Maria made. Don’t make things too big.”

“You’re desperate. Why?”

At my words, Emanuel shrugged, didn’t answer, and said to the Crown Prince.

“Yes, Your Highness. You may speak now.”

“Please leave.”

“……”

Leonard finally kicked Emanuel out. I ignored Emanuel’s intense gaze that pleaded with me to just follow him out, and sat down next to Leonard.

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