The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 117

< The Heart of the Empire!…>

 

Somewhere… I’ve heard this before…

 

At that moment, a familiar voice came to mind.

 

“If necessary, aim for the heart.”

 

Ah, it was something Leviathan said in the original story… 

 

‘But why did that suddenly come to mind?’

 

Was it simply because the words overlapped? 

 

“Hmm. It’s so confusing.” 

 

I was frowning in frustration when the door opened and Hazel came in. 

 

“Hmm? Young Lady, why are you just standing there? You should start getting ready. I heard you were going to the castle to see off the Lord!” 

 

“Oh, that’s right!”

 

This is not the time! 

 

I quickly put away the pamphlet and took out the drawing I had kept tucked in my arms. 

 

“Hazel, Hazel! Help me with the scissors!” 

 

“Of course. What do you want to cut?”

 

“Cut ​​this nicely! It’ll fit in the locket!”

 

I held out the locket with the gold chain that I had bought in advance at the store. 

 

Hazel neatly cut out the portrait with her splendid skills. 

 

“Dad will like it, right?” 

 

“Of course!” 

 

Inside the locket, there was a picture of my family smiling brightly together, including me with a big grin. I felt my mood lift instantly. 

 

“Let’s go see him off!” 

 

* * * 

 

The Knights of Zibert, who protect the northern front lines. 

 

Every spring, they set out on a campaign to hunt down the demonic beasts. 

 

It was necessary to regularly clear out the demonic beasts’ habitats to prevent their numbers from suddenly increasing and launching attacks. 

 

Since it was a yearly ritual-like battle, all preparations proceeded smoothly, like flowing water. It was a familiar routine. 

 

But this year was a little different. 

 

The only difference was that every knight’s scabbard now had a small, cute ornament dangling from it. 

 

“Ohhh, thank you, our youngest.” 

 

“Everyone, take care of yourselves, and come back soon!” 

 

Rubian came out to greet them at the castle walls and waved her hand. 

 

The castle gates opened wide. 

 

The knights were burning with fighting spirit, cheered on by the youngest. 

 

A light purple gemstone swayed from the scabbard. 

 

My gemstone is a bit larger, though?

 

No. My gemstone is bigger! 

 

Leon listened to those words silently, and actually held back the thought of saying that his gemstone was the most sparkling. 

 

Rubian’s words to come back quickly kept ringing in his ears. 

 

He approached Leviathan, who was in the lead. 

 

“Your Excellency, I’m thinking of reconsidering our tactics so that we can shorten the schedule by about a month. What do you think?”

 

Typically, the monster hunt would take about two months. So he brought up the subject cautiously, but at that moment, the commander’s eyes flashed with determination. 

 

“I’ll make it ten days.”

 

In one hand, he tightly clutched a golden locket that looked like it might burst open. 

 

“Just in caseeee you want to see us, look at this… I’m going to the portrait studio!” 

 

Leviathan grabbed the reins tightly.

 

“It’s probably not good for Dad to be away from home for too long.”

 

Madness flashed through the eyes of the knights who were listening.

 

“Kids, did you hear that! Speed ​​up!”

 

“Wow! The will is burning!”

 

The expedition that spring.

 

The Knights of Zibert achieved a great victory that was incomparable to anything they had ever seen before.

 

There were no casualties.

 

It was because a strange power protected them like a shield at a dangerous moment. 

 

Of course, since it was an invisible force, they didn’t realize that this energy was emanating from the magic stone. 

 

Anyway, the knights, who were incredibly energetic, swept through the demonic habitat like a whirlwind.

 

Morale soared to the heavens, and the battle was astonishingly easy

 

Without even thinking about honing their skills on the battlefield, they thought to themselves day and night as they carefully polished their sword decorations.

 

‘This is all thanks to the support of the cute youngest!’

 

Well…

 

Anyway, it wasn’t an incorrect statement, so everything depended on one’s perspective.

 

* * * 

 

The day after Dad went out for the subjugation. 

 

This time, Liam and Voyd left the mansion. 

 

“Did you pack your supplies for the academy?” 

 

At Mother Rosetta’s words, Voyd quickly scanned his luggage once more. 

 

“Textbooks, clothes, journal, new sword, hero cards—Capital Edition, Green Festival Edition, Ruby, shoes, writing tools….” 

 

I blinked slowly.

 

“Isn’t there something weird mixed in there?”

 

“Hero card?”

 

“No, it felt like I was sneakily included in the list.” 

 

Voyd clicked his tongue in frustration.

 

“I got caught. Ruby, get in my bag quickly. I bought a big one on purpose.” 

 

“I don’t want to!”

 

I ran away from Voyd’s trunk, which had opened wide, in shock, and hid behind Mom.

 

Liam was standing next to it with a cold face. 

 

“Mother, I feel like my home education is a bit lacking, so I think I’ll study at home this semester. There’s also Master Asha’s lessons…”

 

“Liam Zebert.”

 

“….”

 

The gentle call of his full name made Liam, who was usually fearless, stiffen his shoulders. 

 

“Our eldest son, did you pack all your bags?”

 

“…I even packed my gloomy feelings.” 

 

“You’ll feel better soon after meeting your friends and studying together.” 

 

The hidden powerhouse of Zibert chuckled as they effortlessly tossed the large trunks into the carriage. 

 

“Both of you. If you don’t leave right away, Mom will hide away in the South with Rubian!”

 

“I’ll be back.”

 

The two princes’ waists bent at the sharp threat.

 

My brothers bowed politely and got into the carriage. Only then did I peek out from behind Mom.

 

I waved my hand gently as the carriage moved away.

 

Voyd and Liam’s cheeks pressed even harder against the carriage window, squished flat like dough.

 

That afternoon when I saw the brothers off.

 

I was sitting alone, reviewing my notes after having a class with Borvel on healing studies. 

 

As I mumbled while reading my book, I suddenly turned my gaze toward the window. 

 

‘…Wow, it’s so quiet.’

 

This is such a quiet castle.

 

Dad is gone, and my brothers are gone.

 

Grandfather was back in the annex, studying weapon blueprints, while Mom was whispering something to the maids as she led them around. 

 

‘It’s like a different house!’

 

When silence fell on the always noisy surroundings, I felt awkward for some reason.

 

Hmm, it felt a little empty.

 

‘This won’t work.’

 

I jumped up from my desk and put my hand on my earlobe.

 

‘Calid. Caaarl, what are you doing?’

 

The only one who can comfort this empty heart is my childhood friend!

 

I was trying my best to call out to him, but I heard a reply from an unexpected place.

 

“I went to check the place where we’ll install the bell.” 

 

So, right behind me. 

 

“Oh, you startled me!”

 

Carl closed the door and started walking.

 

“When did you come?”

 

“I knocked, but you didn’t hear me?”

 

I didn’t hear at all.

 

Maybe I was just staring out the window.

 

“More than that, is this the last bell?”

 

“Mhm.”

 

“Great. Then shall we go make the magical tools?”

 

I was free at the time, so it was a good thing.

 

After making the last bell at Uncle Madix’s, all that’s left is to hand it over to Carl and install it, and the barrier work will be complete! 

 

“I should check if Asha is doing well!”

 

I made up my mind, went to my mom to get permission to go out, and left the castle with Carl.

 

“The weather is really nice, isn’t it!”

 

The sky is blue and the sun is warm!

 

I looked back at Carl, stretching slightly, and he nodded curtly.

 

“Ruby.”

 

“Mhm?”

 

“Once the barrier is complete…I’ll be out of here for a while, like I said in Ipson.” 

 

My steps stopped abruptly.

 

Oh, now that I think about it, he did say that.

 

“Uh… do you have something to do outside?” 

 

“Well, that’s right. Don’t worry. It won’t take long.” 

 

I stared blankly at the calm boy’s face. 

 

Just as I was growing taller, Carl was also growing up rapidly like a sprouting bean sprout. 

 

I wondered if the knight uncles had given him a haircut, as his bangs were a bit uneven. 

 

…He’s cute. 

 

‘Carl is leaving too?’

 

I kicked my feet for no reason as I walked.

 

My lips naturally popped out like a duck.

 

Of course, it wasn’t that rare for Calid to leave my side. He would always disappear like smoke and suddenly reappear.

 

But today, I felt strangely sad.

 

“Hmm… what is it?”

 

“Mhm? What’s wrong?”

 

“I don’t know. I just feel sad.”

 

Dad went to do his work, and my brothers went to do their work.

 

Carl just went to do his work.  

 

‘I guess I’ve become more spoiled because everyone keeps asking me to come.’

 

They say humans are animals that adapt. 

 

I bit my lip and barely managed to say.

 

“…It shouldn’t take too long.”

 

“Of course.” 

 

Calid answered firmly. His dark blue hair swayed in the wind.

 

His thick eyebrows gained strength. Carl spoke with a rare, solemn expression. 

 

“I don’t want to not be able to see you for too long, either.”

 

That one word alone made me feel relieved.

 

It was really strange.

 

* * *

 

As soon as I entered the magic stone shop, a lump of something rushed at me.

 

“Ruubiiaaaaan!”

 

“Kyaaa, Asha!”

 

I struggled, having my cheeks taken by the wizard. 

 

At that moment, a store employee’s voice was heard behind Asha.

 

“You should call her ‘Boss’, Manager Asha.” 

 

Asha exclaimed in surprise and pulled away from me.

 

“Ah. I’m sorry, director. I’m just too happy to see you.” 

 

Asha stood up straight. The two of them had a short conversation with each other, their faces flushed with pride. Well, it was a posture worthy of an executive.

 

“Hoho.”

 

I crossed my arms behind my back and smiled like a boss. 

 

“What’s the difference between the director and the manager? There are only two employees anyway.” 

 

Carl whispered next to me.

 

“It’s my management policy to respect each other with appropriate respect.”

 

“I don’t get it.” 

 

He seemed completely unable to understand.

 

Well, it was a relief to see that Asha, being a wizard, was getting along well without being ostracized.

 

“Ahem, ahem… So, where’s the blueprint?”

 

I asked Asha, who was dusting off the shelf, quietly.

 

Asha raised her eyebrows and secretly handed me a scroll.

 

“But Rubian, why did you ask me to apply glow-in-the-dark paint?” 

 

“There is something like that.”

 

I held the blueprint in my hand, looking at the wizard’s face with a puzzled expression. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Uncle Madix…

 

“Eek!”

 

At that moment, Asha turned blue as if she had met a wild beast.

 

I turned my head out the window, following her gaze, and saw familiar copper-colored skin approaching.