The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 100

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 100
“My youngest fairy.”
It was Liam.
“Oh, brother….”
“Your complexion looks like spoiled cream. Come here.”
I dangled from Liam like a pendant. He’d received one too, but he simply tucked it into my pocket.
I climbed onto Liam’s back and squeezed my eyes shut.
As my body trembled slightly, Liam exhaled a short sigh and patted my legs reassuringly.
“Fairy, what’s this on your wrist?”
Liam looked down at my arm wrapped around his neck and asked.
When I moved one arm, a soft chiming sound echoed.
“It’s Kalid’s bracelet….”
“Why do you have it?”
“I borrowed it for a moment.”
A bracelet that suppressed magical power.
It was a sort of high-capacity magical restraint device capable of controlling a significant portion—if not all—of Kalid’s enormous magical reserves.
The Mage Kingdom had standardized types of restraints: choker-style collars worn around the neck.
Since it was obvious to anyone that wearing one screamed “I’m under restraint,” the Fourth Prince would naturally have assumed I’d been wearing one of those.
Moreover, he would know that such devices weren’t nearly as effective as this bracelet, unable to completely suppress my high-purity magical power.
‘So treasures truly are treasures. Its power is formidable indeed. Just wearing one has drained all the magical energy from my entire body….’
My vitality was draining away steadily. In truth, it had been like this since I sat down at the banquet table.
[ Rubian, the Emperor of Babylon has permitted the Tracking Mage to pass through the gate. It seems they’ll be using magical detection artifacts. What should we do? ]
Asha had been present when the Emperor approved the Tracking Mage’s entry. The moment she slipped away from there, she naturally sent me a message first.
I’d anticipated this to some degree during my tea time with the Emperor, so I moved quickly.
“Give me that!”
I’d learned that Kalid’s bracelet worked on me through previous experiments.
Therefore, I’d carried one of Kalid’s bracelets with me throughout the entire Competition.
The remaining question was when to use it.
‘If the Emperor was concerned about the festival atmosphere, he would surely authorize the search after the New Leaf Festival ended…. That means during this banquet.’
That’s what I’d deduced.
Of course, encountering the Mage in the Maze Garden had been an unexpected situation for me too. Therefore, I couldn’t have worn the bracelet in advance then.
But as I’d predicted, the Mage conducted only a light search before withdrawing. His real target timing was today, when all the children gathered.
‘I would have been the most suspicious, but he probably wanted to search the other children too.’
Therefore, the moment I entered this banquet hall, I secretly fastened the bracelet under the table.
The problem was Kalid, who possessed magical power, but as expected, the Mage showed no interest in a boy around Kalid’s age. They weren’t search targets in the first place, after all.
‘No matter how much I disguise myself, it’s difficult to change bone structure.’
I could never achieve Kalid’s massive frame, no matter what happened.
‘My eye color is different too, and since no magical power was detected, there’s no reason for further suspicion.’
Both were facts the Fourth Prince had confirmed with his own eyes.
This was indeed a game of breath-holding.
Once I’ve confirmed that something isn’t in a place, I rarely return there.
In that sense, I thought I’d successfully taken the first step.
‘But… the “Fourth” is really that mage from the original story.’
I closed my eyes and carefully organized my thoughts.
My heart pounded wildly.
Was he similar in build to the mage in my dream?
It was so hazy that I couldn’t remember clearly.
‘Still, that mark’s location is certain.’
The branches of the World Tree visible through the sleeve gap.
Such coincidences weren’t common.
Besides, the “Fourth” was one of the mages who served the Mage King with utmost devotion.
So the dream dialogue about paying the price for standing against our king was something the “Fourth” would likely say.
‘But…’
How on earth would he end up attacking Father?
The “Fourth” and Father had no connection at present. The order he received from the Mage King was probably just to find me.
“Ugh, my head’s spinning round and round.”
Information overload.
Ah. I need to remove the bracelet…
My fingers wouldn’t move properly.
“Youngest… Rubian?”
Liam’s voice wavered faintly.
All strength drained from my body. I barely whispered, fighting against eyelids that felt impossibly heavy.
“I’m… fine… really…”
“…”
“Brother! What’s wrong with Rubian?!”
“…Seems a bit intoxicated somehow. What is this?”
I exhaled a long breath.
No, I’m fine, really fine…
But my tongue had stiffened, and I couldn’t speak at all.
That was when it happened.
“The bracelet.”
Whoosh!
Power surged through my body!
“I’ll take it.”
“Huh!”
I sprang to my feet.
“Sprite, careful.”
Completely revived from my melting state, I steadied myself against Liam’s back and surveyed my surroundings with sharp, alert eyes.
Kalid was fastening the bracelet around his own wrist, looking directly at me.
“You alright? You perked right up suddenly.”
Void approached me before I knew it, studying my complexion as he spoke.
“Yes! Breathing in this fresh air has completely revived me!”
I patted both my cheeks lightly with a grin.
I’d think more about that Mage’s true identity later!
Liam tightened his grip on my hand, insisting I remain bent over.
Then, my eyes met Kalid’s, who stood quietly watching us.
‘Everything ended well, right?’
‘Thanks to you!’
We didn’t need words to understand each other.
Well… there were still some unresolved matters.
Of course, Kalid couldn’t have known what I was thinking. The boy grinned mischievously and pressed his pinky finger against mine.
My magical power surged all the way to the tips of my hair!
It tingled deliciously!
Meanwhile, the Red-haired Mage walked down the corridor with irritable steps. When he spotted the silver-haired child, he was certain—but.
“It wasn’t them?”
The glowing red magical artifact came to mind. He’d verified the error rate perfectly before distributing it, so the result should be certain.
“…Yet it was a mistake.”
The Mage clenched his teeth and stopped walking.
Something felt off, but he couldn’t dig deeper. The Knights pursuing him from behind had been bothering him since earlier.
‘Are they Imperial Palace Knights, or Zebert?’
Tsk. Regardless, he shouldn’t make rash moves right now.
He pulled out a small magical paper from his pocket. As he drew letters in the air with his fingertip infused with mana, they imprinted perfectly onto the paper.
‘First… I need to make a report.’
Northern Region search results.
Target whereabouts unknown.
Primary search target: Rubian Zebert.
Correlation with target: minimal.
* * *
“Your Highness?”
Leviathan turned around. He was leaning on the Emperor’s desk with both arms.
Licht, who had burst in suddenly, was breathing heavily.
“Huff, Zebert, Duke.
“Licht, what’s the matter? Why do you have such a look on your face?”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes at the Prince’s unusual demeanor. Leviathan, who had been protesting about the Mage situation, did the same.
“What is it?”
“Rubian, Rubian…”
The Duke’s face changed color immediately, and he approached quickly. Licht barely caught his breath and spoke.
“Has something happened to Rubian?”
“Rubian has, actually… or perhaps…”
That was when.
“Your Majesty.”
An Attendant approached with hurried steps.
It was the Attendant who had been in the Banquet Hall with the children.
“The Kingdom’s Mage has completed the search.”
“What?”
Licht was the one who asked in surprise. The Attendant bowed respectfully toward Licht and continued.
“It appears they have concluded that the Mage they were searching for is not present. There is no child with magical power in that hall.”
“Tsk, as expected.”
The Emperor nodded as though it were obvious. After issuing a brief dismissal, the Attendant withdrew swiftly.
“You see? Duke. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“That does not convince me. To allow a mere Mage into my Northern Region.”
“I understand. I understand. Next time, I will certainly report to you first, Duke.”
Despite the Emperor’s weary response, Leviathan’s stern expression did not soften.
“So then… Fourth Prince.”
Violet eyes fixed directly upon Licht. He flinched and took a step backward.
A low, suffocating voice emanated from him.
“What has happened to my daughter.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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