The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 114

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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 114
“Well, your attire is a bit… rough around the edges, but ah, that’s fine. I’ve developed some flexibility working here. We’ll adjust things gradually.”
“Aaaah! No… Rubian! Help me!”
Nothing could stop a youth thirsting for knowledge. Asha was eventually loaded onto a book cart lined with plush cushions and wheeled away.
Thud.
The Library was only a few steps away, but Asha… traveled in comfort.
Kalid shook his head as if exasperated.
“This place is becoming more like a marketplace every day.”
I laughed with amusement.
“Tell me about it!”
So many things had happened here.
I’d met Rosetta and Liam, my secret as a girl had been exposed… I’d won the Shinrok Festival Competition, but encountered the Tracking Mage and faced a crisis.
‘Still, I managed to uncover another layer of the original story’s secrets.’
Of course, there were still mysteries left to solve.
I recalled the branches of the World Tree and the dragon pattern coiled around them.
‘Where should I even start investigating this mark?’
As I furrowed my brow in thought, a colorful pamphlet suddenly entered my peripheral vision.
An academy brochure beginning with “Rieta Academy, the Heart of Babylon, awaits you!”
A small attached note read “Autumn Camp for Prospective Freshmen—Registration Now Open!”
I crumpled the pamphlets together.
Brochures had arrived not just from Central Academy but from academies in the Southern Region as well, making quite a stack.
‘There’s nothing worth finding at an academy anyway.’
Hmm.
While I was busy furrowing my brow, Hazel appeared.
“Miss, you should come down now! Everything is ready!”
“Oh, finally! Let’s go, Kalid!”
“Yes.”
Kalid picked up my bag and stood.
‘I’ll think about it once I get home!’
Whatever happens, I’ll protect my peace and my family’s safety with my own hands!
I jumped off the sofa with a bound.
As I stretched grandly, spring breeze filled my entire body. Pink flower petals drifting from somewhere tickled my nose and flew away.
“Heading back to Zelocks!”
Home!
* * *
A week after returning to Zelocks.
Zebert Castle, Leviathan’s Study.
Knock, knock. The door opened with the sound of knocking.
“Rubian?”
Leviathan tilted his head upon seeing Rubian standing at the doorway.
She always burst through the door with a bang.
When did she become so bashful?
“I’m here.”
“Well, well. Even using formal speech now.”
Leviathan’s eyes narrowed. I tried to guess what schemes might be brewing in that small head of hers, but nothing came to mind.
Rubian, standing with her hands clasped behind her back, walked toward me with light, careful steps.
“Um, this is…”
Something offered with an extremely shy expression. I stared at the small knot that had appeared on the table.
“What is this?”
“A gift wishing you a safe expedition! A protective charm knot, you could say…”
Thump-thump.
I could feel the child’s excitement and nervousness reaching all the way to me.
I carefully lifted the ornament.
A sword decoration woven with colorful threads. The design was simple, but the large lavender-hued mana stone embedded in the center gleamed brilliantly, catching the eye.
“…Did you make this yourself?”
“Yes.”
“So you spent all day practicing knots to make this?”
“That’s right…”
“…”
My throat tightened noticeably.
I held the decoration carefully and turned it this way and that in the light. What was this feeling…?
“Father, please be careful on your expedition… and when you return, could you bring back just one demon beast claw? I’ll give you this sketch as reference…”
“Me too! I want to come along too!”
That was all my sons had said.
“…It’s different.”
I murmured softly. I couldn’t find the words to express this stirring in my heart.
“…Different how? Don’t you like it?”
“Of course not.”
I quickly drew my sword and attached the decoration. Rubian’s tense expression finally relaxed.
“Does it look good?”
“Yeah. It does.”
The sword with the dangling decoration.
I had never felt any particular affection for this sword, but with a single knot attached, it had become an incomparably precious possession.
“Thank you, Rubian. I’ll treasure it.”
I smiled gently and ruffled her hair affectionately.
“Hehe. Then I’ll go give them to the senior knights too!”
“What? You weren’t just giving one to me?”
“It’s a protective gift, so I have to give them to everyone!”
Behind Rubian, I could see Hazel holding a large bundle. I felt oddly displeased.
“Tch. Ungrateful lot.”
To receive a gift bearing the sincerity of a noble’s daughter.
Rubian, who had been gazing at Leviathan, rose slightly onto her tiptoes. She covered her mouth with both hands and whispered softly near his ear.
“Don’t worry. Father’s jewel is the biggest and the hardest.”
The child added with a composed expression.
“The size of one’s heart is always proportional to the size of the jewel.”
Indeed, she was remarkably clever.
“Hmm. That will do.”
At the softly murmured words, my heart melted as if by magic. Rubian, breaking into a smile, took Hazel’s hand and departed for the next delivery.
Leviathan picked up his pen again.
He would be away soon for the subjugation, so important matters needed to be handled in advance.
But concentration eluded him.
His gaze kept drifting toward the sword.
“….”
The adorable purple sword ornament hanging there.
“…So this is a daughter.”
He murmured without thinking, then covered his mouth.
“A daughter.”
That precious Northern noble lady.
Leviathan rose abruptly.
A profound affection for his daughter surged up to his throat in an instant. He felt he must express this overwhelming emotion somewhere.
He immediately summoned Adolf.
“Your Grace? You called for me?”
“Bring the knights.”
“Sir Obron, perhaps? If you wish to discuss the subjugation, then Sir Leon should also….”
“No, no. Hector and Yugen, and….”
Butler Adolf tilted his head in confusion.
The names of the knights he was being asked to summon were utterly random.
“Understood.”
As he turned to leave, swallowing his questions, Leviathan, lost in thought, hastily added:
“Ah, one more thing….”
Thud.
“Y-Your Grace? What is this purse for, exactly….”
The knights stammered in utter bewilderment.
Leviathan sat in the seat of honor in the reception room and crossed his legs.
“Membership fees.”
What is he talking about?
The knights exchanged glances with one another.
Being suddenly summoned was confusing enough, but now they were being handed a large purse.
What is this? Some new form of torment?
“Membership fees for a meeting.”
Leviathan lifted his chin as he observed the bewildered knights. An enigmatic smile played at the corners of his mouth.
“What on earth…? Wait. Surely not.”
Knight Yugen covered his mouth. He had just discovered what all those gathered here had in common.
“You… knew about this?”
Indeed.
They were all active members of the Northern Knights with Daughters Meeting.
“When do you meet?”
“Pardon?”
“The schedule, frequency, what you bring—share all of it. What do you discuss? Do you share concerns? Educational methods based on developmental stages, gift ideas, gift ideas…?”
Leviathan rattled off his questions as if he’d been waiting for this moment.
Wait, it was supposed to be a secret meeting—how did he even find out? And judging by his demeanor…
“…Sir, are you perhaps asking to… join our group?”
At the hesitant question, Leviathan arrogantly raised one corner of his mouth.
“I should meet the membership requirements.”
A knight of the Northern Region. And…
“I have one too.”
“…”
“A daughter.”
Only then did the knights understand.
Ah.
He’s so smitten with his daughter he doesn’t know what to do with himself.
Well, they couldn’t fault him for that. They too had to bite their tongues a dozen times a day to contain their overwhelming emotions…
And if the daughter was as adorable as Rubian… they understood a hundred times over.
“Ha-ha. Uh. Congratulations…?”
They offered a brief round of applause. Leviathan’s smile deepened.
“Now then, collect the membership fees.”
He pressed a heavy purse into each knight’s hand.
The knights exchanged silent glances once more.
That’s not how membership fees usually work…
He’s never actually been to one of these meetings, has he?
“So tell me now.”
Regardless, Leviathan simply folded his arms and waited.
“Tell you what?”
“What makes a good birthday gift for a girl her age.”
A brief silence fell.
“A birthday?”
The knights blinked in confusion.
“…Whose?”
“Whose else.”
Leviathan exhaled a deep, troubled sigh before finally broaching the real subject.
“Actually, Rubian’s birthday is coming up soon.”

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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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