The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 161

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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 161
“Otherwise, there’s no way I wouldn’t die.”
“Yes, sir.”
“If not for Father rushing back from the Capital, I could have cleared another couple of habitats in that region….”
“But what does that have to do with this?”
Leviathan laughed heartily at that.
“I’m telling you I had a very unfortunate childhood, you brat.”
“…?”
Our eyes met.
“No adult wants to pass their misfortune down to a child.”
That statement gave me pause.
Had Leviathan Zebert, who grasped a sword at twelve years old, been unhappy? Because he had witnessed too much death and blood?
Kalid bit his lip firmly.
He was strong, mature, and fearless.
Many adults welcomed him for it. They even appreciated his taciturn and cold demeanor, saying it suited mercenary work.
“I don’t know how you lived before…. But that outfit you’re wearing.”
“….”
“I’m the captain of that unit, believe it or not.”
Kalid’s eye twitched slightly.
“Captain’s orders. For now, just laugh and play around a bit.”
“….”
“Forget the troublesome stuff. Go wild with silly nonsense. That’s the rule in my house.”
Kalid listened silently and replied.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying at all.”
Leviathan said, “You understand perfectly well. Ugh, this guy,” and placed the apple he was holding on top of Kalid’s head with a soft thunk.
“I’m leaving. Lock the window.”
Kalid turned his head sharply.
A cool autumn breeze drifted through the slightly open window.
The apple rolled across his head and fell into his hands.
The boy hesitated briefly, then took a bite of the apple and closed the window.
* * *
The liquid poured softly.
An Imperial Palace Attendant filled Leviathan’s teacup with hot water.
“That’s enough. Everyone leave.”
The Emperor gestured lightly, dismissing everyone around him, then personally opened a cabinet and retrieved a bottle of spirits, pouring it into an empty glass.
A soft clink.
The Emperor sat down, moistening his lips with the strong liquor. His face looked extremely weary.
“As you’ve probably guessed, at next year’s Round Table, I’m going to propose excluding the Mage Kingdom from the Continental Alliance.”
“That is certainly what should be done, Your Majesty.”
Leviathan swirled his glass as he responded.
“To be honest, I was worried the elder nobles might cause trouble at today’s council meeting….”
“….”
“But it seems that won’t be an issue anymore.”
The Emperor shrugged his shoulders and laughed with a hint of deflation.
“That Ballock Zebert stepping forward—I didn’t expect it.”
The Old Master, who had been in seclusion for roughly ten years, made a sudden appearance at today’s noble council.
He emerged with his characteristic piercing gaze and bowed without hesitation before the Emperor.
“Call upon me wherever I am needed, Your Majesty!”
His voice rang out clear and resonant.
A greatsword gripped firmly in one hand.
Everyone in the council chamber understood the significance of his actions—not merely support for the Emperor’s decision, but a declaration of readiness for war itself.
It was a single, decisive blow that silenced the elder nobles who had been arguing against confronting the Mage Kingdom.
Many of them had once trusted and followed Ballock.
“Thanks to him, I can focus solely on next year’s Round Table. But tell me—in the end, everything unfolded according to the Duke’s will, didn’t it?”
The Emperor smiled bitterly and took a long drink.
“…War may come to this land once more. This time, it will be against the Mage Kingdom—against the mages themselves.”
“No, Your Majesty.”
Leviathan answered curtly.
“Did I not tell you?”
“Tell me what.”
“That cutting off the head ends it all. I will bring you that cursed bastard’s head—rest assured.”
A killing intent that could not be concealed gleamed in his darkened eyes.
“So Your Majesty need only craft a proper justification to move against the Mage King.”
To ensure the innocent mages were not caught in the crossfire.
“You certainly make it sound simple.”
Watching the Emperor’s hollow laugh, Leviathan clenched and unclenched his fist resting on his thigh.
The time for sorrow and lamentation had ended.
It was time to take up the sword once more.
This time, I would wield it to protect my precious daughter.
My heart pounded with each beat.
It was not fear—the enemy held no terror for me. Nor was it mere tension—everything felt too calm for that.
If anything, it was closer to exhilaration.
The identity of the enemy that had terrified Rubian was now clear. If I could simply eliminate it, the child could be wholly at peace and happy….
All I wanted was to dispatch the enemy as swiftly as possible.
‘…But first, I must keep Rubian safe.’
The Mage Kingdom’s movements remained unclear.
I could not afford to act rashly with the child by my side.
For now, I would establish defenses and lay the groundwork for an offensive.
“You’re returning to the Northern Region in a few days?”
“Yes.”
“So… you still have no intention of telling me what happened between you and the Young Lady at the Academy?”
Leviathan let out a soft chuckle.
“Why ask twice, Your Majesty?”
“….”
“If there were something I needed to tell you, I would have already.”
The Emperor drained his drink and grumbled that it was unreasonable, irritating, and annoying.
It was unavoidable.
Now that the Mage Kingdom had become an enemy, it was better for Rubian’s true identity to remain hidden for the time being.
‘If you were still my friend, Dietrian… I might have told you everything.’
He was a good Emperor.
Which was precisely why, when the Empire and Rubian were placed on opposite sides of the scale, he would choose the Empire without hesitation.
Therefore, I had no intention of revealing everything about the child to him—not unless it became absolutely necessary.
“Still, before you go, at least show your face to the Young Lady.”
“I’ll consider it.”
“You’re always so difficult. By the way, I heard the Young Lady isn’t even enrolling in the Academy next year… is that true?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
I picked up my wine glass and answered casually.
It was a decision I had made after consulting with Rubian.
Given the state of mana in the Capital and the instability of neighboring nations, it was better for Rubian to remain in the Northern Region.
Of course, only for now.
‘I have no intention of keeping Rubian locked away.’
Rosetta had agreed to this as well.
It was only natural.
Instead, I would ensure that Rubian could be safe anywhere.
Creating that stage for her was my responsibility from this moment forward.
I finished the remaining wine in my glass and rose to my feet.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Unless there’s anything else to discuss, I should be going. My daughter is waiting for me at home with bated breath.”
“Ha! That’s exactly why! Bring the Young Lady when you come to the Imperial Palace! You take her everywhere else, but you always come here alone—why is that?”
I ignored him cleanly and turned to leave.
The Emperor smiled brightly and scribbled something frantically on a document.
“Fine then. Next year’s New Leaf Festival will be held entirely in Zelocks…”
Click.
The Imperial Palace door closed.
* * *
A few days later.
“Rubian!”
I flinched at the familiar voice while taking a stroll through the Townhouse garden.
“Oh no. Hide.”
“Don’t you dare run! Were you really not hurt? But why didn’t you come out of your room! You scared me half to death!”
Void came rushing over, stirring up a breeze as he hovered around me anxiously.
“I’ve just been busy….”
“Busy with what, exactly!”
“It’s my private life!”
At my sharp retort, Void staggered backward with a look of shock.
“…My little brother is going through puberty?”
I hadn’t even hit puberty myself, and now it was happening to me?
I let out a huff and bolted straight through the middle of the Garden.
In truth, while I rested, I attended to various matters and monitored the aftermath of the Academy incident.
“Let’s keep your identity secret from Liam and Void for now. Once we’re certain about the Mage Kingdom’s movements, we can tell them together.”
“Mm….”
“It’s not deception, so don’t feel guilty about it.”
The Mage Kingdom remained suspiciously silent.
‘Probably…. The Mage King must have suffered a fatal wound.’
The moment Father cut down Second, I manipulated my mana to destroy her mana core.
Thus, the Mage King’s mana that had pooled in that body completely evaporated along with Second’s mana.
‘To be honest…. That’s the most certain way to break free from the mark.’
Destroying a mage’s mana core.
‘But there’s no way to know how much her lifespan would be shortened.’
In the worst case, she could drop dead a minute later.
In any case….
‘With the Mage King in that state and even Babylon turning its back, there’s no telling when or how things will explode.’
I swallowed a short sigh and ran along the Walking Path. Cosmos flowers in full bloom swayed gently in the breeze.
“Rubian! Come with us…. Oh, Liam! Over here!”
Void waved his hands excitedly.
A tall boy was approaching from beyond the Lobby, his expression grave. In other words… the opposite.
“…To actually see Iglious. Iglious is….”
“Are you sure you’re okay, Liam?”

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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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