The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 167

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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 167
Leviathan fell silent for a moment, then let out a small cough.
“W-well, if you listen carefully, it’s actually rather cute.”
“…There’s no need to explain yourself to me.”
“…Don’t say that. You’ll make me sulk.”
“…Yes.”
Now I was genuinely curious about what she was doing to produce such a sound.
I stepped into the corridor and glanced out the window, and an involuntary laugh escaped me.
“Hahahaha!”
There on the snowy hill behind the Duke’s Mansion, Rubian was gleefully sledding down the slope.
On a fertilizer sack, no less.
“…Isn’t she supposed to be a noblewoman?”
“Ahem. Ahem.”
This time Adolf cleared his throat profusely.
“So that’s why she rushed out so excitedly….”
My forehead throbbed involuntarily.
“Well, at least it’s pleasant to watch.”
As always, Void, Kalid, and Liam were nearby. It seemed she had somehow coaxed the three of them away from their morning duties.
‘No wonder she had that sparkle in her eyes ever since the snow started falling….’
What was I thinking?
Just because she’s grown, she’s going on business trips now?
Of course, I knew that Rubian possessed tremendous magical power as a mage.
But that had nothing to do with this. Rubian was young, and therefore vulnerable. That was all.
‘All I can do as a father is search for tombstones.’
The mark of the Kingdom etched upon my child’s body.
Whenever I thought of it, it felt like swallowing thousands of needles. Even more so when I realized I couldn’t remove it with my own hands.
Rubian always wore an apologetic expression, thinking that Leviathan was doing her work in her stead.
But honestly, I was the one who should apologize.
For being such an incompetent father.
“By the way, Your Excellency…. A letter has arrived from the Imperial Court.”
Adolf spoke softly to me, lost in thought.
“What is it?”
“It concerns the Mage Kingdom. The reconnaissance fleet they sent this time also failed to discover the island, it seems.”
“….”
It was not surprising, as it was what I had expected.
An island rising from the middle of the sea.
Arcadia, the Kingdom of Mages.
It had already been a year since the Mage Kingdom, now an enemy of Babylon, had completely vanished from this world.
No matter how far one followed the sea routes, the island never appeared. Neither messenger birds nor exploration magical artifacts worked, and the portal gateway leading to the Kingdom had long since ceased to function.
It was, quite literally, a perfect disappearance.
“According to Second’s account, Marlon apparently activated all the barriers protecting the Kingdom in a single transaction. But if he’s hidden even the island from view, it sounds like he’ll be in seclusion for quite some time. Apparently, once it’s activated, it won’t deactivate unless a certain period passes.”
I recalled Rubian’s murmuring voice.
After that, the child added, “I’m sorry, I don’t think I’m strong enough to break the barrier yet,” which was utterly absurd.
Wherever the Mage King is, I will find him and sever his neck.
No matter where that place may be.
Even if he’s rotting in hell, I’ll drag him out and kill him twice over.
In any case, a prolonged game of cat and mouse with the Mage Kingdom had begun.
‘The Emperor is tracking him together with the Allied Kingdom, so results should come soon.’
So in conclusion, until new information arrives, I can spend some time in peaceful daily life with the children.
“Was that all the letter from His Majesty contained?”
“Ah, there was one more thing….”
Adolf’s gaze naturally drifted beyond the window.
“There was a brief note saying he hopes we’ll soon decide on a successor to the Zebert Duchy.”
Leviathan burst out laughing.
“I shouldn’t have asked. Ignore that.”
“But….”
“That’s enough. Ignore it.”
I understood why the Emperor said such things.
Other noble families had long since established their successors, involving twelve or thirteen-year-old children in family affairs from an early age.
‘But still.’
It was strangely unappealing.
I knew it would be necessary someday, but not now. Not yet.
“Hahahaha! First place!”
“Rubian! Help me! I’m turning into a snowman!”
“Big brother, I really can’t ride a sled. But where did Liam go? Don’t tell me he got lost while sledding…?”
“I don’t know!”
“Wow, Kalid is really fast! You’re having fun, aren’t you! You said you wouldn’t ride, but now you’re enjoying it a little!”
“I’m riding out of necessity. It’s not that fun.”
“You’ve ridden it so many times!”
“…Seventeen times?”
For now, I simply hoped this cheerful commotion would last a little longer.
“After all, children are best when they’re running around without a care in the world.”
It was a brief childhood that would soon pass anyway. What did it matter if they were a bit carefree?
“Turn up the fireplace temperature. When they come back, I’ll need to dry them out in front of it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Leviathan shook his head and turned away.
* * *
They had burned themselves out completely….
“Huff, puff. The sledding workout was incredible….”
“Get up. You’ll catch a cold.”
A pale hand suddenly appeared in my field of vision as I lay sprawled on the snowy ground.
“….”
I grasped that hand and pulled myself up, staring intently at the figure before me.
“…? Why are you glaring at me like that?”
Kalid averted his gaze and scratched the tip of his eyebrow slightly.
“I don’t think I did anything wrong….”
“You, just stay right there.”
“…?”
As I stepped closer, the young boy in his training clothes tensed as if holding his breath.
My own heart also… grew cold and rigid.
“…How much milk do you drink a day?”
“Two glasses a day?”
“I drink three glasses!”
Why on earth!
“…Uh, you’re doing well…?”
Why can’t I catch up!
‘Damn it, my nostrils were at maximum capacity!’
My height had been growing steadily, and I thought our eye levels were finally matching.
But Kalid had grown over the past year as if sprinting, mocking my efforts.
‘Can height really grow this fast? Did he stuff his feet with cotton?’
“What is it? Why are you two talking alone?”
Just then, Void interjected into our conversation with a displeased tone, placing his hand on my head.
“If you bully my little brother, you’re dead!”
“Who’s bullying whom, really….”
Kalid muttered that he was the one being bullied, patting the fertilizer sack.
“Hey, please don’t poke my dumplings. They’ll burst.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to.”
His hand withdrew in surprise.
How frustrating… Now even Void was casually placing his hand on my head….
“So, have you decided on a birthday gift, Rubian?”
Void asked while tying my scarf tightly.
True to a Northern Region child, my nose and ear tips were all red from enthusiastically enjoying sledding.
I sniffled and spoke.
“Well, I’m not sure. There’s nothing I particularly want.”
“That’s exactly why this one-gift-per-person system is so harsh!”
“It prevents waste!”
“Do you know Grandfather cries out in agony every night worrying about it?”
“Ah, so that wasn’t a wild animal’s cry….”
I thought a beast had gotten into the Annex….
“And, as you know, I’ve come into some modest wealth. So I can buy whatever I need myself.”
Heh.
As I twisted my lips into a grin, Void’s face registered pure shock.
“Y-you’re the Mana Stone Shop owner….”
That’s right.
The moment the pale purple mana stones became a sensation across the entire Empire….
‘And with the Mage Kingdom becoming our enemy, the mana stone supply for magical tools that had been cut off….’
It all fell into our shop’s hands!
So, everyone.
I became rich at twelve years old….
It was not long after Arcadia vanished, having erected barriers in every conceivable direction. They issued a recall order to all Hub Mages across the Continent.
I naturally rushed to Asha.
“Asha! What are you going to do? The Mage Kingdom summoned all the Hub Mages!”
“It’s fine! I’ll become a rogue mage!”
“Huh?”
“What?”
Asha made such a crucial choice as casually as always. Whether it was courage or recklessness, I couldn’t tell.

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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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