The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 169

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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 169
Void was equally shocked.
‘He’s been chasing after her all this time?’
Back when the Academy had been half-destroyed in that incident.
Rubian had been in grave danger.
Remembering it belatedly made my head spin. Hadn’t I nearly stood by and watched my precious younger sister get hurt without knowing anything?
Of course, Leviathan had told me not to worry. He said all the threats against Rubian would be eliminated by the adults, so I should continue as I had been.
The brother nodded at Father’s words.
It had to be true—coming from such a large and powerful father.
So for now, I nodded.
“Hmm, let’s see. There are so many circles and circles and circles.”
“Liam, are you actually interested in this?”
Honestly, I wasn’t interested at all. I wanted to read the magical beast book instead.
I just wanted to look at it together because it was Rubian’s language.
“What’s this? Is this writing too?”
“That’s a stain…! Why are you suddenly interested in magic and stuff!”
As I rubbed her round head, Rubian pouted irritably and buried her face in the cushion.
“Really… so annoying…”
Her pale cheeks were pressed firmly against it. She pursed her lips like a bird and muttered ceaselessly, and from her half-closed eyes, it seemed like meaningless words.
Honestly, I didn’t know what I could do for Rubian right now.
It hadn’t been long since I’d become aware of the existence of the ‘enemy’ I had to face, and above all, the enemy’s whereabouts were currently unknown.
But whatever happened…
‘Anyone who touches our fairy dies.’
‘Anyone who bothers my sister will have to die!’
The two of them made a firm resolve with calm faces. They finally had a reason to grow stronger.
“Come on, Rubian. Teach me from the beginning again. This is writing…”
Void, snapping out of his thoughts, pointed at the paper with his hand but suddenly clamped his mouth shut. Someone had made a soft shushing sound.
“She’s asleep.”
It was Kalid, who had been silent all along.
Looking down, I could see Rubian’s face, now peacefully asleep.
She must have played energetically, drunk something warm, and the environment was perfect for drowsiness.
“Oh, right.”
Void quietly moved his body and searched for a blanket. Liam took the opportunity to pick up the book he’d been reading.
…
Kalid, who had been staring at the sleeping face, unconsciously reached toward the disheveled hair on Rubian’s cheek.
Of course, he didn’t even manage to touch it.
“Huh? Hey, Kalid! You there, don’t touch. Don’t move her hair!”
The young nobles rushed over, eyes widening.
“Void, tie his hands. You have the capture rope, right?”
“Huh? No? Why would I have something like that?”
“…I understand, so please be quiet.”
The young boy lowered his voice and made the suggestion with a serious expression.
“…Then let’s sweep all the hair back together. Divide it into three sections.”
“Hmm. Good.”
Soft, soft.
Winter accumulated.
* * *
That summer.
Father suddenly convened a family meeting.
‘What’s this about.’
Was it something serious?
But when I arrived, I saw Grandfather yawning widely and Mother smiling brightly.
Of course, my older brothers were there too.
Father, seated at the head of the table, finally opened his mouth.
“I’ve been suffering from malicious letters lately.”
My eyes widened.
“What! How dare someone target my father! I’ll punish them with magic!”
“From the Emperor.”
“….”
Well, you should have mentioned that first.
I quickly sat back down obediently.
“Go ahead and punish him, Rubian.”
Father spoke slowly, resting his chin on the armrest of his chair. I chuckled and flicked my finger once through the air.
“Done. Just punished him.”
“You just disrespected your father by saying he’s not a mage.”
Bonk—a light flick on the head, right on cue.
“Ow…. So what’s this about, Father?”
When I asked the main point, Father straightened up and slid a letter across the table.
A golden letter that gleamed brilliantly.
It really was from the Emperor.
“Well, it’s nothing major.”
“But it’s from the Imperial Court—how could it be nothing…?”
Despite my murmur, Father remained slouched and spoke without much enthusiasm.
“I’m just asking just in case.”
“Mm.”
“Among you all…. Is there anyone who wants to be the successor?”
“…What?”
It was quite something!
“You can cancel it later if you change your mind, so just say something.”
It was utterly absurd.
“What kind of noble house decides on a successor in such a manner….”
“What does it matter? It’s my house.”
Fair point.
It was a surprisingly convincing argument.
Grandfather turned to Pax, asking if that was indeed why he’d summoned us. Mother simply sat there with a composed expression, sipping her tea….
Truly, I’d never witnessed a successor selection conducted with such a lack of tension.
‘Come to think of it…. A succession dispute in this household?’
A fight over the pudding served at dinner would likely be more intense.
Moreover, judging by the atmosphere, I suspected Father had been forced to summon us due to the Emperor’s persistent urging.
“Since we’re on the subject, Rubian, would you like to do it? There’s even a sword prepared for the successor anyway.”
Ugh, why is the spotlight turning toward me?
“I’m not particularly fond of that position….”
Standing out is the last thing I want!
Father said “Hmm, I suppose that’s true” and shifted his gaze to the young man seated beside me.
“Then, Liam. You do it. You’re the eldest son.”
Crash.
Liam, who had planned to dedicate his soul to the University Research Department, wore an expression as though the world had crumbled.
“I will run away from home in exactly one week.”
I need to pack my books and Rubian.
Father swallowed another short sigh.
“Void, what about you? Since Zebert is a knight family, it would be best if you took the position—you have the finest swordsmanship.”
“Huh…? I’m going to be a writer when I grow up?”
At his innocent response, Father’s expression turned incredulous.
“When did your future aspirations change again?”
“Right, last time you said you’d become an adventurer!”
“Rubian, you said I write well!”
Though what he meant was that I wrote my diary well….
Void’s future aspirations changed once a month. Unfortunately, among them, “head of the Zebert Family” had yet to appear.
“Sigh…. What to do.”
Father pulled the golden letter back toward him and released a heavy sigh.
‘What should I do? Is this strange? I have three children, and none of them will succeed me….’
I observed Father with a slightly worried expression.
“There’s no helping it.”
Father’s pen moved without hesitation as he wrote his reply.
“This year as well, my successor is me.”
Successor of the Zebert Duchy:
Leviathan
“Huh.”
What. Is this even allowed?
Isn’t this like saying director Leviathan, starring Leviathan, production support Leviathan?
I glanced around, gauging the atmosphere, when Liam nodded with an expression of deep emotion and began to applaud.
“Of course. In this world, only Father is worthy of being the Zebert Duke.”
“I rarely agree with my brother, but I do on this.”
At that, Grandfather burst into laughter he could no longer contain.
“Hahahaha! Even as a ghost, keep being a Duke, my son!”
“Father. I don’t want a ghost bride.”
“Is that so?”
Well… that’s not so bad, I suppose.
“Father, stay strong!”
Void rushed over and began massaging Father’s right shoulder.
I quickly approached and took charge of the head of household’s other shoulder.
“Father… may you live long and well…!”
Thus, the master of the Zebert Duchy was destined to be Leviathan for a very long time to come.
* * *
‘This is truly absurd…’
Though it was fitting for our household, it was certainly fitting.
‘The Emperor will surely clutch his head in frustration again.’
The Emperor’s intentions were transparent.
Lately, throughout the Continent, particularly in the Southern Region, the appearances of demonic beasts had become unusually frequent.
‘Father has been going out to fight more and more, so His Majesty must be growing anxious anew.’
Worried that with the position of next head of the Zebert Duchy left vacant, Father might suddenly die or suffer grave injury.
Even if he were the strongest in the entire Continent.
‘And it’s convenient for him to use Father as the “Young Duke” whenever Father’s position is vacant…’
Father, knowing this, would probably continue to postpone indefinitely.
‘Still, did I go too far?’
Suddenly, regret washed over me.
After all, having received the name “Zebert,” I couldn’t simply live doing only as I pleased.
‘What if this causes Father trouble?’
My older brothers seemed to have clear reasons for their refusal. As for me…
“Hmm.”
I pondered briefly, then quickly headed to my room. There, I took out a small piece of stationery and wrote a letter.
“Huh?”
Leviathan stopped in his tracks as he was heading toward the Bedroom.
Whoosh.
It seemed as though something round had quickly disappeared around the corner.
“…Rubian?”
That fluffy thing was Rubian.
What could it be?
With a puzzled heart, as I tried to enter the Bedroom, I suddenly noticed a pink piece of stationery wedged in the gap of the door.
“…”
Father, hello. It’s me.
What scheme is this now.
His brow furrowed as he read the words, but soon laughter bubbled from his lips—soft chuckles of amusement.
“How adorable….”
The message was simple.

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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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