The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 18

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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 18
“Ack!”
“That’s why I keep saying—why does this brat keep popping out of nowhere while I’m eating?!”
The man shot to his feet with genuine exasperation etched across his face.
Wait, how is it possible for a door that thick to be pierced like tissue paper?
It had been an enormously heavy door!
“Where is he?!”
A voice like a beast’s roar.
‘An enraged lion!’
Through the shattered door emerged an elderly man with snow-white hair. Eyes gleaming with an icy blue light. A massive mouth gaping wide open.
A predator had arrived!
‘Zebert Grandfather!’
An enormous frame. Towering height. Tough, thick skin and white hair swept back carelessly. Standing before him felt like facing a mountain itself—the sheer pressure was overwhelming.
‘Wait, he wasn’t supposed to be recovering from illness?!’
What kind of patient carries himself with such commanding presence?
“Bring the new brat here!”
“He is directly before you.”
“….”
Zebert Grandfather’s gaze swept the room before he lowered his head sharply to look down.
In those violet eyes, I—pressed tightly against the man’s side—came into view.
Wow, that stare. It’s genuinely terrifying.
If Leviathan had the impression of a finely honed blade, Zebert Grandfather felt like a massive, heavy axe.
Either way, both of them were weapons of some kind….
“….”
“…Um, hello there?”
I greeted him cautiously.
Zebert Grandfather’s gaze narrowed slightly.
His eyes twitched. His lips slowly parted.
“What is this tiny speck of a thing…?”
“I’m not a speck….”
“A talking speck, then!”
“My name is Rubian. But did you just punch through the door?”
I couldn’t help but ask. Wisps of steam were rising from his fist.
So that thunderous sound from earlier was him destroying the front entrance on the first floor?
“Hmm.”
In that instant, Zebert Grandfather crouched down to meet my eyes. After studying me intently for a long moment, he reached his hand backward.
“Bring it!”
“Right away, sir.”
A thin, lanky man came rushing in late. He appeared to be Zebert Grandfather’s butler. In his hands was a large platter.
“Perhaps a bit more gently….”
“Come here!”
The measuring board was covered in height markings I couldn’t decipher.
Grandfather snatched it up and pressed it against my side.
“What are you doing?”
“Hmm, barely exceeding the height of a low-rank magical beast.”
Did he just measure the child’s height by magical beast standards?
I stood there in utter disbelief, unable to move.
Just as I was about to protest, Grandfather crossed his arms sharply and bellowed.
“Rejected!”
“I’m sorry?”
“You runt, get back to the Capital at once!”
“How dare you, Father, without asking anyone—”
Unable to stand it any longer, Uncle Leviathan stepped forward. But then the barrage turned toward him.
“You heartless wretch. I knew you were cold and unfeeling, but I never imagined your character was this broken!”
Grandfather shot to his feet and pointed an accusing finger at his son.
“How could such a tiny runt ever wield a sword?”
“I… I can fight too—”
“I asked you to bring capable knights or soldiers, not a child! Have you forgotten there’s a magical beast subjugation coming soon?”
His voice rang out sharply, cutting through the air.
Without thinking, I grasped the edge of Uncle’s sleeve.
“Please lower your voice. You’re frightening me.”
As if by magic, Grandfather’s movements froze momentarily.
Of course, his lips continued moving ceaselessly.
“…, …”
“And please don’t mumble incoherently.”
…He really was an eccentric grandfather.
“In any case, this won’t do!”
His stern gaze fixed back on me. Receiving that stubborn stare, dread washed over me.
‘Am I about to be cast out?’
My worst fear was materializing.
Honestly, the original story didn’t give him much weight, so I’d been careless… and now I’d stumbled into an unexpected obstacle!
‘Both the eldest and second son accepted me without much resistance, so I thought he would too!’
I’d been far too optimistic!
“No amount of staring will change my mind! You look like you’d crumple with one good knock!”
Uncle, shielding me behind him, spoke in an ominous tone.
“Rubian’s future is not for you to decide, Father. Nor is the matter of the Knight Order.”
“How presumptuous!”
“Moreover, ‘capable knights or soldiers’?”
A cold laugh followed.
“I cannot forgive you for treating that child with such contempt, no matter that you are my father.”
“When did I ever treat that fluffy thing like a soldier? I told you to bring me someone actually useful!”
“It’s merely the end of the war, sir. Unless they’re obsessed with fighting, who would volunteer to come to the Northern Region?”
“So you just drag back some doll-like child?”
“That’s why Rubian….”
“Rubian? Even the name sounds just like her!”
“…Are you fond of her, or do you dislike her, sir?”
Half-panicked, I could barely hear their conversation. My attention was fixed entirely on how the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
“Please don’t fight!”
I mustered my courage and stepped between them. I lifted my head to look up at Zebert Grandfather’s face towering above me.
“Please don’t send me away…. I have nowhere to go.”
Well, I do have somewhere, but I don’t want to go! I don’t want to die!
“You….”
“If my size is a problem, I’ll eat well and grow tall. I won’t get dented no matter what I bump into. Actually, I’m not that weak. You’d be surprised if you saw me in action….”
Just then, my vision shot upward.
“Tsk, why are you scaring the child for no reason? How irritating.”
It was the man who had lifted me into his arms, blocking Zebert Grandfather from view. He stroked my back while clicking his tongue in disapproval.
“Speaking to your father like that.”
Zebert Grandfather tried to kick the man’s shin. Of course, the hero wasn’t about to take it lying down.
“I heard you were ill for several days. Your strength doesn’t seem to be what it once was.”
“What? Who spread rumors that I was sick!”
“Morris, it seems Grandfather should recuperate further at the Northern Annex. Take him there.”
“You brat, are you ignoring your father?”
I carefully turned my head to look.
It was a thin, lanky butler stopping the chaotic father and son.
“Ha ha…. I understand, so both of you, please calm down. The castle will collapse.”
Morris, the butler called by that name, wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. He was drenched in cold sweat.
It seems like the one who needs recuperation is that butler….
‘No, this isn’t the time for that!’
I made my decision.
Regardless, the current head of the Duchy was this man, Leviathan. So he was the only one I could cling to.
“I’ll send you back soon….”
“I don’t want to!”
Kwaaak. I threw my arms tightly around the man’s neck. His solid frame stiffened in surprise.
“No matter what Grandfather says, I’m staying here!”
I shouted with my eyes squeezed shut.
All or nothing!
“I’m going to live here! I don’t want to be separated from you!”
“….”
Silence filled the surroundings.
From the body I held, I felt a faint vibration.
When I cautiously opened my eyes, the old man’s lips were twitching wildly.
“Hmm.”
Meanwhile, Grandfather tilted his head with an oddly refreshed expression.
“…My boy.”
“Yes.”
“You have a booger on you.”
A heavy hand pressed firmly against the back of my head.
“I know.”
“What a mischievous little booger.”
“That’s not a booger…”
Since I’d already committed to protesting, I saw it through to the end, but my words were simply brushed aside.
* * *
‘Wow. What is this?’
I awkwardly rolled only my eyes around.
An uninvited guest had crashed into what had been a pleasant and cozy snack time.
“You.”
Grandfather, who had planted himself firmly on one end of the sofa, gestured to me.
“Yes.”
I sat across from him and straightened my posture.
“Do you really want to stay here that badly?”
“Yes…”
“Then show me your abilities.”
“My abilities?”
“That’s right. Stamina, brute strength, anything! To become a strong man of the Northern Region, you must prove your power.”
Grandfather spoke while sprawled out like a beast that had finished feasting.
“Tell me what abilities you have!”
Abilities? Of course that would be…
‘Mana!’
I barely managed to hold back that answer.
“I have mental fortitude!”
From somewhere, I thought I heard a stifled laugh.
“Hmm. Mental fortitude, you say.”
Grandfather stroked his bristly chin thoughtfully with a serious expression.
“That’s necessary too. Very well. Then immediately!”
Gulp. For some reason, I tensed.
“Finish your snack.”
“…Pardon?”
“Do you think I’m such a heartless old man?”
It seemed Grandfather had only just noticed the snack table.
He rapped his knuckles against it with a fist that had veins bulging prominently. Tap, tap!
“Finish eating!”
Bang!
“Once you’re done!”
Bang!
“Then I’ll test you and throw you out!”
Ah, so you’re going to throw me out after all!

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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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