The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 247

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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 247
Dawn broke across the land.
As brilliant sunlight illuminated the earth, the traces of last night’s fierce battle came into view.
Perhaps because we’d fought the golem legion.
There wasn’t an abundance of blood, so the devastation felt less gruesome than it might have been….
‘Wow. The terrain has completely changed.’
Seeing hills that hadn’t existed before suddenly rise up, and the ground gouged as deeply as if some beast had clawed through it.
‘Whatever happened, something absolutely extraordinary definitely occurred here….’
The Senior Mages scattered across the battlefield were carried away by Father’s Adjutant and his men.
Most were already dead, but those few who survived apparently decided there was no hope and took their own lives. Cowardly, really.
“Ogu ogu. Ogu ogu. Yes, yes. We’re repairing the portal and protecting everyone.”
And I had only just managed to escape from the massive embrace of someone who’d been kneading my cheeks since earlier.
“Grandfather, say ‘ahhh’ for me.”
“Ah!”
“That’s strange. Your tongue seems perfectly fine.”
Why did your pronunciation suddenly become so clipped?
Grandfather laughed heartily and patted the top of my head repeatedly—I’d rolled my hair into a bun because it kept falling down and was getting annoying.
“My little dumpling!”
I burst out laughing!
“Hehe. Well, since you came in first place, I’ll forgive you.”
“Hahahaha!”
Grandfather charged through like a bull the moment the portal connected.
Apparently, except for when he went to press the Emperor, he rushed through the empty gate without pause.
“Hehe. Our Grandfather who times it perfectly with his body—the best!”
“Kahahaha! Say it louder, louder!”
“The best!”
“…Isn’t it usually ‘best’ that gets said louder in situations like this?”
“Oops.”
“Well, never mind!”
Either way, pleased with something, Grandfather spun me around in circles.
Just then, I spotted two brothers bickering as they approached from a distance.
“Void, open your mouth.”
“Ugh! What are you doing!”
Liam shoved some mysterious potion into Void’s mouth.
“Who told you to charge in with demon blood splattered on your face like some show-off? Do you think someone’s going to applaud you for that? It’s all an illusion. If you had a wound inside your mouth, you’d only be hurting yourself. Just drink the antidote already.”
“Ugh.”
“Listen. Your brother’s going to say this properly now. Stop showing off by wearing thin clothes in winter. And limit walking around with your hands in your pants pockets on icy roads to once every four days. I’m telling you again, Void. You’ll die from vanity.”
“I get it, so please keep your voice down….”
Void buried his face in both hands, his ears flushed crimson.
‘Phew, thank goodness. Both of them are safe.’
I slipped out of Grandfather’s embrace and quickly waved my hand.
“Brothers!”
“Fairy.”
Liam rushed toward me but stopped short. He sprayed disinfectant all over himself, stripped off his blood-soaked outer garments, and only then pulled me into his arms, exhaling the breath he’d been holding.
“Next time, I’ll definitely bring you a head.”
He spoke as though swearing an oath.
“…I’m not sure if you mean a beast’s head or a human’s head.”
“Either way.”
“Ugh, I hate both.”
I listened carefully as my brothers recounted what had happened.
At the same time, Mother and Father, who had been organizing the situation with the surrounding knights, approached us. Father looked slightly startled at the blood caked all over Liam’s clothes.
“Liam, you… that blood.”
“My goodness.”
Mother covered her mouth.
Well.
The bookworm Liam facing a Mage and a beast alone was certainly a cause for parental concern…
“You didn’t get lost wandering through the Cedar Forest by yourself?”
“The boy has grown.”
Clap, clap, clap.
No, that wasn’t it.
* * *
Kalid thought his throat was parched.
‘Ah, I must have expended quite a bit of mana.’
I had moved excessively to ensure Rubian wouldn’t face even the slightest danger.
When my vision blurred slightly, I shook my head and it cleared again.
“…”
I lifted my head and searched for Rubian.
She was surrounded by her family. As always, in a place I would need to make some effort to reach.
Kalid wiped the blood from his sword and brushed the dirt from his clothes and shoes. Just as I was about to approach Rubian in the cleanest state possible.
“Stop.”
Someone gripped my shoulder. It was Licht.
“You… are you alright?”
The eyes I thought could only smile were slightly creased. Kalid examined his own appearance using Licht’s jade-green irises as a mirror.
“This isn’t my blood, Imperial Prince.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
Licht stared at the dried blood on Kalid’s clothes and spoke.
“Your condition is a bit…”
“…?”
“Your shadow is a bit…”
“What do you mean.”
“I think I’ve felt it before? Like when I was young in Ipson…. Suddenly….”
It was incomprehensible.
“Is it a misunderstanding….”
Is he trying to stop me from reaching Rubian? If so, I can’t simply obey.
Kalid brushed Licht’s hand away lightly.
And as I turned without hesitation, the Temple landscape unfolding behind the Imperial Prince came into view.
“….”
More precisely, the sight of the Goddess statue being brutally shattered and moved by human hands.
“Kalid?”
An indescribable emotion swept through me.
I despise you.
The voice I thought had quieted filled my mind.
The thirst tormenting me grew fiercer, and my breathing became ragged.
In my blurred vision, I saw Rubian’s silver hair.
You want to protect that woman?
‘Shut up.’
You have the strength to protect her.
‘I said shut up.’
If I fully awaken my power, everything will become easier. You know this too, don’t you.
This bastard….
Kalid gritted my teeth. Licht seemed to say something, but my ears felt as though water had filled them, leaving only a dull numbness.
Yield your place to me. Merge with me once more. Then, like in those old days, I’ll save you one more time….
‘Ah, you really….’
Talk too damn much.
Kalid realized my patience was reaching its limit.
Most frustrating of all was that as the mysterious power and voice grew stronger, my consciousness seemed to flicker and dim.
This is the worst.
‘I have to do something.’
I tapped my head and, struck by a sudden thought, reached into my pocket.
I felt the familiar touch of metal.
What should I do.
“Kalid, Licht? Come here!”
At that moment, Rubian, who had been conversing with family in the distance, spotted us and gestured.
In that instant.
The moment our eyes met.
‘Ah.’
I suddenly understood what I had to do.
Leviathan taught me that one must first know who their enemy is before they can defeat them.
At the same time, Rosetta showed me the resolve needed to vanquish an enemy. Through that most ancient Zebert family motto.
“Blood for blood.”
A saying that you repay what you’ve received.
‘Good.’
Kalid’s fist clenched with force.
Let’s see who wins.
* * *
The portal continuously disgorged Babylon soldiers and Zebert Knight Order members. Before long, our numbers had grown to rival the golem legion.
While they organized their formations, we positioned ourselves in a suitable location and quickly discussed our next strategy.
“If First really fled to the Royal Palace as my brothers said, he would have sealed all portals leading to the Royal Capital first.”
“Hmm, it seems better to strike before the Mage King grows any stronger… but is teleportation magic difficult to use?”
Mother asked after tidying my hair, and Idelaine, who was listening, shook her head.
“It’s difficult to transport all these people. Besides, if they’ve sealed the portals, they would have blocked teleportation magic within the Royal Palace as well.”
Just as I was thinking we’d have no choice but to use horses and acceleration magical artifacts, a large shadow fell beside me.
“If mana is the issue, what if we use my mana to transport everyone to at least near the Royal Capital?”
I tilted my head slightly and looked up at Kalid’s composed face.
“I think about 100 people would be possible.”
“Hmm. 100 people.”
Father stroked his chin while examining the map Grandfather had brought.
As promised, it was created by Senia and the children. The map displayed every shortcut and Royal Palace passage she knew, and Idelaine, observing from the side, supplemented the missing parts.
I seized the moment to whisper to Kalid.
“Kalid, are you hurt anywhere?”
“No.”
A brief reply.
‘…Huh.’
I thought he would ask me back with “What about you?”
At that very moment, Kalid tilted his head slightly toward me.
“Are you alright?”
‘Ah, so he is asking.’
I felt oddly embarrassed and nodded while touching the back of my neck.
“Yeah. As you can see.”
“Good.”
Watching Kalid’s sharp jawline as he gazed forward again, I blinked slowly.
‘What is this. Why does it feel a bit unfamiliar…’

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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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