The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 25

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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 25
“Grandfather?”
I hadn’t noticed when he’d arrived, but Old Master was standing behind me.
His eyes blazed with fury.
“That damned brat Leviathan….”
All of a sudden?
“Rubian, hasn’t the General been giving you pocket money?”
Even Leon knelt on one knee and pressed the question.
What on earth are they talking about?
I didn’t realize my sigh had escaped my lips as I stared at the two frenzied men with bewilderment.
“What do you want! Huh?!”
“Yes?”
“Why are your ears drooping like that if there’s nothing you want! Speak up this instant!”
Old Master pounded his chest and roared.
S-something I want?
“Tell me quickly, Rubian. That’s an order from your senior.”
Why is Leon acting like this too?
That’s when the shop door creaked open and a familiar face stepped inside.
“Could you lower your voices? Your noise is echoing all the way outside. It’s embarrassing.”
“Uncle!”
I rushed toward him with delight.
Leviathan placed his hand gently on my head.
He’d returned from the Knight Order, and dressed in his light armor, he looked as impressive as ever.
“I was nearby, so I thought I’d stop by. What trouble have you gotten into this time?”
“I didn’t cause any trouble!”
Really. Not yet!
As I grinned widely, Uncle’s eyes narrowed.
“General, you’ve arrived.”
Leon greeted him through gritted teeth.
For some reason, it sounded like he was saying something completely different….
“…? Your expression seems rather disrespectful, Leon.”
“A misunderstanding, sir.”
Uncle tilted his head in confusion.
In that instant, a fist like a lump of iron flew at him. Uncle naturally dodged it with ease.
“You brat!”
“Why are you doing this again, sir?”
“You haven’t given the girl a single coin of pocket money! What have you been doing?!”
Silence fell over everyone.
“…Pardon?”
His response came a beat late, like a broken doll.
“This child wants something so badly but doesn’t have the money to buy it—she’s been stomping her feet about it nonstop!”
Thump, thump. It was Grandfather who was doing the stomping.
“No, I, well, that’s not… that’s not it…”
Though it’s true I do want something!
But how on earth did he figure it out?!
“Ah, my blood pressure…”
Grandfather clutched the back of his neck and staggered.
“Really?”
The man suddenly lowered himself to look directly at me.
“You wanted something?”
His expression seemed almost delighted. I felt a bit embarrassed and hesitated, shuffling my feet.
“I do want something, but it’s not like I desperately need it right this very moment, you see…”
“Tell me. What is it.”
“Um…”
“Rubian.”
At his urging tone, I had no choice but to raise my finger.
Six pairs of eyes in the room followed the tip of my finger with unwavering attention.
“This one, right here…”
A shelf I shyly pointed to.
“-to over there?”
My finger traced a long arc across the shelf.
I thought it would be nice if I could have all of them since I’m getting some anyway…
“…”
The man fell silent for a moment.
Was that too much?
“Actually, just this one…”
“Fetch the owner.”
In that instant, the man sprang to his feet.
Yes! Leon moved with lightning speed. Grandfather was scratching his chest again, muttering about how it itched.
Soon the owner, who had gone to get a drink, came rushing back in. The man turned to him and said,
“I’m buying this shop. Name your price.”
“Y-y-your Excellency?”
“I have no interest in purchasing cheap goods. Name a high price.”
He said… What?
* * *
I walked in as a customer and walked out as the owner of the shop…
“…”
Rustle. I stared blankly at the paper tucked into my bag.
The deed to the shop, now firmly in my hands.
“Would it really be enough if I just send one box of purple magic stones to the Castle?”
“Y-yes.”
The Merchant asked me a question. I answered somewhat dazedly.
Before I knew it, I had become the Shop owner, and with that came the right to dispose of the magic stones however I pleased. There was nothing Uncle could do about it….
“I didn’t know you liked stone ornaments.”
“Ah, haha…. They’re just so pretty….”
‘I would have been satisfied with just the purple magic stone!’
Of course, I wouldn’t have minded having green ones too, or red ones, and if I was going to have them anyway, a blue magic stone would be nice as well.
‘Sigh, there’s no helping it.’
After all, it’s only proper not to refuse a gift.
I signed the documents, truly with no other choice.
Since I had no intention of touching the other magic stones anyway, I asked him to send only a small amount of the purple magic stone that had been stored in the warehouse.
“What a small amount!”
Grandfather clicked his tongue disapprovingly from beside me.
Uncle was in the middle of giving the Shop owner various instructions.
When sending the magic stones to the Castle, he insisted on selecting only those without any toxic properties mixed in, and paying careful attention to the packaging so the child could open it easily….
Growing a bit tired of it all, I stepped outside, leaving Uncle and Leon behind.
“Is there anywhere else you’d like to visit?”
Grandfather followed me out and asked.
“Well, actually….”
That was when it happened.
“Hehehehe! Grandfather! It tickles!”
Along with innocent laughter, a small cart came rolling toward us.
Sitting side by side on the cart were what appeared to be a kindly Merchant and his young Grandson.
“Oh my, this rascal. Don’t touch the reins….”
At that very moment, the child playing with his hands suddenly yanked the reins hard. The cart that had been rolling straight lurched violently.
“Watch out!”
The cart lost its direction.
Startled, Grandfather grabbed me and pulled me away.
Though the situation was sudden, I thought without difficulty that Grandfather would catch me.
Because… Grandfather was someone greater and more steadfast than an enormous mountain range.
But contrary to my expectations, his massive frame wavered helplessly.
“Grandfather!”
“Oof.”
Thud. In the end, we tumbled to the ground.
“Oh my goodness, are you alright! I’m so sorry! Oh dear, what do I do!”
The Merchant, hastily collecting his cart, came rushing over in a panic.
“Child, little one! Are you hurt!”
Grandfather, who had fallen on the dirt ground, quickly turned his body to check on me. I had landed hard on my backside, but thanks to Grandfather shielding me, there was no serious impact.
“Ah, what a scare. I’m fine.”
I calmly brushed myself off and stood up.
“More than that, Grandfather seemed….”
“This damned….”
Crunch. My fingers clawed at the dirt ground. Veins bulged across my flushed forehead.
“This damned body of mine.”
Grandfather’s jaw clenched with visible tension.
“What happened?”
The man emerged from the Shop.
Grandfather sprawled on the ground, and I stood awkwardly beside him. The cart merchant bowed repeatedly, drenched in cold sweat and apologizing, while a frightened child whimpered nearby.
The man quickly assessed the situation.
“Leon.”
At that, Leon, who had been with the man, stepped forward swiftly and began organizing the surroundings, including dealing with the merchant.
“Father, let me help you up….”
“Just mind your own business!”
Grandfather shot to his feet abruptly. His sturdy frame trembled faintly as he heaved.
“I’m going back!”
The burly figure’s shout echoed as he disappeared. I stood rooted in place, staring blankly at his retreating form.
“Sir, Grandfather seems upset….”
A warm hand descended gently upon my head.
“He’s not angry with you, so don’t worry. More importantly, are you alright?”
“Yeah. My clothes just got a bit dirty.”
“Let’s go. You said your clothes were already ordered.”
“Well, about that….”
My gaze kept drifting toward the spot where Grandfather had vanished.
‘He wouldn’t meet my eyes.’
“This damned body of mine.”
As though I were a criminal.
My heart grew heavy.

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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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