The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 26

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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 26
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I returned from my outing and immediately dove onto my bed.
“Phew… That was excellent shopping.”
“My goodness, you’ve purchased quite a lot, haven’t you?”
Hazel’s eyes widened as she watched the parade of boxes streaming in.
“Yes. Take a look!”
“This appears to be ore… and what is this?”
“Ah, herbs!”
I rushed over and explained the herbs I’d purchased to Hazel.
After the Ore Shop, the next place I visited was the Herb Shop. Thanks to having mapped out my route in advance, I accomplished everything I’d set out to do.
Especially since this place had such a wonderful variety of herbs even in winter—it was absolutely delightful to browse!
“You have seeds as well?”
“The shopkeeper said I could plant them once the weather grew warmer.”
“The master told you that?”
“Yes!”
The man continued to ask me persistently whether I needed anything else or desired anything more.
Thanks to that, I obtained everything I wanted… but suddenly I became concerned that he’d spent far too much money today.
No, no. Even if the wealthy go bankrupt, their fortune lasts three generations.
‘Still, I should refrain from asking him to buy anything more from now on.’
Not that there’s anything else I need anyway. …Probably?
“But what about clothing? Is this truly all of it?”
Hazel pointed at twenty boxes with a somewhat dissatisfied expression.
“Merely…?”
Had I chosen my words poorly?
When we returned to the Clothing Shop, the completed garments numbered well over twenty. I was astonished, but his reaction was exactly like Hazel’s.
“It can’t be helped. I’ll place an order with Evelyn for anything lacking.”
What on earth is lacking?
“When Evelyn arrives, we can simply place a larger order!”
Hazel clapped her hands cheerfully and added her thoughts.
I have much to say, but I’d rather not…
I pushed the clothing boxes aside and opened the herb boxes to inspect their condition.
Hmm, verdant and fresh. Excellent, truly excellent.
“Hazel, could you cut this fabric for me?”
“Fabric?”
“Yes. I have a use for it…”
At that, Hazel exclaimed with delight.
“Are you making the salve you were said to have created for the knights?”
“Well, something similar.”
I crouched down before the boxes and selected several herbs.
“Anyway, cut the fabric for me.”
“Of course! I’m quite confident with a blade.”
Taut muscles rippled with excitement.
At this point, I grew curious about Hazel’s past, but I’d leave that buried.
“Use scissors, and be gentle about it.”
“They’re both blades, so what’s the difference?”
I really should stop entrusting my hair to Hazel!
“What size should I cut it to?”
“About this length. Long enough to wrap around my knees.”
Around my knees? At the quiet question, I nodded.
“Yes, leave it to me.”
After requesting a few more tools, I carefully selected the herbs.
A fresh fragrance filled the room.
* * *
Northern Annex. Ballock’s bedroom.
Butler Morris shut the window with a sharp click.
Outside had already fallen into darkness.
A faint haze filled the room—medicinal smoke with analgesic properties.
“…So the brat got in alright?”
A low voice echoed from the dimly lit bedroom. It was Ballock, sitting at an angle on the spacious bed.
Without proper lighting, he loomed like a dark mountain.
“Yes. He’s eating well and resting comfortably.”
“Hmph, and he took the purse without complaint?”
“He seemed to struggle dragging it along, but yes, he was quite pleased.”
Morris recalled the child’s pallid face as he handed over the coin purse.
“Tsk. I heard he stopped by the Herb Shop too—why didn’t he buy that one? Like master, like servant, I suppose. Such small hands.”
“An eight-year-old doesn’t typically own multiple shops, sir.”
“Then?”
Morris paused to consider his answer.
“Perhaps… one or two?”
Recalling that fluffy silver hair, his lips somehow loosened into a smile.
Those remarkable eyes—watchful yet never cowed, always so earnest.
Looking into them made me want to give him everything.
“Though I suppose Miss Rubian could have several more shops as well.”
“Exactly! See? One shop isn’t enough!”
Ballock started to rise abruptly, then stifled a groan.
“Ugh.”
Damn this wretched body. Curse it. Curse it all.
A string of harsh profanities followed.
Deep concern settled across the veteran aide’s weathered face.
“…Sir, please stop being stubborn and at least see a physician….”
“Silence. Nothing hurts.”
“But you lost your balance earlier and fell, did you not?”
“I said silence!”
The air rippled violently.
Crash! The lamp’s glass shattered under the weight of his raging aura. The window rattled fiercely.
A dark, undulating aura.
Morris wiped the sweat from his brow and stepped back.
“…I understand, sir. Please calm yourself. I overstepped.”
Ballock yanked the blanket over himself and sprawled across the bed.
“This wretched body. Can’t even grasp that wisp of a thing….”
Morris tidied the broken lamp while listening to the muttered words laden with deep-rooted anger and self-reproach.
“Now get out. I need to sleep.”
“Yes, sir.”
Click. Morris quietly closed the door.
In his youth, Ballock Zebert had been a knight more formidable than any other. But a wound sustained in battle had left his legs compromised.
Most days were manageable, yet these seizures of pain that struck like fits had no remedy. The agony that began in his legs invariably spread throughout his entire body.
Because he concealed it so well, few realized the frequency had been increasing of late.
‘It seems he stepped wrong on his injured leg again today and fell.’
That must have struck a nerve with that stubborn old man’s pride.
‘Sigh, what can be done.’
Ballock still could not accept his weakened body.
Unable to participate in the Human-Demon War because of his injury—how humiliating that must be for a Northern knight.
As a result, Ballock had developed a victim complex. He deliberately remained in this isolated annex and treated others harshly, all a smokescreen to hide his weakness.
“Butler?”
Morris paused mid-descent on the staircase.
“…Rubian?”
A child stood in the Annex’s lobby.
“How did you get here? The path from the Main House must have been treacherous.”
“Hazel brought me!”
Her clear voice seeped into the dim interior like light.
Morris silently glanced at Hazel, who stood behind Rubian.
Already completely smitten with the small child, the once-legendary masked mercenary quietly averted her gaze.
“Is Grandfather resting?”
“Yes, he is. Perhaps it would be best if you returned to the Main House….”
“Could I not visit him for just a moment?”
Morris hesitated.
Ballock’s mood was abysmal. His physical condition as well.
‘He seems not to want the child to discover his condition….’
It would be difficult to allow this visit….
“It’ll only take a moment!”
Her eyes sparkled with earnest appeal.
“Please!”
“…Then I shall accompany you inside.”
If his eyes rolled back and he started thrashing about, I’d have to whisk her out of there immediately.
Morris guided Rubian to the bedroom.
The door creaked open with careful restraint.
From within came the sound of steady, measured breathing.
Whether his condition was truly as serious as all that, Ballock appeared to have already fallen asleep.
“Shh.”
Rubian crossed the threshold with a determined expression, pressing her index finger to her lips.
Morris gazed down at the round head crowned with silvery lustrous hair.
…Indeed, a few shops would hardly suffice, would they.
The child crept toward the bed and withdrew something from the floor.
“What is that?”
“Oh, it’s a cloth with salve applied to it. When you apply it, it feels wonderfully cool and soothing. I made it today with herbs I purchased, so I’m not certain how effective it will be, but…”
A thin cloth coated with pale green salve.
‘Come to think of it, wasn’t she the healer’s daughter….’
Morris watched quietly as the child went about her work.
She carefully climbed onto the bed and rolled up Ballock’s trousers. Then she fussed about for quite some time.
Ballock, who had kicked off his blanket in sleep, merely breathed softly, making no other sound.
“Were you aware that the General’s knees were troubling him?”
“Yes.”
“However did you….”

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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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