The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 265

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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 265
“Historically, the throne of Arcadia has always been claimed by the strongest mage among the royal bloodline. Since Rubian is the sole remaining member of the royal family in this realm and also the wisest mage, her qualifications are beyond question. She is entirely deserving of the throne!”
“As a side note, the Mage King’s ‘Sixth’—who was attempting to flee to the Continent like a scurrying rat—I happened to cut down by accident. He was wearing a Priest’s crimson-embroidered robes as a disguise, you see.”
Licht added with a smile, his expression utterly untroubled by what he’d just revealed.
“Oh….”
So that’s what this was.
What kind of gift was he….
‘bringing me the throne?’
What is this. Imperial Prince-level audacity, what is this.
* * *
The Mage Kingdom had no successor.
The deceased Mage King had intended to rule for a hundred years, a thousand years, so it was only natural.
“According to kingdom law, when the King is absent, the thirteen Palace Elders make decisions by majority vote.”
Six of the thirteen were already dead or imprisoned awaiting execution—those who had served as the Mage King’s lackeys.
“The remaining seven Palace Elders have unanimously decided to support Rubian.”
Idelaine continued with a resolute voice.
“Of course, we are well aware of how shameless it is to entrust such a chaotic place to anyone….”
“….”
“But we need a new ruler…. A wise and merciful leader, entirely unlike the previous Mage King.”
“But I can’t use magic anymore.”
“However, when it comes to knowledge of magic, no one can match Rubian.”
Another Elder who had been listening interjected.
“Precisely. Moreover, you are the only one who knows the formula to break the stigma. Ah, when I heard that news, I wept for ten days and nights…! I was so moved!”
“Um, sorry, but it hasn’t been ten days and nights yet.”
“In any case, there is no one who can match Rubian in both justification and capability!”
The Elders were all lifting me up with their praise.
But to suddenly become a king.
“I’m just an ordinary commoner….”
Then Father, standing behind me, let out a soft laugh.
“You seem to forget often, but you’re a high-ranking noble in your own right. It’s in your blood.”
“Oh.”
Right.
‘What do I do.’
I hadn’t expected to be employed so suddenly, and this unexpected scout for a chairman position left me utterly bewildered.
“What should I do?”
I whispered the question to Mother and Father. As always, Father responded with his usual carefree attitude, brushing it off casually.
“Of course you do whatever you want. The title isn’t bad. King Rubian of Zebert.”
“…That’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard?”
Realizing he was teasing me from the way his lips curled up, I began pounding his solid arm repeatedly, and Father thanked me for the massage while gently stroking my head instead.
He was truly, utterly, unbearably infuriating….
Meanwhile, Mother seemed to share a similar sentiment.
“If she’s my daughter, she can have an entire kingdom if she wants.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
Father accepted it readily.
In any case, both of them were showing an attitude of respecting my opinion.
‘Well…’
It did seem like it wouldn’t be bad to try being a king at least once in my life.
And on top of that, this was an opportunity to place the Mage Kingdom—which had tormented me since childhood—beneath my feet.
As a fugitive mage, I’d always been fleeing from the kingdom’s pursuit, but now I could finally control that very kingdom.
There could be no sweeter revenge than this.
‘Besides, the Mage Kingdom isn’t that large in scale, so with the help of the Palace Elders, I could probably manage it somehow.’
But…
‘Would it really work out that way?’
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do it. I’m a coward.”
“Rubian!”
Idelaine’s brows furrowed with disappointment.
“Could you… could you tell me the reason?”
“Well, I’m afraid that I would end up tormenting the people of the Mage Kingdom in a different way than the dead Mage King did.”
My gaze fell upon Licht.
I knew how much effort Licht had poured into becoming the Imperial Prince—and eventually, the Emperor.
Perhaps he’d anticipated this somewhat when bringing the Palace Elders, for he smiled gently.
“Who becomes king seems like a very important matter. Just think of the dead Mage King.”
“But Rubian—”
“Well, I certainly won’t become like the Mage King, but I’ve been away from this place for far too long… and I don’t know it well. Not knowing can’t be an excuse for someone sitting in such a high position.”
And above all, Mother and Father told me to do what I wanted to do.
‘Honestly, what I want to do right now…’
It was silly, but I wanted to go home.
To spend a leisurely and peaceful life surrounded by the people I love in the space I cherish.
The kind of everyday life where I’d occasionally cause trouble and listen to Father’s nagging.
“Above all, my true home is the Zebert Duchy.”
As I spoke, my conviction only grew stronger.
What I could do and what I wanted to do.
“Of course! That doesn’t mean I’ll ignore matters here. Just as the Palace Elders willingly returned to rebuild the Mage Kingdom, I too, as a mage and as royalty, will make whatever decisions I can and offer whatever magical advice I’m able to give. That’s the best I can do!”
Idelaine, who had been listening quietly, tried to add something more but then bit her lip and stepped back.
“…I understand. Looking at those eyes, I can’t be stubborn anymore. I understand your will as well, Rubian.”
One of the surrounding Palace Elders tried to interject, but she stopped them, saying she couldn’t allow further rudeness.
“But, Idelaine. We can’t just leave the throne vacant like this…”
“Well, this is my opinion.”
I thought for a moment and then spoke.
In truth, it was something I’d wanted to suggest to Idelaine all along.
“Do mages truly need a king?”
Her words cast an unfamiliar silence over the chamber.
* * *
Licht watched Rubian as she gazed at the Palace Elders with crystalline eyes.
At first, she had seemed hesitant and awkward, but now she commanded the very atmosphere itself.
‘She’s magnificent.’
His heart quickened with each beat.
“I actually think the current structure suits the Mage Kingdom far better.”
Her voice rang clear and pure, vibrating gently through the air.
“Are you suggesting we revive the Council of Elders?”
“Well, yes. I’m no expert, but couldn’t we put major decisions to a vote and fill vacant seats by selecting from the general mage population? If there are other procedures, we can follow those instead.”
“But then, what of you, Rubian?”
Rubian faltered under the intensity of their gaze, her voice growing slightly smaller.
“I would be, well, not exactly a king. Perhaps something like an honorary chairman who occasionally appears with a ‘hem, hem!’ and wanders about?”
“So you’re saying we should drastically reduce the king’s authority and reduce it to a purely ceremonial role. We’ve all witnessed how catastrophically things can spiral when a mage seizes the throne through sheer power, so you’re proposing we establish a mechanism to check such—”
Idelaine grasped her meaning instantly and murmured aloud.
“Well, yes. And more than that…”
Rubian lifted her head, her fingers fidgeting, her eyes now brighter than ever before.
“I hope that mages of Arcadia will be free to live wherever they wish, choosing whatever path suits them. Of course, renouncing citizenship would be acceptable too.”
“In other words, the Mage Kingdom would serve as a sanctuary for mages who require state protection, and exist solely to prevent any potential misconduct by mages.”
Idelaine understood perfectly once more and murmured her confirmation.
“Yes. To put it simply…”
Rubian smiled brightly.
“We all live freely, doing whatever we wish!”
“Do what you want to do.”
Those were the words Leviathan had spoken to Rubian more than any other—the very words that had guided her here and shaped her growth.
‘The way she speaks so fluently… Rubian must have harbored these thoughts for a very long time.’
Licht stood motionless, gazing at Rubian as she shone with radiant light. Her face bore an expression of profound liberation and joy.
“That is the vision of Arcadia I hold.”

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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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