The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 268

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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 268
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The moment I arrived at the Southern Portal, the first person I encountered was the Emperor, beaming with an enormous smile.
“Princess, welcome!”
“Your Majesty!”
He stood with both arms spread wide in such genuine delight that I found myself rushing forward and embracing him without thinking.
“Oh my, forgive me. These habits are terrifying, aren’t they?”
Embarrassed, I hastily tried to pull away, but instead His Majesty laughed generously and drew me into an even tighter embrace.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Yes, thank you.”
I hesitated for a moment, then rose onto my tiptoes and whispered into the Emperor’s ear.
“I received the medicinal herbs and snacks well. Un….”
“Un?”
“Uncle…!”
At that, the Emperor’s eyes widened, and he staggered backward as if deeply moved.
“It was worth emptying the entire Imperial Palace to send them.”
The Emperor, who rather enjoyed boasting, shot a smug expression at Father. Of course, Father simply ignored him with the look of someone who’d just bitten into a bug.
“But what’s this flower necklace?”
The Emperor pointed to the brilliant, multicolored flower necklace adorning my neck.
Grandfather then began stroking my head in circles while boasting proudly.
“Ahahaha! My granddaughter has become a Grand Mage! Isn’t that wonderful?”
“A Grand Mage?”
“No, well, people just kept insisting I become one….”
I tapped my toes shyly as I replied.
“I never really wanted to become one in the first place….”
“Ridiculous. Settle down the fool first before speaking.”
I tried to stomp on Father’s foot once more, but failed again today.
“…Hmm.”
Meanwhile, His Majesty stood with his arms crossed, lost in serious contemplation.
“I cannot lose to those Arcadia fools.”
Then he turned to me and asked.
“Princess, is there anything you desire?”
“All of a sudden?”
“I’ve heard of your exploits. By slaying the Mage King and saving Arcadia—indeed, the entire Continent—you deserve proper commendation.”
“No, it’s really fine….”
“Let me think. The Empire still lacks an organization related to mages…. Ah, how about the position of head of the Magical Tool Crafting Tower? I believe they would be delighted as well.”
It seemed I would have no shortage of employment prospects, whether here or elsewhere.
“Why does everyone insist on bestowing honors upon me?”
“Your father has already sufficiently achieved wealth and power for you.”
Ah, I see. So that’s how it is.
That’s true. In the Mage Kingdom, I’m a Grand Mage, but here I’m just a fresh adult entering society. It’s time I took care of myself.
I nodded quietly to myself.
There are no more enemies to defeat, and honestly, nothing pressing that needs doing.
I should spend time socializing with the mages at the Magical Tool Crafting Tower!
Besides, I had several magical tools I’d been wanting to develop.
“Well then… I’ll do that. But looking at it long-term, it seems like the number of mages will increase. Would it be alright to expand the building a bit more?”
I spoke with barely concealed self-interest.
“Of course. Do as you please. Do you need more land?”
“No. I’ll build upward instead…”
“Good. Then I’ll send the architect to the Magical Tool Crafting Tower—tsk, that name is too long.”
His Majesty added casually.
“I’ll send them to the Mage Tower.”
I covered my mouth with my hand and laughed quietly.
“Once the Princess recovers, she’ll become the master of the Magical Tool Crafting Tower—tsk, too long. As the Tower Master, create whatever you wish.”
“Understood.”
Grand Mage and Tower Master…
I’d achieved every career milestone possible for a mage.
And that wasn’t all.
Though the Magical Tool Crafting Tower was located near the Capital due to mana requirements, it was still prime real estate within the Empire.
I thought to myself with glee, I’m a building owner.
Of course, it wasn’t my private property…
But still, I should build it tall like a skyscraper.
About 120 floors or so.
I exhaled excitedly, burning with ambition.
“Excellent!”
And so, a massive tower of mages was erected near the Imperial Capital of the Babylon Empire…
There, together with the existing Hub Mages, mages newly arrived from Arcadia gathered, becoming the new center of magical research.
The magical tools bearing my ^o^/ mark that came from there greatly contributed to daily life, and the Mage Tower’s popularity across the Continent soared ever higher.
“Tower Master! Thanks to the blueprints you drew, we’ve invented a new visual communication magical tool!”
“My goodness.”
Naturally, I worked quite hard myself.
“Then shall we try making this next? It’s a transport device centered on floating stones…”
“Incredible, such a design! As expected of our Tower Master! With this, our tower’s reputation is all thanks to you… Ugh, Tower Master is too long!”
“Huh? Then what should we call you?”
Of course.
“Master…”
“Master?”
“My Master?”
“Ugh, I don’t like that.”
As always, I had to accept the slightly excessive affection poured upon me.
Anyway, that’s a matter for later.
Ch. 29
Three weeks since returning to Zelocks.
Spring had reached its zenith and was beginning to wane.
Mother had gone out with her maidservants since morning, Father was inspecting the castle walls, and Grandfather had left to visit Maddix’s blacksmith.
As for my brothers, they were busy as always pursuing their own interests.
In short.
I was the only one left behind, a useless creature confined to the castle.
“Uuuuuugh. I’m so bored.”
I wrapped myself entirely in blankets and rolled across the bed like a caterpillar.
Hazel, who had just opened the window wide, shook her head solemnly.
“Absolutely not.”
“I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“You were about to ask to go out, weren’t you? Not yet. Don’t you remember collapsing the moment you returned to the Capital from the Southern Region?”
“That was only because I suddenly found myself in a place devoid of magical energy.”
Sigh. I’d become a magical energy sunfish.
Because my core was still so small and underdeveloped, I had to live with extreme caution.
Even though I’d recovered in Arcadia, the Capital—where magical energy was still scarce—was apparently too much for me.
Father had quickly brought me back to Zelocks.
The Northern Region was at least better than the Capital.
‘Thanks to eating well and resting well for these three weeks, I’m fine now.’
My family had instructed me to stay within the castle for the time being out of concern for my condition.
“But I’m fine now. I’m bored. I want to go shopping with Mother…”
“No excuses, my lady. My eyebrows are forming a V-shape right now. Can you see it?”
“Yeah. I’m scared of Hazel.”
Of course I was.
This was the same Hazel who had climbed the Black Tower of the Mage Kingdom with such determination.
“I won’t cause trouble.”
Remembering her wielding a sword with dilated pupils and an expressionless face, I became an obedient caterpillar.
“Oh, it’s not that serious!”
Hazel hurried over, picked me up along with the blankets, and did a hundred squats. It was truly terrifying.
“You promised the Head of House anyway. You’d refrain from going out and focus on recovery until the Academy graduation ceremony!”
“Oh, the Academy graduation ceremony is in a week!”
That’s right.
Surprisingly, I still hadn’t held my graduation ceremony.
Because the graduation ceremony takes place after the coming-of-age ceremony, and I’d had an absolutely enormous number of things happen since my coming-of-age ceremony.
‘After that, the graduation ceremony itself was postponed due to the mages who attacked the Empire and the dark magic incidents.’
In about a month, my magical core should be sturdy enough that going to the Capital wouldn’t be a problem.
“Fine. Then could you bring me something to eat?”
“You just ate.”
“I’m a bit hungry….”
“Understood. What would you like me to prepare for you?”
I glanced at Hazel’s expression.
Truth be told….
‘There’s a reason I’ve been throwing a tantrum about going outside all this time.’
If I played the pitiful card like this, Hazel would feel sorry for me and agree to whatever I asked next.
“Anything is fine, but I’d really appreciate it if you prepared something with as much love as you have for me. It feels like we haven’t had much quality time together lately.”
“Ah…. I need to let my feelings out. Please wait just a moment, Miss! I will absolutely prove my affection!”
As expected, Hazel left with a determined expression. She probably wouldn’t return until late afternoon.
‘I’m sorry, Hazel…. Otherwise, you’d never leave my side for the rest of your life.’
I jumped up and rushed to the mirror.
‘Oh, do I look too much like a patient?’
My cheeks seemed far too pale, and there were shadows under my eyes…. I’d bathed thoroughly this morning, but my hair looked a bit limp too.
‘My clothes are also…. Rather shabby?’
Just as I was glancing around to see if there was anything else to change into, someone knocked softly.
Oh well. Never mind.
I opened the door abruptly.
“You should check who I am first….”
“Kalid! You came?”
“Yeah.”
Kalid glanced at me and stepped into the bedroom.

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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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