The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 288

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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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Side Story, Chapter 14
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Kalid was about to curse harshly before clamping his mouth shut.
‘Perhaps it’s because I’m in a child’s body.’
For some reason, swearing felt awkward.
The Young Boy rubbed his throbbing forehead.
‘Something is definitely very wrong.’
At least I was fortunate to have landed in Northern Zelocks.
1. Separated from Rubian, I feel anxious and unsettled.
2. My regressed body makes it difficult to manipulate mana.
3. I somehow managed to join the Zebert Knight Order, but I haven’t caught even a glimpse of the crucial Leviathan Zebert.
4. Rubian… must be incredibly adorable by now. I wonder if he has snowflake-colored hair?
5. I want to see him right away.
For all these reasons, I was filled with discontent.
“You’re telling me you really hired a brat like this as an errand boy?”
A gruff voice echoed.
“That madman Maddix who’s obsessed with weapons?”
Kalid snapped out of his reverie and nodded.
“…Yes, well.”
A low-ranking Knight of the Zebert Knight Order narrowed his eyes reluctantly.
This was one of the Weapon Armories inside the Zebert Knight Order.
It primarily stored practice weapons and consumables for the lower-ranking members.
“Tsk. Understood… but you’ll have to wait several days for the order form to be processed. The Duke and the Vice-Commander are away, so they won’t return for another ten days.”
“I see.”
I already knew this.
By barely moving my sluggish mana to command the animals, I had gathered information about the atmosphere within the castle, and I had seen that the Gate was firmly sealed.
‘A sealed gate generally means the lord of the house is absent.’
The current lord was Ballock Zebert.
So Leviathan was likely lounging somewhere within the castle.
“Then… would it be alright if I stayed here until I receive the order form? In exchange, I’ll help with the work.”
“Heh, look at you go. Seems Maddix wore you out quite a bit! But hold on! Wouldn’t it be easier to go to the Blacksmith and collect scrap metal instead?”
“…I’m an applicant hoping to join this order.”
“Huh?”
“For, um, social experience.”
“Aiming for an experienced position—you’re a cunning little thing.”
The Knight’s eyes widened at my ambitious words.
“The Duke will be absolutely delighted!”
Then he laughed heartily—”wa-ha-ha!”—before saying, “Just do some light sweeping while you’re at it!” and leaving.
Thus, Kalid came to stay in this place.
I planned to remain close to Leviathan and attend the banquet that would be held four days later. I had learned of the banquet’s occurrence by overhearing the Knights preparing the honor guard procession.
Two days passed like this.
Regardless, Kalid was familiar with the Zebert Knight Order, so there were no particular difficulties in staying here.
Since I had already grasped all the patterns of the knights, blending in seamlessly was as easy as eating cold soup.
There was even a certain enjoyment to it.
“Leon, you bastard, what was that finishing move just now, huh? Did you just learn how to cut steaks? What’s with that pathetic swordplay, seriously?”
“I will correct it!”
“Obron! I told you not to eat bread while training!”
“…I’m terribly sorry?”
“You want to die?”
I could appreciate the vibrant, youthful appearances of the senior knights from about twenty years ago.
Thus, my only source of suffering was my worry about Rubian.
So I even considered just rushing out.
‘If I happen to miss Rubian, that would be a disaster.’
Every attempt to establish a communication circuit with Rubian had failed, except for the initial success.
I had a rough idea of why.
It was likely due to my unstable mana.
‘At this point in time… there’s me trapped in the cave.’
Unlike Rubian, who hadn’t been born yet, I existed in this timeline after accepting the power of the Dragon God.
Perhaps two mana forces with the same wavelength had subtly collided, and my more foreign mana had been suppressed. In short, I lost in a doppelgänger battle.
‘I could force magic if I tried, but it’s better to refrain.’
It didn’t seem right to carelessly influence the world.
“But still…”
The young boy sweeping the warehouse lifted his head.
“Why hasn’t Leviathan shown his face at the Knight Order at all?”
I needed to gather information about him so it would be helpful when I met Rubian.
‘Isn’t he being too indifferent?’
Perhaps he was busy with heir training or something like that.
Just then, someone approached.
“Hey, are you the new recruit? Goodness, why did they pick such a handsome fellow?”
“No, I’m just a temporary laborer…”
“Never mind that. I need you to run an errand to the Main Fortress right now.”
“…”
I raised my eyebrows.
“The young master said he needs this bundle. Go deliver these to him and come back. Ugh, why did those gardeners mix up the boxes?”
“…”
The knight handed me a large sack.
I thought it was perfect timing.
I quickly headed toward the Main Fortress.
Zebert Castle was the same as ever—solid and grand like a shield protecting the Northern Region.
Upon arriving at the castle, I was guided to the Small Garden.
‘Not the Study… ?’
“Ah, the errand boy has arrived. Good work.”
At that moment, Butler Adolf approached—noticeably fewer white hairs than he had now.
A small garden brimming with freshness and vitality.
Kalid recognized this place.
It was the so-called “Mother and Daughter Garden,” where Rubian and the Duchess frequently enjoyed tea together.
Everyone else, including Father, had to pay an entrance fee in the form of sweet treats.
Of course, children and teenagers under eighteen could go anywhere, and their admission was 100% discounted, so Kalid had frequented this place often to play with Rubian.
The sudden rush of memories softened his gaze.
At that moment, Adolf, who had been walking beside him, asked a question.
“Are you perhaps a hopeful applicant for the Knight Order?”
The Butler was looking down at Kalid with curious eyes.
It seemed that those who came to become knights in the harsh Northern Region were rare, both then and now.
“Yes, well.”
“Is that so? How did that come about?”
“Because the Zebert Knight Order is the strongest on the Continent, after all.”
He thought he had glossed over it well enough….
But for some reason, a peculiar expression crossed Adolf’s face.
“Heh. That’s the first time I’ve heard someone say that. Usually, they’d choose the Imperial Court’s Knight Order instead….”
Kalid blinked.
Then he realized.
‘Ah.’
There was no “Hero” in this place.
The Human-Beast War hadn’t occurred yet.
So… naturally, the Hero’s Knight Order didn’t exist either.
Zebert in the Northern Region was strong, it was true, but it lacked the fame and honor it would have in his time.
Kalid felt a sudden surge of curiosity.
‘What is Leviathan Zebert like without being a Hero….’
What would he look like?
‘With such tremendous power, he must have undergone incredible training from this very time.’
But what kind of training could one do in a garden?
Kalid speculated in his mind as he walked forward.
The bundle he was carrying was quite heavy, and he was curious about what kind of weapon would appear.
He’d have to observe carefully and try to replicate it.
As he reached the center of the garden, a large silhouette came into view.
Leviathan was reclined leisurely in a garden chair.
His broad, solid back was exactly the same as it had always been.
A large whole cake sat on the table. The rich floral and tea fragrances mingled, tickling his nose.
Along with it came the sound of snip-snip-snipping.
‘What is he doing?’
“Young Master, I’ve brought the grooming tools.”
“Mm.”
A dismissive murmur.
“Set them down there… ah, perfect timing. Adolf, go fetch some pink roses for me.”
“But I just brought an armful a moment ago, sir?”
“More. Tsk, is this right? What on earth is what…?”
Kalid, seized by a sudden suspicion, carefully opened the bundle I had brought.
Pruning shears for gardening, a knife for thorn trimming, a small hand spade…
Now that he thought about it, the man who had given him the errand
“Ha, why do those gardeners always mix up the boxes?”
seemed to have said something like that.
“So, what are you?”
Violet eyes suddenly turned toward the young boy.
“Ah.”
“Your eyes look rather mischievous. What, do you want to try too?”
Kalid clamped his mouth shut.
So the (future) heroic Duke at nineteen years old…
“I’ll warn you in advance—it’s not particularly entertaining.”
Flower arrangement appeared to be his current hobby.
* * *
Meanwhile, Rosetta had returned to the Mercenary Company’s headquarters.
Biltain was a place where all manner of filth from the Empire gathered.
From the towering garbage heaps surrounding the village’s outskirts to illegal mercenary groups, underground gambling dens, and auction houses—everything was there.
Corrupted and twisted things clung together, drawn by each other’s stench. Rosetta herself included.
“They’re back again.”
Just then, Hazel, who rode alongside her, muttered under her breath.
Near the garbage heap.
Several large knights were conducting inquiries in the area.

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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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