The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 316
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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 42
I tilted my head in confusion.
“…Was it? Or wasn’t it?”
“What is this? What kind of answer is that? Who gave it to you?”
“I don’t know.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
“Just… somehow it feels like I tasted it back then. There was a time when I fell asleep while naming it…”
It felt like a distant memory from long ago.
Perhaps because it was so long ago, or perhaps because my sense of self wasn’t clear at that time.
‘But strangely, it felt so peaceful.’
I had always lived in constant anxiety and unease.
But that day, it seemed like I had slept a sweet sleep.
In any case, it was a pleasant memory.
“Did the Squirrel bring it to me?”
I chuckled and hugged the Squirrel plush toy that was lying nearby close to my chest.
It was a doll that Kalid had given me as a gift at some point.
But Kalid, seeing me with it, made a strange expression.
“No… not like that, you two.”
“…What did you say?”
“…You beast!”
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Kalid’s face was about to ignite and ascend to the heavens.
Why is he really like this?
“Oh right, right. Speaking of which, I got a letter from Titi.”
I barely managed to change the subject.
“Sortie Camelan?”
“Yeah. Titi got a proposal from Jerdin!”
I recalled the faces of my Academy friends.
The two of them seemed to have broken up and gotten back together repeatedly, but ultimately decided to stay together forever.
“Jerdin apparently made a really grand proposal, and I’m so curious that we decided to meet next week.”
“…”
Kalid stared at me blankly.
“A proposal…”
He blinked as if remembering some enormous task.
“You know Jerdin’s business hit it big, right? The proposal must have been incredibly flashy? Aren’t you really curious? Do you want to come too?”
“A proposal… concerns you?”
“Of course?”
Why is he asking something like that?
Titi and Jerdin were among the few true friends I had in my narrow and shallow network of relationships.
Besides, there’s a certain pleasure in watching someone else’s extravagant spending. There was no way I wouldn’t be curious.
Kalid gazed at me with unwavering determination.
“I understand perfectly.”
“…?”
“Besides… dealing with those squirrel-like creatures would keep me busy all day long, so I should propose properly first.”
“What? You said I’d cry? Why!”
“Rubian, I’ll do my best.”
He seemed fixated on something strange again.
When he got like this, there was no point in trying to reason with him.
I simply spread both arms toward Kalid.
“So you won’t hug me anymore because you’re afraid I’ll cry?”
“…”
“Hug me now!”
His Adam’s apple bobbed prominently.
“Right now.”
Kalid pulled me into his firm embrace and kissed me tenderly.
The cautious kiss quickly grew heated.
More thrilling than ever before—as if something set at a threshold was trembling on the verge of overflowing.
‘Why is he so worked up?’
What had he been doing?
I patted his broad shoulders soothingly, but that only seemed to fuel him further.
Hot, rough kisses trailed across my skin.
That alone was enough to intoxicate me.
Of course… I didn’t know yet that there was something even more intense, passionate, and wonderful beyond this.
Our love story was only just beginning.
* * *
Ever since learning of the time warp device’s existence.
There was something I’d been thinking about constantly.
Rosetta and Leviathan, now a perfectly devoted couple once more, embarked on a brief journey just for the two of them, hidden from the children.
Soon they would be busy preparing for Rubian and Kalid’s engagement ceremony, so now was the perfect time for a getaway.
“Hmm, we shouldn’t lecture Rubian about this.”
“Why not? I’m her father, so it’s fine.”
“Hehe. You were the one who told her that hiding things and taking secret trips from family wasn’t allowed…”
Rosetta laughed with playful mischief in her eyes.
“But you can’t resist this, can you?”
“No. It’s a lifelong dream.”
Leviathan chuckled softly and reached out his hand.
Idelaine, standing ahead of them, nodded.
Light shimmered and rippled.
Ch. 0 Rubian, Eight Years Old, The Season of Family
Crimson twilight was embroidering the sky.
Thump, thump.
Crunch, crunch.
Rhythmic footsteps echoed through the air.
Time until the Time Warp concludes:
Remaining time: □□□□◨
“By this world’s reckoning, roughly thirty minutes remain.”
“What a shame.”
“These thirty minutes will become the most precious in all the world.”
Leviathan murmured softly.
The two walked hand in hand along the Forest Path in silence.
The surroundings were utterly hushed.
In the distance, black smoke rose into the sky. The scent that reached my nostrils was familiar—achingly familiar.
The familiar stench of death.
“Ah.”
Both of them stopped in their tracks.
Rosetta released Leviathan’s hand and rushed forward.
“Hello, my precious one.”
The child lay asleep against a tree, as if dead to the world.
Around her, traces of clumsily erected barrier magic were visible. Of course, since neither of them were dark creatures, they remained unaffected.
They kept watch beside the child with utmost care.
Rosetta gently arranged the child’s body and knelt beside her.
Waiting for the faintly furrowed brow to relax, Leviathan quietly sat down at her side.
“So this is what our Rubian looked like.”
Tick, tock—time flowed onward.
There was only one moment in the past they wished to return to. Only one lingering attachment remained in their hearts.
“At least for now… Mother and Father will protect you.”
Leviathan brushed the child’s hair and whispered softly.
“Let no nightmare ever torment you.”
If I were to become an omnipotent master of space and time.
I would grant complete protection and rest to you of the past.
A peaceful moment that no one could disturb.
“Sleep well, my daughter.”
To my beloved Rubian.
To my beloved jewel.
“Gaaah!”
My eyes snapped open.
“That was the best sleep!”
When was the last time I slept so soundly?
“But it’s already nighttime.”
Fortunately, the barrier magic I had set up before falling asleep remained active. I was safe.
“Huh?”
I brushed myself off and stood up, thinking it was time to head back, when I spotted a large basket beside me.
“What’s this? …Wow!”
Inside was an abundance of delicious food.
My stomach rumbled again anyway, but—
Rather than those astringent raspberry berries, this would hit the spot perfectly.
“But who brought this?”
I crunched and crunched on the sweet honey-glazed walnuts, tilting my head in wonder.
That’s when it happened.
Pitter-patter-patter!
I caught sight of a Squirrel scurrying away.
“Was it you?”
What a thoughtful little creature!
But more than that… this is delicious!
‘And somehow…’
My heart felt warm and fuzzy, my spirits buoyant and light.
My eyes were sharper than ever! My mind was crystal clear! I felt like I could do anything!
I had a premonition that I could come up with a truly magnificent name. The sweet resonance lingering in my mind… that was—
‘Ah! I should head toward that mountain soon.’
I thought as I dashed down the Forest Path.
For some reason, I felt certain I would discover something wonderful on that Mountain.
Breaking through the hardened earth, something within me began to sprout. The entire world started coming into focus.
Not long after, I discovered something truly wonderful. I saved a Young Boy trapped in a Cave, as if by destiny.
And…
“Ahhhhhhh!”
“What’s wrong? Don’t you like the roasted seeds? …Did I burn them too much?”
“This place…”
This place…!
‘It was the world from a novel!’
This can’t be real!
I was shrieking with my cheeks pinched when suddenly I lifted my head with a snap.
“I, I…!”
I have to go meet them!
Leviathan!
No matter what!
【The youngest one is hiding quite a lot】
Side Story: Complete
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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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