The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 46

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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 46
Rubian felt the sudden forceful push and made a face as if she’d bitten into a sour lemon. Hehe, good, so good!
“I was a little worried when you came, but honestly, I’m so happy!”
She really did say such things without a second thought.
Kalid awkwardly scratched his chin with his free hand. Something churned uncomfortably in his chest. As always, he couldn’t understand why.
Was it because of that heart-shaped hairpin…?
“You… who chose that hairpin for you?”
The question escaped him before he could stop it. It had been bothering him terribly since earlier.
“This? Hazel chose it.”
“I like it.”
“Huh?”
“…”
The young boy feigned composure as he brushed the dust from Rubian’s shoulders.
“I was asking if you like it. You always complained about how inconvenient it was to have your hair loose.”
“Oh, I see. Yeah! It’s comfortable!”
Kalid swallowed a sigh at his worsening chronic condition. It doesn’t matter. I can smooth over my words if I’m careful.
Just then, Maddix knocked on the door with two sharp raps.
“Hey, Rubian? Bastard Sword? Could you open the door?”
Rubian quickly pulled away. Kalid felt his hand suddenly empty and slipped a bracelet onto his wrist.
Before opening the door, Rubian paused thoughtfully for a moment, then pressed herself against him.
“Why, why are you doing that?”
“You know. Even so, having someone nearby who knows my secret makes me feel incredibly secure. Thank you!”
Her face whispered with a secret smile.
It was a different expression from the one she wore when looking at the Zebert people.
Ah, only I know this face.
Kalid suddenly realized it. His toes twitched with a strange satisfaction.
“See? I told you that you need me.”
“Huh?”
“I need you… wait.”
This one can’t be smoothed over.
“Ta-da! I’ve brought the pretty metal scraps!”
“Oh. Have you reviewed all the blueprints? What do you think?”
“Rubian. I have decided to make you my religion starting today.”
“Wow, I hate it!”
Their cheerful voices faded into the distance. Kalid remained alone in the workshop, touching his neck that had turned as red as the midday sun.
“… Really.”
Am I sick?
* * *
The barrier work proceeded smoothly.
As promised, Kalid brought the blueprints from somewhere. When I asked, he said that animal friends had found them dropped in the Forest where merchants pass through.
‘That guy sure knows how to procure materials.’
Whenever the blueprints arrived, I would slip into the Blacksmith, chase Maddix away, and complete the magical tools one by one.
‘Kalid said he’d obtain the remaining blueprints, and the Attendant said he’d handle the replacements himself.’
The finish line was within sight.
‘Hehehehe….’
I was quite impressed with myself!
“Rubian?”
“Yes, yes?”
I lifted my head abruptly.
“Is it difficult for you?”
Through my suddenly brightened vision, I spotted Borbel stroking his brown beard.
“Ah….”
I looked down at the “Fundamentals of Healing” book. My pen had skidded off the page.
“Just a little?”
I laughed and played up my confusion. Borbel said it was understandable and began explaining step by step.
Honestly, it was so tedious I nearly dozed off. I needed to stop daydreaming and focus.
“-When it operates according to these principles in this manner, it produces these effects. Do you understand?”
“Yes, completely!”
Wow, now I realized Borbel was a top-tier instructor in healing studies.
“Then shall we go see the herbs directly with the remaining time?”
“Yes! Hands-on practice is the best!”
And I wouldn’t fall asleep!
I tidied up my books. Being outside observing the fragrant, verdant herbs directly was a hundred times better than sitting indoors.
“Ahem. If any special blending methods occur to you while observing directly, feel free to teach me anytime.”
“Yes. If I remember!”
Borbel seemed curious whether I knew the unique herb blending methods of Iosia. I naturally pretended not to recall them clearly and deflected.
“Rubian? Where are you going?”
As I descended the stairs with Borbel, Void’s voice came from above.
“Herb Hill!”
“Oh, I want to come too.”
“Young Master, please put on proper clothing first.”
“Awww.”
At his lighthearted protest, Borbel raised a finger sternly.
“If you don’t listen to me and catch a cold, I’ll have you drink very bitter medicine.”
Void pouted his lips but eventually went upstairs with the Attendants and returned wearing a fur coat.
“Aah. Refreshing! So spacious!”
Behind the Duke’s Mansion stood a small hill.
“Waaah!”
“Rubian, don’t run!”
I dashed across the vast expanse with thundering footsteps.
Spring hadn’t fully arrived yet, so the air carried a slight chill, but the breeze was wonderfully refreshing!
“Young Master, don’t run either! If you fall, I won’t give you any medicine!”
“Then I’ll just ask Rubian for some!”
“Oh no, there goes my job.”
Without the green shoots yet emerging, Herb Hill looked somewhat desolate, but as always, there were things that survived even in such harsh conditions.
“This one! I just saw this in a book!”
I crouched down and pointed at the grass swaying gently in the breeze. Borbel broke into a satisfied smile.
“You have a strong aptitude for practical work.”
“What is it? They all look the same to me.”
Can you truly not see this delicate pink mana, you little swordsman?
“This is a medicinal herb good for reducing fevers.”
Borbel explained.
‘And surprisingly, it’s also quite effective for stopping bleeding.’
I touched the tender grass absently, lost in thought.
“Then I should gather some of these herbs, so would you like to explore the surrounding area more?”
“Yes!”
“And if Young Master Void doesn’t understand something, please ask Rubian. You’re worried about your herbal medicine grade next semester, aren’t you?”
“Oh no, that’s supposed to be secret! You’re terrible! Besides, an older brother teaching his younger brother is only natural!”
“I do hope that’s how it turns out.”
Borbel chuckled warmly while stroking his beard.
As he retrieved his gathering tools, Void and I raced across Herb Hill at full speed.
Of course, I was the only one getting tired…
“Slow… slow down…”
“Sigh. What am I going to do with you?”
Void deliberately let me win, delaying the finish line.
“First place!”
I sprawled out flat on the ground.
As I lay there for a moment, I suddenly noticed something in my inverted view and pushed myself up.
“Huh? What’s that over there?”
“Where?”
Void, who had been fanning me with his hand, turned his head. At the far edge of the hill, what appeared as a small dot was actually a dense fence.
“Ah.”
Void scratched his chin with an ambiguous expression.
“It’s the Jebert Family’s memorial grounds.”
“You mean a cemetery?”
“Yeah. It looks closer than it actually is, you know? You’re not thinking of going there, are you…?”
Void trailed off and let out a long sigh.
He had read the curiosity about the memorial grounds filling my eyes.
“Why are you always so headstrong!”
He exclaimed loudly, yet turned his back willingly toward my outstretched arms. I grinned and quickly climbed onto his back.
Warm, warm, big brother…. Your back.
“Seriously…. Are you made of feathers?”
Why are these shoes so small? Grumble, grumble.
I’m dying here, absolutely dying! Complain, complain.
Despite his words, Void boasted the formidable stamina befitting a Zebert man.
He reached the memorial garden in no time while carrying me.
The memorial garden looked less gloomy or melancholic than like a well-maintained garden.
“What else are you curious about? Let’s just take a quick look and go.”
I glanced around, sightseeing the cemetery.
Whether the groundskeeper maintained it well or not, the black tombstones gleamed so brilliantly that my own face was clearly reflected in them.
“Wow, it’s really so vast…. Will you be buried here when you die, big brother?”
“Hey! Why would you say such a thing?”
Void glared at me and burst out indignantly.
“Huh? Why?”
“Talking about death is so inauspicious!”
“But you just said you felt like dying a moment ago.”
“That’s… just a figure of speech!”
I couldn’t understand why he was annoyed.
“You just live a long life and then die, that’s all.”
That’s exactly what I’m working so hard to make happen. Oh dear, oh dear.
I passed by the well-maintained trees and read the names on the black tombstones meaninglessly. Alton Zebert, Gaian Zebert, Brandon Zebert….
“You too, Rubian.”
“Hm?”
Wondering what he meant, I turned to look beside me and saw a youthful face staring intently at me.
Only now did I notice that Void had grown another hand’s span taller in just a few days.
“You decided to register with the Zebert Family, didn’t you? That’s what Adolf said. So naturally, when you die, you’ll be buried here too….”
His voice, which had been flowing smoothly, came to an abrupt stop.
“Die…. Sob….”
“Please. Don’t tell me those are tears glistening in your eyes right now.”
Whoosh. Void roughly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
“I don’t even want to talk about it! You absolutely won’t die, Rubian! You’ll be buried here eventually, but absolutely! You won’t die!”
So he’s planning to bury me alive then.
However, I didn’t press the matter further. Void grabbed me with reddened eyes and dragged me along.
“Phew, I’m really in a bad mood now. Let’s go. Borbel will be looking for us.”
“Um…. Huh? What’s that over there?”
Then my gaze suddenly landed on a space that felt distinctly out of place.

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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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