The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 47

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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 47
A peculiar space enclosed by towering fences, with massive evergreens bending protectively overhead as if standing guard.
“Ah. That place….”
Void’s expression grew distinctly troubled.
“…It’s the Nameless Zebert Garden.”
“What….”
I stopped mid-question.
Nameless Zebert.
The meaning was unmistakable.
‘It’s the grave of Uncle Leviathan’s child.’
I rose on my tiptoes to peer through the fence gaps. Far beyond, brilliant sunlight streamed down upon the place where a black gravestone stood.
“There are flowers placed there. Did Uncle leave them?”
“Father never comes to this cemetery. It must be Grandfather.”
“Why doesn’t Uncle come?”
“I don’t know.”
He hasn’t fully healed from the wound yet.
I thought distantly.
Well, being an adult doesn’t make one invincible.
“Gasp, the groundskeeper’s coming! If we’re spotted, it’ll be troublesome.”
“Why why?”
“She’s a witch. There’s a rumor she doesn’t speak to anyone and devours children who visit the Memorial Garden.”
“Eek.”
Looking at it objectively, someone clearly spread false rumors to keep you away from here.
The woman with auburn hair flowing loose approached, her gray robe pulled low, a sickle gripped in one hand. Her appearance did seem somewhat ominous.
“Let’s go, Rubian! Hurry and get on my back.”
“Okay.”
I took one last look at the small gravestone, burning it into memory.
“….”
My hand rose of its own accord to the pin lodged in my hair.
‘Just… just a little.’
I prayed silently, uncertain even of what I wished to say.
The black gravestone stretched like a shadow, as if perpetually grasping at my ankles.
After finishing the field training and returning to the Zebert Mansion, I was summoned by Uncle and Grandfather. Of course, Void came along as well.
“Wow! Wow wow wow!”
The moment we entered the Reception Room, Void bounded about like a young colt.
Grandfather puffed out his chest with a satisfied heft.
“Do you like it?”
“Incredibly much!”
A gleaming, radiant blade. The sword studded with fine blue gems was more than enough to captivate Void’s heart.
“Well then, little one, what about you?”
“….”
I found myself momentarily at a loss for words.
It was because I could see the sword right before my eyes.
So… this is mine?
“Oh, this. Oh…. So that’s it.”
I repeated the same words like a fool. Because this was.
‘A sword passed down through the Zebert Family!’
It looked slightly worn and crude compared to Void’s, but the ethereal blue aura wrapping around it radiated an incredible sense of power.
The Zebert Family crest carved into the hilt.
A meticulously crafted lion emblem and a large crimson jewel embedded prominently in the center.
“Oh…. This, oh. So why on earth is this for me.”
“Nothing I make ever satisfies me. Tsk. I’m still lacking.”
Grandfather appeared genuinely wounded in his pride.
“Even so… a treasure? For me?”
Isn’t this something the head of the family usually wields? Something like this?!
I spun around to look at my Uncle, but the accomplished head of the family simply tilted his head with composure. What was with that satisfied expression on his face.
“The head of the family has a separate sword. Though if you want to be technical about it, it’s a blade passed down to the legitimate successor.”
So why are you giving it to me.
“Ugh, what does that matter? These days, if you’re too caught up in tradition and all that, you can’t use anything properly. Everyone should use what suits them!”
So said the old-fashioned one of the Zebert Family….
“Keep it safe and use it when the time comes, yes? It’s dangerous, so don’t carry it too close for now. Understood?”
As I listened to Grandfather’s nagging, I stared at the Zebert sword resting shyly on the table.
He said it was a blade passed down to the successor, and it was certainly smaller in size than the sword my Uncle was using.
As I sat there speechless and dazed, my Uncle spoke in a deliberately stern voice.
“Both of you must manage them responsibly. Do you understand?”
“Yes! Father!”
Void seemed to have already fallen in love with his sword.
“Look at it every day, polish it well, dry it in the sun occasionally. Simply keeping it isn’t enough.”
A companion pet…. No, a companion sword?
“Yes, yes! I’ll remember!”
“Rubian, what about you?”
“Yes….”
I simply answered, finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with these fools’ rhythm.
Right, I’ll just keep it safe for now and return it later, whatever.
“Grandfather, I want to train right away! I’ll become a magnificent man worthy of this sword!”
“What! Finally saying something that pleases me! Bring the sword brat too!”
“Yes, sir!”
Void and Grandfather, for once in agreement, vanished like the wind.
I watched their retreating figures and slumped back in my chair.
My Uncle glanced sideways, examining my face.
“You don’t seem pleased with it. It’s old, I’ll grant you, but it’s quite rare.”
I was utterly speechless.
“It’s not about whether I like it or not—it’s why you’re so casually handing over something so precious to someone else….”
“Why are you someone else?”
My Guardian unfolded his arms and leaned toward me. His low voice soon followed.
“You’ll be taking the Zebert name.”
Ah.
I was seized by an oddly fresh realization, blinking slowly.
“Right?”
“W-well, yes….”
So that’s how it worked.
Of course it did.
Becoming the true youngest of this household meant taking the Zebert name, which in turn meant becoming true family with Leviathan—my Guardian….
‘Wait. Hold on.’
Suddenly… it all became so real….
I was seized by an indescribable feeling. The sword resting on the table suddenly carried a weight and presence entirely different from before. The small, dark gravestone I’d seen in the Memorial Garden kept flickering strangely in my mind.
Really, all of a sudden.
“Your form of address too, Rubian.”
“Hm?”
“How about we start changing it gradually?”
Leviathan crossed his long legs casually as he spoke. A subtle anticipation gleamed in his composed features.
So that meant….
‘Ah… he’s asking me to call him Father?’
I deliberately turned away from the discomfort rising like heat shimmer and slowly nodded.
Well, it’s just a form of address.
It shouldn’t be that difficult, right?
“Fa….”
“Fa?”
“Fa….”
At the continuing fa-fa-fa triple chorus, my Guardian’s eyebrows shot up.
“Fa?”
“Fa… B-baked pears taste delicious!”
At my blurted nonsense, my Guardian’s eyes flickered slightly toward the table.
“There aren’t any.”
I quickly added to it.
“The ones I ate yesterday!”
“Rubian.”
Ugh. Why am I like this, seriously.
Something caught in my throat, and the words wouldn’t come out properly. Because of that, my mind was already bleaching white.
Unable to endure it any longer, I shot up from my seat.
“I’m sorry, Un—”
The words died on my lips before I could finish.
‘This is bad.’
I couldn’t even say Uncle anymore!
I was the one flustered by this sudden malfunction of my own voice.
“I… I’m busy, so I’ll be going!”
Whoosh.
Knowing full well I shouldn’t do this, I fled the Reception Room, leaving the bewildered Duke behind.
What do I do! I can’t speak!
Someone fix me!
My antics didn’t stop there.
“Ah!”
“…”
“…Want some bread?”
“You need to have it first to eat it.”
I said such things to Uncle sitting behind a pile of documents.
“Rubian, where are you going?”
“Yeah! Ah!”
“…”
“I really need to hurry! Sorry!”
And I bolted away in a panic.
“Good morning! Ah!”
“…”
“Ta-da. A new pin, see?”
I bragged about the butterfly-shaped pin I’d stuck in my hair… (It was the worst.)
Because of this, Uncle had no choice but to seek out Borbel, the Northern Region’s finest Physician.
“It seems my youngest has truly broken down.”
Fix her.
Uncle, tucking me under his arm, stormed into the Medical Office with all the authority of a gangster and commanded it.

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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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