The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 54

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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 54
“Well, if we’re going to discuss your entry into the family registry anyway, we’d have to visit the Emperor at some point.”
Muttering thus, Father—no longer Uncle—stroked my head twice.
“Then what will you do, Father?”
Violet eyes now fixed on Grandfather. He gazed at the end of the letter with a sullen expression.
‘Surely Old Master won’t go.’
Since his illness, he seemed to dislike standing before others.
“…? How could I not go when my little runt is going?”
But contrary to my expectations, Grandfather’s expression suggested he found it absurd that I’d even ask.
“Me too, me too! I’m going with Rubian!”
“That’s right. Come along with us, Void!”
“Oh yeah, a chance to show off my sword!”
Even Void joined in, brimming with excitement.
“Isn’t it thrilling, Rubian? We’re all going on an outing together.”
Ruffling my hair vigorously, Father grinned.
As a silver lion, I pressed my lips together and nodded.
If we all go together… well, that would be nice, wouldn’t it?
Thus the Zebert Family’s attendance at the New Leaf Festival was confirmed. It had been ten years since they last attended.
“Oh. Then what about Father and Mother?”
“The journey was long, so Rose must rest at the castle. Only Liam should come.”
“Mm….”
Void looked somewhat disappointed. Yet, recognizing that Rosetta’s health took priority, he nodded maturely.
“Is the Duchess in poor health?”
I asked carefully while biting into a large cookie.
“Watching her always makes me anxious.”
A voice heavy with a long sigh followed.
‘Oh dear….’
I’d thought her nothing but a radiant, warm-hearted heroine, but it seemed she had the frail, sickly lady archetype too. Were lingering aftereffects from the carriage accident still troubling her?
‘What kind of person is she?’
I vaguely recalled the two people who had appeared in the original work.
First, Liam Zebert. He was a sharp-minded boy of fifteen. Of course, as befitted a Zebert, he was naturally skilled in swordsmanship as well.
‘In short, a well-rounded prodigy. Top of the Academy class.’
Among his interests, Liam showed particular passion for Demonic Beast Research. He likely grew into a brilliant scholar in the field.
‘But for now, he’s still a fledgling.’
Next was Rosetta Zebert.
Once an elegant noblewoman who dominated the Empire’s social circles, and Leviathan’s first love. In essence, she was the heroine of Part One of this novel.
Her description was the very epitome of a heroine archetype. Fairy-like beauty, pink hair like sweet cotton candy, a voice like a gentle spring breeze, and so on and so forth….
‘But how did those two first meet?’
In the original work, they appeared already as lovers, so I couldn’t know.
‘Now that I think about it, Rosetta was also adopted into a noble family.’
So what was I doing before that?
I imagined quietly while eating cookies, but the picture wouldn’t come into focus.
‘Either way, unintentionally… I’ve fallen a bit behind.’
Meeting Rosetta Zebert.
It’s unfortunate, but there’s nothing I can do about it!
If I meet Liam first, I’ll get close to him and come back!
* * *
There was still some time before the New Leaf Festival, but the Zebert Family decided to depart earlier and stay in Ipson.
Ipson was a northern territory under the rule of Camelan Count, a vassal of the Zebert Duchy.
Since we were going anyway, we’d leave early and discuss various matters, or so they said.
Camelan Count had even requested knight forces to defend the territory in preparation for the New Leaf Festival.
“Have a safe trip!”
The servants of the Duke’s Mansion waved their hands with bright smiles.
“I’ll be back!”
“Have a safe trip, Rubian!”
Hazel tidied my hair one more time and bid me farewell. Hazel, who had lost the lottery, unfortunately became responsible for watching the house.
‘I thought she’d be terribly depressed.’
I was relieved she seemed fine.
“If things get bad, I’ll have to chase after you…”
“Huh?”
“Eek! Even though it’s short, I’ll miss you!”
Hazel hugged me so tightly that I couldn’t ask further.
Surely… she wouldn’t open some tunnel or something and chase after me…
I narrowed my eyes thinly while making an extremely rational deduction.
The horse carrying Father and me moved slowly forward.
Ipson wasn’t far enough to require a carriage. Behind me stretched a procession of the carriage carrying Void and Grandfather, along with the knights.
[ Look ahead. Keep your distance. ]
Of course, Kalid was with us too.
‘Bad sword. You only unlock the block when you need to.’
At this point, I harbored reasonable suspicion.
Wasn’t this not a block but rather hearing and ignoring? In other words, selective listening?
‘If you hadn’t withheld information about the node mage, this would’ve been a block on my end!’
Hmph.
I turned Pax’s head and recalled the goal of this New Leaf Festival.
‘I need to meet the node mage.’
He was the final puzzle needed to complete the barrier. Besides, I’d probably be able to obtain some decent blueprints at this New Leaf Festival too.
‘Not going would be a waste!’
And I’m a little excited. The spring festival!
“…It’s still strange.”
Then, Father, holding the reins behind me, muttered softly. I tilted my head slightly.
“What is it?”
“There’s no trace of demonic beasts at all.”
Huh? Is that so? I glanced around nervously.
Now that I think about it, he’d said something similar before we departed.
“Your Excellency, I inspected the route to Ipson beforehand, but I couldn’t find a single demonic beast.”
“…Surely not. It couldn’t be, right?”
“…Surely not.”
What on earth were they talking about with all these “surely nots”?
“Surely…. It couldn’t be.”
There was an inexplicable anxiety in Father’s hushed voice… why was that?
But Father said nothing more, and I found myself completely captivated by the scenery before my eyes.
“Wow.”
We arrived in Ipson just as the sun was setting.
“It’s, it’s the Zebert Duchy!”
The gatekeeper guarding the city gates cried out in alarm as if he’d encountered a wild beast.
The blue lion banner fluttering behind us. We passed through the main gate without a single obstruction and crossed through the streets of Ipson.
“Wow. There’s smoke rising all around.”
“It’s a volcanic area. The hot springs are famous here, so there are many noble estates.”
“Does Zebert have one too?”
“Of course.”
A grand estate at a tourist destination—how exciting! I sniffed the faint sulfur smell and peeked around from behind Uncle’s cloak.
“Welcome, my lord.”
Adolf the Butler, who had departed earlier to prepare the estate, and the mansion’s servants came out to greet us.
“Wow! It’s huge!”
“It’s big but shabby.”
What, this rich Uncle?
It was even nicer than the Camelan Count’s residence we saw on the way!
“It’s been so long! I hope Liam arrives soon!”
As Void stepped into the mansion’s lobby, he stretched languidly. He seemed familiar with the place, moving through it like he owned the Duke’s Mansion.
“I wanted to see our Rose.”
Grandfather murmured wistfully as he removed his heavy cloak.
Then, one of the servants standing in formation asked.
“My lord, we’ve prepared Zebert’s private hot spring. What would you like to do?”
“Wow! A bath!”
My eyes lit up without thinking, and Grandfather laughed heartily and bowed his waist.
“Since we’re here after so long, I should loosen up my body too! My little snot-nose, would you like to go to the medicinal hot spring with Grandpa?”
“Mm, no way!”
Cough. At my firm refusal, Old Master clutched his right chest and rolled on the floor. Oh wait, the heart’s on the left….
Void shook his head with a wry smile and stepped forward.
“Heh. Grandfather, Rubian likes his older brother more, you know. Rub, let’s go to the rainbow hot spring together!”
“I absolutely hate rainbows.”
Thud. Grandfather also slumped in defeat beside me.
“….”
The servants watching naturally turned their gaze toward the Duke, who was removing his cloak.
Father chuckled and scooped me up into his arms.
“Everyone’s being careless. Rubian doesn’t like bathing with other people.”
Ah, truly a charming father….
“But at this point, I think I can manage. Rubian, you can cover yourself, so why don’t you bathe with Dad….”
“Can I choose that room over there?”
I bounced out of Father’s embrace and bounded up the stairs.
They all say the most absurd things without a shred of hesitation!
As I hopped up the stairs, Grandfather and Void brushed themselves off and rose to their feet with a pat-pat.
“Still, Rubian didn’t even interrupt my words….”
How much must he dislike it….
Not a single word escaped the Duke, who had turned rigid as stone.
Old Master placed a sympathetic hand upon his broad shoulders.
“There, what is it. Strength? Let it go. My son.”
“Hang in there, Father.”
The Duke was utterly dejected.

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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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