The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 89

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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 89
* * *
Boom! Boom! The sound of celebratory fireworks echoed loudly from early morning.
It was none other than the highlight of the Shinrok Festival—the Children’s Competition had arrived!
“Finally!”
I snapped my eyes open and hurried to prepare.
Rather than wearing a dress as cumbersome as the one from the prayer ceremony, I chose practical clothing that allowed for easy movement and donned my mask before heading to the Competition Venue with everyone else.
The massive Martial Arts Arena was teeming with people.
“Wow, is this the Martial Arts Arena?”
“Typically, yes. But right now it’s just the Competition Venue.”
Father squeezed my hand and explained.
The crowd was somewhat overwhelming at first, but I grew accustomed to it quickly.
Walking alongside Father, people instinctively averted their gazes.
‘Oh no, what’s the public opinion of Zebert…? Could it be the worst?’
Could it be because I made too much noise in the chapel yesterday?
‘This is serious, very serious.’
I sat in the noble’s section, deeply worried. From the corner of my eye, I could see the platform where the Emperor stood.
“The Emperor has arrived.”
“Oh, it’s Licht.”
I spotted a familiar face following behind the Emperor.
Licht, dressed in a dazzling outfit, smiled brightly when he saw me. It was a different, equally handsome appearance from yesterday.
Hello there.
Just as I was about to greet him, someone grabbed my wrist from beside me.
“Don’t wave your hand around carelessly. People will misunderstand.”
“Huh?”
It was Kalid standing beside me.
“To be precise, don’t wave your hand at him. It’s a waste.”
“That’s even more confusing.”
Anyway…
‘My friend looks amazing.’
Kalid, dressed in the Knight Order uniform, was truly, genuinely impressive now that I really looked at him.
From the golden shoulder boards to the cape draped to one side, and the sharp sword ornament—he was the very picture of a perfect little knight.
‘But for some reason, it seems like the young ladies keep turning around to look…’
Glancing back with flushed cheeks and whispering.
Turning slightly and blushing while murmuring among themselves.
Of course, I understood that Kalid was handsome enough to warrant constant admiration.
‘What is this feeling?’
I tilted my head in confusion.
Then, Kalid pulled his lips into a smile.
“This is annoying.”
“What?”
“The stares.”
“Exactly!”
I nodded eagerly.
“It was irritating!”
“Why were you?”
“Well….”
I trailed off.
Those girls seemed to have fallen for you?
Wait. No, that’s not it. This is, this is strange!
“Speaking of which, Kalid, why are you irritated?”
I asked blankly, concealing my confusion.
“Well, even though you covered your face….”
Kalid froze at the same point I had.
“….”
A brief silence.
“That’s enough.”
Father turned my head around with a creak. When I looked back, I saw his face with his eyebrows raised in clear displeasure.
“I don’t think you two should talk much longer.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Just because.”
I was about to protest when a long, majestic horn blast filled the air around us.
“Woooow!”
Boom, boom!
At the same moment, celebratory fireworks erupted wildly, and flower petals and colorful paper scattered gracefully through the air.
Peeking my head out, I saw Asha with wide, bulging eyes, setting off magical fireworks. She looked like a salaryman who had fallen into the doldrums from excessive work.
“The competition begins!”
I gazed forward with a racing heart.
“Now, before we begin the formal Shinrok Festival Competition, His Majesty the Emperor will deliver a commemorative address.”
Ah. Well, of course.
A speech from someone of high rank is never absent from an event.
I nodded and looked toward the platform where the Imperial Family sat. Beside Licht, several princes with unremarkable features sat with indifferent expressions.
“Beloved young sprouts of Babylon.”
The Emperor’s resonant voice echoed across the venue.
‘He looks incredibly dignified from this angle.’
In the tea room, he had seemed like a kind uncle.
The Emperor smiled gently and continued his address.
“The Babylon Shinrok Festival is a time to give thanks to the goddess who has granted us this fresh new season. It is also a celebration for our growing young sprouts. I hope this becomes a joyful and meaningful time for all of you.”
Yes, that’s a fine speech! I was about to clap.
“Woooow…ow?”
But I had to stop when the Emperor’s lips opened again.
“Our Shinrok Festival began with a single word from Emperor Halibis NN years ago…”
“…”
Ah, so he’s the talkative headmaster type.
But like a patient child, I sat quietly with my hands clasped together, listening intently.
“-Through such processes, when we reached the reign of Emperor Ozel, who pacified the Southern Region, the Shinrok Festival became firmly established. It was born from the desire to see our beloved children grow up more fairly and healthily. Now then…”
“Ha, finally starting.”
I spread my hands wide again, ready to clap.
“So then, how did the name ‘Shinrok Festival’ come about?”
“…”
And so a thousand years passed.
* * *
Phew, that was something. Licht’s father…
I shook my head in disbelief. If the Attendant hadn’t stopped him midway, the Emperor’s speech would have continued into next year.
Meanwhile, the children’s faces, which had been growing deathly pale, regained their color.
“Have you seen the actual card?”
It was because the grand prize had just been revealed.
The Hero Collection card displayed on the podium flaunted its magnificent presence.
“It’s no joke.”
“The card’s thickness alone was exceptional. Truly a Shinrok Festival edition.”
Excitement rippled through the crowd. Indeed, the dream and hope of all children across the Continent…
“Why on earth do they want something like that…”
Father pressed his forehead in exasperation. Hehe. His embarrassed expression was rather amusing.
“I want it, I really want it…!”
Like the other children, I bounced on my toes and reached out. In that moment, my eyes met Void’s.
“Void, did you see? The real thing is so cool…”
“Sigh.”
Void exhaled a long breath with a defeated expression.
“I get it, I get it.”
“What now?”
“Do you think I’ll just crumble when you look at me like that?”
Why is he like this.
“Yeah, I just crumbled. Even if the world falls apart, I can’t win against you, seriously.”
“…I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“Exactly. How do you manipulate people with just your eyes without saying a word? If you want the card that badly, I’ll give it to you.”
Once again, Void was impossible to reason with.
Besides, my interest had already moved beyond cards…
That was when it happened.
One of the announcers stepped onto the podium.
“I’m sure you’re all aware of the unfortunate incident that occurred in Ipson. His Majesty the Emperor has graciously added an extra grand prize to the competition as a gesture of comfort and encouragement.”
The atmosphere around us grew restless.
With a brief gesture from the Emperor, an Attendant carefully brought forth a box wrapped in crimson velvet.
As the cloth was drawn back, a transparent glass case was revealed, and within it lay a single herb root that appeared both precious and mystical at first glance.
“Oh? That’s…!”
Several people let out short exclamations, their faces uncertain.
The Emperor smiled gently.
“Someone recognizes it. Yes, this is the Memorial Herb that the Academy’s Herbalism Professor recently brought to me.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
“As you all know, it’s an excellent herb for enhancing concentration and memory.”
“Gasp, as expected!”
The children seemed indifferent, but the parents’ eyes suddenly gleamed with fervor.
“The legendary one that guarantees Academy grades for next semester with just a single root!”
What? This wasn’t some medicine peddler’s pitch.
It was truly an exaggerated legend.
But then again, the Memorial Herb was an extraordinarily rare herb presented only to the Emperor. It was so difficult to obtain that even vast sums of gold couldn’t secure it, so the rumors swelling around it were understandable.
‘So that’s why the Herbalism Professor visited the Imperial Palace.’
The quiz competition was secondary—this was the real purpose.
I gazed intently at the luminous blue herb emanating an ethereal glow. Its whisker-like dangling roots and straight stem reminded me of wild ginseng.
‘If I were to obtain the Emperor’s herb, it would certainly be more honorable than acquiring mere money or jewels.’
Perhaps something befitting the family’s glory.
It was the perfect prize to completely transform the festival’s dying atmosphere.
“Rubian, Father’s burning up here.”
“Huh?”
“My daughter’s eyes are absolutely blazing.”
Father poked my forehead gently.
“Did you need that herb? You should have told me sooner.”
“No, that’s the Emperor’s herb… it’s incredibly rare…”
“Enough.”
“…”
“Just tell me if you need it or not.”
Ugh, what is this aura?
The casual ease of the wealthy, for whom nothing in this world seems difficult.
“I’d like to have it, but it’s fine.”
“Hm?”
“It’s right there in front of us. I just need to win it!”
In that moment, the surroundings fell silent.
I’d spoken softly… so why did my voice seem to echo through the air like this…?

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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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