The Youngest Hides a Lot - Chapter 90

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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 90
“As expected. The Zebert Duchy’s young lady is also competing in the Shinrok Festival Competition….”
“Did you hear that? The way she spoke with such composure, as if nothing in this world could be difficult for her.”
“As expected. The young lady of the Northern Region….”
Something felt terribly wrong about this situation.
I buried my face in my palms.
But since I genuinely intended to obtain that herb, I didn’t deny it.
‘I want to get my hands on the Memorial Herb.’
Because that herb, when used alone, is merely a simple medicinal plant….
‘But when combined with magical power, it can revive forgotten memories.’
Ever since the kidnapping incident, the memories from the original story that surfaced while I was recovering from a cold had remained at a standstill.
Of course, I had asked Wizeria about it just in case, but I couldn’t get any answers.
I was exhausted by Wizeria’s selective feedback. I decided to stop relying solely on my own memories and knowledge, and instead seek external assistance.
Specifically, through that Memorial Herb.
‘I’ll win first place in the competition and obtain the herb!’
I made that resolution the moment Asha informed me about the additional prize for the competition.
Besides, I also want that Hero Card, of course….
“Father, I’ll do my best.”
I made a quiet vow. Father laughed and said it was fine to take it easy, then instructed his subordinates nearby to dispatch people to herb merchants across the nation.
In any case.
‘I’ve already devised a strategy for this!’
I looked back at the elite members who would compete alongside me in the Shinrok Festival Competition.
Team Zebert.
Yes, the finest and most optimal lineup possible.
‘I’ll revive these fragmented memories.’
And save Father!
* * *
Team Zebert.
That naturally consisted of Liam, Void, and Kalid.
“Youngest, come quickly. We need to go register for the events.”
Liam extended his hand toward me. The Registration Desk set up at one side of the competition grounds was already swarming with children.
The Shinrok Festival Competition consisted of four events in total.
1. Horseback Racing 2. Quiz Competition 3. Children’s Sword Tournament 4. Maze Challenge
Children could choose one of these events to participate in.
‘If you win in each event, you earn a 100-point “Gold Badge.”‘
Of course, winning wasn’t everything.
If a child demonstrated exceptional skill in an event, they could earn additional 5-point “Star Stickers” based on the judges’ evaluation.
‘That’s why, a few years ago, there was a child who achieved first place overall using only “Star Stickers” in the Quiz Competition.’
They answered only three questions, but each solution was so innovative that they received 100 Star Stickers. Five hundred points for first place.
Of course, that was an extremely exceptional case. Generally, among children who earned Gold Badges, first, second, and third place were determined by the number of Star Stickers they accumulated.
‘Well then, to win for certain….’
I swept my sharp gaze across Liam’s, Void’s, and Kalid’s faces in turn.
“Why are you thinking so hard? Let’s hurry up and register for the swordsmanship competition with me! I’ll let you win!”
“No, the youngest fairy will register for the quiz competition with me. Of course, I have no intention of losing, but I’m willing to share the answers.”
“Hmm, everyone. You’re all underestimating the Shinrok Festival.”
As I wagged my index finger, question marks appeared on everyone’s faces. I borrowed Liam’s glasses and became the clever Rubian.
“Now. Look here.”
As I crouched down and drew on the ground, the three of them gathered around me.
“What is the Shinrok Festival Competition? A battle between houses.”
“Huh, isn’t it just for fun?”
“It can’t be. Do you want to lose the Hero Card to another house?”
“I don’t want that!”
“Then we need to devise a strategy that guarantees victory.”
“Strategy? That sounds good.”
Liam nodded as he glanced at a nearby trash bin. I quickly returned his glasses.
“It means we shouldn’t compete against each other.”
“What do you mean?”
“Each of us should enter different events.”
“Indeed.”
Liam grinned widely and sketched on the ground.
1. Horseback Riding – Kalid
2. Quiz – Me
3. Swordsmanship – Void
4. Maze – ♡♥Rubian♡♥
“I think this would be best.”
Somehow my name seemed a bit more elaborate than the others.
Anyway.
“But I didn’t know Kalid could even participate.”
As I looked at Kalid’s name anew and asked, Void nodded.
“Actually, the Shinrok Festival Competition is open to anyone, not just noble children. Most commoner children don’t want to compete against nobles, so they don’t participate…. Especially in horseback riding or swordsmanship. But he doesn’t seem like he’d care about that sort of thing.”
“Ah. He really doesn’t care much.”
Kalid simply sat down on the ground and listened indifferently, as if it were someone else’s business.
“But I prefer this better.”
Kalid’s finger, which had been silent until then, pointed to number 3, the swordsmanship competition. Void let out a scoff.
“Hey. You always mess up in mock combat. Did you forget? Are you planning to just stand still here too?”
“…Ah.”
Goodness. It seems he still hasn’t shaken off his inexperience in real combat.
Kalid made a displeased face but couldn’t offer further objection.
“Wait a moment.”
This time, the objection came from me. I had serious doubts about my assigned event.
“But I want to participate in the quiz competition! Can’t Liam do the maze instead?”
I wasn’t confident about the other events, honestly. But since they said herbalism questions would appear in this quiz competition, this was the only event where I had a real chance of winning.
Liam chuckled.
“Me navigate a maze? I can’t even find the bathroom.”
“….”
Ah, fair point.
“Fine. If you insist that much, I’ll participate in the maze. But since it feels like we won’t meet again until the next life, let me bid you farewell now….”
“No! Stop with the next life stuff!”
I quickly cut Liam off.
I couldn’t help it. Liam was clever, so he might actually solve the quiz problems better than me.
‘Finding my way through a maze should be something I can do reasonably well.’
After finishing our strategy meeting, we hurried toward the Registration Desk.
“Yes, four members from the Zebert Duchy. Your registration is complete. Please check this schedule for each event.”
The Registration Desk was already swarming with competitors.
Unfamiliar faces everywhere. Of course, the three boys standing beside me had such an overwhelming presence that everyone just glanced at us without making any real approach.
‘Heh. With these three, any of them would take first place.’
Even so, I considered myself a reasonably objective child.
Honestly, this wasn’t a magical duel, and my chances of winning against these formidable little competitors were slim.
‘As long as we can bring that prize back to our house, it doesn’t matter who wins!’
Liam and Kalid had said from the start they’d give me the prize, and Void had no interest in anything except the hero card.
I shifted my gaze and spotted Father, Grandfather, and Mother Rosetta sitting in the Spectator Stands far away. All three were smiling brightly and waving enthusiastically at me.
Wow.
Without thinking, I bounced and waved back at them. I never knew something could be this exciting and reassuring!
A competition with my parents here.
This was truly wonderful!
* * *
The equestrian race started first.
As the opening event, the Competition Grounds flooded with spectators like a swarm.
Watching the murmuring crowd with gleaming eyes, I decided I’d made the right choice a hundred times over to participate in the maze instead.
Riding a horse in front of all those people?
‘I’d definitely mess up something I normally wouldn’t. One hundred percent chance.’
Of course, the boy Kalid, who was indifferent to everything, was simply stroking his horse’s muzzle with a bored expression as always.
“All our little ones are participating.”
Father murmured as he sat beside me.
“Being a parent is the busiest job there is.”
“Mm-hmm.”
For some reason, I felt happy and looked down at the top of Kalid’s head.
Most of the children in the equestrian race were noble heirs who had received systematic riding education since childhood.
Even standing among those flashily adorned children like peacocks, Kalid didn’t fall short at all.
Rather, he was like a single swan among the peacocks.
‘Heh. She’d absolutely hate hearing that.’
I’d have to tease her about it later.
People glanced over in our direction, whispering among themselves.
“That girl—I heard the Zebert Duke himself is personally nurturing her as a talent in the Knight Order?”
“Really? Her eyes are fierce. I’ve heard that Zebert Grandfather is also watching her very closely.”
In truth, the Zebert Knight Order was perpetually understaffed, and Grandfather simply enjoyed spending time with the young people, but….
‘Well, it’s not entirely wrong either.’
I didn’t mind the feeling of my friend being lifted up.
“Go for it, our daughter!”
“Simon, you’ve got this!”
Cheers erupted from various corners of the grounds.
I was somewhat surprised.
Honestly, I’d assumed the nobles would simply observe with refined elegance and quiet composure, like viewing a high-class exhibition…. But the festival atmosphere was incredibly free and spirited.
‘Or perhaps cheering for one’s children transcends social station.’
Of course, there were nobles like Father who maintained their dignity with perfectly rigid posture.
‘Wait, they even have support tools?’
When signs with cheering messages and fans began to appear, I realized people were far more invested in this New Leaf Festival than I’d expected.
Ah! If I’d known the atmosphere would be like this, I would’ve brought my sketchbook!
“Father! Over here!”
Just then, I heard Mother and Grandfather’s voices from the far end.
“Get out of the way, you dust specks! We need to unfurl our support banner!”
Two bulls charging through, kicking people aside….
And then the largest banner in the entire venue unfurled magnificently.
The pride of the Zebert Knight Order!
Go, young Kalid, go!
“….”
The face of Kalid standing below turned pale with shock.

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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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