The Youngest Member Filming a Parenting Show is Adorable - Chapter 204

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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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Part 2, Chapter 11 (204)
“Can I just leave without asking permission?”
“Why would it matter? You’re going with me. If anything goes wrong, I’ll take the blame.”
“That’s… not really fair to you.”
It would certainly be convenient, but I didn’t want to diminish my friend by letting him shoulder all the responsibility.
As I hesitated, Maximilian spoke with sudden seriousness.
“No, really—I’ll take the blame. Actually, just say I dragged you out by force.”
“…!”
It’s remarkable.
A person can change so much in just a few years.
‘Mother taught me that a person willing to take responsibility is a true adult.’
Then Maximilian is an adult.
The confidence that he wouldn’t make excuses or offer justifications—the way he said he’d carry everything himself—was honestly impressive.
[The Chaos Spirit King ‘■■■■’ urges you onward.]
[The Emotion Spirit King ‘■■■’ keeps shouting that this is a date.]
[The Water Spirit King ‘Aurora’ says it’s fine for you to take a day off and rest like a child.]
With even Mother giving her blessing, I had no choice.
‘Besides, I do want to go out.’
I was also curious about something I’d heard on the carriage ride here earlier.
“You know, it would be easier to talk freely if we go out.”
“Right. I know a tavern I go to often. The appetizers there are incredible.”
I wasn’t sure if I should be going to a tavern, but I followed him anyway.
Part of it was because I’d vaguely sensed that Maximilian wanted to introduce me to one of his ‘sources.’
“By the way, is there a good spot near there to open a cafe?”
“A cafe? Are you starting a business?”
“I pestered Father for it as a birthday gift, and he said he’d set it up for me.”
“Wow, every noblewoman in the Capital wants to open a cafe, but you’ve managed it so smoothly. That’s impressive.”
It was really just something I thought of on the spot.
Embarrassed by Maximilian’s excessive praise, I let out an awkward cough.
“Anyway, let’s hurry and get out of here!”
No matter how much Maximilian insisted on taking responsibility, I didn’t want to leave it all to him.
I deliberately emphasized my own share of the responsibility as I quietly slipped out of the Imperial Palace with him.
I promised myself I’d definitely be back before dinner.
‘But promises are always meant to be broken, aren’t they?’
Not long after.
I somewhat regretted planting that flag with such a thought.
“Hey, people die if they don’t eat for a few hours, right?”
“I’m not sure, but it’s definitely not just one hour. We’re still fine, Superti.”
Maximilian broke into a cold sweat trying to calm me down at my serious question. But since it wasn’t particularly reassuring, I asked again with a dejected expression.
“Then how many hours will it take for us to be digested inside this creature’s belly?”
“That’s… hard to guarantee. Before that, I should pray the Admiral comes looking for us.”
Disgusting gastric fluid clung to my entire body with a sickly stickiness.
Maximilian, who had driven merely a single sword into the stomach wall, was struggling to hold me with his other hand, and I dangled helplessly from his grip.
‘Well, it wouldn’t be surprising if his hand slipped at any moment.’
Then I’d go splash right down, wouldn’t I?
Splashing into water would be fine, but this yellowish gastric fluid is rather problematic.
‘My skin is already stinging.’
I’d only fallen in briefly before being pulled out, yet it was like this—if I were to be properly submerged… well.
There might not even be a body left to find.
“Just to be absolutely certain, let me ask again. You truly cannot use the spirits’ power?”
“Right. The spirits aren’t responding. Neither are the Spirit Kings.”
As I answered dejectedly, Maximilian exhaled a heavy sigh.
“Then we have no choice but to survive on our own for now.”
“Should we at least try to hold on?”
“We have to. Ugh, this thing’s convulsing again!”
Whoooosh!
The esophageal section located above my head opened, and something like water came cascading down like a waterfall.
Drenched like a drowned rat, both Maximilian and I looked at each other… and then burst into laughter.
The result of our unauthorized excursion was absolutely disastrous, but somehow, the sense of camaraderie that had formed between Maximilian and me didn’t feel so bad.
At least, if we survive this place, we might become truly close friends.
Right now, we were swallowed whole by a colossal man-eating subspace.
* * *
About three hours before becoming a monster’s meal.
Maximilian and I were giggling like mischievous children as we climbed over the wall.
We could have simply walked out openly without anyone stopping us, but sneaking around while watching the soldiers’ expressions had its own appeal.
After that, we turned into an alley that Maximilian said he found useful when he enjoyed his “nighttime outings,” but it wasn’t exactly well-maintained.
“The Empress has been pushing urban development projects quite aggressively. It hasn’t all been bad results either—the outcomes have been quite good, actually. Tourist numbers, which had been stagnant, have increased.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“But she couldn’t possibly touch everything. She only dealt with neighborhoods near Main Street, and these narrow passages between buildings… well, she simply couldn’t reach them. Tada.”
The back alley Maximilian pointed to with his thumb was truly narrow.
Just barely wide enough for one person, and only if they shuffled sideways like a crab?
“It’s okay if my clothes get dirty, right?”
“Of course. What does clothing matter?”
“Then let’s go.”
Maximilian took the lead, and I followed behind.
‘It would be impressive to get assassinated here. Under normal circumstances, there’d be absolutely no way to escape.’
[The Air Spirit King, Shapasi, says not to worry, as wind exists everywhere.]
That’s right, Shapasi. I trust you.
Wind is the optimal force for defense, after all.
“Actually, not all of the Empress’s policies are misguided. If they demolished one of these buildings and created a clean street instead, it would be quite nice.”
Surprisingly, the Tavern was situated roughly in the middle of that narrow alley.
Maximilian pushed open a door that scarcely looked like one at all, then turned to me and spoke with measured calm.
“But the people who lived there—those cast aside—they had nowhere left to go. Things only grew more dangerous, more desperate.”
“I know.”
“The world the Empress and the First Prince envision exists only for those of certain classes—those with labor to offer. I don’t believe that’s right.”
Behind Maximilian, I could see several people gathered together.
It wasn’t surprising that they were all women, but their ages ranged from girls to grandmothers—that was unexpected.
[The Air Spirit King Shapasi says that roughly half of them bear some form of disability.]
[The Flame Spirit King Flammeus says that while some possess congenital disabilities, most appear to be acquired.]
Ah, so these people are—
“Victims of that day’s incident…?”
Sorrow and relief flickered across the faces of those who heard my murmur.
“It has been a long time since we’ve met someone who calls us victims, Your Highness.”
From among those gathered, an Elder stepped forward with a limp and bowed deeply to me.
“Your Highness has spoken kindly of us for some time now. You said you would bring us someone someday, and it seems that day is today.”
“Maxxi talked about me?”
“Yes. He spoke of a girl with pink hair and bright, spirited eyes—one who never loses heart.”
I spun around to face Maximilian, and he immediately looked away, feigning ignorance.
“Ah, how embarrassing. Did I really talk about this brat so often? In such detail? Surely not?”
“Hehe, you certainly did. So this old woman recognized you at once—as the Young Lady of Fasayen.”
I felt a bit embarrassed too, but it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling.
Because I cared about these people as well.
‘Maximilian has become their anchor.’
Still, I was grateful that someone listened to their sorrows. And I was glad it was Maximilian.
“My name is Superti Fasayen. Just call me by my name—there’s no need for formality.”
“Yes, Superti. We have long heard of your esteemed reputation.”
“Am I really that famous?”
“Of course. You are Fasayen’s …”
Huh?
The Grandmother mumbled, and I missed the middle word.
But before I could ask again, Maximilian interjected.
“As you might guess, this group was formed primarily by victims of that day’s incident. Beyond that, there are also those who have suffered because of policies enacted by the First Prince and the Empress.”
“I see. Does the group have a name?”
Asking this would likely mean I’d become deeply involved.
Still, I didn’t want to be a coward.
I wanted to ask. I wanted to know.
“What is the group’s name…?”
Maximilian, having read my resolve, looked directly at me and spoke slowly, each syllable grave and deliberate.
“We Are Here Too.”

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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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