They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 10

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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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I deliberately averted my gaze from that pitiful expression and retrieved a sharp metal pick from my spatial pouch.
Magic always left traces, so in situations like this, it was better to rely on the old-fashioned method.
‘Compared to the traps scattered throughout the labyrinth, this is simple enough.’
With a soft click, the door swung open in an instant.
“…?!”
Elhart’s eyes widened in surprise.
‘How adorable.’
No, why was I thinking like this?
‘This is not the time to be distracted.’
I needed to quickly search through everything and return to my room before the shift change.
“I’ll examine the desk area.”
The implication was that he should check elsewhere.
“That sounds like a good idea.”
Elhart followed closely behind me.
“….”
I couldn’t tell from his expression alone whether he was doing this knowingly or simply lacked perception.
‘…Having him help would be useful, though. I can’t verify the authenticity of documents on my own.’
I began rapidly scanning through the desk, then moved on to the documents in the filing cabinet.
They had hidden some things using mechanisms, but I was not someone who would fail to find such things.
Elhart assisted me from beside as I sorted and organized the documents I had found.
And then….
‘What is this?’
Less than five minutes into the task, I was consumed by intense fury.
‘Internal documents from the Bardia Finance Ministry? A classified military budget proposal rolling across an enemy nation’s desk?’
I was so astonished that my hands trembled uncontrollably.
Regardless of how many traitors there were, it seemed they had gone beyond selling information to outright delivering it.
‘The royal family’s investment plans would be difficult for anyone outside the direct bloodline to obtain?’
What was even more shocking was that Elhart showed no particular surprise upon seeing these documents.
He must have known about all of this already.
“Why aren’t those who sell classified information being rooted out and eliminated?”
“Currently, Bardia is controlled by those who support becoming a vassal state of the Cradion Empire.”
“There’s not a single person trying to protect the nation?”
As I gritted my teeth and asked, bitterness crossed Elhart’s lips.
“How could that be? It’s just that those who would have stood against it were purged first.”
“…Like you?”
“Yes, like me.”
A brief silence fell between us.
I quietly gazed into Elhart’s calm, settled eyes.
‘You haven’t given up yet.’
There was neither resignation nor despair in those eyes.
Only the unwavering resolve of one facing an inevitable task remained.
‘Let us return together, Elhart.’
I whispered words to myself that were still too early to speak aloud to him.
‘I will stand beside you.’
By the Founding King I swear—the traitors of Bardia shall forfeit their necks the day I return.
As if mere lives would suffice.
The fortunes they had painstakingly amassed, their power, their honor—all would crumble to dust.
‘But first, I must settle matters here.’
So they would never dare attempt invasion again.
‘These wretches see through Bardia’s internal affairs as clearly as one reads an open palm.’
Examining the documents carefully, I discovered a puzzle piece that could not have been completed by the traitors alone.
I selected several documents where such details were particularly evident and showed them to Elhart.
“Do you know who authored these?”
“Marquis Marcel and Count Cohen. Both are close confidants of the Emperor.”
“Have they ever visited Bardia?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
I committed their names to memory alongside that of Raedric Bellow, the Foreign Minister.
“Now we should depart… wait.”
Elhart’s expression hardened, as if he sensed the same thing I did.
From what I had learned, the Central Palace operated under a complete lockdown system from 10 PM to 4 AM.
All personnel needed for interior patrols had been reassigned to external security, and protective enchantments had been installed on the building itself, triggering an alarm if tampered with.
Thud—thud—
The footsteps I now heard meant one of two things.
‘Either the master of the Central Palace’s security magic, or an intruder like us.’
Neither prospect was welcome.
‘Where can I hide?’
As I anxiously scanned the space, Elhart seized my sleeve and pulled.
He pointed toward a cabinet positioned against the wall.
‘Can he even fit in there…?’
I doubted it, but with nowhere else to conceal ourselves, we had to try.
Fortunately, the interior space proved deeper than expected.
Still, Elhart had to fold his body almost completely, but we managed to squeeze inside together.
‘I noticed it before, but his body temperature runs quite high.’
Pressed together in an almost embracing position, I could feel the warmth radiating from his body through the thin fabric of our clothes.
‘It’s fortunate he’s so flexible.’
He seemed slightly tense, though.
‘In the worst case, I could incapacitate them before they see us.’
Though it seemed unlikely they would venture into the Foreign Minister’s office just to open a cabinet containing miscellaneous supplies.
I didn’t believe our infiltration had been discovered.
‘I’m not incompetent enough to allow that.’
I’m merely curious about who’s wandering about at this hour.
‘Judging by how casually they’re walking, they must be the security officer.’
Though it seemed there was one more person besides the security officer.
‘Someone accustomed to moving without sound.’
The fact that I only sensed their presence now, as we reached the Corridor in Front of the Foreign Ministry, suggested they were skilled at concealing their mana—
‘Wait? This mana signature is…?’
I recognized it immediately as belonging to the person I’d observed during the day.
‘The Crown Prince? Why is he here at this hour?’
I tilted my head back to look up at Elhart.
Even in the pitch darkness, his golden eyes were clearly visible, and they had been fixed on me all along.
I met his gaze and conveyed information through lip movements alone.
‘A-u-r-e-l,’ I mouthed.
Though dark, the distance was close enough that he would certainly understand.
“….”
Elhart’s Adam’s apple bobbed noticeably as he stared at my lips.
I felt his heart pounding violently through the point where our bodies touched.
Why did I tell him? Now he’s agitated.
If he’s this flustered, we’ll be discovered for certain.
I formed the words ‘It’s fine. Nothing will happen,’ with my lips, then carefully moved my hand to pat him reassuringly.
Elhart seemed about to respond, his lips parting slightly.
But at that very moment, the outer door leading from the corridor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs opened.
It seemed they also had business on this side.
I unconsciously held my breath.
Elhart followed suit, his chest ceasing to rise and fall.
“My apologies, Your Majesty. I was careless and made such a mistake….”
“Anyone can make mistakes.”
The voices of two people filtered faintly through the door.
“However, remember that sometimes a small mistake can cost you your life.”
The cold, chilling voice was entirely different from what I’d heard during the day.
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
Following the frightened response came a low chuckle.
“There’s no need to be so afraid. As long as you do your job well, that should be sufficient.”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
“Good. So tomorrow especially, you mustn’t make any mistakes.”
Tomorrow? What task has he assigned to the mage?
“You’ve memorized their appearance, haven’t you?”
“Of course.”
“If they refuse, don’t press them. Come report to me immediately. Remember, you must not raise any suspicion whatsoever.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
It might have nothing to do with us, but I found myself troubled nonetheless.
All the more so because I had been invited to the Imperial Palace banquet out of the blue.
Perhaps Elhart had some inkling of what was happening.
“…!”
When I pulled my ear away from the cabinet wall and lifted my head, I found myself utterly flustered.
‘H-he’s so close….’
Had Elhart also leaned in to eavesdrop on their conversation?
His face was mere inches from mine.
His trembling crimson lips drew my gaze irresistibly.
The white teeth visible through the slight gap were perfectly aligned and pleasant to behold.
Moreover, the warm breath that reached me felt scorching and sweet, and…
‘W-what, what, what am I—!’
I startled violently at my own thoughts and whipped my head away.
‘I must be losing my mind.’
This was undoubtedly a consequence of years of forced celibacy.
Or perhaps a side effect of channeling the power of those greedy demons.

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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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