They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 113

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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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They say an age difference of a few years doesn’t even warrant checking compatibility.
Chapter 113
Beside Kailyb, documents were stacked like mountains, and soldiers continued to haul more into the Lord’s Castle.
Standing to one side, sorting through those documents, was a brown-haired man whose identity was….
I had a hunch.
It was Elhart, his appearance altered by magical artifacts.
With him and Kailyb working in concert, the work progressed at an astonishing pace.
“…At this rate, we’ll finish within two days.”
I muttered this under my breath.
As if hearing my voice, Elhart lifted his head and gazed toward my window.
His gaze, which had been directed at me, shifted past me.
“Ugh….”
Under Elhart’s steady stare, Raern grimaced and took a step back.
“What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Who knows…? Maybe because you’re not helping with the work and just loafing about?”
As I replied to Raern without much thought, something nagged at me.
‘Surely he doesn’t think I slept in the same room as Raern…?’
Raern had originally intended to do so.
He’d done it throughout the entire expedition….
‘Well, Raern is a Mage, after all.’
In places where safety wasn’t guaranteed, I needed someone with keen senses like mine who could protect me while I slept.
Still, confident that I could detect anyone approaching with ill intent, I had Raern sleep in the adjacent room.
The thought was that we’d each have our own bed and sleep comfortably.
I’d only come over here this morning, but I was concerned whether I’d inadvertently caused a misunderstanding.
‘I should probably explain, just to be safe.’
“No… people need their sleep. Those two are the strange ones.”
Following Elhart, who had stopped working, Kailyb also looked up at me.
When our eyes met, he gave a light nod.
“Stand by for a moment.”
After Kailyb instructed the soldiers and entered the Main Fortress, Elhart set down the documents and followed him in.
And shortly after.
“Commander, I’ve come to report.”
With a knock, Kailyb entered the room.
“We have completed the arrest of fifteen nobles, three knights, seventeen soldiers, and thirty-three others implicated in the illegal trafficking of fief residents.”
Elhart, who arrived as Kailyb began his report, quietly approached my side.
“Given the number of those involved, we plan to interrogate them and administer punishment according to the severity of their crimes.”
“Pay particular attention to the soldiers’ circumstances. But don’t simply overlook them either.”
“Of course.”
Most of the soldiers are commoners.
Some may have profited from selling their neighbors—people who were their companions until yesterday—but others may have succumbed to coercion for various reasons.
But the two of them cannot face the same level of punishment.
“Thoroughly investigate those who suffered damages due to insubordination. The confiscated assets from the traitors should be substantial, so ensure adequate compensation is provided.”
“Yes, Commander.”
Kailyb would handle matters with sincerity and fairness above all others.
Well then.
“We should depart now.”
“You’re… leaving immediately?”
“You’re performing better than expected, so there’s no need to oversee things further. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Kailyb blinked a few times before nodding.
“Your Majesty’s assistance made things considerably easier. I’ll handle the remaining matters quickly and rejoin you.”
“…Very well.”
I held back the words telling him there was no rush.
“What of the Border Count?”
“He should have finished his departure preparations by now.”
“Why is everyone so diligent? I’m still exhausted.”
Raern spoke with admiration.
“What were you doing until morning to be so tired?”
When Kailyb asked with apparent confusion, Raern flinched and glanced at Elhart.
“Your Highness, you’re not thinking anything strange, are you?”
“What do you mean?”
Just as Raern’s lips were about to open in response to Elhart’s calm reply.
The sound of clanking echoed from the corridor.
Appearing through the opened door in the silence was Count Loenval.
It was hard to believe this was the same elderly man who had been bound in chains awaiting death just last night.
His white hair was neatly combed back, and he wore a worn but well-maintained uniform with a cloak draped over it.
Though his frame had grown gaunt from his ordeals, his eyes remained sharp and alive.
The sword at his waist was particularly striking.
A weathered blade that had accompanied him for decades—its pommel was gently caressed by his wrinkled hand.
The Border Count let out a rueful laugh.
“It’s been so long since I’ve worn armor that my body feels stiff.”
A faint smile crossed Elhart’s face.
“Still, it suits you well.”
“To hear such words from Your Majesty… I hardly know what to do with myself.”
Yet despite his words, the Border Count’s eyes gleamed with a peculiar excitement.
Like a knight who had recovered something precious that he had lost long ago.
“Since you’ve only just begun recovering your strength, you mustn’t overexert yourself.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll show you that this old man still has his uses.”
The Border Count smiled at Elhart’s caution and spoke.
“Now that I serve Your Majesty again, I cannot simply lie in bed.”
Elhart responded to those words with a bitter smile.
“That’s too kind of you to say.”
We headed toward the rear of the Main Fortress with the Border Count.
As promised, a single carriage and a coachman were waiting without any escort troops.
I, Elhart, Raern, and the Border Count boarded the carriage in turn.
“I’ll follow shortly.”
The carriage departed with Kailyb’s farewell.
As we passed the front of the Main Fortress where soldiers and officials were rushing about in chaos, and left the Lord’s Castle, I could see the fiefdom’s people gathered before the gates.
They seemed to be exacting their own form of revenge on the dragged-away nobles and soldiers—spitting at them, throwing things.
What was certain was that a faint sense of relief lingered on their faces.
The reason for closing the City Gate had been revealed, and as they learned of what transpired in the Outer Town, confusion must have erupted.
Yet the news that the Border Count who protected this region had returned brought them solace.
The traitors who sold out their nation and people were being dragged away, and the families who had gone missing were returning.
The order that had crumbled would be restored.
The Border Count’s eyes trembled quietly as he gazed upon the people he governed.
Above emotions of regret and remorse, a resolute determination took hold.
A conviction that he would never again thrust them into danger, that he would protect them at all costs.
As I quietly observed the Border Count’s profile, Raern’s voice suddenly reached my ears.
“Your Majesty, I hope you won’t misunderstand.”
“Misunderstand?”
“Well… like thinking that I and the Commander slept in the same room.”
‘Why is he bringing that up again?’
I had intended to explain it myself.
“Of course, we’ve always spent time together from before. Whether sleeping or awake.”
For a moment, the air inside the carriage seemed to freeze cold.
“It couldn’t be helped, could it? We’ve spent a long time together, and we’re quite close.”
As I listened quietly, I discerned Raern’s intention.
He was trying to provoke Elhart.
“In other words… the Commander and I are practically like family.”
Elhart regarded the chattering Raern with an expressionless face.
“I’m not particularly misunderstanding anything.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. However…”
Elhart smiled while slightly furrowing his brow.
“It was quite irritating.”
…His face was smiling, yet why did it seem so menacing?
If I was taken aback, I could only imagine how Raern felt.
“…”
Seeing Raern quietly avert his gaze, I finally burst into laughter.

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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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