They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 4

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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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‘No. We never met Mikhail.’
The Expedition Team hadn’t remained inside the Black Rift for fifteen years in the first place.
Since time had completely stopped in that space, I couldn’t be certain, but it was likely no more than five years at most.
“Then what about the families of the Expedition Team members…?”
The thought struck me suddenly, and I asked urgently.
“They relocated to Belken where the Black Rift had appeared and waited for the Expedition Team’s return for a long time. But now….”
I couldn’t bring myself to ask further details.
During Mikhail’s time, he surely would have cared for them well.
Perhaps he even provided assistance for several generations after that.
But now, after three hundred years had passed and the very survival of the nation itself hung in the balance.
‘This can’t be.’
It couldn’t end like this.
Our journey, our promise—it couldn’t possibly conclude this way.
I wanted to believe this man was spouting nonsense.
That it was all some tasteless joke.
How I wished I were simply having a nightmare right now.
“Are you alright? You’re not breathing….”
The man’s careful hand touched my back.
The sensation was so vivid that my breath caught even more.
It felt like proof that all of this was undeniable reality.
‘Get a grip. This isn’t the time for this.’
I barely managed to hold myself together as I began to crumble.
Wallowing in shock wouldn’t undo what had already happened, nor could it reclaim the years that had slipped away.
Three hundred years.
If that much time had passed outside, the scattered Expedition Team members would never fulfill their wish to reunite with their families.
If I was fortunate enough to meet their descendants, that would have to suffice.
‘I promised to hold a grand victory celebration.’
What would happen if I went to the King of Bardia now, revealed my identity, and demanded a triumphal procession?
‘Wouldn’t he just try to cast me out as a madman?’
Even if I proved my status as the Expedition Leader, the real problem came next.
‘He’d probably grant the celebration readily enough.’
But then, what if he tried to use me and the Expedition Team members as he pleased under the guise of royal decree?
Then truly unimaginable chaos would unfold.
‘I must control the narrative to maintain the upper hand.’
To establish a foundation for the Expedition Team and their descendants—those who had trusted and followed me—to live happily, I couldn’t afford a single misstep.
‘This would be my final mission.’
For this reason, I couldn’t allow Bardia to crumble as it was.
I had to drive out the external threats and excise the rot from within, forcing the kingdom to function properly by any means necessary.
‘Even if it means replacing an incompetent king.’
I would claim my due compensation.
I will fulfill my responsibility until those who have suffered and their descendants are filled with abundance.
…And if possible, it would be even better to uncover the truth behind Mikhail’s disappearance.
“Slowly now, breathe with me. It seems you were quite startled earlier.”
I glanced at the man who continued to stroke my back without pause.
‘Indeed, Manarang is so similar to Mikhail that it’s nearly impossible to tell them apart.’
Manarang could not be the same merely by practicing the same mana cultivation technique.
Will, temperament, and the manner in which one has lived seep into it, gradually deepening its concentration.
In other words, this man possessed not only an ideal physique that anyone would envy, but also the qualities of a sage-king that Mikhail once held.
‘He said he was a deposed prince.’
Though he is now a hostage, he would be the legitimate son of the current King of Bardia.
That alone seemed worth wagering on.
‘For now, I’ll stay by this man’s side and gather information.’
And directly verify whether he is someone capable of bringing about a second renaissance to Bardia.
Revealing who I am can wait until later.
“I’m fine now.”
I pulled his arm away.
He tilted his head as if concerned about my condition, studying my face for a long moment before finally nodding.
“Why don’t you ask who I am?”
“My name, you mean?”
“That included. Aren’t you curious about anything? I could be an assassin for all you know—you seem far too unguarded.”
He answered my words, which bordered on reproach.
“I can sense malice in others. If you were skilled enough to hide even that, I would have lost my life long ago.”
I thought the man was perhaps too soft-hearted, but fortunately he had his convictions.
“But for someone like that… didn’t you mistake me for attacking you earlier? Doesn’t that count as malice?”
“That cannot be called malice… wait, hold on.”
He stiffened his expression and asked in return.
“Was that… a misunderstanding?”
“Yes. I simply fell onto you because something went wrong with my teleportation magic. My body was stiff from the aftereffects and I couldn’t speak, so I couldn’t explain or move.”
At my explanation, he seemed genuinely taken aback.
“So I… made a mistake. No wonder things were going so smoothly….”
His murmur was filled with bewilderment.
Realizing belatedly, he helped me to my feet from his lap.
“I know an apology isn’t enough… but I’m sorry.”
The man who had realized his misunderstanding seemed at a loss for what to do.
“I have nothing I can offer immediately, but I promise to compensate you later….”
“Actually, there is something you can do for me right now.”
I quickly cut off his words.
“I’d like to stay here as your attendant for a while.”
He looked at me with an expression of disbelief.
“What…?”
“I have no family, no home to return to. Would you be willing to become my guardian for the time being?”
After hearing my answer, the man who had been moving his lips stopped and rubbed his eyes with his palm as he spoke.
“You must have guessed what my situation is like.”
“Yes, to some extent.”
“And yet you would entrust yourself to me.”
A low, suppressed voice flowed from him.
“If you simply need a place to stay for now…”
“I like it here.”
You’re my purpose—where else would I go?
“….”
Faced with my obstinate attitude, he seemed at a loss for words.
I addressed the concerns he might have.
“I’ll handle any issues regarding your identity or employment, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
With the deceptive powers of demons, I could blend into this castle quite naturally.
“So, will you allow it?”
After staring at me intently with his mouth closed for a long while, he sighed softly.
“I simply… cannot refuse.”
I had prepared persuasive arguments in my mind, yet he accepted so easily.
It seems people are indeed somewhat—no, quite soft-hearted.
“From now on, you can call me Ser.”
Now, three hundred years later, how many would remember my name, Iserna Airwain?
Even if I introduce myself simply as ‘Iserna,’ no one would make the connection.
Still, it’s better to avoid using it for the time being, just in case.
“I’m Elhart.”
In response to my words, he offered his name.
“Then… should I call you ‘my lord’?”
Since I’ve never been a maid nor had one by my side, I’m unsure how to begin or where to start.
I’m confused even about the proper form of address.
Seeing his expression turn strange, I changed my suggestion.
“Or perhaps, ‘Your Highness’? Which would you prefer?”
“It would be better to simply call me by my name.”
“Isn’t that a bit odd? It doesn’t seem right to call my master’s name so casually.”
“No one will mind.”
Hmm… is that so?
“Very well, then.”
If that’s what he wants, I have no choice.
“Elhart…?”
“…Yes.”
What is this? Why is he suddenly avoiding my gaze?
Perhaps he’s not accustomed to being called by his name.
‘Well, he is royalty, after all.’
Seeing the tips of his ears flush red, I felt embarrassed myself, but I quickly composed my thoughts.
So then.
What should I do now?
Now that we’ve settled on how to address each other, I should begin my duties as a maidservant.
As I pondered this while looking at him, I noticed his robe was nearly slipping off.
‘Tidying up someone’s appearance is a maidservant’s most basic duty.’
When I suddenly reached out my hand, he seemed quite startled.
“What are you doing?”
Before I could reach my target, he grabbed my wrist.
I could have easily dodged, but… that would have seemed strange, so I obediently offered my wrist.
“Didn’t you just say it was a misunderstanding?”
“I’m simply tidying your appearance. That’s a maidservant’s role.”
“That….”
His eyes wavered uncertainly, trembling noticeably.
“I see….”
Once Elhart understood the misunderstanding, he released my wrist.
I pulled his robe up from where it hung loosely at his waist to his shoulders, then fastened it properly so his chest wouldn’t show.
After that, I smoothed out the wrinkles with sharp tugs, and then all that remained was to retie the sash…
“I’ll do that myself.”
His voice sounded oddly urgent as he stopped me.

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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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