They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 61

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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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This was no error.
The Expedition Team’s return magic scroll had been crafted through the hands of numerous high-ranking mages.
As such, the incantations contained within were far from crude.
Particularly for Iserna’s scroll, a second and third coordinate had been set as backup in case the primary coordinate failed.
And they were carefully selected from only the safest locations in Bardia.
“Mikhail commissioned this for Iserna, so there’s no way there could be a mistake.”
Yet the return magic had activated not toward the second or third coordinates, but toward a ‘person’.
In other words, the incantation had found someone who perfectly satisfied the conditions of the primary coordinate.
“…Surely not.”
Mikhail’s soul, who had breathed his last in that unfamiliar Demon Realm, should have found rest in the Garden of the Goddess.
But if the Goddess had, for whatever reason, sent him back.
The letter crumpled in Raern’s hand.
There was insufficient information to be certain.
But.
“The possibility is substantial.”
Raern folded the paper carelessly and tucked it into his breast.
He gazed at the bird pecking at seeds for a long while.
Suddenly, a breeze seeped through the window.
“…I suppose I should go.”
It wasn’t solely because of Elhart’s identity.
What troubled me was that the opponent Iserna would have to face was Kailyb.
“Does she even understand how dangerous it is to face a prepared mage in a mage’s domain?”
Raern exhaled softly, recalling her plan contained in the letter.
“No, she must know.”
She who had crossed blades with Kailyb, myself, and countless other high-ranking mages.
And yet she intends to set the board and move right there.
Because that is the way of Iserna Airbain.
Moments later.
“There’s no helping it.”
The corners of his mouth rose ever so slightly.
“It seems I shall be needed.”
Raern had just decided how to resolve the stagnant affairs here.
“Without witnesses, there’s no risk of exposure.”
I would round up all the traitors responsible for this mess and have them confined.
Then, for the time being, House of Brin and the territory would have no capacity to make a move.
They would be too preoccupied searching for the missing persons.
The cleanup could be handled after retrieving Iserna from Cradian.
“Well, it’ll work out somehow.”
Raern left the window open so the well-fed bird could return on its own, then turned to leave.
“Then, shall I go collect some garbage?”
And with light steps, I left the room.
***
From the next day onward, I visited the Crown Prince’s Palace frequently.
I didn’t send word in advance.
‘He told me to visit whenever I wished, whether he was there or not.’
When the Crown Prince was away, I would loiter about and eat refreshments before returning.
When he was at the palace, I spent time chatting about old stories as if catching up on lost time.
Gradually expanding the scope of my movements in this manner, today I even burst into the Crown Prince’s Office.
“Your Highness, I’m here.”
The moment I opened the door and poked my head through, the eyes of the advisors who had been attending to matters with the Crown Prince turned toward me in unison.
“Ser…!”
After days of effort, the Crown Prince’s wariness had considerably diminished.
He rose from his seat with a delighted expression.
I smiled faintly and approached, casually perching myself on the edge of his desk.
“Are you busy? Surely you have time to spend with me?”
The neatly arranged documents scattered beneath my thighs.
The Crown Prince’s advisors startled upon witnessing this and stared at me.
Judging by the tension evident on their faces, they clearly expected the Crown Prince to become angry.
‘As if that would happen.’
To Mikhail, the Crown Prince’s duties held no value whatsoever.
“Let’s take a break and resume later.”
True to form, the Crown Prince didn’t even glance at the crumpled documents.
“…!”
“Yes, Your Highness…!”
For a brief moment, they looked back and forth between me and him with eyes of disbelief, then quickly tidied their work and rose from their seats.
And they fled from the office as if escaping.
As the door closed, the space fell silent.
I turned to the Crown Prince with a smile.
“Mikhail, you’ve been quite thorough in your conduct?”
The Crown Prince gazed at me with a smile, seemingly not immediately grasping my meaning.
“What do you mean?”
I shrugged my shoulders.
“Given your true nature, there’s no way they would behave like that.”
Pretending not to notice his pupils wavering, I laughed playfully.
“Remember? When you put laxatives in the drinks of those people who were spreading rumors behind your back?”
“Was there such an incident?”
“Playing innocent, are you? That was really something to see back then.”
Of course, it was a lie.
How could Mikhail ever play pranks on others?
“You even removed the chairs of people who were late to meetings.”
It’s a lie after all.
Unless he piles on extra work precisely because of the late hour.
“Doesn’t seem to be the case now.”
I tilted my head playfully.
“Ser, that’s….”
“I know.”
I cut off his words.
“It’s something from a very long time ago for you. You probably don’t remember it well.”
And I slowly leaned my body forward.
The distance between us closed in an instant.
“You’ve become far too perfect.”
I gazed directly into his eyes.
“It’s a shame, really—it seems you’ve become boring.”
I spoke in a whisper, a smile playing at my lips.
“…Does it appear that way?”
“Yes.”
I nodded casually.
“I suppose it’s unavoidable. The Empire’s Crown Prince cannot help but mind the Emperor’s gaze.”
A brief silence fell.
As I straightened my upper body and attempted to descend from the desk, he reached out and grasped my wrist.
“I have no need to mind his gaze.”
I looked at him with bewilderment.
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Then you were pretending to obey the Emperor’s words to save Bardia? Your heart is the same as mine, isn’t it?”
My face brightened as I spoke, and he smiled gently.
“I have always shared your heart, Ser. I am simply trying to act more cautiously than before.”
I gazed at him for a moment, then let out a soft laugh.
“I see.”
I spoke while deliberately averting my gaze.
“I’ve been uneasy for days because nothing has changed. I wondered if perhaps you had already sworn your loyalty to the Emperor.”
….
His grip tightened slightly.
“I thought you’d be able to return with me soon. Before, you just did whatever you wanted without hesitation.”
I continued speaking calmly, pretending not to notice.
“I liked you that way.”
I spoke as if tossing the words aside.
“Now it feels… unfamiliar.”
After a brief silence, his hand slowly released my wrist.
When I glanced at him, his eyes were deeply shadowed.
I didn’t miss that reaction.
‘This should be enough.’
I laughed inwardly.
He must be struggling now with how to match the ‘Mikhail’ I remember.
And that would be.
“Seems I said something unnecessary.”
The very nourishment that would make everything flow exactly as I desired.
Just as I was turning to leave after lightly jumping down from the desk.
“Ser.”
He urgently reached out and pulled my waist into his embrace.
“I’m sorry. I hadn’t thought it through. It’s only natural that you’d feel anxious.”
A wave of displeasure rose within me, but I stood still and endured it.
“I’ll make an effort.”
I tilted my head and questioned him.
“Effort toward what?”
“So you won’t feel unfamiliar with me.”
He persistently met my gaze.
“So don’t go.”
I felt his hands around my waist tighten. As if he wouldn’t let me go.
“….”
I said nothing.
I simply gazed quietly into his eyes.
“I’m working to reduce the pressure on Bardia.”
He spoke with an anxious expression.
“I was planning to tell you once I’ve withdrawn the army to the border, but it’s taking time.”
Withdraw the army?
“Really? Is that even possible?”
“I promised I’d grant whatever you wish.”
Yes, he did.
But it was happening far faster than I had anticipated.
“I too am looking forward to the day we return together.”
The corners of my mouth threatened to rise.
“When that day comes, truly… no one will interfere between you and me.”
I barely suppressed it and straightened his collar for him.
“Yes, I’ll wait.”
That’s exactly it, Kailyb.
More.
Try even harder.
Don’t disappoint 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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