They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 98

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

They say an age difference of a few years doesn’t even warrant checking compatibility.
Chapter 98
“May I come along?”
Elhart stepped closer.
“Of course you should come with us, Your Highness.”
Why else would I have brought you this far?
His face was too well-known, and he was precisely the person who mustn’t be seen.
Kei and Raern didn’t seem particularly interested in meeting the King.
“My objective was simply to confirm the passage exists, so I’m fine staying behind.”
“Same here. I’ll wait here, so go ahead.”
I nodded and approached the wall.
I carefully examined the spot that aligned perfectly with my eye level, then pressed firmly on a cracked brick.
Click.
The wall slid aside, revealing a bookcase.
“It’s real.”
“So this is where they hid their misdeeds.”
‘…I need to hurry.’
Leaving the two behind, I quickly grabbed Elhart’s arm and pulled him along.
The passage Mikhail and I had traversed countless times.
Our final secret—one we could no longer afford to explore.
After this, there would be no reason to use this place again.
Yet I was grateful that Elhart was the one walking this final step with me.
Squeezing through the gap between the bookcase and wall proved challenging since Elhart’s frame was larger than expected, but we managed to slip through.
“Are you alright…?”
He must have scraped himself in places.
“I’m fine, so don’t worry.”
Elhart replied with a slightly embarrassed tone, then pushed the bookcase back into its original position.
We emerged into what served as the King’s Study and private rest chamber.
Scanning the darkened surroundings, the layout appeared largely unchanged from before.
‘That door must lead to the Bedroom.’
He would be deep in sleep by now.
I was momentarily uncertain how to proceed.
“Ser Brin.”
Elhart spoke carefully.
“I’d like to enter first and explain the situation to my father.”
“Yes, do that.”
I nodded readily.
We couldn’t afford to startle the elderly King.
“…I’ll be back soon.”
Elhart gazed at me for a moment, then took a deep breath and stepped forward.
The bedroom door opened quietly, and he slipped inside with barely a sound.
The door closed again, leaving me alone.
In the silence so profound that even my breathing seemed loud, I slowly let my gaze drift.
[Ser Brin, I think I just heard something odd coming from the sofa.]
[Don’t worry, Mikhail. I’ve learned restoration magic.]
[Really? Thank goodness. If you break it again, then I’ll truly…]
[Uh… why did the sofa turn into a log…?]
[…!!!]
This place held cherished memories.
Though most of the furniture had been replaced, nothing looked familiar anymore.
The portrait hanging on the wall was no different.
[Is there really a need to hang my own portrait in my own quarters?]
[But hanging your portrait here isn’t quite right either, Mikhail.]
[You’re beautiful. The Goddess would surely prefer your portrait to mine.]
[…?]
I recalled that fool spouting all manner of nonsense while hanging my portrait, beaming with satisfaction.
Right there in that very spot.
[See? Much better, isn’t it?]
The image of him turning to look at me, hands on his hips, was vivid in my mind.
‘Foolish.’
I turned my gaze away.
I decided not to look anymore.
Mere phantoms of an irreversible past.
Then.
“Ser Brin.”
The bedroom door opened and Elhart approached me.
“I’ve finished the basic explanation. He said he’d be out shortly….”
He trailed off.
“Why….”
“Hmm? What is it?”
Elhart stared intently at my face.
Then he lifted his hand and gently touched the corner of my eye.
“Your expression… looks a little different.”
“Does it?”
I shrugged and offered a smile.
“It’s been so long. The Capital, the Royal Palace, and… here too.”
Elhart seemed to want to ask something, his lips parting slightly, but ultimately he said nothing.
“He said he’d be out soon, right?”
When I changed the subject, he nodded.
“Was he very surprised?”
“That’s likely true. Still… His Majesty was pleased.”
There was no hint of deception in his words.
‘Thank goodness.’
I had worried that he might deny the very existence of the Expedition Team, but it seemed the conversation would unfold smoothly. My heart felt lighter.
After sitting with Elhart on the sofa for a while, the bedroom door opened once more.
The man who emerged, moving with deliberate slowness, bore the unmistakable marks of time etched deeply across his face.
‘That person….’
The current King of Bardia and Elhart’s father approached slowly, leaning on his cane.
I rose from my seat and regarded him.
‘Does he resemble Elhart?’
I couldn’t quite tell.
His hair had turned white, his frame was gaunt, and the pallor of illness was unmistakable.
I knelt on one knee before him, offering the salute of a knight.
“Iserna Airbain, Commander of the Expedition Team, reports my return to Your Majesty.”
“…”
The King regarded me in silence for a moment, looking down.
I could sense Elhart’s restlessness beside me, but I remained quiet, waiting for the King to speak.
“You truly….”
After a long pause, the King’s voice emerged, trembling with indescribable emotion.
“Are you the Expedition Commander who departed through the Black Rift three hundred years ago?”
“I am.”
He extended his hand and grasped my arm.
“Please, rise.”
I straightened and met the King’s gaze.
His eyes, seen up close, held the same hue as Elhart’s.
‘Max’s descendant.’
Even trying to recall now, I couldn’t quite remember what color that spirited knight’s eyes had been.
“I am ashamed beyond measure that I could not properly protect the kingdom, presenting such a shameful figure to the heroes of our founding.”
I met the King’s wavering gaze, which carried such complex emotions, in quiet understanding.
“We waited for so very long, and many had given up hope… yet you have returned safely after all. I am truly grateful.”
What he must have felt, I found difficult to comprehend.
In an era when the kingdom’s fate hung most precariously, a king who had surrendered his own son as a hostage to the Empire under pressure from power-hungry nobles.
It was not Elhart alone who had to endure such humiliation.
“Your Majesty.”
I steadied myself and opened my mouth.
“Currently, Bardia is overrun with traitors attempting to sell the nation to the Empire.”
The King’s grip tightened on his cane.
Even as I observed this, I did not cease speaking.
“If Your Majesty permits, I shall eliminate every traitor infesting the kingdom. Including those at the center of power.”
The King’s eyes grew dark and unfathomable.
“Permission. If you don’t grant it, I simply won’t proceed.”
I fixed him with an unwavering gaze.
Elhart seemed about to speak to the King, but I cut him off and opened my mouth instead.
“I will do it.”
“…”
“All of it, ruthlessly, I will make them pay for their sins. Your Majesty’s objections won’t stop me. Even if the Founding King returned to life and begged me, nothing would change.”
I lifted my head and met the King’s gaze directly.
“Because that authority has been granted to the name ‘Airbain’ by this very kingdom.”
I was an orphan.
Naturally, I had neither a name given by parents nor a surname passed down through bloodline.
It was Mikhail who bestowed upon me the name ‘Iserna’.
And my surname ‘Airbain’ was granted by Bardia itself.
It was given so that I might inherit the Goddess’s will and rightfully protect this nation.
Therefore, I could not abandon my purpose under any circumstance.
“The only way to stop me would be to take my life.”
At my resolute declaration, the King’s eyes wavered.
“…Father.”
Elhart gently placed his hand over the King’s, which gripped the walking staff.
The King closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and looked toward me.
“Tell me what you desire.”
I made my demand without hesitation.
“Grant me authority over military and administrative intervention throughout the entire kingdom.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————