Youngest on Top - Chapter 147

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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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Chapter 147

Enrik: I knew it! That bastard Misa!
Kailros: How dare you speak my beloved brother’s precious name with that filthy mouth of yours?!

‘It’s probably not Misa himself. It must be one of his subordinates.’

Misa is a deranged psychopath, a perverted stalker, but he’s still a Demon King.
If Mikhail had faced him directly, he wouldn’t have come away unscathed.

‘Either way, playing dumb is the best move here!’

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

Mikhail laughed at my response.
His fingertips brushed against the corners of my eyes and lips.

“These were trembling.”
“That’s because Saelika is supposedly an angel’s name. So of course I’d know it.”
“I hate lies.”
“It’s not a lie.”
“I’ll let it slide for now.”

Barensya stared at Mikhail with astonished eyes.
He was letting it slide?
Did those words really just come from Mikhail’s mouth?

“So the mystery is solved? Now take me back.”
“That’s strange. Why do you keep trying to leave my side?”
“Excuse me. You do realize you’re a kidnapper, right?”
“There are quite a few cases where people develop emotional attachment to their kidnappers. Isn’t this the perfect situation for that?”
“I’m not some pervert who’d develop feelings for this situation.”

Well, people afflicted with that syndrome probably aren’t perverts either, but they do develop emotional attachment regardless.

Mikhail popped a piece of fruit into my mouth as he spoke.

“Our apple is quite particular, isn’t she?”

What now.

“I don’t understand what you’re dissatisfied about. I’m doing everything for you.”
“You said you’d take me home but didn’t, so what do you mean you’re doing everything?”
“You’re the first person I’ve ever poured this much care and kindness into.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but Mikhail popped another piece of fruit into it in response.

“See? I feed you, dress you, put you to bed.”
“….”

I cast my gaze out the window.
Palm trees and an oasis shimmering with sunlight dancing across its surface.
Shaded pergolas and sun loungers scattered throughout.
There was even a swimming pool where I could swim in cool water whenever I wished.

That wasn’t all.
Cool, lightweight desert-style silk dresses.
Glittering, ornate jewelry.
Lavish feasts laid out at every meal.
Sweet, cold delicacies sprinkled in between.

Looking at all this, one could easily mistake it for a luxurious vacation.

‘The reality is I’ve been kidnapped!’

Mikhail tilted his head, interpreting my discontented gaze however he pleased.

“Ah, perhaps you don’t like this bracelet?”

He snapped his fingers, and servants brought a jewelry box from outside.
Mikhail wrapped a new bracelet around my wrist.

“Then what about this? This would suit our apple well too.”
“….”
“This necklace as well. Yes, it’s beautiful.”
“….”
“Why, doesn’t it please you? Well, just because a master craftsman made something expensive doesn’t mean it’s good. It’s not quite right for our apple.”
“….”
“To win our apple’s heart, I’d have to ransack every nation and bring back their national treasures.”
“Stop joking around.”
“I’m not joking.”

Mikhail smiled beautifully and placed another piece of fruit into my mouth.

‘Sigh….’

There was no point in arguing when he wouldn’t listen to reason.

‘I thought Admiral Ekellan would raise his son far better than Perardin Noishurael Duke….’

At least he wouldn’t be oblivious to his son’s heart rotting away while only searching for a lost daughter.
That’s why I thought Demian would be much better off as Admiral Ekellan’s son.

‘But I was wrong!’

The proof was right before my eyes.
Admiral Ekellan was also a complete failure as a father!

‘The best approach is to make him lose interest.’

If I annoyed him enough, he wouldn’t cling to me out of irritation.
Harming me would be troublesome for Mikhail anyway.
There was a high probability he’d order Barensya to abandon me in the kingdom.

I’d just discovered the perfect topic to irritate Mikhail from our earlier conversation.

“That’s right! Go plunder national treasures for me!”

I seized Mikhail’s hand eagerly.

“Mikhail, big brother.”
“…!”

His beautiful violet eyes narrowed sharply.
I smiled even wider.

“You’d do that for me! Mikhail is truly the best!”
“Ha.”

Mikhail swept back his hair.
Anyone could see he was thoroughly irritated.

‘Is it working?’

“You’re really amusing, aren’t you?”

His violet gaze fixed directly upon me.

Damn.
From his expression, I realized I’d touched a nerve I shouldn’t have.

“You’re mistaken about something. I didn’t abandon the Noishurael name because I disliked being the Grand Duke’s daughter.”
“….”
“Father said it would be more entertaining if I followed him. The Grand Duchy was tedious.”
“….”
“The Southern territories were better than the Grand Duchy, but still tedious.”

Mikhail laughed with genuine delight.

“You really are entertaining.”
“….”
“You’re the first person to ever irritate me.”
“Ha, haha. A misunderstanding. As if I’d try to irritate you.”

Mikhail, still smiling, leaned his face close to mine.

“Don’t you think we look quite alike?”

Following his gaze, I saw our two faces reflected side by side in the glass window.

“Big brother, I say. If my younger sibling were like you, perhaps I too would have remained in the Duchy, searching for such a treasure.”
“….”
“It’s not easy to discover something this entertaining.”

Mikhail’s eyes crinkled as he laughed.
It was a smile beautiful enough to draw admiration, but I found it utterly repulsive.

‘I’m doomed.’

* * *

I endured a full day of torment at Mikhail’s hands.

“Why won’t you call me big brother anymore?”
“Huh? I’m telling you to call me big brother. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get bored and have you brought to the kingdom.”
“Come now, let big brother feed you. Say ‘aah’.”

‘Should I just hit him and run?’

I clenched my fists tightly.

‘If I kidnap Barensya, I could somehow… Wait! Damn it! I’m thinking exactly like the kidnapper?!’

I am different from Mikhail.

“Don’t you think we’re quite alike?”

Not at all!
I’m not a lunatic!

“Sigh.”

There isn’t a complete absence of escape routes.
They’re just rather difficult.
The problem is—.

Kailros: How shocking this is. We were born from the same branch and grew up cherishing one another.
Kailros: And yet my younger sibling has never once called me big brother.
Kailros: Have you forgotten our happy and tender days together, my sibling?

When did I ever live days that were happy and affectionate?
All I remember are days of fleeing and being hunted!

Enrik: Setting aside Gechaban for now.
Enrik: What about me?
Enrik: Huh? Why aren’t you answering?

‘Enrik, Kailros.’

Kailros: Yeah, my younger brother.
Enrik: Right, the youngest.

‘Quiet. Let’s work.’

Kailros: ….
Enrik: ….

* * *

A powerful wave erupted.
Barensya flinched and looked toward Mikhail.
Mikhail was smiling.

“So he’s finally moving. Well, judging by his temperament, he held back quite a bit.”
“Did you know?”
“You looked at me with eyes that said you were about to do something reckless.”
“….”
“It was thrilling.”

Barensya gazed at his master with clouded eyes.
Giving such flawless and perfect features to this young boy—that was surely a mistake of the gods.

“It seems he’s summoned a divine beast.”

Outside the window.
A divine beast soared into the desert night sky where stars poured down like rain.
Beautiful silver fur.
Above it, sacred patterns emanating a blue glow.
The golden hair of the young girl riding atop the divine beast rippled in the night breeze.

Barensya marveled at the sight.
It would not be surprising to call it a scene from a holy painting.

‘…Though in reality, it’s an escape from the young master.’

“Aki! Crush it all!”

And the young girl riding the divine beast had quite the temperament as well.

The divine beast’s feet trampled directly through the building.
Of course, it caused Mikhail no harm whatsoever.
The building debris, as if possessed by its own will, quietly settled down, avoiding Mikhail.

With the fully exposed night sky between them, the young girl and young boy’s eyes met.

“Hmph!”

Saelika stuck her tongue out at him.
Nyah!
Then she dashed across the sky and fled.

‘…Wait, did she really just do that here?’

Barensya found it rather absurd.
Turning at the sound of chuckling laughter, she saw Mikhail shaking his shoulders with laughter.

“Ah, this is really fun.”
“…”

She truly felt sorry for Saelika.
Of all people, to be caught by someone so utterly inhuman.

* * *

The powerful surge of sacred power caused Kaiser, Randel, and Ilay to pause.

“Sae.”

I could instinctively recognize that this was Saelika’s sacred power.

“What happened? Such an explosive force…”
“Let’s go at once.”

As I hurried toward where the surge was felt, I sensed another power.

“This is… Alkiers?”
“She’s summoning Alkiers from this distance?”

The Temple of Artemia in the east and the Tantalian Desert beyond the southwestern border.
It was a distance that should be physically impossible to summon across.

“Truly my daughter.”
“She must be my daughter.”

Ilay looked at Randel and Kaiser with an incredulous expression.
Was this really the time for that?

Yet Ilay himself couldn’t help but smile.
The fact that she had unleashed such power meant Saelika was safe.

The three days of searching without sleep or rest seemed like a lie.
Vitality surged through me in an instant, and my mind became clear.

My entire body seemed to cry out.
Finally, I could reach my Sacred Maiden.

They crossed the desert night.

How much time had passed?
Something other than sand and stars appeared before their eyes.
A colossal divine beast racing across the sky, gleaming with silver light.
And—.

“Dad?”

A familiar face with wide, startled eyes.

“Sae…!”
“Dad!”

Saelika threw herself into her family’s embrace.
Randel held the small child tightly in his arms.
We had only been apart for three days, yet it felt as though thirty years had passed—my heart crumbled.

“I’m sorry. I’m such an inadequate father that I’ve let you—.”
“Randel Dad and Kaiser Dad are definitely the best dads in the world!”

Saelika suddenly exclaimed.
Her small face was deadly serious.

“There aren’t any proper fathers in this world! That’s why all the children turn out like that!”

Mikhail was like that, and Demian too. And even Shuri on top of it all!
Isn’t it all because the parents failed to raise their children properly?

Hearing his daughter’s words, Ilay thought to himself.
To be honest, it’s awkward to say, but Saelika’s personality is also a bit…

However, Randel and Kaiser were deeply moved.

“Sae, how can you be so tender-hearted? Worrying about me when I’m the one drowning in guilt…”
“Did you hear that? She called me the best dad.”
“…”

Soon, the gazes of all four met.

“I missed you, my daughter.”
“Not seeing our Sae made me feel like I was dying, Dad.”
“I’m relieved you’re safe. Stop worrying us. You fool.”

Saelika broke into a radiant smile.

“I wanted to see you too.”

Then she let out a groan—”Ughhhh…”—and collapsed.
Kaiser quickly caught his daughter in his arms.

“Summoning Aki all the way here was pushing it after all.”

It’s fortunate we met here.
If we’d made it to the kingdom, she would have lost consciousness on Alkiers’s back.

“Rest easy now.”

Kaiser placed his hand on Saelika’s forehead.
A cool sacred power flowed gently over her.

‘Mmm, Father’s sacred power.’

It was comforting.
Even though we’re still in the middle of the desert, it feels like I’ve come home.

“What’s wrong with her?”

Ilay asked, looking at Nelije resting on Alkiers’s back.

“She’s just in a deep magical sleep. It’s fine.”
“This isn’t something she orchestrated, is it?”
“Well, it’s complicated.”

Saelika leaned her head against her father’s chest as she spoke.

“Call Prince Ryubik separately. Don’t let him know that you’ve found me.”

* * *

“Saelika!”

The moment Ryubik saw me, he came running.

“Are you hurt anywhere? You haven’t eaten anything, have you? Are you alright? Let me take you to—.”
“I’m fine. I ate plenty.”

I’d eaten so much that oil must be dripping down my face right now.
Yet Ryubik’s expression as he looked at me was filled only with concern and regret.
Could he really not see this oil on me?

“I was really worried about you, Elah.”

It was the moment Ryubik tried to pull me into his arms.

“That’s far enough.”

Kaiser blocked Ryubik with his sword.

“Father, he’s still the prince of Bennaise.”
“So what? Whether he’s a prince or an emperor, he has no right to lay hands on my daughter as he pleases.”

A terrifying aura emanated from Kaiser.
Thinking Ryubik might actually get hurt, I looked toward Randel.
Randel smiled warmly.

“Sae, didn’t Father teach you? What should you do if some bastard touches our Sae?”
“…Break his hands and kick him between the legs. And then beat him until he can never recover.”
“Hmm, for once Randel is talking sense.”
“Kaiser, you just did well.”

‘…Maybe I’m actually well-behaved and proper because I grew up under fathers like Randel and Kaiser, not despite them?’

Enrik: Well-behaved and proper?
Enrik: Put your hand on your conscience and think about it.

Even with my hand on my conscience, the fact that I was well-behaved and proper didn’t change.

‘Compared to when I was in the Celestial Realm, I’m incredibly well-behaved.’

Enrik: That’s…undeniable.

But the fact that he admitted it so readily bothers me a little.
How much trouble could I have possibly caused in the Heavenly Realm?

I asked Ryubik.

“How is the situation within the kingdom?”
“It’s in chaos. No one knows whether the distinguished guest from the Empire is alive or dead. The Queen seems to view this as an opportunity, though.”
“What about the Balotelo Temple?”
“That place has the atmosphere of a funeral house.”
“A funeral house atmosphere?”
“The Sacred Maiden has gone missing, after all. It’s only natural.”

Ryubik spoke while looking at Nelije.

“It’s truly fortunate that you’re safe. The temple will be overjoyed.”
“Do you really think so?”

At my words, Ryubik looked at me as if asking what I meant.

“It doesn’t seem like Balotelo Temple is actually searching for Nelije at all.”
“…!”

Ryubik was flustered, but he soon shook his head.

“We’re handling the search anyway. The Balotelo Temple is making efforts for the Sacred Maiden’s return through other means.”
“Are they offering prayers?”
“Yes, a large-scale prayer ceremony.”

At those words, Nelije looked at me.

“Exactly as you said, Saelika.”
“Yes, a very good opportunity has come our way.”

We faced each other and grinned widely.
Being suddenly kidnapped had turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

‘Thanks to this, an opportunity to catch the tail has come without us having to orchestrate anything separately.’

Parmanase’s tail.

—————
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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