Youngest on Top - Chapter 150

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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 150

“Your Majesty, you must fulfill the agreement with the Empire at once!”
“Yes, surely you cannot remain stubborn any longer?”

Ryubik let out a short laugh watching the ministers speak in unison as though they had received orders.

“How curious. Just at the last meeting, weren’t you all saying we shouldn’t trade blindly with the Empire and should wait to see how things develop?”

They had received the Queen’s command to weigh their options against other factions!

“Yet now you call it my stubbornness…”
“T-the situation is different now than it was then, Your Majesty!”
“Yes, the representative of the Imperial delegation has gone missing.”
“Since Your Majesty Ryubik bears responsibility, this is not the time to quibble over details.”
“We have no choice but to honor the agreement as is, even at a loss.”
“No, we must give even more than the existing agreement stipulates! Only then can we appease the Empire’s wrath, can we not?!”

Words transparent in their intent.
Their desire to give more to the Empire was obvious.

‘So that my transgression becomes even greater.’

“Must I accept such a humiliating renegotiation to avoid the Empire’s fury?!”
“Demons are swarming the desert. Do you intend to wage war against the Empire?!”
“We might still find Saelika!”
“It has already been four days since she went missing! Do you truly mean what you say?!”
“Would you plunge the kingdom into the flames of war to cover up Your Majesty’s mistake?!”

Crash!
Ryubik brought his fist down harshly against the armrest.
The ministers flinched but did not back down.

A long silence filled the Meeting Hall.
Sharp gazes clashed repeatedly in the air.

It was Ryubik who yielded first.
He exhaled a sigh and roughly ran his hand through his hair.

“…Very well. I shall proceed as you gentlemen wish.”

* * *

Queen Bennayser’s Palace.
The senior officials who had finished their meeting with Ryubik bowed their heads before the Queen.

“Here are the documents regarding the Caston trade agreement.”

The Queen reviewed the documents and nodded with a satisfied expression.

“You’ve conceded far more than the previous accord. I imagine Ryubik didn’t take this lying down?”
“Indeed, he made quite a fuss. But what could we do? The Imperial envoy representative went missing due to his own negligence.”
“Yes, and now all the people will come to know of this fact.”
“Prince Ryubik’s support among the people was troublesomely steadfast, but now they shall see who truly possesses the makings of a worthy king.”

The Queen laughed softly and waved her hand.

“When my Habid ascends the throne, I shall never forget the service you gentlemen have rendered.”
“We are deeply honored, Your Majesty.”
“We have merely labored for the security of the kingdom.”
“The security of the kingdom.”
“Surely Your Majesty the Queen and Crown Prince Habid are the very embodiment of the kingdom’s security.”

The Queen laughed loudly at the officials’ flattery.

After the officials departed.
The Queen gazed at the empty sofa across from her and asked.

“How was it? The sincerity I displayed?”

The answer came from behind a partition in the corner of the reception room.

“I found it most pleasing.”

Saelika emerged from behind the partition and sat upon the empty sofa.
The Queen smiled with satisfaction.

“I’m glad to hear it.”

Saelika narrowed her eyes as she observed the Queen.

‘As long as it serves her power, the fate of the kingdom means nothing to her.’

The sight reminded her of Parmanasus Temple.
Those monsters who strangled and trampled their victims for their own authority.

“Then, Sacred Maiden, our transaction is now perfectly complete, yes?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Now I’m left with only pleasant deliberations.”
“…?”
“How best to thrust this blade to deal the most fatal blow to Ryubik.”

The Queen’s eyes gleamed with cruel delight.
Saelika smiled softly.

“Might I suggest an approach, Your Majesty?”
“…?”
“One moment.”

At Saelika’s gesture, the Queen leaned in to listen to her.
As the Queen heard Saelika’s whisper, her lips curled into a sharp smile.

“You are truly remarkable, Sacred Maiden.”
“You flatter me.”
“How reassuring it would have been to have you in our Bennaisar.”
“There’s no need to worry about that. An Artemisia Temple will soon be built in the Bennayser Kingdom, after all.”
“Ah yes, that’s right.”

The Queen grasped Saelika’s hand with an affectionate gesture.

“I look forward to our continued partnership for years to come, Sacred Maiden.”
“Since Your Majesty is so kind to me, I must prepare a surprise gift for tomorrow.”
“My, what could it be? I’m quite looking forward to it.”
“You’ll be truly astonished.”

Saelika smiled wickedly.

* * *

The next day.
The Polus Meeting Hall in the main palace of Bennaisar.
The kingdom’s nobility whispered among themselves in hushed tones.

“Why did she suddenly summon everyone when this isn’t even a monthly assembly?”
“And the journalists too….”
“More importantly, look over there. The Imperial delegation.”

True to those words, the Imperial delegation was also seated within the hall.
That was when it happened.

“Her Majesty the Queen and His Highness Crown Prince Habid are entering!”

At the herald’s announcement, the nobles fell silent and straightened their postures.
Following the Queen and Habid, Ryubik also entered the hall.

The Queen took her seat at the head and spoke, looking down upon the assembled nobility.

“Without further ado, I shall speak plainly. Today’s gathering has been arranged to announce a new accord regarding trade between the Empire and Caston.”
“A new accord, you say….”
“The Imperial delegation came to the kingdom, and a grave incident occurred. In light of this, Prince Ryubik has taken responsibility and concluded this new accord yesterday.”

As the Queen finished speaking, the major terms of the accord appeared on the massive crystal display panel behind her.

“…!”

The nobles gasped upon seeing the terms.

“This is far too harsh, is it not? How could it be so unbalanced….”
“The Empire gives us practically nothing, yet we’re to provide them with nearly all our Caston production…!!”
“And for the next five years at that!!”
“The Poshen Kingdom demanded five times that price!”
“What on earth was His Highness Ryubik thinking when he signed such a thing…!”
“He had no choice but to sign it.”

A weighty voice cut through the uproar.
It was Duke Dorten, the Queen’s father.

“Prince Ryubik took the Empire’s delegation representative into the desert and made her disappear, didn’t he?!”
“Indeed, it could serve as justification for war. Since we still haven’t found her….”

With the nobles’ support, Duke Dorten looked up at Ryubik with a confident expression.

“Your Highness, you were so confident about making a better agreement than the existing one, but is this the result?!”
“Duke Dorten.”
“Why must all our people suffer such great losses because of your mistake! If this trade had concluded successfully, the kingdom’s citizens could have enjoyed safer and more prosperous lives!”

Tap-tap-tap-tap!
The sound of journalists pressing the keys of their manashells rang out loudly.
The Queen observed the scene with satisfaction and opened her mouth.

“That’s enough, Duke.”
“Yes, Your Majesty the Queen.”
“The authority over Caston trade was delegated to Prince Ryubik by His Majesty the King himself. Since Prince Ryubik has already signed, we cannot overturn it now.”
“….”
“Of course, I suspect our Crown Prince Habid would have chosen a different approach rather than hastily signing to cover up his own mistakes.”

At that moment, Randel stepped forward.

“We understand the Bennaisar Kingdom’s will to build a friendly relationship with the Empire.”
“It is regrettable that an unfortunate incident occurred due to Prince Ryubik’s mistake. As Queen, I promise to do my utmost to find the Sacred Maiden.”
“The Empire, too, must reciprocate the sincerity shown by the Kingdom.”

At those words, the Queen smiled.

‘So that’s the surprise gift that child mentioned.’

“Since the fault lies with Prince Ryubik, there’s no need to reciprocate, but refusing would be impolite. What sort of reciprocation…?”
“That won’t be decided by me, but by our delegation’s representative directly.”

At Randel’s words, people murmured with puzzled expressions.

“The representative herself?”
“Isn’t the representative the Sacred Maiden Saelika?”
“But the Sacred Maiden is….”

At that moment, the doors to the hall opened.

“You’re too late.”
“…?!”

Every eye in the Meeting Hall widened at the sight of the small child.

“S-Sacred Maiden Saelika…?”
“Yes, hello everyone.”

The Queen’s eyes trembled as she watched the smiling child.

‘She’s revealing herself here?!’

Wasn’t she supposed to appear after Ryubik lost all support and trust?
The nobles questioned Saelika.

“S-Sacred Maiden, weren’t you missing in the desert?”
“Yes, I was. It was truly shocking.”
“But how did you come to be here….”
“That’s because—.”

Saelika’s eyes met the Queen’s.
The Queen felt relief at that gaze.
She understood why she appeared now.

‘She’ll say I rescued her. If that happens, Ryubik becomes a complete fool.’

Ryubik had made a treaty that caused great harm to the kingdom because of his own mistakes.
But if the Queen rescued Saelika from the desert right after making such a treaty?

‘He’ll be criticized even more for such a reckless decision. Ryubik is completely finished.’

Indeed, Saelika is truly a clever child.
It was at that very moment.
Saelika opened her mouth.

“It’s all thanks to Prince Ryubik.”
“…!”

The Queen’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.
Commotion erupted within the Meeting Hall.

“Thanks to Prince Ryubik?”
“Then Prince Ryubik found the Sacred Maiden?”
“Wait. If he found the Sacred Maiden, why would he make such an agreement…?”

Saelika pointed to the agreement displayed on the crystal screen.

“That agreement is with the Empire.”
“…”
“Prince Ryubik made an agreement with the Empire, while simultaneously making a separate agreement with Artemisia Temple.”
“With Artemisia Temple?”

As if answering the people’s questions, the text on the crystal screen changed.
It displayed the terms of the agreement between Artemisia Temple and Prince Ryubik.
The nobles who confirmed the terms cried out.

“The, the subjugation of monsters in the Dantallian Desert!”
“Could it be that Kaiser the Sacred Knight is personally leading the subjugation squad!”
“Wait, wait! Then Kaiser’s arrival in our kingdom wasn’t a show of force—”
“It was because of the agreement with Prince Ryubik!”

If Kaiser was an ally, nothing could be more reassuring.
Saelika spoke.

“Prince Ryubik was deeply concerned that the monsters in the Dantallian Desert might threaten the lives of our people.”
“…”
“The increase in Caston’s value was all to secure military funds for national defense.”
“…”
“However, even as we trained our soldiers, time passed and the monsters continued to multiply.”
“…”
“Yet accepting military support from the Empire would be problematic, as the Bennaisar Desert borders our kingdom. It could create additional concerns.”
“Indeed!”
“So that’s why he made an agreement with Artemisia Temple!”
“Truly, Prince Ryubik! He considers all aspects and makes the finest choices.”

Ryubik opened his mouth.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but this decision wasn’t mine.”
“Pardon?”
“It was a proposal from the Sacred Maiden Saelika after she heard of my concerns.”
“…!”

At those words, the nobles exchanged meaningful glances.

“It was the Sacred Maiden’s proposal?”
“The Sacred Maiden of Artemisia is still so young, yet….”
“Hmm, quite impressive. Considering the treaty clauses with the Empire, she’s achieved the finest possible outcome as the delegation’s representative, hasn’t she?”

That wasn’t all.
If the Artemisia Temple succeeded in subjugating the monsters, the temple’s standing within the Bennaisar Kingdom would transform entirely.
Above all, the kingdom’s people would surely desire to construct an Artemisia Temple.
She had caught not two, but three rabbits with a single stone!

“They say the Artemisia Temple’s influence has grown by leaps and bounds these past few years. Now I see it wasn’t without reason.”
“But if such a treaty had been established from the beginning, why go through all this trouble….”
“Why, you ask? Because there are those who obstruct us.”

At those words, the nobles cast sidelong glances at the Queen and Duke Dorten.
No words were spoken, yet the meaning was unmistakable.

The Queen clenched her fists tightly.
She gripped them so hard her knuckles trembled.

‘How dare she deceive me?!’

Sparks of fury ignited in the Queen’s eyes as she stared at Saelika.
The moment the enraged Queen opened her mouth——

“Please remain calm, Mother.”

Crown Prince Habid, standing beside her, pressed her hand firmly and whispered.

“Your Highness, what are you——”
“I ask that you remain calm.”
“….”

The Queen looked at her son in surprise.
Habid was not looking at the Queen.
He merely stared straight ahead, his lips pressed firmly shut.
It was the first time I had seen such resolve from my indecisive son.

“Brother, that is enough.”

Habid whispered to Ryubik as well.

“Enough?”
“Yes. Did you not get what you wanted? Both the treaty results and victory over Mother.”
“Can I call it victory when I consider what the Queen has done to me all this time? Above all, I made the best decision for the kingdom. I was not trying to defeat Her Majesty the Queen.”
“But in doing so, you sought to break Mother’s influence.”
“….”
“Listen to me, brother. Am I not the Crown Prince?”

Habid looked up at Ryubik.

“At least, until Father awakens.”
“….”

Ryubik stared at Habid without speaking.
Habid clenched his teeth without meeting his brother’s gaze.

‘Is this the right choice?’

I don’t know.
But I cannot remain hesitant and idle as I always have.

“You must make a choice too.”

Just as that child said, it is time to make a choice.

“If you want to have everything, you must choose to have everything.”

‘You said that, but I don’t know how to have everything.’

So I made this choice.

‘I didn’t want to be hated by Mother and my brother.’

So I couldn’t do anything.
I was afraid Mother would hate me if I didn’t obey her words.
But if I followed everything Mother said, I was afraid my brother would hate me.

But watching Saelika’s actions, I came to understand.
To get what she wanted, that child deliberately leaped into the flames and walked a precarious tightrope.

Staying safely in place would get me nothing.
I still don’t know how to avoid being hated by both of them.
But after hearing Saelika’s words and thinking it over, I realized there was something I wanted even more.

‘To protect them both.’

Mother and my brother, holding blades against each other.
If I’m hated by both, I can protect them both.
So Habid made his choice.
Even if it meant wielding the Crown Prince’s authority.

“…I shall act according to the Crown Prince’s command.”

At Ryubik’s words, Habid exhaled.
I don’t know if it was the right choice.
But, in any case.

‘I protected them.’

It was Habid’s first step forward.

* * *

After the meeting adjourned.
The journalists hurried out of the hall with their exclusive stories.
Ryubik gathered the journalists and spoke.

“I would prefer that you refrain from writing speculative articles about the royal family.”
“Speculative articles, you say….”
“For instance, suggesting that I deliberately complicated matters rather than concluding the agreement immediately because of Queen Bennayser.”
“…I understand.”

Seeing this, Crown Prince Habid released a breath of relief.
Someone tapped his shoulder lightly.

“Well, well, Crown Prince.”
“…You.”

Saelika grinned widely at Habid.

“I thought you were just a tiny little thing, but look how you’ve grown.”
“What? A tiny thing?!”
“You were quite impressive.”
“…!”

At those words, Habid’s face flushed crimson.
The boy stammered a few times before letting out a sharp cry.

“E-even if you say such things, I won’t make you a concubine!”
“What did you say.”
“…Unless you were to become my Queen.”

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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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