Youngest on Top - Chapter 162

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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 162

* * *

The kidnapping incident in the desert spread like wildfire among the Temple Priests who had ascended to the capital.
The adults seized me and made an absolute fuss.

“Our youngest was kidnapped in the desert?!”
“Who dares to abduct our precious treasure! Who?!”
“Let me see—I need to examine our little rabbit again to make sure everything’s alright.”
“Tiger, from now on don’t bother with warnings or courtesy—just bite them in one go! How dare they…!”

It wasn’t just the adults.
The Trainee Priests were the same.

“They tried to steal our Gechaban?! We should have just beaten those thieves to a pulp!!”
“We shouldn’t have been kind and courteous with warnings. We should have drawn our blades first.”

I stared at Edmund with an incredulous expression.
Was that what he called being kind and courteous?
Had he forgotten that Ilay unleashed attack magic right from the start?

“Fists are better than blades!! That way we could beat them for longer!”
“…! Dmitri, I didn’t know you could be this clever. How surprising. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Impressive!”
“Ahem!”

Dmitri lifted his chin proudly.

‘…That definitely wasn’t a compliment from Edi.’

Well, as long as Dmitri was happy, that was fine.
I needed to slip out of the room while I had the chance.
Just as I quietly took a single step back.

“Where are you going?”

Sirius turned his head toward me with the speed of a predator.
The other Temple Priests and Trainee Priests did the same.

“The world outside is dangerous.”
“Our side is where the youngest belongs.”
“That’s right, we never know when or where someone might kidnap you!”
“Come now, stay right beside us.”

‘I knew this would happen.’

Both the adults and the trainee priests refused to let me out of their sight.

‘So that’s why they kept quiet.’

I gauged the situation before subtly raising my fist to show them.

“I’ll be fine going out. I’m stronger than all of you.”
“No, it’s dangerous right now.”
“That’s right, Mikhail is in the capital. The law of the jungle applies here too.”
“Yes, no matter how strong your fists are, they’re useless against someone who won’t listen to reason.”

I found Kaiser and Admiral Ekellan’s words rather absurd.

“This isn’t some empty desert—it’s the capital. The most populous city on the continent! Who would cause trouble in broad daylight? There has to be some minimum standard of rationality.”
“Apple.”
“Yes?”

Admiral Ekellan declared with an infinitely serious expression.

“My son has no rationality whatsoever.”
“….”

Honestly, he did seem that way.
What kind of father says that about his own son?

‘What exactly has Mikhail been doing?’

Whether it was now or before.
The moment they mentioned meeting in the desert, they asked if he’d kidnapped me.

“So our apology should stick right next to Serge’s side, yes? Since he’s my son after all, I’ll handle him better than anyone else, won’t I?”
“Who said anything about ‘dad’? And you handle Mikhail well?”
“…At least he listened well to my words about living boldly. Look at my son. How spirited is he? He doesn’t yield to any words.”
“If he gets any more spirited, he’ll storm right into the temple. Not a secret kidnapping—an all-out war.”
“….”

Admiral Ekellan regarded Kaiser with eyes full of displeasure.
But he didn’t open his mouth.

‘Why isn’t he denying it?’

Could it be that Kaiser actually thinks Mikhail is capable of doing that?

Kaiser spoke.

“In the end, it’s all because of you. You should have raised your child properly.”

It was a remark that would make any parent bristle.
Admiral Ekellan also flared up in anger.

“Do you know the struggles of a single father?! What makes you think you’d do better? You try having a child! You’d be far—.”
“My daughter is Saelika.”

Kaiser tilted his head arrogantly.

“…!”

Admiral Ekellan looked at Kaiser in shock, then glanced at me, and hung his head low.
He struck his thigh in genuine frustration.

“Damn it! Losing a parenting competition to that socially inept fool of all people…!”

Enrik: …Am I the only one who doesn’t understand this?
Enrik: Honestly, the youngest is… a textbook example of failed child-rearing, isn’t it?

‘What am I.’

Enrik: He doesn’t listen to a word you say.
Enrik: Honestly, compared to the buildings you’ve destroyed, statues you’ve smashed, and the number of angels you’ve given nosebleeds to, kidnapping is pretty cute.

‘Does Enrik want his nose to bleed too?’

Kailros: How foolish, Enrik.
Kailros: My brother destroyed and beat everything because he loved me.
Kailros: That way I could chase after my brother and take care of him.

‘…What?’

Enrik: …Was that what you call taking care of me, you bastard?

I let out a deep sigh.

‘It seems like I’m the only sane one, whether in the Celestial Realm or here.’

I thought I heard someone shouting from somewhere, “That’s absolutely not true!”
But that must be my imagination, right?

* * *

Anyway, I was someone!
The Blood Angel Sae—

‘—No, that’s not it!’

I was Saelika, the confident messenger of Artemia.
I had broken through the stern and rigorous surveillance net of the adults and trainee priests(?)
And I had seized my freedom!

“Our Sae, are you happy now that you’re out?”
“Yes! Randel Dad is the best!”

I smiled brightly and hugged Randel tightly.
Randel smiled warmly and patted my back.

Enrik: You broke through an impenetrable surveillance net?

‘That counts as breaking through. Sometimes you need to know how to turn back.’

Enrik: The one who used to smash through anything blocking her way and charge straight ahead.

‘Enrik is just too violent when you think about it.’

A pacifist like me doesn’t solve everything with my fists!
I resolve things through dialogue like this.

“But what’s going on in Secretia Forest?”
“I just want to have a cozy picnic with Father Randel!”

Of course, that was a lie.

‘Why am I suffering because of that bastard Mikhail.’

The note Mikhail had left in my hand when he departed.
It was written like this.

Three days later, at three in the afternoon.
Secretia Forest.
I’ll give you the gift then.
You don’t have to come. I think that’ll be fun too ^~^

Secretia Forest was a vast woodland near the capital.
The edges had many scenic spots perfect for picnicking, but venturing deeper inside, the canopy grew so dense that sunlight couldn’t penetrate.

‘Perfect for burying an angel… no, a person.’

After secretly burying angels a few times in the Celestial Realm, it became second nature.

Enrik: Excuse me, non-violence advocate?

‘That was unavoidable. Besides, angels don’t die from that anyway.’

Enrik: Yeah, they don’t die. They don’t.
Kailros: But are you really going to meet that kidnapper?

‘If I don’t go, who knows what might happen.’

The words “I think that’ll be fun too” sent chills down my spine.

‘If anything happens, I’ll throw the first punch immediately.’

As I made that firm resolve, Randel gently brushed my hair aside.

“It feels wonderful to think about enjoying a cozy picnic with our Sae after so long.”
“Dad….”

My conscience pricked sharply.
How could Randel be so gentle and considerate?
Yet here I was, using him to evade the surveillance network.

‘I need to get rid of that Mikhail and enjoy the picnic with Dad!’

I clenched my fists tightly.

* * *

Randel adjusted his posture so that Saelika could lean against him.
He gently patted the child nestled naturally in his arms, his face breaking into a satisfied smile.

‘Who was it that called my daughter to the Secreta Forest?’

After the kidnapping incident became known.
Among the adults shouting about travel restrictions, Saelika had been restless.
It was written all over her face that she needed to go out.

‘Thanks to them, I’ll get to spend happy moments alone with our Sae.’

Whoever it was, I should be grateful.
Of course, if anyone interferes with my time with my daughter, they’ll have to pay the appropriate price.

.
.

Kaiser crossed the long corridor.
At his elegant, swift movements like a predator, the palace attendants unconsciously sighed.
As Artemia’s priests entered the system in large numbers, the welfare of the palace attendants skyrocketed.

‘Ah, she’s always so perfect!’
‘It’s a bit scary to approach her closely, though….’
‘Terrifying, really. But what’s that he’s holding?’

In Kaiser’s hand, which radiated charisma despite his expressionless face, was a small pink box.
A pink one, at that.

‘…Uh, that looks like a cake box.’
‘No way. Kaiser can only carry a sword.’
‘Right, that must be a sword sheath disguised as a cake box!’
‘No, it’s a cake… I’m pretty sure?’

The pink box bore the logo of a famous patisserie from the capital.
Kaiser had arrived at Saelika’s room.
But there was already a visitor there.

“Serge Echelan, why are you here instead of staying at your own home?”
“Well, I was going to give our apricot an apricot pie— what’s that in your hand?”
“None of your business.”

It wasn’t just Admiral Ekellan.

“What’s with that rabbit bag! Our tiger isn’t a rabbit, she’s a tiger.”
“Our rabbit absolutely loves the rabbit bag I knitted myself! The High Priest is even a member of the Rabbit Alliance!”
“Everyone step aside! Trying to get ahead of an Elder! I’m giving our precious one her gift first!”
“Why are you making such a big deal about rank? I absolutely won’t budge! You step back!”

The adults who had been bickering called out for Saelika without any clear order.

“Ahem, Sae. May I come in?”
“I brought a gift to play with our precious one….”
“Why isn’t she answering? Is she asleep?”

The confused adults opened the door and peeked inside.
But then.

“Huh, she’s not here?!”
“Where did she go?”

Kaiser strode purposefully into the room.
Saelika was truly not there.
The chamber stood empty and silent, devoid of any presence.

Kaiser immediately discerned who was responsible for this.

“Randel, you cunning bastard!”

Only Randel would be despicable enough to pull off something like this.
He’d stepped away briefly to fetch a cake, and Randel had stabbed him in the back!

“You’re monopolizing my apology all to yourself?!”
“No wonder you stayed quiet while everyone else was warning me about the youngest being dangerous!”
“You were planning this from that moment on?!”
“Behind that affectionate face, you harbored such vicious schemes…!”

The priests trembled with betrayal.
Kaiser’s eyes gleamed with razor-sharp intensity.
As if facing thousands of enemies before him.

“I cannot let this stand.”
“…! Yes, sir!”
“We pursue them.”

The priests nodded firmly in agreement.

The palace attendants watching from outside the chamber tilted their heads in confusion.

“What’s happening?”
“I’m not sure, but the atmosphere feels incredibly ominous. The Sacred Maiden must not be here.”
“Could she have been kidnapped?!”

If she’d simply gone out, there’s no way he’d be this furious.
And that look in Kaiser’s eyes—as if recalling a sworn enemy.

‘This is certain! A kidnapping!’

The attendants quietly turned away.

‘I need to inform His Majesty the Emperor right away…!’
‘Empress Maxina will be delighted!’
‘Premium intelligence. Empress Adelin will surely grant me a generous reward.’

They scattered in different directions toward their respective destinations.

* * *

The entrance to the Secrita Forest.
It was arranged beautifully, befitting a popular picnic spot.
I lay beside Randel for a moment, savoring the peace, before quietly rising.

“Sae?”
“Father, you rest here!”
“Where are you going?”
“Um, to pick flowers… no, it’s a secret!”

Enrik: She’s probably going to pick heads, not flowers.

“Alright. Take your time.”

Unlike Enrik, Randel smiled warmly at her.
Tap, tap, tap.
My conscience really is pricking me.

‘…I’ll pick some flowers for Randel on the way back anyway.’

I pretended to linger around the flower beds before slipping into the forest.
I pulled Mikhail’s note from my pocket and tossed it into the air.
The note fluttered and began flying as if guiding my path.
Deeper into the forest.

.
.

How long had I been walking?
Despite the midday hour, the dense canopy overhead cast everything in shadow.

Enrik: This is certainly a good place to bury an angel… or rather, a person.

At that moment, the note stopped advancing and began spinning in place with a soft whirring sound.
The instant I drew close and grasped the note.

“I didn’t expect you to come alone. So our apple really did want to be just the two of us.”

A voice came from behind me.
When I turned my head, Mikhail smiled with a soft grin.

“I didn’t want to make things complicated.”
“So you mean you didn’t want our time together interrupted by others? You seemed to enjoy yourself in the desert.”
“…”

I said nothing.

“Why did you call me here?”
“I said I’d give you a gift.”

Mikhail withdrew a small box from his breast.

‘I hope deadly poison or a curse doesn’t burst out from inside.’

I felt deeply suspicious.
I opened the box while drawing upon my sacred power.
But neither deadly poison nor curse erupted from the box.

“What do you think?”

Inside lay a feather that shimmered with brilliant light.
I know what feather this is.
It is not a bird’s feather.
This is.

“An angel’s feather…?”

Longing, wistful, tender…
Awakening a memory so very, very old and precious—.

“I knew you’d like it.”

Those words brought me back to my senses.
Indeed, angel feathers were extraordinarily precious in this place.
And they held immeasurable importance for the Temple Priest.

“Why are you giving me this…?”
“You didn’t like any of the gifts I gave you.”
“Well, that’s because you kidnapped me and forced all sorts of things on me, so naturally—”
“That’s why I wanted to give you something you’d actually like.”

I fell silent, staring at Mikhail.
Was he really calling me here just to give me a gift?
I couldn’t believe it.

“Th-thank you.”

My voice came out awkwardly.

‘…He’s certainly a strange one, but have I been judging him too harshly?’

I had been thinking I should strike first before he buried me alive—but now those thoughts seemed foolish.
Mikhail smiled.

“I know people think poorly of me. You do too, I’m sure. After all, I kidnapped you the moment we met.”
“…”
“But I understand now that what I did was wrong. That’s why I thought if I gave you a gift like this, perhaps you wouldn’t hate me quite so much.”
“…”
“Of course, you might continue to hate me. That’s only natural. Everyone hates me.”

Mikhail lowered his head.
He looked pitiful and forlorn.
I stepped closer to him.

“No, Mikhail. Not everyone hates you.”
“What about you?”
“…I don’t hate you either.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good.”

Mikhail’s lips curved upward on both sides.
It was a beautiful smile, but something about it sent chills down my spine.
And in the next moment.

Crash!

“In, in, insane!”

The ground where I stood shattered.
A giant scorpion’s tail had struck the earth.

‘A red-tailed poison scorpion!’

Why was a massive monster that only appeared in deserts here?!
I quickly landed and steadied my stance.

‘Where’s Mikhail?’

I hurriedly searched for him.
The boy was floating leisurely in midair.
Wearing an extremely relaxed smile.

‘Surely not—.’

“Did you do this?!”
“Yep, do you like my gift? I prepared it with great care.”
“What about the feather you gave me earlier—.”
“Ah, they say setting the mood before giving a gift is important. The success of every event depends on the atmosphere, they say.”

Mikhail laughed brightly.

“Isn’t it fun? Do you like it?”
“You absolute madman!”

Admiral Ekellan’s words about his son lacking reason came to mind.
This wasn’t just a lack of reason.
He was just completely unhinged!

—————
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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