Youngest on Top - Chapter 46

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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 46

It seemed there was a unit of currency I had never heard of in my entire life.
As people stared with bewildered expressions, Gerald smiled brightly.

“We’re all placing our bets on our little Priest, yes?”

The crowd’s gaze shifted to follow Gerald.
Toward a child with golden hair that glimmered in the sunlight and chubby cheeks.

…It was Saelika, the youngest of Artemisia.

‘A child who barely seems to have started walking?’
‘What is he saying? That’s something only a parent or guardian could do…!’

People spoke with awkward expressions.

“Ha, ha, haha! You certainly deliver your jokes with a straight face! We almost believed you!”
“Yes, how could you jest about the Sacred Maiden…!”

Then Gerald tilted his head and spoke.

“But I’m serious?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m in earnest. 120 million gold—I’m placing it all on our Priest Saelika.”

For some reason, I could envision gold coins cascading from the money bag….

The distinguished guests’ jaws dropped open.
The Reyatan Priests stiffened their faces and tried desperately to deny it.

“You’re, you’re joking, right?”
“I mean, you can place a bet to support a cute child. But 120 million gold?”
“Is there a problem?”
“That’s… not exactly, but….”

Gerald continued speaking with an unhurried smile.

“Ah, like all geniuses, I have a slight compulsion, you see.”
“A compulsion to what…?”
“I enjoy matching numbers. Since I want to reach 200 million, I’ll wager 8 million on the victory of the Artemisia Temple’s acolytes.”
“…!”

The surroundings erupted into chaos.
The Reyatan acolytes cried out, “That’s insane!”

Even the Artemisia acolytes blinked in shock, their faces stunned.
W-were they really wagering such an enormous sum on us?

The distinguished guests swallowed hard several times over.
And Count Noris…

‘This… audacious commoner…!’

He had wagered a thousand gold, yet hearing of such an astronomical sum made his own bet seem laughable.

Count Noris’s mustache trembled with indignation.
He gritted his teeth and spoke.

“You said you’d never take a loss, yes? I trust this was the right choice.”
“Yes, thank you for the kind words.”
“Hmph, I should be thanking you.”

Count Noris’s lips curled into an arrogant smile.

“Thanks to your wager on Artemisia, my payout has increased. I might actually see some real coin.”
“Well, we’ll see how that turns out later.”

Gerald chuckled nonchalantly.
Count Noris gritted his teeth and spun around sharply.

* * *

A massive crystal display board hung in the center of the plaza, predicting the Divine Nova.
Saelika’s face appeared largest on that board.
And highest of all.

The plaza erupted into murmurs as people witnessed the sight.

“What? Why did the board suddenly change?”
“Who is that child? Why are such massive stakes placed on her? Is she a Sacred Maiden?”
“Does Reyatan have two Sacred Maidens?”
“Could it be Artemisia? But didn’t they say Artemisia has no Sacred Maiden?”
“I just heard—she’s a novice priest from Artemisia!”

Saelika was undoubtedly the center of attention.
And naturally, as all eyes turned to her, Artemisia’s prominence rose as well.

“I heard quite substantial stakes were placed on Artemisia’s victory too!”
“Huh? What fool would bet on Artemisia instead of Reyatan?”
“Who knows. Maybe there’s information we don’t have?”

The people in the plaza stared at the display board with confused expressions.

A small novice priest with stakes exceeding even those of the Sacred Maiden.
And Artemisia with wagers nearly as substantial as Reyatan’s….

With a shrug, people began placing even modest bets on Artemisia.

* * *

The welcome banquet commenced.
The distinguished guests and representatives from each temple proceeded to the banquet hall.

“Ah, so it’s not just the exterior that’s been renovated.”
“Yes, the interior has received considerable attention as well.”

The guests gazed around the banquet hall, their voices filled with admiration.

The furnishings and arrangement were exquisite.
The banquet tables for the distinguished guests and High Priests were crafted from expensive sandalwood.
The tables for mid-ranking and lower priests were arranged around them.
Even the selection of flowers adorning each table and the symbolic meanings woven into the vase paintings were carefully considered.
Not a single detail had been overlooked.

“Indeed, it seems befitting of such a prestigious institution. Not only is the presentation splendid, but your understanding of propriety is equally refined.”
“Well, in matters of etiquette such as these, we would certainly be more versed than the Reyatan.”

Following Anatullio High Priest’s brief welcome, the banquet commenced.
Shedmon Elder whispered to a Reyatan Priest.

“Assign one of our people to each distinguished guest.”
“Yes? But after the banquet, we’ll be occupied preparing for our novice priests’ matches….”
“Reyatan’s victory tomorrow is inevitable!”

There was no need for such preparations.
Even at the last gathering without the Sacred Maiden, they had achieved overwhelming victory.
Now that they had the Sacred Maiden, defeat was impossible.

What mattered was the distinguished guests.
People like Gerald had accepted Artemisia’s invitation and spent considerable sums.
The guests they had invited could form different impressions of Artemisia.

Even the general spectators from outside were saying,

“What does Artemisia have that’s so special?”

─Had they not been spreading such talk?

The Reyatan Priest nodded.

“Yes, Elder. I shall ensure the distinguished guests do not harbor any misconceptions about Artemisia.”
“Good.”

Shedmon nodded and surveyed the guests with a benevolent expression.

He had given Count Noris and other influential figures the seat beside the Sacred Maiden.
Sitting beside the Sacred Maiden, whose very existence was deemed a gift from the divine, would surely satisfy them.

The clever Helene conducted herself admirably.
She smiled warmly and engaged the guests in pleasant conversation, and they reciprocated with smiles of their own.

That was when it happened.
Helene, who had been conversing with Count Noris, looked toward the trainee priests with an “Oh.”
More precisely, she looked at Saelika, who was practically buried among them.

“Saelika, would you like to come over here?”

Helene pointed to the central table where she sat.
At her words, the Shedman spoke with a displeased expression.

“The central table is reserved for distinguished individuals such as yourself, Sacred Maiden.”
“I understand, but… would it be possible to ask for your consideration?”

Helene clasped her hands together while looking at the distinguished guests.

“She’s still so young. I’m not sure if she’s eating properly. It seems I should help her with various things from beside her.”

The Reyatan Priests laughed heartily.

“How remarkably kind you are.”
“Witnessing the Sacred Maiden’s compassion makes us feel ashamed of ourselves.”

Helene approached Saelika, appearing delighted by the priests’ permission.
Before the child could even refuse, she quickly grabbed her hand and led her toward the center.

“You wanted to eat the food from the central table, didn’t you? You couldn’t take your eyes off it.”

The central table, being where the distinguished guests sat, naturally had the most varied and elaborate menu.
Helene seated Sae beside her and chuckled softly.

“Eat as much as you’d like.”

The distinguished guests looked pleased at the sight.

“She’s as kind as the rumors say, beyond words.”
“There’s always a reason for awakening at such a young age. One wonders how she became so dignified.”

Helene subtly raised the corners of her mouth.
The people’s reactions were flowing exactly as she intended.

‘The heir of the White Pearl Merchant Guild will surely see me differently now, won’t they?’

If that happened, this unlucky child would realize that the malicious rumors she’d been spreading about me were lies.

It was just as Saelika reached for food.
Helene cried out, “Oh!”

“Saelika, did you wash your hands? Go on.”
“I did wash them.”
“Don’t lie to me.”

Then she wiped Saelika’s hands with a damp cloth.
Saelika frowned.
Her grip was so strong it hurt terribly.

“Ugh…”
“My, making such a face. Do you dislike having your hands cleaned?”
“No. My hand hurts—”
“But we must clean them. If you touch food with such dirty hands, it’s disrespectful to the others.”

Helene released Saelika’s hands, saying, “There.”

“When you touch food with unhygienic hands, germs spread, you see? From now on, you should think before eating.”
“…”

Count Noris chuckled.

“The Sacred Maiden of Reyatan is still quite young, yet she is remarkably attentive and kind.”
“Haha, so it shows in your eyes as well.”
“Indeed. Even though she’s a child from another temple, she cares for her so well.”

Then Shedmon Elder interjected proudly.

“Our Sacred Maiden Helene has never discriminated based on which temple a child comes from.”
“Ah, regardless of such things, the child is so young that she finds herself concerned.”

The adults vied to praise Helene.
Helene was quite satisfied.

This was it.
This was the treatment I deserved.

‘Not you.’

The White Pearl successor seemed ignorant of many things, yet people had always regarded me as special.

A kind child who didn’t assert pride unbecoming of a noble Sacred Maiden.
A dignified child despite awakening as a Sacred Maiden so rapidly.
─That was the world’s assessment of me, after all.

Helene ate with a soft laugh.
She glanced around while chewing her food.

Ilay, Dmitri, and Edmund—the ones she’d been watching—were dining at the adjacent table.
Helene gestured to the attendant serving her meal.

“Would you move this soup to that table for me?”
“Yes, Sacred Maiden.”

Helene smiled brightly and looked toward Ilay, Dmitri, and Edmund.

“You’re eating so well. It’s lovely to see. That must be why you’re all so dependable.”
“….”
“….”
“….”

The three young boys offered no response.

‘They must be grateful.’

Children that age were always hungry, no matter how much they ate.
Even the Reyatan trainee priests were eating their soup as if they’d lick the bowl clean.
How grateful they must be that I’d even shared my own food with them.

Helene narrowed her eyes as she spoke.

“You don’t need to thank me─”
“Truly.”

It was Edmund.
He set down his spoon on the table and looked at Helene.

“Mind your manners.”
“I… what?”
“Acting on your own without the other person’s consent isn’t consideration—it’s interference.”
“Oh, no, I wasn’t—!”
“And.”

Edmund lifted his chin with his characteristic arrogant expression.

“Don’t eat with your mouth open. It’s unpleasant to see half-chewed food.”

Helene’s face flushed crimson.
Then Dmitri let out a snort of laughter.

“That’s a direct hit, that is.”

Pfft!
Snickers erupted from every corner of the banquet hall.

Helene whipped her head around, glaring at those who had laughed.
In that moment, Ilay stirred his soup lightly with a spoon and spoke.

“Everyone, don’t be like that.”

A sweet smile graced his lips as always.

“We should be understanding. What can we do about a lack of etiquette?”

The final blow.
Helene trembled uncontrollably, not knowing what to do.

Seeing her state, Roana’s lips curved upward.

“Now we can finally eat in peace.”

Helene, embarrassed by the jab, clenched her fork-holding hand tightly.
The Reyatan Priests cleared their throats in unison.
The distinguished guests pretended not to hear, though they couldn’t help smirking at the children’s remarks.

Seeing the Sacred Maiden humiliated, Shedmon moved to intervene.
Just as he was about to protest to High Priest Anatullio.
Helene yanked his collar sharply, pulling him back.

“Sacred Maiden?”
“Leave it. That composure of theirs won’t last long anyway.”

The soup course had just arrived.
The taste wasn’t terrible, but from the appetizers onward, it was nothing but vegetables.
People would soon be anticipating the main course.
And the main course would contain…

‘Nothing but greens again, unless it’s that meat we prepared.’

Helene’s gaze fixed on the trolley entering the dining hall.
In that moment, her eyes met Shedmon’s.
Shedmon gave her a subtle nod.
Helene’s composed smile returned.

Soon, silver-domed plates were placed before each guest.
Shedmon burst into hearty laughter and opened his mouth.

“This is quite exciting. I wonder what dish has been prepared.”

He was deliberately trying to draw everyone’s attention.

“Look at the patterns engraved on this silver dome. The history of Artemisia’s prosperous era from centuries past is embedded within it.”

It appeared to be praise, but it was mockery—suggesting those days were long gone.
The Reyatan Priests caught the meaning and snickered.

“Food served on such a precious plate must surely be extraordinary.”
“We can guess without looking. It’ll be just like the Artemisia Temple.”

Then Shedmon deliberately turned to Anatullio with an exaggerated “Tsk.”

“Ah, please don’t misunderstand our words! Of course it’s a compliment. We simply mean the food is better than the fancy silver platter. Hahahaha!”
“….”
“Just as the Temple Priest and trainee priests matter more than a glittering building.”
“….”
“The Artemisia Temple’s substance is truly—extraordinary, is it not? Kekekeke!”

The Reyatan Priests nodded as if agreeing with his words.
The Shedman laughed with a delighted expression, spinning about gleefully.
Despite speaking this way, that arrogant Anatullio High Priest couldn’t utter a single word.

‘The outcome is obvious.’

He hadn’t prepared fresh meat.
Of course he couldn’t have prepared meat in such a tight timeframe.
Indeed, decorating the temple so lavishly was clearly a last-ditch effort.

‘I’ve won, Anatullio.’

Acting so superior as the High Priest of a temple included in the Octagon.
Now he would taste proper humiliation.

“Well then, shall we see what incredible dish the Artemisia Temple has prepared?”

The Shedman, caught up in his excitement, lifted the silver platter lid with a flourish.
Under the bright light, the main course revealed itself.
But….

“…?!”

The Shedman’s face went rigid as he confirmed the contents.

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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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