The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 29

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 29

Chapter Title: Joining the Jebert Knights

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“Swordsmanship lessons! I want to take swordsmanship lessons!”

Uncle's eyes went wide, like he'd heard something completely unexpected.

“What?”

“I'm going to learn the sword! I'm going to get super strong too! Isn't that what northern men do?”

Uncle frowned, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

“W-Well... yeah?”

A great idea had popped into my head, so I didn't pay much attention to his expression.

If I join the Knights, it'll be totally normal to go out and about!

Most swordsmanship lessons took place in the training grounds, but Void often tagged along with knights on their patrols outside.

Of course, I'd been to the walls several times myself for observation.

It's the perfect excuse to inspect the walls!

Uncle looked reluctant, but he couldn't seem to find any reason to object.

He took a sip of his tea, pondered for a moment, then nodded.

“Alright. Do what you want. Study other things too if you need to.”

“Yeah! I love learning!”

I felt great. I swung my legs back and forth as I devoured the rest of the cookies.

“Then, Ruby, you'll keep staying here...”

Uncle, who had been watching me quietly, hesitated in a way that didn't suit him.

“Yeah?”

“Here...”

“What, Uncle?”

“...Sigh, never mind.”

Why was Uncle acting so weird today?

He kept starting to say something and then stopping. It felt strangely off, like he was really watching my reaction...

“Guess I'll have to look into a tutor first.”

Uncle leaned back in his chair with a resigned air.

“Can't I just take lessons with Void?”

“That could work, but it might be a bit tough for you to keep up.”

“Oh, really?”

Void was already studying at an advanced elementary academy level. With spring coming, the new term would start soon, and he was determined to take first place this time or something.

Whatever. It had nothing to do with me.

“Doesn't matter. As long as I can take sword lessons from the knight uncles. I'm going to get strong! Strength! Stamina!”

I clenched my puny little fist to show him.

Inspecting the walls was one thing, but I also wanted to toughen up this weak body of mine. Seeing all those rock-solid people had sparked some envy in me.

Uncle chuckled and ruffled my hair wildly.

“Those guys won't go easy on you.”

“Huh?”

“Now that you've decided, you'd better brace yourself.”

What was that supposed to mean?

Were the knights going to bully me or something?

Nah, no way.

The knight uncles really liked me.

Whenever we ran into each other, they'd smile so kindly.

Sir Leon always gave me snacks...

Suddenly, I recalled those voices muttering about the maknae knight.

At that moment, a chill ran down the back of my neck. Wait, this felt like bad vibes?

“Uncle, something just occurred to me...”

“Yeah?”

“Has anyone new joined the Jebert Knights recently?”

I asked cautiously. Uncle rested his arm on the chair and counted the patterns on the ceiling.

“Hmm...”

Gulp.

“Nope. Not in the last few years.”

Gasp.

“Void was the last one, a few years back.”

No way! The first new recruit in years!

Like fresh water dumped into a stagnant, rotten pond!

I could already see the rough road ahead.

The knight uncles had been nice to me before because I wasn't officially part of the Knights yet, so they didn't pay much attention!

“M-Me, maybe I should just coast along in comfort...”

“A real man doesn't go back on his word.”

Thud. A plate of plump, jiggly fruit jelly appeared on the table.

A familiar voice came from beside me.

“Sir Leon... Uncle?”

I looked up with a creak. Sir Leon was there before I knew it.

“Your Excellency, I have urgent documents.”

“Yeah, hand them over.”

Uncle reached out with a smile playing on his lips.

While he reviewed the papers, the blue-haired knight stared at me intently.

His eyes gleamed with the greedy hunger of a beast spotting tasty prey.

“You've finally made up your mind.”

“Ugh...”

“Come on over, maknae.”

Whoooosh.

A dry wind blew. Far off, a tumbleweed rolled by.

The barren training grounds.

Before me stood burly knights with rippling muscles. I was nothing but a scrawny little herbivore in comparison.

“Your seniors here can be angels or demons depending on how you perform.”

Sounded familiar.

I swallowed hard.

Heh heh heh. I swear I heard sinister chuckles here and there, but it had to be my imagination.

“Heh... it's been ages since we had a new recruit.”

“So cute and adorable, I just want to train you properly.”

“We'll make you a proud northern man.”

“My blood's boiling...”

Yeah, imagination my foot.

But it's still cold out... short sleeves are a bit much, aren't they?

I stared blankly as heat haze-like steam rose from their bronzed bodies.

“This is the Jebert Knights. We have a strict merit-based hierarchy here. No titles of respect in this place. Any complaints?”

You never used them anyway...

The lead knight stepped forward. Nearby, Void watched with an amused face, wooden sword in hand.

“None, sir!”

I snapped to attention as best I could.

The atmosphere demanded it.

Clank.

The knight order cloak jingled as I moved. The dark blue Jebert Knights uniform was heavier than expected.

Of course, there hadn't been anything in my size, so everything had to be made from scratch...

The stares from the swarm of knight uncles burned. Sir Leon was covering his mouth, gazing into space.

“I'm Obron, Vice Commander of the Jebert Knights.”

“Ah, yes! I've heard a lot about you, sir!”

I recalled Void's chatter.

The vice commander with the short topknot had a long scar by his left eye. He didn't look the least bit easygoing.

“Then, let's begin recruit training.”

“Yes, sir!”

His deep, stern voice fired me up automatically.

The senior knights moved with crisp precision.

Seeing their disciplined motions, my body tensed up on its own.

“First, two laps around the training grounds!”

Gasp, two whole laps?

“Kid size!”

“Yes, sir!”

I answered frantically.

I ran two laps around the tiny training area next to the main one, which was about the size of a pea.

Huff huff, so tiring! The path to becoming a physical powerhouse knight is long and arduous!

“Next, wooden sword swings!”

“Yes, sir!”

I caught my breath and replied.

“But it's still dangerous, so just observation for now!”

“Yes, sir!”

Vice Commander Obron pointed to the distant armory with a thick finger. I started to walk there briskly, but my collar was grabbed.

“Wh-Why, sir?”

“Hm, knights need riding skills. You'll ride there.”

Oh, I was confident in riding!

“You there, passing by!”

“Yes, Vice Commander!”

“Be the maknae's mount! Execute!”

“Execute!”

“...”

I blinked in place. My view suddenly rose high, wind slapping my cheeks, and my wandering mind snapped back.

Oi?

This was just piggyback from Uncle and watching wooden swords?

Anyway, once knight order life wormed into my routine, a strange energy started buzzing around.

“Huff huff. Two laps of the training grounds, holding wooden sword, dodging balls, talking to horses! All complete, sir!”

Senior Obron satisfyingly lifted the corner of his mouth.

“Good. Excellent. Tomorrow, wall observation.”

I perked up my head. Music to my ears.

Spotting the change in my eyes, Obron's lip twitched looser for a moment.

“You wanted to see the walls that badly?”

“Yes, sir! I did, Senior!”

“Hm, good attitude. The Commander will like that.”

“That Commander...?”

“Obviously, His Excellency the Duke.”

“Aha.”

I nodded vigorously.

Of course. The head of these knights had to be Uncle Leviathan.

Senior Obron gazed into the distance with far-off eyes. On his chest was the knight order emblem, a blue lion.

“We must always hone and train our strength so as not to disappoint His Excellency. Only then can we be true...”

“Um, what happens if that Commander disappoints someone?”

“Huh?”

The loyalty-drenched knight snapped back to reality.

I raised my arm and pointed to a corner of the training grounds.

“He's been sleeping over there since earlier...”

“...”

A heavy silence fell over the area.