The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 3

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 3

Chapter Title: The Youngest is Hiding a Lot (3)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"It's because of the victory festival. Hang in there."

"Ugh... It's so chaotic!"

Honestly, even in my previous life, I hated noisy places.

And the Arcadian Magic Kingdom, where I was born and raised, had fewer than 3,000 people nationwide. To put it simply, it was like a monastery...

So this uproar in the imperial capital was way too stimulating for me!

I felt more drained than when I encountered the Black Magic Beasts.

"You should build up your stamina first."

Gasp! I quickly looked up at Leviathan.

"Does that mean? You'll raise me?"

"...Not worth answering."

"Hing."

He wasn't falling for it.

"What now?"

I'd love to wash up first if possible!

At my question, he yanked the reins sharply, turning the direction. Soon after, the horse came to a stop.

"......"

A building with a shiny signboard that particularly caught my eye.

[Imperial Lieta Orphanage]

"......Huh?"

Dropping me off first thing?

While I was spacing out, Uncle Leviathan plopped me down in front of it. Then he sent word through the gatekeeper.

And with a very charming smile, he waved.

"It was fun while it lasted, grubby."

"Ha."

I let out a sigh.

A vegetable soup and a chunk of brown bread studded with grains sat in front of me.

"Ha!"

Unbelievable.

How could he do that?

Didn't we get at least a little closer in that forest? Just a tiny bit?

And yet, the moment we arrived in the capital, he ditches me like old baggage...

I set down the child-sized spoon. I had zero appetite.

"Haaah."

"Um..."

Then, a very cautious voice called out.

I turned to see a boy with gorgeous blond hair sitting next to me.

He must have arrived at the orphanage before me.

"You're the third one, I think."

"Huh? Third what?"

"Yeah, that grandpa-like sigh of yours?"

"......"

I shut my mouth.

You'll get it too once life's weight crushes you. These sighs just come out naturally.

"You seem troubled. Wanna talk to me about it?"

When I didn't react, the blond boy seemed even more curious. He even dragged his chair right up next to mine and started chatting.

I stared blankly at the blond hair.

'The Imperial Orphanage...'

Must be pretty nice here.

Why else would a war refugee look this pretty?

His clothes were shabby, but his milky skin was flawlessly smooth.

Droopy eyes like a puppy's, with turquoise irises sparkling like jewels inside. His fluffy hair looked like sunlit cotton candy.

'What boy is this pretty?'

Observing him pitifully, like a girl.

"I've got a ton of worries."

"Like what? Tell me."

Curiosity swirled in the blond boy's big eyes.

"First off..."

I have to prevent the apocalypse.

Stop Part 2 of the original story from starting.

"To do that."

I need to save the male lead who's about to die soon.

His name is Leviathan Jebert. Otherwise known as the continent's hero.

"So."

I planned to hide my identity as a runaway mage and stick by the male lead somehow. To keep him from dying suddenly!

"But."

That uncle ditched me. Ruthlessly.

"Therefore."

I need to meet that uncle again...

"But no way how..."

Waaah. I pushed away the mangled bread and flopped face-down on the table.

"Hmm."

An inexplicable chuckle came from beside me.

"So, first off, to do that, but, therefore, no way... That's some worry."

"......"

I just turned my head to look at the blond.

His doll-like face tilted innocently.

"Ugh, you little kid."

Without thinking, I patted his blond head like stroking a doll.

So free from worldly woes. I'm jealous.

"...You're really bold."

The blond straightened his fluffy hair and grinned brightly. His dazzling smile lit up the surroundings.

Leviathan stared at the emperor before him. A familiar cigarette was in his hand.

But for some reason, he had no desire to smoke it. Come to think of it, he hadn't smoked once in the forest... Maybe time to quit.

"Good work, Duke."

The emperor said, flipping through complicated documents.

"Welcome back."

Soft features. Long blond hair tied to one side. Clear turquoise eyes beneath long lashes.

Indeed, the youthful emperor hailed as Babylon's most beautiful.

"Skip the pleasantries. Get to the point."

"Still prickly... Fine. The Magic Kingdom requested cooperation in tracking a runaway mage."

Emperor Dietrian Babylon said.

Leviathan, slouched crookedly, raised an eyebrow. He set down the cigarette, and a crack sounded from the ice in his glass.

"Runaway mage?"

"A mage unit passing through Canalran Gorge was ambushed and wiped out."

"I heard."

"One body's missing."

"......"

Leviathan curled his lip.

No warmth in his sharp violet eyes. The air grew heavy.

Only one man on the continent could overwhelm with mere presence.

"Probably crushed under some rock. Or fell off a cliff in the gorge."

"......"

"Do we really have to clean up their mess?"

"Tone down the murderous aura. Planning to faint my maids?"

The emperor smiled softly, closing the documents.

"I know the Magic Kingdom's been busy controlling their mages for ages. But they're oddly on edge."

"Isn't it ridiculous? Those great mages frantic over one escaped soldier."

"Mage phobia's alive and well."

"Black mages were mages too."

Grind. Teeth clenched.

Leviathan hated magic more than anything. Closer to loathing mages as a whole.

"How's the duchess's health?"

The emperor smoothly changed topics.

Deep wrinkles formed between his brows, as if recalling something.

"The runaway mage attacking Lady Rosetta's carriage must never happen again. Losing the child in her womb was..."

Crack! A chilling shatter. The glass Leviathan held.

Drip, drip. Red blood stained the ornate carpet.

"Y-Your Excellency!"

The attendant paled, rushing forward reflexively, but the emperor raised a hand to stop him.

Touching Duke Jebert in that state meant death.

'Foot in mouth.'

The emperor swallowed tension inwardly, smiling calmly.

"Oh dear, you're angry. My hero."

Like a dragon with its reverse scale touched.

"Got it, got it. I'll handle the runaway mage. Won't involve you, Duke."

"I'd appreciate that."

"Go rest. You look exhausted."

Leviathan casually peeled off the glass shards digging into his hand and tossed them to the floor.

As the duke rose, the emperor suddenly asked.

Knowing he shouldn't pry further.

"Marchioness Averyh saw you on her way to the palace in her carriage."

This inability to curb curiosity was always trouble.

"Is that so."

"Said you had a kid with you."

Halt. The man's movement stopped.

"Not adopting again, right?"

The emperor leaned back.

"Unless you're running a nursery. Void and Liam are exceptions—unusually tough. Not many kids like the harsh north, you know."

"I know."

The carriage accident leaving the duchess infertile was infamous.

He and Rosetta adopted two boys from the branch family. He rarely saw them due to long war campaigns, but... they were sturdy, proud sons.

'That one...'

Suddenly, the grubby kid popped into mind.

'Wonder if she's okay.'

She'd made it clear she hated the orphanage.

Her unusually small frame and clear blue eyes lingered.

Leviathan shook his head to clear thoughts.

The emperor was right.

Unless opening an orphanage, forget her.

For the child's sake too.

"So, attending the banquet?"

"No. Heading back right away."

"Victory banquet without the hero. That's disloyal, Duke."

"Then."

A chill wind followed as he exited the office, tsking sounds behind.

"So stiff."

Leviathan left the palace and walked the streets.

The capital buzzed.

Vibrant, full of life.

First time in nearly a decade.

People poured out, savoring peace. Scars remained here and there, but time would heal.

'Come to think of it, she hated it.'

Leviathan chuckled softly.

The kid had clamped her ears shut the moment they entered the noisy capital. More terrified than facing Black Magic Beasts.

Yet her clear eyes rolled around, taking in the sights...

'Almost gave her a capital tour.'

Bouncing silver-thread hair. Round cheeks puffing busily.

'She had a mature side.'

Even in that forest.

"Must've been tough. Thanks to you, it's peaceful."

Hearing that had squeezed his heart.

Leviathan was raised a knight from birth. Battlefield rolling was more natural than eating.

Just doing the obvious.

That's how he'd always thought.

So praise felt awkward, especially from a child.

'But on the other hand.'

Did he want to hear it?

That it was tough.

Thanks to him.

"......"

Leviathan lazily swept back his hair.

"Maybe say goodbye properly."

Realizing he hadn't even done that.

His dawdling steps quickened naturally.

Heavy sky began drizzling.

Turning onto the orphanage road in the light rain.

A crowd murmured.

"Why so many public security knights?"

"Haven't heard?"

"What?"

"Burglars hit the Imperial Orphanage."

"No way!"

"Some kids hurt."

"Oh no... Oh!"

A gust blew past.

Leviathan shoved through the crowd, face paler than ever.