The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 35

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 35

Chapter Title: On the Genius Side?

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“Understood. The son of a healer, right? Since there's a connection, I'll send a letter.”

Borvel picked up his house call bag. As he was about to leave just like that, he turned back around as if something had suddenly come to mind.

“By the way, Lady Rubian made medicine using herbs, right?”

“Yes. She said she learned by peeking over someone's shoulder.”

It was a miraculous medicine that had melted not only the knights' hearts but even the Old Duke's diamond-hard heart.

“Is there a problem?”

“No. Not at all. Turning the ointment into a patch was a pretty creative idea, and the effect was outstanding too. Same with the bruise ointment using Abelita Herb. Honestly, I was surprised.”

Leviathan's eyebrow twitched up. His body, propped against the backrest, leaned forward on its own.

“Well, some kingdoms have ointments that heal injuries overnight... Anyway, Lady Rubian seems to have solid skills.”

Borvel muttered while stroking his chin, but only two words stuck in Leviathan's ears.

Solid skills, creative idea...

“Your Excellency? Why that look on your face?”

Borvel scowled at the duke lost in thought.

“Indeed... Ruby is...”

Hoo, a deep sigh rising from his dantian.

His face seemed to steel itself with resolve.

“On the genius side?”

“Eh, probably not quite that mu—Ugh.”

Borvel's knee buckled as he tried to speak his honest mind. Whipping around, he saw Adolph standing there with a benevolent smile.

“Adolph?”

“There was a fly on it, so.”

“...”

Somehow, her eyes seemed to shoot out sparks.

'Do you want to live only this long?'

It felt like he could hear her inner voice.

Oh, got it.

Borvel, who dreamed of living to a ripe old age, obediently shut his mouth.

“Ahem, ahem. So, what I'm saying is... If Lady Rubian is interested in herbal medicine, would it be all right if I taught her a bit?”

“You?”

“Yes. She already has basic herbal knowledge, so studying healing arts alongside it would definitely be helpful.”

“Hmm.”

Leviathan narrowed his eyes. Reading the intent in that gaze, Borvel cleared his throat loudly.

“O-Of course, if there are herbal blending recipes passed down in Lady Rubian's village, I was thinking of asking about them just a little... Would that be no good?”

Iosiah was a nation formed by various minority ethnic groups.

The medical knowledge handed down in each tribe had far more unpublished secrets than what was known to the world.

“Your thoughts are way too obvious, Borvel.”

“If—if we get friendly that way, you might even let me examine her...”

“Yes, that excuse was a good one.”

Leviathan pondered briefly before nodding.

“If Ruby says it's okay, then go ahead. Don't push it.”

“Of course. Naturally!”

Who brought that kid here in the first place. The nerve.

Borvel wiped away cold sweat as he retreated.

Leviathan, while he was at it, ordered him to look into the herb shop owner as well.

He felt strangely excited.

Not because the child was a genius.

But because, in this north, he could let her do what she wanted.

And if she had talent on top of that? Icing on the cake.

After wrapping up his paperwork, Leviathan headed to the knight order. It was about time to prepare for the spring subjugation campaign.

“Haaa... Man. The way she ran up calling 'Daddy'—so cute.”

His steps halted abruptly as he tried to enter the armory.

“Whoa, even the portrait is no joke.”

“Kuh. The outfit's too cute. Sister-in-law's skills are the real deal. Hit me up with some fabric info.”

The voices of young knights polishing their swords continued. It seemed like one of the rare gatherings of the knight order's dads.

“Can't wait to clock out and go see my little girl~”

“Seriously, how'd a treasure like that come from me? Feels like I burned through all my life's luck.”

In the north, girls were precious.

Children themselves were rare, but boys were born in strangely disproportionate numbers.

A harsh land where they fought magic beasts day and night—perhaps it was the gods' design.

Who could say.

In any case, the relatively few girls were cherished by all. It was customary not to assign them harsh duties unless absolutely necessary.

'Especially turning a daughter into a knight... that's practically taboo.'

Raising her with utmost care, only to let her roll in blood-soaked battlefields?

No parent in their right mind would make that call.

That was why female knights were so rare in the order. Other territories might be different, but...

“All right, our 'North Knights with Daughters Club'—shortened to 'Daughter-Fool Society'—time to collect this month's dues.”

“What the heck did you shorten?”

...Such a club existed?

Leviathan's head tilted.

“Hey, you lot. Keep it down. And don't let anything slip in front of His Excellency.”

A low voice followed—Leon's.

He'd apparently been steadfastly polishing his sword right beside those idiots until now.

“Obviously. Bragging about daughters in front of His Excellency...”

“You're insane.”

The knights spoke bitterly.

“...”

Leviathan pressed himself against the wall. For some reason, it was even harder to show his face now...

“So, Brad—you're transferring to the capital knight order?”

“...Yeah. Sorry.”

“What for.”

“Having a kid turns you selfish. I want him in a safer place. To you guys... I'm really sorry.”

“Forget it. Better than blasting magic beast howls every day—capital's the way to go.”

“Yeah. If I had the spare cash, I'd transfer too.”

The knights' voices consoled lowly.

'So that's why Leon mentioned needing reinforcements.'

Those who started families and had kids usually relocated to capital townhouses.

Pay got slashed in half, of course—but they bought their family's safety and peace of mind.

“...”

Getting even more awkward to step out now?

Leviathan ultimately decided to put off the preparations. Swallowing a sigh, he turned away.

For some reason, he missed Rubian.

“Where could she be.”

He set off without hesitation.

Bang.

I flung open the door to the magic stone shop.

“Not here.”

Khalid Riorc was nowhere in sight.

“Eek, you scared me!”

The clerk, dozing at the counter, jolted awake.

“Boss? No heads-up—what brings you here?”

He was a temp I'd hired since I couldn't man the place full-time. Of course, with the shop's finances in the red, his salary came from Uncle's pocket...

“Need some magic stones?”

“No, not today. But you haven't seen a pitiful, handsome homeless boy wandering around nearby?”

“A boy? Nope.”

So he hadn't even stopped by here.

“Tch.”

I'd underestimated him. Well, a guy who'd ditched me once wouldn't hesitate to do it twice!

As I fumed and lightly kicked the floor, the clerk cautiously gauged my mood.

“Boss, something not to your liking...? Sales are lousy as usual, but the cleaning's decent.”

“...”

Couldn't exactly play the tyrannical boss dumping stress on him.

I forced a smile and pointed to the box shoved in the corner.

“You're doing great work as always. Send over one more box of those purple magic stones. And if that lonely, beautiful boy shows up, give me a heads-up.”

With his acknowledgment, I left the shop.

“Hazel! Business do—...”

My words trailed off. There was the maid—a knife handler—leaning against the carriage, deftly spinning a jackknife with one hand.

“...”

Never... ask Hazel for a haircut.

“Lady Rubian! All done?”

“Y-Yeah...”

Hazel approached with a beaming smile. Even the wrist snap to pocket the knife felt so natural that I lost my train of thought again.

“Just to check—why the knife...?”

“Oh, hands were bored.”

The maid's face, smiling in the sunlight, looked extra dashing today.

Uncle, I think we have prime knight order recruit material right here?

“Heading back?”

“Yes, sis.”

“Gasp, why the sudden formal speech...?”

Wearing an awkward expression, I climbed into the open carriage. Or tried to.

“Huh?”

A familiar silhouette in the distance—my hand shot up before I knew it.

“Grandpa!”

“Eek, my squishy little booger!”