The Youngest Hides a Lot of Things [Novel] Chapter 41

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 41

Chapter Title: Free as the Wind

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"Th-there's no way."

"……."

"Ruby, I'm really not mad at you. Right? You know that?"

Void came trotting over and circled around Rubian like an excited puppy desperate to pee.

Watching him act like that, Rubian, who had been pouting, suddenly burst out laughing.

"Got it, got it. You're not mad. Happy now?"

He really acts like such a grown-up sometimes...

Anyway, seeing Rubian laugh so heartily, Void let out a sigh of relief.

"Anyway, Khalid's my friend, so get along with him."

"Tch, that depends on how that little punk acts!"

"I'm asking nicely right now. You won't even do that for me?"

Ugh. Void took a step back.

"……I even proofread your diary for free."

Rubian stared pointedly at the diary in Void's hand, feigning a sulky expression.

Ha, right! Proofreading is such a hassle!

"Fine, fine! Don't look so down!"

"Hehe."

Rubian grinned, her eyes curving into crescents. She must have eaten some apology jelly in the meantime, as a sweet scent wafted strongly through the air.

"You're the best! Thanks!"

Rubian clung to his back, dangling like a koala. At some point, her little sister had started loving to hang on like this.

And the heart of an older sibling melts like ice cream in the midday sun.

"Seriously…… why do you have to be so needy?"

Is being the youngest always like this?!

He grumbled, but the motion of giving her a piggyback ride was as steady as ever.

Whiiiish.

Dry, dusty wind. A desolate training ground.

I was standing right in the middle of it today, as usual.

"My dear grandfather is……."

The Old Duke of Jebert, with the sun at his back.

It felt like standing before a massive beast.

"Depending on what you do, you could become demons... or demons."

"So we're demons either way!"

I shouted, and Grandfather burst into roaring laughter.

"Come on, gather up, you little boogers!"

Void, who had been grilled by me yesterday about his diary and spelling, stood pale-faced beside me.

"Pfft……."

A scoff of disbelief naturally came from Khalid on my other side.

We were lined up single file in the center of the training ground. The knights pretended to train while openly gawking at us, clearly enjoying the show.

At that farce, Khalid smirked again.

'Slept like a baby in the knights' barracks.'

His face was smooth and refreshed. That guy's adaptability was truly top-notch.

"Ha? Hah? You soggy night-sky-lookin' punk."

Hey, that's what I said yesterday.

"Get in line quick, Water Night!"

"What night?"

"You too, step forward, Void brat!"

"Yes? Yessir……."

Grandfather placed his hands on the two boys' shoulders.

Void's shoulder tilted unsteadily. Khalid didn't budge an inch.

"I'll have you two spar first! That way I can gauge your skills!"

'What?'

I was startled. He'd seen plenty in the training hall already, and now again?

"Gr-Grandfather. It might be a bit unfair to Void……."

"Right, run! Get ready!"

"……."

I jumped the gun.

"Oh, that kind of spar……."

"It'll be a rough fight. The obstacles they have to overcome won't be easy……."

Heh heh heh. Grandfather chuckled darkly.

Obstacles were set up all over the training ground: hurdles, mud pits, nets, and more...

'K-army...?'

It felt familiar, but let's move on.

Still, it looked fun. I'd been practicing on the mini course diligently. I could probably hop a hurdle or two.

"Heh, heh."

I started warming up briskly.

"Then I'll get to it."

I headed to the starting line with a determined face, but my nape was suddenly grabbed.

"No, no. You little booger, a gust of wind would blow you away!"

"Huh? But I'm part of this too!"

I'd even dressed properly in my knight uniform!

I wanna run too! I wanna try obstacle racing!

"And I haven't done today's training laps! Let this count instead! Stamina! Strength!"

"……."

I looked up at him with blazing eyes, and Grandfather's mouth tightened. His twitching eyebrows didn't look the least bit amiable.

Then why'd you call me here!

"Right, Sir Leon? I should run with them too?"

"……Well, yes. But this is the main training ground... You should stick to the mini course like always……."

"That's discrimination!"

At my outcry, the upright knight's face mixed with distress.

"D-discrimination, no."

"I wanna do it too. You acknowledged me as the youngest knight......"

"Your Excellency……."

Sir Leon looked troubled as he turned to Grandfather.

"A-alright, alright. Don't pout like that! Smile! Up with the corners!"

Grandfather grabbed my cheeks and kneaded them like dough.

"You permit it?"

"Uh? Y-yeah……."

I spun around and dashed off. To the starting line where Khalid and Void were.

"Gym class time, yay!"

"Aigoo, little booger! Be careful!"

I saw the two standing awkwardly as I ran up. Void's eyes widened at the sight of me.

"Ruby! Why are you here? Just rest!"

"I'm building stamina with you guys!"

I grinned and wedged myself between them.

Khalid stared at me quietly, then plopped his hand on my head.

"Ruby. You've grown taller?"

Gasp! Music to my ears!

"Right?! I knew you'd notice!"

I bounced excitedly, grabbing his hand.

A faint trace of mana trickled into my body unknowingly. With the bracelet on, it was almost an unconscious act.

"……You two are way too close."

Riiiip. Suddenly, 'you' and 'me' split apart.

Void wedged between Khalid and me, crossing his arms with a displeased look.

"What's the problem?"

"What's the problem?"

"Yeah. What's the issue?"

As Khalid asked, the young lord's lips flapped open and shut before stopping.

"……Yeah. What is the problem?"

Scratch scratch. Void rubbed the back of his head.

Ignoring the dazed Void, Khalid leaned close and whispered to me.

"Gotta keep up this idiot act? I wanna train my swordsmanship. When does it......"

"Shh, Khalid. We said we'd get along."

"……True, but."

Then, Grandfather, who had snuck up, cleared his throat loudly. I clenched my fists with a resolute face.

"Ready, go!"

"You two, your shoelaces are untied!"

I bolted out first with a whoop. The two, who had glanced down, followed a beat late.

"Rubyyyyy!"

Void's frustrated yell chased from behind. Grandfather's hearty guffaw joined in.

"Yours really are untied, Void brat!"

"Whoa!"

Void stepped on his loosely tied lace and tumbled noisily.

I kept running without pause. Soon, a long shadow fell beside me. As expected, he'd caught up quick.

"This is fun right now!"

"What exactly."

My breath was already ragged, while Cal remained unfazed.

"Running without thinking! Not running for my life!"

"……."

Clear sky, cool breeze, warm sun!

The only times I'd run were desperate escapes. My pounding heart was always a danger signal.

But here, I could run for no reason!

My heart could race without fear!

"And if I run hard, I even get praised!"

Strong body, strong heart!

"Gah……. Whoa!"

In that instant, my puny feet tangled.

As the ground rushed up and I thought, oh no...

"Ruby!"

"Ju......!"

Two pairs of arms grabbed my nape and shoulder respectively.

I saw Khalid with dilated pupils in shock and Void panting wildly from rushing over.

"Phew. Nearly died filming a teen drama."

I dusted myself off and dashed off again.

No overpacing, no. Calm down if I don't wanna break my nose.

Tap tap. My more composed footsteps echoed across the training ground. I focused every nerve on not tripping again.

So I had no idea what was happening behind me.

"……."

"……."

The two boys who had caught me exchanged odd glances as they stood there.

'Not bad for a little sister's friend.'

'So what is this punk?'

The thoughts that flashed through their minds. Naturally.